One week in Japan is enough to experience the country's most iconic highlights without feeling rushed — if you plan carefully. This itinerary covers Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in a logical geographic flow, using the shinkansen to connect them efficiently. It's designed for first-time visitors who want a complete introduction to Japan.
Day 1: Tokyo Arrival
Arrive at Narita or Haneda. Take the express train to central Tokyo (Narita Express or Limousine Bus to Haneda). Check into your hotel and resist the urge to do too much — jet lag is real. Evening: walk Shinjuku or Shibuya to orient yourself. Dinner at a ramen shop or izakaya near your hotel. Sleep.
Day 2: Tokyo — East Side
Morning: Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa — arrive by 8am before the crowds fill Nakamise street. Walk the full approach, explore the side streets with traditional craft shops.
Afternoon: Ueno — Tokyo National Museum (one gallery minimum), or Ameya-Yokocho market for lunch and people-watching.
Evening: Akihabara for the electronics and anime culture, then back to Shinjuku for yakitori at Memory Lane and a drink in Golden Gai.
Day 3: Tokyo — West Side
Morning: Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park — a forested hour before the city wakes up properly.
Late morning: Harajuku Takeshita Street and Omotesando architecture walk.
Afternoon: Shibuya — scramble crossing, Hachiko, Shibuya Sky observation deck (¥2,000, book online). Walk to Nakameguro canal for a coffee and browse.
Evening: Return to Shinjuku or try Ginza department store basement for food shopping.
Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto
Early shinkansen from Shinagawa or Tokyo Station to Kyoto (2h 15m, Hikari). Check into Kyoto hotel.
Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Taisha — the famous torii gate mountain. If you arrive in Kyoto before noon, visit in the afternoon when crowds thin after 3pm.
Evening: Gion district walk — Hanamikoji Street at dusk, dinner in Pontocho alley.
Day 5: Kyoto Temples
Morning (9am): Arashiyama — bamboo grove (best before 9am), Tenryu-ji garden (¥500), Togetsukyo Bridge walk.
Afternoon: Return east — Kinkaku-ji (¥500) then Ryoan-ji rock garden (¥600).
Evening: Nishiki Market for a snacking dinner, or a proper kaiseki meal if budget allows.
Day 6: Kyoto to Nara to Osaka
Morning in Nara: 35-minute train from Kyoto (Kintetsu). Deer park, Todai-ji Great Buddha (¥1,000), Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Feed the bowing deer.
Afternoon: Continue to Osaka (45 minutes from Nara). Check into Namba-area hotel.
Evening: Osaka food assault — takoyaki at Wanaka, okonomiyaki at Mizuno on Dotonbori, walk the canal with Glico man photograph, end at a kushikatsu bar in Shinsekai.
Day 7: Osaka and Departure
Morning: Osaka Castle grounds (exterior is free, impressive moat and walls). Kuromon Ichiba market for breakfast — fresh seafood, tamagoyaki, grilled items.
Pre-departure: Shinsaibashi shopping for souvenirs, or Umeda department store basement for the finest omiyage food gifts.
Departure: Kansai International Airport from Namba by Nankai Railway (37 minutes, ¥930), or return to Tokyo by shinkansen.
Transport Notes
A 7-day JR Pass (approximately ¥50,000) covers the Tokyo–Kyoto shinkansen (¥13,500 one way) plus other JR journeys. Calculate whether your specific routing justifies the pass — it breaks even on this itinerary if you also use JR for day trips. IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for all city transport. Book shinkansen seats in advance.