Japan for 2 weeks in late April — where to start?

It sounds as if you are ready for a great adventure! Public transportation is good and not that difficult to navigate.

I was on a land tour and then a cruise around Japan so parts of my itinerary were chosen for me and some I chose myself. In Tokyo I loved Team Lab Planets and the Imperial Gardens. I ended up in the Imperial Gardens by chance since they are only open 9 days a year. I followed a crowd of Japanese people from the subway station and ended up in the Imperial Palace grounds! I could have skipped Asakusa happily but it was part of the tour. Asakusa is exactly what you are trying to avoid. Dotombori in Osaka would also be on the avoid list.

One surprisingly fun , and very uncrowded, stop was the Ninja Museum in Uneo Park, Taito.

I noticed that if you are willing to “wander” a bit that it doesn’t take long to leave the crowds and get more of a sense of a more typical Japan. I often found I could take pleasant walks almost anywhere.

I was in Japan in early April last year and the gardens everywhere were fabulous. Tottori Gardens not far from Sakiminato were my favorite. This was closely followed by Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa..

I strongly suggest getting Succia Card on your phone before leaving for Japan. It makes transit and most purchases so easy. You can reload it as you travel.

Finally, you tube is your friend on travel planning in Japan. You can learn a lot about transport and other key elements in advance.

I went to Japan for my first time early October until the third week of October. I spent a few days pre-cruise in Yokohama and then sailed on Norwegian to Seoul.

There are many more members on forum who know much more than myself and I expect that they will be glad to share information with you.

You mentioned Hiroshima. And I. can tell you that Hiroshima was unpleasantly crowded in October. I walked into the Peace Museum and walked out almost immediately because of the crowding. I do not think that it will be any different late April or May.

I asked.a lot of questions from forum and will look over the responses to see if there is anything that might help you.

This forum will help YouTube Videos might help. Guide books will almost certainly help.

Here is one of my Trip Reports from Niigata, Japan. Read mine but do your own research. I remember it being beautiful with lots to do. I do not remembe it being very crowded. In fact the wonderful kite museum was very uncrowded.

Niigata, Japan

Had a very good excursion yesterday.

I went to the Northern Culture Museum or Northern History Museum and Shirone Kite Museum in Niigata Japan.

Both were very impressive. Both were beautiful

A wealthy farmer donated his home and land. And that is now known as the Northern Culture Or Northern History Museum.

Several buildings and a lot of land. . You can go into what had been the main home. There is a restaurant on the property as well as a museum. There is art, sculpture, collectibles and artifacts throughout.

The grounds are beautiful . Lots of places to sit and watch and meditate. Lots of green spaces and fountains and ponds.

Of course, a gift store with edibles and other gift items. Bought some very artsy post cards which I plan to give as gifts.

Shirone Kite Museum

Agnother wonderful place.

Hundreds to maybe thousands of magnificent large pained kites. Not the kind that the kids run with back home

Niiigata has a yearly kite festival every June and these kites are made for the Kite Festival

For my own trip I found a google search enhanced with AI helpful as a place to start. It lead me to various blogs and youtube videos. You might try "quiet itinerary Japan two weeks" or "off the beaten path Japan budget travel two weeks".

Also check out Otaru Japan. Loved it but could not do or see much because of a flare up with my foot and leg. There is a music box museum which I heard wonderful thing about and regret having to have missed it. Also a chocolate museum. Known for glass.

And Arita Japan is another place, known for its Porcelain. My memory is that it might be surroiunded by mountains. Can not remember.

Small communities.

Might find Ryokans and Onsens. One place I went to is known for its Onsens and hot springs. Might be one of these two.

We did Japan in 2015 and loved it.
It is not as expensive as we thought it would be. The country is VERY clean, no trash or cigarette butts on the streets, etc. The people are very friendly and helpful. The local food is excellent.

We did 8 days pre-cruise on a cruise that visited four ports in Japan, Shanghai, Taiwan and ended in Hong Kong. Great cruise.
In the 8 days, we spent 5 in Tokyo with a day trip to Nikko, north of Tokyo. Loved Nikko.

Lots to see in Tokyo, we also visited the giant budda at Kamakura (sp?).
We did a three day local tour to Nara and Kyoto. Kyoto is the number 1 place to see in Japan, plan on 2-3 days there. We stayed at a hotel near the train station.
On the cruise we stopped at Osaka, Kobe and Nagasaki. (also, we visited Okinawa.
We did visit Himeji Castle, which I highly recommend. It was filmed in a James Bond movie decades ago.
We also saw Osaka Castle.

Suggest using TripAdvisor.com for local tours or lodging.
We stated in Tokyo near Tokyo station. It was in a skyscraper.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g14129528-d307399-Reviews-Marunouchi_Hotel-Marunouchi_Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

For my own trip I found a google search enhanced with AI helpful as a place to start. It lead me to various blogs and youtube videos. You might try "quiet itinerary Japan two weeks" or "off the beaten path Japan budget travel two weeks".

Thanks for mentioning AI. I asked ChatGPT last week and here's what it came up with:

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🏙️ TOKYO — 3 nights

April 16–19

This is your orientation, not the main event.

Where to stay (quiet, soulful neighborhoods):

Yanaka

Ueno area

Kagurazaka

Daikanyama

How to spend time (unrushed):

Asakusa early morning (before 8am)

Meiji Shrine forest walk

One neighborhood wander (Yanaka or Kagurazaka)

A museum or two (Nezu Museum is perfect for you)

One thoughtful meal (not trendy)

❌ Skip:

Malls

Night districts

Rushing “top 10” lists

👉 Why 3 nights: Enough to understand Tokyo without burning energy.

🚄 HAKONE or KAWAGUCHIKO — 2 nights

April 19–21

Purpose: Nature, Mt. Fuji, onsen, deep exhale.

Stay: Traditional ryokan (worth it)

What you’ll do:

Lake walks

Onsen soaking

Fuji viewing (weather permitting)

Do nothing without guilt

👉 Two nights matter here—don’t rush.

🏯 KYOTO — 4 nights

April 21–25

This is the emotional heart of the trip.

Where to stay (critical):

Higashiyama

Northern Kyoto

Near the Philosopher’s Path

Your Kyoto rhythm:

One major site per morning

Long afternoons wandering lanes

Evenings by the river or in gardens

Focus on:

Early mornings at temples

Subtle places (Nezu-style gardens, not crowds)

Sitting, watching, listening

🌸 Blossoms will be mostly gone, but Kyoto is still beautiful—and calmer.

🦌 NARA — 1 night

April 25–26

This is a key linger move.

Why overnight:

Deer parks and temples are magical at dawn

Avoids the daytime rush

Stay: Small inn near Nara Park

🏞️ KANAZAWA — 2 nights

April 26–28

This replaces Osaka for you (excellent call).

Why Kanazawa fits perfectly:

Stunning gardens (Kenrokuen)

Samurai & geisha districts

Slower, more contemplative pace

Refined architecture + food

Atmosphere: Kyoto-level beauty, half the crowds.

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Any thoughts on this? I'm not even familiar with all of those locations.

I went to Japan for a very short trip about 25 years ago. I stayed at a lovely place in Asakusa, which to me was a great place to get the feel of old Tokyo in a short time. I was with a friend and felt very safe, even at night. It is very walkable and close to the Senso-Ji Temple and grounds. I took a day trip to Kamakura and it was lovely, with many temples, the Great Buddha, and just a picturesque vibe.

I have a return trip planned in late May. My plan is to fly into Tokyo, then taking a train to Kyoto for four nights. I might stay in Kyoto the entire time or might take a day trip to either Osaka or Nara. After four nights, I plan to take a train to Yokohama, which is very close to Tokyo. I will stay there five nights. As a return visitor, I feel like Yokohama is a good choice for me but I wouldn't necessarily choose it for a first time visitor. I might make a return day trip to Kamakura during the time I am staying in Yokohama. I also plan on going to Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea.

I would recommend booking your hotels as soon as possible.

A fantastic source on YouTube is "Kensho Quest". They travel to Japan for months each year and seem to be very straightforward.