One Week in Tokyo and Japan

Morning

After arriving in Tokyo, make Meiji Jingu your first stop in Harajuku. Enter through the broad, shaded approach from Harajuku Station and allow about an hour to walk through the forest and visit the shrine buildings. The shrine grounds are free and generally open from sunrise until sunset, while the exact hours change seasonally; go before the midday heat, especially in August. Dress lightly, carry water, and observe the usual shrine etiquette: bow once at the torii, keep to the side of the approach, and rinse your hands before praying. From the shrine, it is a short walk to Takeshita Street, where you can spend the late morning browsing clothing shops and trying crepes or colorful sweets. It gets crowded quickly, so keep valuables secure and expect many small shops to open around 10:00–11:00 AM.

Afternoon and Evening

Walk or take the JR Yamanote Line one stop from Harajuku Station to Shibuya Station—walking takes roughly 20 minutes, while the train is only a few minutes once you reach the platform. Spend an hour around Shibuya Scramble Crossing, watching the waves of pedestrians from the station plaza before exploring nearby viewpoints and side streets. Have a light snack or early meal here, then continue to Shibuya Sky at Shibuya Scramble Square for the sunset panorama. Reserve a timed entry online in advance; sunset slots are popular, and rooftop access can close temporarily in strong winds or bad weather. Arrive 15–20 minutes early for the elevator and security process, and bring a light layer—the rooftop can feel breezy even in summer. Finish at Torikizoku Shibuya, a casual yakitori chain where skewers and drinks are typically ordered from a tablet; budget about ¥2,000–¥3,500 per person. Several branches serve the area, so confirm the exact location on your reservation or map before walking from Shibuya Sky.

Morning

Start at Senso-ji in Asakusa around 8:00 AM, before the main crowds and tour groups arrive. Enter through Kaminarimon Gate, then walk toward the temple along the approach to the main hall; the grounds are free and open throughout the day, though shops and facilities have their own hours. Set aside about 90 minutes for the temple, the five-story pagoda, and a quiet look around the side paths. From Asakusa Station, it is an easy walk, and the Ginza and Asakusa subway lines are the most convenient ways to arrive.

Continue along Nakamise-dori, the traditional shopping street leading from the gate to the temple. Most stores generally open around 10:00 AM, so this timing works well for browsing souvenir shops and trying snacks such as ningyoyaki cakes, freshly made sembei, or melon pan. Keep some cash handy, and remember that the street can become very congested later in the morning. Afterward, walk about 10 minutes west to Kappabashi Dougu Street, where kitchenware shops sell everything from excellent Japanese knives and lacquerware to remarkably realistic plastic food samples. Allow an hour; shops typically open around 9:00–10:00 AM and many close by late afternoon.

Afternoon and Evening

Take the Ginza Line from Tawaramachi or Inaricho toward Ueno, or walk roughly 20 minutes if you would rather stay above ground. Spend the early afternoon in Ueno Park, following its shaded paths and choosing one museum or garden rather than trying to cover everything. The Tokyo National Museum is the standout option if you want traditional art and history; allow at least 90 minutes, with admission usually around ¥1,000. Check its closing day and exhibition hours before leaving, as museums commonly close on Mondays. Finish at Ameyoko Shopping Street, a lively market district beneath and beside the railway tracks, where stalls sell fruit, snacks, clothing, seafood, and inexpensive drinks. It is especially atmospheric from around 4:00 PM onward, but keep bags close in the busiest sections.

For dinner, head to Tsujihan Ueno, a popular spot for seafood rice bowls, generally around ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. Expect a queue at peak dinner time, so arriving around 5:30–6:00 PM is sensible; the restaurant’s exact hours and service format can change, so check on the day. After dinner, Ueno is well connected by JR lines and the Ginza, Hibiya, and Keisei subway or railway services, making it straightforward to return to most Tokyo neighborhoods.

Morning

Take the reserved Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku around 7:30–8:00 AM and arrive at Hakone-Yumoto in time to leave larger bags at your ryokan or in the station’s lockers. From there, use the Hakone Tozan train to Gora—the mountain line takes roughly 40 minutes and is part of the fun, with slow climbs and forested views. Spend late morning at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, one of the area’s best stops: allow about two hours for the sculpture gardens, Picasso Pavilion, and footbath. It generally opens at 9:00 AM; admission is around ¥2,000, and comfortable shoes matter because the grounds are hilly.

Afternoon

From Gora, follow signs for the cable car and Hakone Ropeway, allowing around 1½ hours for the full ride toward Togendai, including transfers and pauses at Owakudani. The ropeway crosses steep volcanic valleys, and Owakudani’s sulfurous landscape is particularly striking in clear weather; stop for the famous black eggs, sold in bags near the visitor area. Ropeway service can pause for strong wind or volcanic conditions, so check the morning status and keep a little flexibility. After exploring Owakudani for about an hour, continue to Togendai and board the Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise toward Moto-Hakone. The cruise takes roughly 30 minutes one way; Fuji views are never guaranteed in August, but the lake, cedar-covered shoreline, and pirate-style vessel still make it a pleasant mid-afternoon ride. If you are staying near Gora or Hakone-Yumoto, return by bus or retrace the ropeway route rather than trying to walk between lakeside stops.

Evening

Allow time to settle into your ryokan, use the onsen, and change before dinner. Your Hakone ryokan kaiseki dinner will usually be served in your room or a private dining area at a fixed time, commonly between 6:00 and 7:30 PM; expect several small seasonal courses, often including sashimi, simmered vegetables, grilled fish or wagyu, rice, and dessert. Budget approximately ¥8,000–¥20,000 per person if dinner is not included in the room plan. Confirm the serving time at check-in, and mention allergies or dietary restrictions early—kaiseki kitchens need advance notice.

Morning

After arriving at Kyoto Station, leave your bags at the hotel or use the station’s luggage counters and lockers; Kyoto is much easier on foot without a suitcase. Head to Nishiki Market for a late-morning wander, ideally around 10:30 AM, when most stalls are open but before the narrow covered arcade becomes packed. Allow about 90 minutes to sample yuba, tamagoyaki, pickles, soy doughnuts, and seasonal fruit. Eat neatly at the stall or designated area—many vendors discourage walking while eating—and keep in mind that some smaller shops are closed on Wednesdays. From Kyoto Station, the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station takes roughly 5 minutes, followed by a short walk; the market itself is free, though grazing can easily cost ¥1,500–¥3,000.

Afternoon and Evening

Walk or take a short taxi ride west to Nijo Castle, allowing around 15 minutes from the market area. Spend 1½ hours inside the former shogunal residence, listening for the famous “nightingale floors” in Ninomaru Palace and leaving time for the gardens. Admission is generally around ¥1,300, with separate or combined ticketing for the palace depending on the current arrangement; check the official site because hours and last entry vary seasonally, and August heat makes the shaded garden paths particularly welcome. In late afternoon, take the Tozai Subway Line from Nijojo-mae Station toward Higashiyama, then wander through Gion—especially Hanamikoji Street and the quieter lanes near Shirakawa—for about 1½ hours. Be respectful around private residences and do not photograph geiko or maiko without permission. Finish by crossing toward Pontocho Alley for dinner; arrive around 6:00–7:00 PM to avoid a long wait, and choose a compact restaurant in the lane or nearby Kiyamachi. Budget roughly ¥4,000–¥8,000 per person, with many small restaurants cash-only or reservation-focused; an evening stroll beside the Kamo River is a good, unhurried end to the day.

Morning

Start early at Kiyomizu-dera, arriving around 7:30–8:00 AM by taxi or Kyoto bus from central Kyoto; the uphill approach is easier before the heat and tour groups. Allow about two hours for the temple’s wooden stage, hillside paths, and views over the city. Admission is typically around ¥500, though hours and special exhibitions can vary. From the temple, walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the atmospheric stone-paved lanes lined with machiya houses, sweets shops, ceramics, and Kyoto crafts. They are most enjoyable before 10:00 AM, when the streets become noticeably busier; take your time rather than trying to visit every shop.

Afternoon

Continue on foot to Kodai-ji, roughly 10–15 minutes from Ninenzaka. This elegant temple is a calmer counterpoint to Kiyomizu-dera, with landscaped Zen gardens, bamboo, and beautifully maintained historic buildings; allow about an hour and expect admission around ¥600. Have a simple lunch in Higashiyama—look for a set meal of soba, tofu, or grilled fish rather than committing to a long formal meal—then take the Keihan Line from Gion-Shijo or Kiyomizu-Gojo to Fushimi-Inari Station, around 10–15 minutes. Enter Fushimi Inari Taisha in the mid-afternoon and walk beyond the first densely packed torii gates; the crowds thin considerably as you climb. You do not need to complete the full mountain circuit—two hours is enough for the lower shrine and a quieter section of the trail. The grounds are free and open around the clock, but wear supportive shoes and carry water, especially in August.

Evening

Afterward, cool down at Vermillion Espresso Bar, a convenient stop near the shrine for coffee or an iced drink; budget roughly ¥500–¥1,500 per person, and check its closing time on the day since hours can change. Finish in the Fushimi sake district, reached by a short walk or one stop farther on the Keihan Line toward Chushojima. Stroll beside the canals and traditional wooden breweries, then choose a local izakaya or sake-focused restaurant for dinner, allowing approximately ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person. Many places fill quickly on Saturday evening, so reserve if possible; otherwise arrive around 5:30–6:00 PM. Use Keihan trains back toward central Kyoto, or JR from Inari Station if that is more convenient—avoid relying on late buses after dinner.

Morning

Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto around 8:00 AM and arrive at Kintetsu-Nara Station after roughly 35–45 minutes; this puts you within easy walking distance of the park, unlike JR Nara. Walk through Nara Park toward Todai-ji, arriving around opening time when the approach is quieter and the deer are less excitable. Allow about 1½ hours for the Great Buddha Hall and its enormous bronze statue; admission is typically around ¥800, and the hall generally opens from 7:30 AM in summer. From here, follow the forested paths east toward Kasuga Taisha—a pleasant 25–30-minute walk past stone lanterns and wooded slopes. Give yourself about 1½ hours at the shrine, where the atmosphere becomes noticeably calmer away from the main park paths; admission to the inner area is usually around ¥700, while the outer grounds are free.

Midday and Afternoon

Return gradually through Nara Park, allowing about an hour to enjoy the landscape and the deer rather than treating it as just a passage between temples. Buy approved shika senbei from an authorized vendor—usually about ¥200 per stack—and keep your hands open once the crackers are gone, as the deer quickly learn to bow for more. A roughly 25-minute walk brings you toward Naramachi and Nakatanidou, where you can watch the famously vigorous mochi-pounding demonstrations and try a hot, freshly made piece; demonstrations are scheduled irregularly, so check the shop’s board or ask staff when you arrive. Expect around ¥200–¥300 for mochi, and be careful with the very soft, hot center.

Evening

Spend the late afternoon wandering Naramachi, the former merchant quarter, where narrow lanes reveal lattice-fronted houses, small craft shops, and restored machiya interiors. The Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie is a useful free stop if open, generally around 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, though many independent shops close by early evening. For dinner, settle into Edogawa Naramachi, a dependable local choice for unagi and Japanese set meals, or choose a small izakaya along Naramachi-Hisaya-dori; budget approximately ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person. Finish with the 10–15-minute walk back to Kintetsu-Nara Station, checking the last convenient train to Kyoto before dinner—Nara’s lanes become quiet early, and not every restaurant accepts cards.

Morning

Leave Nara around 7:00 AM for Tokyo, allowing roughly 3½–4 hours door to door via Shin-Osaka. Reserve the Tokaido Shinkansen in advance and use the oversized-baggage area if your suitcase exceeds 160 cm total dimensions. After arriving at Tokyo Station, drop bags at your hotel or a station luggage counter, then take the Yurikamome from Shimbashi to Shin-Toyosu for teamLab Planets TOKYO. Allow about two hours; the timed-entry experience involves barefoot rooms and water, so wear practical clothes and expect to roll trousers above the knee. Book ahead—August sessions often sell out—and check the official opening time for your date.

Lunch and Afternoon

From teamLab Planets, walk about 10 minutes to Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, an Edo-inspired complex beside Toyosu Market. Browse the food stalls and small shops before settling on lunch; budget approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person, with seafood bowls, grilled items, and sweets among the easiest choices. Afterward, take the Yurikamome from Toyosu to Shiodome, then walk a few minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens. Spend around 1½ hours following the ponds and landscaped paths, and stop at the traditional teahouse if you want matcha with a view. Admission is usually around ¥300; allow extra time in August for heat, as shade is intermittent, and check the garden’s seasonal closing time before setting out.

Evening

Walk or take the Toei Oedo Line from Shiodome to Daimon, then continue by subway or on foot toward Tokyo Station Marunouchi. The restored red-brick façade is particularly attractive in the early evening, while the surrounding Marunouchi avenues give you a good final-city stroll without needing another major attraction. Finish at Rokurinsha Tokyo Station in the station’s Tokyo Ramen Street for its rich dipping noodles; expect roughly ¥1,000–¥2,000 and potentially a queue, so use the ticket machine before joining the line. If this is your last night, keep the evening close to the station for an easy return and luggage collection.