Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After arriving in Tokyo, start around Tokyo Station Marunouchi, where the red-brick façade faces the broad Marunouchi Naka-dori. Allow about an hour to get oriented, use the station lockers if needed, and walk through the nearby office district toward Gyoko-dori. The station is enormous, so allow extra time if you need to collect luggage or transfer between JR and metro lines; a short taxi ride can be worthwhile with heavy bags.
Take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line from Tokyo Station to Ginza, then change to the Hibiya Line for Tsukiji—roughly 15–20 minutes including the walk and transfer. Browse Tsukiji Outer Market for tamagoyaki, grilled seafood, seasonal fruit, and sushi counters, then have lunch before the busiest stalls begin closing. Most vendors operate in the morning and early afternoon, but individual hours vary; budget around ¥1,500–¥4,000 for a casual seafood meal, and bring cash as some small shops remain cash-only.
From Tsukiji, walk about 15 minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens, a peaceful Edo-period landscape surrounded by modern towers. Spend around 90 minutes exploring the ponds and seasonal plantings, then stop at the garden teahouse for matcha and a traditional sweet. Admission is typically about ¥300; the garden generally closes in the late afternoon, so check the current closing time before lingering. Continue by taxi or the Toei Oedo Line toward Azabudai Hills for teamLab Borderless. Your timed ticket is essential—book in advance, arrive 15–20 minutes early, and wear comfortable shoes; expect roughly two hours inside, with tickets commonly around ¥3,800–¥4,800 depending on date and availability. Finish in Shinjuku at Omoide Yokocho, reached by the Oedo Line in about 25 minutes. The narrow lantern-lit alleys are ideal for yakitori and a drink; small counters often seat only a handful of guests, so ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person is a realistic dinner budget, with cash and a little patience useful during the evening rush.
Start early at Meiji Shrine, entering from Harajuku Station and allowing about 90 minutes for the walk beneath the tall cedars, the main shrine buildings, and the spacious inner grounds. The precinct is generally open from sunrise until sunset, with no admission fee; arriving around 8:00 gives you a quieter visit before tour groups gather. Keep voices low near the worship area, and allow extra time if you want to write an ema or make an offering.
From the shrine, walk to Takeshita Street—about 10 minutes via Harajuku’s side streets—and explore late morning, when the shops and snack counters are properly open. It becomes extremely crowded from late morning onward, so stay aware of bags and take a short detour onto nearby Cat Street if the main lane feels too compressed. A crepe from Marion Crêpes or Santa Monica Crepes is the classic quick stop; budget roughly ¥700–¥1,200.
Continue by taxi or subway to Nezu Museum in Aoyama—a taxi is simplest at around 15–20 minutes, while Omote-sando Station is roughly a 10-minute walk away. Spend about two hours with the Japanese and East Asian collection before walking through the beautifully composed garden. Check the museum’s closure calendar before setting out, as it periodically closes for exhibition changes; admission is typically around ¥1,500–¥2,000 depending on the exhibition. For lunch, Kinsai near Omote-sando offers an easy Japanese set-meal option, or keep it light at a café along Kita-Aoyama so you have room for the evening snacks.
Take the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line from Omote-sando to Suitengumae, then walk into Ningyocho—allow roughly 25–35 minutes door to door. Wander the old-fashioned streets for an hour, looking for long-established wagashi shops and small counters rather than trying to cover every lane. Finish along Amazake Yokocho, where you can sample traditional sweets and savory bites; Tamai Ningyocho Main Store is a good choice for anago, while Tamahide is famous for oyakodon but may require advance planning and can sell out. Set aside about ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person for a relaxed dinner and snacks. Shops in this neighborhood often close earlier than Harajuku’s, so arrive before 6:00–6:30 pm for the best choice.
Begin at Senso-ji in Asakusa around 8:00am, before the approach fills with tour groups. Walk through the Kaminarimon Gate and spend roughly 90 minutes around the main hall, pagoda, and quieter side lanes of the temple grounds. Entry is free, and the outer precinct is accessible early, though individual buildings and shops keep their own hours. From the temple, continue along Nakamise-dori, the historic shopping street leading toward the gate; most shops open around 10:00am, so enjoy the architecture first and return for ningyoyaki cakes, rice crackers, and small traditional gifts.
Walk or take a short bus ride to Kappabashi Dougu Street—about 15–20 minutes on foot from Nakamise-dori—where specialist shops sell Japanese knives, lacquerware, ceramics, restaurant signs, and remarkably realistic plastic food. Allow 90 minutes, and remember that knife purchases may require engraving or careful packing; ask the shop about airline transport before buying. Many stores close on Sundays or occasionally on other days, so treat the shopping portion as conditional and check current hours beforehand. For lunch, the small restaurants around Tawaramachi are more relaxed than the temple approach, with a typical set meal costing ¥1,000–¥1,800.
From Kappabashi, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Tawaramachi to Ueno—roughly 10 minutes including the short walk—or walk in about 25 minutes. Spend the afternoon at the Tokyo National Museum, allowing 2–2.5 hours for its Japanese galleries, Buddhist sculpture, ceramics, and archaeological collections. Check the official calendar before setting out because some galleries or the entire museum may close on particular weekdays; general admission is commonly around ¥1,000, with special exhibitions priced separately.
Finish at Ameyoko Shopping Street, a lively market corridor between Ueno and Okachimachi stations, about a 10-minute walk from the museum. Browse seafood, snacks, cosmetics, and discount goods, then settle into one of the casual izakaya under the railway tracks rather than eating while walking through the busiest stretch. Budget approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person for dinner. The market atmosphere is strongest into the early evening, while individual stalls and restaurants vary in closing time; Ueno-Okachimachi Station and Okachimachi Station offer easy onward connections.
Take the morning Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station, allowing 3.5–4.5 hours door to door for hotel checkout, getting to the platform, the train, and leaving luggage at your accommodation. A reserved seat is sensible with suitcases; oversized baggage requires a designated-seat reservation. After arrival, use station lockers or arrange luggage delivery if your room is not ready, then have a quick lunch around Kyoto Station before heading into the center.
Make Nijo Castle your first substantial stop, reached from Kyoto Station by the Karasuma subway line to Karasuma Oike and a short walk, or by taxi in roughly 15–20 minutes depending on traffic. Allow about two hours for the Ninomaru Palace, famous for its “nightingale floors,” and the landscaped gardens. The castle generally opens in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, with last entry well before closing; hours and admission, usually around ¥1,000–¥1,300, can vary by season, so check the official listing before leaving Tokyo. Keep some flexibility for the ticket line and for the palace entry sequence.
From Nijo Castle, walk or take a short bus or taxi ride toward Nishiki Market; the covered street is best treated as a grazing stop rather than a conventional lunch. Spend about 90 minutes sampling items such as yuba, pickles, grilled seafood, and seasonal sweets, remembering that many stalls request that you eat beside the vendor rather than while walking. Individual shops keep different schedules and some close early or take irregular days off, so arriving by mid-afternoon gives you the best choice. Continue east on foot through downtown toward Yasaka Shrine, roughly 20–25 minutes, for a calmer early-evening visit as lanterns begin to glow. From there, wander into Gion, keeping to public streets and observing the area’s photography restrictions and residents’ privacy. Settle in for a Kyoto-style dinner—look for obanzai, tofu cuisine, or a small yakitori counter—with about ¥3,000–¥8,000 per person; reservations are helpful for traditional restaurants, while casual places around Hanamikoji’s side streets are easier without one.
Start early in Arashiyama, ideally arriving around 7:30–8:00am via the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station or the Hankyu line to Arashiyama Station. From either station, walk toward Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive; the grove is free and accessible at all hours, but its most atmospheric stretch is quietest in the early morning. Allow about an hour, and continue on foot to Tenryu-ji. The temple generally opens in the morning, with separate admission for the buildings and garden; budget roughly ¥500–¥800 depending on which areas you enter. Its landscaped pond garden, backed by the Arashiyama hills, is the real highlight, so take your time there rather than rushing through the halls.
Walk downhill afterward to Togetsukyo Bridge, about 15 minutes from the temple. Spend 30–45 minutes along the riverfront, crossing the bridge for the classic mountain view and wandering the quieter paths on the south bank. The area is especially pleasant before lunch, though the main road near the bridge becomes busy with buses and rental bicycles. If you would like a drink, pick something up from a local café near the station area before continuing uphill to Okochi Sanso Garden; allow about 20 minutes for the walk and around 1–1.5 hours for the villa grounds. Admission is relatively high at roughly ¥1,000, but it includes a small tea and sweet, and the garden’s hillside viewpoints are among the best in Arashiyama.
Finish in the district with lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura, beside the river near Togetsukyo Bridge. Its handmade soba and views toward the water make it popular, so arrive close to opening time or be prepared for a queue; expect roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. After lunch, leave some unstructured time for the lanes around Saga-Toriimoto or return toward Saga-Arashiyama Station at an easy pace. From there, JR trains reach central Kyoto in about 15–20 minutes, while buses are slower and more vulnerable to afternoon traffic. Keep the rest of the day light—Arashiyama’s hills and temple walking add up quickly.
Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha around 7:00am, taking the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station—the shrine entrance is immediately outside. The lower shrine grounds are free and open around the clock; allow about 2½ hours to walk through the torii tunnels, but you do not need to complete the full summit hike to enjoy the quieter sections. Go beyond the first crowded gates toward Yotsutsuji Intersection for a good city view, carrying water and wearing shoes with decent grip. The climb is steeper and more humid than it first appears.
Walk or take the short train ride to the Fushimi Sake District, where willow-lined canals and old wooden brewery façades make a pleasant change from the shrine crowds. Allow about 1½ hours for a brewery visit or tasting; opening days, tasting hours, and English explanations vary, so check the specific venue that morning. Continue to the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, usually open during daytime hours except on its regular closure day, with admission generally around ¥600 including samples. It takes roughly an hour, and the exhibits explain the role of rice, water, yeast, and seasonal brewing; avoid driving, as tastings are part of the experience.
From Chushojima Station, take the Keihan Line toward Tofukuji Station, then walk about 10 minutes to Tofuku-ji. Allow 1½ hours for the main temple precinct and gardens; admission is commonly split between areas and is roughly ¥500–¥1,000 depending on the garden or seasonal viewing, with autumn foliage periods drawing particularly heavy queues. Afterward, continue by Keihan from Tofukuji to Gion-Shijo, then walk south along Kiyamachi beside the Takase River. Settle into one of the small izakaya or Kyoto-style restaurants for dinner—budget about ¥2,500–¥6,000 per person—and wander the atmospheric lanes rather than rushing between venues. Tables can be limited, so arrive before 6:30pm or reserve, especially during foliage season.
Allow roughly 1½–2 hours door to door from your Kyoto accommodation to Todai-ji: reach Kyoto Station, take the Kintetsu Railway to Kintetsu-Nara, then walk or use a short bus ride toward Nara Park. An early departure is worthwhile, even though the train itself takes only about 35–45 minutes. Enter Todai-ji as soon as practical—typically from around 7:30 or 8:00am, depending on the season—and spend about 90 minutes inside the Great Buddha Hall and its surrounding temple grounds. Admission is usually around ¥800; check the official site for current hours, as seasonal schedules can vary.
From the temple, simply wander through Nara Park toward the shrine district rather than following the busiest road. The deer are accustomed to visitors, but feed them only approved deer crackers, keep food and paper maps out of reach, and bow or show empty hands when the crackers are gone. Allow about 90 minutes for the paths, ponds, and open lawns; comfortable shoes matter, since the park is larger and hillier than it first appears.
Continue on foot into the wooded approach to Kasuga Taisha, where stone lanterns and mossy forest paths create a much quieter mood than the open park. The shrine grounds are generally accessible during daylight, while paid inner areas and treasure displays have separate hours and fees—roughly ¥500–¥700 if you choose to enter. After lunch near the park, walk downhill toward Naramachi, taking around 25–35 minutes, or use a local bus if your legs are tired. In the preserved machiya district, leave room to duck into small craft shops, traditional houses, and quiet lanes rather than trying to see every museum.
Finish at Nakatanidou, where the staff’s fast, rhythmic mochi pounding is the attraction as much as the warm yomogi mochi itself. A piece usually costs about ¥200–¥500, and the shop can sell out or pause service between batches, so treat it as a snack stop rather than a guaranteed timed show. From here, Kintetsu-Nara Station is a convenient 10–15-minute walk for the return to Kyoto; if you are staying overnight in Nara, continue exploring Naramachi after the snack while the streets become noticeably calmer toward evening.
After breakfast in Nara, take the Kintetsu train to Osaka-Namba, then continue by Osaka Metro toward Tanimachi 4-chome. Allow about 1½–2 hours door to door once checkout, the train, and the onward subway are included; leaving around 8:00am should put you at Osaka Castle Park around 9:30am. Start with Osaka Castle and its surrounding grounds, allowing roughly 2½ hours for the keep, moat, and park paths. The museum inside the tower is the main attraction, but expect queues for the elevators and upper floors; admission is generally around ¥1,200, with hours commonly around 9:00am–5:00pm, though check the official schedule before setting out.
Walk about 10 minutes west to the Osaka Museum of History, whose upper galleries give an excellent overview of how the city developed from ancient Naniwa to the modern metropolis. Allow 1½ hours and aim to arrive before the late-morning school and group-tour rush; general admission is usually around ¥600, with opening commonly from 9:30am to 5:00pm. The museum café is fine for a quick drink, but save your appetite for Kuromon Ichiba Market.
From Tanimachi 4-chome, take the subway toward Nippombashi, then walk a few minutes to Kuromon Ichiba Market. Arriving around 1:00pm gives you roughly 1½ hours to graze on grilled scallops, oysters, wagyu skewers, tamagoyaki, fruit, and takoyaki; budget about ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person. It is livelier and more expensive than a normal neighborhood market, so compare stalls and check prices before choosing seafood sold by weight. After lunch, stroll into Nipponbashi Den-Den Town, where the streets around Sakaisuji shift from food stalls to electronics, retro games, figures, manga, and anime shops. Keep about 1½ hours here—longer if you enjoy browsing—and note that some smaller stores open later or close on irregular weekdays.
Finish in Tennoji at Abeno Harukas, reached from Nippombashi by Osaka Metro in roughly 15–20 minutes. Head up to the observation deck for sunset and the city lights, allowing 1½ hours including the lift queue and security. Admission is generally around ¥2,000, but timed entry or advance planning may be needed during busy periods, so check availability before leaving Den-Den Town. If the deck is sold out, the department-store floors and restaurants below still make Abeno Harukas a convenient place for dinner, with easy onward connections from Tennoji Station.
Start around 10:30am in Shinsekai, Osaka’s wonderfully scruffy retro district, reached via Dobutsuen-mae Station or Ebisucho Station. Wander the covered arcades and colorful streets around Janjan Yokocho, where old-fashioned cafés, kushikatsu counters, and game parlors give the neighborhood its distinctive atmosphere. Allow about 1½ hours, and remember that kushikatsu is traditionally dipped only once into shared sauce—many shops now provide individual containers or a squeeze bottle instead.
Continue to Tsutenkaku, the district’s tower and most recognizable landmark. The observation decks provide a compact city view, and the tower is usually open into the evening, though hours and last admission can vary; budget roughly ¥1,000–¥1,500 and check the official ticket page if you want a timed entry or special deck. Afterward, take the Osaka Metro from Ebisucho toward Namba, or walk for about 25 minutes if you would rather see the streets change from old Shinsekai to central Osaka. Grab a light lunch en route rather than filling up before dinner—Takoyaki Wanaka Namba is a convenient, casual option.
In Namba, head first to Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow stone-paved alley tucked just off the main shopping streets. The moss-covered Hozenji Fudo statue is a small, atmospheric stop: visitors traditionally splash it with water, so take care around the wet stone and keep the visit respectful. From there, walk a few minutes to Dotonbori for the neon canalfront, famous food signs, and the liveliest people-watching in Osaka. The area is most photogenic from late afternoon into dusk; cross Ebisu-bashi but also wander one block back from the canal, where the crowds thin and small izakaya appear. Finish at Matsusaka Yakiniku M, where expect roughly ¥5,000–¥10,000 per person for a polished Japanese beef meal; reserve ahead, especially for dinner, and allow about 1½ hours.
Leave your Osaka hotel early enough to reach Shin-Osaka Station for a morning Sanyo Shinkansen; once checkout, station access, the train, and luggage arrangements are included, this is realistically a 3–4-hour door-to-door start. At Hiroshima Station, leave larger bags in a station locker or at your hotel, then take the Hiroshima Electric Railway tram toward Genbaku-Domu-mae or a taxi if you are carrying luggage. Head first to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, allowing about two hours plus a possible entry queue. The museum is generally open during daytime hours, but schedules and last admission vary seasonally, so check the official site and reserve a timed ticket if booking is offered; admission is inexpensive, usually only a few hundred yen.
After a quiet lunch nearby—Okonomiyaki Nagata-ya is convenient, though queues can be significant—spend roughly 90 minutes walking through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Follow the riverfront paths between the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, Children’s Peace Monument, and Peace Flame, keeping the pace reflective rather than trying to see every small monument. Continue to the Atomic Bomb Dome, preserved beside the Motoyasu River; allow around 30 minutes for the exterior and riverside views. The park is open at all hours and free, but the museum is emotionally demanding, so build in a short coffee or quiet sitting break before continuing.
Walk north into central Hiroshima for about 10–15 minutes to browse Hondori Shopping Street, a covered arcade with local sweets, department stores, pharmacies, and cafés—useful for picking up momiji manju or other souvenirs. In the evening, walk a few blocks to Okonomimura in Shintenchi, a multi-floor building devoted to Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Expect about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person; individual counters are small, and popular stalls may have a wait, so choose an open counter rather than holding out for one specific shop. Order the local layered version with cabbage, noodles, pork, and egg, and keep the evening unhurried after the museum visit.
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