Japan is a country where 1,300-year-old temples sit comfortably beside cutting-edge design. From the incense-traced alleys of Asakusa to the futuristic glow of Shibuya, from Kyoto’s tea houses to Osaka’s sizzling grills, this 15-day itinerary balances must-see sights with quiet corners and sensational eats.

Across three cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—you’ll ride the Shinkansen, stroll historic districts, and savor dishes that define regional Japan. Expect contemplative mornings at shrines, afternoons among bamboo and castles, and evenings chasing ramen, yakitori, and okonomiyaki.

Practical notes: Japan is safe and punctual; cash is still handy though most places accept cards and IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA). Cherry blossoms arrive late March–early April; maple foliage peaks in November; summers are humid and typhoon-prone. Pack comfortable shoes, a light layer for shrines, and come hungry.

Tokyo

Days 1–5: Modern icons, historic temples, and a Mt. Fuji escape

Welcome to Tokyo, a sprawling mosaic of neighborhoods—tradition-laden Asakusa, fashion-forward Harajuku, neon-charged Shinjuku, and the cinematic Shibuya Crossing. Start at Meiji Jingu’s forested approach, then contrast it with the glitter of Omotesando’s architecture.

In Asakusa, Senso-ji (founded in 645) anchors a district of crafts and snacks; wander Nakamise for ningyo-yaki cakes and senbei. Detour to the retro lanes of Yanaka for old-town charm and small temples that survived the war.

Evenings shine brightest in Shinjuku and Shibuya. Watch the tidal ballet at Shibuya Crossing, then slip into an izakaya—Japan’s casual tavern—for grilled yakitori, sashimi, and highballs. Golden Gai’s tiny bars and Omoide Yokocho’s lantern-lit alleys are atmospheric time capsules.

• Signature sights: Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji, Ueno Park museums, teamLab Borderless (Odaiba), Tokyo Skytree views, Hamarikyu Gardens with matcha in a teahouse.
• Neighborhood strolls: Daikanyama and Nakameguro for boutiques and cafes; Kappabashi for kitchenware; Akihabara for electronics and anime culture.
• Food to hunt down: Edomae sushi, tonkatsu, tsukemen, wagyu katsu sandos, seasonal wagashi sweets.

Recommended activities (choose 2–4):

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

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

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

Private Photoshoot at Shibuya Crossing Tokyo

Cafes & breakfast: Fuglen Shibuya for Scandinavian-Japanese coffee culture; Koffee Mameya Kakeru for serious pour-overs and tasting flights; Path (Yoyogi) for morning croissant-and-dutch-baby bliss; Asakusa’s Benitsuru for fluffy soufflé pancakes.

Lunch ideas: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi standing sushi (fast, fresh); Afuri Harajuku for yuzu-shio ramen; Tempura Kondo (book ahead) for feather-light tempura; Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama for tender pork cutlets.

Dinner hits: Kyubey (Ginza) for classic sushi omakase; Torishiki or Bird Land (yakitori masters—reserve); Nabezo for shabu-shabu; on a budget, dive into Omoide Yokocho’s smoky grills near Shinjuku Station.

Where to stay (Tokyo): Browse stays on VRBO Tokyo and Hotels.com Tokyo. Top picks: The Peninsula Tokyo (imperial garden views), The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (sky-high Midtown), Aman Tokyo (zen serenity), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value by the hub), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-topped fun), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (great for families), or Hilton Tokyo Bay for Disney days.

Getting in and around: Fly into Tokyo (HND or NRT). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. In-city travel is via metro and JR lines; grab an IC card and follow bilingual signs. For intercity rail you’ll use the Shinkansen—bookable via Trip.com trains.

Kyoto

Day 6 morning: Tokyo → Kyoto (travel)

Depart Tokyo after breakfast for Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen. The Nozomi takes about 2 hr 15 min; expect around ¥14,500 per adult for a reserved seat (roughly $95 as of 2025). Book on Trip.com trains. Sit on the right side for potential Mt. Fuji views on clear days.

Days 6–10: Temples, tea, and time travel

Kyoto is the old capital, a city of 2,000+ temples and shrines, tea houses, and quiet lanes where wooden machiya glow at dusk. Start with the vermilion torii tunnels of Fushimi Inari, best at sunrise, then wander Gion’s cobblestones and keep an eye out for geiko shuffling between appointments.

Spend a half-day in Arashiyama: the Bamboo Grove at first light; Okochi Sanso villa for landscaped vistas; Tenryu-ji’s Zen garden; and a riverside lunch. Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden stage offers a cinematic sweep over the city—pair it with Sannen-zaka’s preserved streets and pottery shops.

• Don’t miss: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji’s rock garden, Philosopher’s Path in cherry blossom season, Nishiki Market for 400-year-old food culture.
• Tea & crafts: Try a tea ceremony near Higashiyama; browse hand-dyed textiles, washi, and incense in Teramachi and Shinmonzen.
• Day trip option: Nara (45–60 min by JR or Kintetsu, ~¥640–¥820 each way). See Tōdai-ji’s Great Buddha, feed the semi-wild deer in Nara Park, and stroll lantern-lined Kasuga Taisha.

Recommended activities (choose 1–3):

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

Cafes & breakfast: % Arabica (Higashiyama) for single-origin espresso with a river view; Kurasu Kyoto Stand near Kyoto Station for meticulous hand brews; Vermillion café by Fushimi Inari for post-hike coffee and cake.

Lunch ideas: Omen near Ginkaku-ji for hearty udon; Nishiki Market bites like tako tamago (octopus with quail egg), yuba (tofu skin), and sesame skewers; Musashi Sushi conveyor-belt for a fun, quick fix.

Dinner hits: Kikunoi or Gion Namba for seasonal kaiseki; Tempura Endo Yasaka for delicate courses in a traditional townhouse; Yudofu Sagano in Arashiyama for a tranquil tofu set; Pontocho Alley’s small izakaya for river views in summer.

Where to stay (Kyoto): Explore VRBO Kyoto and Hotels.com Kyoto. Favorites: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Kamogawa river luxury), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (serene courtyard), Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (value near transit), Piece Hostel Sanjo (design-forward budget), Kyoto Brighton Hotel, or Hotel M's Est Shijo Karasuma.

Osaka

Day 11 morning: Kyoto → Osaka (travel)

Hop a JR rapid train from Kyoto to Osaka in ~30 minutes (about ¥580) or the Shinkansen in ~15 minutes (around ¥1,420). Trains run constantly—buy on the spot or via Trip.com trains. Drop bags and head for lunch in Dotonbori.

Days 11–15: Street food, castles, and easy day trips

Osaka calls itself “Japan’s kitchen,” and you’ll taste why. In Dotonbori, follow the giant neon crab to grilled crab legs, watch takoyaki flipped at dizzying speed, and order okonomiyaki (savory pancake) cooked tableside. Shinsekai’s kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) pairs perfectly with a cold beer beneath Tsutenkaku Tower.

Balance the indulgence with culture: Osaka Castle’s keep and museum recount Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s rise; the Umeda Sky Building offers sunset views over a sea of lights; and the teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka transforms Nagai Park with immersive night art.

• Classic bites: Mizuno or Chibo for okonomiyaki; Kukuru for extra-gooey takoyaki; Kushikatsu Daruma for crisp skewers; Kuromon Ichiba Market for fresh seafood, wagyu skewers, and fruit.
• Cafes: LiLo Coffee Roasters for hand-picked beans; Mel Coffee Roasters for light roasts; Streamer Coffee for latte art and space to recharge.
• Day trips: - Nara (if not done from Kyoto): 45–60 min, ~¥640–¥820 each way.
  - Himeji Castle: about 1 hr by JR Special Rapid (~¥1,520); Japan’s finest surviving feudal castle.
  - Hiroshima & Miyajima: 1.5–1.75 hr by Shinkansen each way (~¥10,800–¥11,500). Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine’s “floating” torii.

Recommended activity:

Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries

Dinner suggestions: Harijyu Dotonbori for sukiyaki with marbled beef; Yakiniku M for wagyu grilled to order; End your night with a river cruise view or bar-hop along Hozenji Yokocho’s stone alley by a mossy temple.

Where to stay (Osaka): Check VRBO Osaka and Hotels.com Osaka. Picks by style: The St. Regis Osaka (Butler service on Midosuji), Swissotel Nankai Osaka (skyline views atop Namba Station), Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps from Dotonbori), Hotel Universal Port (for USJ fans), budget-friendly Hotel Taiyo, or apartment-style Universal Bay Condominium.

Departing Japan: Fly out of Kansai International (KIX). Compare fares on Trip.com flights. The Nankai Airport Express reaches KIX in ~44 min (~¥930); the reserved-seat Rapi:t takes ~38 min (~¥1,450). Allow extra time for tax-free formalities and souvenir browsing.

Suggested 15-Day Flow (by blocks)

• Days 1–3 (Tokyo): Meiji Jingu, Harajuku–Omotesando, Shibuya Crossing photoshoot; Asakusa’s Senso-ji and Sumida views; Shinjuku nightlife and food tour.
• Days 4–5 (Tokyo day trips): Mt. Fuji & Hakone bus tour with Shinkansen return; optional museum day (Ueno or Roppongi) or teamLab Borderless.
• Day 6: Morning Shinkansen to Kyoto (2 hr 15 min). Evening stroll in Gion and Pontocho.
• Days 7–9 (Kyoto): Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji/Ryoan-ji; Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama lanes; ramen-making class.
• Day 10 (Kyoto/Nara): Nara day trip for Tōdai-ji and deer park; return for tea in Gion.
• Day 11: Morning train to Osaka (15–30 min). Dotonbori street food crawl.
• Days 12–13 (Osaka): Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Shinsekai and kushikatsu; evening teamLab Botanical Garden.
• Day 14 (Day trip option): Himeji Castle or Hiroshima & Miyajima via Shinkansen.
• Day 15: Last-minute shopping in Shinsaibashi; depart from KIX.

Money and passes: For this route (Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka with a couple of day trips), point-to-point Shinkansen tickets usually beat a national rail pass after the 2023 price changes. Reserve peak-season seats and consider forwarding large luggage via takkyubin to keep travel light.

From futuristic Tokyo to contemplative Kyoto and flavor-packed Osaka, this itinerary layers culture, landscapes, and meals you’ll talk about for years. With smart rail connections and targeted day trips, you’ll see Japan’s greatest hits and still have room for serendipity.