Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After immigration and baggage collection at Kansai International Airport, follow signs for the Nankai Railway. The Nankai Rapi:t to Namba takes roughly 35–45 minutes once you are on board; allow about 60–75 minutes door to door, including buying tickets and walking through the station. A reserved Rapi:t seat is approximately ¥1,450–1,700 per person, while the Airport Express is cheaper at roughly ¥970. In practical terms, that is about ₹550–970 or £7–9, depending on exchange rates. If you prefer not to manage luggage, an airport limousine bus is slower but simple. Leave your bags at your Namba hotel or use station lockers, then walk or take one short subway ride to Kuromon Ichiba Market.
Spend late morning grazing through Kuromon Ichiba Market, where you can share grilled scallops, wagyu skewers, tamagoyaki, strawberries and seasonal fruit rather than buying a full meal at every stall. It is liveliest before mid-afternoon, although individual vendors keep different hours; roughly 10:00–17:00 is a useful guide. Budget ¥2,000–4,000 each for a generous tasting session. From Nipponbashi, walk about 10 minutes toward Hozenji Yokocho, a beautiful preserved alley of dark wood, lanterns and small restaurants. Visit Hozenji Temple and gently splash water over the moss-covered Fudo Myoo statue; keep voices low, as this is still an active neighborhood shrine rather than just a photo stop.
Continue on foot to Dotonbori, following the canal and the famous neon signs around Ebisubashi Bridge. This is the right place to try takoyaki, kushikatsu and melon soda, but avoid filling up too early because dinner is reserved at Ajinoya Honten. Allow about 15 minutes to walk from Hozenji Yokocho to the main Dotonbori signs, then wander without a strict route for around 90 minutes. Shops generally stay open into the evening, though smaller food stalls can sell out or close earlier. Keep phones and bags secure in the densest crowds, and remember that eating while walking is discouraged in many parts of Japan.
For dinner, queue at Ajinoya Honten, a well-known okonomiyaki restaurant in Namba. It often has a wait, especially around 18:00–20:00, so put your name down before exploring nearby streets if the queue is long. Expect approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person—about ₹1,100–2,200 or £10–20—for okonomiyaki and drinks. After dinner, take a relaxed final canal walk, then return to your Namba hotel on foot. Keep the evening easy: Universal Studios Japan is tomorrow, and an early start will make a noticeable difference.
Aim to reach Universal Studios Japan around 7:30–8:00, even if the official opening time is later; the park sometimes begins admitting guests before the published time, and early arrival is the best way to reduce queues. From Namba, take the Osaka Metro to Nishikujo, then the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City—allow about 30–40 minutes door to door. Have your Studio Pass loaded in the official USJ app, and secure a timed entry for Super Nintendo World as soon as you enter; entry is not guaranteed without a timed ticket or separately purchased Express Pass. Budget roughly ¥8,600–11,000 per person for admission, with Express Passes costing considerably more and varying by date.
Spend the first hours on your priority attractions, then explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park, and the Hollywood-area rides at a slower pace. Queues can easily exceed an hour, so use the single-rider lines where you are comfortable splitting up, and carry a refillable bottle—food and drinks inside are expensive. For lunch, choose a themed counter-service restaurant such as Kinopio’s Café if you obtain a reservation, or eat outside peak hours around 11:00 or after 14:00. Keep the evening flexible rather than chasing every attraction; the park is tiring, and parade or seasonal event schedules change.
After leaving the park around 19:00–20:00, walk directly to Citywalk Osaka, beside Universal City Station, for an easy dinner and souvenir browsing. Casual options include Hard Rock Cafe Osaka, Kushinobo, or one of the takoyaki counters for a quick local-style meal; allow about ¥1,500–3,000 per person, more at the sit-down restaurants. Browse the Osaka-themed gift shops for packaged snacks, character goods, and small souvenirs, but save major shopping for central Osaka, where prices and selection are usually better. Return by the same JR route, and keep your USJ ticket, phone battery, and comfortable shoes ready for tomorrow’s early start.
Take the direct Kintetsu train from Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu-Nara around 8:00; it takes approximately 40–45 minutes and costs about ¥680. From the station, walk roughly 15 minutes to Nara Park, where the deer are usually calmer before the crowds arrive. Allow about two hours to stroll through the open parkland and feed them only the official shika senbei crackers—keep the empty packet visible, as the deer quickly learn that it should contain food. Coin lockers are available at the station if you have shopping or overnight bags.
Continue on foot to Todai-ji, entering through Nandaimon Gate before the temple becomes busiest. The Great Buddha Hall is especially impressive in the late morning light; allow around 1½ hours, including the approach through the grounds. The temple generally opens from about 7:30 or 8:00 depending on the season, with admission around ¥800, but check the official schedule before travelling.
Walk or take a short local bus ride toward Kasuga Taisha, allowing about 25–35 minutes from Todai-ji depending on your pace. The shrine’s forest approach, stone lanterns and mossy surroundings are the most atmospheric part, so avoid rushing straight to the main sanctuary. Spend roughly 1½ hours here; the inner areas may have seasonal opening hours and a separate small admission fee. Wear comfortable shoes—the paths are uneven and there are several gentle uphill sections.
From Kasuga Taisha, walk or take a bus back toward Naramachi, Nara’s beautifully preserved merchant quarter. Give yourselves about two hours to wander its narrow lanes, traditional machiya houses, small craft stores and cafés rather than following a strict route. Stop at Nakatanidou near the Naramachi side for freshly pounded yomogi mochi, usually around ¥200–500 per piece; it is best eaten immediately while soft. For gifts, look for Nara-made crafts, small deer-themed ceramics and locally produced sweets, but leave room in your bags for the larger shopping days in Tokyo.
Have an early dinner in Naramachi—look for a small restaurant serving kakinoha-zushi, narazuke pickles or a simple vegetarian Buddhist-style set meal—then return to Kintetsu-Nara for the train to Osaka. Allow 15–20 minutes to walk back and aim to board by around 19:30–20:00, particularly if you need to collect luggage or prepare for the next morning. Keep a little cash with you: smaller cafés, shrine counters and traditional shops may not accept cards.
Start at Fush Inari Taisha around :00, when the lower torii paths are still relatively quiet and the shrine’s vermilion tunnels feel atmospheric rather than crowded. Allow about two hours: you do not need to climb all the way to the summit, as the best photographs are around the first sections and viewpoints. The shrine grounds are free and open at all times. From Fushimi Inari Station, it is only a few minutes on foot; use an IC card on the Keihan Line if travelling from central Kyoto.
Take a taxi or the Keihan Line toward Kiyomizu-dera, allowing roughly 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Visit the temple in the late morning, when the hillside views across Kyoto are especially lovely. The main temple area generally opens from around 6:00, though individual facilities and seasonal illumination schedules vary; admission is usually about ¥500. Wear comfortable shoes—the approach is uphill and busy, and the temple grounds involve stairs.
Walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, one of Kyoto’s most photogenic traditional districts. Leave room to browse small ceramics shops, green-tea sweets and souvenir stores rather than trying to cover every lane. This is a good place to look for Japanese-style gifts, lacquerware and small textile items; prices range from ¥500 for sweets and charms to several thousand yen for handmade pieces. Stop for matcha or a seasonal dessert at Kiyomizu-area tea houses, but avoid carrying open drinks on the narrow streets.
Continue on foot toward Yasaka Shrine, roughly 20–25 minutes through the preserved lanes and the edge of Gion. Spend about 45 minutes in the shrine precinct, where admission is free and the grounds are accessible throughout the day. If you would like to wear traditional clothing, arrange a kimono rental in Higashiyama in advance and allow an extra 60–90 minutes for fitting; choose a comfortable walking kimono rather than an elaborate outfit, since this route includes slopes and stone paving.
Attend the booked Gion Hatanaka cultural performance, or another public maiko/geisha-style cultural show in Gion. Confirm the exact venue and availability before travelling: performances are schedule-dependent and should be reserved ahead, particularly for English explanations. These shows usually last around 1–1.5 hours and may include dance, music and traditional games; they are a respectful public cultural presentation, not an opportunity for private or intimate contact.
Finish with your reserved dinner at Gion Karyo, allowing around 1.5 hours for its refined Kyoto-style menu. Budget approximately ¥8,000–15,000 per person, with drinks and premium seasonal courses potentially higher. The restaurant is best treated as a reservation-led experience, so check cancellation rules and dietary requests in advance. After dinner, stroll quietly along Hanamikoji Street and the nearby Shirakawa lanes, keeping voices low and never photographing working geiko or maiko without permission; Kyoto’s central streets are easy to reach by taxi or city bus from here.
Leave Kyoto around 8:00 for Odawara, then continue to Hakone-Yumoto; allow 3–3½ hours door to door, including the station change and luggage handling. Reserve Shinkansen seats in advance and, if possible, send large suitcases ahead to your Tokyo hotel—Hakone trains and ryokan rooms often have limited storage. From Hakone-Yumoto, take the local train to Chokoku-no-Mori for the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Spend about two hours among the mountain-backed sculptures, the Picasso exhibition, and the indoor foot bath; comfortable shoes are essential. Admission is approximately ¥2,000 / ₹1,120 / £10, and the museum generally operates from around 9:00 to 17:00, subject to seasonal changes.
Return to Hakone-Yumoto and have a relaxed lunch around the station before browsing Hakone-Yumoto Shopping Street. Look for Yubadama sweets, onsen manju, locally made woodcraft, small ceramics, and boxed snacks that travel well as gifts. Chimoto is a good stop for the famous yubもち rice cakes, while 菜の花 is useful for traditional sweets and packaged souvenirs. Keep purchases modest until your ryokan check-in, since the station area can become busy and coin lockers fill quickly. Set aside roughly ¥1,500–3,000 / ₹840–1,680 / £8–16 per person for lunch and tasting stops.
Check into Hakone Kowakudani Onsen Ryokan or your reserved property in Hakone-Yumoto/Gora by late afternoon. Your indicative moderate-luxury ryokan budget is ¥25,000–60,000 / ₹14,000–34,000 / £130–310 per person, usually depending on whether dinner and breakfast are included; confirm this carefully before booking. A budget alternative such as Guesthouse Azito is approximately ¥5,000–10,000 / ₹2,800–5,600 / £26–52 per person, but it will not provide the same in-house kaiseki or private bath experience, so you may need to book an outside onsen separately.
For visible tattoos, request a private kashikiri-buro or a tattoo-friendly women-only bathing slot in advance—do not assume the public baths will permit entry. After bathing, enjoy the reserved kaiseki dinner slowly, allowing around three hours. Remove makeup and avoid photographing other guests; ryokan etiquette is quiet and unhurried. Rates above are planning estimates using approximately ¥1 = ₹0.56 = £0.0052, so check live exchange rates and the property’s current seasonal pricing before payment.
Leave Hakone around 7:30 for Kawaguchiko, allowing 2½–3½ hours by reserved bus via Gotemba. This route is scenic but weather- and traffic-dependent, so keep your bus confirmation handy and carry breakfast; there may not be a convenient food stop. If the direct bus is sold out, the train-and-bus alternative via Odawara and Gotemba takes longer. On arrival, store luggage at Kawaguchiko Station—coin lockers are limited, so your hotel’s early bag drop is preferable.
Head first to Oishi Park, on the lake’s north shore. In clear weather, the view of Mount Fuji across the lavender and seasonal flower beds is superb; allow about an hour. The local sightseeing bus takes roughly 30 minutes from the station, and a one-day bus pass can be worthwhile if you use it several times. Fuji visibility is never guaranteed, so treat this as a flexible photo stop rather than planning your whole day around a perfect summit.
Return toward the town centre for the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. The lower station is near Kawaguchiko, and the ride plus viewpoint usually takes around 1½ hours. Queues can build quickly, particularly in clear weather; if the wait is long, keep your ticket timing flexible and enjoy the lakeside promenade first. The ropeway is weather-dependent, and cloud can obscure the mountain even when the lake is beautiful.
Continue by sightseeing bus along the north shore to the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum. Give yourselves about two hours for the European-style gardens, ornate music boxes and Fuji-facing grounds. It is a gentler afternoon than another viewpoint and makes a good contrast to the morning. The museum normally operates during daytime hours, but check the official calendar before travelling because last admission and occasional closures vary.
Return to Kawaguchiko Station and eat at Hoto Fudo Kawaguchiko Ekimae, directly beside the station. Order the signature hoto: broad flat noodles in a hearty miso-and-vegetable broth, approximately ¥1,500–2,500 per person (about ₹850–1,400 / £8–13, using rough rates of ¥1 ≈ ₹0.58 and £1 ≈ ¥195). It is filling, warming and ideal after a day outdoors; expect a queue at peak dinner time.
Take the reserved highway bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Shinjuku, ideally around 18:30–19:30. Allow roughly two hours, and more if traffic is heavy around Tokyo. Keep luggage compact and arrive at the bus terminal 15–20 minutes early. If you want to browse, Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal sits above Shinjuku Station, with convenience stores and late-opening food options nearby; otherwise go directly to your Tokyo hotel and save the evening for rest.
Book a legal Tokyo car-culture tour that includes the Daikoku Parking Area in the Yokohama area; this is the safest way to experience Japan’s tuning scene, as independent visitors may be turned away and unauthorised drifting is illegal. Allow around 4–5 hours door to door, including the meeting-point transfer, and confirm the exact pickup location the night before—many tours meet in central Tokyo rather than at your hotel. Expect an early start, usually around 7:00–8:00, and bring a light jacket: the parking area is exposed and windy. Treat it as a car-spotting experience rather than a guaranteed supercar display, since vehicles and access depend on the day.
After returning to Tokyo, head to Shibuya Scramble Square by train or taxi and go directly to SHIBUYA SKY if you have reserved tickets. The observatory is best booked online in advance, particularly around sunset; allow about 1½ hours for security, lifts and the rooftop viewing deck. If your tour runs late, skip the observatory rather than rushing—its time-entry tickets are not flexible. From the tower, wander down to Miyashita Park, a relaxed rooftop complex with small shops, cafés and views over the surrounding streets. It is a good place to pause for coffee or a dessert before dinner.
Have an easy, good-value dinner at Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka, where sushi arrives to your seat on individual rails. There may be a queue, but it usually moves quickly; budget approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Afterwards, walk through Shibuya Center-Gai and the surrounding side streets for the neon, music and youthful nightlife atmosphere. Keep bags close in the busiest stretches, and avoid accepting invitations from street touts for bars or clubs. Finish whenever you feel ready rather than trying to cover all of Shibuya—the area is lively late, and your next day is better enjoyed with a slower start.
Begin at Asakusa Kimono Rental Vasara around 9:00–9:30 for professional dressing. Reserve in advance and allow roughly 1½ hours, especially if you want hair styling or accessories. Choose a comfortable walking kimono rather than an elaborate furisode; you will be walking on temple grounds and uneven streets. A standard rental generally costs around ¥4,000–8,000 per person (about ₹2,300–4,600 / £20–40), with hair styling and premium fabrics extra. After dressing, walk toward Senso-ji, passing through Kaminarimon Gate and the incense burner near the main hall. Go slowly and keep the photography respectful—this area becomes much busier from late morning. Temple grounds are generally accessible throughout the day, while shop hours vary.
Continue along Nakamise Shopping Street for about an hour. Look for ningyoyaki cakes, rice crackers, folding fans, tenugui cloths, small Buddhist charms and daruma-style souvenirs; buy edible gifts later in the day if you want them to travel well. For lunch, choose something light nearby so you have room for tastings, then walk or take a short taxi ride to Kappabashi Dougu Street—roughly 15–20 minutes on foot from Senso-ji. The shops are excellent for Japanese knives, chopsticks, lacquerware, tea accessories and remarkably realistic plastic food samples. Knife purchases should be packed in checked luggage, and ask the shop about export packaging. Allow 1½ hours; many specialist stores close in the late afternoon, so do not leave this stop too late.
Return toward Asakusa for dinner at Asakusa Yadoroku, one of Tokyo’s long-established sushi restaurants. Reserve strongly in advance, as the intimate counter has limited seating; expect approximately ¥6,000–12,000 per person (about ₹3,500–6,900 / £32–64), depending on the menu and drinks. Keep the meal to about an hour, then attend a scheduled rakugo or traditional performing-arts programme at a Tokyo Rakugo Association performance venue. Check the exact venue and programme before booking, because performances and locations vary; some shows are mainly in Japanese, although the visual storytelling is still enjoyable without full language fluency. Evening tickets commonly fall around ¥2,000–4,000 per person (₹1,150–2,300 / £11–21). Finish with a quiet walk around Asakusa in your rented kimono before returning it according to the shop’s deadline—usually by early evening, unless you have specifically booked an overnight return.
Start at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden soon after opening, generally from 9:00; check the official site because opening days and seasonal hours can vary. Allow about two hours to wander the Japanese, English and French-style gardens. Late November is usually a beautiful foliage period, but peak colour varies each year. The garden entry fee is approximately ¥500, and the walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station is convenient. Go early for the quietest paths, and bring cash or a payment card for the small cafés inside.
Take the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line from Shinjuku-sanchome to Meiji-jingumae, or walk for around 25–30 minutes, then browse @cosme TOKYO. This is one of the best places to compare Japanese sunscreen, cleansing oils, sheet masks, lip products and beauty tools in one stop. Look for award-winning items marked with @cosme rankings, but check the tax-free conditions before paying: you will generally need your passport, and sealed consumables may be packed separately. Allow 1½ hours, especially if you want staff recommendations or a tax-free purchase.
Walk through Takeshita Street, allowing about 1½ hours for shoes, accessories, small fashion brands and snack stalls. It is busiest around midday, so keep bags close and avoid stopping in the centre of the narrow street. For gifts, continue towards Kiddy Land Harajuku in Omotesando, where you can pick up character stationery, Sanrio, Ghibli, Pokémon and Japanese-designed toys; the upper floors are particularly useful for compact souvenirs. Prices range from roughly ¥500 for small gifts to ¥5,000 or more for larger items. The walk between the two areas takes about 10–15 minutes.
Have your planned dessert stop at Pierre Hermé Paris Aoyama, allowing around an hour and budgeting approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person for macarons, pastries and drinks. Afterwards, stroll along Omotesando, where the broad tree-lined avenue is ideal for browsing Japanese and international flagships, shoes, watches and higher-end fashion without the intensity of Takeshita Street. For a more affordable final browse, check the side streets around Cat Street before returning by Omotesando Station or Harajuku Station. Keep skincare and food purchases together for your luggage, and leave room for tomorrow’s final shopping; a 24-hour combination of nearby lockers or hotel luggage storage is useful if you have bought fragile boxes.
Start early at Tsukiji Outer Market, ideally around 8:00–8:30, while the stalls are lively and before the narrow lanes become crowded. From central Tokyo, take the subway to Tsukijishijō Station or Tsukiji Station; allow around 30 minutes door to door. Have a relaxed breakfast of grilled seafood, sushi, or tamagoyaki, then browse the small shops for bonito flakes, Japanese knives, tea, furikake, and beautifully packaged cooking gifts. Most market businesses operate in the morning and many close by early afternoon, so avoid arriving late. Keep bags compact and carry cash, as some smaller vendors may not accept cards.
Travel from Tsukiji to teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu by subway, allowing roughly 25–35 minutes with the walk and transfer. Your timed-entry ticket is essential; arrive 15–20 minutes before the slot because queues can form even for reserved admission. Allow about two hours inside. The barefoot water and mirrored installations are memorable but not especially practical in a fitted dinner outfit, so wear easy-to-roll clothing and avoid delicate shoes; shorts or suitable cover clothing may be required for some areas. Afterward, take a short break in Toyosu before continuing to Ginza rather than trying to rush straight through the exhibits.
Spend the afternoon at Ginza Six, where you can browse Japanese skincare, watches, designer accessories, sweets, and elegant souvenirs in one polished stop. Department-store basements and food halls are particularly good for gift boxes, though closing times vary by shop. Continue to Nissan Crossing for about 45 minutes; its sleek display is a pleasant Tokyo car-culture interlude before dinner. Both stops are within central Ginza, so walk between them and allow extra time for tax-free shopping formalities—bring your passport and keep receipts together.
For your dress-up dinner, take the subway or JR from Ginza to Ebisu, allowing around 20–30 minutes. Peter Luger Steak House Tokyo suits the little-black-dress evening, but reserve well ahead and confirm the restaurant’s current booking, dress, and payment policies. Budget approximately ¥15,000–30,000 per person, or roughly ₹8,500–17,000 and £75–150, depending on the exchange rate and what you order. After dinner, stroll through the licensed Ebisu nightlife district for an hour: choose established cocktail bars or hotel lounges, check cover charges before entering, and avoid touts inviting you into unfamiliar venues. Keep the night elegant rather than overpacked—this is your final full evening, and an easy taxi back is worthwhile if you are carrying shopping.
Keep this morning focused and practical. Arrive at Shinjuku Takashimaya around opening time—usually 10:30, though confirm the department’s holiday hours before travelling—and allow about an hour for last-minute cosmetics, stationery, Japanese sweets and small gifts. The basement food floor is especially useful for beautifully packaged items such as seasonal wagashi, matcha sweets and individually wrapped chocolates. For tax-free shopping, carry both passports and ask at the designated counter before leaving; sealed consumables may be subject to Japan’s tax-free packaging rules, so do not open them before returning home.
Walk across to NEWoMan Shinjuku, attached to the station, for a final food-hall stop and travel snacks. Look for compact items that survive the journey well—financier cakes, dorayaki, rice crackers, matcha biscuits and individually wrapped fruit jellies. Keep liquids and larger skincare purchases in your checked luggage, and separate fragile sweets in a small hand-carry bag. If you have extra time, use the station’s lockers or hotel luggage storage rather than carrying everything through the airport.
For an 11:00 international departure, leave central Tokyo around 7:00 and aim to reach Haneda Airport by approximately 8:00–8:30. From Shinjuku, the simplest rail option is usually the JR Yamanote Line to Shinagawa, followed by the Keikyu Airport Line to the relevant terminal; allow roughly 60–90 minutes door to door, including walking, ticketing and luggage. An airport limousine bus can be easier with suitcases but is traffic-dependent, so check the morning timetable and reserve if required. Before leaving Shinjuku, confirm your terminal and airline check-in opening, keep passports and tax-free receipts accessible, and allow extra time for checked baggage and security.
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