Japan’s story arcs from ancient courts to avant‑garde cities. Kyoto once ruled as imperial heart for over a millennium, while Tokyo—a fishing village called Edo—grew into the world’s biggest urban tapestry. Today you can sip matcha near mossy shrines at dawn and watch Shibuya Crossing’s neon ballet by night.

Across this 22‑day itinerary, you’ll base in three hubs—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—and branch out on easy day trips to Mount Fuji and Hakone, Nara, Kamakura, Yokohama, Himeji, and Kobe. Expect efficient trains, kind manners, and meals that swing from standing‑bar sushi to refined kaiseki.

Practical notes: tap an IC card (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) for most local transit, and ride the Shinkansen between regions. With a mid‑range budget (~56/100), mix stylish business hotels with value dining and the occasional splurge. Cash still matters at small shops; most major spots take cards.

Tokyo

Tokyo is kinetic poetry—lantern-lit alleys slotted between glass towers, quiet gardens buffered from bullet-train hum, and department store basements (depachika) that feel like edible museums. From Asakusa’s incense to Harajuku’s pop fashion and Roppongi’s galleries, it’s many cities in one.

• Top neighborhoods: Shinjuku nightlife and observatories, Shibuya’s scramble and boutique backstreets, Asakusa’s Senso‑ji, Daikanyama/Nakameguro for cafés, Akihabara for retro arcades and anime.
• Iconic experiences: Meiji Jingu’s cedar paths, Tsukiji Outer Market tastings, teamLab’s immersive art (Planets in Toyosu), and Sumida River or Odaiba bay views.
• Fun fact: Shibuya Crossing funnels thousands per light cycle and has starred in films and music videos since the 1990s.

Where to stay (mid‑range + options):

• Search all stays: VRBO Tokyo | Hotels.com Tokyo
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (excellent transport hub; reliable rooms; value).
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Kabukicho fun, Godzilla head views; compact, modern).
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (larger rooms, convenient to Shinjuku sights).
• Splurge: Aman Tokyo (serene, design-forward, sky‑high pool).

Getting to Tokyo: Fly into HND/NRT. Compare fares and times on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Direct airport–city rides: the Narita Express (book via Trip.com trains), or a door-to-door option via Viator below.

• Private transfer: Narita Airport(NRT) Private Transfer To/From Tokyo 1-way or Round (comfortable for groups).

Days 1–5: Tokyo Essentials—Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Odaiba

Start in Shinjuku: stroll Shinjuku Gyoen’s seasonal blooms, ride to the free Metropolitan Government Building observatory, then explore Omoide Yokocho’s yakitori stalls and Golden Gai’s tiny bars (go early, be respectful of seating rules).

Spend a day on the Shibuya–Harajuku corridor. Cross the Scramble, peer from Shibuya Sky, then walk Cat Street to Omotesando’s architectural parade. Detour to Meiji Jingu’s forested calm. Shop Tokyu Hands and Loft for clever souvenirs.

In Asakusa, approach Senso‑ji via Nakamise’s traditional snack shops (try ningyo‑yaki cakes), then ferry to Odaiba for sunset over Rainbow Bridge and Japan’s playful science museums.

Tokyo food and coffee picks:

• Breakfast/coffee: Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro roastery vibes), Fuglen Tokyo (Nordic‑Japanese cafe culture), or Bread, Espresso & in Omotesando for warm shokupan.
• Lunch: Uogashi Nihon‑Ichi standing sushi (quick, fresh), Afuri (yuzu‑shio ramen), Tempura Tsunahachi (classic since 1923; go early).
• Dinner: Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama (silky pork cutlets), Torikizoku (budget yakitori chain, fun with friends), or Katsu Midori (popular conveyor sushi; expect a queue).
• Night: Bar Benfiddich (inventive botanicals) or Nekkoya in Golden Gai (tiny, welcoming; check cover charges).

Bookable Tokyo activities:

• Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day

  

  
  Ideal early in your stay to get bearings—tailor stops to interests.
• Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

  

  
  A flavorful intro to izakaya culture and regional bites.
• Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo

  

  
  Up‑close insight into sumo techniques outside tournament season.
• Flagship 2-Hours Official Street Go-Kart Tour - Tokyo Bay Shop

  

  
  A playful drive past bayside icons. Valid license/IDP required; follow all rules.

Days 6–9: Tokyo Day Trips—Mt. Fuji/Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama

Mt. Fuji & Hakone (full day): Lake views, ropeways, and hot-spring steam. Time your visit for clear morning skies. Return by Shinkansen for speed.

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

  

• Mount Fuji Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Tokyo

  

Kamakura & Enoshima: Great Buddha (Daibutsu), bamboo grove at Hokoku‑ji, then seaside snacks on Enoshima. Train: ~1 hr from Tokyo Station; ~¥1,000–1,200 one‑way.

Yokohama: Cup Noodles Museum, Minato Mirai skyline, and Japan’s largest Chinatown for steamed buns. Train: 30 min; ~¥480 one‑way.

Tokyo → Kyoto travel (morning of Day 10): Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi from Tokyo/Shinagawa to Kyoto: ~2 hr 20 min, reserved seat ~¥14,000–15,500 (US$95–110). Check departures and book seats on Trip.com trains. Aim for a 9:00 AM departure to arrive before lunch.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the city of seasons and subtlety. Vermilion gates climb the mountain at Fushimi Inari; Kiyomizu‑dera floats on timber stilts; Gion’s wooden machiya whisper of tea houses and geiko traditions. Bicycles, river walks, and temple bells define the pace.

• Highlights: Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Tenryu‑ji gardens, golden Kinkaku‑ji, rock‑raked Ryoan‑ji, and Philosopher’s Path in sakura season.
• Cultural threads: tea ceremony, kaiseki cuisine, and artisan crafts from fans to Nishijin textiles.
• Tip: Start famous sites at opening; afternoons are for lesser‑known temples and cafes.

Where to stay:

• Search all stays: VRBO Kyoto | Hotels.com Kyoto
• Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (great transport, clean, wallet‑friendly).
• Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (quiet base near Nishi Hongan‑ji; smart rooms).
• Budget standout: Piece Hostel Sanjo (social, sleek common areas).
• Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (riverside luxury, fine dining).

Kyoto tours to consider:

• 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)

  

  
  Efficient for covering headline temples with context.
• From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day Tour

  

  
  Links Kyoto’s icons with deer‑dotted Nara in one sweep.

Days 10–13: Central Kyoto, Gion, and Arashiyama

Begin at Fushimi Inari just after sunrise through endless torii. Then to Kiyomizu‑dera for city views and a saunter down Sannen‑zaka’s stone lanes for yatsuhashi sweets and ceramics.

Wander Nishiki Market—sample soy doughnuts at Konnamonja, tamagoyaki at Miki Keiran, and tsukemono pickles. Evening in Gion and Pontocho Alley: look for apprentice geiko on their way to appointments (no photos in private alleys).

Dedicate a day to Arashiyama: bamboo grove at dawn, Tenryu‑ji garden, riverside lunch, then Iwatayama Monkey Park climb. Tea at % Arabica by the river if queue is reasonable.

Kyoto eats and sips:

• Breakfast/coffee: Inoda Coffee (retro kissaten vibe), % Arabica (single‑origin espresso), Vermillion (near Fushimi Inari, quiet terrace).
• Lunch: Omen Kodai‑ji (udon + vegetable toppings), Musashi Sushi (belt sushi, easygoing), Gion Tanto (homey obanzai).
• Dinner: Yudofu Okutan (temple tofu near Nanzen‑ji), Katsukura (panko‑light tonkatsu), Pontocho’s Issian (yakitori; book if possible).
• Evening: Sake flights at Fushimi sake bars; riverside stroll along Kamogawa.

Days 14–16: Day Trips—Nara, Uji Tea, Northern Hills

Nara (½–full day): Todai‑ji’s Great Buddha, Nara Park’s bowing deer, Kasuga Taisha’s lantern-lined paths. Train from Kyoto: 45–60 min; ~¥720–1,200 each way.

Uji (½ day): Byodo‑in Phoenix Hall and fragrant tea shops. Try a whisked usucha and matcha soft‑serve. Train: ~20–30 min; ~¥240–320.

Kurama–Kibune: A forested hike between mountain temples; soak at Kurama Onsen after. Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi: ~30–40 min; ~¥430.

Kyoto → Osaka travel (morning of Day 17): JR Special Rapid to Osaka Station: ~30 min; ~¥570. Or Shinkansen to Shin‑Osaka: 15 min; ~¥1,500. Check timetables and book if needed via Trip.com trains.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s “nation’s kitchen”—a city that snacks, chats, and glows. Dotonbori’s canal reflects neon crabs and the Glico runner; Shinsekai serves retro nostalgia; and markets sizzle with takoyaki and kushikatsu.

• Essentials: Osaka Castle’s museum and ramparts, Umeda Sky Building’s floating garden, Namba Yasaka Shrine’s lion‑head stage, and Kuromon Market tastings.
• Vibe: informal, friendly, and proudly foodie—ideal for late‑night grazing.

Where to stay:

• Search all stays: VRBO Osaka | Hotels.com Osaka
• Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps from Dotonbori/Namba; great value).
• Swissotel Nankai Osaka (above Nankai Namba Station; easy KIX access).
• Budget: Hotel Taiyo (basic, handy to Shinsekai).
• Family/USJ: Hotel Universal Port (fun rooms near Universal CityWalk).

Osaka food tour to book:

• Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries

  

  
  Navigate hidden tachinomi bars and steam‑filled counters with a local.

Days 17–19: Osaka Core—Dotonbori, Shinsekai, Osaka Castle

Start at Osaka Castle, then lunch at Kuromon Market (grilled scallops, toro nigiri, and fresh fruit skewers). Afternoon coffee at Lilo Coffee Roasters near Shinsaibashi.

Evening in Dotonbori: try takoyaki at Aizuya (inventors of the dish), okonomiyaki at Mizuno (griddle theatrics), and a riverside stroll under the Glico sign. Finish with craft beers at Minoh Beer’s tap stand or cocktails at Bar Nayuta (reservation recommended).

Shinsekai brings retro Osaka: ride Tsutenkaku Tower and skewer‑hop through kushikatsu shops (dip once!).

Days 20–22: Day Trips—Himeji, Kobe, (Optional) Hiroshima/Miyajima

Himeji Castle: Japan’s finest original feudal castle, a white heron in stone and plaster. Shinkansen from Shin‑Osaka: ~30 min; ~¥3,500 one‑way. Stroll Koko‑en garden next door for pond reflections.

Kobe: Nankinmachi (Chinatown) snacks, harbor views at Meriken Park, and a splurge on Kobe beef (look for A5 grade and reputable counters around Sannomiya). JR Special Rapid: ~25 min; ~¥570.

Optional Hiroshima & Miyajima (long day): Shinkansen to Hiroshima (~1 hr 30 min), visit Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then ferry to Miyajima for Itsukushima’s floating torii and maple‑leaf momiji manju. It’s a full day; start by 7:00 AM.

Osaka eats and coffee:

• Breakfast/coffee: LiLo Coffee Roasters (single origins), Granknot Coffee (industrial‑chic), Ogawa (kissaten classics).
• Lunch: Endo Sushi at Osaka Central Fish Market (fresh, fast), Harukoma Sushi (bustling counter), Hanamaruken (pork rib ramen).
• Dinner: Mizuno or Ajinoya (okonomiyaki), Daruma (kushikatsu), Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M for marbled beef you grill yourself.

Departure

Fly home from Osaka’s KIX (or Itami ITM for domestic hops). Compare routes and prices on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If returning to Tokyo for onward travel, the Shinkansen from Shin‑Osaka to Tokyo takes ~2 hr 30 min; book via Trip.com trains.

Budget tips for a 56/100 spend: Mix hotel breakfasts with conbini (7‑Eleven) on busy mornings; use lunchtime for pricier sushi/kaiseki sets; grab prepaid IC cards for bus/subway; and reserve Shinkansen seats in advance for peace of mind.

Optional extras you can slot in: A Tokyo day of go‑karts through Shibuya again (alternate route): Shibuya Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya Annex

or swap in a different sumo show in Asakusa with a hot-pot meal: Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Photo .

Summary: This three‑city Japan itinerary balances headline sights with slow mornings, neighborhood rambles, and day trips that add breadth without packing/unpacking stress. You’ll leave with temple incense in your clothes, playlists from alley bars, and a short list of foods you’ll crave for years.