Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After arriving in Tokyo, make Meiji Jingu your first stop. From Harajuku Station, it is a short walk to the shrine’s broad, wooded approach; allow about 1½ hours, including the walk beneath the old trees and time to observe the shrine etiquette. The grounds are generally open from sunrise until sunset, while the inner shrine hours vary seasonally, so check the official site if you want to see the main buildings. The visit is free. Go before late morning for the quietest atmosphere, and wear comfortable shoes—the forest paths are easy but spread out.
Exit near Harajuku Station and continue to Takeshita Street, where the mood changes completely: expect crowds, colorful fashion shops, cosmetics, and queues for crepes and snacks. Spend about an hour browsing rather than trying to cover every shop. For a vegetarian-friendly quick lunch, check current menus around Harajuku carefully—look for clearly marked vegetarian or vegan options and confirm that dashi or meat stock is not used. From Harajuku, take the JR Yamanote Line toward Tokyo Station, then change for Kiyosumi-Shirakawa via the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line; allow roughly 35–45 minutes door to door.
Spend the afternoon wandering the Kiyosumi Shirakawa coffee district, known for independent roasters, small galleries, and a relaxed neighborhood feel. Allow around two hours, but keep the pace loose: cafés may close early or stop serving when full, and many smaller businesses do not accept reservations. A useful base is the area around Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station, with Kiyosumi Gardens nearby if you want a short outdoor break; check its seasonal closing time and expect a modest admission fee. Leave enough time to reach teamLab Borderless: take the Hanzomon Line toward Aoyama-itchome, then continue by subway or taxi toward Azabudai Hills, allowing about 30–40 minutes including walking.
Visit teamLab Borderless for roughly two hours. Timed admission must be reserved in advance, and entry times can sell out, particularly on weekends and during November travel; arrive 15–20 minutes early at Azabudai Hills. The experience involves dim rooms, changing floors, and substantial walking, so comfortable shoes are worthwhile. Afterward, have dinner at Brown Rice Canteen, a convenient vegetarian/vegan choice in the Azabudai area, budgeting approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Confirm its current opening hours and last-order time before relying on it, as restaurant schedules can change. Ask staff to confirm ingredients if you avoid fish-based dashi, and consider booking or arriving early if dining at peak time.
Start at Senso-ji in Asakusa, ideally around 8:00–8:30am, before the main crowds build. Enter through Kaminarimon and allow about 1½ hours for the temple grounds, incense burner, and the quieter lanes around the main hall. There is no admission fee; dress modestly and remember that the main hall and some surrounding areas may open later than the outer grounds. From Senso-ji, walk directly along Nakamise-dori, the traditional shopping street leading back toward Kaminarimon. Give yourself roughly an hour to browse lacquerware, fabrics, fans, and snacks—look for clearly labelled vegetarian options, since dashi or gelatin can appear in otherwise meat-free food.
Walk or take the Ginza Subway Line from Asakusa to Ueno—the ride is only a few minutes, though allow around 20–30 minutes door to door with the walk and station transfer. Have lunch near Ueno before exploring Ueno Park, where a relaxed 1½-hour stroll takes you past ponds, broad paths, and the park’s museum district. Museum entry is generally separate, often around ¥500–¥2,000 depending on the exhibition, so choose one only if something particularly interests you; otherwise the park itself is free and leaves more time for wandering. In November, the foliage can be attractive, but peak color varies by year.
From Ueno Park, walk west toward Yanaka and Nezu Shrine—about 25–30 minutes, or use a short taxi ride if you would rather save your legs. Nezu Shrine is atmospheric in the afternoon, with vermilion gates and a quieter residential setting; allow about an hour and check the grounds’ seasonal closing time before setting out, as shrine access can finish before dusk. Finish with dinner at Saishoku Kenbi in Ueno, returning by train or taxi from Yanaka. Its vegetarian buffet-style Japanese dishes make ordering easy, but check the latest opening hours and whether dinner service is operating before you go; budget approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person.
Leave your Tokyo hotel early enough to reach Shinjuku Station for a reserved Odakyu Romancecar seat around 7:00–8:00am. Allow 30–45 minutes for checkout, getting to the station, finding the Odakyu platforms, and buying breakfast; the train itself takes about 1½ hours to Hakone-Yumoto. The full door-to-door move is realistically 2–2½ hours. At Hakone-Yumoto, leave large luggage at your accommodation or use station lockers, then take the Hakone Tozan train to Chokoku-no-Mori Station—about 35 minutes, covered by the Hakone Freepass if you buy one. Walk a few minutes to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, allowing roughly two hours for the sculpture gardens and indoor galleries. Admission is about ¥2,000–2,500; check the current hours before leaving Tokyo, as seasonal schedules can change.
From Chokoku-no-Mori, continue by Hakone Tozan train toward Gora, then use the cable car and ropeway for Owakudani. Allow around 45–60 minutes including transfers and waiting time, and keep some flexibility: the ropeway can close temporarily for strong wind, volcanic gas, or poor visibility. Spend about 1½ hours around the valley’s viewpoints and visitor area, taking care on the exposed paths and following any gas-related guidance. For a vegetarian lunch or snack, choose rice, noodles, or packaged items after checking ingredients—dashi and meat-based seasonings are common—then continue by ropeway to Togendai and take the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise toward Moto-Hakone. The cruise lasts about 30–40 minutes depending on the route; budget roughly an hour with boarding time. If the ropeway is suspended, use the replacement bus to Togendai and keep the cruise as your afternoon anchor.
Disembark at Moto-Hakone and walk to Komatsuya for dinner, allowing a little extra time for a queue because small lakeside restaurants may have limited seating. Ask clearly for vegetarian soba and confirm the broth contains no fish stock; soba restaurants often use bonito dashi even when the dish appears meat-free. Expect approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person. After dinner, check into your Hakone accommodation or take the local bus back toward Hakone-Yumoto; buses can become infrequent in the evening, so verify the final departure and carry some cash. A Hakone Freepass is useful today, but it does not cover every sightseeing cruise or reserved Romancecar surcharge, so check the inclusions when purchasing.
Allow roughly 4½–5½ hours door to door from your Hakone accommodation: check out early, take the Hakone Tozan train or bus to Odawara Station, and board a reserved Tokaido Shinkansen seat to Kyoto Station. Booking through SmartEX is sensible, especially with luggage; a morning departure around 7:00–8:00 gives you the best chance of reaching central Kyoto in time for the afternoon. After arrival, leave about 30–45 minutes to collect bags, reach your hotel, and check in or leave luggage before heading into town.
Make Nishiki Market your first Kyoto stop. From Kyoto Station, the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station, followed by a short walk, is usually quicker than a taxi in busy traffic. Spend about 1½ hours wandering the covered arcade toward Teramachi and Shinkyogoku; individual stalls keep different hours, so treat it as a grazing visit rather than a guaranteed meal. Vegetarian choices may include yuba, grilled vegetables, pickles, soy-based snacks, and sweets, but ask clearly for “vegetarian” and confirm that dashi, bonito, or meat stock is not used. The market is generally most active during daytime and can be crowded, so keep bags close and avoid blocking narrow shopfronts.
From Nishiki Market, walk east toward Pontocho, roughly 15 minutes, arriving as the narrow alley begins to glow with lanterns. Take an unhurried hour to explore the side lanes and the riverside paths along the Kamo River; many restaurants here are reservation-focused and not vegetarian-friendly, so this is better for atmosphere than spontaneous dinner. Continue south-east on foot to Gion Shirakawa, another 15–20 minutes away, where willow trees, wooden townhouses, and the canal make for a lovely early-evening stroll. Keep voices low and do not photograph geiko or maiko without permission.
Finish at Veg Out near Shichijo, about a 15-minute walk from Gion Shirakawa or a short Keihan train ride from Gion-Shijo Station. This vegan café is a particularly easy dinner choice after a long travel day, with river views and meals generally around ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Check its current evening hours before setting out, as café schedules can change; if you arrive before dinner service, a brief riverside walk near Shichijo Bridge is a pleasant way to fill the gap.
Start very early at Fushimi Inari Taisha, ideally arriving around 7:00–7:30am. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station—the shrine entrance is directly opposite, and the ride takes about five minutes. The lower shrine is free and open at all hours; walk through the first torii tunnels, then continue uphill as far as your energy allows. The full circuit takes roughly 2½–3 hours, but turning around at Yotsutsuji viewpoint still gives you excellent city views and saves time. Wear shoes with good grip, bring water, and expect the path to become quieter and steeper beyond the main gates.
Walk or take the JR Nara Line one stop to Tofukuji Station, then allow about 10 minutes on foot to Tofuku-ji. Spend around 1½ hours exploring the Zen temple’s bridges, gardens, and autumn foliage. November is one of Kyoto’s busiest foliage periods, so queues for the most popular garden areas are possible; admission is typically around ¥400–¥600 depending on the garden or seasonal area. Afterward, return by train toward central Kyoto or take a taxi toward Higashiyama if you want to protect your afternoon time.
Have a light vegetarian lunch near Kiyomizu-michi—small noodle, tofu, and yuba restaurants are plentiful, though some fill quickly—then visit Kiyomizu-dera in the early afternoon. From Tofuku-ji, a taxi is the most convenient option, usually taking 15–25 minutes depending on traffic; buses are cheaper but can be crowded. Allow about two hours for the temple terrace, surrounding halls, and views across Kyoto. The temple generally opens from early morning, but hours and any timed-entry arrangements can change, so check the official site before leaving. Admission is usually around ¥400–¥500. The uphill approach is busy, so keep valuables secure and leave extra time for pedestrian congestion.
Continue downhill through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, allowing about 1½ hours to browse pottery, textiles, matcha sweets, and small craft shops. This is a good place to pause rather than add another major sight: the lanes are most enjoyable when you take your time, but the stone paving is uneven and becomes slippery in rain. For dinner, take a bus or taxi toward central Kyoto for Mumokuteki Café, a dependable vegetarian and vegan choice with Japanese-style set meals and casual dishes, generally ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Check its current evening hours before setting out, as closing times can vary; if you are dining at peak time, arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Allow 1½–2 hours door to door to check out in Kyoto, reach Kyoto Station, take the JR Special Rapid to Osaka Station, and leave your luggage at your hotel or a station locker. An 8:00am departure keeps the day comfortable; the train ride is about 30 minutes and costs roughly ¥580 with an IC card or station ticket. From Osaka Station, continue by Osaka Metro or taxi toward Osaka Castle Park—allow around 30–40 minutes including the transfer. Spend about two hours walking the broad grounds and moats, rather than rushing straight to the keep; the park is free, while entry to the castle tower is usually around ¥1,200. The tower’s interior is museum-like, so check whether you want that admission before joining the queue.
Head by Metro from the castle area toward Tenjinbashisuji for the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, allowing roughly 25–35 minutes. Its reconstructed Edo-period streets are compact but atmospheric, and the lighting changes to mimic different times of day; plan about 1½ hours. Admission is generally around ¥600, but verify the opening day and any temporary closure before setting out, as this museum does not operate every day. For lunch, eat near Tenjinbashisuji rather than waiting until the market—look for vegetable-heavy okonomiyaki or a tofu-and-vegetable set, and state clearly that you do not eat meat or fish.
Take the Osaka Metro to Kuromon Ichiba Market in Nippombashi, arriving around 3:30–4:00pm when it is still lively but less hectic than midday. Allow 1½ hours to browse the fruit, pickles, grilled vegetables, tofu products, and snack stalls; many vendors specialize in seafood, so ask about dashi, bonito flakes, and shared grills rather than assuming a dish is vegetarian. Finish with dinner at Paprika Shokudo Vegan in Nishi, reached by Metro in about 15–20 minutes. This fully vegan restaurant serves Japanese comfort food and is a good place to have a relaxed first Osaka meal; budget approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Check its current opening hours before crossing the city, and reserve if your visit falls on a busy evening.
If you have a late flight, start at Shitennoji around 8:30–9:00am, reached via Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station on the Tanimachi Subway Line. Allow about 1½ hours for the temple grounds; the outer precincts are generally accessible from early morning, while the central garden and inner areas may have shorter daytime visiting hours and a modest admission fee, so check the official schedule before setting out. For breakfast, pick up something simple at Tennoji Station, or look for a vegetarian-labelled rice ball or fruit at a convenience store—confirm dashi and fish ingredients if you eat strictly vegetarian. From the temple, walk or take the subway toward Shinsekai, allowing roughly 15–20 minutes.
Spend about an hour wandering Shinsekai, especially the brightly signed streets around Tsutenkaku. It is liveliest later in the day, but a morning visit is calmer and better for photographs. The neighborhood is famous for kushikatsu, though the standard batter and sauces are not reliably vegetarian; ask clearly for bejitarian options and avoid shared frying oil if that matters to you. A safer lunch strategy is to continue toward Namba and use a clearly vegetarian restaurant there, checking same-day opening hours, or buy a plant-based meal from a department-store food hall. Walk from Shinsekai to Namba Yasaka Shrine in about 20 minutes, or take the Midosuji Line from Dobutsuen-mae to Namba and walk onward.
Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine for around 45 minutes, including its striking lion-head building and the compact grounds. It is free and open outdoors, making it a dependable stop even when staffed facilities are closed. From there, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba toward Yodoyabashi, then walk to Nakanoshima Park—allow about 25–35 minutes door to door. Enjoy an unhurried riverside walk for an hour, with a final coffee or packaged vegetarian snack from nearby Kitahama before collecting your luggage. For Kansai International Airport, the Nankai Rapi:t or Airport Express from Namba is usually the simplest rail option; an airport limousine bus can be easier with bulky bags. Allow roughly 1½–2½ hours door to door, including luggage collection and station navigation, and leave Osaka at least three hours before an international flight. Check the airport terminal and live service status before departing, as the best train or bus choice depends on your airline and terminal.
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