Planning a honeymoon in Japan is such an exciting prospect. You’re probably envisioning once-in-a-lifetime dinners, private tea ceremonies, late-night walks through lantern-lit alleyways…and all of this is completely possible. The problem? Settling on the right itinerary that will let you best live out your dream trip.
To help, we’ve designed these three Japan honeymoon itineraries, with each created for a different type of couple. There’s the ultra-romantic honeymoon, the adventure-focused trip, and the dream foodie itinerary. Keep reading to decide which is right for you!
We are a bespoke travel agency in Japan, helping thousands to plan and experience their dream trip from all over the world. We design unique travel itineraries, act as an on-the-ground concierge, and offer immersive cultural activities to make sure you have the best possible retirement trip to Japan.
Why Choose Japan For Your Honeymoon?
There are so many reasons why Japan makes such a perfect honeymoon destination. For any vacationer, it offers amazing culture, beautiful architecture, incredible food, and world-class hospitality…but for honeymoons, in particular, it’s an amazing choice. That’s because even amongst the crowds and busy streets, you can find so many secluded and romantic hidden places. There are intimate restaurants, little-known towns with stunning cobblestone streets, and some really special private cultural experiences that can take your trip to the next level.
It is also a country filled with variety. You might not know it, but beyond its famous cities and beautiful temples, Japan is home to tropical beaches, misty mountain resorts, ancient hiking routes, and seasonal scenic train rides. There are so many ways to spend your honeymoon, and we know there’s the perfect itinerary no matter what you and your new spouse might be interested in.
The Ultimate-Romance Honeymoon
If you’re looking for a trip centred on romance, then this is the route for you. It’s bringing you to some of the most beautiful places in Japan, with just the right balance of fun couple activities and more relaxed and intimate moments.
Tokyo
Starting your trip in Tokyo makes the most sense for most travellers. However, we also think it’s really worth a stop for your honeymoon (especially if it’s your first time in Japan). This is your chance to see the city side of Japan, in a place where you can easily mix romance with tourist must-dos.
You have to do some sightseeing at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, across the craziness of Shibuya Crossing, and through the quirky Harajuku streets.
One stop we really recommend is the absolutely beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen. It’s a park that costs 500 yen to enter, with a greenhouse, Japanese garden, and lovely stream, where there are always seasonal flowers in bloom. It’s quiet, super pretty, and very romantic. You could even grab some conbini snacks for a picnic in the park.
Tokyo is also a great spot for cultural activities, with so many on offer. We think a private home cooking class is a wonderful option for your romantic honeymoon, where you can learn to make Japanese staples like ramen or karaage.
Speaking of food, an omakase dinner is another lovely way to celebrate your honeymoon. These experiences are usually very intimate, with a chef preparing sushi right in front of you, using the best and freshest ingredients of the day.
Hakone
For the next stop, ride the Romancecar (really, that’s the actual name of the train) for 90 minutes to reach Hakone. This is an onsen town known for its spectacular views and many luxurious onsen baths.
We really recommend booking a traditional ryokan to stay in, particularly one with a private onsen for the ultimate romantic experience. Most ryokan will also offer a kaiseki dinner as part of your stay, which is another amazing experience you might not have again. It’s essentially a multi-course dinner using local ingredients that’s been designed to the smallest detail by the chef. Traditionally it’s served in your room, making for an even more intimate evening setting.
Whilst in Hakone, you can ride a scenic train, take the sightseeing cruise across the bay, and visit the very cool Open Air Museum. We think one night is usually enough for this stop, but it really is a great addition to your honeymoon itinerary.
Kyoto
Next, continue south to Kyoto. This takes a little under 3 hours by shinkansen (changing at Odawara Station first). As soon as you arrive, you’ll see what a different side of Japan Kyoto offers. It’s known as Japan’s cultural heart, and is a place where cobbled streets and preserved buildings make you feel like you’ve travelled back hundreds of years.
On top of the normal sightseeing to Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, we have a few extra itinerary ideas. To start, we think a private tea ceremony is a fantastic experience to share. Kyoto is known for its matcha and traditions, so what better place to watch and learn from a tea master?
Next, we love telling people about Saiho-ji (Kokedera), also known as the Moss Temple. The site only allows a limited number of visitors each day, making it more secluded than anywhere else in the city, plus the gardens are just sublime. Everything is covered in moss, creating an almost magical feeling, like you’ve stepped into another world completely.
If you’re interested in doing a couple’s photoshoot, Kyoto is probably the place to do it. You can do a combined kimono rental and photoshoot experience through the old-Japan feeling streets, creating one of the best souvenirs you could get.
Okinawa
Finally, to really take this honeymoon to the next level, hop on a flight to Okinawa. This is Japan’s island prefecture in the middle of the Pacific, making it a literal tropical paradise. You can book a hotel resort, or stay in cute little guest houses, and just enjoy the laidback island vibes.
The easiest place to visit and stay is Naha on Okinawa Island. There’s lots to do in the city beyond just the beach, like exploring Kokusai Dori Shopping Street, or taking a ceramics painting class in the pottery district.
However, the one thing you have to do is a snorkelling tour of the Kerama Islands. The water is unbelievably clear and blue, and the ocean’s biodiversity has been really well protected. That means you see some absolutely amazing things. Trust us, Okinawa is the perfect way to end any honeymoon trip.
The Adventure-Focused Honeymoon
If you’d rather spend your honeymoon hiking through ancient forests than relaxing on a beach, this itinerary is for you. It combines some of Japan’s most spectacular landscapes with unforgettable outdoor experiences, without sacrificing comfort at the end of each day.
Osaka
Start in Osaka. It wouldn’t be a Japan trip without visiting at least one big city, and we think you’re going to like this one. As Osaka is known for food, we suggest getting started with a food tour, or even a private couple’s sushi-making class.
You’ll definitely want to see Osaka Castle. It’s a beautiful building, with even more beautiful grounds. If you’re interested in history, the inside has been turned into a museum to teach you about the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the unification of Japan.
You also might enjoy a visit to teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka after dark. The gardens are transformed into an immersive light installation where interactive artworks respond to your movements, creating a really unique evening experience.
Koyasan
Next, it’s time to escape the city…and modern life altogether. It takes about 2 hours on the train, plus a cable car that takes you to the top of Mount Koya. There you’ll find a remote, high-altitude valley town. It’s famous for being the historic centre of Shingon Buddhism, a major sect founded by the monk Kobo Daishi over 1,200 years ago. The entire town and its pilgrimage routes are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You’ll experience a temple stay here, living with the monks for a night at a real working temple. You sleep on a futon on the floor, eat the monks’ traditional vegan diet, and wake up at dawn to watch them do their morning prayers. The stays also usually involve night tours around Okunoin, Japan’s largest cemetery, where a 2-kilometre-long path through an ancient cedar forest is lined with moss-covered tombs.
Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi Route)
Kumano Kodo is a sacred pilgrimage route in Japan that has been preserved for over 1,000 years. Exploring it is a multi-day hike, with stops at some amazing places each night. You can spend anywhere from three to six days on the route depending on how much time you have, and we really think it’s one of the most special ways to spend your honeymoon.
We recommend the Nakahechi Route because it’s the most accessible and rewarding trail for first-time hikers. The route passes through some amazing views but isn’t too challenging or extreme. Better yet, the luggage transfer services mean you only need to carry a small day pack, making the journey much more comfortable.
Each evening, you’ll stay in family-run guesthouses or traditional inns, where you can soak in an onsen, enjoy home-cooked meals made with local ingredients, and experience real Japanese hospitality.
The Nakahechi trail ends near Kii-Katsuura, where we highly recommend celebrating the end of your pilgrimage with a sunrise kayaking tour around the bay. Paddling across calm waters as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean is a magical way to finish the journey before rewarding yourselves with some of Japan’s freshest tuna and a relaxing soak in the region’s famous hot springs.
Kyoto
Finish your adventure-filled honeymoon in Japan’s cultural capital. After the adventure of the Kumano Kodo, we think you deserve a little luxury as a reward, so we recommend staying in a luxury ryokan for your time here. These are quiet and extremely romantic, especially if you choose a room with a private onsen.
Whilst in Kyoto, you can book a private tea ceremony, wander Gion in the evening, and celebrate your honeymoon with an exceptional kaiseki dinner. It’s also a great place to get in some sightseeing with the amazing Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari (one thousand torii gates shrine)…if you’re not too sick of hiking by this point.
The Perfect Foodie’s Honeymoon
We all know a couple who first bonded over their love of food, and if that’s you, we aren’t surprised Japan is at the top of your honeymoon list. You’ll find genuinely some of the best meals of your life here, with a mix of street food and fine-dining meals that you’ll be dreaming about for the rest of your lives.
Tokyo
In Tokyo, there’s an almost overwhelming amount of foodie activities to get up to during your honeymoon. Starting with the obvious, you have to begin your trip with a local Tokyo food tour. It’s the best way to eat the most bites in the shortest amount of time, plus with a local tour guide you’ll get to visit spots you’d probably never have found on your own.
In terms of neighbourhoods to explore, we think you’ll love Ginza for its fine-dining, Ebisu for the coolness factor, and Shinjuku for fun, variety, and affordable Michelin-starred meals. We’re sure you’ve also already heard of Tsukiji Market, which, although it is a little touristy these days, is still a lot of fun to explore.
If you want to experience something super cool (and still food-related), we would recommend booking a knife-making workshop. Not only can you learn from a metalwork master, but you’ll also craft your own Japanese knife instead of just buying one from a store.
Finally, for a touch of romance, definitely consider booking a wagyu steak dinner. It’ll be a little pricey, but we promise that it might just be the best meal you have that year. Some of our favourite wagyu spots are:
- Matoi Ginza: Wagyu omakase
- Ginza Steak Shibuya: High-quality, all-you-can-eat wagyu
- Yoruniku: Yakiniku restaurant
Check out our Tokyo food guide:
Osaka
We couldn’t write a foodie itinerary without a stop in Osaka. The city is often called Japan’s Kitchen, and with the motto “Eat til you drop”, you know you’re in for some mouthwateringly good bites.
Of course, you have to spend at least one evening in Dotonbori. It’s an area in Osaka known for food, food, and more food. It runs along the canal in Osaka’s Namba district, and is easily recognisable by its endless bright lights, food stalls, and, of course, the famous Glico Running Man sign. Whilst there, you need to try the local staples like takoyaki, kushikatsu, and okonomiyaki.
Whilst in Osaka, you can also take a private cooking class from a real chef inside their restaurant. Sushi and ramen are always popular options, plus who doesn’t love to eat a hand-cooked meal?
From Osaka, you can also take one (or several) day trips to some nearby foodie spots, like:
- Kyoto for a fancy kaiseki dinner
- Kobe to try the famous Kobe beef
- Nara to eat the freshly pounded mochi
Fukuoka
Finally is a city that not everyone visits: Fukuoka. You can get there in just 2.5 hours from Osaka on the bullet train, and it’s the unofficial capital of Kyushu. More importantly, Fukuoka is home to some of Japan’s best dishes.
If you love tonkotsu ramen (and who doesn’t), then you’ll be excited to learn that it actually originates from Fukuoka. There are two main styles. Hakata ramen is the famous one with thin, straight noodles and a rich but smooth soup. Then you have Kurume Ramen from the south, which is even heavier because they use a “master broth” technique where the pot never goes empty.
During the evening, make your way to one of Fukuoka’s famous yatai. These are small open-air food stalls where you can sample dishes such as yakitori, gyoza, and ramen. Each stall only seats about eight to ten people, so you will be rubbing shoulders with locals. Just a heads-up: they are not necessarily cheaper than a regular restaurant, and you are expected to order at least one drink and one food item.
There are plenty of other local specialities worth trying, like a comforting pot of mizutaki (a delicate chicken hotpot), or the richer motsunabe, made with beef or pork tripe. You also need to try mentaiko when in Fukuoka, which is pollock roe, which appears in everything from rice bowls to pasta.
If you have time for a day trip, head south to Yanagawa, where you can enjoy a romantic boat ride through the city’s historic canals before trying seiro-mushi, locally caught eel steamed with rice in a bamboo box.
Tips For Planning a Honeymoon in Japan
Here’s the good news: it’s hard to plan a bad trip to Japan. Even the most “touristy” attractions are still worth visiting, and when you know how good the country’s standards of safety and hospitality are, the risks are relatively low. But we still have some useful Japan honeymoon planning tips to turn your trip from good to unforgettable.
- Don’t change hotels every night. Japan’s transport is excellent, but constantly packing, checking out, and moving between cities quickly becomes tiring. Spending at least two or three nights in each destination gives you more time to actually enjoy it.
- Book popular experiences well in advance. Things like luxury ryokans or Michelin-starred restaurants often fill up months ahead, particularly during cherry blossom and autumn. Make your reservations early to avoid later disappointment.
- Work with a local travel agent (like us). That’s the best way to secure hard-to-get bookings, find hidden gems that only locals know about, and build an itinerary based on expert knowledge, not just hearsay and guesswork.
- Mix famous sights with private experiences. Visiting places like Fushimi Inari or Senso-ji is worthwhile, but adding experiences such as a tea ceremony, cooking class, or artisan workshop makes your trip feel far more personal.
- Leave room for flexibility. Avoid planning every hour of every day. Some of the best moments in Japan come from wandering local neighbourhoods, finding a small cafe, or spending longer than expected in a beautiful garden or onsen.
Congratulations, and have an amazing trip!
Japan Honeymoon Itineraries FAQs
Is Japan suitable for a honeymoon?
Japan is an amazing honeymoon destination. You get a mix of island beaches, city getaways, and nature escapes, plus lots of romantic couple activities like cooking classes and tea ceremonies.
How much would a trip to Japan cost for a couple?
The cost depends on your travel style, but most couples should budget between $3,000 and $5,000+ for a two-week honeymoon, excluding flights. Luxury trips with private guides, ryokans, and fine dining will naturally cost more.
Can couples kiss in public in Japan?
Holding hands is perfectly acceptable, but public displays of affection such as kissing are generally seen as rude in Japan. We usually tell guests that it’s best to avoid physical intimacy, especially at temples, shrines, and other cultural sites.
Is Japan a romantic destination?
Yes! Romance can be found in many ways in Japan. There are secluded streets for romantic strolls, private onsen in luxury ryokan, incredible dining, and lots of amazing photo opportunities.
How many days in Japan for a honeymoon?
We recommend spending 10 to 14 days in Japan for a honeymoon. This gives you enough time to experience several destinations at a relaxed pace without feeling like you’re constantly travelling.
