After dropping your bags, head to Hamarikyu Gardens in Shiodome for an easy first walk. The garden is usually open 9:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30; admission is about ¥300. Give yourselves around 90 minutes to follow the paths around the tidal ponds, with the city’s towers rising just beyond the greenery. From Shiodome or Shimbashi, it’s an easy walk to the entrance.
Stay within the gardens for Nakajima-no-Ochaya, the teahouse set on an island in the central pond. Order matcha with seasonal Japanese sweets, allow about 45 minutes, and budget roughly ¥1,000–¥1,500 per person. It’s a lovely, unhurried way to ease into Japan after a flight; check the teahouse’s hours on the day, as they can vary.
From the garden, walk about 15–20 minutes to Ginza Six. Browse at your own pace, then head up to the rooftop garden for a quiet look over the neighborhood; shops generally keep daytime-to-evening hours, but individual closing times vary. For your first-night dinner, continue to Ginza Kojyu for seasonal kaiseki. Reserve well ahead and confirm the current price—expect around ¥20,000–¥35,000 per person, before drinks. Keep the evening gentle and take a taxi back if jet lag sets in.
Start early at Meiji Jingu—aim for around 8:30, when the shrine grounds feel wonderfully hushed. From central Tokyo, take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station; the entrance is just outside, and the broad, wooded approach takes about 10–15 minutes. Allow roughly 1.5 hours for the walk and shrine visit. The grounds open at sunrise and close at sunset, with hours shifting by season; entry is free. Keep voices low and follow the posted guidance around shrine rituals.
Walk a few minutes to Takeshita Street for a complete change of pace: a lively, crowded lane of fashion shops and colorful snack stands. It’s best sampled rather than tackled as a serious shopping mission—try a crepe or another treat, typically ¥500–¥1,000, and give yourselves about an hour. The shops generally open around 10:00 or 11:00, so if you arrive early, browse nearby Omotesando until the street gets going. For the next stop, walk about 20 minutes toward Aoyama or take a short taxi ride.
Spend around two hours at Nezu Museum, whose Japanese and East Asian art collection is paired with a lovely garden of paths, ponds, and stone lanterns—an especially calming pause after Harajuku. It’s usually open 10:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30, and closed Mondays; admission is generally around ¥1,500, though special exhibitions can cost more. Check the museum’s calendar before setting out, and leave a little time to enjoy the garden rather than rushing through the galleries.
Walk about 10 minutes to Maisen Aoyama Honten for tonkatsu in a former public bathhouse. The crisp, tender pork cutlets make a satisfying dinner after a full day on your feet; budget roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. It can be popular at dinner, so expect a possible wait or arrive a little before peak time. Afterward, stroll through the quieter side streets of Aoyama or head back to your hotel by subway or taxi.
Start at Shibuya Scramble Crossing and watch the waves of pedestrians sweep across from street level; it’s free, and 45 minutes gives you time to cross a few times and soak up the scale of it. Then walk a couple of minutes to the Hachikō Memorial Statue, just outside Shibuya Station’s Hachikō Exit. The statue is free to visit and usually has a small queue for photos, so be patient and keep the station entrance clear.
After a relaxed lunch and a little time to browse Shibuya, head to Shibuya Sky for your reserved timed entry. Allow about 90 minutes for the indoor galleries and open-air rooftop; tickets are generally around ¥2,200–¥3,000 per adult depending on the date and booking time, and sunset slots tend to sell out. The rooftop can close temporarily in strong wind or bad weather, so check conditions on the day and bring a light layer.
Walk downhill to Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka for a lively, casual sushi dinner. Order on the touchscreen and watch plates arrive on the little conveyor lanes; budget roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. It’s popular and seating is limited, so expect a short wait at peak dinner time—going a little earlier or later makes the meal easier.
Get to Tsukiji Outer Market around 8:00–8:30, when the stalls are lively and you’ll have the best choice. Spend about two hours grazing on seafood and market snacks; budget roughly ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person, and bring cash for smaller vendors. Many shops wrap up by early afternoon, and the market’s narrow lanes get crowded, so keep bags close and be considerate of people working. From the market, walk about 10 minutes to Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza.
At Kabukiza Theatre, take time to admire the dramatic façade and check the performance schedule in advance. If a single-act ticket is available, it’s a lovely way to sample kabuki without committing to a full performance; prices and show times vary, so check the official schedule and ticket arrangements before you go. Afterward, head to Tokyo International Forum—it’s around a 20-minute walk, or take the Hibiya Line from Higashi-Ginza to Hibiya and walk onward. Allow about 45 minutes to wander through the soaring glass atrium; public access is generally free, though event areas can occasionally be restricted.
Finish at Marunouchi Brick Square, a short walk from the Forum, for an unhurried dinner among the district’s restaurants. Expect roughly ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person, depending on where you settle in. After dinner, stroll the brick courtyard and nearby Marunouchi streets, which feel especially elegant once the office crowds have thinned.
Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto up to Gora—allow about 40 minutes for the mountain ride. The train climbs through wooded valleys in a series of switchbacks, so grab a window seat if you can. After reaching Gora, leave your bags at your accommodation if your room isn’t ready, then spend about 1½ hours at Hakone Gora Park. Its paths climb the hillside, and the greenhouse is a good stop if the spring weather turns damp; allow around ¥650 for admission and check the day’s hours before setting out.
From the park, it’s a short walk to the Hakone Museum of Art. Give yourselves about 1½ hours for the ceramics collection and the moss garden, especially lovely in spring; the museum is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, around 9:30–16:30, and admission is roughly ¥1,430. Afterward, take it easy around Gora before dinner at Gora Brewery & Grill. It’s a relaxed first-night choice, with local beer and a menu of grilled dishes; budget about ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person, and check current dinner hours or reserve ahead if you’d like a particular time.
Spend an unhurried couple of hours at the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Ninotaira. It opens daily around 9:00–17:00, with admission roughly ¥2,000; the outdoor sculptures are especially lovely in the morning light, and there are indoor galleries if the weather turns. Allow about 2½ hours, including a pause at the footbath. From the museum, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a short bus ride or roughly 15–20 minutes on foot uphill.
At Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, choose the lively, swimsuit-friendly hot-spring area for a playful soak, or head to the quieter Mori no Yu bathing area for a more restful pause. Entry prices vary by area, so check the current ticket options before you go; plan on 2–3 hours, and bring a towel or rent one there. Later, take a Hakone Tozan bus down to Hakone-Yumoto—usually around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic—and stop at Chimoto for about half an hour. It’s a good place to pick up its well-loved Hakone sweets; allow roughly ¥500–¥1,500 per person, and check closing time before setting out, as shop hours can vary.
Finish at Yubadon Naokichi, a welcoming choice for delicate tofu skin served over rice. It’s close to Hakone-Yumoto Station, making the meal easy after your sweet stop; budget around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and expect a possible wait at dinner time. Check the restaurant’s hours on the day, then keep the evening relaxed—Hakone’s buses thin out later, so take a bus or taxi back toward your accommodation rather than leaving the return until the last service.
Once you’ve checked in your bags, spend an hour at Kyoto Station Building: the soaring central atrium and long outdoor staircase are worth a look, and the upper floors have plenty of casual lunch options. Allow about ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person. From the station, Nishi Hongan-ji is an easy 10–15-minute walk; give its vast wooden halls and quiet grounds about 90 minutes. Entry to the grounds is free, though individual halls may have limited opening hours.
Walk roughly 20 minutes through Umekoji Park to Kyoto Aquarium, a relaxed visit for about 90 minutes. Opening times vary by date, so check the aquarium’s calendar before you go; tickets are around ¥2,400 per adult. The nearby park makes a pleasant breather if you arrive before your entry time.
For dinner, head to Kanga-an for an elegant Buddhist-style vegetarian meal—reserve ahead, as the set courses take time and may not be available without booking. One location note: Kanga-an is in northern Kyoto near Kuramaguchi Station, rather than Gojo, so plan on a taxi from the aquarium (roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic) or allow extra time for public transit. Expect about ¥4,000–¥8,000 per person; confirm the current menu and serving times when you book.
Be at Kiyomizu-dera around 7:00, before the tour groups arrive. It usually opens at 6:00, and admission is about ¥500; allow roughly 90 minutes for the wooden terrace, temple halls and hillside views. From central Kyoto, a taxi is an easy early-morning option, or take a city bus toward Gojo-zaka and walk uphill for about 10 minutes. Afterward, stroll through Sannenzaka, where the old stone lanes and traditional craft shops are best enjoyed before the midday crowds. Give yourselves about an hour to browse, and take care on the steep, uneven paving.
Walk downhill toward Kennin-ji in Gion; allow around 20 minutes, with time to pause for a drink along the way. The temple generally opens at 10:00 and closes at 17:00, with last entry around 16:30; admission is roughly ¥800. Spend about 90 minutes in the gardens and halls, especially beneath the celebrated painted dragon on the ceiling. It’s a lovely change of pace after the busy hillside lanes—keep voices low and check posted signs, as some areas may restrict photography.
For dinner, head to Gion Tanto for Kyoto-style okonomiyaki, cooked on the griddle and served in a lively, informal setting. Budget about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person, and expect a possible wait at peak dinner time; arriving close to opening or calling ahead is wise. It’s an easy finish to the day from Kennin-ji, just a short walk through Gion.
Head to Fushimi Inari Taisha early, ideally around 6:30–7:00, before the busiest tour groups arrive. The shrine grounds are open around the clock and free to enter; from central Kyoto, take the Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station or the JR Nara Line to Inari Station. Walk beneath the bright torii gates and follow the hillside trail for as long as you like—two to three hours gives you time to climb partway up and turn back without making the full summit hike.
From the shrine, take the Keihan Line south toward Chūshojima and walk into Fushimi Sake Village, a lively cluster of sake bars and restaurants in the historic brewing district. Set aside about 1½ hours for lunch and a tasting; expect roughly ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person, and pace yourselves since you’ll have more sake to sample later. Then walk to the Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum, usually open 9:30–16:30 with last entry around 16:00; admission is about ¥600 and includes tastings. Check the museum’s current hours and booking requirements before setting out.
Finish at Torisei Honten, a short walk from the museum, for charcoal-grilled chicken and local sake. It’s a popular spot, so arriving near opening or allowing for a wait is wise; budget about ¥2,500–¥5,000 per person. After dinner, the Keihan Line makes it easy to return toward central Kyoto—just check the last-train timing if you linger over that final pour.
Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama (about 15 minutes), then walk roughly 10 minutes to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Go early—around 7:30 if you can; the public path is free and open at all hours, and it’s far more peaceful before the tour groups arrive. Allow about 45 minutes, then continue to Tenryu-ji, right beside the grove. Its garden usually opens at 8:30; garden admission is about ¥500, with an additional fee if you want to enter the temple halls. Give yourselves around 1½ hours to enjoy the pond and its borrowed mountain scenery.
Walk to Arashiyama Yoshimura for handmade soba overlooking the Katsura River and the hills beyond. It’s a popular spot, so expect a possible wait around lunchtime; arriving near opening or a little before the main lunch rush can help. Budget about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and leave roughly an hour to eat at an unhurried pace.
From the restaurant, walk back toward the bamboo grove to Ōkōchi Sansō Villa. This tranquil garden estate is a lovely change of pace after the busier riverside lanes; allow about 1½ hours for its paths and valley viewpoints. It generally opens 9:00–17:00, with admission around ¥1,000, usually including matcha and a sweet. Wear comfortable shoes for the sloping paths, and check the last-entry time before setting out.
Start at Nijō Castle when it opens at 8:45; arriving early gives you a quieter look around the former shogun’s residence. Allow about two hours for the palace’s painted rooms and gardens. The castle is a short taxi ride or roughly 15–20-minute walk from central Kyoto; admission is around ¥1,300, with an additional fee to enter the palace. Shoes come off inside, so wear something easy to slip on and off.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Nishiki Market for a relaxed lunch and browse. Most stalls are liveliest from late morning into the afternoon, though individual opening days and hours vary; budget about ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person for bites such as pickles, tofu and sweets. Try to eat beside the stall or in its designated area rather than while walking. From the market, Kyoto International Manga Museum is about a 10-minute walk west. Set aside around 90 minutes to explore its extensive shelves and former-school setting; it generally opens 10:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and adult admission is about ¥1,200.
Head to Pontocho for your reserved dinner at Kichi Kichi Omurice. The restaurant is small and the lively, theatrical meal is a Kyoto experience in its own right, so book ahead and check your reservation time and current menu details directly with the restaurant. Expect to spend about an hour and ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person. Afterwards, take an easy stroll along the nearby Kamo River if you’d like a little fresh air before calling it a night.
Spend about two hours at Kyoto Railway Museum, where you can see historic locomotives, railway memorabilia and an impressive roundhouse. It generally opens 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) and admission is around ¥1,500 per adult; check the calendar before you go, as opening days can vary. Head out around late morning so you have time to reach Kyoto Station and travel to Osaka around lunchtime.
After arriving at Osaka Station, make your way to Umeda Sky Building—roughly a 10–15-minute walk through the station district. Allow about 1½ hours for the Floating Garden Observatory and its open-air views; it usually opens 9:30–22:30, with admission around ¥2,000. Then walk back toward the shopping district for a ride on the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel. The ride takes about 15 minutes, and tickets are around ¥600; it’s a fun, easygoing way to see the city from above.
Finish with takoyaki at Hanadako, a popular standing counter near Osaka Station. Order at the counter and expect a lively, close-quarters stop rather than a leisurely sit-down dinner; budget roughly ¥500–¥1,500 per person and allow about 45 minutes. It can be busy, so be ready to queue—and enjoy the fresh, molten-centered takoyaki while it’s hot.
Arrive at Osaka Castle close to its 9:00 opening, before the museum galleries get busy. The museum ticket is about ¥1,200; the surrounding park is free, so allow roughly 2½ hours for both the exhibits and a stroll around the moat and grounds. From central Osaka, take the Osaka Metro to Tanimachi 4-chome or Morinomiya station and walk about 10–15 minutes to the castle. The grounds are spacious, so wear comfortable shoes.
Head to Mizuno in Dotonbori for okonomiyaki, budgeting about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and 1–1½ hours. It’s popular, and a queue is normal; arrive around opening time if you can, and check its hours before setting out. From the castle area, the simplest route is the Metro to Namba, then a short walk through the lively canal-side streets.
After lunch, wander Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow, lantern-lit lane tucked just behind the bustle of Dotonbori. Give yourselves about 45 minutes to browse the small eateries and visit Hozenji Temple, where visitors splash water over the moss-covered statue of Fudō Myōō. Later, make your way to Abeno Harukas in Tennoji—about 10 minutes by Metro from Namba—for sunset and the city lights from the observatory. Allow 1½ hours; tickets are around ¥2,000, and booking ahead is sensible for a clear-weather evening. Check the current last-entry time when you book, as it can vary.
Take a reserved morning Nozomi or Hikari from Shin-Osaka and allow about 1½ hours on the train, plus time to get across the stations and into town. Golden Week begins today, so expect busy platforms and book seats ahead; a late-morning arrival leaves a comfortable afternoon without trying to cram in extra stops. From Hiroshima Station, take the Hiroshima Electric Railway tram toward Hondōri and walk to Hiroshima Orizuru Tower. The observation deck is a lovely first look at the city and the rivers threading through it; allow about an hour, with admission around ¥2,200. Check the day’s hours before setting out—last entry is usually before closing.
Walk from the tower into Peace Memorial Park for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Give yourselves around two hours for the exhibits; it’s a powerful, often emotional visit, so leave a little breathing room afterward rather than rushing straight on. Admission is about ¥200, and hours vary seasonally; late April typically has extended hours, but check the museum’s official schedule and expect queues on this holiday. There are benches and quiet paths nearby if you want a pause before dinner.
Head to Okonomimura in Shintenchi, about a 15-minute walk from the museum or a short tram ride toward Hatchōbori. Choose a counter seat and watch the cooks layer noodles, cabbage, egg and toppings on the teppan; budget roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and allow 1½ hours. It’s a lively, casual honeymoon dinner rather than a hushed one—go a little early if you’d like to avoid the longest Golden Week waits.
Begin with a quiet walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, before the day gets busy. Give yourselves about 90 minutes for the memorials and the A-Bomb Dome; it’s a meaningful, sobering visit, so leave room to pause rather than trying to see everything quickly. The park is free and open at all hours. From central Hiroshima, the streetcar to Genbaku-Domu Mae is convenient, or walk if you’re staying nearby.
Walk or take a short streetcar ride north to Hiroshima Castle in Motomachi. Allow about 90 minutes for the reconstructed castle museum and a circuit of the moat; admission to the main keep is roughly ¥370, though hours and access can vary. Then continue east to Shukkeien Garden in Kaminobori—around 15–20 minutes on foot from the castle, or a quick taxi ride. Set aside 90 minutes to wander its winding paths and pond-side bridges. The garden generally opens at 9:00, with admission around ¥260; check the posted closing time when you arrive.
Head to Ekohiiki in Otemachi for dinner, a cozy place to try Hiroshima oysters alongside regional dishes. Plan on about ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person and consider reserving, especially during Golden Week. It’s a lovely, low-key finish to a day with plenty to take in; if you’d like a gentle walk afterward, the riverside streets nearby are a pleasant way to unwind.
Take a morning Nozomi Shinkansen from Hiroshima and reserve seats well ahead: May 1 falls in Golden Week, so trains and station platforms will be busy. The ride is about four hours; allow extra time at Tokyo Station to collect your bags and continue to Shinjuku. After checking in or leaving luggage, keep lunch simple nearby so you have time for the late-afternoon stops.
Head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Nishi-Shinjuku for the free observation floor and a broad view across the city; on a clear day, you may even spot Mount Fuji. The observatories typically stay open into the evening, but check the building’s schedule for closures. From there, take a taxi or ride the Toei Oedo Line one stop to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It’s a lovely place to slow down among Japanese, English, and French-style landscapes. In early May it generally closes at 18:00, with last entry at 17:30, so aim to arrive by about 16:30 and confirm the seasonal hours before you go.
Walk or take a short taxi ride back toward Omoide Yokocho, the lantern-lit lanes near Shinjuku Station. Settle at a yakitori counter for dinner—expect roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person, and bring cash as some small spots may not take cards. The alleys are intimate and lively; if a place is full, simply try the next counter rather than waiting too long.
Head to Mitaka for your timed-entry visit to the Ghibli Museum. Book tickets well ahead through the official ticketing channel; entry is by the time printed on your ticket, and you’ll need to arrive within its entry window. From Mitaka Station, the museum is about a 15-minute walk or a short community-bus ride. Allow around 2½ hours to explore at an easy pace. Photography isn’t allowed inside the exhibition areas, so enjoy the details in the moment.
Walk over to Inokashira Park, right beside the museum, and take an unhurried lap along the pond and shaded paths—about an hour is a lovely reset after the galleries. Then head toward Kichijoji station and browse Harmonica Yokocho, a snug maze of little lanes and food counters. It’s especially atmospheric as the afternoon goes on; graze on a few small bites, budgeting roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person.
Make Sato Meat Shop your snack stop for its freshly fried menchi-katsu; expect a possible queue, particularly on this Golden Week Sunday, and bring cash. Allow about 30 minutes and ¥300–¥800 per person. Finish at Iseya Sohonten for casual yakitori in a much-loved neighborhood institution. It’s lively and wonderfully unfussy, so don’t expect a long, quiet honeymoon dinner—just good skewers, a buzzy local atmosphere and an easy stroll back toward Kichijoji Station afterward. Budget around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person.
Start around 10:00 at Yanaka Ginza; many shops open around then, so there’s no need to arrive at dawn. Take your time browsing the old-fashioned shopping street and pick up a few snacks or small souvenirs—some stalls are cash-friendly, so keep a little yen handy. Give yourselves about 90 minutes, then walk roughly 15 minutes to Nezu Shrine. Its vermilion torii-lined path is a lovely, quieter change of pace; the grounds are generally open from early morning until evening and free to enter. As May 3 is a public holiday, expect more visitors than usual.
From Nezu Shrine, it’s about a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride to Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. Plan around two hours and choose a few galleries rather than trying to cover the whole collection; regular hours are typically 9:30–17:00, and admission is usually around ¥1,000 for the general collection. It’s normally closed on Mondays, but public-holiday schedules can differ, so check the museum’s calendar for May 3 before setting out.
Finish at Rokurinsha on Tokyo Station’s Ramen Street for its rich tsukemen—thick noodles served with a concentrated dipping broth. From Ueno, take the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station (about 8 minutes), then follow the signs inside the station to Ramen Street. Budget ¥1,000–¥2,000 per person and allow extra time for a possible queue; this is a satisfying last meal, but you can ask for a smaller noodle portion if you’ve been sampling snacks all day.
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