Delhi to Japan Multi-City Travel Itinerary

Arrival in Tokyo

Fly from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Haneda Airport or Narita International Airport, allowing roughly 10–12 hours in the air plus immigration and baggage formalities. After landing, expect about 60–90 minutes to central Tokyo: from Haneda, the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail is usually quickest; from Narita, take the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner. Use an airport luggage-delivery counter if you are tired or carrying large bags, then check in and take a short rest before heading out. August is hot and humid, so keep water handy and avoid overloading your first evening.

Evening in Shibuya

Begin at Shibuya Crossing, ideally around dusk when the signs come alive; the crossing is free and the best views are from the upper floors of nearby department stores. Walk a few minutes to Shibuya Sky at Shibuya Scramble Square for a rooftop panorama—reserve a timed entry in advance, particularly for sunset, with tickets generally around ¥2,000–¥2,500. Allow about an hour, and note that the open-air deck may close temporarily in strong rain or wind. For dinner, head to Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka, where sushi arrives by high-speed conveyor and most plates are inexpensive; expect roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person, with a queue at peak dinner time.

Finish by wandering through Nonbei Yokocho, the narrow lantern-lit alley beside Shibuya Station. Its tiny bars are atmospheric rather than spacious, and many charge a small seating fee; check the menu and cover charge before sitting down, and bring cash as some counters do not accept cards. Stay for one drink and the atmosphere rather than trying to visit several places—the first night is best kept gentle after the long flight.

Morning

Start early at Meiji Jingu, arriving around 8:00 AM while the forest paths are still wonderfully quiet. From Harajuku Station, it is a short walk to the shrine’s broad entrance path; allow about 1½ hours to wander beneath the towering trees, pass the sake-barrel displays, and make a respectful visit to the main shrine buildings. Entry is free, though the grounds open from sunrise and close around sunset, so this is best done before the crowds and summer heat build. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water—Tokyo’s late-August humidity is noticeable even under the canopy.

Walk back toward Takeshita Street for a livelier late morning. The street becomes busy from around 10:00 AM, when its fashion boutiques, character shops, and snack counters open; allow about an hour, moving at an easy pace rather than trying to cover every shop. Try a freshly made crepe from Marion Crepes or Santa Monica Crepes, but expect queues and slightly inflated tourist-area prices. For the next leg, take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from nearby Higashi-Ginza toward Tsukiji—roughly 20–25 minutes including the walk—or use a taxi if you are carrying shopping.

Lunch and Afternoon

Spend about two hours at Tsukiji Outer Market, ideally arriving around noon, when the lanes are at their most atmospheric. Browse Tsukiji Jogai Market’s narrow streets for grilled scallops, tamagoyaki, sushi, and fruit, budgeting approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. Eat at the counter where you order, keep bags close in crowded lanes, and carry cash as some smaller vendors still do not accept cards. After lunch, walk roughly 10 minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens. The garden is generally open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with admission around ¥300; take your time around the tidal pond and bridges, then stop at Nakajima-no-Ochaya for matcha and a Japanese sweet. It is an especially good contrast to the market: quiet, spacious, and framed by Shiodome’s high-rises.

Late Afternoon and Evening

From Hamarikyu Gardens, take a taxi to teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills—usually 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic—or walk to Shimbashi and use the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Kamiyacho. Allow around two hours inside; timed tickets should be booked in advance through the official teamLab website, and prices commonly fall around ¥3,800–¥4,800 depending on the date. Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and avoid long skirts, as some rooms use reflective floors. Afterward, stay in Azabudai Hills for dinner rather than crossing the city again; the complex has convenient restaurants and evening views toward Tokyo Tower, making an easy finish to a full but well-paced day.

Morning

Begin at Senso-ji around 8:00 AM, before the approach becomes crowded with tour groups. Enter through Kaminarimon Gate, look up at its enormous lantern, and continue into the temple precinct for the incense burner, five-story pagoda, and main hall. The grounds are generally accessible from early morning, while the main hall typically opens around 6:00 AM in summer; allow about 1½ hours. From central Tokyo, take the Ginza Line to Asakusa Station, then follow the signs for Kaminarimon—useful landmarks here are close together, so walking is much easier than relying on taxis.

Continue along Nakamise-dori, the lively historic shopping street leading from Kaminarimon toward the temple. Spend about 45 minutes sampling ningyoyaki cakes, rice crackers, and melon-pan; Kibidango Azuma is a good stop for freshly made millet dumplings, while Asakusa Kokonoe is popular for fried manju. Most stalls open around 10:00 AM, so arriving slightly later gives you more choice. Keep small cash on hand, and remember that many shops are compact—browse first, then buy rather than carrying everything from the start.

Midday and Afternoon

Walk roughly 10–15 minutes west to Kappabashi Dougu Street, the specialist kitchenware district between Asakusa and Ueno. Allow an hour to explore its knife shops, lacquerware, tea utensils, restaurant signs, and remarkably realistic plastic food displays. Kama-asa is a particularly respected stop for knives and cookware, and staff can often explain sharpening and maintenance, though knives purchased as souvenirs should be packed in checked luggage. Most stores open around 10:00 AM and close by early evening; this is a practical place to buy gifts, but shipping larger or fragile items is worth asking about.

From Tawaramachi Station or Asakusa Station, take the Ginza Line toward Ueno, change at Ueno-Hirokoji or Ueno-okachimachi as needed, and continue to Oshiage Station—roughly 25–30 minutes depending on the connection. Spend the afternoon at Tokyo Skytree, allowing about two hours for the Tembo Deck and, if visibility is good, the Tembo Galleria. Standard admission is usually around ¥2,100–¥2,400 for the Tembo Deck, with a combined ticket costing roughly ¥3,100–¥3,500; online timed tickets are sensible in August. The views are clearest after a rain shower, though summer haze may soften Mount Fuji’s outline. Leave time to wander through the attached Tokyo Solamachi complex before dinner.

Evening

Have dinner at Rokurinsha Tokyo Solamachi, a well-known tsukemen specialist on the restaurant floors of Tokyo Solamachi. Their thick noodles are served separately from a concentrated, hot dipping broth with pork and seafood flavours; expect about ¥1,500–¥2,500 per person. Queueing is common at peak dinner time, so aim for around 5:30–6:00 PM or use the ticket machine and wait nearby. After eating, step outside toward the Sumida River side for a relaxed view of the illuminated Skytree before returning from Oshiage Station; the Hanzomon, Asakusa, and Tobu lines make the trip back straightforward, and an IC card is the easiest way to handle the evening’s short journeys.

Morning

Leave Shinjuku on the reserved Odakyu Romancecar around 7:30–8:00 AM and arrive at Hakone-Yumoto in roughly 90 minutes. Store heavy luggage at your accommodation or use forwarding, then continue by Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora—about 40 minutes, with a change at Hakone-Yumoto. Begin at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, ideally around 10:30 AM; allow two hours for its hillside sculpture gardens, Picasso Pavilion, and mountain views. Entry is about ¥2,000, and the museum generally opens from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds are spread across sloping paths.

Afternoon

From Gora, take the cable car to Sounzan, then the Hakone Ropeway toward Togendai; the full ride takes about 30–40 minutes, though allow 1½ hours with transfers and stops. The route crosses the stark volcanic landscape of Owakudani, where you should get off for roughly an hour to see the steaming valley and try its famous black eggs. The ropeway can close temporarily in strong wind or volcanic conditions, so check the official status before leaving Gora; a Hakone Freepass is useful for today’s transport and costs roughly ¥6,100 for two days. Continue to Togendai and board the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise to Moto-Hakone, about 30–40 minutes depending on the sailing. Fuji is only visible when the air is clear, but the lake crossing is atmospheric even under cloud.

Late Afternoon and Evening

From Moto-Hakone pier, walk about 10 minutes along the lakeshore to Hakone Shrine. Set aside an hour for the forested approach, the main shrine buildings, and the well-known torii standing in Lake Ashi; the lakeside photo spot is busiest, so linger after the main afternoon rush if you can. Shrine grounds are free and accessible throughout the day, though the nearby treasure museum has separate hours and admission. Afterward, check into your ryokan, where a hot-spring bath and dinner are best treated as the evening’s main event. Keep a little flexibility in the schedule: the ropeway, cruise, and lake views are all weather-dependent, and Hakone’s buses can become slow late in the day.

Morning Arrival and Nishiki Market

Take the planned morning Shinkansen from Odawara and expect to reach Kyoto Station around late morning. Once there, leave your bags at the hotel or use station lockers—large lockers can fill quickly—or send luggage ahead with a hotel-forwarding service. From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station, then walk about 10 minutes east to Nishiki Market. Allow roughly 1½ hours to browse the covered arcade: try grilled seafood, dashimaki tamago, pickles, yuba, and seasonal sweets, but avoid eating while walking, as many vendors ask you to eat beside their stall. The market is usually busiest from midday, and individual shops generally operate around 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; budget approximately ¥1,500–¥3,000 for grazing.

Afternoon at Nijo Castle

After lunch, walk west through Shinmachi and Nijo—about 25 minutes—or take the Karasuma Subway Line from Shijo to Karasuma-Oike, changing to the Tozai Line for Nijojo-mae Station. Spend about two hours at Nijo Castle, entering through the imposing Higash Otemon Gate to see the richly decorated Ninomaru Palace, famous for its “nightingale floors,” followed by the landscaped gardens and moat. The castle is generally open 8:45 AM–5:00 PM, with last admission around 4:00 PM; admission is roughly ¥1,300, and the palace may close on some Tuesdays, so check the official calendar. Kyoto’s summer heat is strong, so carry water and take a shaded break in the grounds before continuing.

Evening in Pontocho Alley and Dinner

Return toward the Kamo River by subway or taxi—allow 15–25 minutes depending on traffic—and arrive in Pontocho Alley around 5:30 or 6:00 PM. This narrow lantern-lit lane is best enjoyed as a slow stroll rather than a checklist; peek down the tiny side streets and walk along the riverbank, where the atmosphere is calmer than the dining lane itself. Continue to Ippudo Nishikikoji for dinner, a dependable ramen stop near Nishiki Market. Expect a short queue at peak times, counter seating, and about ¥1,000–¥2,000 per person; ordering from the ticket machine is straightforward, and the rich tonkotsu broth is especially welcome after the day’s walking.

Morning

Start early at Kiyomizu-dera, ideally arriving around 7:00–7:30 AM. From central Kyoto, take a Kyoto City Bus toward Gojozaka or Kiyomizumichi, then walk uphill for about 10–15 minutes; a taxi is quicker and usually costs roughly ¥1,200–¥1,800 from Kyoto Station, depending on traffic. The temple grounds open from 6:00 AM, and the entrance fee is about ¥500. Give yourself around two hours for the wooden stage, hillside pagodas, and quieter temple paths—August mornings are already warm, so carry water and expect some steep walking.

Walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, allowing about 1½ hours to browse their preserved wooden-townhouse streets. Most shops open around 9:00 or 10:00 AM, so this is a good time for matcha sweets, yatsuhashi, ceramics, and small craft stores without the heaviest crowds. Keep your pace slow and avoid stopping in doorways; these are working neighborhood streets as well as a major sightseeing area. For an early lunch, look for a small udon or tofu restaurant around Yasaka-dori, rather than waiting until the narrow lanes become packed.

Afternoon and Evening

Continue on foot toward Kennin-ji in Gion, roughly 15–20 minutes from Ninenzaka. This is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, and its calm gardens make a welcome contrast to the busy approach streets. Allow about an hour; admission is generally around ¥800, and the temple usually welcomes visitors from approximately 10:00 AM to 4:30 or 5:00 PM, though hours can vary with exhibitions. Afterward, spend the afternoon exploring Gion itself for about 1½ hours, especially the quieter stretches around Shirakawa and Hanamikoji Street. The traditional machiya façades are beautiful, but do not photograph geiko or maiko, or enter private lanes, without permission. In August, take a cool drink break at Saryo Tsujiri Gion Honten for matcha parfaits before dinner at Gion Karyo. Reserve ahead if possible; its seasonal kaiseki menus typically cost about ¥8,000–¥15,000 per person, and dinner lasts roughly 1½ hours. Dress neatly, arrive on time, and mention dietary restrictions when booking, since the courses are prepared around the day’s ingredients.

Morning

Take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line Limited Express from Kyoto Station around 7:30–8:00 AM to Kintetsu-Nara Station—about 45 minutes, with fares around ¥1,160–¥1,400. A reserved-seat supplement may apply, so check the departure board or buy through Kintetsu before boarding. From the station, walk or take a short bus ride toward Todai-ji; arriving before 9:00 AM keeps the approach relatively calm. Allow about 1½ hours for the temple’s immense wooden Daibutsuden and Great Buddha, with admission typically around ¥800. Shoes may need to be removed in certain areas, and the temple grounds are expansive, so comfortable footwear matters.

Walk south through Nara Park afterward, allowing roughly 1½ hours to enjoy the open lawns and deer before continuing toward Kasuga Taisha. Deer crackers are sold by vendors for about ¥200, but feed only with these approved crackers, show empty hands afterward, and avoid teasing the animals—they can be surprisingly persistent. The forested approach to Kasuga Taisha, lined with stone and bronze lanterns, feels especially atmospheric around midday; the shrine’s main grounds are generally open from about 6:30 AM, while paid inner areas often open around 8:30 AM and cost roughly ¥500.

Afternoon

From Kasuga Taisha, follow the shaded paths back toward Naramachi, roughly 25–30 minutes on foot, or use a local bus if the heat becomes tiring. This preserved merchant quarter is best enjoyed without a strict route: look into traditional machiya houses, browse small stationery and craft shops, and pause in the quieter lanes around Naramachi Nakanishi Yosaburo. Plan your late lunch at Hiraso, a long-established local favorite for kakinoha-zushi—sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, traditionally made with pressed fish such as mackerel or salmon. Expect around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person; arrive by early afternoon if possible, as portions and seating can be limited. After lunch, keep the rest of the afternoon unhurried in Naramachi, then return to Kintetsu-Nara Station on foot in about 15–20 minutes for the train back to Kyoto.

Morning

Take the JR Yamatoji Rapid from JR Nara Station around 8:00 AM to Osaka Station—roughly 45–50 minutes, with a fare of about ¥830. An ICOCA card is easiest, and reservations are unnecessary. Leave your bags at your Osaka hotel or at station lockers before heading to Osaka Castle; the castle is about 10–15 minutes by Osaka Metro from Umeda, followed by a walk through the park. Allow around two hours for the grounds and museum. The tower generally opens at 9:00 AM, with admission around ¥1,200; the surrounding Osaka Castle Park is free and particularly pleasant in the morning, though August heat makes water and a hat essential.

Lunch and Afternoon

From the castle, take the Osaka Metro to Nippombashi and walk into Kuromon Ichiba Market, allowing about 1½ hours. This covered market is best treated as a grazing stop rather than a formal lunch: look for grilled scallops, sea urchin, sashimi, takoyaki, and fruit, spending roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. Many stalls close by late afternoon, so lunchtime is the right window; eat at the counter where possible and avoid carrying food through the busiest aisles. Afterward, walk about 10 minutes toward Hozenji Yokocho, a compact stone-paved alley in Namba. Pause at the moss-covered Hozenji Fudo statue—visitors traditionally splash it with water—and take a slow loop through the lantern-lit lanes and small traditional restaurants.

Evening

Continue on foot to Dotonbori, where the canalfront signs and bridges come alive from dusk. Wander along Dotonbori Ebisu Bridge and the southern promenade, but keep an eye on phones and bags in the crowds. For dinner, go to Mizuno, the long-established okonomiyaki restaurant near the canal. Queues are common, especially in the evening, so joining the line before peak dinner time is sensible; expect about ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. The meal usually takes around an hour, leaving time afterward for a relaxed stroll through Dotonbori’s neon-lit streets and a final takoyaki or melon-pan ice cream if you still have room.

Morning

Begin in Shinsekai, arriving around 9:00 AM while the old-school arcades and food stalls are just coming to life. Wander the streets around Tsutenkaku, taking in the bright retro signs, kushikatsu restaurants, and slightly faded Showa-era atmosphere. The tower observation deck generally opens from around 9:00 AM, with admission typically about ¥1,000–¥1,500; allow 1½ hours. From Shin-Imamiya Station, walk or take the Osaka Metro one stop to Dobutsuen-mae, depending on your hotel location.

Continue north to Abeno Harukas in Abeno, directly above Tennoji Station. The Harukas 300 observatory usually opens around 9:00 AM, and tickets are roughly ¥2,000–¥2,500; reserve online if you want to avoid a wait. The glass-sided elevators whisk you up to the 58th–60th floors for superb views across Osaka—on a clear day, you can see far beyond the city. Leave about 1½ hours, then take the Hankai Uemachi Line or a short taxi ride toward Sumiyoshi.

Afternoon and Evening

Spend the afternoon at Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines and a lovely contrast to central Osaka’s towers and neon. Cross the distinctive red Sorihashi Bridge, then explore the spacious grounds and bright vermilion shrine buildings. Entry to the grounds is free, and the precinct is generally open from early morning until around 5:00 PM; allow 1½ hours. The tram stop Sumiyoshitoriimae is right beside the shrine, making the return to Namba easy on the Hankai Tramway—allow roughly 25–30 minutes.

In Namba, stop at Rikuro’s Namba Main Shop in the late afternoon for its famous freshly baked, jiggly cheesecake. Queues are common, but they move steadily; a cake is usually around ¥1,000–¥2,000, and it travels well if you are flying later. Then unwind at Namba Parks, whose terraced rooftop gardens are a pleasant place for a final Osaka stroll and last-minute shopping. Shops typically close around 8:00–9:00 PM, while restaurants stay open later. For Kansai International Airport, take the Nankai Airport Express from Nankai Namba—about 45–50 minutes—or the faster Rapi:t with a reserved seat, usually around ¥1,450–¥1,700. Leave Namba roughly three hours before your international departure, allowing time to collect luggage, check in, and clear security at the airport.