After arriving at Narita, take the convenient Narita Express (N'EX) into central Tokyo and store luggage at your Shinjuku hotel; a comfortable mid-range option near Shinjuku Station keeps you close to transport and dining. Spend a relaxed morning strolling the leafy paths of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden to unwind from the flight, then pop into Omoide Yokocho for an early vegetarian-friendly snack or tea at a cosy cafe before checking in and resting for the afternoon.
After a restful check-in, wander over to Takashimaya Times Square and explore its basement food halls for vegetarian bento options and snacks, then stroll the lively pedestrian avenues toward Kabukicho to watch the city wake up (stick to lit, busy streets). Finish with a relaxed early evening drink or tea at the rooftop terrace of Keio Plaza Hotel (open to non-guests) for skyline views before freshening up for dinner in nearby restaurants with vegetarian menus.
As night falls, head to the neon-soaked alleys around Golden Gai for atmospheric bar-hopping where tiny themed bars welcome visitors (look for bars that allow tourists and offer non-alcoholic options). Afterward, stroll to the nearby lantern-lit lanes of Piss Alley (Yakitori Alley) to sample vegetarian izakaya-style small plates at a cosy tavern that accommodates meat-free requests, then finish with a peaceful walk up to the illuminated observation terrace at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for panoramic city views before returning to your Shinjuku hotel.
Start the day with a relaxed breakfast at a vegetarian-friendly cafe in Cat Street before wandering the boutique shops along Omotesando Hills, admiring modern architecture and chic ateliers. Head to the peaceful grounds of Togo Shrine for a quieter contrast to the crowds, then join a short guided walking tour through the colorful lanes of Takeshita Street to sample plant-based crepes and explore vintage fashion stores - a lively, local-flavor introduction to Harajuku before the afternoon's Shibuya bustle.
Cross over to Shibuya Crossing at peak afternoon energy, then ride the elevator up to Shibuya Sky for sweeping city views and a coffee on the rooftop terrace as the light softens. After taking in the panorama, explore nearby independent galleries and vintage stores along Spain-zaka before settling into a vegetarian-friendly izakaya in Nonbei Yokocho for small plates and relaxed people-watching.
As the sun sets, wander from the daytime bustle into the stylish backstreets of Daikanyama T-Site for a relaxed bookstore-and-cafe atmosphere, then head to the rooftop terrace of Magnet by Shibuya 109 for skyline views and people-watching. Finish with a cozy, vegetarian-friendly dinner at Ain Soph. Journey (short taxi or subway ride) to sample creative plant-based Japanese dishes, followed by a gentle riverside stroll along the illuminated Shibuya River promenades to close the evening.
Begin with a peaceful stroll through the traditional streets around Asakusa Culture and Tourist Information Center to catch morning light on historic storefronts, then join a short guided tasting walk in Nakamise-dori sampling vegetarian-friendly ningyo-yaki cakes and sweet rice crackers at local stalls. From there, take a riverside walk along the Sumida to the striking Sumida Hokusai Museum for a compact introduction to ukiyo-e art before hopping the short tram to explore vintage electronics and hobby shops around Kanda Myojin and nearby independent manga stores in quieter Akihabara backstreets.
After your morning stroll, cross the Sumida River to explore the modern waterfront around Tokyo Solamachi for vegetarian-friendly cafes and rooftop views, then ride up the observation decks of Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck for a different perspective of the city and distant Mount Fuji on clear days. Later, wander the specialty shops and retro arcades of Denki-gai (Akihabara Electric Town)-hunt for vintage game cartridges, visit a themed cafe with vegetarian options, and stop in Super Potato for nostalgic consoles before an early evening ramen tasting at a vegetarian-friendly shop nearby.
As the crowds thin, wander to the atmospheric lanes around Kappabashi Dougu Street to browse traditional kitchenware and pick up unique vegetarian-friendly cookware or souvenirs, then enjoy a relaxed dinner at the nearby T's TanTan in Tokyo Station (short train ride) or a vegetarian izakaya in the Asakusa area for hearty plant-based ramen and tempura. After dinner, take a gentle night cruise on the Sumida River for illuminated city views, disembarking near Ryogoku to visit a cosy sake bar with mocktail and vegetarian snack options, or cap the night with arcade time at the retro-themed Club Sega Akihabara for a playful finish.
Start the morning with an immersive, early-entry visit to teamLab Planets in Toyosu to enjoy the multisensory exhibits before crowds arrive, then stroll the nearby waterfront promenade toward Toyosu Market where you can join a vegetarian-friendly tasting tour focusing on seaweed, tofu, and seasonal pickles. Finish with a hands-on vegetarian sushi-making class at Sushi Salon Tokyo (private mid-range workshop) to learn plant-based nigiri techniques-perfect preparation for the day's StreetKart experience and keeping the pace relaxed after your Asakusa and Akihabara explorations.
After your morning at teamLab Planets, take a short ride to Odaiba Seaside Park for a relaxed waterfront walk and great photo ops of the Rainbow Bridge, then hop to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza to try plant-forward izakaya dishes at Ain Soph. Ripple (vegetarian burgers and creative sides) before gearing up for an adrenaline-fuelled StreetKart run. In the late afternoon, meet your licensed guide near Tokyo Bay Yacht Harbor for the StreetKart route through scenic urban stretches and past iconic landmarks, finishing with a chilled matcha or fruit parfait at Sakura Cafe & Restaurant to unwind.
Wind down after your StreetKart adrenaline with a relaxed dinner at Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka (conveyor-style sushi with clear vegetarian options) or the plant-forward izakaya Saido in Nakameguro for inventive vegan takes on Japanese comfort food; both are easy to reach from central Tokyo. After dinner, take a twilight stroll along the illuminated canal at Meguro River (charming riverside cafes and dessert spots) and finish the night with craft mocktails at Bar Tram in Ebisu, a cosy spot known for its vermouth and friendly atmosphere.
Catch an early Odakyu Romancecar or Hakone Freepass-equipped train toward Hakone-Yumoto and begin with a scenic cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a pirate-style sightseeing boat for calm waters and reflective views of the mountains; follow this with a short bus ride to the Hakone Checkpoint to step into Edo-era history along the lakeshore. Next, board the Hakone Ropeway from Togendai for dramatic panoramas, disembark at a quieter stop to explore the tray of artisan shops at Owakudani-Kogen (try the local black-salted eggs alternative snacks suitable for vegetarians) before descending to a nearby onsen town for an afternoon soak.
After your morning ropeway and lakeshore time, take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car up to Gora Park for a leisurely stroll through its European-style gardens and tea house, then visit the nearby Hakone Open-Air Museum to admire large-scale sculptures set against mountain views and dip into the museum's footbath for a quick, relaxing soak. Finish the afternoon with a short bus ride to Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields for wide, scenic walks and photo stops framed by distant peaks-ideal for golden-hour light-before heading to an onsen town for an evening soak and dinner.
As daylight fades, settle into a restorative soak at a traditional ryokan onsen in Yumoto-many mid-range ryokans offer private rotenburo bookings and vegetarian kaiseki options-then stroll the lantern-lit streets to browse local shops for handcrafted Yumoto ceramics and sweet potato confections. Finish the night with a relaxed dinner at a nearby soba restaurant like Honke Chikutano (offers vegetable tempura and mountain vegetable soba) or a cosy izakaya in Miyanoshita serving mountain vegetable dishes, followed by a short, peaceful riverside walk beneath cedar trees before returning to Tokyo.
Board the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (approx. 2 hr 20 min on a reserved Hikari service) and store luggage in coin lockers or at your hotel's left-luggage desk before exploring. After arrival, take a gentle walk through the peaceful lanes of Pontocho Alley toward Kamogawa River for riverside cafes and matcha sweets, then visit the intimate Yasaka Shrine grounds and browse nearby traditional craft shops to get a first taste of Kyoto's atmosphere before checking in and resting ahead of your Gion evening.
After checking luggage, wander through the tranquil lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka for traditional pottery shops and matcha sweets, then climb to the viewing terrace at Yasaka Pagoda for a classic Kyoto photo with temple rooftops. Finish with a visit to the atmospheric Maruyama Park-relax beneath the trees with a tea at a park-side cafe before freshening up at your hotel and preparing for your Gion evening.
As dusk falls, wander the lantern-lit lanes of Hanamikoji Street to watch geisha culture glide by and pause for a matcha-infused dessert at Ippodo Tea Salon Gion. Then enjoy a relaxed vegetarian kaiseki experience at Gion Nanba (reservations recommended) or sample seasonal small plates at the cozy Veg Out Kyoto riverside cafe, finishing with a gentle stroll along the illuminated Shirakawa Canal under willow trees for classic Gion atmosphere before returning to your hotel.
Begin with an early stroll through the atmospheric lanes around Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, popping into charming craft shops and a riverside cafe for matcha and yudofu (tofu) before crowds arrive. Continue to the serene pathways of Okochi Sanso Garden for manicured gardens and tee-room views, then cross the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge to rent bicycles and pedal along the Hozu River towpath toward the base of Iwatayama Monkey Park, pausing at riverside vendors for vegetarian-friendly snacks and photos of the valley scenery.
Wander deeper into Arashiyama by visiting Sagano Scenic Railway for a short, nostalgic ride with valley views, then alight to explore the peaceful gardens and mossy stone lanterns of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a lesser-known temple filled with quirky stone statues. Finish the afternoon with a riverside boat hire on the Hozu River (pleasure boat or short guided ride) for gentle drifting past wooded slopes before returning to the base of Iwatayama Monkey Park for your late-afternoon climb and close-up time with the macaques as the light softens.
As dusk falls, wander the quieter lanes toward Kameyama Park for riverbank views of the Hozu River and a peaceful spot to watch sunset colours over the valley, then cross to Saga-Arashiyama Station area to browse local craft shops selling yuzu and washi-paper souvenirs. Finish with a relaxed vegetarian-friendly dinner at Shigetsu inside the nearby temple complex (reservations recommended for their shojin ryori) or the cosy riverside Arashiyama Yoshimura café-restaurant for soba and matcha desserts while the lights twinkle on the Togetsukyo Bridge.
Begin with an early visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha to walk quieter stretches of the vermilion torii tunnels and offer a peaceful start before the crowds; continue uphill to discover lesser-known sub-shrines and panoramic views over southern Kyoto. From there, stroll through the atmospheric lanes of Sannenzaka toward Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage to enjoy morning light on the temple and sip matcha at the nearby Otowa-no-taki spring pavilion, then pop into Ninenzaka's artisanal shops for hand-made wagashi and yuzu sweets to sample en route to Nishiki Market for mid-morning tasting later in the day.
After the morning's highpoints, wander the charming lanes toward Nishiki Market's quieter side streets to sample vegetarian-friendly pickles and handcrafted tofu sweets at stalls like Miyako Tofu; continue to the nearby Teramachi Shopping Arcade to browse traditional craft shops and a specialty matcha café for a mid-afternoon pause. Then head uphill to the serene grounds of Kennin-ji Temple to admire its Zen gardens and iconic ceiling painting, finishing with a peaceful tea ceremony experience at Camellia Garden teahouse where you can taste seasonal wagashi and matcha in a tatami room before returning to central Kyoto for the evening.
As dusk deepens, wander the atmospheric lanes toward Pontocho Alley for lantern-lit riverside views and choose a cosy spot at Veg Out Kyoto or a nearby kaiseki-style restaurant offering vegetarian small plates to savour seasonal flavours. After dinner, enjoy a serene nightcap stroll across Shijo Bridge to admire the softly illuminated cityscape and pop into Ippodo Tea Salon Sanjo for a calming matcha or herbal infusion to close the day.
Board a mid-morning Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka Station (approx. 15 min on a Kodama/Hikari if reserved), then store luggage at Namba Station lockers and enjoy a relaxed stroll through the charming alleyways of Hozenji Yokocho, stopping for a vegetarian-friendly udon or yudofu set at Kura; continue to the nearby Nipponbashi (Den Den Town) to browse anime shops and retro game stores before checking into your Osaka hotel and freshening up for the evening.
After checking into your Namba-area hotel, wander through Kuromon Ichiba Market to sample vegetarian street treats like grilled mochi, pickled vegetables and fresh fruit from family stalls, then take a short walk to Namba Parks for rooftop gardens and a peaceful coffee break with skyline views. Finish the afternoon with an easy riverfront stroll along Dotonbori Canal, stopping for photos beneath the neon signs and popping into an okonomiyaki restaurant such as Misono (many locations offer vegetarian batter and toppings) to reserve an early dinner slot before your Shinsaibashi evening.
As night falls, wander the lively backstreets around Americamura (American Village) for indie boutiques and street art, then head to Hozenji Yokocho to dine in an atmospheric laneway-seek out Tengu or another izakaya that will prepare vegetarian okonomiyaki or yaki-udon on request. After dinner, take a neon-lit riverside walk under the giant Glico Running Man sign and finish with craft non-alcoholic cocktails at the cozy speakeasy Bar Nayuta or with matcha desserts at Gram Café & Pancakes in Shinsaibashi.
If you choose to stay in Osaka, begin with a peaceful stroll through Osaka Castle Park to enjoy early-morning views of the castle keep and seasonal gardens, then visit the informative exhibits inside Osaka Castle Museum to learn about samurai history. Alternatively, for the Hiroshima day-trip option, catch an early Shinkansen to Hiroshima and start at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and the moving exhibits at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum before boarding the short local train and ferry to Miyajima for the iconic floating Itsukushima Shrine approach later in the day.
If staying in Osaka, spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the creative shops and cafes of Nakazakicho followed by a visit to the interactive exhibits at National Museum of Art, Osaka and a stroll through the tranquil gardens of Nakanoshima Park before an early evening food crawl. If you choose the Hiroshima day trip, arrive on Miyajima after the museum visit to wander the forested paths up to Mount Misen via the Misen Ropeway for panoramic views and then browse artisan shops around Momijidani Park, sampling vegetarian-friendly momiji manju and chestnut sweets before returning to Hiroshima or Osaka.
If you stay in Osaka, spend the evening exploring the neon-lit foodie labyrinth of Shinsekai, savour vegetarian kushikatsu at a friendly local spot like Kushikatsu Daruma (ask for vegetable-only skewers) and then wander to the animated nightlife hub of Namba Yasaka Shrine for quirky photo opportunities and a quieter, lantern-lit stroll; finish with craft mocktails or matcha desserts at the cozy JTRRD Cafe in nearby Namba. If you opted for the Hiroshima/Miyajima day trip, return to Hiroshima city at dusk to stroll the atmospheric riverside at Hiroshima Hondori Shopping Street, sample vegetarian-style okonomiyaki at a specialist like Shizuku (many chefs will do vegetable-only versions), and end the night with a serene after-hours view of the illuminated A-Bomb Dome from the riverbank before catching the late Shinkansen back to Osaka.