Japan’s story spans samurai courts and cutting-edge cities. In Tokyo you’ll walk from a 7th-century temple to a tower of glass in minutes; in Kyoto, shrine paths glow with lantern light; and in Osaka, sizzling grills perfume the night air. This 15-day itinerary balances famous sights with neighborhood gems, deliciously tuned to a mid-range budget.

Expect efficient trains, spotless streets, and cuisine that ranges from standing sushi bars to kaiseki artistry. IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) work on most transit and in many shops. The JR Pass is not necessary for this route—individual Shinkansen tickets are often cheaper given the limited long-haul rides.

Seasonal notes: spring brings cherry blossoms; summer is festival season; autumn glows with maple reds; winter is crisp and crowd-light. Book popular attractions and restaurants ahead; pack comfortable shoes; and consider luggage forwarding (takkyubin) between cities for easy station days.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a mosaic of districts—Asakusa’s incense and lanterns, Shibuya’s kinetic crossing, Akihabara’s gadget glow, and the serene forests of Meiji Jingu. You’ll taste everything from tuna belly at Tsukiji’s outer market to refined tempura in Ginza. Don’t miss teamLab Borderless (now at Azabudai Hills) for a digital art immersion.

Getting in: Book international flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Narita, allow 60–90 minutes to central Tokyo by rail; from Haneda, 20–45 minutes. Prefer private pickup? See the Viator transfer below.

Where to stay (mid-range focus, with a couple splurges):

• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-head views; step to nightlife and ramen).
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (excellent transport hub, great value).
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (larger rooms, convenient to metro/Disney shuttles).
• The Peninsula Tokyo (splurge-worthy, beside the Imperial Palace).
• Aman Tokyo (serene skyscraper sanctuary with a standout spa).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Tokyo | VRBO Tokyo

Days 1–6: Tokyo — Temples, Neighborhoods, and a Mt. Fuji Day

• Asakusa and Ueno: Start at Senso-ji’s Thunder Gate, snack on ningyo-yaki cakes along Nakamise-dori, then stroll to Kappabashi Kitchen Town for knife and ceramic browsing. Ueno Park’s museums and pond offer a leafy breather.
• Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando: Cross the iconic Scramble; peek at Hachiko’s statue. In Harajuku, see Meiji Shrine’s cypress forest, browse Takeshita Street, then admire Omotesando’s architecture.
• Ginza and Tokyo Station area: Window-shop flagship boutiques, dip into depachika (food halls) under Mitsukoshi, and circle the Imperial Palace moat at dusk.
• Akihabara and Ochanomizu: Retro game shops, audio stores, and guitar alleys; cap it with artisan coffee in Kanda.
• Contemporary art: Reserve tickets for teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills; pair with Roppongi’s Mori Art Museum or the National Art Center.
• Day trip: Mt. Fuji & Kawaguchiko/Hakone: Clear-day vistas, lakeside strolls, and onsen stops. See activity options below.

Coffee & breakfast: Try Koffee Mameya Kakeru (barista-led tastings), Fuglen Tokyo (Scandi-Japanese vibes), or Glitch Coffee & Roasters (light roasts). For a Japanese set breakfast, Shinpachi Shokudo grills fish to perfection.

Lunch picks: Tsukiji Outer Market for tamagoyaki from Marutake, tuna skewers, and oysters; Afuri (yuzu-shio ramen); Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (stand-up sushi that’s fast and fresh).

Dinner ideas: Maisen Aoyama (silky tonkatsu), Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu (izakaya with theatrical skewers), and Konjiki Hototogisu (Michelin-star ramen in Shinjuku; clam-and-truffle broth). For tiny bars, wander Golden Gai.

Transit tip: Tokyo Metro 24-hour tickets are budget-friendly; use Trip.com Trains for intercity booking and seat selection.

Featured Tokyo activities (Viator)

Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour — taste market classics with a guide who knows the best counters.

Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience — learn rituals, snap photos, and feel the dohyo’s drama.

Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide — tailor a half-day across Senso-ji, SkyTree, and Shibuya Scramble.

Private Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone — hotel pickup, lakeside viewpoints, and ropeway panoramas in one day.

Optional arrival convenience: Narita Airport (NRT) Private Transfer — fixed-rate, meet-and-greet service.

Travel to Kyoto: Morning Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station takes ~2 hr 15 min. Reserved seat approx. ¥14,000–¥15,000; book via Trip.com Trains. Ship luggage ahead (1 day) so you can board light.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the country’s cultural heart: vermilion gates threading up Fushimi Inari’s hillside, lantern-lit Gion lanes, and Zen gardens that still the mind. Temples here aren’t just beautiful—they’re layered with poetry and patronage, artisanship and seasonal rites.

Stay near Shijo-Karasuma for central access, Gion/Higashiyama for old-town atmosphere, or Arashiyama for riverside calm. Search options: Hotels.com Kyoto | VRBO Kyoto.

Days 7–10: Kyoto — Temples, Tea, and Tradition

• Fushimi Inari Taisha (early): Beat the crowds and ascend through thousands of torii gates; reward yourself with a vermillion-lit view of the city.
• Higashiyama & Kiyomizu-dera: Wander stone-paved Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to Kiyomizu’s wooden stage; sip matcha on your return through Gion’s alleys.
• Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove at dawn, Tenryu-ji’s gardens, and the Katsura River banks; consider a boat ride or monkey park hike.
• Philosopher’s Path: Link Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) with Honen-in and Nanzen-ji; in sakura season, it’s a dreamscape.
• Nishiki Market: Taste yuba tofu, pickles, soy doughnuts, and flame-seared mackerel; this “Kitchen of Kyoto” is ideal for grazing.

Coffee & breakfast: Weekenders Coffee (courtyard roastery), Vermillion espresso bar at Fushimi Inari, and % Arabica Higashiyama (go early to avoid lines).

Lunch picks: Historic Honke Owariya (since 1465; delicate soba), Kyoto Gogyo (signature burnt-miso ramen), and Musashi Sushi (reliable kaiten sushi near Sanjo).

Dinner ideas: Okutan (temple-style yudofu near Nanzen-ji), Yakiniku Hiro (grilled wagyu, book ahead), or a seasonal kaiseki lunch set in Gion for value.

Featured Kyoto activities (Viator)

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory — make noodles, broth, and toppings from scratch, then enjoy your bowl.

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour — decode geiko/maiko culture on an evening stroll with a local expert.

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto: Private Day Tour — a fast, curated sweep if you’d like a guide to optimize routes and timing.

Travel to Osaka: Kyoto to Osaka by JR Special Rapid is ~30 minutes (about ¥570); Shinkansen is ~15 minutes (about ¥1,420) Kyoto–Shin-Osaka. Book on Trip.com Trains. Depart after breakfast to maximize your Osaka day.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s “kuidaore” capital—where you’re encouraged to eat until you drop. Neon Dotonbori signs flicker over takoyaki grills, while Osaka Castle rises above moats and maples. It’s also your gateway to Nara’s bowing deer and Hiroshima’s poignant memorials.

Base yourself in Namba for food-and-fun at your doorstep, or in Umeda for hub access. Theme-park fans will love being near Universal Studios Japan on the bay.

Where to stay (value-forward selection):

• Swissotel Nankai Osaka (directly above Namba Station; unbeatable convenience).
• Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps to Dotonbori; solid mid-range comfort).
• Hotel Universal Port (family-friendly for USJ days).
• Universal Bay Condominium (apartments for groups near the park).
• Hotel Taiyo (budget basic near Shinsekai; private rooms available).
• The St. Regis Osaka (splurge option with butler service on Midosuji).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Osaka | VRBO Osaka

Days 11–15: Osaka — Street Food, Castles, and Day Trips

• Osaka Castle & Park: Walk the ramparts and stone walls; spring blooms here are postcard-perfect.
• Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi: Follow the Glico Running Man to takoyaki stands (try Wanaka or Aizuya), okonomiyaki at Mizuno or Ajinoya, and riverside photo stops.
• Shinsekai & Tennoji: Old-school kushikatsu at Daruma, Tsutenkaku Tower views, and a stroll in Tennoji Park.
• Umeda Sky Building: Sunset from the Floating Garden observatory; then explore yokocho-style alleys for small-plate dining.
• Day trips: Nara for giant Buddha and friendly deer; Hiroshima & Miyajima for history and a floating torii gate; or a full day at Universal Studios Japan.

Coffee & breakfast: LiLo Coffee Roasters (Amerikamura; excellent pourovers), Mel Coffee Roasters (Hommachi), and a hearty morning set at Komeda’s Coffee.

Lunch picks: Hanamaruken Namba (fall-apart pork rib ramen), Endo Sushi (Osaka Central Market outpost for classic nigiri), and Kuromon Ichiba for grilled scallops and wagyu skewers.

Dinner ideas: Mizuno or Ajinoya for okonomiyaki; Daruma for kushikatsu (dip only once!); finish with a warm cheesecake from Rikuro.

Featured Osaka activities (Viator)

Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries — a locals-only route through backstreets and classic counters.

Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tour — orient yourself to neighborhoods you’ll want to revisit.

Universal Studios Japan 1-Day Studio Pass + Express Pass — maximize your time at Super Nintendo World and beyond.

Nara Early Morning Tour (from Osaka/Kyoto) — visit Todaiji and Kasuga before the crowds, with time to greet the deer.

Getting around & departure: Osaka Metro day passes make hops easy. To Kansai Airport (KIX), the Nankai Airport Express from Namba takes ~45 minutes; the JR Haruka from Tennoji is ~30 minutes. Book intercity legs with Trip.com Trains and your homebound flight via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Suggested 15-Day Flow (by blocks)

• Days 1–6: Tokyo — Asakusa, Ueno, Shibuya/Harajuku/Omotesando, Roppongi art, Tsukiji tour, one Mt. Fuji day trip, a sumo show night, and a flexible guided day to knit it all together.
• Days 7–10: Kyoto — Fushimi Inari sunrise, Higashiyama & Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama bamboo and Tenryu-ji, Nishiki Market snacking, Gion evening tour, and a hands-on ramen class.
• Days 11–15: Osaka — Osaka Castle, Dotonbori feasting, Shinsekai retro lights, Umeda Sky sunset, a guided foodie crawl, a USJ thrill day, and an early-bird Nara excursion.

Budget notes: With a 50/100 budget, mix mid-range hotels with a couple of splurge meals (or vice versa). Lunch sets offer great value at top restaurants; aim for prepaid activity days and transit day-passes to keep daily costs predictable.

By the time you depart, you’ll have crossed shrine gates at dawn, slurped noodles beside locals, and watched a megacity pulse from above. This route balances icons and intimacy—leaving just enough unscheduled time to get pleasantly lost and truly meet Japan.