Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Tokyo
Your flight to Japan takes off tonight, and you'll cross multiple time zones with your music or movies keeping you company. When you wake up, the sunrise will be painting the sky red on the horizon. It's a fitting first impression of the country you're about to explore.
- Day 2
Tokyo
You'll land in Tokyo and head straight to the airport's Japan Rail Pass exchange counter to activate your voucher. From there, hop on the train to your hotel, watching the city unfold as you travel through the urban landscape. Tokyo's got this intense energy right from the start with neon signs everywhere, tall buildings mixed in with older temples, and that particular vibe you only find in modern Japan. It's a lot to take in on arrival day, so settling into your accommodation and getting oriented with the neighborhood is plenty for now.
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo's neighborhoods independently
- Visit hidden temples
- Explore convenience stores
Landmarks Tokyo - Day 3
Tokyo
This morning you'll start in Shibuya to catch the famous crossing with thousands of people moving across the intersection at once, which is quite something to see in person. After that, head over to Harajuku where the streets are full of pop culture shops and fashion boutiques representing every trend imaginable. Walk through Yoyogi Park for a quieter break in the middle of all the activity, then stop at Meiji Shrine which sits in the forested area nearby. By evening, make your way to Shinjuku and spend time wandering the neon-lit streets, grabbing yakitori at a casual spot or settling into an izakaya for dinner and drinks.
Included Activities
- Visit Shibuya crossing
- Explore Harajuku
- Walk through Yoyogi Park
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Shinjuku district
Optional Activities
- Dine at izakayas in Shinjuku
- Enjoy yakitori and sake in Shinjuku
Landmarks Shibuya Crossing Harajuku Yoyogi Park Meiji Shrine Shinjuku - Day 4
Tokyo
Start your day at the Tsukiji market area where over 400 restaurants are ready for you, and sushi for breakfast is absolutely the way to go. After that, take a walk through the Imperial Palace gardens for some quiet time. Next head to Asakusa and see the Senso-ji Temple with its incense and traditional temple atmosphere. By evening, head up Tokyo Skytree for views of the entire city sprawling below you.
Included Activities
- Visit Tsukiji Market area
- Walk through Imperial Palace grounds
- Visit Senso-ji Temple (Kannon Temple) in Asakusa
Optional Activities
- Tokyo Skytree viewing observation deck (ticket available on site)
Landmarks Tsukiji Market Imperial Palace Senso-ji Temple Tokyo Skytree Nihonbashi - Day 5
Tokyo
Akihabara waits for you today, Tokyo's Electric Town full of neon signs, cosplay cafes, manga shops and game halls. If you're into anime and gaming, this is where you'll spend hours. Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants where staff greet you with 'Irasshaimase!' or pick up snacks from the thousands of convenience stores around the neighborhood.
Included Activities
- Explore Akihabara Electric Town
Optional Activities
- Cosplay cafés
- Manga stores
- Game halls
- Electronics shopping
Landmarks Akihabara - Day 6
Tokyo to Kyoto
Board the shinkansen for the fast ride to Kyoto. Once you settle into your place, check out the Nishiki market where food stalls and souvenir shops line the streets. In the evening, wander through the old imperial city or head to Pontocho alley with its wooden storefronts and restaurants for dinner.
Included Activities
- Shinkansen train ride to Kyoto
- Visit Nishiki Market
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll through Pontocho alley
Landmarks Nishiki Market Pontocho Kamo River - Day 7
Kyoto
Start early to get to Arashiyama's bamboo forest before crowds build up, and you'll understand why people come here specifically for that quiet, almost surreal feeling among the tall stalks. After walking through the bamboo, visit Tenryu-ji Temple where you can see the Zen garden and take your time on the grounds. Later, you'll need to pick either Kinkaku-ji with its striking gold-covered appearance or Ginkaku-ji if you prefer something quieter and less crowded. Either choice will take up most of your afternoon, so plan accordingly for getting back to central Kyoto by evening.
Included Activities
- Walk through Arashiyama bamboo forest
Optional Activities
- Visit Tenryu-ji Temple (admission on site)
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tenryu-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji Ginkaku-ji - Day 8
Kyoto
Start at Maruyama Park where cherry blossoms hang over you like pink clouds. Then take the Philosopher's Path, a quiet canal-side walk lined with sakura trees. After that, head to Yokai Street where monster figures decorate the shops. Browse the quirky stores for masks and other souvenirs that capture Kyoto's older, stranger side.
Included Activities
- Maruyama Park
- Philosopher's Path
Optional Activities
- Yokai Street shopping
Landmarks Maruyama Park Philosopher's Path - Day 9
Kyoto to Osaka
Take the train to Osaka where modern buildings sit next to centuries-old traditions. Shop in Shinsaibashi first, then go up to the Umeda Sky Building and step out onto the Floating Gardens for views over the whole city. Later, hit Dotonbori for the wild neon energy and all the flashing lights, or explore Amerika-mura's vintage shops and cool bars instead.
Included Activities
- Train to Osaka
Optional Activities
- Shinsaibashi shopping
- Umeda Sky Building and Floating Gardens (ticket costs)
- Dotonbori evening exploration
- Amerika-mura shops and bars
Landmarks Shinsaibashi Umeda Sky Building Dotonbori Amerika-mura - Day 10
Osaka
Head to the Sumiyoshi Shrine, the most famous of over 2000 shrines with this name across Japan. Cross the bright red taiko bridge, which symbolizes leaving behind your worries. If it's cherry blossom season in April, the Nishinomaru Garden is worth the visit for its views of Osaka Castle and 600 blooming trees.
Included Activities
- Visit Sumiyoshi Shrine
- Cross the red taiko bridge
Optional Activities
- Nishinomaru Garden (payable on site)
Landmarks Sumiyoshi Shrine Osaka Castle - Day 11
Seoul
Your flight brings you into Seoul where the first thing you'll notice is how sprawling the city feels with high-rises stretching in every direction. Check into your accommodation and take the rest of the day at a slower pace to adjust and get your bearings. You can walk around your neighborhood or head to either the city center to see the modern skyscraper developments, or go check out Gangnam with its colorful billboards and constant activity in the entertainment district. Find a place for dinner that appeals to you, whether that's a traditional restaurant or something more contemporary.
Optional Activities
- Visit city center with skyscrapers
- Explore Gangnam entertainment district
- Dine at local restaurants
Landmarks Gangnam - Day 12
Osaka to Seoul
Fly to Seoul and go to Changdeokgung Palace. If you rented a hanbok (traditional dress) ahead of time, you'll get in free and feel like you've stepped back to the Joseon Dynasty. Walk through Donhwamun Gate to reach Injeongjeon Hall, then explore the pavilions before finding the secret garden Huwon with its ponds and ancient trees.
Included Activities
- Flight from Osaka to Seoul
- Visit Changdeokgung Palace
Optional Activities
- Hanbok rental (payable on site, grants free palace admission when worn)
- Guided palace tour
- Huwon secret garden exploration
Landmarks Changdeokgung Palace Donhwamun Gate Injeongjeon Hall Huwon Secret Garden - Day 13
Seoul
Wander through Bukchon Hanok Village where over 900 traditional hanok houses sit with wooden gates and tiled roofs lining quiet alleyways. Later, take a trip up N Seoul Tower at 236 meters high for views of the skyline and mountains (there's a fee). Evening options include hidden bars in Itaewon or Hongdae, or find a pocha with plastic chairs and cold beer.
Included Activities
- Bukchon Hanok Village
Optional Activities
- N Seoul Tower viewing deck (fee required, approximately 236 meters)
- Speakeasies and hidden bars in Itaewon
- Hidden bars in Hongdae
- Pocha (food stalls) visits
Landmarks Bukchon Hanok Village N Seoul Tower Itaewon Hongdae - Day 14
Seoul
Dive into Seoul's K-pop scene at K-Star Road in Gangnam where colorful teddy statues honor your favorite groups. Head to Myeongdong shopping district for fan merchandise, then go to Hongdae where you might catch fan dancers performing idol choreography. Join in if the spirit moves you.
Optional Activities
- K-Star Road in Gangnam exploration
- Myeongdong shopping district
- Hongdae fan dance performances
Landmarks K-Star Road Gangnam Myeongdong Hongdae - Day 15
Departure from Seoul
It's time to head home with your head full of everything this trip gave you. All the highlights, the great food, the moments you'll remember are staying with you. You make your way to the airport, take one last look at the city, and settle in for the journey back.
- Day 16
Departure
Time to pack up your suitcase and get ready to head back home, and you'll probably find yourself reflecting on everything you saw and did during this East Asia trip. Go through your photos and pick out the ones that really captured the moments you want to remember. Before you leave, think about which stories you want to share with people back home, because odds are you've got some good ones from the cities, food, and people you encountered.
