Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Begin with your arrival transfer to Osaka: allow roughly 1–2 hours door-to-door from Kansai International Airport or your arrival station, including baggage collection, the train or airport bus, walking to the hotel, and check-in. From KIX, the Nankai Airport Express or Rapi:t to Namba is usually the most convenient option for this itinerary; from Shin-Osaka, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Namba. Leave your luggage at the hotel if the room is not ready, then walk or take the Sakaisuji Line to Nipponbashi. Keep the first afternoon flexible—arrival delays and hotel check-in queues are common.
Spend about two hours wandering Den Den Town, Osaka’s compact answer to Akihabara. The main shopping streets around Nipponbashi and Ota Road are best explored on foot, with figure shops, retro games, used manga, electronics, model kits, and small specialty stores packed into side streets. Then allow about an hour at Animate Osaka Nipponbashi for current manga, character goods, Blu-rays, and seasonal anime merchandise. Prices vary widely, but ¥1,000–5,000 is enough for casual browsing and a small souvenir; tax-free shopping may be available for eligible visitors, so bring your passport. Most shops generally open late morning and close around 8–9pm, though individual hours vary.
Walk about 10 minutes to Kuromon Ichiba Market for a late-afternoon snack rather than a full restaurant meal. Try grilled scallops, tuna, fruit, or wagyu from the stalls, budgeting ¥1,500–3,000; some vendors begin closing toward the end of the afternoon, so arrive with enough time before evening. From there, continue roughly 10–15 minutes to Dotonbori, where the canal, illuminated signs, and Ebisu Tower Ferris wheel make an easy first-night introduction to Osaka. Have dinner along Dotonbori—look for takoyaki, okonomiyaki, or kushikatsu, with ¥2,000–4,000 per person being realistic once drinks and a short queue are included. The area is lively late, but avoid restaurants with aggressive touts and check menus before joining a line.
From Osaka Station, take the JR Kyoto Line to Inari Station—about 35–40 minutes door to door on a local or rapid service, with trains roughly every few minutes. Aim to leave around 6:30–7:00am; this gets you to Fushimi Inari Taisha before the busiest tour groups. The shrine grounds are free and open around the clock, so begin with the lower vermilion torii gates and climb as far up the mountain trail as feels enjoyable. The full summit loop takes about two hours, but the first viewpoints already give you the classic atmosphere. Wear shoes with decent grip and carry water; small food stalls may not yet be open early.
Return via the JR line toward Kyoto Station, then take a short taxi or walk roughly 20 minutes south to Sanjūsangen-dō. Allow about an hour for the hushed hall and its extraordinary rows of 1,001 Kannon statues. Admission is typically around ¥600, with opening hours generally 8:30am–5:00pm, though the last entry is earlier and schedules can vary. For lunch, Okonomiyaki Katsu near Kyoto Station is a relaxed option, while Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya is better if you want yudofu near the afternoon sights; budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person and expect a queue at peak lunch.
From Sanjūsangen-dō, a taxi to Kiyomizu-dera usually takes 10–15 minutes, though traffic around Higashiyama can make walking—about 25 minutes—just as predictable. Spend around two hours exploring the temple precinct, including the wooden stage and hillside paths. Admission is generally about ¥500, and normal daytime hours are approximately 6:00am–6:00pm, but special seasonal illuminations or restricted areas can change the arrangements; check the official site if your visit coincides with a festival or special exhibition. Afterward, walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, allowing about 90 minutes for ceramic shops, confectionery stores, and the quieter side lanes. These streets are most pleasant later in the afternoon, once the first wave of tour groups begins to thin.
Continue north toward Gion, roughly 15–20 minutes on foot from Ninenzaka, via the lanes around Yasaka Pagoda and Ishibei-kōji. Keep voices low and do not photograph residents or working geiko and maiko without permission. For dinner, reserve a small restaurant in advance if possible: Gion Karyo offers a polished kaiseki experience, while Gion Tanto is a more casual choice for okonomiyaki. Set aside ¥3,000–6,000 per person for a modest dinner, more for kaiseki. Finish with a slow walk around Hanamikoji Street and Shirakawa, then return by Kyoto City Bus, taxi, or the Keihan Line depending on where you are staying; taxis are worthwhile after a full day, particularly if your accommodation is near Kyoto Station.
Start early in Arashiyama, ideally arriving around 7:30–8:00am. From Saga-Arashiyama Station, walk toward the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest; the lanes are quietest before tour groups arrive, and you can take your time beneath the bamboo for about an hour. There is no general admission fee, though the paths are uneven in places. Continue on foot to Tenryū-ji—about 10 minutes—where the temple buildings and Sōgenchi Garden make a worthwhile contrast to the forest. The garden usually opens from around 8:30am, with admission generally around ¥500–¥800 depending on which areas you enter; check the official schedule if your visit coincides with a special event.
From Tenryū-ji, stroll roughly 10 minutes to Togetsukyō Bridge for views along the Katsura River and toward the surrounding hills. This is a good place to pause rather than rush through—walk a little along the riverbank, where the scenery is more relaxed than the bridge approach. For lunch, choose a traditional Arashiyama-area tofu restaurant such as Yudofu Sagano or Shoraian; seasonal yudōfu sets typically cost about ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. Both can become busy, so arrive early or expect a wait, and note that some restaurants may have limited opening days or require reservations.
After lunch, take a leisurely walk or a short taxi ride farther into Saga to reach Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, where thatched and wooden merchant houses line a much quieter historic route. Allow about an hour to wander and browse small shops; the surrounding lanes are especially pleasant on foot. Return toward central Arashiyama for Okochi Sanso Garden, entering near the upper end of the bamboo-forest route. Reserve around 1½ hours for its carefully arranged gardens, hillside paths, and elevated views over Kyoto; admission is roughly ¥1,000 and commonly includes a cup of tea and a small sweet. Wear comfortable shoes—the garden has slopes and steps.
Finish with an unhurried walk back through Arashiyama, stopping for a drink or snack near Saga-Arashiyama Station before returning to your Kyoto hotel. If you still have energy, the riverfront is lovely in the late afternoon, but avoid adding another major attraction: the charm of this day is the gradual shift from the famous bamboo paths to the quieter Saga lanes. Check the last JR departures when you arrive in the morning, and allow at least 15 minutes to walk from the main Arashiyama sights back to the station.
Leave Arashiyama around 6:30–7:00am so the long transfer via Kyoto Station, Odawara, and Hakone-Yumoto does not squeeze the afternoon. Allow 3.5–4.5 hours door to door, including the walk between platforms and a little margin for connections. Send large bags ahead to your ryokan if it offers takkyubin service, or use lockers at Hakone-Yumoto Station; keep a small overnight bag with you. After checking in or leaving luggage at the ryokan, take the bus toward Moto-Hakone—roughly 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic—and have lunch there before sightseeing.
Start at Hakone Shrine, walking through the tall cedar avenue to the famous lakeside torii. The approach is atmospheric but includes stairs, and the torii queue can be substantial, so allow about 1.5 hours rather than trying to rush it. From the shrine, it is a short walk to the Moto-Hakone pier for the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise. The boat takes about 30 minutes one way; check the final sailing before boarding, since schedules can be reduced and service may stop in poor weather. On a clear day, sit outside for the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji, though clouds often gather around the mountain even when the lake is calm.
Continue to Ōwakudani by returning toward Togendai and taking the Hakone Ropeway, allowing roughly 45–60 minutes including the transfer. The volcanic valley is usually cooler and windier than the lakeside, so bring a layer. Walk the designated viewpoint paths, try the famous black eggs, and allow about 1.5 hours; ropeway operations are weather-dependent, particularly in strong wind or volcanic-gas conditions. If the ropeway closes, follow staff instructions rather than attempting an improvised route through the restricted area.
Return by ropeway and Hakone Tozan transport toward Hakone-Yumoto or Gora, depending on your ryokan, then settle in for your reserved Hakone ryokan kaiseki dinner. Expect a beautifully paced multi-course meal lasting around two hours, commonly ¥10,000–20,000 per person when charged separately. Dinner is normally tied to a fixed seating and must be booked with the accommodation in advance; if you arrive late because of weather or transport delays, call the ryokan as soon as possible. Afterward, keep the evening quiet—an onsen soak and the ryokan’s tatami room are the real finale after a full travel day.
Leave Hakone around 8:00am, allowing roughly 2–2.5 hours door to door for the hotel transfer, Hakone-Yumoto to Odawara, the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo, and the final JR connection to Akihabara. Store luggage at your hotel or a station locker before exploring; larger bags can be awkward on the crowded platforms. Once you arrive, spend about two hours wandering Akihabara Electric Town—the main arcades and electronics shops cluster around Chuo-dori, while the smaller figure and hobby stores are tucked into the side streets. Expect ¥500–1,500 for arcade games, with shopping costs entirely dependent on restraint.
Afterward, walk roughly 10 minutes west toward Ochanomizu to Kanda Myojin Shrine, a peaceful change from the neon and game music. Its association with anime and otaku culture makes it a natural stop on this route, but it remains a functioning neighborhood shrine, so keep voices low around worshippers. Allow about an hour, including time to see the entrance gates and wooden buildings; the grounds are generally accessible during daylight, while amulets and shrine offices follow daytime operating hours.
Return toward Akihabara and spend around 1½ hours at Mandarake Complex, a multi-floor treasure hunt for secondhand manga, anime discs, figures, doujinshi, and collectibles. Inventory changes constantly, and some floors are tightly packed, so this is better approached as browsing than as a quick shopping stop. Continue to animate Akihabara for about an hour; it is especially useful for current manga, character goods, and seasonal collaborations. Both shops are typically open from late morning into the evening, but check same-day hours if your trip falls on a holiday.
Finish with an Akihabara maid café, allowing 1–1½ hours and budgeting roughly ¥2,000–4,000 plus service charges, food or drinks, and any performance or photo fees. Choose a clearly posted menu and confirm the total before ordering; staff usually explain the café’s rules at the entrance, and photography is restricted in many areas. Make a reservation if you have a particular café in mind, otherwise expect a wait during the evening rush. Afterward, Chuo-dori is lively for a final stroll, but keep dinner flexible—many small eateries around Suehirocho and the side streets close earlier than the large chains.
Start at Meiji Jingū around 8:00–8:30am, entering from Harajuku and allowing about 1½ hours for the gravel paths, forested approach, and main shrine buildings. The precinct is open from sunrise to sunset, with exact hours changing seasonally; early morning is the best time for a quiet walk and cooler temperatures. Wear comfortable shoes—the grounds are spacious, and the approach is not a quick urban stroll. From the shrine, walk through Harajuku toward Shibuya, roughly 20–25 minutes, or take the JR Yamanote Line one stop if you prefer to save your legs.
For lunch, settle into Shibuya Yokocho, beneath the elevated tracks near Miyashita Park, for about an hour. Its regional Japanese stalls are useful when everyone wants something different: expect roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person, though seating can be lively and informal. Afterward, keep the afternoon booking in mind: walk toward Shibuya Scramble Square for Shibuya Sky, allowing time for security and the elevator queue. The rooftop deck visit takes about 1½ hours, and timed admission is essential—book ahead, especially for clear-weather afternoon slots. Tickets commonly cost around ¥2,000–2,500, depending on the booking channel and date.
From Shibuya, take the JR Yamanote Line to Shimbashi, then transfer to the Yurikamome for Odaiba-Kaihinkōen; allow roughly 35–45 minutes door to door. At Odaiba Marine Park, spend about 1½ hours along the waterfront, looking back toward the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo skyline. It is a good place to slow down after the dense city center; sunset light is especially pleasant, although the open bay can feel windy, so bring a light layer.
Return by Yurikamome toward Shimbashi, then continue to Azabudai Hills by taxi or subway, allowing around 30–40 minutes depending on the connection. Finish at teamLab Borderless, where you should allow about two hours for the immersive installations. Advance timed admission is essential; tickets are typically ¥3,800–4,800, and late-entry availability can sell out. Check the ticket’s exact entry window and arrive a little early—this is not a flexible walk-in stop. Afterward, Azabudai Hills has plenty of polished dining options for an easy dinner, while Roppongi is a short walk or taxi ride away if you want a livelier finish.
Leave your Tokyo hotel around 7:15–7:30am so you have time to reach Tokyo Station, collect breakfast, and find the correct Shinkansen platform without rushing. The Tokaidō Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station takes about 2½ hours on a Nozomi, but allow 3–4 hours door to door for checkout, station access, and the transfer onward to your accommodation. A reserved seat is worthwhile, especially with luggage; bags over the oversized-baggage limit require a designated storage-seat reservation. After arriving, leave large luggage at your hotel or in a station locker before sightseeing.
Take the JR Osaka Loop Line or Osaka Metro toward Osaka Castle Park, then spend about 1½ hours walking the broad grounds rather than trying to fit in another rushed museum visit. The park is free and open throughout the day; the castle tower itself is a separate paid visit, generally ¥1,200, but treat it as optional if queues are long. The stone walls, moats, and shaded paths are the nicest part of a relaxed final afternoon. From the park, allow roughly 20–25 minutes by Osaka Metro to Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street.
Continue to the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, where a reconstructed Edo-period streetscape gives you a compact, atmospheric look at old Osaka. It normally operates during daytime hours and is typically closed on Tuesdays, though check the official schedule before setting out; admission is around ¥600. Plan about 1½ hours, including possible ticket queues. Afterwards, step directly onto Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street for a slow browse through its covered arcades—look for snack stalls, kitchenware, small clothing shops, and local sweets. Stop for lunch here, budgeting ¥1,000–2,500; a simple sushi counter, udon shop, or okonomiyaki restaurant is more in keeping with the neighborhood than a formal meal.
Head south to Shinsekai, about 20–25 minutes by subway from Tenma, and wander beneath the neon around Janjan Yokocho and the Tsutenkaku area. This is the place for a deliberately old-fashioned Osaka evening: small counters, bright signs, and kushikatsu served one skewer at a time. Choose a busy restaurant with a steady local turnover, and budget ¥2,000–4,000 for dinner; dipping sauces are generally communal, so use the small serving dish and never double-dip. Keep roughly two hours for the neighborhood, including dinner.
From Shinsekai, allow 30–45 minutes back to central Osaka by subway or JR, or 45–90 minutes if you are continuing to Kansai International Airport—check your actual flight time before lingering over dinner. If you are departing Osaka tonight, leave Shinsekai with a generous buffer for the airport transfer and luggage; otherwise, return to your accommodation by the simplest route and keep the evening walk short.
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