7-Day Adventure in Japan: Explore Tradition and Modernity

Day 1: Tokyo exploration

Tokyo, Japan on May 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market

Enjoy a fresh sushi breakfast in the Tsukiji Outer Market, sampling local street food and fresh seafood. Shops open from early morning around 7:00am.
JPY1500, 1h

9:30am

Visit Senso-ji Temple

Explore Tokyo's oldest and most famous temple in Asakusa, soaking in Japanese culture and the vibrant Nakamise shopping street.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Uobei Shibuya

Experience fast-paced conveyor belt sushi with an interactive ordering system, located in Shibuya.
JPY2000, 1h

1:30pm

Stroll Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue

Witness the world-famous busy Shibuya crossing and visit the iconic Hachiko statue nearby.
Free, 1h

3:00pm

Meiji Shrine visit

Walk through the serene wooded path of Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Free, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu

Dine in the restaurant that inspired Kill Bill’s famous fight scene. It offers traditional Japanese cuisine with an atmospheric setting.
JPY4000, 2h

Day 2: Nikko heritage

Nikko, Japan on May 6, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel or local café

Enjoy a light Japanese or Western-style breakfast near your accommodation before heading out.
JPY1000, 1h

8:00am

Travel Tokyo to Nikko

Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya then transfer to the JR Nikko Line; total approximately 2 hours.
JPY3500, 2h

10:30am

Visit Toshogu Shrine

Explore the lavishly decorated World Heritage Toshogu Shrine complex, known for its ornate carvings and the famous 'Three Wise Monkeys' relief.
JPY1300, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Hippari Dako

Enjoy classic Japanese comfort food like yakitori and noodles in this cozy, popular local eatery.
JPY1500, 1h

2:30pm

Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji

Visit the stunning Kegon Waterfall and take a scenic walk around nearby Lake Chuzenji to appreciate nature.
JPY570 for elevator to waterfall observatory, 2h

5:00pm

Return to Tokyo

Head back to Tokyo by train for overnight stay.
JPY3500, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Ichiran Ramen Shinjuku

Savour rich tonkotsu ramen in a unique solo dining booth setting, open until late at night.
JPY1000, 1h

Day 3: Hakone nature and art

Hakone, Japan on May 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast in Tokyo

A quick Western-style breakfast at your hotel or nearby café.
JPY1000, 1h

8:30am

Travel Tokyo to Hakone

Catch the Odakyu Romancecar train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto, approx 1hr 30m.
JPY2050, 1h 30m

10:00am

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Explore a mountain-side outdoor sculpture park combining art and nature, featuring works by Picasso and Henry Moore. Open 9am-5pm.
JPY1600, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Gora Brewery & Grill

Enjoy delicious grilled dishes paired with local craft beer in Hakone’s Gora area.
JPY2500, 1h

2:00pm

Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine

Take a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi for views of Mount Fuji and visit the serene lakeside Hakone Shrine.
JPY1500 for cruise, 2h

5:00pm

Relax in an onsen

Stay at a ryokan with an onsen for an authentic Japanese hot spring experience to unwind.
JPY7000 approx for ryokan with onsen, 2h

7:30pm

Traditional Japanese dinner at ryokan

Enjoy a kaiseki multi-course dinner served at your ryokan featuring seasonal local ingredients.
Included in ryokan stay, 2h

Day 4: Kyoto cultural gems

Kyoto, Japan on May 8, 2025

7:00am

Early breakfast at ryokan

Start with a traditional Japanese breakfast before departing Hakone.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Travel Hakone to Kyoto

Return to Odawara and take the Shinkansen to Kyoto; total travel approx 3h.
JPY13000, 3h

11:30am

Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine

Walk the famous endless orange torii gates on this iconic shrine, open 24 hours.
Free, 2h

1:30pm

Lunch at Nishiki Market

Sample local street food and regional specialties in Kyoto’s traditional market.
JPY1500, 1h

3:00pm

Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Admire the stunning gold leaf covered temple and its beautiful gardens. Open 9am-5pm.
JPY400, 1h

5:00pm

Walk the Gion district

Explore Kyoto’s historic geisha district with wooden machiya houses and traditional tea houses.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Gion Kappa Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Kyoto-style kaiseki or seasonal Japanese dishes in a traditional setting.
JPY4500, 2h

Day 5: Nara day trip

Nara, Japan on May 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast in Kyoto

Light breakfast at hotel or nearby café.
JPY1000, 1h

8:30am

Travel Kyoto to Nara

Take the JR Nara Line to Nara; journey takes 45 minutes.
JPY730, 45m

9:30am

Visit Todai-ji Temple

See the world’s largest wooden building housing the enormous Great Buddha statue. Open 7:30am-5:30pm.
JPY600, 1.5h

11:30am

Nara Park and Deer

Stroll through Nara Park where friendly wild deer roam freely and can be fed special crackers.
JPY150 for deer crackers, 1h

1:00pm

Lunch at Maguro Koya

Try fresh tuna dishes at this well-known Nara restaurant near the park.
JPY2000, 1h

2:30pm

Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Explore the famous shrine known for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, open 6:30am-5pm.
Free (some areas require small fee), 1h

4:00pm

Return to Kyoto

Train back to Kyoto for overnight stay.
JPY730, 45m

6:00pm

Dinner at Pontocho Alley

Dine in one of the many charming traditional restaurants in lively Pontocho, known for Kyoto cuisine.
JPY3000, 2h

Day 6: Osaka urban vibes

Osaka, Japan on May 10, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast in Kyoto

Enjoy a Japanese or Western style breakfast at your hotel.
JPY1000, 1h

8:30am

Travel Kyoto to Osaka

Take the JR Special Rapid Service train to Osaka station, roughly 30 minutes.
JPY560, 30m

9:15am

Visit Osaka Castle

Explore the iconic Osaka Castle and its museum detailing the history of the region, open 9am-5pm.
JPY600, 2h

11:30am

Lunch in Dotonbori

Try famous Osaka street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki in buzzing Dotonbori area.
JPY2000, 1h

1:00pm

Explore Shinsaibashi shopping arcade

Shop and stroll through Osaka’s largest shopping district blending fashion and entertainment.
Free, 1.5h

3:00pm

Visit Umeda Sky Building

Enjoy panoramic city views from the Floating Garden Observatory, open 10am-10:30pm.
JPY1500, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Kushikatsu Daruma

Savour Osaka’s famous deep-fried skewers in this iconic restaurant near Shinsekai.
JPY2500, 2h

Day 7: Hiroshima history

Hiroshima, Japan on May 11, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast in Osaka

Light breakfast to start travel day.
JPY1000, 1h

8:00am

Travel Osaka to Hiroshima

Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima station, approx 1h 30m.
JPY10000, 1h 30m

10:00am

Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum

Spend the morning learning about history at the Peace Memorial Museum and visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, open 8:30am-6pm.
JPY200, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Okonomimura

Taste Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a delicious layered savoury pancake, in this popular food theme park.
JPY1500, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Shukkeien Garden

Enjoy this historic landscape garden with tea houses and seasonal flowers, open 9am-6pm.
JPY260, 1h

3:30pm

Return to Osaka or continue journey

Travel back to Osaka or proceed to next destination depending on travel plans.
JPY10000, 1h 30m