Day 1: Tokyo (arrival, Shinjuku, and skyline views)
Arrival in Tokyo with a relaxed first afternoon in Shinjuku, including garden time, sunset city views, and a classic first ramen dinner.
- 14:00 — Arrive at Tokyo Haneda Airport
- 15:30 — Transfer from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku by Keikyu Line and JR Yamanote Line
- 16:45 — Check-in in Shinjuku neighborhood
- 17:30 — Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- 18:45 — Tokyo skyline views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- 19:45 — Dinner at Ichiran Ramen Shinjuku
Transport: Airport train from Haneda to Shinjuku, plus walking within the Shinjuku area.
Day 2: Tokyo (Asakusa, Akihabara, and Roppongi)
Full day combining Tokyo’s historic temple atmosphere, anime and electronics culture, and a polished evening in Roppongi.
- 08:30 — Breakfast at Sarabeth's Lumine Shinjuku
- 10:00 — Visit Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa
- 12:30 — Lunch at Asakusa Imahan
- 14:00 — Explore Akihabara electronics and anime district
- 17:00 — Visit Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills
- 19:30 — Dinner at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
Transport: Tokyo metro and walking within Asakusa, Akihabara, and Roppongi.
If you want a trip more focused on the city, see Tokyo 5-day itinerary or Tokyo 7-day itinerary which provides a more detailed Tokyo-only version.
Day 3: Nikko day trip from Tokyo
Scenic day trip into the mountains for Nikko’s UNESCO shrines, sacred forests, and famous waterfall landscapes before returning to Tokyo.
- 07:30 — Tokyo → Nikko by JR Limited Express SPACIA
- 10:00 — Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine
- 12:30 — Lunch at Hippari Dako
- 14:00 — Visit Kegon Falls and Chuzenji Lake
- 16:00 — Nikko → Tokyo by JR Limited Express SPACIA
- 18:30 — Dinner at Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku
Transport: Round-trip limited express train Tokyo ↔ Nikko, local buses in Nikko, and walking in both Nikko and Tokyo.
Day 4: Tokyo (Ueno culture and Ginza)
More relaxed Tokyo day centered on art, history, elegant shopping streets, and a polished sushi dinner in Ginza.
- 09:30 — Visit Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park
- 12:00 — Lunch at Innsyoutei, Ueno Park
- 14:00 — Shopping and walk around Ginza
- 17:00 — Coffee break at Ginza Six Rooftop Garden
- 19:00 — Dinner at Kyubey Sushi Ginza
Transport: Metro and walking around Ueno and Ginza, with no intercity travel.
Day 5: Kyoto (Shinkansen arrival, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion)
Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen and begin exploring with one of the city’s most iconic temples and a classic evening in Gion.
- 08:30 — Breakfast at hotel in Tokyo
- 10:00 — Tokyo → Kyoto (Shinkansen Hikari)
- 13:00 — Check-in at accommodation in central Kyoto
- 14:30 — Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 17:00 — Walk through historic Gion district
- 19:00 — Dinner at Musashi Sushi Karasuma
Transport: Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto, plus local buses and walking in Kyoto city center.
If you want a trip more focused on the city, see Kyoto 5-day itinerary or Kyoto 7-day itinerary which provides a more detailed Kyoto-only version.
Day 6: Kyoto (Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and tea ceremony)
Full Kyoto sightseeing day with bamboo groves, Zen temple gardens, torii-lined shrine paths, and a traditional tea experience.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel in Kyoto
- 09:30 — Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 11:30 — Visit Tenryu-ji Temple nearby
- 13:00 — Lunch at Shigetsu Vegetarian Restaurant
- 15:00 — Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- 17:30 — Traditional tea ceremony at Camellia Garden
- 19:30 — Dinner at Katsukura Kyoto
Transport: Local buses and trains in Kyoto, plus walking between nearby sites.
Day 7: Nara day trip from Kyoto
Easy day trip to Nara for temple highlights, sacred lantern-lined shrine grounds, and the city’s famous deer-filled parkland.
- 08:00 — Train Kyoto → Nara
- 09:00 — Visit Todai-ji Temple and Great Buddha Hall
- 11:30 — Walk through Nara Park
- 12:30 — Lunch at Edogawa Naramachi
- 14:00 — Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- 16:00 — Nara → Kyoto train return
- 18:30 — Dinner at Izuju Sushi Kyoto
Transport: Local JR train Kyoto ↔ Nara and walking in Nara city center.
Day 8: Kyoto (Philosopher’s Path, Ginkaku-ji, and Nishiki Market)
Traditional Kyoto day with a scenic canal walk, elegant Zen temple gardens, food market stops, and historic castle interiors.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at Inoda Coffee Kyoto
- 09:30 — Walk the Philosopher’s Path
- 10:30 — Visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- 12:30 — Lunch at Nishiki Market food stalls
- 14:00 — Visit Nijo Castle
- 17:00 — Return to hotel, rest
- 19:00 — Dinner at Yudofu Sagano
Transport: Local buses and walking within Kyoto for temples and market areas.
Day 9: Osaka (arrival, castle, and Dotonbori)
Travel to Osaka and jump into the city’s lively atmosphere with castle grounds, skyline views, shopping arcades, and classic local food.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel in Kyoto
- 09:30 — Kyoto → Osaka (JR Special Rapid Service)
- 10:15 — Check-in hotel in Osaka Umeda area
- 11:00 — Visit Osaka Castle Park and Museum
- 13:00 — Lunch at Okonomiyaki Chitose
- 15:00 — Visit Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory
- 17:30 — Stroll and shopping in Shinsaibashi
- 19:30 — Dinner at Kushikatsu Daruma Dotonbori
Transport: JR train Kyoto → Osaka, then metro and walking around Osaka city center.
Day 10: Osaka (markets, shrine, and nightlife districts)
Another Osaka day focused on the city’s food culture, historic shrine architecture, and youth-oriented street life.
- 08:30 — Breakfast at Eggs ’n Things Osaka
- 10:00 — Visit Kuromon Ichiba Market
- 12:30 — Lunch at Endo Sushi
- 14:30 — Visit Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
- 17:00 — Explore Amerikamura
- 19:30 — Dinner at Dotonbori Konamon Museum
Transport: Metro and walking within Osaka, including Namba and Sumiyoshi.
Day 11: Himeji day trip from Osaka
Easy and rewarding day trip to Himeji to explore Japan’s most famous castle and its beautifully landscaped garden.
- 08:00 — Train Osaka → Himeji
- 09:30 — Visit Himeji Castle
- 12:00 — Lunch at Engyoji Gyoza Himeji
- 14:00 — Visit Kokoen Garden nearby
- 16:00 — Train Himeji → Osaka return
- 18:30 — Dinner at Kushikatsu Tanaka, Osaka
Transport: Round-trip JR train Osaka ↔ Himeji and walking around major sites in Himeji.
Day 12: Hiroshima (arrival, Peace Park, and okonomiyaki)
Travel to Hiroshima and spend the afternoon visiting its most important memorial sites before a signature local dinner.
- 08:30 — Breakfast at hotel in Osaka
- 09:30 — Osaka → Hiroshima (Shinkansen Sakura)
- 11:15 — Check-in at Hiroshima hotel
- 12:30 — Lunch at Okonomimura
- 14:00 — Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
- 17:00 — Walk to Atomic Bomb Dome
- 19:00 — Dinner at Nagataya Hiroshima
Transport: Shinkansen Osaka → Hiroshima and walking in Hiroshima city center.
Day 13: Tokyo (return, Meiji Shrine, and Harajuku)
Long return to Tokyo by Shinkansen, followed by a lighter afternoon visiting shrine grounds and one of the city’s trendiest shopping streets.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel in Hiroshima
- 09:15 — Hiroshima → Tokyo (Shinkansen Nozomi)
- 13:30 — Check-in at hotel in Shibuya area
- 15:00 — Visit Meiji Shrine
- 16:30 — Explore Harajuku shopping street Takeshita-dori
- 19:00 — Dinner at Afuri Ramen Ebisu
Transport: Shinkansen Hiroshima → Tokyo, plus metro and walking in Shibuya and Harajuku.
Day 14: Tokyo (final morning and departure)
Relaxed final morning in Tokyo with coffee, a peaceful garden walk, and a last market brunch before heading to the airport.
- 08:00 — Light breakfast and coffee at Cafe de L’ambre, Ginza
- 09:30 — Leisurely walk in Hamarikyu Gardens
- 11:30 — Brunch at Tsukiji Outer Market
- 13:00 — Transfer from Tokyo to Haneda Airport
Transport: Local metro and walking, then airport train transfer to Haneda Airport.