On this page
Quick answer
For a first trip to Japan, 7 nights is the best length. It gives you Tokyo, Mount Fuji or Hakone, and Kyoto at a comfortable pace. With 10 nights you can add Nara and Osaka without rushing. With only 5 nights, choose Tokyo alone, or Tokyo and Kyoto.
“How many days do we need?” is the question my friends in Dubai ask me most. The honest answer depends on one thing many people don’t expect: Japan is much bigger than it looks on a map, and every region has its own charm. It can feel like a different country from one place to the next.
I was born in Japan and lived there for 26 years before moving to Dubai. Here is how I help friends decide.
Why Japan takes longer than you think
Japan stretches about 3,000 km from the snow of Hokkaido in the north to the beaches of Okinawa in the south. It has 47 prefectures, and each one has its own food, scenery and culture. Snow festivals in Hokkaido, temples in Kyoto, street food in Osaka and hot springs in the mountains are all “Japan”, but they are hours apart.
Days in Japan also start and end earlier than in the UAE. Most temples and gardens close around 5 pm, and many shops and restaurants close by about 9 pm. Instead of going out late in the evening, plan to start early in the morning. That means you see fewer places in a day than you might expect, so allow more days. For more tips like this, read our list of things to know before going to Japan.
The shinkansen is fast, but every move between cities still takes half a day once you count checking out, getting to the station and settling into a new hotel. Trying to see everything in one trip is the most common mistake I see.
On your first trip, follow the classic route: Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto. From your second trip, choose a theme, such as snow in Hokkaido, onsen towns, food in Osaka or the islands of Okinawa, and go deeper into one region.
How many days: the quick guide
| Length | What you can see | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 nights | Tokyo only, or Tokyo and Kyoto | A short holiday, or a second trip with one theme |
| 7 nights | Tokyo, Mount Fuji or Hakone, Kyoto | First-time families and couples (our top pick) |
| 10 nights | Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka | Families who want a slower pace |
| 14 nights | All of the above, plus Hokkaido, Hiroshima or skiing in winter | Long summer or winter holidays |
What to count when you fly from the Gulf
- The flight: direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha take about 9 to 11 hours. Many arrive in the evening, so your first day is usually a rest day
- The time difference: Japan is 5 hours ahead of the UAE and 6 hours ahead of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Give children a slow first morning
- The flight home: many flights back to the Gulf leave late at night, so you often get most of your last day for shopping or a final visit
- Visas: check the rules for your passport and where you live in our Japan visa guide for UAE residents
- Short holidays: with only an Eid break, see our Eid holiday plans for 4 to 9 nights
Sample routes for 5, 7, 10 and 14 nights
5 nights: Tokyo, or Tokyo and Kyoto. Three nights in Tokyo and two in Kyoto is possible, but it feels rushed with children. For families, Tokyo alone, with a day at Tokyo Disney, is more relaxing.
7 nights: Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto. Three nights in Tokyo, one night by Lake Kawaguchiko with a view of Mount Fuji, and three nights in Kyoto. This is the route we recommend most for a first visit.
10 nights: add Nara and Osaka. Spend the extra nights in Osaka, with a day trip to the deer of Nara and a day at Universal Studios Japan, and fly home from Osaka.
14 nights: add a region with a theme. In winter, add two or three nights in Hokkaido for the snow. In spring or autumn, add Hiroshima and Miyajima, or a night at an onsen town.
See the day-by-day plans in our 7- and 10-night Japan itinerary.
How many days with children
- Plan one big activity a day. Children enjoy Japan more with time to rest
- Change hotels no more than twice. Packing and moving takes longer with a family
- Add a day for each theme park. Tokyo Disney and Universal Studios Japan each need a full day
For ideas by age, see our guide to things to do in Japan with kids.
The season changes how much you can see in a day
With the same number of days, you can see more or less depending on the season.
| Season | Why you see fewer places in a day | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry blossom (March to April) and autumn leaves (November) | Popular places have long queues, so each visit takes longer | Choose fewer places, or add a day |
| Winter (December to February) | Days are short (sunset is around 4:30 pm in Tokyo), and snow can delay trains and flights | Leave extra time on travel days, especially to Hokkaido |
| Summer (July to August) | The heat makes long walks in the middle of the day hard | Go out in the morning and evening, and stay indoors at midday |
Our guide to the best time to visit Japan explains each season, and our autumn leaves guide has this year’s peak dates.
Whether you have 5 nights or two weeks, the hardest part is choosing: which places, in what order, and where to stay. A route that looks fine on paper can mean hours on trains every day. Tell us your dates and what you love, and a Japanese local will shape a route made just for you, so you make the most of every day. Ask us about your trip.
Fit it into your Gulf holidays
- Eid holidays: often 4 to 9 days, which suits a 5- or 7-night trip
- Winter school break: usually two to three weeks, enough for 10 to 14 nights, including snow
- Summer holidays: the longest break, but Japan is hot and humid, so many families combine Tokyo with cooler Hokkaido
To see what each length costs, read our guide to what a Japan trip costs from Dubai.
Your must-sees, your season, your Japan
Tell us the one thing you can’t miss, the theme of your trip and the season you’re travelling in. We’ll create an original plan built around it, with the places and moments only Japanese people know about. Plan my original trip.
How many days do I need in Tokyo?
Three to four nights is right for a first visit. Add a day if you want to visit Tokyo Disney or take a day trip to Mount Fuji.
How many days do I need in Kyoto?
Two to three nights. Kyoto's famous temples are spread out, and the best time to see them is early in the morning before the crowds.
Can I see Tokyo and Kyoto in 5 days?
Yes, with three nights in Tokyo and two in Kyoto, but it is busy. With children, it is more relaxing to choose one city or take 7 nights.
Is two weeks in Japan too long?
Not at all. Two weeks lets you see the classic route at a slow pace and add a region with a theme, such as snow in Hokkaido or an onsen town.
Is 7 days enough for a family trip to Japan?
Yes. Seven nights is enough for Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto, or Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, as long as you change hotels no more than twice.
