Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and get your first real sense of what this city is about. The contrast hits you immediately - neon signs lighting up massive urban canyons, sleek skyscrapers standing right next to old wooden houses, and the sheer volume of people everywhere. As you move through the streets, you'll notice everything from corporate types in business suits to young people in cutting-edge fashion, convenience store jingles mixing with J-pop blaring from advertising trucks. It's a lot to take in, but that's exactly the point. Spend this day getting oriented, walking around different neighborhoods, and letting the energy of the city settle in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Tokyo neighborhoods
- Visit traditional temples
- Day 2
Tokyo
Your 72-hour Metro Pass gets you started at Shibuya Crossing, where you'll stand amid thousands of people navigating the intersection under towering neon signs and digital billboards. From there, take the train to Harajuku and wander through shops packed with colorful fashion and pop culture merchandise along Takeshita Street. Later, head into Yoyogi Park for quieter surroundings, then visit Meiji Shrine tucked within the forested grounds. By evening, you'll find yourself in Shinjuku's busy streets filled with neon-lit izakayas and wooden bars where you can grab yakitori skewers and sake with locals and other travelers.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- 72-hour Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway pass for unlimited rides on major stations
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Explore Harajuku
- Visit Yoyogi Park
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Shinjuku neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour of Tokyo
- Yakitori and sake experience at izakayas
Landmarks Shibuya Crossing Harajuku Yoyogi Park Meiji Shrine Shinjuku - Day 3
Tokyo
Start early at Tsukiji market where you can grab fresh seafood and pick from over 400 restaurants for breakfast or lunch (it gets crowded, so earlier is better). From there, head to the Imperial Palace gardens for a quieter walk and some breathing room. Later, make your way to Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple - the incense smoke hanging in the air and the crowds at the entrance really give you the feel of traditional Tokyo. As evening comes, grab tickets for Tokyo Skytree and head up to the observation decks. You'll catch the sunset painting the whole city in golden light, and the view from up there shows you just how massive Tokyo really is.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Tsukiji market area and seafood restaurants
- Walk through Imperial Palace gardens
- Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- View Nihonbashi district
Optional Activities
- Tokyo Skytree observation deck ticket (payable on site)
Landmarks Tsukiji Market Imperial Palace Senso-ji Temple (Kannon Temple) Tokyo Skytree Nihonbashi - Day 4
Tokyo
Spend the day at Teamlab Planet, a digital art experience that's genuinely different from typical museums. You'll walk barefoot through rooms that glow and shift around you - floating spheres in colors that change as you move, sparkling crystals hanging from ceilings. The visual effects respond to what you're doing, so there's an interactive element that keeps things engaging. After you finish there, you can optionally check out Toyosu Gurui Park or Tokyo Big Sight if you want more to see, otherwise head back to your accommodation early and rest up.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Teamlab Planet immersive digital art experience (payable on site)
- Visit Toyosu Gurui Park
- Visit Tokyo Big Sight
Landmarks Teamlab Planet Toyosu Gurui Park Tokyo Big Sight - Day 5
Tokyo
Head to Harajuku and walk down Takeshita Street, which is basically a celebration of kawaii culture - oversized cotton candy, bright colors everywhere, and shops selling the latest fashion trends. The Kawaii Monster Café is on your optional list if you want something wild (pink cake carousel and snacks that are more about presentation than anything else). Later in the evening, experience a classic Tokyo thing: karaoke. You and whoever you're traveling with can book a private room and sing your favorite songs. It's way more fun than it sounds, and it's a quintessential way to spend a night here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Explore Takeshita Street in Harajuku
- Karaoke night
Optional Activities
- Kawaii Monster Café experience including food (payable on site)
- Selfie photoshoots with Monster Girls
Landmarks Takeshita Street Kawaii Monster Café - Day 6
Kyoto
After settling into your accommodation in Kyoto, head to Nishiki Market where food stalls line the narrow covered shopping street offering everything from fresh seafood to local specialties and souvenirs. Spend time walking through the old streets to get a feel for the city's historic atmosphere. When evening comes around, make your way to Pontocho alley near the Kamo River where traditional wooden buildings house small bars and restaurants tucked along the narrow lane. The setting gives you that sense of old Kyoto that the city is known for.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Nishiki Market
- Walk through old imperial city of Kyoto
- Explore Pontocho alley
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour of Kyoto
- Japanese Bentō cooking class in Kyoto
- Full day tour to ancient capital Nara & UNESCO sites
Landmarks Nishiki Market Kamo River Pontocho alley 
- Day 7
Kyoto
Start your morning at Fushimi Inari Shrine and work your way through the red torii gates stacked one after another, creating a tunnel-like passage as you climb. Watch for the fox statues placed throughout the grounds, which represent Inari's messengers. Continue hiking up Inari Mountain until you reach the Yotsutsuji viewing platform where Kyoto spreads out below you. Later, visit Kiyomizudera Temple to see its pagodas and wooden structures, timing your visit for sunset when the light hits the buildings nicely. After that, walk through the old alleyways of Higashiyama and Gion as lanterns come on in the evening, and you might catch sight of a geisha heading to an appointment.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Walk through torii gates
- Hike to Yotsutsuji viewing platform
- Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
- Explore Higashiyama and Gion alleyways
Optional Activities
- Full day tour to ancient capital Nara & UNESCO sites
- Tour of Arashiyama
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Inari Mountain Yotsutsuji viewing platform Kiyomizudera Temple Higashiyama Gion - Day 8
Kyoto
This day is more about slowing down. Start in Maruyama Park where cherry blossoms (if it's the right season) create a peaceful setting. Then walk along the Philosopher's Path, a tranquil canal with sakura trees lining both sides - it's a nice contrast to the busier parts of Kyoto you might've already seen. After that, check out Yokai Street with its collection of creepy-cute monster figures and quirky shops selling souvenirs inspired by folklore - specifically the yokai concept where everyday tools are said to come alive after 100 years. The whole vibe is a bit mysterious but in a fun way.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Stroll through Maruyama Park
- Walk the Philosopher's Path
- Explore Yokai Street shops and souvenirs
Landmarks Maruyama Park Philosopher's Path Yokai Street - Day 9
Arashiyama
Travel to Arashiyama in western Kyoto to walk through the bamboo forest - the tall stalks create this otherworldly feeling that photos don't quite capture. The air feels different in there. Next, visit Tenryu-ji Temple where the Zen gardens are genuinely peaceful. Then you'll choose between two pavilions: Kinkaku-ji, which is the famous golden one but gets extremely crowded, or Ginkaku-ji, the silver pavilion that's less well-known and far more tranquil. Both are beautiful, but it really depends if you want the crowds and the photo opportunity or a quieter experience.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Walk through Arashiyama bamboo forest
- Explore Arashiyama district
Optional Activities
- Tenryu-ji Temple admission (payable on site)
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tenryu-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - Day 10
Kyoto to Osaka
Take the Shinkansen high-speed train from Kyoto to Osaka - it's a smooth, fast ride and a cool experience in itself. Once you're settled at your hotel, head to Den Den Town, which is basically Osaka's version of Tokyo's Akihabara. Anime figures, gaming consoles, and cosplay shops fill the streets. You'll want to grab takoyaki (those golden-brown dough balls with squid filling) from one of the street vendors - they're everywhere and genuinely good. There's also an optional Maid Café experience if that's something you're curious about, though it's more novelty than anything else.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Shinkansen train ride from Kyoto to Osaka
- Explore Den Den Town
- Try takoyaki street food
Optional Activities
- Visit Maid Café (payable on site)
Landmarks Den Den Town - Day 11
Osaka
Experience the traditional side of Osaka at Sumiyoshi Shrine, one of the oldest and most important shrines in Japan. There are over 2,000 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout the country, but this is the famous one, dedicated to Shinto gods who protect travelers. Walk across the bright red taiko bridge - the idea is that crossing it symbolically leaves behind bad energy or bad luck. If cherry blossoms are in season, the optional Nishinomari Garden (which has about 600 cherry trees and overlooks Osaka Castle) makes for a perfect picnic spot. Otherwise, it's still worth a visit for the views and the gardens.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Sumiyoshi Shrine
- Cross the taiko bridge
Optional Activities
- Nishinomaru Garden admission and picnic (payable on site)
Landmarks Sumiyoshi Shrine Nishinomaru Garden Osaka Castle - Day 12
Osaka
Spend time shopping for souvenirs at Shinsaibashi, which has everything from local crafts to high-end brands. After that, you can optionally go up to the Floating Gardens observation deck at Umeda Sky Building for panoramic views (you'll need to buy a ticket). The real highlight though is Dotonbori in the evening, where massive neon signs light up the streets and you'll see famous landmarks like the Spiderman figure on the scallop shell building. The whole district is buzzing with energy and restaurants. Alternatively, if that's too crowded for you, check out Amerika-mura instead, which has vintage shops, cool bars, and a rooftop Statue of Liberty installation that's become a popular spot.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Shop at Shinsaibashi
- Explore Dotonbori district
- Visit Amerika-mura neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Umeda Sky Building Floating Gardens observation deck (ticket required)
Landmarks Shinsaibashi Umeda Sky Building Floating Gardens Dotonbori Amerika-mura - Day 13
Osaka to Home
Your final morning in Osaka before heading to the airport. Stop at a konbini to grab onigiri and any snacks you want for the flight. As you're heading out to the airport, there's time to reflect on the whole trip - the contrast of Tokyo, the temples and gardens in Kyoto, and the energy of Osaka. It's a solid introduction to Japan and three very different versions of what Japanese cities offer.
Optional Activities
- Visit konbini for onigiri and snacks
