This is the Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Japan: A 3 Week Itinerary (2024)

Japan has long been a top tourist destination, thanks to its unique and inspiring culture and food. If you’re travelling to Japan for the first time, you’ll want to see as much of the country as you can. Three weeks is the perfect amount of time. Here is how to plan the ultimate Japan 3 week itinerary for backpacking Japan.

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How to plan the ultimate backpacking Japan 3 week itinerary

If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to explore Japan in 3 weeks, here’s where to start. Think about the what inspired you to visit in the first place. Are you hoping to see temples and castles? Eat sensational street food? Relax on beaches or in the mountains? Explore its modern city life? All of these things are possible on your backpacking Japan itinerary. However, even with three weeks, you will need to prioritise.

Our story

While travelling through Malaysia with my boyfriend a few years ago, we met a young Japanese couple. When we asked them for their Japan itinerary tips, they sketched us a map! It outlined their recommendations of all the best places to go in Japan.

Five years later, we finally did it. We planned our Japan backpacking route, to spend 3 weeks in Japan from mid-April to May. We hoped to visit as many places as possible that our friends had suggested.

As you can see from the map, their recommendations ranged from Niigata in the north down to Okinawa. Even with three weeks in Japan, sadly we couldn’t do everything they’d suggested.

We had to make the choice between heading north or south from Tokyo, because we couldn’t fit everything in. In the end, we chose to head south, including to Okinawa, and leave northern Japan for another time.

My first tip for planning 21 days in Japan

My first tip for planning a trip to Japan is to pick a few places you really want to see. Even with Japan’s famous high speed bullet train, travelling between cities can take several hours. Read on for more tips and a sample 3 week Japan itinerary.

Don’t forget to bring Lonely Planet’s essential Japan guide book on your trip.

This is the ultimate backpacking Japan 3 week itinerary

Tokyo – 5 nights

When deciding on your best itinerary for backpacking Japan, Tokyo is a must-stop on your list. You will probably fly in or out of Japan’s capital city. There is so much to see and do here.

The super SIM card to buy for your backpacking Japan trip

If you land at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, like us, make sure you head to the Bic Camera store. Located on the third floor of arrivals, here you can buy a B-Mobile 21 Days Visitor SIM. 

This SIM card is perfect for a 3 week trip to Japan: mobile internet access done in one. The only thing you need to keep in mind is it doesn’t allow you to make calls.

Top ways to travel to and from the airport

Haneda airport is around 10 miles (16 km) from Tokyo city centre. The city’s other international airport, Narita, is around 40 miles (64 km) away. We were too tired to tackle the public transport from Haneda airport, so we took a taxi to our accommodation.

Be sure to take a print-out of the name and address of your accommodation in Japanese kanji characters. This is because some taxi drivers will not understand the names if they are written in the English alphabet. We liked how clean the taxis were and the lace seat covers. Some of them even have passenger doors that automatically open and close for you.

There are limousine shuttle buses operating between some areas of Tokyo and the city’s two main airports. This is a comfortable and cost-effective way to travel with all your luggage while backpacking through Japan. This is what we ended up doing for the rest of our trip when we were catching flights. Ask at the airport information desk, your hotel’s reception or click here for more information on locations and timetables.

An awesome area to stay in Tokyo (with a hidden shrine)

For this first stop in our backpacking Japan travel itinerary, we stayed in a central part of Tokyo called Akasaka. This part of Tokyo is close to tourist attractions and parks. It’s also a convenient location to get around the city, as there are a couple of metro stations nearby. It’s a great place to stay.

In Akasaka you’ll find the peaceful Hie Shrine which is well worth a visit. This is known as Tokyo’s hidden shrine and has a numerous red torii gates marking its entrance. We saw local business people come here to pray and make offerings in this shrine. It’s an oasis among the modern skyscrapers.

Find an awesome selection of accommodation in Akasaka here.

There are also many great restaurants in Akasaka, so you’ll have plenty of choice of places to eat every day. Keep in mind that the menus may not be in English. As the staff may not speak English either, you might have to point at something and hope for the best! We were lucky that a friendly local guy at the next table gave us his recommendations of the best dishes.

A beautiful place for brunch in Akasaka is the Aoyama Flower Market teahouse. Located at the base of the Akasaka Business Tower, here you can have breakfast surrounded by stunning plants and flowers. Such a treat.

Tokyo backpackers guide to brilliant budget accommodation

Accommodation in Tokyo is relatively expensive and the rooms are smaller than usual Western hotel standards. Our favourite budget hotel in Tokyo was the Super Hotel Lohas Akasaka. It has friendly staff and is in an ideal location with a 7-11 supermarket right next door. The hotel even its own dreamy onsen public bath, with specific times for men and women. Perfect after a long day of sightseeing.

The two UNPLAN hostels in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward area are friendly, modern and offer female-only as well as mixed dormitories. UNPLAN Kagurazaka has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, coffee and breakfast served daily in the on-site bar and cafe, while UNPLAN Shinjuku is conveniently located close to Shinjuku station and tourist attractions.

Browse and book the best budget accommodation in Tokyo for your dates.

These are the top attractions in Tokyo

It’s good to spend a few days in Tokyo. This is because the city takes longer to travel around than you may think.

Tokyo Tower

One of the closest attractions to Akasaka is the famous Tokyo Tower. From the summit there are incredible views over the city. If it’s your birthday, they will give you free entry and a complimentary drink or snack.

The Shibuya Crossing

Not far from Tokyo Tower – and by that I mean only 30 minutes on the metro – is Shibuya.

Here you will find great shopping and the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the world’s busiest intersection.

Many people go to the nearby Starbucks to photograph all the people scuttling across the road. Even though it’s only a pedestrian crossing, it’s a lot of fun, with people posing for shots along the way.

Nintendo fans can book a tour where you don a onesie and drive in a convoy of Mario Karts. We saw one of these groups go past in Shibuya.

Akihabara

Following our Japanese friends’ recommendation, we visited Akihabara. Here, there’s a shopping hub full of electronics retailers, manga memorabilia shops and the Tokyo Anime Center.

This was one of my favourite areas of Tokyo as it’s so colourful and lively. It is 30 minutes north of Akasaka via the city’s metro system.

We stopped for a drink and a cuddle with the cats at the MoCHA cat cafe. You can buy treats to attract the cats to eat from your hand.

Sensō-ji temple

In nearby Asakusa – still 20 minutes away by public transport – you can visit Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Amazingly, it dates back to the year 645.

Be warned, it gets incredibly crowded here, as it’s one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions.

Kameido Tenjin Shrine

Around 25 minutes east of Sensō-ji is a much smaller Shinto temple called the Kameido Tenjin Shrine. This is a perfect place to go if you’re backpacking Japan in the spring. During a few short weeks there is a special festival when the gardens bloom with hundreds of wisteria. They hang over a tranquil turtle pond with cute bridges, paths and wisteria tunnels you can walk through. It was also crowded here when we came, but with more Japanese rather than international tourists.

Tokyo Skytree

A 15 minute walk from this temple is another of the city’s famous towers, the Tokyo Skytree. At 634 metres (over 2,000 feet) tall, it is hard to miss. In fact, it is the tallest tower in the world and there is a whole complex of restaurants inside. When we visited, we found it to be overwhelmingly busy so we didn’t go to the top.

Tsukiji Market

If you’re a foodie, a great place to visit is Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market. It’s around 20-30 minutes east of Akasaka and you can find all kinds of local delicacies for sale. 

Okinawa – 5 nights

The next destination in our backpacking Japan itinerary was Okinawa, as recommended by our Japanese friends. Known as Japan’s best-kept secret, they are located hundreds of miles south in the Pacific Ocean. The Okinawa islands have a subtropical climate, with average temperatures above 20°C all year round.

We took a domestic ANA flight from Tokyo for the three hour journey. We then took a limousine shuttle bus from the airport to our accommodation. 

Browse and book the best hotels and hostels in Okinawa here.

The most interesting area to stay in Okinawa

Okinawa has a large international cultural influence, notably that of the U.S., which has a large military base there. We stayed on the main Okinawa Island in Chatan, close to American Village.

This colourfully-lit area feels like a mini-Vegas which is totally in contrast to the rest of Japan. It is full of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues with an American touch. 

For accommodation close to American Village check out this selection.

This is a truly fabulous hotel in Okinawa

Our hotel was the seafront Doubletree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan resort, a short walk from American Village. We decided to spend more money on accommodation here than we would normally because it was for my birthday. It was well worth it.

Our large room included two double beds and a wet room with an absolutely blissful rain shower. This contemporary hotel is stylish with great facilities, including a cafe/shop, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. 

I would recommend choosing an ocean-facing room because the sunset views are absolutely stunning. We sat on our balcony and looked out over the ocean as much as we could. I’ve never stayed in a hotel like this that was so close to the coast. 

Check the latest prices and availability for this fabulous hotel.

Beautiful beaches and scuba diving in Okinawa

There are beautiful beaches in Okinawa with hardly a soul on them. One of the best is Oodomari beach on the remote Ikei Island. It can be reached by car – one hour from Chatan – thanks to a series of bridges from Okinawa island. While you’ll need to pay a small fee to the beach’s owners, often you can enjoy the area to yourself. The sea is ideal for swimming – clear, clean and full of fish. There are basic showers where you can wash off the sand afterwards.

For all the best things to do in Okinawa, check out my Okinawa itinerary.

If you are feeling adventurous, there are many scuba-diving sites around Okinawa. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs. We headed towards the neighbouring island’s Kerama National Park on our scuba-diving trip.

For your perfect backpacking Japan three week itinerary, you may prefer to leave Okinawa until the end of your trip. This way, you can relax on the beaches after all the sightseeing around Japan’s cities.

Nagasaki – 2 nights

After Okinawa, we were looking for the most convenient direct flight back to the south of Japan’s main islands. We discovered a cheap flight to Nagasaki, so it became the next stop on our backpacking Japan itinerary.

We had only heard of Nagasaki because of the devastating atomic bomb attack the city suffered during World War II. But the place has a fascinating history that started long before this tragedy befell it.

Today a city of over 425,000 people, Nagasaki began as a small fishing village. In the mid-16th century, Portuguese explorers landed here. Over the years it became a popular port city for traders from China and countries across Europe.

On our walk from Nagasaki station to our accommodation, we were surprised to see the Nakamachi Catholic Church. The Europeans brought Christianity to Japan in the 16th century and the religion gained popularity in Nagasaki and beyond. However, Christianity was soon suppressed and worshippers persecuted by the Japanese rulers of the time. Japan was officially secluded from international influence for two centuries, until the 1850s. Nagasaki’s ‘Hidden Christian Sites’ are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They tell the story of how the religion was revived when Japan opened its doors again in the 19th century.

Where to stay at a traditional ryokan in Nagasaki

We stayed in a traditional Japanese ryokan. Here, the floors are covered with tatami straw mats and the futon bedding is folded up in the corner.

When you arrive, you will probably find yukata robes to wear and a fresh pot of green tea to enjoy.

Our ryokan had free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs in each room. This unique, traditional experience with modern conveniences was perfect for our three week backpacking Japan itinerary.

Book your room in this superb ryokan in Nagasaki here.

Make a stop here for melt-in-the-mouth yakitori

We discovered a restaurant called Yakitori Torimasa Ebisu, where we ate heavenly yakitori – chargrilled meats, seafood and veg on skewers. Seriously, it all tasted so good and simply melted in our mouths.

Helpfully, the restaurant has an English menu. The chef can also recommend dishes for you, before cooking them right in front of you. He told us he has been making yakitori like this for ten years. Our favorite dishes included the miso pork belly. Highly recommended – one of our favourite dining experiences while backpacking Japan.

The most memorable and moving things to do in Nagasaki

Why not walk off dinner with an evening stroll just over a mile (2 km) to Fuchi Shrine Station. From here you can catch the half-hourly Nagasaki Ropeway up to the scenic Mount Inasayama Observatory and viewing platform. It sits 333 metres (1,093 ft) above the city.

The panoramic sights from up here are called Nagasaki’s ’10 Million Dollar Night View’. You can see the city’s many twinkling lights, mountains and reflective river. It’s ranked as one of the world’s top 3 night view spots, alongside Monaco and Hong Kong.

Every evening, shortly before 10pm, the TV and radio station transmitters light up in a special colourful display.

A short tram ride from Nagasaki’s main station is the Nagasaki Peace Park. Even the trams themselves have a cute retro style.

In Nagasaki Peace Park, you will find the ‘hypocenter’. This is the exact spot where the atomic bomb landed on the city in 1945. This bomb destroyed the north of the city, killing 35,000 people in less than a second. 

Nearby you can see a remnant of a church that was one of the area’s only buildings left standing. You can also find a preserved part of the ground, exactly as it was after the bombing. Tools and teacups show the sheer devastation at ground level and the lives that were lost here.

As you walk through Nagasaki Peace Park, you will find statues dedicated to the people of Nagasaki. Calling for world peace, they include the striking Peace Statue. It is an emotional experience.

Hiroshima and Miyajima island – 4 nights

From Nagasaki, it’s a four hour train journey to Hiroshima, with a transfer at Hakata station. We’d paid for this in advance thanks to our JR Passes.

The best hotel in Hiroshima for fabulous city views

In Hiroshima, we stayed at the fabulous Rihga Royal Hotel. As it was my birthday trip, the hotel staff had kindly upgraded our room. Our corner room on a high floor of the tower had panoramic views over the city and to Miyajima island.

In the evening, we went to the hotel’s rooftop bar. Here, we tasted deliciously fragrant and spicy Japanese gin, served by an expert bartender.

Check out the full list of excellent hotels in Hiroshima.

The most moving thing to see in Hiroshima

Hiroshima is well known, along with Nagasaki, for being the site of the devastating atomic bombings during World War II. Here, you can visit the Atomic Bomb Dome. This iconic building was one of the few constructions left standing after the bombing.

The attack killed more than 70,000 people instantly, while 70,000 more succumbed to radiation poisoning. The building was preserved exactly as it was, serving as a memorial to the lives lost. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park.

Marvel at the shrines and friendly deer of Miyajima Island

The picturesque Miyajima Island is the perfect day trip from Hiroshima. Many people recommend staying overnight there too, but rooms are in high demand.

The island’s ‘floating’ Great Torii Gate in the bay is a popular spot for photos. It marks the entrance to the 12th-century Itsukushima Shrine. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For me, the most impressive structure is the Tahoto Pagoda, a striking red Buddhist temple built in 1523.

On Miyajima, friendly deer roam fearlessly among the tourists, searching for snacks. It’s rare to see these normally shy creatures up close and be able to pose for photos with them.

In the afternoon, take the Miyajima Ropeway the two journeys to the top of the mountain for incredible views. There will probably be queues, but it is worth it.

You can hike the forests at the top of this sacred mountain and discover the Seven Wonders of Mount Misen.

Where to stay on Miyajima Island

It is so special here that you may wish to stay overnight. However, there are only a few places to stay and they are in high demand.

Miyajima island is a charming and magical place that will stay in your memory for a long time.

Check out availability and book your Miyajima accommodation online in advance here.

Osaka – 3 nights

From Hiroshima, it’s a 2.5 hour journey by high speed bullet train to Osaka. Home to 19 million people, Osaka is a huge port city. It’s known for its modern architecture which lights up at night. While you can do one day in Osaka, two nights is great so you can take your time.

Its main historical landmark is the 16th-century Osaka Castle. This elegant building is surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees.

Browse and book from the extensive list of places to stay in Osaka here.

The street food you need to try in Osaka

Osaka is renowned for its tasty street food, so, as suggested by our Japanese friends, we had to try it.

First up, was takoyaki, stuffed batter balls topped with sauce. Even watching these little local snacks being made is a joy. The market stall owners whip the batter around in small moulds to shape the balls.

Next up, is okonomiyaki, delicious Japanese savoury pancakes. They’re filled with your choice of meat, seafood, vegetables and cheese, and topped with plenty of sauce. It’s street food heaven.

Osaka’s not-to-be-missed nightlife

As day turns to night in Osaka, the Dotonbori area of the city lights up into bright colours. It’s awe-inspiring, simply walking along the streets and looking up at the giant, luminous adverts.

Occasionally, you’ll see video game arcades. Open 24 hours a day, they bombard you with loud machine noise, cigarette smoke and coloured lights. The dedicated local gamers don’t seem to mind though.

Kyoto – 3 nights

Kyoto is just a 15-minute bullet train from Osaka. Once the capital of Japan, it is famous for its 2,000 beautifully preserved religious places. This includes 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as imperial palaces, gardens and traditional wooden architecture. The historic monuments of ancient Kyoto are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the city is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, allow at least two days in Kyoto. 

Kyoto is in high demand so book your accommodation well in advance here.

Explore Kyoto’s famous geisha district

Kyoto is a great place to go shopping. It also has a long tradition of being a centre for geisha, the distinctive traditional Japanese female entertainers.

Kyoto’s most famous geisha district is Gion. Here, you will find many traditional wooden merchant buildings containing shops, restaurants and teahouses, where geisha entertain guests.

At the Gion Corner theatre, you can watch performances showcasing a variety of Japanese theatrical arts.

The nearby Ponto-chō district is also known for its preserved traditional architecture and entertainment. Pontocho Alley in particular is an atmospheric place to wander around after dark.

In its narrow streets, you can discover tiny, moody bars. Highly experienced bartenders mix you cocktails served with flowers, fruit and traditional Kyoto snacks.

Get lost in the bamboo forest

A popular day trip destination from Kyoto that you will recognise from Instagram photos is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Just under an hour by public transport from central Kyoto, the bamboo forest walk is extremely popular with tourists. Go early or be prepared for crowds.

Head off the beaten track to find secluded shrines and mossy pathways where you can enjoy a peaceful moment.

We found a great little Udon noodle restaurant called Ogura-ya, where you can tuck into delicious noodle soup.

From Kyoto it’s a three-hour bullet train ride to Tokyo, to fly home after an incredible three weeks backpacking Japan.

Tokyo – 3 nights

Returning to Tokyo for our flight home, we decided to do one last day trip. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our tour – a visit to the majestic Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji – the most fabulous day trip from Tokyo

About 1.5 hours from central Tokyo by train or bus is the famous Mount Fuji. This special place is well worth a day trip to enjoy the views. We were very fortunate to have perfect weather to see this magnificent mountain. Often the summit is obscured by clouds.

Staying overnight in this beautiful location? Discover all the best places to stay.

From Kawaguchiko Station rent a bicycle or take the Red Line bus to Oishi Park. This route is usually not as busy as some of the others. The gardens, flowers and lake provide a beautiful foreground for your Mount Fuji photos. The blueberry ice cream from the cafe at the nearby Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center will make your experience even sweeter.

Is backpacking Japan expensive?

You may be wondering, how much does backpacking Japan cost? Japan is certainly more expensive than other countries in Asia to visit. In total, for our three weeks in Japan, I spent around €3500 (around $3500 or £3000). You can definitely do it for cheaper if you stay in shared accommodation instead of private rooms.

Breakdown of how much money you’ll need per day

For me, it worked out at around €165 ($165/£140) per day. I will break down the costs below, to help you calculate the price for your own trip.

Just over a third of the total cost was for accommodation. We stayed in simple hotel rooms, a traditional Japanese ryokan and a nicer hotel in Okinawa for my birthday. You’ll save money on accommodation in Japan if you stay in hostel dorm rooms. In the section below, I will share some top-rated hostel options.

Around a quarter of the cost was for transport. This included return flights from mainland Japan to Okinawa and the JR Pass for high speed train travel. The JR Pass is an expensive upfront cost, but it works out cheaper than booking individual train journeys. For more information, see the travel section below.

The next biggest cost, at 16% of the total, was for food and eating out at restaurants. The good news is you can dine well in Japan on a budget. We only spent around €27 (£22) per day on food. In Japan, you can find tasty street food on a budget. Even in one of the neighbourhood 7-11 supermarkets, you can find delicious and inexpensive Japanese snacks and meals.

Of the remaining budget, the largest was for tickets to attractions, but this only comprised 8% of the total.

How much cash should you take?

Many vendors still only take cash rather than credit card payment. For this reason, make sure you always have plenty of cash on you. Sometimes it will take a while to find an ATM, so it’s worth taking out a large sum of money. You will probably be charged by your bank, and maybe the ATM too, for each withdrawal. Luckily, Japan is a safe place to travel, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash with you.

To help you plan a budget and estimate costs for your trip to Japan, check out this useful site.

This is the best (and worst) time to visit Japan

Spring is said to be the best time to visit Japan because it’s cherry blossom season. For my trip to Japan, we decided to go from mid-April to early May, over the Easter holidays. However, it’s good to check with a Japan itinerary blog or planner first. It was only after booking our flights that I realised our dates coincided with Golden Week.

Golden Week is a week in Japan during which there are several national holidays. This means many transport hubs, hotels and tourist attractions are much busier than normal. Normally the advice for international tourists is to avoid this period.

For this reason, it’s better to go in March or early April, if you want to see the cherry blossom. The autumn months between September and November is another good time to visit, as summer in Japan can get hot.

For us, Golden Week in 2019 coincided with the abdication of Japan’s Emperor Akihito. His son Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, ascended the throne, ushering in a new era for the country. This meant extended national holidays for the Japanese and a momentous time in history to visit Japan. Read on for my full Japan trip planner to help you organise the best trip to Japan.

This is by far the fastest and best way to travel in Japan

As you will be travelling long distances, the best way to travel around Japan is by bullet train. Known as the Shinkansen, it is fast, comfortable and incredibly efficient.

The only thing you will need to worry about is getting on and off the train in time. They only allow around one minute at each station, before speeding off to the next stop. 

How to buy tickets for the Shinkansen

Buying the bullet train tickets separately can be expensive, so I highly recommend buying a Japan Rail (JR) Pass. This allows you to travel on the Shinkansen as often as you want for a fixed price. A Japan train tour like this is arguably the best way to see Japan. You can buy a JR Pass for 1, 2 or 3 weeks.

You need to order it in advance, then exchange your voucher for the pass itself at a train station. Here, you’ll need to book the individual tickets for your journeys.

Find out more, buy your JR Pass and get a free Japan train planner here. 

Other ways to travel around Japan

When exploring how to travel around Japan, you will see there are other options, such as buses and internal flights.

We took internal flights for part of our trip, from Tokyo to Okinawa and from Okinawa to Nagasaki.

Buses can be useful if your Japan travel route is more off-the-beaten path. The Shinkansen mainly serves the big cities.

Final thoughts on a backpacking Japan 3 week itinerary

While we had a full Japan itinerary of 21 days, it still didn’t feel like enough time. Because we went to Okinawa, we weren’t able to visit the parts of northern Japan our friends had suggested.

Niigata is a port city said to produce the world’s finest sake, Japan’s famous rice wine. They’d also recommended Nagano. This ski resort is famous for the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs of Jigokudani Monkey Park. At least it means there’s plenty left to visit when we return to Japan.

Whatever happens, you are sure to have an incredible time on your 3 week itinerary in Japan. It will give you time to eat, experience and enjoy everything this unique country has to offer.