Japan folds millennia of history into the present moment: Shinto shrines and Zen gardens sit calmly beneath supertall skylines, and the whisper of tea steam coexists with the thrum of late-night ramen counters. From Edo-era alleyways to avant-garde design, the country rewards curiosity—and couples will find romance everywhere, from riverside lantern-lit lanes to serene hot-spring baths.

Food is a through-line: crisp tempura eaten standing at a counter, charcoal-kissed yakitori in pocket-size taverns, Kyoto’s seasonal kaiseki, and convenience-store marvels (don’t sleep on onigiri). Trains run to the minute, cash is still handy (IC cards like Suica/ICOCA work on phones), and tipping isn’t customary. Onsen etiquette matters: rinse well before soaking, and tattoos may need cover stickers in some baths.

This 6-day plan centers on Tokyo’s energy and Kyoto’s elegance with a romantic day trip to Hakone for Mt. Fuji views and hot springs. You’ll live like locals in neighborhood markets, unwind in spas, and enjoy nightlife from tiny Tokyo bars to Kyoto’s storied Gion—all paced for a mid-range budget with a “treat-ourselves” moment or two.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a constellation of villages stitched together by rail. Shinjuku’s kinetic glow, Asakusa’s temple bells, Omotesandō’s couture, and Yanaka’s old-town lanes give you a panorama of the city’s many moods. For romance, time sunset at Shibuya Sky or a riverside stroll in Nakameguro; for “live-like-a-local,” graze depachika food halls and squeeze into tiny tachinomi standing bars.

• Top sights: Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree, teamLab Borderless (in Azabudai Hills), and the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
• Local neighborhoods: Shimokitazawa (thrift and cafes), Yanaka Ginza (retro Tokyo), Kichijoji (park + izakaya), and Koenji (vinyl and yakitori).
• Dining ideas: Standing sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi; gyukatsu at Gyukatsu Motomura; soba at Kanda Yabu Soba; tempura at Tsunahachi; late-night ramen at Ichiran or Nagi.

Where to stay (mid-range picks): Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-head views, steps from Golden Gai), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (next to JR hub; great value), or Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (roomy, convenient). Browse more stays: Hotels.com Tokyo or apartment-style options on VRBO Tokyo.

Getting in: Fly into HND (closer) or NRT. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Narita Express to central Tokyo ~60 min; Haneda monorail/Keikyū ~30–45 min.

Kyoto

Kyoto, the imperial heart for a thousand years, is where moss gardens and vermilion gates frame the day. Wander the stone lanes of Sannenzaka, listen for the clang of temple bells, then drift into a riverside dinner on Pontocho Alley. It’s a slower tempo—ideal for couples.

• Top sights: Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji, Fushimi Inari’s torii tunnels, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and the Philosopher’s Path.
• Local experiences: Nishiki Market tastings, Funaoka Onsen soak, tea at Ippodo, sake crawl in Fushimi.
• Dining ideas: Obanzai (Kyoto home cooking) at Mumokuteki; tofu hot pot at Yudofu Sagano; yakitori at Torito; wagashi (sweets) at Kagizen Yoshifusa.

Where to stay (mid-range picks): Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (smart, central), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (quiet elegance near Nishi Hongan-ji), or budget-chic Piece Hostel Sanjo. Browse more: Hotels.com Kyoto and VRBO Kyoto.

Getting there from Tokyo: Shinkansen (Nozomi) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto ~2 hr 15–30 min, ~¥14,000 one-way reserved. Check schedules on Trip.com trains.

Day 1: Arrive Tokyo, Old-Town Charm and Neon Night

Morning: Fly to Tokyo. Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If landing at HND, you’re ~30–45 minutes from central Tokyo; NRT is ~60 minutes by Narita Express.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel in Shinjuku. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll through Asakusa: visit Senso-ji Temple, browse Nakamise for taiyaki and ningyō-yaki, and peek down Denpoin-dori’s retro lanes. Coffee break at Café de l’Ambre (Ginza) for old-school kissaten vibes, or grab matcha ice cream at Suzukien around Asakusa.

Evening: Head to Shibuya for sunset at Shibuya Sky (epic 360° views; pre-book if possible). Dinner at an izakaya: try Uobei for fun conveyor-belt sushi on a budget, or Teyandei (Nishiazabu) for cozy, date-night small plates. Nightcap in Golden Gai’s tiny bars (carry cash; quiet voices; small cover charges are normal), or the award-winning The SG Club (Shibuya) for cocktails.

Day 2: Tokyo Icons, Then a Night of Local Eats

Morning & Afternoon (Guided): See the greatest hits efficiently on the 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour—a panoramic introduction with Meiji Shrine, a matcha experience, Skytree admission, and a Tokyo Bay ferry when operating.

Breakfast: Start nearby with buttery croissants at VIRON (Shibuya) or egg sandos at a Lawson or 7-Eleven (konbini breakfast is a Tokyo rite). Lunch: The tour typically includes time near attractions; grab tempura at Tsunahachi Shinjuku or a bento.

Evening: Dive deeper into Shinjuku on the Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)—a tasty way to meet locals and learn tavern etiquette while sampling yakitori, oden, and more.

Late-night unwind: Soak together at Spa LaQua (Tokyo Dome City): mineral baths, carbonated tubs, and couples’ relaxation lounges—perfect after a big sightseeing day.

Day 3: Romantic Mt. Fuji & Hakone Onsen Day Trip

Full Day (Guided): Escape to the mountains on the Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. Typical highlights: Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather-dependent), Lake Ashi cruise, Owakudani volcanic valley, and a Shinkansen ride back—efficient and scenic.

Food tips: Pack onigiri from a konbini for the coach ride; in Hakone, look for kuro-tamago (sulfur-black eggs) at Owakudani—legend says eating one adds seven years to your life. Back in Tokyo, celebrate with tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten or tsukemen at Rokurinsha (Tokyo Station).

Night: Easy romance: stroll Nakameguro’s canal or explore Daikanyama’s quiet boutiques and wine bars.

Day 4: Tokyo → Kyoto by Shinkansen, Higashiyama Lanes, Gion by Night

Morning: Depart Tokyo to Kyoto via Shinkansen (Nozomi ~2 hr 15–30 min; ~¥14,000). Check times and fares on Trip.com trains. Drop bags at your Kyoto hotel near Shijo, Karasuma, or Kyoto Station for easy transit.

Afternoon: Explore Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden terrace, then amble down the stone-paved Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka lanes. Snack on yatsuhashi (cinnamon sweets) and try matcha soft serve. Coffee stop at % Arabica Higashiyama for a scenic espresso.

Evening (Guided): Learn the etiquette and stories of Kyoto’s geiko and maiko on the Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour—an atmospheric date-night introduction to the quarter’s history and customs.

Dinner: Pontocho Alley: book a riverside kaiseki (seasonal tasting) for a splurge, or opt for Torito Pontocho’s yakitori and Kyoto vegetables. Nightcap at L’Escamoteur, a magical apothecary-style cocktail bar with candlelit romance.

Day 5: Arashiyama at Dawn, Fushimi Inari, and a Relaxing Onsen

Morning: Go early to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the crowds, then visit Tenryu-ji’s gardens. Walk the Katsura River to the Togetsukyo Bridge; rent a rowboat for two if the weather’s kind. Breakfast here is lovely: try walnut mochi from local stalls or a Japanese set at % Arabica Arashiyama.

Afternoon: Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha; hike a romantic loop beneath thousands of vermilion torii. Coffee at Vermillion - espresso & bar (hidden in the trees). If you’re into sake, continue to the Fushimi district for tastings at breweries and the Fushimi Sake Village food court.

Evening (Spa + Eats): Soak like locals at Funaoka Onsen (classic sento; follow posted rules). Dinner near Nishiki Market: try obanzai at Izutsuya or delicate tempura at Tenki. For nightlife, craft beer at BUNGALOW or mellow jazz at Hello Dolly.

Day 6: Slow Kyoto Morning, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Browse Nishiki Market for tamagoyaki sticks, grilled eel skewers, and pickles—ideal edible souvenirs. Stroll the Philosopher’s Path if time allows, especially lovely in spring and early summer.

Lunch: Ramen finale: Menbaka Fire Ramen (watch the dramatic scallion “fire” show; reservations help) or classic soy ramen at Honke Daiichi-Asahi near Kyoto Station.

Afternoon departure: If flying out of Kansai International (KIX), take the JR Haruka Limited Express from Kyoto Station (~75 min). Compare flight options on Trip.com flights. If returning to Tokyo for a flight, the Nozomi gets you to Tokyo Station in roughly 2.5 hours—check times on Trip.com trains.

Budget tips for your “50/100” spend

• Mix splurges (kaiseki, observation decks) with great-value meals: department store depachika bentos, standing sushi, lunch sets (teishoku) under ¥1,500.
• Use IC cards on your phone for transit and vending machines; taxis only when late. Convenience-store breakfasts save time and money.
• Choose mid-range hotels steps from major stations to cut transit costs and maximize exploring time.

Optional add-ons (if you have extra time): teamLab Borderless in Tokyo for immersive art; the Philosopher’s Path in peak sakura; a tea ceremony in Kyoto; or a Tokyo sumo experience if your dates align.

Where to book key experiences featured above:

• Tokyo day highlights: 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour
• Evening eats like a local: Shinjuku Food Tour
• Romantic mountain escape: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Tour
• Kyoto by lantern light: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour

Extra hotel options if you want to splurge one night: Tokyo: The Peninsula Tokyo or The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. Kyoto: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.

In six days you’ll taste the spectrum—Tokyo’s skyline drama, Kyoto’s temple serenity, and the misty romance of Hakone’s hot springs. The itinerary keeps travel easy, meals memorable, and evenings unhurried—leaving room for serendipity and a reason to return.