Start your day in Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most popular neighborhoods featuring the famous Sensō-ji temple. Explore the area's traditional shops and food stalls before heading to Ueno Park to visit the Tokyo National Museum. Before the sun sets, head to the Tokyo Skytree for incredible panoramic views of the city.
Start your day early in Shibuya, a trendy area known for its fashion and nightlife. See the famous Shibuya Crossing and visit the Meiji Shrine before exploring Harajuku, known for its street fashion and cafes. End your day in Shinjuku for its shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Escape the city and take a day trip to Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain. Head to the Fifth Station for beautiful views and hiking trails. On your way back to Tokyo, stop by Lake Kawaguchi to see the famous reflection of Mt. Fuji on the water.
Head to Kyoto, a city known for its traditional temples, shrines, and gardens. Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Gion district for its historic streets and geisha culture.
Visit the Ginkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Silver Pavilion, for its beautiful gardens and architecture. Head to the Nishiki Market to sample traditional Kyoto cuisine before visiting the Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, for its stunning reflection on the pond.
Take a day trip to Hiroshima, a city known for its tragic history and inspiring rebirth. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome to pay your respects before heading to Miyajima Island to see the iconic floating torii gate.
Head to Osaka, a city known for its food, shopping, and entertainment. Visit the Dotonbori district for its famous street food before exploring the historic Osaka Castle. End your day in Shinsekai, a nostalgic district known for its old-school charm.
Take a day trip to Nara, a city known for its free-roaming deer and ancient temples. Visit the Tōdai-ji Temple to see the world's largest bronze Buddha statue before exploring the ancient Kasuga-taisha Shrine.
End your trip where you started, in Tokyo. Spend your last day exploring areas you may have missed earlier in your trip or visit the Tsukiji Fish Market before heading home.
Transportation in Japan is efficient and reliable. It's recommended to purchase a JR Pass if you plan to take long-distance trains. They provide unlimited access to all JR trains for a certain period. Buses and taxis are also available and may be useful for shorter distances.
Costs: 7-day JR Pass - ¥29,650 ($269.97 USD), one-way bus fare Tokyo-Kyoto - ¥4,000 ($36.41 USD), taxi fare within city center - ¥660 ($6.00 USD), local one-way train fare - ¥150 ($1.36 USD)
If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to Nikko or Hakone. If you have less time, consider skipping Osaka and Nara and adding another day in Tokyo or Kyoto for more exploration.
Tokyo has two main airports: Narita International Airport (NRT) located about 60 km (37 miles) east of Tokyo and Haneda Airport (HND) located about 15 km (9.3 miles) south of Tokyo. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main airport for Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, located about 50 km (31 miles) southwest of Osaka.