Japan rewards curiosity. From samurai citadels to street food alleys, this island nation has spent centuries reinventing itself without losing its soul. In Tokyo, towering glass and LED billboards rise beside incense-scented temples; in Kyoto, vermilion gates and moss gardens turn light into poetry; in Hiroshima, phoenix-like resilience meets the serene Seto Inland Sea and sacred Miyajima.

Expect history with a heartbeat. Edo-period neighborhoods still pour kissaten coffee; Shinto shrines host lion dances; sumo stables thunder at dawn. You’ll ride the Shinkansen, slurp ramen with locals, sip single-origin pour-overs, and photograph sunsets over floating torii gates. A beach interlude on Miyajima and a bold day in the Fuji foothills add adventure to the culture feast.

Practical notes: Pick up a Suica/PASMO IC card (or add to Apple/Google Wallet) for trains and convenience-store runs. Tipping isn’t customary. Spring and autumn are prime photography seasons; reserve popular restaurants, museum entries, and tours ahead. For rail between cities, book reserved Shinkansen seats; for concerts, check schedules at Blue Note/Zepp/Billboard Live a week or two out.

Tokyo

Tokyo is futurism with a memory: lantern-lit alleys, record stores stocked like libraries, and a skyline punctuated by Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya’s luminous canyon. It’s a dream for foodies and photographers—every neighborhood a new set piece.

Getting here: Compare international flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Narita/Haneda, take rail to the city or book a private transfer (see Viator below). Within Tokyo, the JR/Metro network gets you nearly everywhere.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly):

• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku — Godzilla-head hotel in neon Shinjuku; compact rooms, superb location.
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku — Reliable, steps from Shinjuku Station; ideal transit hub.
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo — Large rooms, great views; convenient for west-side neighborhoods.
• Splurge options: The Peninsula Tokyo, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, or Aman Tokyo.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Tokyo | Apartment-style: VRBO Tokyo

Days 1–2: Old Tokyo, Big Views, and Museum Time

Start in Asakusa’s Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and stroll Nakamise-dori for ningyo-yaki cakes. Cross to Kuramae for craft boutiques and riverfront shots, then climb Tokyo Skytree for golden-hour panoramas.

Museum lovers: Tokyo National Museum (Ueno) for samurai armor; Sumida Hokusai Museum for wave-charged ukiyo-e; teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) for immersive light art—stunning for photography.

• Coffee/breakfast: Suke6 Diner (Asakusa sourdough and shakshuka), Onibus Coffee (Naka-Meguro roastery), Cafe de L’Ambre (Ginza kissaten, aged beans).
• Lunch: Tendon at Tempura Daikokuya (Asakusa), curry at Hinoya (Ueno), or tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama.
• Dinner: Yakitori at Torishiki-level shops book out; easier: Ueno’s Isehiro or Omoide Yokocho’s small grills. For ramen, Afuri (yuzu-shio) or Menya Fūunji (tsukemen) in Shinjuku.

Efficient city overview option:

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

Days 3–4: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku—Neon and Nature

Photograph the Shibuya Scramble from Shibuya Sky, then dive into backstreets: Cat Street (fashion), Nonbei Yokocho (tiny bars). Wander Meiji Jingu’s forest and Yoyogi Park, then hit Omotesando’s design-forward cafes.

At night, Golden Gai’s shoebox bars, live gigs at Zepp Shinjuku, or jazz at Blue Note Tokyo. For an adrenaline-laced highlight, drive the streets in costume:

Shibuya Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya Annex (International driving permit required.)

• Coffee: KOFFEE MAMEYA Kakeru (flight tastings), Blue Bottle Aoyama, Fuglen (Scandi-Japanese hybrid).
• Foodie stop: Harajuku crepes (Marion), gyoza at Harajuku Gyozaro, tempura soba at Kyourakutei (Kagurazaka).

Eat like a local with a guide:

Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

Day 5: Adventure Day Trip to Mt. Fuji & Hakone

Trade neon for volcanic vistas: Owakudani’s steaming vents, Lake Ashi’s pirate boats, and the Fuji Fifth Station when conditions allow. Return by bullet train—fun and fast.

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

Prefer lakeside Fuji views and classic Chureito Pagoda shots? Consider the Kawaguchiko-focused version instead.

Day 6: Yanaka, Nezu, and Art-Tech Evening

Wander Yanaka Ginza’s “shitamachi” lanes for nostalgic storefronts and cat motifs, then step into Nezu Shrine’s tunnel of small torii gates—gorgeous with azaleas. Afternoon at teamLab Borderless or the MORI Art Museum (Roppongi), then soak at Shinjuku’s Thermae-Yu or Spa LaQua (Tokyo Dome City).

• Coffee/bites: Yanaka Coffee roastery, Kayaba Coffee (retro kissaten), pizzettas at Seirinkan (Naka-Meguro) for dinner, or sushi stand-ups at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi.
• Concerts: Check schedules at Billboard Live Tokyo (Roppongi) or Zepp Haneda for touring acts.

Arrival/Departure ground transfer option:

Narita Airport(NRT) Private Transfer To/From Tokyo 1-way or Round

Tokyo ➜ Kyoto (morning of Day 7): Nozomi Shinkansen ~2 hr 15 min, about ¥14,000–¥15,000 one-way (approx $95–$105). Reserve seats and compare times on Trip.com Trains. Consider luggage forwarding (Takuhaibin) so you can travel light.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a thousand shrines and a thousand moods. Stone lanes, teahouses, and cedar townhomes hide Michelin-worthy tofu and humble obanzai kitchens. Sunrise at Fushimi Inari and dusk in Gion are among Japan’s most photogenic hours.

Where to stay (well-matched to a 51/100 budget):

• Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya — Great value near tram and bus lines.
• Kyoto Tokyu Hotel — Quiet, tasteful, with shuttle access to downtown.
• Piece Hostel Sanjo — Design-forward hostel, private rooms available.
• Upscale picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (riverside), Kyoto Brighton Hotel. Also see Hotels.com Kyoto and VRBO Kyoto.

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

Start early at Kiyomizu-dera for morning mist over wooden verandas, then wander Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka to Yasaka Pagoda. Follow cherry-lined lanes to Maruyama Park and Chion-in’s mighty gate; afternoon along the Philosopher’s Path from Ginkaku-ji.

As evening falls, step quietly through Gion’s Hanamikoji—lanterns reflected on wet stone—and dine on Kyoto obanzai (home-style small plates) or tofu kaiseki.

• Breakfast/coffee: Smart Coffee (thick toast, custard pudding), Weekenders Coffee (roastery courtyard), %Arabica Higashiyama (matcha latte with views).
• Lunch: Nishiki Market grazing—soy milk donuts at Konnamonja, broiled eel skewers, dashimaki tamago omelets.
• Dinner: Gion Nanba (seasonal kaiseki), Issian Ponto-cho (wagyu on charcoals), or modest yasai-centered meals at Mumokuteki Café.

Prefer a guided sweep of the highlights in one efficient day?

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Deepen the evening magic with a context-rich walk:

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Day 9: Arashiyama Adventure

Arrive at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dawn for empty, emerald frames. Visit Tenryu-ji’s strolling gardens, then continue to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, where hundreds of whimsical rakan statues grin from mossy terraces.

Hike up to Iwatayama Monkey Park or float down the Hozu River by traditional boat (weather-permitting). Finish with a footbath at Randen Arashiyama Station.

• Coffee/sweets: Arabica Arashiyama by the river, % and walnut mochi along Togetsukyo Bridge.
• Lunch/dinner: Yudofu (tofu hot pot) near Tenryu-ji, soba at Yoshimura, or casual yakitori around Saiin.

Day 10: Fushimi Inari, Uji Tea, and Sake

Beat the crowds at Fushimi Inari’s vermilion torii tunnel—photography heaven—and continue to Fushimi’s sake district for tastings in kura breweries. Afternoon in Uji for Byodoin’s Phoenix Hall and serious matcha.

• Coffee/tea: Itohkyuemon (Uji matcha parfaits), %Arabica Uji.
• Food tip: Try Kyoto-style ramen (lighter chicken/soy base) at Masutani or Menbaka Fire Ramen for a theatrical charring.

Day 11: Osaka Day Trip—Street Food, Neon, and Music

Hop 15 minutes by Shinkansen or ~45 minutes by local trains to Osaka. Photograph Dotonbori’s Glico Runner, snack your way through Kuromon Market (tuna sashimi, grilled scallops), and ride up Umeda Sky Building at sunset.

• Eat like a local: Okonomiyaki at Mizuno, takoyaki at Yamachan, kushikatsu in Shinsekai, and craft beer near Namba. For live shows, check Billboard Live Osaka or Zepp Osaka Bayside.

Want a guided feast that prioritizes hidden spots?

Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries

Kyoto ➜ Hiroshima (morning of Day 12): Nozomi/Mizuho Shinkansen ~1 hr 40 min, about ¥11,000–¥12,000 one-way. Compare departures and fares on Trip.com Trains.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima pairs solemn memory with seaside calm. Streetcars ring through leafy boulevards, okonomiyaki grills sizzle, and ferries skim across the Inland Sea to Miyajima’s sacred deer and legendary torii gate.

Where to stay:

• Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel — Inside the station complex; effortless arrivals/departures.
• RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima — Near the castle and Peace Park; spacious rooms.
• Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima — Waterfront views and ferry access.
• Budget: Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima. More options: Hotels.com Hiroshima | VRBO Hiroshima

Days 12–13: Peace Park, Museums, and Local Flavors

Begin at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum; take time at the A-Bomb Dome and Children’s Peace Monument. For city views and reflection, head to Orizuru Tower’s open deck.

Explore Shukkeien Garden’s miniature landscapes and Hiroshima Castle’s reconstructed keep. Foodies should seek out local oysters (raw in season, grilled year-round) and saucy, layered Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

• Coffee/breakfast: Obscura Coffee Roasters (Fukuromachi), Progress Life Style Coffee, and bakery-café Andersen Hiroshima.
• Lunch/dinner: Okonomiyaki at Nagata-ya or Hassei; oysters at Ekohiiki; tsukemen (spicy dipping noodles) at Bakudanya Honten.
• Night: Live Juke (intimate gigs) or Hiroshima Club Quattro for concerts.

Day 14: Miyajima—Torii, Trails, and Beach Time

Ferry to Miyajima for Itsukushima Shrine’s “floating” torii (resplendent since recent restoration). Ride the ropeway, then hike to Mt. Misen’s summit for sweeping island views—prime photography territory.

Dip your toes at Tsutsumigaura Beach, snack on momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes), and sample grilled oysters on the shopping street. For a curated day with logistics handled:

Peaceful Hiroshima & Miyajima UNESCO 1 Day Bus Tour

Day 15: Flex Morning, Then Return

Free morning: revisit the Peace Park, browse Hondori’s arcades, or day-trip to Saijō’s sake breweries if timing allows. Train back to Tokyo in ~4 hours on the Nozomi for your flight home; book seats via Trip.com Trains and compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Tokyo Beach Day (swap into Day 6 if you crave sand)

Ride the Odakyu Line to Enoshima/Shōnan (~70–80 min; ~¥1,000) for boardwalks, swimming in season, and sunsets over Fuji. Combine with the Great Buddha of Kamakura and seaside temples for a full day of sand and culture.

Extra Tokyo Viator Picks (choose one if you have time)

Tailor a day with a pro guide for the sights you care about most:

Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Budget & Logistics Tips

• Mid-range budget guide: Tokyo/Kyoto/Hiroshima hotels ¥12,000–¥22,000 per night; meals ¥1,000–¥3,500; day-trip tours ¥10,000–¥18,000+. Lunch sets (teishoku) offer excellent value.
• Rail strategy: For this 3-city plan, point-to-point Shinkansen tickets usually beat a national rail pass. Reserve seats for luggage space.
• Concerts: Check weekly schedules at Blue Note, Billboard Live, and Zepp venues; arrive 15–20 minutes early for standing shows.
• Photography: Fushimi Inari at sunrise, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove pre-8 a.m., Shibuya Crossing blue hour, Miyajima torii at mid/low tide for reflections.

Quick food and coffee shortlists

• Tokyo coffee: KOFFEE MAMEYA, Onibus, Cafe de L’Ambre, Little Nap Coffee Stand (Yoyogi).
• Tokyo eats: Fūunji (tsukemen), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi), Udon Shin (fresh sanuki).
• Kyoto coffee/tea: Weekenders, %Arabica, Vermillion (by Fushimi Inari), Ichikawaya Coffee.
• Kyoto eats: Nishiki Market stalls, Izuju (Kyoto-style sushi), Omen (udon), Yakitori Hitomi.
• Hiroshima coffee: Obscura, Progress, 100 Coffee.
• Hiroshima eats: Nagata-ya/Hassei for okonomiyaki, oysters everywhere, Hiroshima tsukemen at Bakudanya.

In 15 days you’ll feel Japan’s range: the urban energy of Tokyo, the temple hush of Kyoto, and the coastal calm of Hiroshima and Miyajima. With adventurous day trips and local flavors at every turn, this itinerary balances big sights with intimate, lived-in neighborhoods—memories you can taste, hear, and photograph long after you’re home.