Japan rewards the curious. The world’s oldest monarchy meets robot cafés; Edo-era wooden lanes brush shoulders with sake bars and Michelin ramen. You’ll ride the Shinkansen past rice paddies and coastal towns, then step into bamboo groves, sizzling night markets, and hushed shrines.

Across 14 days, this itinerary stitches together Tokyo’s sprawling neighborhoods, Kyoto’s temple-studded hills, and Osaka’s raucous kitchens. Expect highlights like the Tsukiji fish market, Fushimi Inari’s 10,000 torii, Dotonbori’s neon, and a day beneath Mt. Fuji’s silhouette.

Practical notes: IC cards (Suica/PASMO) or smartphone wallets make transit painless. Shrine etiquette is simple—bow lightly, rinse hands, and move with the flow. Seasonal bonuses include spring cherry blossoms, summer matsuri, fiery autumn maples, and cozy onsen escapes in winter.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a mosaic of micro-cities: lantern-lit Asakusa, trend-setting Shibuya, refined Ginza, otaku-fueled Akihabara. Senso-ji’s crimson gate has welcomed pilgrims for centuries; a few stops away, the world’s tallest tower watches over sushi breakfasts and high design.

Getting in: Fly into Haneda (closest) or Narita. Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). Narita Express to central Tokyo takes ~60 minutes; Haneda monorail/subway is ~25–35 minutes.

Where to stay: Search Hotels.com: Tokyo or VRBO: Tokyo. Standouts include The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (fun, central, Godzilla-peek), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Shinjuku convenience), Aman Tokyo (zen minimalism), and Hilton Tokyo Bay for families eyeing Disney.

Days 1–3: Classic Tokyo—Shrines, Skytree, and Historic Markets

Start old-school in Asakusa. Walk Nakamise-dori to Senso-ji, then ferry or stroll the Sumida River to Tokyo Skytree’s observatories. Nearby, poke into Kappabashi’s kitchenware street and craft a souvenir knife or find those famous plastic food models.

Cover more ground with the 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour—a curated sweep through Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Skytree with a matcha experience and bay cruise (sometimes substituted). Book here: 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour.

• Breakfast/Coffee: Turret Coffee Tsukiji (espresso pulled on a vintage turret truck), Fuglen Asakusa (Nordic-style brews), or Asakusa Kagetsudo (fluffy melon-pan).
• Lunch: Tempura at Daikokuya (Asakusa classic), tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten (melt-in-your-mouth pork), or udon at Udon Shin near Shinjuku.
• Dinner: Try an izakaya like Warayakiya (straw-seared bonito; smoky theater) or Uoshin (seafood tavern). Ramen favorites: Afuri’s yuzu-shio or Mensho’s rich tori-paitan.
• Drinks: Bar BenFiddich (botanical-forward cocktails, Shinjuku) or High Five (Ginza precision). Reserve if you can.

Day 4: Tsukiji Outer Market—Tokyo’s Food Soul

While the wholesale auction moved to Toyosu, Tsukiji’s outer lanes still hum with tamagoyaki, uni-don, and knife shops. Go with a pro to snack smart and learn market lore on the Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour: Tsukiji Food Tour.

Afterwards, browse Ginza’s depachika food halls for immaculate bento, then stroll Nihonbashi—Edo’s original commercial heart—home to traditional sweets and century-old businesses.

Day 5: Shibuya + Shinjuku—Neon, Food Alleys, and City Views

Cross the famed Shibuya Scramble—thousands of pedestrians at once—then peek into Shibuya’s youth fashion hubs and the peaceful Meiji Shrine forest. For lunch, queue at Uobei for conveyor-belt fun or seek out a yakitori counter in Ebisu.

At night, dive into four tucked-away eateries on the Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)—a local’s route through alleyways and standing bars: Shinjuku Food Tour.

Cap the evening with skyline views at the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory or a nightcap in Golden Gai’s micro-bars.

Day 6: Day Trip—Mt. Fuji and Hakone

Swap city canyons for Fuji vistas and hot-spring air. The Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train hits Fuji’s 5th Station, Lake Ashi cruise, and Owakudani’s volcanic valley, then whisks you back by Shinkansen: Mt Fuji & Hakone 1-Day Tour.

Back in Tokyo, celebrate with wagyu at Han no Daidokoro (Shibuya) or a refined sushi omakase; for sweets, try kakigori (shaved ice) at a specialty shop in summer.

Travel to Kyoto (Morning, Day 7)

Ride the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station in ~2 hr 15 min. Expect ~JPY 14,000–15,000 one-way on the fastest services. Check timetables and book seats via Trip.com (trains).

Kyoto

Kyoto is a living museum layered with 1,200 years of culture—Heian avenues, tea masters, and crafts passed down for generations. Temples nestle into cedar-clad hills, while geiko and maiko still glide along lantern-lit alleys at dusk.

Where to stay: Browse Hotels.com: Kyoto or VRBO: Kyoto. Favorites: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (riverside calm), Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (value, transit access), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (serene courtyard), and Piece Hostel Sanjo (stylish social hub).

Days 7–8: Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion by Night

Walk the stone lanes from Yasaka Pagoda to Kiyomizu-dera, where the temple’s veranda perches over maple and cherry trees. Detour to Kodai-ji’s gardens and the preserved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka for traditional crafts and wagashi.

At sunset, join the Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha to decode etiquette, geisha traditions, and hidden corners you’d miss solo: Gion Geisha District Tour.

• Coffee/Breakfast: % Arabica Higashiyama (single-origin espresso by the river), Vermillion Espresso Bar (by Fushimi Inari; tranquil forest edge).
• Lunch: Omen Kodai-ji (udon with seasonal veg), Nishiki Market bites—tako tamago (octopus with quail egg), yuba (tofu skin), and sesame croquettes.
• Dinner: Tempura Endo Yasaka (elegant set menus), Gion Nanba (kaiseki artistry), or Torito (yakitori with Kyoto sake). Cocktails after at L’Escamoteur (whimsical, vintage apothecary vibe) or K6 (classic whisky den).

Day 9: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Western Kyoto

Arrive early at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the crowds, then explore Tenryu-ji’s ponds and moss gardens. Cross Togetsu-kyo bridge for river views and, if you like, hike to Iwatayama Monkey Park.

To maximize sights in a single day, consider the PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour—cover Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and more with efficient transport: Perfect Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour.

Day 10: Fushimi Inari Sunrise + Nara or Uji

Climb through 10,000 vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari before breakfast—cool, quiet, unforgettable. Then choose a day trip: Nara’s giant Buddha and friendly deer or Uji’s tea heritage and Byodo-in Phoenix Hall.

Transit: Kyoto to Nara is ~45–60 minutes by JR (from ~JPY 720) or ~35 minutes by Kintetsu (from ~JPY 640). Uji is ~20–30 minutes by JR or Keihan. If you prefer a customized day with vehicle support, book the Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle: Private Kyoto Tour.

Travel to Osaka (Morning, Day 11)

It’s a breeze: Kyoto to Osaka’s Umeda/Namba by JR Special Rapid in ~30 minutes (~JPY 570) or Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka in ~15 minutes (~JPY 1,500). Book seats or passes via Trip.com (trains).

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen—unpretentious, funny, and forever hungry. Locals coined “kuidaore” (“eat ’til you drop”), and Dotonbori’s neon crab sign has cheered on diners for decades.

Where to stay: See Hotels.com: Osaka or VRBO: Osaka. Top picks: The St. Regis Osaka (service and location), Swissotel Nankai Osaka (on Namba Station), Hotel Universal Port (for USJ), and Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (value near Dotonbori).

Days 11–12: Dotonbori, Shinsekai, and Castle Views

Wander Shinsaibashi’s covered arcades into Dotonbori’s canal-side circus—takoyaki grills, okonomiyaki griddles, and flashing signs. See Osaka Castle’s museum and moat gardens, then head to Umeda Sky Building for sunset over the city grid.

For an insider intro, join Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots and Hidden Gems to weave through old-school shotengai and snack like a local: Osaka Kickstart Tour.

• Breakfast/Coffee: LiLo Coffee Roasters (nerdy pour-overs), Streamer Coffee Company (latte art and space).
• Lunch: Okonomiyaki Mizuno (Dotonbori staple) or Kiji (Umeda; smoky and soulful). Takoyaki at Yamachan—molten, bonito-dusted perfection.
• Dinner: Kushikatsu Daruma (golden skewers, Shinsekai), Endo Sushi (market-fresh nigiri), or Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M (premium beef grilled at your table).
• Drinks: Craft beer at Minoh Beer Warehouse or cocktails at Bar Nayuta (serious technique; tiny counter).

Make night two a culinary deep dive with the Osaka Food Tour – 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries, spanning hidden counters and retro alleys: Osaka Food Tour (13 Dishes).

Day 13: Day Trip—Hiroshima & Miyajima or Himeji

History and island shrines: Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima is ~1 hr 30–45 min (from ~JPY 10,000 one-way). Tram or bus to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then continue to Miyajima for Itsukushima’s “floating” torii and maple-leaf cakes.

Alternative: Himeji Castle—Japan’s most magnificent feudal fortress—just ~1 hour from Osaka by JR Special Rapid. Book trains via Trip.com (trains).

Day 14: Free Day—USJ Thrills or Last Bites and Shopping

Families can spend the day at Universal Studios Japan (Minions to Wizarding World). Otherwise, graze Kuromon Ichiba Market—fat scallops torched to order, wagyu skewers, and seasonal fruit—then pick up knives and ceramics along Sennichimae Doguyasuji.

Flying out of Kansai International (KIX)? Compare routes and times on Trip.com (flights). If you must return to Tokyo, the Shinkansen runs ~2 hr 30 min to Tokyo Station (~JPY 14,000–15,000).

Optional Add-Ons and Smart Tips

• Tokyo customization: Prefer a bespoke day? Consider a licensed guide to streamline transit and reservations: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour.

  

• Transit passes: Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket is great for cluster sightseeing; in Kansai, consider ICOCA for tap-and-go trains. JR Pass pricing increased in recent years—point-to-point tickets often win for this route.
• Etiquette & dining: Many small restaurants are cash-friendly; some take cards or QR pay. Say “Itadakimasu” before eating and “Gochisosama” after. Tipping isn’t customary.

Booking shortcuts

• Flights: Kiwi.com, Trip.com (flights)
• Trains in Japan: Trip.com (trains)
• Tokyo stays: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Kyoto stays: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Osaka stays: Hotels.com | VRBO

Summary: In two weeks you’ll trace Japan’s spectrum—Tokyo’s sky-high modernity, Kyoto’s temple tranquility, and Osaka’s joyful appetite—linked by fast trains and unforgettable meals. With day trips to Mt. Fuji and Nara, this route balances headline sights and neighborhood discoveries. You’ll leave with a palate of flavors and a camera full of contrasts.