Japan Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Itinerary

Departure from the United Kingdom

Your overnight journey to Tokyo begins on 16 November. Allow plenty of time at your UK airport for check-in, baggage drop, security, and passport control—ideally arriving around three hours before the scheduled international departure, or earlier if you need to check luggage or travel to the airport by rail. Keep your passport, booking details, medication, a pen, and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. The total door-to-door journey will be considerably longer than the flight itself once airport access, check-in, the time-zone change, and arrival procedures are included.

In Flight

Treat this as a recovery night rather than trying to stay awake throughout. Set your watch to Japan Standard Time after boarding, drink water regularly, and keep alcohol and heavy meals to a minimum. A light sleep mask, earplugs, and warm layer are useful on an overnight flight; if you can sleep, aim to do so during the latter part of the journey so you arrive more prepared for Tokyo’s afternoon and evening. On landing on 17 November, allow time for immigration, baggage collection, and customs before continuing into the city—the airport transfer and hotel check-in are part of tomorrow’s arrival schedule.

Arrival in Tokyo

After landing at Narita International Airport at 15:30, allow roughly two to three hours for immigration, baggage collection, customs, and the journey into central Tokyo. The quickest option is usually the Narita Express to Shinjuku or Tokyo Station, depending on your hotel; the Keisei Skyliner is often faster for Ueno and Nippori, while an airport limousine bus is easier if you have heavy luggage. After checking in and dropping your bags, keep the evening moving gently—Tokyo’s first night can feel surprisingly late after the overnight flight.

Evening in Shibuya

Head to Shibuya Crossing for about 45 minutes, ideally arriving as the district lights up. Take in the crossing from street level, then wander briefly around Center-gai before going to Shibuya Sky. Allow around 1½ hours here for the lift queues, indoor observation levels, and open-air rooftop views across Tokyo. Timed admission should be booked in advance, especially for sunset; if the rooftop closes temporarily because of strong wind or rain, your ticket may be limited to the indoor areas, so check the forecast and admission conditions before leaving the hotel. The observation deck is generally open into the evening, but exact hours and prices vary; expect roughly ¥2,000–¥3,000 for an adult ticket.

Dinner in Shinjuku

From Shibuya, take the JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku—about seven minutes, plus station walking time—or use the Fukutoshin Line if it is more convenient. Finish at Omoide Yokocho, the atmospheric collection of narrow lanes beside the west side of Shinjuku Station. Choose a small yakitori counter rather than trying to cover every alley; dinner should take around 1½ hours and usually costs approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person, with cash still useful at some tiny establishments. The lanes are compact and popular, so expect a short wait, and remember that many seats are at close quarters. After dinner, return to your hotel and keep the rest of the night quiet—the first full Tokyo day starts tomorrow.

Morning

Start at Meiji Jingu, arriving around 08:30–09:00 while the approach through the tall forest is still quiet. From Harajuku Station, follow the broad path to the shrine; allow about 90 minutes for the walk, main courtyard, and nearby gardens. Entry to the shrine grounds is free, though some garden areas charge separately. Keep voices low around the worship spaces, and avoid taking photographs during ceremonies.

Walk back toward Takeshita Street for a livelier late morning. Its fashion shops, vintage stores, and snack stalls are best explored before the biggest crowds build; allow about an hour. Try a crepe or a small sweet rather than committing to a full meal here, as you will have better food options later. From Harajuku, take the Tokyo Metro or a short taxi ride toward Azabudai Hills—roughly 25–35 minutes depending on the connection and traffic.

Afternoon

Arrive at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills for your early-afternoon session, allowing around two hours. This is a timed-entry attraction, so book the official ticket in advance and arrive within the stated entry window; same-day access can be unavailable. Wear comfortable shoes, and expect dark rooms, reflective surfaces, and some uneven areas. Tickets commonly cost around ¥4,000–¥5,000 for adults, but prices and availability vary by date. Afterward, continue by taxi or the Tokyo Metro toward Tsukiji Outer Market, usually around 20–30 minutes.

Spend the late afternoon browsing Tsukiji Outer Market, where small counters and stalls are ideal for grazing. Have sushi, grilled seafood, or tamagoyaki, budgeting approximately ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person for lunch and snacks. Most market businesses operate in the morning and early afternoon, with individual closing times varying, so do not leave this stop too late; aim to arrive by around 15:30. Cash remains useful, and the narrow lanes are busiest around lunchtime.

Evening

Finish in Ginza at Ginza Six, about 10–15 minutes from Tsukiji on foot or a short Tokyo Metro journey. Browse the contemporary shops and make time for the rooftop garden if it is still open, then settle into one of the building’s cafés for coffee or dessert. Shops generally close around 20:00, while restaurants and cafés may stay open later; check the individual venue before relying on a late visit. This is deliberately an easy finish after a full day—ideal for a relaxed dinner nearby rather than adding another major sightseeing stop.

Arrival and Late Morning

After arriving in Kyoto, leave your larger bags at your accommodation or use a station locker before heading into Higashiyama. From Kyoto Station, a taxi to Kiyomizu-dera is the simplest option with luggage; allow around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and roughly ¥1,500–¥2,500. The bus is cheaper, but often crowded and slower. Aim to reach the temple around 10:30–11:00, when the approach is lively but not yet at its busiest. Allow about 1½ hours for the temple grounds, the famous wooden stage, and hillside viewpoints. Admission is commonly around ¥400, but check the official site for current entry arrangements and any advance booking requirements.

Lunch and Historic Lanes

Walk downhill from Kiyomizu-dera through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, allowing plenty of time for pottery shops, traditional sweets, matcha, and small craft stores rather than treating this as a direct route. The stone-paved lanes can be uneven and crowded, so comfortable shoes are worthwhile. For lunch, look for a set meal around Yasaka-no-To Pagoda or pause at % Arabica Higashiyama for coffee; expect roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person. Keep valuables secure and avoid stopping in the middle of the narrow lanes, particularly where residents are passing through.

Afternoon and Evening in Gion

Continue downhill on foot to Yasaka Shrine, about 15–20 minutes from the lower end of the historic lanes. The shrine grounds are free and open throughout the day, making this an easy late-afternoon stop; the vermilion gates and lantern-lined buildings become especially atmospheric as the light softens. From there, wander into Gion, exploring Hanamikoji Street and the quieter lanes near the Shirakawa Canal. Please keep to public streets, do not photograph geiko or maiko without permission, and remember that some side lanes are private.

For dinner, reserve a traditional Kyoto restaurant in advance—Gion Karyo is a polished option, while Gion Tanto is more relaxed and known for okonomiyaki. Budget around ¥3,000–¥8,000 per person, with higher prices for a formal kaiseki meal. Kyoto’s buses become crowded in the evening, so a short taxi back to your accommodation is often worth the ¥1,000–¥2,000 fare; otherwise, Gion-Shijo Station provides convenient Keihan Line connections.

Morning

Start early at Fushimi Inari Taisha, ideally arriving around 07:00–07:30 from central Kyoto. Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station—the shrine entrance is directly opposite, and the ride takes about five minutes. The grounds are open around the clock and free, making this the best time to walk beneath the famous vermilion torii before the busiest crowds arrive. Allow about 2–2½ hours; you do not need to complete the entire mountain route unless you feel energetic, as the first sections provide the classic views.

Lunch and Afternoon

Return towards downtown for Nishiki Market, reached in roughly 20–30 minutes by train and walking, or by taxi if you prefer to save time. Browse the covered market slowly, trying small portions of pickles, grilled seafood, tamagoyaki, and sweets rather than planning a formal meal; budget approximately ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. Be considerate about eating directly in front of stalls, as many vendors prefer customers to eat in designated areas. After lunch, take the Karasuma Line to Nijōjō-mae Station for Nijō Castle. Allow about two hours for the palace interiors, gardens, and famous “nightingale floors”; admission is roughly ¥1,300, and the castle generally closes around 17:00, with last entry earlier, so check the official schedule before setting out.

Continue by taxi or walk through Kyoto Gyoen to Kyoto Imperial Palace. The spacious park is free and particularly pleasant in the late afternoon, while palace buildings and selected interiors may have restricted visiting hours or require a timed reservation depending on the date. Leave enough flexibility here rather than rushing through the grounds—November light and autumn color make the surrounding gardens worthwhile even if an interior area is unavailable.

Evening

Finish in Pontocho, walking or taking a short taxi ride south from the Imperial Palace area. Explore the narrow lantern-lit alley before choosing a small restaurant for dinner; establishments range from traditional Kyoto cooking to yakitori and modern izakaya, with approximately ¥3,000–¥7,000 per person being realistic. The riverside terraces are seasonal and not guaranteed in November, so treat them as a bonus rather than a certainty. Book ahead where possible, especially for compact restaurants, and remember that some Pontocho venues have a cover charge or accept cash only.

Morning

Leave Kyoto around 08:00 on the JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid for Osaka Station; the train itself takes about 30 minutes, but allow 1.5–2 hours door-to-door for checkout, the station, and dropping bags at your Osaka accommodation. From there, continue to Osaka Castle by train and a short walk—roughly 25–35 minutes depending on your hotel. Spend about two hours around the park and castle museum. The museum generally opens from 09:00, with admission around ¥1,200; the exterior grounds are free, and the castle park is especially pleasant in late November when the trees have autumn colour. The museum is the main attraction, while the best photographs are from the surrounding moat and park rather than only from inside the tower.

Lunch and Historic Namba

Travel south to Kuromon Ichiba Market, usually around 20–30 minutes from Osaka Castle by subway. Arrive around 12:30, when the market is lively but before the busiest afternoon crowds. Allow 1.5 hours to graze on grilled scallops, sushi, fruit, and other Osaka snacks; budget roughly ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person. Individual stalls set their own hours, and some close once their food sells out, so keep the market as a lunchtime stop rather than relying on it for a late meal. Afterwards, walk about 10 minutes to Hozenji Yokocho, a small stone-paved alley tucked behind Namba. Visit Hozenji Temple, where the moss-covered Fudo Myoo statue is traditionally sprinkled with water, then linger briefly among the lantern-lit lanes and compact bars.

Evening

Continue on foot into Dotonbori for the classic Osaka evening: stroll beside the canal, see the neon signs around Ebisu Bridge, and stop for takoyaki or okonomiyaki. Allow around two hours and budget ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person; restaurants can have queues on Saturday, so a short wait is normal. For a more relaxed meal, look for a counter seat away from the bridge rather than choosing the first large sign on the main strip. Finish at Umeda Sky Building: take the Osaka Metro from Namba toward Umeda, then allow 10–15 minutes on foot from the station, making the total transfer about 25–35 minutes. The Kuchu Teien Observatory is generally open until late evening, with admission around ¥2,000; check the official timetable nearer the visit, and arrive before the final entry time. From the rooftop observatory, Osaka’s lights spread out in every direction—a good, unhurried end to the day.

Morning

Have a final Osaka breakfast around Shinsekai, where the streets are at their most atmospheric before the crowds build. Try a simple set meal or freshly grilled kushikatsu near Tsutenkaku, then spend about 90 minutes wandering the retro arcades and brightly painted lanes of Shinsekai. The neighborhood is easy to explore on foot; treat kushikatsu as a late breakfast or snack rather than a full meal, and remember not to double-dip in shared sauce trays. Most small businesses open later in the morning, so the streets and exterior views are the main attraction at this hour.

Continue by subway from Dobutsuen-mae or Ebisucho to Tennoji, then walk to Abeno Harukas—allow roughly 15–25 minutes including the transfer. The Harukas 300 observation decks are a good final panorama of Osaka, but confirm the day’s admission availability and reserve ahead if you want a guaranteed timed entry; standard admission is commonly around ¥2,000. Allow about an hour, including lifts and queues. The area around Tennoji Station can be busy, so keep your luggage compact or leave larger bags at your hotel before setting out.

Lunch and Airport Transfer

Walk or take one short subway stop to Namba Parks for lunch and last-minute shopping. Its terraced rooftop gardens are a pleasant place for a final pause, while the shopping complex has plenty of Japanese fashion, cosmetics, snacks, and souvenir options. Budget approximately ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person for lunch. Leave Namba Parks around 13:45–14:00, allowing time to retrieve luggage and reach Nankai Namba Station. The Nankai Rapi:t or Airport Express to Kansai International Airport takes roughly 40–50 minutes, but door-to-door allow about 2.5–3 hours for walking, luggage, the airport transfer, check-in, security, and immigration. For an 18:00 international flight, aim to be at the terminal by 15:00; leaving central Osaka at 14:00–14:30 is sensible, especially with checked baggage.

Evening and Return Flight

At Kansai International Airport, check the departure terminal and airline arrangements before leaving Namba, as terminal access and check-in procedures vary. After check-in, allow time for security and border formalities, then board your evening flight back to the United Kingdom. The flight duration varies by destination and routing, so rely on your airline’s confirmed itinerary; keep passports, boarding passes, medication, and valuables in your hand luggage.