Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Allow roughly 1½–2½ hours from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport to your hotel in central Tokyo, including immigration, baggage collection, the airport train, and check-in. From Narita, the Narita Express reaches Shinjuku or Tokyo Station in about 60–90 minutes; from Haneda, the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail usually takes 25–40 minutes depending on your hotel. If your room is not ready, leave luggage with the hotel and head to Shibuya by train. Begin at Shibuya Crossing, ideally in the late afternoon, then wander through Center-gai and the quieter side streets around Udagawacho. The crossing is most atmospheric once the signs light up, but it is also busy—keep valuables secure and use the pedestrian viewpoints around Shibuya Station rather than stopping in the middle of the flow.
For sunset, go to Shibuya Sky, on the top floors of Shibuya Scramble Square. Reserve a timed entry well ahead, especially for the sunset period; rooftop access can close temporarily in strong wind or rain, and tickets are generally around ¥2,000–¥2,500. Allow about 90 minutes, including security and the elevator queue. Afterwards, walk toward Nonbei Yokocho, the tiny lantern-lit alley beside the railway tracks. Its intimate izakaya are excellent for a first drink and small plates, but many counters seat fewer than ten people and may be cash-only; if one is full, simply browse rather than waiting too long.
Finish with dinner around Ebisu, one stop from Shibuya on the JR Yamanote Line or a short taxi ride. Look for a neighborhood izakaya or ramen shop around Ebisu Yokocho and the streets east of the station; budget roughly ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person. This is a deliberately gentle first evening—Tokyo’s trains are straightforward but tiring after arrival, and most restaurants do not require a formal reservation unless you want a specific popular spot.
Start at Senso-ji around 8:00, before the main crowds arrive. Enter through Kaminarimon, then walk quietly toward the main hall; the temple grounds are free, while the main hall generally opens from around 6:00 (exact seasonal hours can vary). Allow about 90 minutes for the gate, pagoda views, incense burner, and surrounding streets. From the temple, continue along Nakamise-dori, where many stalls open around 9:00–10:00. Try ningyoyaki cakes, freshly made rice crackers, or traditional confectionery, but leave room for lunch.
Walk roughly 15 minutes northwest to Kappabashi Dougu Street, the wonderfully practical kitchenware district between Asakusa and Ueno. Shops commonly open around 9:00 or 10:00 and often close in the late afternoon; browsing takes about an hour. This is the place for Japanese knives, lacquerware, tea cups, noren curtains, and the famous realistic plastic food samples. Keep purchases protected in your day bag—some knife shops may require identification or offer shipping for larger items.
Return toward Asakusa for lunch at Daikokuya Tempura, a long-running choice near the temple, known for its dark, richly flavored sauce, or choose one of the smaller tempura counters around Asakusa if the queue is too long. Budget approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person; arriving before noon usually gives you a better chance of being seated without a lengthy wait. After lunch, take the Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Ueno Station—about 5 minutes, plus walking—and spend around two hours strolling through Ueno Park. You can wander past the ponds and shrine grounds, or choose one museum if something particularly interests you; museum admission commonly ranges from about ¥500–¥2,000, and individual opening days vary, so check before committing.
Finish at Ameyoko Shopping Street, a 10–15-minute walk from the park. The market is liveliest from mid-afternoon onward, with seafood stalls, snacks, cosmetics, clothing, and casual bars packed beneath the railway tracks. Browse for roughly 90 minutes and try takoyaki, grilled seafood, or fruit on a stick. Shops often stay open into the evening, but the atmosphere is best before the busiest dinner period; from Ueno Station, JR and Tokyo Metro lines make it easy to return to most central Tokyo neighborhoods.
Begin at Meiji Jingu around 8:00, entering from Harajuku Station and following the broad gravel paths through the old-growth forest. Allow about 1½ hours; the shrine grounds are free, though optional offerings and amulets cost extra. Keep voices low near the main shrine buildings, and avoid expecting every ritual area to be open—access can vary with ceremonies. From the shrine, walk toward Takeshita Street for a completely different side of Tokyo. Spend about an hour browsing youth-fashion shops and snack counters, but arrive before late morning if you want a less congested walk; weekends and school holidays can become shoulder-to-shoulder.
Take the short walk or a quick taxi from Harajuku to the Nezu Museum in Aoyama—walking takes roughly 15–20 minutes, while a taxi is useful if your legs are tired. Set aside two hours for its Japanese and Asian art collection and especially the landscaped garden, which is a welcome quiet pause from Harajuku. Check the museum’s current opening day and last-entry time before setting out, as museum schedules can change and some exhibitions require separate arrangements; admission is typically around ¥1,500–¥2,000. Afterward, stroll along Omotesando, allowing about 1½ hours for its flagship architecture, independent design details, and window-shopping. The tree-lined avenue is most enjoyable on foot, with side streets offering calmer cafés than the main boulevard.
Continue by taxi or subway toward Azabudai Hills for your timed visit to teamLab Borderless. Reserve admission in advance and build in roughly 20–30 minutes for the transfer and entry queue; the experience itself usually takes around two hours, and comfortable shoes are helpful because the rooms involve frequent walking and uneven light levels. Afterward, have dinner in Azabudai or nearby Roppongi. Allow about ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person for a solid Japanese meal, more for sushi or a destination restaurant. For an easy, atmospheric finish, look around the smaller restaurant streets rather than choosing only the largest signs in central Roppongi; dinner reservations are wise, particularly on busy evenings.
Take an early Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, allowing roughly 2–2½ hours door to door for the train, station connections, and luggage. Reserve a seat if possible, then leave larger bags in a locker or luggage-storage service at Hakone-Yumoto Station. From there, the Hakone Tozan train takes about 35 minutes to Gora; the Hakone Freepass is useful today if you will also use the ropeway, boats, and local transport.
Spend late morning at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, one of the area’s best stops even in cloudy weather. Allow about two hours for the sculpture gardens, indoor galleries, and the footbath; admission is roughly ¥2,000–¥2,500, and the museum generally opens around 9:00, though check the current schedule. Have a light lunch at the museum café or near Gora Station—this is preferable to carrying a full meal into the ropeway sequence, where options are limited.
From Gora, take the cable car and ropeway toward Owakudani, allowing about 1½ hours including transfers and possible queues. The route crosses the volcanic landscape of Owakudani, with steam vents and broad views toward Mount Fuji when visibility cooperates. Spend around an hour at the valley, trying the famous black eggs and staying on marked paths; ropeway operations can pause in strong wind or poor volcanic conditions, so check the service status before leaving Gora. If the ropeway is suspended, use the scheduled buses rather than trying to force the original route.
Continue by ropeway to Togendai, then board the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise to Moto-Hakone—roughly an hour on the water. Sit outside if the weather is clear, but keep a jacket handy: it is noticeably cooler on the lake. At Moto-Hakone, confirm the onward bus timetable before disembarking, since late-afternoon services toward Hakone-Yumoto and Gora are less frequent. Return to your ryokan, typically 35–50 minutes by bus depending on traffic, and allow extra time if you have luggage to collect.
Settle into your Hakone ryokan for a kaiseki-style dinner and onsen. Dinner commonly costs about ¥15,000–¥30,000 per person when purchased separately, though many ryokan include it in the accommodation plan; reserve a dinner seating in advance and notify the property about allergies or dietary restrictions. Follow the ryokan’s bathing etiquette—wash thoroughly before entering the communal bath, keep towels out of the water, and avoid bringing valuables. This is a good evening to stop sightseeing entirely: the appeal of Hakone is soaking, eating slowly, and letting the mountain setting do the rest.
Allow roughly 3–4 hours door to door from Hakone to your Kyoto hotel, including the transfer to Odawara, the Shinkansen, luggage, and check-in. A departure around 8:00–9:00 makes the afternoon realistic; reserve the Shinkansen through SmartEX, especially if traveling with large bags. After leaving luggage at your hotel, head toward Nishiki Market. From Kyoto Station, the Karasuma subway line to Shijo Station followed by a short walk is usually the simplest option. Give the market about 1½ hours for small tastings such as Kyoto pickles, yuba, grilled seafood, and seasonal sweets. It is a working food market rather than a place for lingering with takeaway food, so eat neatly at the stall or in the designated area. Individual snacks are generally ¥300–¥800, while a light market lunch often totals ¥1,000–¥2,000.
After Nishiki Market, wander east through the lanes around Teramachi and Shinkyogoku, then make your way toward Pontocho Alley for an early-evening stroll. The narrow lane is most atmospheric before dinner service becomes busy, but many restaurants open later in the day and some are reservation-only. Allow about 45 minutes, then walk across toward Gion Shirakawa, where the canal, stone paving, and traditional machiya are especially beautiful as the lanterns come on. Keep the visit quiet and do not photograph private entrances or geiko and maiko without permission. Shops and market stalls may close in the late afternoon, so treat this as a transition into the evening rather than another shopping stop.
For dinner, choose a small Kyoto-style restaurant in Gion or Pontocho, budgeting approximately ¥3,000–¥8,000 per person; reserve ahead if you want kaiseki, obanzai, or a counter seat. For a more casual first night, look for obanzai set meals or grilled fish rather than committing to a lengthy tasting menu after the travel day. Afterward, Gion-Shijo Station offers easy Keihan connections, while Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station is convenient for Hankyu trains; otherwise, taxis are practical but can be slow around the evening lanes. Expect around ¥1,000–¥2,000 for a short central Kyoto taxi ride.
Start at Kiyomizu-dera around 8:00, reaching it by taxi or bus from central Kyoto and allowing about 30–45 minutes, depending on your hotel. The temple opens early—typically from 6:00—and arriving before 9:00 makes a noticeable difference on the hillside approach. Allow roughly two hours for the main hall, wooden stage, and surrounding temple grounds; admission is usually around ¥500, with special seasonal illuminations or exhibitions charged separately.
Walk downhill through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, allowing about 1½ hours for the preserved lanes, small craft shops, and traditional sweets counters. The stone streets are atmospheric but steep and uneven, so comfortable shoes help. This is a good place to buy souvenirs, though many shops open around 10:00; keep bags light, since the lanes become crowded later and photography can obstruct residents and shop entrances.
Have lunch near Higashiyama around 12:00–12:30. For a classic Kyoto meal, look for yudofu or a seasonal set menu at a small restaurant around Yasaka-dori; budget approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. A table may require a short wait, particularly on weekends, so avoid committing to a tightly timed reservation. After lunch, continue to Kodai-ji, about a 10-minute walk from the Ninenzaka area. Allow an hour for its landscaped gardens, bamboo grove, and tea-house grounds; admission is generally around ¥600, with occasional combined tickets or seasonal evening events.
Continue north to Chion-in, roughly 15–20 minutes on foot from Kodai-ji. Give yourself about 1½ hours to explore the imposing Sanmon gate, broad temple grounds, and steep approaches. The grounds are generally free, while selected areas or special exhibitions may charge admission; opening access can vary by building and ceremony, so treat interior visits as optional. From there, walk a few minutes into Maruyama Park for a slower late afternoon—about 45 minutes beneath the trees and around the pond before dinner. The park is free and open at all times, making it a useful buffer if any temple visit takes longer than expected.
Begin around 7:30–8:00 at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, entering from the Nomiya Shrine side and walking uphill toward the northern end. The grove is free and always open, but arriving early is the best way to enjoy the bamboo without tour groups; allow about an hour. Continue directly to Tenryu-ji, where the temple and its famous garden usually open from around 8:30. Spend roughly 1½ hours here, especially in the garden facing the Arashiyama hills. The combined visit is easy on foot, though the paths are uneven in places.
From Tenryu-ji, walk south toward Togetsukyo Bridge, reaching the river in about 10–15 minutes. Allow 45 minutes to cross the bridge, look back toward the wooded hills, and wander along the riverbank. For lunch, choose a tofu or vegetarian restaurant in central Arashiyama, such as Shigetsu inside Tenryu-ji or Yudofu Sagano. Expect approximately ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person; set menus can take an hour or more, and popular restaurants may have a queue, so an early lunch around 11:30 is sensible.
After lunch, walk north to Okochi Sanso Garden, just beyond the bamboo grove. The entrance fee is typically around ¥1,000 and includes tea and a small sweet; allow 1½ hours for the garden’s winding paths, teahouses, and elevated views across western Kyoto. Wear comfortable shoes—the garden is hilly, and this is a more peaceful stop than the main Arashiyama sights.
Finish with a Hozugawa riverside walk, heading back toward the quieter stretches of the river after leaving the villa garden. Allow about an hour to stroll at an unhurried pace. If you are returning to central Kyoto, walk back to Saga-Arashiyama Station for the JR Sagano Line, usually about 15–20 minutes from the bridge area, or take a Kyoto City Bus if your hotel is better connected by bus. Keep the late afternoon flexible: Arashiyama is most enjoyable when you leave room to pause at a small tea shop or riverside café rather than trying to add another major temple.
Take the JR Miyakoji Rapid from Kyoto Station to Nara Station, ideally around 7:30–8:00; allow about 1–1½ hours door to door, including reaching the platform and walking onward in Nara. From the station, a taxi takes roughly 10 minutes to Todai-ji, while walking through the park takes about 30 minutes. Arriving early is worthwhile: the Great Buddha Hall is generally open from around 7:30 or 8:00 depending on the season, with admission typically around ¥800. Allow 1½ hours for the hall, surrounding temple buildings, and the approach.
Walk south through Nara Park afterward, keeping a little distance from the deer and avoiding teasing them with empty hands once your rice crackers are gone. The park is free and open all day; allow about an hour to wander toward the forested approach to Kasuga Taisha. Continue along the lantern-lined paths into the woods, where the atmosphere becomes noticeably quieter than around the main temple grounds. Allow roughly 1½ hours, and bring water—there are fewer convenient shops once you are deep among the trees.
From Kasuga Taisha, walk or take a short taxi ride toward Naramachi for lunch. Look for a traditional set meal featuring local vegetables, grilled fish, or kaki-no-ha-zushi; Hiraso Naramachi is a well-known choice for persimmon-leaf sushi, while smaller family-run teishoku restaurants around the old town usually cost about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. Lunch service often finishes by mid-afternoon, so aim to sit down around 12:30–13:00 rather than relying on a late meal.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Naramachi, the former merchant quarter south of the park. Wander the narrow lanes around Naramachi Nakanishi Yosaburo and the small craft shops, peeking into traditional lattice-fronted houses where permitted. The Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie is a useful free or low-cost example of a traditional townhouse, though opening days and hours can vary. Keep the afternoon unhurried, perhaps stopping for roasted green tea or kakigori before returning to Nara Station; trains back to Kyoto run frequently, but allow extra time if you are traveling during the evening commuter period.
Allow 1½–2 hours door to door from your Nara hotel to your Osaka accommodation, including the Kintetsu or JR train, walking with luggage, and check-in. The Kintetsu Nara Line is the most convenient choice if you are staying around Namba: ride to Osaka-Namba, then use the subway or a short taxi ride to your hotel. If your hotel is near Umeda, the JR Yamatoji Rapid to Osaka Station is more practical. Drop your bags first; Osaka Castle Park is much easier to enjoy without luggage.
After lunch, take the Osaka Metro to Morinomiya or Tanimachi 4-chome for Osaka Castle Park. Spend about two hours walking the broad grounds and visiting Osaka Castle Museum inside the main tower, which commonly operates during daytime hours with admission around ¥1,200, though check the official schedule before going. The park itself is free, and the castle is best treated as a panoramic viewpoint and history museum rather than an original medieval structure. From the castle area, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by subway or on foot via Tanimachi toward Nippombashi.
Arrive at Kuromon Ichiba Market in the late afternoon, when the atmosphere is lively but some stalls may begin closing. Allow about 1½ hours to graze on grilled seafood, fruit, tamagoyaki, and Osaka specialties; individual snacks usually cost ¥500–¥1,500, while a fuller market meal can reach ¥2,000–¥3,000. Market hours vary by vendor, so do not leave this stop too late. A 10-minute walk west brings you to Hozenji Yokocho, a beautifully preserved lane of small restaurants and lantern-lit bars. Pause at Hozenji to see the moss-covered Fudo statue; visitors traditionally pour water over it, but do so gently.
Continue a few minutes to Dotonbori after sunset, when the canalfront signs and Glico running-man billboard are at their most photogenic. Wander both sides of the canal for about an hour, then settle nearby for dinner—look for a busy, focused restaurant rather than an empty place directly beneath the biggest sign. Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, or kushikatsu, budgeting roughly ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person. For a less hectic table, the side streets around Hozenji Yokocho are generally more comfortable than the central Dotonbori strip.
Start in Shinsekai around 9:00, when the district is still relatively quiet and its retro atmosphere is easiest to appreciate. Wander beneath the colorful signs around Janjan Yokocho, where tiny eateries, old-fashioned game parlors, and neighborhood cafés give the area its nostalgic character. Allow about 1½ hours, and keep an eye out for the distinctive local custom of not dipping kushikatsu into shared sauce—though many restaurants now provide individual containers.
Continue to Tsutenkaku for roughly an hour. The observation areas and admission procedures can vary, so check the official ticket availability before setting out if you want to guarantee the upper-deck experience; standard admission is generally around ¥1,000–¥1,500, with premium areas costing more. For lunch, stay in Shinsekai and choose a kushikatsu specialist such as Daruma Shinsekai Honten or Kushikatsu Jan Jan. Expect about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person, depending on how many skewers and side dishes you order. A late lunch around 12:30 helps avoid the busiest seating period.
Walk or take the Osaka Metro from Dobutsuen-mae toward Shitenno-ji; allow roughly 20–30 minutes door to door. Spend about 1½ hours exploring the temple grounds, one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple sites. The central precinct usually has a modest admission fee, commonly around ¥300–¥500, while particular gardens or special exhibitions may cost extra. Opening days and hours vary by precinct and season, so confirm before visiting; shoes may need to be removed in indoor areas, and the grounds are active religious spaces rather than simply monuments.
Continue to Abeno Harukas, either by walking about 20 minutes through Tennoji or taking one short Metro ride. The Harukas 300 observation deck is best in the late afternoon, when you can see Osaka’s dense cityscape in daylight and, if visibility is good, watch the lights come on. Allow 1½ hours, and reserve an online time slot if available—particularly on weekends or holidays. Admission is typically around ¥2,000, with prices and timed-entry rules subject to change.
Finish with a slower walk through Tennoji Park and Keitakuen Garden, directly beside the Harukas complex. Allow about an hour to enjoy the ponds, bridges, and landscaped paths after the busier tower visit. The garden generally closes earlier than the surrounding park, often in the late afternoon or early evening, so arrive before dusk and check the seasonal closing time. If you want dinner nearby afterward, Abeno has a much broader choice than Shinsekai, from department-store food halls to casual izakaya around Tennoji Station; otherwise, return to your hotel by the Midosuji Line or Tanimachi Line, depending on where you are staying.
Take an early Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station, allowing roughly 2–2½ hours door to door from your Osaka hotel, including getting to the station and finding the correct platform. A departure around 7:00–7:30 is important today: the Miyajima portion becomes very compressed if you start much later. Reserve through SmartEX or JR West Online, and aim to leave your Osaka hotel with breakfast already handled.
From Hiroshima Station, take a local tram or taxi toward Peace Memorial Park; the tram is inexpensive, but a taxi is worthwhile if you are trying to protect time. Spend about two hours walking between the A-Bomb Dome, Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, and Peace Flame. Keep the morning unhurried and respectful—the riverside paths are the most atmospheric part, and the park is free. Continue to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, allowing around two hours. Check the official website before departure for current timed-entry or reservation requirements, as queues can be substantial even when the park itself is open.
Walk or take a short tram ride toward Hondori, Hiroshima’s covered downtown shopping arcade, for lunch. For Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, Nagataya is a reliable choice near the park, while Okonomiyaki Mitchan Sohonten Hatchobori is a classic if you do not mind a short extra ride; expect roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. Allow about an hour, since both popular counters can develop waits.
After lunch, return to Hiroshima Station for the JR train to Miyajimaguchi, then board the ferry to Miyajima. The combined journey takes roughly 1–1½ hours each way, so leave central Hiroshima promptly. On the island, visit Itsukushima Shrine first, then wander the waterfront around the O-Shakushi, Omotesando Shopping Street, and the small lanes near the shrine. Allow about 2½ hours; check the tide timetable if seeing the torii surrounded by water matters to you, since the view changes dramatically through the day. Keep an eye on ferry times and begin your return by late afternoon—getting back to Shin-Osaka from Miyajima generally takes around three hours door to door, and a later return to Osaka is safer than trying to force an early evening train.
Start at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living when it opens, allowing about 1½ hours for the recreated Edo-period streetscape. The museum is inside the Housing Information Center near Tenjimbashisuji Rokuchome Station; admission is usually around ¥600, though opening hours and last entry can vary, so check before leaving. This is a particularly good final-day stop because it is indoors and compact, leaving your luggage and airport timing manageable.
From the museum, walk south into Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, Japan’s longest covered shopping arcade. Give yourself roughly 1½ hours to browse the small clothing shops, kitchenware stores, snack counters, and old-fashioned cafés rather than trying to cover every block. For lunch, continue toward Umeda by subway—about 10–15 minutes—or take a taxi if you have luggage. A casual teppanyaki lunch at Miyakojima Teppanyaki Kiyomasa or udon around the Osaka Station complex should run approximately ¥1,500–¥4,000 per person; allow extra time if you choose a popular counter restaurant at midday.
After lunch, head to the Umeda Sky Building for its Floating Garden Observatory. From Osaka Station, it is about a 10–15-minute walk through the underground passage and surrounding office district; allow around 1½ hours, including the elevator queue and time on the observation deck. The view is best in clear weather, and tickets are generally around ¥2,000. Afterwards, spend a relaxed final hour at Grand Front Osaka, directly north of Osaka Station, where you can browse design shops, pick up last-minute gifts, or settle into a café before collecting your bags.
For Kansai International Airport, allow roughly 1½–2½ hours door to door from central Osaka, including reaching the station, the airport train, and walking to check-in. From Osaka Station, the Kansai-Airport Rapid is economical but slower; the HARUKA is generally more comfortable if connecting via Tennoji, while a taxi is only worthwhile with substantial luggage or a very early departure. Aim to arrive at least 2–3 hours before an international flight, and leave Umeda earlier than feels necessary during evening rush hour.
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