14 days in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka Itinerary

Tokyo holds the status of most populous metropolitan area in the world--a fact you'll find tangible as you walk the bustling streets and explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

You've added Minato Mirai 21, Tokyo Central Railway Station, Kasai Beach Park, and other attractions to your itinerary. Visit Tokyo National Museum and Senso-ji Temple for their historical value. Odaiba and Ginza are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's lots more to do: have some family-friendly fun at Owl cafe Akiba Fukurou, don't miss a visit to Shibuya Crossing, and shop like a local with Ameya Yokocho (Ameyoko).

To find other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, use the Tokyo travel route planner .

Melbourne, Australia to Tokyo is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Melbourne to Tokyo. Traveling from Melbourne in October, Tokyo is a bit warmer at night with lows of 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) to allow enough time to take a train to Kyoto.

The national capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto retains much of the charm of old Japan, boasting numerous temples and shrines that seem completely untouched by the modern world.

You've added The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Pontocho, Haru Cooking Class, and other attractions to your itinerary. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Nijo Castle. Your inner history buff will appreciate Kinkaku-ji and Kyoto Isｓhu Trail, Higahiyama Fuahimi Inari Course. There's more to do: identify plant and animal life at Yase Momiji no Komichi.

For other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Kyoto online visit planner .

Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. In October, daytime highs in Kyoto are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) to allow enough time to take a train to Osaka.

Proud of their hometown's distinct culture and dialect, many natives of Osaka describe their city as "Japan's anti-capital." An antidote to Tokyo's hectic energy, Osaka marches to the beat of its own drum, serving as the country's longtime commercial and industrial hub.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Taste Osaka as well as Namban Culture Center. Popular historic sites such as Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle are in your itinerary. Let the collections at Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum and Todaiji Temple Cultural Center capture your imagination. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Osaka: Nara Park (in Nara), Ichizo Kobayashi Memorial Museum (in Ikeda) and Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum (in Higashinada). There's still lots to do: shop like a local with Dotonbori, find something for the whole family at Universal Studios Japan, and see the interesting displays at The World Money Box Museum.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Osaka trip planner.

Osaka is very close to Kyoto. October in Osaka sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Tue) early enough to travel back home.