Japan blends 1,500 years of history with a future-forward buzz. Wooden shrines sit beside skyscrapers, and bullet trains whisk you between ancient capitals and fluorescent nightlife. This 16-day itinerary focuses on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—three essential destinations that balance culture, cuisine, shopping, hiking, and unforgettable photography spots.

Expect a feast: sizzling okonomiyaki in Osaka, wagashi sweets and matcha in Kyoto, and late-night ramen in Tokyo. You’ll wander lantern-lit alleys, hike to mountaintop views, and learn local customs through tea ceremonies and neighborhood food tours. We’ve kept your 31/100 budget in mind with affordable eats, free sights, and smart transport.

Practical notes: Use an IC transit card (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) and top up at stations or convenience stores. ATMs that accept foreign cards are easy to find at 7-Eleven and Japan Post. For this route, individual tickets are typically cheaper than a nationwide rail pass. Book long-distance trains a day ahead; mornings are best for transfers.

Tokyo

Japan’s capital is a thrill: Shibuya’s neon scramble, quiet Meiji Shrine forests, vintage treasure troves in Shimokitazawa, and steam curling from ramen bowls in Shinjuku. It’s also a photographer’s paradise—from golden-hour cityscapes to alleyway izakaya scenes.

Getting in: Find flights to Tokyo via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Haneda, take the Keikyu/monorail + JR (~30–45 min, ~$5–8). From Narita, use the Keisei Skyliner (~41 min, ~$22) or JR Narita Express (~50–60 min, ~$27).

Where to stay (budget-friendly picks + links):

• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (easy transit, compact rooms, frequent deals): Book on Hotels.com
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Kabukicho location, famous Godzilla head, solid value): Book on Hotels.com
• Browse apartments/hostels in Tokyo neighborhoods (Asakusa, Ueno, Nakano): VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo

Days 1–3: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Neon Nights

Start at Shinjuku: the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observatory offers skyline views and Mt. Fuji visibility on clear days. In Golden Gai’s tiny bars (cash-friendly), chat with regulars and hear 1960s jazz and city stories.

Walk Meiji Shrine’s cedar-lined paths to reset, then hit Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for crepes and subcultures. In Omotesando, minimalist boutiques and third-wave coffee make a mellow afternoon. Sunset at Shibuya Crossing gives that iconic time-lapse shot.

• Foodie must-do: Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

  

  Expect yakitori grills, oden simmer pots, and old-school standing bars—perfect for adventurous palates and “live like a local” vibes.
• Unique adrenaline: Explore Go Kart Tour in Tokyo (Shibuya~Harajuku~Shinjuku)

  

  Bring an international driver’s permit if required; this is tailor-made for photographers craving kinetic street shots.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast/coffee: Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro) for light, fruity single-origin; Koffee Mameya (Omotesando) for curated beans and brew guidance.
• Lunch: Fuunji (Shinjuku) for rich tsukemen; Tenya for wallet-friendly tempura bowls.
• Dinner: Omoide Yokocho yakitori alleys; Ichiran Ramen (solo booths, customizable spice); Kura Sushi for budget kaiten sushi with gacha prizes.
• Nightlife: Bar BenFiddich (Shinjuku) for apothecary-style cocktails; Nonbei Yokocho (Shibuya) for tiny, atmospheric bars.

Days 4–6: Historic Tokyo, Vintage Finds, and a Fuji Adventure

Asakusa’s Senso-ji gives classic pagoda silhouettes; rent a happi coat or kimono for photos on Nakamise Street’s snack gauntlet. Then contrast with Akihabara’s retro arcades and anime shops, or go vintage-hunting in Shimokitazawa and photos at Nakano Broadway’s treasure-filled corridors.

Hiking day: take the Keio Line to Mt. Takao (about 50 minutes from Shinjuku, ~¥390) for cedar forests, mountaintop noodles, and ridge-view photos. If you prefer lakes and Fuji frames, book the Kawaguchiko day tour below.

• Mt. Fuji landscapes: Tokyo: Mt.Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko 1-Day Bus Tour w/Optional Lunch

  

  Photograph Chureito Pagoda and lakeside reflections; it’s a stress-free way to chase that postcard shot.
• Culture up close: Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show and Experience with Drinks and Photo

  

  Learn rules, techniques, and take photos from close range—more intimate than a stadium tournament.

Shopping: Don Quijote (late-night deals), 2nd Street and Book Off (thrift and books), and depachika food halls (bento to-go for scenic picnics). For cameras, try MAP Camera in Shinjuku for reliable used gear.

Next stop: Kyoto — Morning Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station: 2 hr 15 min–2 hr 40 min. Expect ~¥13,000–¥14,500 ($85–100) one-way depending on train/class. Compare and book trains on Trip.com Trains.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the old soul of Japan: 17 UNESCO sites, tea traditions, wooden machiya lanes, and lantern-lit alleys where time seems to slow. It rewards early risers and respectful wanderers.

Where to stay (budget-first + links):

• Piece Hostel Sanjo (clean, social, breakfast add-on, walkable to Nishiki Market): Book on Hotels.com
• Hotel M’s Est Shijo Karasuma (business-hotel simplicity, near subway and markets): Book on Hotels.com
• See a range of apartments/ryokan: VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto

Days 7–9: Fushimi Inari Sunrise, Higashiyama, and Tea Traditions

Beat the crowds with a sunrise hike at Fushimi Inari Taisha: torii tunnels glow best before 8 am. Continue through the Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka slopes to Kiyomizu-dera for sweeping city views and photos of wooden balconies.

After a wagashi (traditional sweet) break, wander Gion’s Hanamikoji at dusk—if you’re lucky, you’ll glimpse a geiko or maiko on the way to an engagement. Stay respectful: no flash photography up close and keep to the sidewalks.

• Kyoto at first light: Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide

  

  This is gold for photographers: soft light, empty lanes, and time to compose shots.
• Hands-on culture: KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono near by Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

  

  Learn matcha etiquette, wear kimono, and understand the aesthetics behind “ichi-go ichi-e.”
• Evening lore: Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

  

  Hear the history behind the lanterns, tea houses, and the art of performance.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast/coffee: % Arabica (Higashiyama) for espresso with temple views; Weekenders Coffee (hidden in a parking lot) for Kyoto-roasted beans.
• Lunch: Omen (hand-cut udon near Ginkaku-ji); Musashi Sushi (conveyor-belt, friendly prices); Menya Inoichi (shoyu ramen with refined broth).
• Dinner: Nishiki Market tasting crawl (grilled eel sticks, yuba tofu, croquettes), then izakaya along Pontocho Alley overlooking the Kamo River.
• Nightlife: Craft beer at Bungalow; intimate cocktails at L’Escamoteur (old-world decor, theatrical pours).

Days 10–11: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and a Nara Day Trip

Arrive early to Arashiyama’s Bamboo Grove, then hike the Arashiyama Park Kameyama trail for river canyon views and possible monkey sightings at Iwatayama. Nearby, Tenryu-ji’s Zen garden is a masterpiece of borrowed scenery.

Head north to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) for mirror-pool photos. For an animal-and-temple combo, day trip to Nara: feed polite bowing deer in Nara Park and stand beneath the colossal bronze Buddha at Todai-ji’s Daibutsuden.

• Flexible, local insight: Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

  

  Tailor stops for photography, tea shops, or artisan workshops.

Next stop: Osaka — Kyoto Station to Osaka (Umeda or Namba) via JR or Hankyu: ~30–45 minutes, ~¥570–¥900 ($4–7). Search exact departures on Trip.com Trains.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen—rowdy, funny, and delicious. Neon canals, shouty takoyaki grills, and nostalgic shotengai arcades set the stage. It’s also a great base for hikes and quick day trips.

Where to stay (budget-forward + links):

• Hotel Taiyo (Shinsekai area; ultra-budget private rooms and dorms): Book on Hotels.com
• Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps from Dotonbori; terrific for night owls): Book on Hotels.com
• Browse more stays near Namba/Shinsaibashi: VRBO Osaka or Hotels.com Osaka

Days 12–14: Street Food Heaven, Castles, and Waterfall Hikes

Devour Dotonbori by night—takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (fried skewers) in Shinsekai. For a daylight break, Osaka Castle’s keep and park are ideal for cherry blossoms or autumn color.

Hike Minoo Park (about 25–35 minutes from Umeda/Namba; local train + short walk). The forested trail to Minoo Waterfall is gentle and photogenic, and you can snack on momiji tempura (maple leaf fritters) in season.

• Local-led feast: Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries

  

  Dive into backstreet tachinomi (stand bars), off-menu bites, and chef stories that define “Japan’s kitchen.”

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast/coffee: LiLo Coffee Roasters (Namba) for single-origin flights; Mel Coffee Roasters (Kitahama) for pour-overs by the river.
• Lunch: Takoyaki Yamachan (multiple outlets; piping-hot with bonito flakes); Tsurutontan (thick udon with creative toppings).
• Dinner: Mizuno or Chibo for okonomiyaki; Daruma for kushikatsu (dip once!).
• Nightlife: Ura-Namba’s maze of micro-bars; craft beer at Minoh Beer Warehouse; live music around Amerikamura.

Days 15–16: Side Trips or Theme-Park Thrills, Last-Minute Shopping

Optional day trips: Kobe for harbor views and Chinatown snacks (30 min), Himeji for Japan’s most photogenic castle (~1 hr), or back to Nara if you skipped it earlier. Shopping finale in Shinsaibashi-suji arcade; pick up Japanese knives, ceramics, and matcha.

Photographers: head to Umeda Sky Building at sunset for open-air skyline shots. Night owls: wind down with river-lit canal walks and a bowl of late-night ramen before departure.

Departure: Fly out of Osaka (KIX/ITM) or return to Tokyo (2 hr 30 min by Shinkansen to Shinagawa/Tokyo, ~¥14,000). Search flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Budget & Practical Tips (For a 31/100 Budget)

• Transit: Use IC cards for subways/buses; intercity trips—pay per ride is usually cheaper than a nationwide pass for this route.
• Food savings: Lunch sets (teishoku) are great value; try Matsuya/Yoshinoya for quick gyudon bowls under ~$5–6. Depachika bento make perfect park picnics.
• Hiking freebies: Mt. Takao and Minoo Park are low-cost, big-reward adventures with stellar photography opportunities.
• Cash: Some small izakaya and shrines are cash-preferred; withdraw at 7-Eleven ATMs to minimize fees.

Suggested Multi-Day Flow Overview

• Days 1–6: Tokyo base (city highlights, Mt. Takao or Fuji day trip; food tour, sumo/show, go-karting).
• Day 7: Morning Shinkansen to Kyoto (2.25–2.75 hrs; ~¥13,000–14,500). Explore central Kyoto.
• Days 8–11: Kyoto (Fushimi Inari sunrise, Higashiyama, Arashiyama hike, tea ceremony; Nara day trip).
• Day 12: Train to Osaka (30–45 min; ~¥570–¥900).
• Days 13–16: Osaka (food tour, Minoo hike, castle, optional Kobe/Himeji/Nara; final shopping and nightlife).

Optional/Alternate Tours (if you reshuffle days):

• From Osaka: Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)

  

  Ideal for crowd-free temple photography and serene forest paths.

With Tokyo’s neon, Kyoto’s temples, and Osaka’s appetite for life, this route gives you Japan’s greatest hits and hidden corners. You’ll hike, feast, and photograph your way through 16 days that feel both epic and effortless.