21 Days in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka Itinerary for Culture, Cuisine, and Day-Trip Adventures

Three weeks through Tokyo’s neon and traditions, Kyoto’s temples and tea, and Osaka’s street food and nightlife—plus Mt. Fuji, Nara, Himeji, and Hiroshima day trips.
Scenic view of Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan, capturing traditional Japanese architecture at twilight.
Photo by Belle Co on Pexels

Welcome to Japan, where 1,200-year-old temples share sidewalks with robot cafes, and bullet trains trace the backbone of the archipelago with metronomic precision. From the samurai legacies of Kyoto’s Heian court to Tokyo’s transformation from Edo fishing village to megacity, this 21-day itinerary blends history, food, and nature without rushing.


Fun facts to whet your wanderlust: trains here average delays in seconds, vending machines sell everything from hot coffee to ramen broth, and convenience stores serve meals good enough to convert skeptics. Expect deeply seasonal cuisine—spring cherry blossoms, summer matsuri festivals, autumn foliage, and winter hot springs—and polite rituals that make daily life feel choreographed.

Practical notes: IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work across cities for transit and convenience stores. Credit cards are widely accepted, but small eateries may prefer cash. Typhoon season is roughly June–October; pack a light rain shell. Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) is a sanity saver between hotels—use it liberally to keep travel days easy.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a mosaic of micro-neighborhoods: shrine forests in Harajuku, modern art towers in Roppongi, smoky yakitori lanes in Shinjuku, and the sensory storm of Shibuya Crossing. You’ll sample fish markets at dawn, craft coffee by mid-morning, department-store lunches at noon, and izakaya alleys after dark.

Base yourself near a major hub (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza) for effortless transit. Use an IC card, and don’t fear department-store food halls (depachika)—they’re edible museums where bento, tempura, and wagashi glitter under glass.

Days 1–3: Core Tokyo—Shrines, Skytree Views, Shibuya Nights

  • Asakusa and Sensō-ji: Enter via Nakamise-dori’s lanterns and sweets stalls; stop for ningyō-yaki sponge cakes. Nearby, try traditional soba at Kanda Yabu Soba (hand-cut, fragrant broth).
  • Ueno Park and Museums: Choose the Tokyo National Museum for samurai armor and Buddhist sculpture; stroll lotus ponds and seasonal blossoms.
  • Shibuya Crossing and Hachikō: Time the scramble at dusk; head up for views from a nearby rooftop. Dinner in Nonbei Yokocho or Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku) for smoky yakitori; try chicken skewers at Tori-en and sample nikomi beef stew at a counter-only nook.
  • Harajuku & Meiji Shrine: A forested respite steps from Takeshita-dori’s crepe stands. Coffee at Fuglen Tokyo (Norwegian roastery) or Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro).
  • Roppongi/Minato for contemporary art: TeamLab Borderless returned to central Tokyo—book in advance; cap with sunset at Roppongi Hills.
  • Breakfast picks: PATH (Yoyogi-Uehara) for their famed cube croissant; City Bakery (Shinagawa) for pretzel croissants; melon pan from Kagetsudo (Asakusa).
  • Lunch ideas: Fūunji in Shinjuku for tsukemen dipping ramen; Maisen Aoyama Honten for crisp tonkatsu; standing sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi for fast, fresh cuts.
  • Dinner ideas: Uoshin Nogizaka (seafood izakaya, chalkboard specials); Tempura Kondo (light, lacy tempura); Afuri for yuzu-shio ramen refresh.

Featured activities (pick your favorites):


Days 4–5: Markets, Bay Views, and Sumo or Street Karting

  • Tsukiji Outer Market: Snack through tamagoyaki on sticks, grilled scallops, and tuna onigiri. For a seated sushi lunch, try Itadori Bekkan (seafood bowls) or a counter-spot tucked into the alleys.
  • Odaiba and Tokyo Bay: Stroll seaside promenades, see the Rainbow Bridge, and catch an evening ferry view if time allows.
  • Shinjuku Gyoen: Classic Japanese, French, and English gardens—bring a picnic from a depachika.

Day 6: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip

Days 7–8: Day Trip Choice + Modern Tokyo

  • Day 7 choices: Kamakura & Enoshima (Great Buddha, seaside cafes; 70–90 min by train) or Nikkō (opulent Tōshōgū Shrine, cedar avenues; ~2 hrs by limited express). Pack a katsu sando for the ride.
  • Day 8: Ginza shopping arcades, contemporary art in Roppongi, or pop-culture dives in Akihabara. Cocktail aficionados: Bar BenFiddich (apothecary-like infusions) or The SG Club (playful Japanese-meets-tiki).

Where to stay in Tokyo (curated picks):

Getting to Tokyo: Search flights to HND/NRT on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. In-city trains: use Trip.com Trains to check intercity routes and seat classes.

Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s heart of ritual: orange torii gates climbing a sacred mountain, tea steam curling in wooden machiya, and lantern-lit alleys where geiko glide to appointments. With 17 UNESCO sites, the city rewards slow mornings and evening wanders.

Base near Gion/Shijo for atmospheric evenings or Kyoto Station for transit. Start early at popular temples, then detour onto side streets for noodle houses and kissaten coffee.

Days 9–10: Higashiyama Classics and Gion Nights

  • Kiyomizu-dera at opening: Wooden stage over a forested ravine; sip from Otowa Waterfall’s three streams for study, longevity, or love (choose one!).
  • Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka: Stone lanes lined with pottery and wagashi shops; try yatsuhashi and matcha soft-serve.
  • Gion and Ponto-chō: Twilight is best; keep respectful distance if you spot maiko on their way to ozashiki.
  • Eat & drink: Honke Owariya (since 1465—buckwheat soba with tempura), Katsukura (panko-crisp tonkatsu with sesame you grind tableside), Gion Nanba (seasonal kaiseki, reserve ahead), cocktails at Bee’s Knees (speakeasy vibes).

Day 11: Arashiyama Bamboo, River, and Zen

  • Early at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Go at sunrise for a hushed pathway and photos without crowds.
  • Tenryū-ji Temple & Gardens: Zen landscape design with pond reflections of the hills; exit directly into the bamboo path.
  • Riverside lunch: Udon at Omen (handmade noodles) or tofu cuisine at a katsura-side restaurant. Coffee at % Arabica (Arashiyama)—arrive early to avoid lines.

Day 12: Golden Pavilion, Zen Stones, and Castle Walls

  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Photogenic from every angle; continue to Ryōan-ji to contemplate its austere rock garden.
  • Nijō Castle: “Nightingale floors” chirp to foil intruders; stroll the grounds for seasonal blossoms.

Day 13: Uji Tea and Fushimi Sake

  • Uji (30 min from Kyoto): Tour a tea shop for a guided matcha whisking; visit Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall’s museum for exquisite temple art.
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha: Late afternoon ascent through vermilion gates; descend at golden hour and eat at a local izakaya near Fushimi Momoyama.

Day 14: Free Day—Onsen, Crafts, or Private Tour

  • Kurama and Kibune (short train ride) for forest temples and riverside dining decks in season.
  • Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle
    Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons) on Viator
    Tailor the day to crafts studios, tea ceremonies, or lesser-known temples.

Where to stay in Kyoto (curated picks):


Travel Tokyo → Kyoto (Day 9, morning): Shinkansen Nozomi from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station: ~2 hr 15 min, ~$100–$120 one-way reserved. Book seats on Trip.com Trains. Send your suitcase ahead via takkyubin and board with a daypack.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen—rowdy, generous, and delicious. Neon Dotonbori canals, sizzling okonomiyaki grills, and friendly shouty vendors make it a joy to graze, then linger over highball towers in cozy standing bars.

Stay around Namba/Dotonbori for instant food access, or Umeda for transport. Between bites, you’ll day trip to Nara’s deer, Himeji’s perfect castle, and Hiroshima’s poignant peace memorials.

Days 15–16: Dotonbori, Castles, and Skyscraper Views

  • Dotonbori food crawl: Start with takoyaki at Aizuya, okonomiyaki at Mizuno or Kiji, and crab at Kani Doraku (the giant crab sign is your beacon). Try negiyaki (scallion pancake) for a local twist.
  • Osaka Castle: Museum inside, plum and cherry groves outside—arrive early, then picnic on karaage and onigiri from a convenience store.
  • Umeda Sky Building: Outdoor floating garden observatory for sunset cityscapes.
  • Shinsekai & Tsūtenkaku: Sample kushikatsu at Daruma (golden, skewered, and dangerously snackable). Coffee at LiLo Coffee Roasters to reset your palate.

Day 17: Nara Day Trip

  • Transit: JR Yamatoji Rapid from Osaka to Nara ~45–55 min (~$5–$8) or Kintetsu express ~40 min. Pet the past—politely—with free-roaming deer at Nara Park.
  • Tōdai-ji: One of the world’s largest wooden buildings housing a colossal bronze Buddha. Try nakatanidou’s rapid-fire mochi pounding for a sweet snack.

Day 18: Himeji Castle and Kobe

  • Himeji Castle: Japan’s most pristine samurai stronghold, a bright white “heron” poised for flight. Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka ~30–45 min (~$25–$30) or JR rapid ~1 hr 10 min (~$12).
  • Kobe Meriken Park & Sannomiya: Stroll the waterfront, then consider a Kobe beef lunch set at a reputable teppanyaki house—order a lunch course for value.

Day 19: Hiroshima & Miyajima (Long Day, Worth It)

  • Transit: Nozomi from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima ~1 hr 30–45 min (~$70–$80 one-way). Streetcar to the Peace Memorial Park; reflect at the museum and A-Bomb Dome.
  • Miyajima (Itsukushima): Ferry from Miyajimaguchi to the iconic “floating” torii and shrine. Snack on momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) and grilled oysters.

Day 20: Universal Studios Japan or Neighborhood Day

  • USJ: Arrive at opening; Wizarding World and Super Nintendo World are headliners. Buy timed-entry slots as needed.
  • Alternative: Explore retro Nakazakicho cafes, shop at Amerikamura vintage boutiques, and sip at Bar Nayuta (tiny, inventive cocktails).

Day 21: Last Bites and Departure

  • Breakfast at Granknot Coffee, a final okonomiyaki at Kiji, and souvenir runs for kuidaore sweets. Depart from KIX or Itami.

Where to stay in Osaka (curated picks):

Travel Kyoto → Osaka (Day 15, morning): Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka ~15 min (~$10–$12), or JR Special Rapid ~30 min (~$5). Book on Trip.com Trains. For your departure, search flights from KIX/ITM on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.


Logistics at a Glance

  • Transit cards: Grab a Suica/PASMO/ICOCA on arrival; reload at any machine or convenience store.
  • Luggage forwarding: Use same-day/overnight takkyubin between hotels—cheap and time-saving.
  • Etiquette: Queue lines, quiet on trains, cash for small eateries, and shoes off in certain venues.

Trip Summary: Over 21 days, you’ll taste Tokyo’s contrasts, meditate in Kyoto’s temple gardens, and feast through Osaka’s kitchens—while day trips reveal Mt. Fuji’s silhouette, deer parks, samurai castles, and living history on the Inland Sea. With shinkansen efficiency and thoughtful pacing, this itinerary balances must-sees and neighborhood wanderings you’ll talk about for years.

Ready to book your trip?

Search Hotels
Search Homes

Trending Trips

Traveling somewhere else?

Generate a custom itinerary