Head to Asakusa and give yourself a little breathing room after the flight—hotel check-in and a quick reset will make the first evening much nicer. Aim to reach Sensō-ji by about 3:30 p.m. The grounds are free and open into the evening, though the main hall generally closes around 5 p.m. Spend about an hour taking in the temple and its courtyards; if you arrive later, you can still enjoy the lantern-lit grounds, but the interior may be closed.
After the temple, browse Nakamise-dori, the traditional shopping lane leading toward the main approach. Most stalls close around 5–6 p.m., so don’t leave this for too late; pick up a ningyō-yaki cake or a few small souvenirs while shops are still open. From there, it’s an easy walk to Hoppy Street, where the lantern-lit izakaya make a relaxed first-night landing. Budget roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person for a casual meal and drinks; some small spots are cash-friendly, and menus may be limited in English.
If you still have energy after dinner, take a gentle 30-minute stroll through Sumida Park along the river. It’s a pleasant way to stretch your legs and see the city settle into night; the park is free and open, though paths are darker after sunset. As a practical note, Asakusa Station is served by the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, and Tobu Skytree Line, so it’s straightforward to return to your hotel from here.
Start around 8:00 a.m. at Tsukiji Outer Market, when the stalls are lively and you’ll have the best choice of breakfast. Follow your nose between the narrow lanes for sushi, tamagoyaki, grilled seafood, and other market bites; allow about 1½ hours and budget ¥1,500–3,000. Individual shops set their own hours, and many wind down in the early afternoon, so go in the morning and bring cash for smaller vendors.
Walk roughly 15–20 minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens for a quieter change of pace. The garden is generally open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.) and admission is around ¥300. Take an easy loop past the tidal ponds and waterfront; the teahouse on the pond is a lovely place to pause if you fancy matcha. Give yourself about 1½ hours, then walk or take a short taxi ride toward Ginza.
Spend about two hours wandering Ginza: browse the department stores and side streets, and look up as well as in—the area’s modern shopfronts and older architectural details make the stroll part of the fun. Most major stores open around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. and close around 8:00 p.m. For an easy lunch, pick up a few things from a department-store food hall, or settle into a café when you need a break.
Head to Tokyo Station for dinner at Tokyo Ramen Street, inside the station’s Yaesu-side shopping area. The ramen counters are popular, so expect a short queue at peak dinner time; choose from the shops’ ticket machines, with bowls typically around ¥1,000–2,000. It’s a convenient, low-fuss finish—and an easy place to get oriented for tomorrow’s train travel.
Start around 8:30 a.m. at Meiji Shrine, when the broad, wooded approach is at its quietest. The shrine grounds are free to enter and open from sunrise to sunset; allow about 1½ hours to stroll the forest paths and visit the main shrine. From the Harajuku-side entrance, it’s a short walk to Takeshita Street. Shops usually get going around 10–11 a.m., so browse the colorful storefronts and pick up a crepe or other sweet street snack as they open. The street gets busy quickly, especially on a Saturday, so keep your bag close and take your time.
Walk about 15 minutes toward Omotesando, where the pace shifts from Harajuku’s bustle to a leafy avenue lined with striking contemporary architecture and flagship boutiques. Spend around 1½ hours wandering and pause at a café; budget roughly ¥800–1,500 for a drink and something small. When you’re ready, continue on foot toward Shibuya (about 20 minutes), or take the train from Omotesando Station to Shibuya Station if your feet need a rest.
At Shibuya Scramble Crossing, watch the waves of pedestrians from street level, then explore the surrounding shopping district for about an hour. For dinner, finish at Shibuya Yokocho, a lively food-hall-style spot near Shibuya Station with regional Japanese dishes and plenty of choice for a group. Expect around ¥2,000–4,000 per person, depending on how much you order; it’s a popular evening stop, so allow time to find a seat.
Take a morning Tōkaidō Shinkansen from Tokyo so you reach Kyoto with time to explore; allow roughly 2 hours 15 minutes on board, plus station time. After arriving, drop your bags at your hotel or use the lockers at Kyoto Station, then head to Nishiki Market for lunch. The covered market is best explored by grazing: try yuba, pickles or a piece of grilled seafood, and budget about ¥1,500–3,000. Give yourself around 1½ hours, but check stall hours as individual vendors may close before the market’s usual late-afternoon wind-down.
From central Kyoto, take a taxi or city bus to Nijō Castle; the ride is typically around 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Allow about 1½ hours for the former shogun residence and gardens. The castle generally opens 8:45 a.m.–5 p.m., with last entry around 4 p.m., so don’t linger too long over lunch. From here, a taxi to Yasaka Shrine is the simplest way to keep the afternoon relaxed; plan roughly 20–30 minutes in traffic and about 45 minutes at the shrine.
From Yasaka Shrine, wander into Gion as the lanterns begin to glow—this is a lovely time to explore the traditional lanes at an unhurried pace. For dinner, Gion Tanto is a friendly option for Kyoto-style okonomiyaki, usually around ¥3,000–6,000 per person; expect a possible wait at peak dinner time, and check its opening hours before setting out. Keep the evening gentle after the travel day, and stick to public streets and designated paths around the historic district.
Get to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early—around 7:30 or 8:00 a.m.—before the narrow paths fill up. The grove is free and open at all hours; allow about 45 minutes to wander through the towering stalks and side paths. From there, walk a few minutes to Tenryu-ji, which opens at 8:30 a.m. The temple’s garden is the highlight, with a lovely pond-and-mountain view; allow about 1½ hours, and expect to pay roughly ¥500 for the garden, with an additional fee to enter the buildings.
Have lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura, a soba restaurant overlooking the river and mountains. It’s popular, so a short wait is possible; budget about ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Afterward, head to Kinkaku-ji by taxi—usually around 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic—or by bus, which can take longer. The Golden Pavilion is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; allow about an hour for the one-way garden route and pond views (admission is around ¥500). Finish at Ryōan-ji, a short taxi ride or roughly 20-minute walk away. It’s generally open until 5 p.m. in October; give yourself about an hour to sit with the famous rock garden and explore the grounds before closing.
Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station—about five minutes; the shrine entrance is just outside. Start around 7:30 a.m. at Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is open around the clock and free to visit. Follow the torii-lined path uphill: allow two to three hours for a relaxed walk, or turn back after the lower trails if you’d rather save your legs. Wear shoes with decent grip and bring water; there are fewer places to buy refreshments as you climb.
From Inari, continue south to Fushimi by train, then wander the historic sake district’s canal-side lanes for about an hour. After that, visit the Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum; it generally opens 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with last entry around 4 p.m., and admission is about ¥600, including a tasting where available. Check the museum’s current booking and opening details before setting out, and aim to arrive by mid-afternoon so you’re not rushed.
Head back to Kyoto Station and spend an easy hour exploring the Kyoto Station Building—its shops and upper-level walkways make a good breather after the hillside walk. For dinner, go to Honke Daiichi Asahi, just east of the station, for a classic Kyoto ramen bowl; budget about ¥1,000–2,000 per person. It’s popular and queues are common, so build in a little wait time and have cash handy.
Take a morning JR Special Rapid Service from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station—about 30 minutes, plus time to navigate the stations. An IC card works on the train; no reservation is needed. Head to Osaka Castle for the late morning: allow around two hours for the museum and grounds. The museum is generally open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (last entry 5:30 p.m.); admission is about ¥1,200, while the surrounding grounds are free. The castle grounds are spacious, so leave a little time to enjoy the moat and views rather than rushing straight inside.
Walk about 10 minutes to Osaka Museum of History, opposite the castle, for a useful account of the city’s past and excellent elevated views back toward the landmark. Budget 1½ hours; it’s typically open 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.) and costs around ¥600. From Tanimachi 4-chome Station, take the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line to Minami-morimachi Station—roughly seven minutes—then stroll to Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. Give yourself about 1½ hours to browse its long covered arcade: dip into a neighborhood café or snack stall, and don’t feel you need to walk the entire length.
Stay in the Tenjinbashisuji area for dinner at Harukoma Sushi, a popular, casual spot where a queue is common at peak dinner time. Expect about ¥2,000–4,000 per person and allow an hour; going a little before the main dinner rush can help. If there’s a wait, browse the nearby arcade while keeping an eye on the line, and bring cash as a backup.
Start around 9:00 a.m. at Kuromon Ichiba Market; most stalls open by morning, though hours vary, and many wind down by late afternoon. Spend about 1½ hours grazing on seafood and market snacks—allow ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and check prices before ordering larger seafood items. Then walk about 10 minutes to Nipponbashi Den Den Town for an easy browse through electronics, games, and anime shops. Shops often open around 10 or 11 a.m., so this is a good stretch for browsing rather than rushing between specific stores.
Take the Osaka Metro or a taxi to Shinsekai in Ebisuhigashi—it’s roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on your starting point. Give the retro entertainment district around Tsūtenkaku about 1½ hours to explore, then head up the tower for city views; allow about an hour, with standard admission around ¥1,200 (special observation areas cost extra). Check the day’s hours and ticket details before you go, as they can vary.
Make your way back to Dotonbori for a two-hour neon-lit canal stroll and dinner. Try takoyaki or okonomiyaki from a busy counter, or settle into a small restaurant away from the busiest canal-front stretch; budget ¥2,000–4,000 per person. It gets lively after dark, so expect crowds around the main photo spots—wander a side street or two for a little more room.
Take a morning train so you reach Hiroshima Station with time for the late-morning visit; allow extra time to leave luggage at your hotel or in station lockers. From the station, take the Hiroshima Electric Railway tram toward the city center and get off near Genbaku Dome-mae. Spend about 1½ hours walking Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park—the riverside paths and memorials are best explored at an unhurried pace. The grounds are open at all hours and free to visit.
Continue to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum within the park. Set aside about two hours; the exhibits are moving and detailed, so it’s worth leaving room to pause rather than rushing through. Admission is around ¥200; October hours are generally 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m., with last entry before closing, but check the museum’s website for current hours and any ticketing guidance.
From the museum, walk about 10–15 minutes to Hondōri Shopping Street, a covered downtown arcade that’s an easy place to stretch your legs, browse local shops, or stop for a coffee. Allow about an hour, then walk roughly 10 minutes to Okonomimura for dinner. Choose a counter and watch the cooks make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki on the teppan; budget around ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and expect a wait at popular counters during the dinner rush.
Start at Shukkeien Garden when it opens at 9:00 a.m.; an hour is enough to follow the paths around the central pond and pause at the teahouses. Admission is about ¥260. Then walk roughly 15–20 minutes to Hiroshima Castle for its grounds and exhibits. The main tower is scheduled to close for seismic-safety work from 2026, so check the official notice before you go; even if it’s shut, the moat, stone walls, and castle grounds make a worthwhile stop. Allow about 1½ hours, and don’t count on entering the tower.
Head to Ekie for an easy browse of local sweets, gifts, and ekiben; budget around ¥800–2,000 for snacks. Finish with a coffee and light meal at a Hiroshima Station-area café—allow about 45 minutes and ¥800–1,500. Keep an eye on your train time and leave a little buffer to collect bags and find your platform; Ekie and the cafés are convenient, but the station can take a few minutes to navigate.
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