Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Tokyo Skytree when it opens, ideally arriving around 9:00–9:30am before the main observation decks become busiest. From central Tokyo, take the Tobu Skytree Line to Tokyo Skytree Station or the Hanzōmon Line to Oshiage Station; allow roughly 30–45 minutes from most major neighborhoods. The Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria typically cost around ¥2,100–¥3,100 depending on the ticket combination and date, and advance timed tickets are worthwhile on weekends or holidays. Allow about two hours for the views and a quick look around Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping and dining complex at the tower’s base.
Walk or take the Tobu line one stop to Asakusa, then explore Senso-ji via Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise-dori. The temple grounds are free and open around the clock, though the shops on Nakamise-dori generally operate from about 10:00am; this is a good time to browse for rice crackers, traditional sweets, and small souvenirs before the heaviest crowds. Afterward, continue west on foot for about 15–20 minutes to Kappabashi Dougu Street, where specialist shops sell everything from handmade knives and lacquerware to remarkably realistic plastic food. Most stores keep daytime hours, often closing around 5:00–6:00pm, so go earlier rather than leaving this stop until late. For lunch, look around Asakusa for tempura, soba, or a simple donburi meal—budget roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person.
From Kappabashi Dougu Street, walk back to Asakusa Station and take the Ginza Line directly to Shibuya, usually around 35 minutes. Have dinner at Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka, a casual, popular sushi restaurant where orders arrive at your counter on high-speed trays; expect about ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Queues are common at dinner, so put your name down before exploring nearby streets if the wait is long. Finish at Shibuya Crossing after dark, when the surrounding screens and crowds give it its full Tokyo energy. The crossing itself is free; for a more composed view, check the current entry policy and timed-ticket availability for a nearby observation venue such as Shibuya Sky—otherwise, the upper levels of Shibuya Scramble Square and the pedestrian bridge near Magnet by Shibuya 109 offer useful perspectives.
Begin at Tsukiji Outer Market around 8:00–9:00am, when the food stalls are lively but before the narrow lanes become most crowded. Spend about two hours grazing on seafood, grilled snacks, and warm tamagoyaki; arrive hungry rather than planning a formal breakfast. Most individual vendors accept cash, and opening days and hours vary, so treat the morning as a flexible market visit rather than relying on one particular stall. From Tsukiji to Hamarikyu Gardens, walk about 15 minutes or take a short taxi ride.
Continue to Hamarikyu Gardens for an easy late-morning stroll through its ponds, teahouse, and landscaped paths beside the bay. Allow roughly 1½ hours, including time for tea if the garden teahouse is operating. Admission is usually around ¥300, and the garden typically opens in the morning; check the official schedule if this falls on a holiday. Leave via Shiodome and take the Oedo Line toward Azabudai Hills, allowing about 25–35 minutes door to door.
After lunch near Azabudai Hills—the complex has several convenient options—enter teamLab Borderless for your reserved afternoon slot. Plan on about two hours, though the installations reward unhurried wandering. Timed admission is strongly recommended, especially during weekends, school holidays, and peak travel periods; ticket prices commonly fall around ¥3,800–¥4,800 depending on the date and ticket type. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid bulky luggage, since some rooms involve dim floors, reflective surfaces, or uneven transitions.
From Azabudai Hills, take the Hibiya Line or a taxi toward Harajuku, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes. Finish at Meiji Shrine, entering through the broad, wooded approach for a calmer late-afternoon walk. The grounds are free and generally accessible from early morning until around sunset, though the exact closing time changes seasonally; keep voices low around the shrine buildings and avoid blocking ceremonial paths. For dinner, walk to Saganeya in Harajuku for yakitori and Japanese small plates. Budget approximately ¥3,000–5,000 per person, and reserve if possible—small izakaya-style restaurants can fill quickly, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
After arriving in Kyoto and leaving your luggage at your hotel, head to Kiyomizu-dera for a late-morning visit rather than the originally intended early start. From Kyoto Station, take a taxi—about 15–20 minutes, typically ¥1,500–2,000—or the city bus toward Gojozaka, allowing extra time for traffic and the uphill walk. Spend roughly two hours around the temple’s wooden stage and hillside viewpoints; the main complex generally opens from around 6:00am, but the famous stage and surrounding lanes become much busier from late morning. Admission is usually about ¥400, with seasonal evening illuminations sometimes charged separately.
Walk downhill through Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, allowing about 90 minutes to browse pottery, sweets, tea, and small craft shops. These preserved lanes are lovely but narrow, so keep moving rather than stopping in the middle, and consider a quick lunch at Higashiyama Yoshinoya or one of the small udon and tofu restaurants around Yasaka-dori. Many independent shops open around 10:00am, so earlier arrivals may find some shutters still closed.
Continue on foot to Kodai-ji, about 10 minutes from the lanes. Give the temple and its landscaped gardens an hour, including the bamboo grove and hillside paths; admission is generally around ¥600, and seasonal night openings can alter the atmosphere and hours. From there, it is another 10–15-minute walk through Gion to Yasaka Shrine, where you can spend 45 minutes exploring the vermilion gates, lantern-lined grounds, and smaller shrine buildings. The shrine grounds are free and open at all hours, making it a dependable stop even if the day runs late.
Finish with a reserved dinner at Gion Karyo, allowing two hours for its refined Kyoto-style menu, usually around ¥8,000–15,000 per person before drinks. Reservations are strongly advisable, particularly for counter seating or a set seasonal menu; confirm the restaurant’s service time when booking, as dinner sittings can be limited. Afterward, take a leisurely walk along Shirakawa Canal or return by taxi to your hotel—often easier than relying on crowded buses after dinner.
Start early in Arashiyama, ideally around 7:30–8:00am, before tour groups arrive. From central Kyoto, take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station—about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station—then walk roughly 15 minutes to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The grove itself is free and takes about an hour at an easy pace; the atmosphere is much better before 9:00am, when the narrow path can become crowded. Continue directly to Tenryu-ji, which usually opens at 8:30am. Allow 1–1½ hours for the temple and its beautifully arranged garden; the garden admission is typically around ¥500, with a separate fee for the temple buildings.
From Tenryu-ji, walk a few minutes to Okochi Sanso Garden. The hillside paths are a little more demanding, but this is one of the calmer spots in Arashiyama, with excellent views toward the western mountains. Admission is around ¥1,000 and includes a cup of matcha and a small sweet, so use the tea stop as a late-morning pause rather than seeking a separate café. Wear comfortable shoes—the garden has steps and uneven paths.
Walk downhill to Togetsukyo Bridge around lunchtime. Spend about 45 minutes along the riverbank and bridge, then have a quick meal in Arashiyama; Arashiyama Yoshimura is convenient for soba, while the busier main street has plenty of takeaway options. Expect roughly ¥1,000–2,000 for a casual lunch. Afterward, take Kyoto City Bus 11 or 93, or a taxi if traffic is manageable, toward Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Allow 35–50 minutes door to door; a taxi generally costs about ¥2,000–3,000, while the bus is cheaper but can be slow. Visit Kinkaku-ji in the mid-afternoon, allowing about an hour. The grounds are one-way and the pavilion is viewed from across the pond, so arrive with realistic expectations: it is a short, scenic circuit rather than a long temple visit. Admission is usually around ¥500, and opening hours are commonly 9:00am–5:00pm, though check close to travel.
Return toward central Kyoto by bus or taxi, allowing 40–60 minutes depending on traffic, and have dinner at Renkon-ya. This small, popular restaurant near Sanjo serves relaxed Kyoto home-style dishes, including seasonal vegetables, tofu, and simmered specialties; budget approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Seating is limited, so try to arrive early or expect a wait—especially on a busy evening. After dinner, leave time for a gentle stroll around Pontocho and the nearby Kiyamachi lanes rather than adding another formal attraction.
Start before breakfast at Fushimi Inari Taisha, ideally around 7:00am. The shrine grounds are always open and admission is free, but the lower torii-gate paths become crowded quickly; allow about 2½ hours for a steady climb through the vermilion tunnels. You do not need to reach the summit to enjoy it—the quieter gates begin roughly 30–40 minutes uphill, while the full loop takes considerably longer. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as there are relatively few places to stop once you leave the main shrine.
From Fushimi Inari Taisha, walk or take the JR Nara Line one stop to the Fushimi area, then continue toward the canal district for a short pause at the historic waterways near Togetsukyo Bridge. Allow about 30 minutes for photographs and a breather. Note that this bridge name is also associated with the better-known landmark in Arashiyama; here, treat it as a brief Fushimi canal stop rather than a second major sightseeing visit.
Spend midday in the Fushimi Sake District, where traditional breweries, white-walled storehouses, and small tasting rooms cluster around the canals. Allow about two hours, including lunch and tastings. Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a useful introduction to the brewing history and typically charges a modest admission fee, while nearby tasting counters offer flights—usually around ¥500–1,500 depending on the selection. Opening days and tasting hours vary, so check the brewery or museum’s official page that morning. For lunch, look around Fushimi-Momoyama Station for casual udon, set meals, or sake-friendly small dishes rather than trying to force a formal tasting menu.
Afterward, take the Keihan Main Line from Fushimi-Momoyama Station toward Gion-Shijō, or use the JR Nara Line back toward Kyoto and continue by subway, allowing roughly 25–35 minutes door to door. Explore Nishiki Market in the afternoon for about 1½ hours. The covered arcade is best for grazing—try Kyoto pickles, yuba, sesame sweets, grilled seafood, and dashimaki tamago—but keep food in the stall where you bought it, as many vendors discourage walking while eating. Individual shops commonly close in the late afternoon, and the market can be packed, so stay to one side and avoid bringing large luggage.
As the market winds down, walk west toward Pontocho Alley, passing through the lanes around Sanjō and the Kamo River. Pontocho is atmospheric rather than a place to rush through: allow an hour to stroll, peek at the traditional façades, and decide where to eat. Many restaurants are compact and reservation-focused, with dinner prices ranging from about ¥3,000 for casual dishes to considerably more for kaiseki or riverfront dining. For a straightforward Kyoto meal, continue to Honke Owariya for traditional soba, budgeting approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person. It is popular and may have a queue; arrive before the busiest dinner period and verify its current opening schedule, since weekly closures and holiday hours can change.
Take the JR Nara Line Miyakoji Rapid from Kyoto Station around 7:00am; the ride to Nara Station takes about 45 minutes and costs roughly ¥720. From the station, walk east for around 30 minutes through the city, or take a short local bus or taxi toward Nara Park if you want to save your legs for the temples. Begin at Todai-ji Temple before the larger tour groups arrive. The Great Buddha Hall is extraordinary in the quiet morning light; allow about 1½ hours, and expect an admission fee of approximately ¥800. The hall generally opens from around 7:30am, though hours can vary seasonally.
Afterward, spend another 1½ hours exploring Nara Park, following the wooded paths rather than only the main promenade. The deer are accustomed to visitors, but buy shika senbei only if you are prepared to finish the stack promptly—hold the biscuits flat, bow to the deer, and keep food and maps out of reach once they are gone. Walk south-east toward Kasuga Taisha, allowing roughly 30–40 minutes through the forest; the shrine precincts are especially atmospheric among the moss, stone lanterns, and tall cedars. Some outer areas are free, while paid inner sections typically cost around ¥500–700; check the day’s opening hours before entering.
From Kasuga Taisha, follow the downhill paths toward Naramachi, a 25–35-minute walk that passes quieter edges of the park. This preserved merchant quarter is best enjoyed slowly: look into the lattice-fronted machiya houses, browse small craft and confectionery shops, and pause in one of the compact cafés rather than trying to cover every lane. Allow about 1½ hours for wandering, with comfortable shoes—the streets are easy but largely pedestrian exploration.
Finish at Hiraso, a long-established Naramachi restaurant known for traditional Nara somen. A bowl or set meal usually costs approximately ¥1,000–2,000 per person, and the restaurant is a good late-afternoon stop when you want a proper meal without adding another major detour. From here, Nara Station is roughly a 15–20-minute walk; taxis are readily useful if you are carrying shopping or prefer not to retrace the route. Keep a little flexibility in the schedule, as temple closing times and restaurant hours can change seasonally.
From Nara, take the JR Yamatoji Rapid to Osaka and continue to Osaka Castle Park—the trip is about 50 minutes, followed by roughly 20–25 minutes on the Osaka Metro or a longer walk to the castle area. Aim to arrive around opening time, generally 9:00am, before school groups and tour buses fill the museum. Allow about 2½ hours for the castle tower, exterior moats, and park paths; the museum is typically around ¥1,200, though opening hours and exhibitions can change. The tower is partly reconstructed, so the real pleasure is the broad park setting and views from the upper floors rather than expecting an original medieval interior.
Walk south for about 10 minutes to the Osaka Museum of History, beside the park in Tanimachi. Its high-level galleries explain how Osaka grew from an ancient capital and merchant city into the metropolis you see today, with excellent window views back toward the castle. Plan around 1½ hours and roughly ¥600 for admission. For lunch, use the museum café or pick up something near Tanimachi 4-chome rather than eating heavily before the market; this keeps the afternoon flexible.
Take the Osaka Metro from Tanimachi 4-chome toward Nippombashi, then walk a few minutes to Kuromon Ichiba Market. Spend about 1½ hours grazing on grilled scallops, tuna, fruit, and takoyaki, but check prices before ordering seafood—the market is atmospheric, yet some portions are priced for visitors. Most stalls are liveliest from late morning through mid-afternoon, and many close once their stock is gone, so do not leave this stop too late. From the market, walk roughly 10 minutes into Namba and slip into Hozenji Yokocho, a small stone-paved alley of lanterns and old wooden restaurant fronts. Visit the moss-covered Hozenji statue respectfully; the custom is to ladle water over it, which explains its unusual green covering. Finish at Mizuno for Osaka-style okonomiyaki, allowing about an hour and ¥2,000–4,000 per person. It is popular and often queues, so put your name down on arrival and wander around Namba while waiting; cash and card acceptance can vary, and the kitchen usually operates on a lunch and dinner schedule rather than continuously.
Start in Shinsekai around 9:00am, while its retro streets are relatively quiet and the shopfronts are just coming to life. From central Osaka, take the Osaka Metro to Dobutsuen-mae or Ebisucho; allow 15–25 minutes depending on your hotel. Wander the Janjan Yokocho alley, browse the old pachinko parlors, and look for the district’s distinctive billboards and deep-fried snack stalls. Set aside about 1½ hours, but keep the pace relaxed—this neighborhood is best enjoyed through small details rather than a checklist.
Continue to Tsutenkaku, the landmark tower at the heart of Shinsekai, for roughly an hour. The observation areas generally open from around 9:00am, though hours and last admission can vary; admission is commonly around ¥1,000–1,500. Buy tickets on the day unless a special timed exhibition is advertised, and expect a short queue late morning. For a quick local-style bite before leaving, try a standing udon or soba shop around Ebisucho rather than filling up on the heavier evening food.
Take the Osaka Metro from Ebisucho toward Nakanoshima Park, changing as needed for Kitahama or Yodoyabashi; the ride is usually about 20 minutes. Spend an hour strolling the riverfront paths, rose garden, and civic architecture, especially around the Osaka City Central Public Hall and Nakanoshima Library. This is a good pause after the busier morning: pick up coffee from a nearby Kitahama café and sit by the water. Then continue to Umeda Sky Building by Metro or on foot via the underground passages, allowing 20–30 minutes for the transfer. Arrive around 4:00pm for the Kuchu Teien Observatory and its open-air rooftop views; allow 1½ hours, with admission generally around ¥2,000. Sunset is popular, so a little flexibility in the queue is worthwhile.
Head south to Dotonbori by Osaka Metro from Umeda to Namba, usually about 15 minutes, then walk toward the canal. Give yourself time to wander beyond the main Glico sign: the Hozenji Yokocho lanes and side streets around Namba are more atmospheric and less intensely crowded. For dinner, settle at Daruma Dotonbori for kushikatsu, budgeting approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Expect a queue at peak dinner hours; arriving around 5:30–6:00pm is generally easier than waiting until 7:00pm. Keep the final couple of hours for canal-side neon, takoyaki or grilled seafood, and an unhurried walk through Dotonbori before returning by Metro.
Take an early Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station, aiming to leave around 7:00am. Allow 30–45 minutes from central Osaka to the station, plus time for coffee, platform navigation, and collecting a packed breakfast; reserved seats are sensible for the return as well. After arriving at Hiroshima Station, take the JR bus or Hiroshima Electric Railway tram toward the Peace Memorial Park area—roughly 20–30 minutes door to door. Start at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, walking between the A-Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace Monument, and Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. Give the grounds about two hours and take the atmosphere seriously; this is a place for a slower, quieter morning rather than rushing from monument to monument.
Continue to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, immediately beside the park. Plan around two hours, and reserve timed admission if the museum’s current system requires it; queues can be substantial, especially during busy periods. The exhibits are emotionally difficult, so leave a little breathing room afterward rather than scheduling another major sight straight away. For lunch, walk or take a short tram ride downtown to Okonomimura, where several floors of small counters serve Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki layered with cabbage, noodles, pork, and egg. Expect roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person; go slightly before the main lunch rush if you want an easier seat.
After lunch, head back toward Hiroshima Station by tram or taxi, then walk about 15 minutes to Shukkeien Garden. Spend roughly 1½ hours following the pond paths, bridges, and compact landscaped viewpoints—the garden is a welcome change of pace after the museum and is particularly pleasant for an unhurried tea-house stop. Check the seasonal closing time before setting out, as garden hours vary through the year. Return to Hiroshima Station with enough margin for a snack and platform time, then take your reserved evening Shinkansen back to Shin-Osaka; leaving around 8:00–9:00pm keeps the day feasible, though the return to a central Osaka hotel will still take about 2½ hours door to door. Verify the last suitable train before departure, or stay overnight in Hiroshima if you would rather experience the memorial district without such a long same-day return.
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