Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After checking in, head to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for a gentle first stroll. Its broad lawns and contrasting Japanese, English, and French gardens are a welcome reset after a flight; allow about 1½ hours. The garden is generally open 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (last entry 5:00 p.m.) and closed Mondays, though holiday schedules can vary. Admission is around ¥500. From Shinjuku Station, the Shinjuku Gate is roughly a 10-minute walk; check the current hours before setting out, especially if you arrive late.
If you still have energy, make your way to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Nishi-Shinjuku for a free city panorama. The observation decks usually open until 10:00 p.m., but one deck may close on certain days, so check the building’s schedule; it’s about a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Station or a short ride from Shinjuku. Then wander Omoide Yokocho, the snug, lantern-lit lanes beside Shinjuku Station’s west exit. It’s atmospheric even if you only browse, and most tiny counters get lively from early evening.
Finish at Fuunji, a Shinjuku favorite for rich tsukemen: you dip chewy noodles into a concentrated broth, with a meal typically costing ¥1,000–¥2,000. Expect a queue at dinner; the shop is small, so keep bags compact and have cash or a payment card ready. It’s an easy walk from Omoide Yokocho—your first evening can stay pleasantly simple, with no need to push on if jet lag catches up.
Start early at Sensō-ji in Asakusa: the temple grounds are open around the clock, while the main hall generally opens at 6:00 a.m. from April to September and 6:30 a.m. from October to March, closing at 5:00 p.m. Allow about an hour to pass through Kaminarimon Gate, see the main hall, and take in the quieter morning atmosphere before the crowds build. Then stroll along Nakamise-dori, the traditional shopping street leading to the temple. Most stalls open around 9:00–10:00 a.m.; give yourself an hour to browse and try a snack such as ningyo-yaki cakes or freshly made senbei. Shops and prices vary, but snacks are often a few hundred yen.
From Asakusa, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Ueno—about five minutes on the train, roughly ¥180—then spend around 90 minutes wandering Ueno Park. Enjoy its tree-lined paths and Shinobazu Pond; the park is free, though individual museums charge admission and have their own opening days and hours. Keep the visit unhurried rather than trying to fit in a museum, then head toward Ameyoko Market for a lively change of pace. Its stalls and shops run along the railway tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi, making it easy to browse for an hour and pick up a casual snack; hours vary by vendor, and afternoon is a good time for the market buzz.
Finish with dinner at Inshotei, inside Ueno Park, in a historic-style setting that feels a world away from the market street. Budget about ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person for traditional Japanese dishes, and check the restaurant’s current dinner hours before setting out—service times can vary; reserving ahead is wise. Allow around 90 minutes for the meal, then take a relaxed walk through the park toward Ueno Station for your onward train.
Start at Meiji Jingu, reached from Harajuku Station’s Omotesando exit or Meiji-jingumae Station. The broad gravel paths pass beneath a dense canopy, making this a surprisingly quiet start to the day despite the city nearby; allow about 1½ hours. Entry to the shrine grounds is free, and opening and closing times follow the season, so aim to arrive in the morning. Then walk a few minutes to Takeshita Street for its lively mix of youth fashion, quirky shops, and snack counters. It’s busiest around midday; allow an hour to browse and grab a crepe or another quick bite.
From Harajuku, walk or take a short taxi ride to the Nezu Museum in Aoyama. Spend about 1½ hours with its Japanese and East Asian art, then take a slow loop through the garden. The museum is typically open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.) and closed on Mondays; admission is generally around ¥1,400, with special exhibitions sometimes costing more, so check the schedule before setting out. Continue to Shibuya Scramble Crossing by taxi or on foot—allow roughly 20–30 minutes walking—or take the train via Shibuya Station. Give yourself an hour to watch the crossing and explore the surrounding shopping district, then head uphill into Dogenzaka for dinner at Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka. Touchscreen ordering and sushi delivered to your seat keep things quick and fun; budget about ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person, and expect a wait at peak dinner time.
Start with a relaxed breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market. Most stalls and shops are liveliest in the morning and many wind down by early afternoon, so arrive around 8:00–9:00 a.m. and allow about 1½ hours to graze on sushi, tamagoyaki, or grilled seafood. From the market, it’s roughly a 15–20-minute walk to Hamarikyu Gardens. Spend about 1½ hours among the ponds and teahouse, with the contrast of skyscrapers rising beyond the garden walls; it’s generally open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Admission is about ¥300.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Ginza Kagari for chicken-paitan ramen, typically ¥1,500–¥2,500 per person. It’s popular, so expect a possible queue around lunch; check the specific Ginza branch’s current hours before setting out. Then browse Ginza Six for about 1½ hours—its rooftop garden is a pleasant, free breather above the busy shopping streets. The complex is a short walk from the restaurant.
Finish at Imperial Palace East Gardens, about a 20–25-minute walk from Ginza. These former Edo Castle grounds are a calm place to wander; entry is free, but closing time varies seasonally, generally between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. The gardens are regularly closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as certain holidays, so check the official calendar and plan your arrival with enough time before last entry.
After reaching Hakone-Yumoto, continue to Hakone Open-Air Museum in Ninotaira by Hakone Tozan train to Chōkoku-no-Mori Station; the museum is a short walk from there. Allow about two hours for its hillside sculpture gardens and indoor exhibits. It generally opens 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.); admission is around ¥2,000. If you have luggage, use station lockers or arrange for your ryokan to forward it so you can enjoy the grounds hands-free.
Head to Gōra Brewery & Grill for a leisurely, filling lunch—budget roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. It’s in the Gōra area, a short ride or walk from the museum depending on your route; check current opening hours and availability before setting out, as restaurant schedules can vary. Try a local craft beer if you like, but keep the afternoon’s mountain transport in mind.
From Gōra, take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car and then the Hakone Ropeway to Ōwakudani. Give yourself about 1½ hours for the volcanic views and a black-shelled egg; the eggs are a local specialty, not a required taste. Check ropeway operations before leaving Gōra—service can pause for wind, volcanic activity, or maintenance—and confirm the last departure times so you’re not caught short. Continue toward Lake Ashi via the ropeway to Togendai, then take a bus toward Motohakone; allow extra time for connections.
At Hakone Shrine, walk the cedar-lined approach and visit the lakeside torii gate near Lake Ashi. Allow about an hour, and expect a queue for the popular waterside photo spot. The shrine grounds are generally accessible into the evening, but buses become less frequent later in the day, so check the return timetable and leave enough time to reach your ryokan.
Travel from Hakone to Kyoto in the morning, then check in or leave your bags at the hotel. The journey takes roughly 2½–3 hours station to station, so keep the first part of the day easy; if your room isn’t ready, Kyoto Station has coin lockers and luggage services.
Head to Nishiki Market after checking in, allowing about 1½ hours to graze on Kyoto specialties such as yuba, pickles, and grilled skewers. It’s a covered, lively lane in central Kyoto, but individual stalls keep their own hours and many wind down by late afternoon, so don’t leave this stop too late. From the market, take a taxi or local transit toward Fushimi Inari Taisha; the shrine grounds are free and open around the clock. Walk beneath the torii gates for about 1½ hours, or turn back after the first stretch if travel has caught up with you.
For dinner, go to Gion Tanto in Gion for okonomiyaki; budget around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and check current hours before setting out, as restaurant schedules can vary. From Fushimi Inari, walk to Keihan Fushimi-Inari Station and take the train to Gion-Shijo, then stroll to the restaurant. After dinner, enjoy a short wander along Hanamikoji Street—keep voices low and be respectful around residents and working geiko and maiko.
Take a taxi or city bus toward Gojozaka, then walk uphill to Kiyomizu-dera; the approach is steep, so wear comfortable shoes. Arrive early to enjoy the wooden terrace and hillside views before the busiest crowds. Allow about 1½ hours; the temple generally opens at 6:00 a.m., and admission is around ¥500. From the temple, continue downhill into Sannenzaka, a historic lane of sloping stone paving, traditional façades, and small shops. Give yourself about an hour to browse, but watch your footing on the steps.
Continue on foot toward Yasaka Shrine, at the eastern edge of Gion, for a colorful change of pace. The shrine grounds are open around the clock and free to enter; allow about 45 minutes. Then walk to Kennin-ji, a quieter place to pause among gardens and painted screens. It generally opens from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry around 4:30 p.m.); admission is usually about ¥800. Check the day’s hours before setting out, as temple schedules can change.
Stay in Gion for dinner at Gion Kappa, a relaxed choice for casual Japanese dishes; budget roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person and check current hours or reserve ahead if you can. The lanes around Hanamikoji Street make a pleasant post-dinner wander, but keep noise low and don’t photograph geiko or maiko without permission.
Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama (about 15–20 minutes), then walk roughly 10 minutes to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Go early: the public path is open at all hours, but it’s much calmer before tour groups arrive. Allow about 45 minutes to wander among the towering stalks, then continue to Tenryu-ji. Its garden usually opens at 8:30 a.m.; garden admission is around ¥500, with an additional fee to enter the temple buildings. Give the pond, borrowed mountain scenery, and garden paths about 1½ hours.
Walk toward Togetsukyo Bridge for river and mountain views; allow around 45 minutes to cross and explore the riverbank at an easy pace. From there, head to Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama. The entrance is a short walk away, but the uphill trail takes about 20 minutes and is steep in places, so bring water and wear shoes with a good grip. Allow about 1½ hours overall. The park generally opens at 9:00 a.m.; last entry is typically 4:00 p.m., and admission is about ¥600. Keep food tucked away on the trail and follow staff instructions around the monkeys.
Finish at Arashiyama Yoshimura, near the bridge, for soba and a riverside view. Budget around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and expect a possible wait at lunchtime; if there’s a queue, put your name down and enjoy a short stroll nearby. After lunch, you can return to Saga-Arashiyama Station for the train back to Kyoto.
Take the JR Special Rapid from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station (about 30 minutes; around ¥580), then allow time to drop your bags at the hotel and continue to Namba by Osaka Metro. Once settled, head to Kuromon Ichiba Market for a flexible lunch of small bites—grilled seafood, fruit, or a just-made tamagoyaki. Give yourself about 1½ hours and budget roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person; many stalls wind down later in the afternoon, so don’t leave this stop too late.
From the market, walk toward Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow stone-paved lane tucked among Namba’s busier streets. Allow about 45 minutes to browse and visit Hozenji Temple, where visitors often splash water over the moss-covered Fudō statue. The lane feels especially atmospheric as lanterns begin to glow, but it’s compact, so take your time rather than treating it as a long sightseeing stop.
Walk a few minutes to Dotonbori for a canal-side wander and a look at the district’s giant neon signs; an hour is plenty to soak up the bustle and snap a few photos. For dinner, join the queue at Mizuno for Osaka-style okonomiyaki—expect around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and potentially a wait at peak dinner time. It’s a popular, long-running spot, so arriving early or being patient is part of the experience.
Start at Osaka Castle; the grounds are free and open daily, while the main tower museum generally charges about ¥1,200 and opens 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (last entry 5:30 p.m.). Give the grounds and tower around two hours; the museum is optional if you’d rather linger among the moats and stone walls. From the castle area, walk or take the Osaka Metro toward Osaka Museum of History—allow about 1½ hours for its exhibits and excellent views back toward the castle. It usually opens 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.) and is typically closed Tuesdays, so check the schedule before setting out.
Head south to Shinsekai for lunch at Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Store; expect roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person, and remember the famous rule: no double-dipping in the shared sauce. Afterward, visit Tsutenkaku, whose observation deck admission is generally around ¥1,200–¥1,500 depending on the areas you choose; allow about 1½ hours, including a wander through the colorful, retro streets nearby. For the final stop, take the Osaka Metro toward Umeda and walk to Umeda Sky Building. Spend about 1½ hours at the Floating Garden Observatory—late afternoon is a lovely time to watch the city lights come on. Observatory tickets are typically around ¥2,000; check the day’s closing time and leave a little buffer for the walk from Osaka Station.
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