Arrive at Narita or Haneda and take Narita Express/Keisei/limousine bus or airport limousine (from Haneda) to central Tokyo; check hotel for luggage drop and confirm check-in time (most hotels allow luggage drop early).
For fresh sushi and seafood, visit Tsukiji Outer Market (recommended 7:00–14:00); if pressed for time, grab a high-quality onigiri or coffee at a convenience store near your hotel. Check Tsukiji vendor times as some stalls close early.
Walk Asakusa’s Senso-ji temple (open early–late afternoon) and shop on historic Nakamise Street for souvenirs and snacks — a great intro to traditional Tokyo.
Choose Ueno Park & museums for culture and greenery (museums often open 9:30–17:00) or head to Tokyo Skytree (towers open ~8:00–22:00) for city views and shopping at Solamachi.
Return to Tsukiji Outer Market for morning sushi stalls and seafood donburi; stalls typically operate early (peak 7:00–11:00), so arrive early to avoid lines.
Stroll Ginza for upscale shopping or visit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (open 9:00–16:30; closed Mon/Fri), depending on interest and weekday closures.
Have lunch at a mid-range Ginza sushi counter or tempura restaurant; many mid-day set menus provide excellent value (confirm reservations for popular places).
Visit teamLab Planets (check ticket availability and time slots; typically opens 10:00) or Mori Art Museum in Roppongi (usually 10:00–22:00 depending on exhibitions) for immersive digital art.
Enjoy yakitori in Omoide Yokocho or small-theme bars in Golden Gai; both areas are atmospheric and open in the evening (bars open later, often after 8pm).
Take the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Ashi and the ropeway for views of Mt. Fuji (ropeway and cruise operate roughly 9:00–17:00; weather dependent).
Check into a ryokan or day-use onsen to relax in hot springs and enjoy a kaiseki dinner; typical onsen hours vary — confirm your booking and onsen gender/usage rules.
A multi-course kaiseki dinner at your ryokan showcases seasonal local ingredients and is part of the Hakone onsen experience; dinner times typically around 18:00–20:00 (confirm with ryokan).
Travel from Hakone-Yumoto to Odawara then catch the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto (~2h15m from Odawara); book seats in advance (Nozomi is fastest but not covered by a 7-day JR Pass).
Visit Todaiji (open ~8:00–17:00) to see the Great Buddha and enjoy Nara Park where free-roaming deer are friendly — watch for feeding rules and opening times.
Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon and take a short train (15–30 minutes) to Osaka to base for the final nights; check train times for rush-hour crowds.
Head to Umeda Sky Building’s floating garden observatory (open ~10:00–22:30) for sunset views, or explore nearby department stores and underground malls.
Return to the hotel, pack light for departure, and prepare for last evening in Osaka; most hotels have late check-out options with fee — ask front desk.
Have an early breakfast at your hotel or a nearby cafe before departing for Kansai International Airport (KIX); check hotel check-out and luggage storage deadlines.
Take the Nankai Airport Express, JR Haruka, or airport limousine bus to KIX (travel time ~45–65 minutes depending on route); allow extra time for international check-in and security.