Japan rewards the curious. Ancient shrines whisper behind glass towers; quiet tea houses sit a subway stop from electric streets. Over 11 days, you’ll sample the country’s greatest hits—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—stitched together by the always-on-time Shinkansen.

Tokyo’s energy is pure theater: lantern-lit alleys, sky-high views, ramen steam, and the hypnotic flow of Shibuya Crossing. Kyoto slows the tempo with moss gardens, geisha-lantern lanes, and red torii that climb a mountain. Osaka plays the closer—fun-forward, proud of its kitchen (kuidaore means “eat till you drop”) and neon-draped riverfront.

Practical notes: tap-and-go IC cards (Suica/PASMO in Tokyo; ICOCA in Kansai) work on most trains and convenience stores. Cash is still useful at markets and small eateries. Spring and autumn are peak seasons; reserve trains, tours, and popular restaurants early. Check your government’s travel advisories before departure.

Tokyo

Modern Japan’s megacity is a mosaic of worlds: Shinto serenity at Meiji Shrine, retro kissaten cafes in Yanaka, otaku culture in Akihabara, and sky views from Tokyo Skytree. Neighborhoods feel like distinct cities—wander, snack, repeat.

Fun fact: trains apologize for leaving 20 seconds early. Another: sushi as we know it started as quick street food in old Edo.

Getting There and Around

• Flights: Search multi-city or round-trip fares to Tokyo (HND/NRT) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical US West Coast–Tokyo round-trips run ~$700–1,200 in economy depending on season.
• Airport transfers: Narita Express to Tokyo Station ~60 min (~¥3,000); Haneda monorail or Keikyu to central Tokyo ~20–35 min (~¥300–¥500).
• Local transit: Grab a Suica/PASMO. The Tokyo Subway 24-hour ticket is great for sightseeing-heavy days.

Days 1–4: Tokyo Highlights

• Classic Tokyo circuit: Meiji Shrine’s forested calm; Harajuku’s Takeshita Street crepes; Omotesando’s architecture; Shibuya Sky at sunset for sweeping city views and the storied Shibuya Crossing (a spectacle since the 1930s when the district began its boom).
• Old Tokyo morning: Asakusa’s Senso-ji temple and Nakamise shopping street for senbei crackers; ferry down the Sumida River to Odaiba for Bay views and teamLab experience vibes.
• Skytree and neighborhoods: Tokyo Skytree observation decks; stroll Ueno Park’s museums; Yanaka for retro alleys and small galleries; Akihabara for arcades and retro game shops.
• Optional Mt. Fuji day trip: Hakone ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, and Fuji 5th Station views (weather permitting) with Shinkansen return.

Curated activities (choose 1–4):

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

Great “first day” orientation with Meiji Shrine, a matcha experience, Skytree entry, and a Tokyo Bay ferry when operating.

Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

Snack through Japan’s seafood cathedral—tamagoyaki, tuna tastings, and knife lore from vendors who’ve fed chefs for decades.

Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya

A playful, adrenaline-sparking loop through Shibuya’s neon roads in costume—photos guaranteed.

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

Fuji 5th Station, Lake Ashi’s pirate ship, and Hakone ropeway—back to Tokyo by Shinkansen in time for dinner.

Where to eat and drink (book where possible):

• Breakfast/Coffee: Onibus Coffee Nakameguro (single-origin pours and a canal-side vibe); Fuglen Coffee Shibuya (Nordic roasts, mid-century furniture); Bongen Coffee Ginza (meticulous hand-drip and matcha).
• Lunch: Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten (silky pork cutlets in a former bathhouse); Uogashi Nihon-Ichi standing sushi bars (fast, fresh, wallet-friendly); Afuri Harajuku (yuzu-shio ramen that’s bright and aromatic).
• Dinner: Ichiran (individual ramen booths—late-night savior); Torikiya in Shibuya (yakitori skewers and high-energy counter); Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu (the “Kill Bill” vibe, but the soba and tempura hold up).
• Night: Golden Gai for tiny bars (go early, be polite); The SG Club in Shibuya for inventive cocktails.

Where to stay (Tokyo):

• Search apartments and homes on VRBO Tokyo or hotels via Hotels.com Tokyo.
• The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views, refined service).
• The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (midtown tower panoramas).
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-head icon, lively neighborhood).
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (steps from JR lines, excellent value).
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (spacious rooms, great access).
• Aman Tokyo (if you’re marking a milestone—urban onsen-inspired serenity).

Transit: Tokyo → Kyoto (Day 5 morning)

• Shinkansen: Nozomi from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station ~2 hr 15 min; reserved seat ~¥14,000–¥15,000 (about $100–$110). Book via Trip.com trains.
• Depart after breakfast; you’ll be strolling Nishiki Market by lunchtime.

Kyoto

Kyoto kept the keys to old Japan. Wooden machiya townhouses line lanes where Maiko still glide to evening appointments. The city’s 17 UNESCO sites range from gilded pavilions to meditative rock gardens.

Time moves differently here—tea steam curls slowly, bells carry over river air. Yet good coffee and modern galleries are everywhere.

Days 5–8: Temples, Tea, and Torii

• Eastern Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera’s terrace views, Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka’s preserved lanes, Yasaka Pagoda, and twilight in Gion; keep eyes peeled for Maiko on quiet side streets.
• Fushimi Inari: Walk through thousands of vermilion torii. Go early or aim for golden hour; continue to the quieter upper loops for silence and city vistas.
• Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove at dawn, Tenryu-ji’s strolling garden, Okochi Sanso villa paths, and a riverside yakatabune ride.
• Nara (half-day add-on): 45–60 min by train from Kyoto; feed the bowing deer, see Todai-ji’s giant Buddha, and stroll lantern-lined Kasuga Taisha.

Curated activities (choose 1–3):

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Hit the marquee sights—Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and more—without puzzling over city buses.

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Decode the customs, architecture, and etiquette of Kyoto’s most atmospheric quarter with a specialist guide.

Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle

Tailor a day to tea ceremonies, less-visited Zen gardens, or artisan studios in Nishijin.

Where to eat and drink (classic and casual):

• Breakfast/Coffee: Weekenders Coffee in a hidden parking-lot roastery near Karasuma; % Arabica Higashiyama by the river; Vermillion eX at Fushimi Inari for a post-hike espresso.
• Lunch: Omen Kodai-ji (thick udon with seasonal vegetables); Izuju (Kyoto-style pressed saba sushi near Yasaka Shrine); Yudofu Sagano (tofu kaiseki in temple gardens).
• Dinner: Kikunoi (seasonal kaiseki artistry—reserve well ahead); Gion Tanto (homey Kyoto obanzai); Katsukura Sanjo (panko-crisp tonkatsu with mortar-ground sesame sauce).
• Night: Pontocho Alley’s narrow bars—try a small whisky bar overlooking the Kamogawa.

Where to stay (Kyoto):

• Browse VRBO Kyoto or compare hotels on Hotels.com Kyoto.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Kamogawa-side calm and impeccable craft).
• Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (serene courtyards, strong value).
• Kyoto Brighton Hotel (large rooms near the Imperial Palace).
• Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya or Hotel M's Est Shijo Karasuma (central and convenient).
• Piece Hostel Sanjo (friendly, design-forward hostel).

Transit: Kyoto → Osaka (Day 9 morning)

• JR Special Rapid: Kyoto Station to Osaka Station ~30 min (~¥570; about $4). Or Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka ~15 min (~¥1,420; about $10). See options on Trip.com trains.
• Drop bags at your hotel and dive straight into street food heaven.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s big-hearted foodie capital. Dotonbori’s giant neon crabs, sizzling okonomiyaki griddles, and canalside lights set the tone for nights that stretch happily late.

By day, explore Osaka Castle’s gardens, retro Shinsekai, and landmark Umeda Sky Building’s floating garden. Day trips to Himeji’s white castle or even Hiroshima are easy if you’re ambitious.

Days 9–11: Eat, Explore, Repeat

• Dotonbori and Namba: Snack-trek on takoyaki from Creo-ru, kushikatsu skewers in Shinsekai (Daruma is classic), and dessert taiyaki by the canal.
• Osaka Castle Park: History museum inside, plum/cherry blossoms outside; combine with a river cruise for skyline views.
• Umeda: Umeda Sky Building’s rooftop at sunset; explore depachika food halls in Hankyu for glossy bento and wagashi.
• Optional day trip: Himeji Castle (~1 hr by JR; Japan’s finest original keep) with Koko-en garden next door.

Curated activities (choose 1–3):

Osaka Food Tour - 13 Delicious Dishes at 5 Local Eateries

Local-loved counters you’d never find solo—handy for first-timers eager to dive deep into Kansai flavors.

Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour: 15 Dishes & 3 Drinks-Like a Local

An award-winning evening wander through Shinsekai with generous tastings and stories.

Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots and Hidden Gems Private or Group Tours

Get your bearings in the maze-y downtown, then return later to re-visit your favorite stalls.

Where to eat and drink (specifics that deliver):

• Breakfast/Coffee: LiLo Coffee Roasters (serious beans in Americamura); Takagi Coffee Sennichimae (kissaten-style thick toast and siphon brews).
• Lunch: Okonomiyaki Mizuno (Dotonbori legend; order the yamaimo “mountain yam” batter); Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M (grill premium beef—reserve).
• Dinner: Ajinoya (fluffy okonomiyaki); Kani Doraku (crab feast under the famous moving crab sign); End your night with a riverfront highball.
• Night: Tachinomi standing bars around Ura-Namba for quick drinks and small plates.

Where to stay (Osaka):

• Compare stays on VRBO Osaka or Hotels.com Osaka.
• The St. Regis Osaka (elegant base on Midosuji).
• Swissotel Nankai Osaka (directly above Nankai Namba Station—airport train convenience).
• Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps from Dotonbori).
• Hotel Universal Port (great for families visiting USJ).
• Universal Bay Condominium (apartment-style stays with space).
• Hotel Taiyo (budget basics near Shin-Imamiya).

Departure Options (Day 11)

• Fly out of KIX: Nankai Limited Express or JR Haruka to Kansai Airport ~35–50 min. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.
• Return to Tokyo for departure: Shinkansen Shin-Osaka → Tokyo ~2 hr 30 min (from ~¥14,000; $100–$110) via Trip.com trains.

At-a-Glance Multi-Day Flow

• Days 1–4 (Tokyo): Orientation tour, Asakusa and Skytree, Shibuya/Harajuku, Tsukiji food morning, optional Mt. Fuji day trip, nightlife in Golden Gai.
• Day 5 (Travel to Kyoto AM): Check-in; afternoon in Higashiyama and Gion.
• Days 6–8 (Kyoto): Fushimi Inari sunrise, Arashiyama bamboo and gardens, Nishiki Market grazing, optional Nara half-day.
• Day 9 (Travel to Osaka AM): Dotonbori and Shinsekai eats.
• Days 10–11 (Osaka): Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky; optional Himeji; departure.

Across 11 days, you’ll feel Japan’s contrasts—the hum of Tokyo, the hush of Kyoto, and Osaka’s irresistible sizzle. With smart train hops and targeted tours, you’ll cover the icons and still find time for alleyway discoveries and second helpings.