Selena Takigawa Hoy

It’s cliché to say you could spend forever in Japan and not get bored. What I will say is that two weeks in Japan will never feel like enough, but makes for a great introduction to this endlessly fascinating country. Using the Japan Rail pass, you can take in the lights and buzz of Tokyo before experiencing the country’s rich local culture.  This two-week Japan itinerary takes you on a round-trip from Japan’s delightfully disorienting capital, whisking you from castle towns in the north to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima in the south – and finishing off with a relaxing break in the hot spring town of Beppu. You’ll travel the length of Japan’s main island of Honshu and experience the onsen island of Kyushu, visiting craftspeople, rolling through rice paddies, marveling at mountain temples, feasting on local specialties like okonomiyaki – and much, much more.  Image: Time Out Spoiler: some of the best places in Japan are the ones that you stumble upon in between hitting the major attractions. Do treat this as a guide and feel free to go your own way – that’s the flexibility the Japan Rail Pass can offer (more on that below). How to travel around Japan There’s no more natural way to travel in Japan than by train. I’ve traveled extensively from north to south using Japan’s famously efficient, modern rail system, which reaches nearly every corner of the country.  For maximum freedom and flexibility, a rail pass is a great way to go. The best pass for visitors is the Ja