Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days for First Timers: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama
Last Updated on June 7, 2025 by Roxanne Tamayo
My budget Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days has been the first and most ambitious trip that I have ever. If you were aware of my previous post about what happened to my father, my travel fund for Japan was already wiped out. There was hesitation on my part if I should pursue this trip or not. Somehow, my former Canadian client understood my situation and sent $500 to my PayPal account. I challenged myself to travel solo on a low budget of just $500 or PHP 20,000.
7 days in Tokyo, 5 days in Osaka with my Japanese family, and 2 nights stranded at Narita airport.
1st Day – Arrival in Tokyo
I flew from Cebu to Tokyo by Narita International Airport. My flight ticket was worth less than $300 round trip.
Buying Suica IC Card at Narita International Airport
Easy, reloadable cards for city transport and it’s ideal to buy this when you always come back to Japan. I did my initial deposit of 500 Yen and took the normal metro train with to Shinjuku with different interconnecting trains.
Taking the Keisei Skyliner Narita Airport Express to Central Tokyo
As a first timer in Japan, I took the Keisei Skyliner to central Tokyo and back when I was in a hurry to get back to Narita airport from Asakusa.
Buying the Tokyo Subway Ticket
If you’re not buying the Suica IC card, I was just using the Tokyo Subway Ticket.
Check out: 7 Lessons I Learned When I Missed My Willer Express Bus From Tokyo to Osaka
Stay in Shinjuku or Asakusa
As a budget traveler, I prefer to stay in hostels and guesthouses. I always book and search for Hostelworld Tokyo.
Recommended Tokyo hostels to stay:
- Ace Inn Shinjuku – I personally stayed here twice during my first and second time in Tokyo. It was near Akenobashi station just a 30 seconds walk. I can easily go to Shinjuku station, the busiest in Tokyo. It was easy to meet fellow travelers and go out for dinner, night life, and day tours.
- Sakura Hostel Asakusa – I love staying in Asakusa as I find it easy for me to go back to Narita airport from Asakusa station. The hostel offers various activities every week.
- Little Japan – It’s another hostel near Asakusa and easy access to Haneda and Narita airport. The hostel has a cafe and bar on the ground floor to meet travelers and local Japanese people to socialize.
- Tomariya Ueno – Ueno is a good place to stay and highly recommended as it is near to Ueno station and other touristy places. So many places to visit and also near Asakusa.
- Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Station – Another hostel in Asakusa, they have a shared kitchen and lounge space to socialize with other travelers. it’s also near to visit main attractions in Asakusa.
2nd to 6th Day – Exploring Tokyo and other cities
Things to Do in Tokyo – Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days
- Tokyo Disney Resort Park 1-Day Pass
- Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
- TeamLab Planets Toyosu Tokyo
- Tokyo Sky Tree
- Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Scenic Spots Day tour from Tokyo
- Mount Fuji and Hakone One-Day Trip from Tokyo
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Sanrio Puroland
- Street Go Karting Experience in Akihabara
- Tokyo Kimono Experience
- Unko Museum
- Roppongi Hills Observatory Deck
- Cruise between Asakusa and Odaiba
Disclaimer: I am using affiliate links to earn a little bit. Your booking can help maintain this website. Thanks.
Read the Full Blog –> Amazing Things to Do in Tokyo
Day Trip to Yokohama
Read the Full Blog –> One Day Trip to Yokohama from Tokyo
Day Trip to Saitama
Day Trip to Nikko or Hakone
- Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Scenic Spots Day tour from Tokyo
- Mount Fuji and Hakone One-Day Trip from Tokyo
7th Day – Arrival in Osaka
Taking an Overnight Bus
I took the Willer Express Bus. You can also take an overnight bus from another company.
Read the Full Blog –> 7 Lessons I Learned When I Missed My Bus from Tokyo to Osaka
Staying with a Japanese Family
In Osaka, I stayed there for 5 days with my Japanese family and they showed me around Osaka, Kyoto, Kuwana, and Nara.
8th day to 13th day – Exploring Osaka, Kyoto, Nara
Day Trip to Universal Studios Osaka
Things To Do in Osaka
Nagashima Spa Land in Kuwana
Related Article: Rollercoaster Rides in Japan
Things To Do in Kyoto
Things To Do in Nara
14th Day – Flying out of Japan
You can fly out of Osaka to your origin of country.
My Japan Daily Expenses
Total expenses for my 14-day trip in Japan cost me less than PhP30,000, including airfare, travel tax, terminal fee, and Japan visa. More detailed explanation if you keep on reading. Find out the things to do in Tokyo.
Related Article: Things To Do in Tokyo 2023 by iTravelRox
The photo above shows how I spent the $500 or PhP20,000 given to me by my former client. Everything was spent in Tokyo and Narita airport (got stranded for 2 nights).
Related Article: Photos – Autumn in Japan 2015
Helpful Article: Sample Japan Trip Itineraries You Can Follow
Special Thanks
To the Kitagawa family who made this Japan trip unexpectedly incredible, to Hide for showing me in Yokohama, to my former Canadian client who was understanding of the situation, and to all the people I’ve met from different parts of the world for looking after me. 😀
Check out my Japan Travel Series!
New Update: I got my Japan Multiple Entry Visa
You can check out this article now: How to Get a Japan Visa Multiple Entry Without Income Tax Return?
Related Articles:
So cool! It has been a dream since then to go to Japan. I really love the country. I enjoyed reading your tips and itineraries. Very helpful! Hoping I could visit Japan someday just like you.
Yes you can do it! Follow your dreams. 🙂
Wow! So glad you still made the trip and enjoyed it! This is certainly very helpful to those wanting to travel on a budget. Thanks for sharing!
xo
LaKatwoman
http://www.KatrinaJeanCarter.wordpress.com
San yung terminal fee? Ang natatandaan ko lang ung travel tax. Yung lang ung alam kong binayaran ko sa airport.
Di ko ba nasama jan sa photo? Pero nalagay ko sa tips na 750 pesos ang terminal fee.
Wow. Di ko naisip na pwede ang 500 dollars for two weeks sa Japan… Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kuwana, Nara and Yokohama pa! Parang usually pang Southeast Asia levels lang yun. Pero keri naman pala. For me, ang nilu-look forward ko is yung pagsakay sa public transpo nila and of course, reminiscing Japanese anime shows!
Yes pwede. 2nd time ko sa Japan below 20k din for 9 days Lang.
Grabe sa budgeting skills! Noted this for reference for next time! 😀
Oo nakabalik ako ng Japan ng December sa Tokyo Lang ako naka concentrate. Hehehe! Pero sulit pa din. 😊
Hi! 🙂 been reading your posts abt Japan, super helpful! Question lang though, nagpaplan kami ng trip this year ng friend ko,sa Tokyo and Osaka (First time ko) and i’m not sure if enough yung budget na sinuggest nya, 50-60K daw kasama na hotels, food, tickets, transpo, pasalubong, pati airfare. Di kaya bitin yun? Tipid naman both lalo na sa food. But yung transpo kasi i read na mahal yung train?
Hi,
Mahal po ang train. nag Willer Bus ako from Tokyo to Osaka mga 6000 yen bili ko one way.
Reading through your article made me remember my time in Japan. It was great, very unique and the people were very disciplined. Certainly a place I would go back to. It’s great how you shared your experience – and your detailed itinerary – I could totally use these next time I visit!
Thanks for dropping by Agnes. Yeah I really like Japan and want to go back there someday. 😊
Hi Ms. Roxanne! Taning lang po, magkano po bank balance nyo when you applied for visa? Salamat!
At least 50k pesos.
As an alternative for tip #9, I’ve heard backpackers stay at Manga Kissaten (Manga Cafes), you can sleep in a private room and have unlimited access to drinks/food depending on the cafe.
hi. did you include your friend’s address in the itinerary you submitted for your visa application? is that okay, or did they ask for your friend’s residence certificate and invitation letter?
Yes I added my cousin’s address sa itinerary.
No, they never asked certificate or invitation letter.
I’m going to Japan in two months, all your tips have been very helpful. Thanks for taking the time for writing and sharing it!!!
Wow that’s awesome! Have a good time in Japan.