Three destinations. One week. This itinerary stitches together Japan’s capital of contrasts, Seoul’s palaces and pop-culture pulse, and California’s famed wine country. Expect efficient urban exploring, memorable meals, and a finale among vines and rolling hills.

Tokyo rose from Edo-period roots into the world’s largest metropolis, blending tranquil shrines with hyper-modern districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku. Seoul, shaped by the long-lived Joseon Dynasty and an astonishing 20th-century boom, balances centuries-old hanok villages with cutting-edge design and K-pop culture. In Northern California, American Canyon offers a value-friendly base minutes from Napa Valley vineyards and the Carneros hills.

Practical notes: Pack light for quick city hops. Trains in Japan are punctual to the minute; Seoul’s metro is extensive and bilingual; Napa is best by car or an organized tour. Expect diverse cuisine—Tokyo’s ramen and sushi, Seoul’s barbecue and market eats, and California’s farm-to-table—and remember to book popular spots and tours in advance, especially weekends and holidays.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a kaleidoscope—lantern-lit alleys serving yakitori give way to skyscrapers and street screens the size of billboards. Begin with historic Asakusa and the vermillion gates of Sensō-ji, then glide to Meiji Shrine’s forest before diving into Harajuku and Shibuya’s fashion and crosswalk theater.

Top sights include the Imperial Palace’s outer gardens, Tokyo Skytree for skyline views, and the food halls (depachika) beneath major stations—perfect for sampling seasonal sweets and bento artistry. By night, explore Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai for intimate, atmospheric bars.

• Where to stay (Tokyo): Browse stays on Hotels.com or VRBO. Favorites: The Peninsula Tokyo (imperial elegance), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (fun, central, Godzilla view), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (great transport access), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (rooftop moments), or splurge at Aman Tokyo.
• Getting in and around: Compare flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. For intercity or airport rail, see Trip.com Trains. Suica/PASMO IC cards are widely accepted on subways and buses.
• Eat & drink: Coffee at Fuglen or Blue Bottle Aoyama; slurp tonkotsu at Ichiran or classic shoyu at Ramen Kagari; stand-up sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi; yakitori at Toriyoshi Shinjuku; dessert churros at CHURRO*STAR in Harajuku.

Seoul

Seoul rewards curiosity: royal rooftops gleam at Gyeongbokgung, hanok eaves line Bukchon’s lanes, and a café culture keeps late nights lively. Street food markets sizzle with tteokbokki, mayak gimbap, and crispy bindaetteok.

Don’t miss Insadong’s teahouses, the panoramic N Seoul Tower on Namsan, and the design-forward Seongsu and Ikseon-dong neighborhoods. For modern history, the DMZ offers sobering context and unforgettable views toward the North.

• Where to stay (Seoul): Search Hotels.com or VRBO. Aim for Myeongdong (shopping/central), Insadong (culture), or Hongdae (nightlife).
• Getting there from Tokyo: Morning flights Haneda–Gimpo or Narita–Incheon run ~2h15–2h40; typical economy fares ~$120–$250 if booked early. Check Kiwi.com or Trip.com.
• Eat & drink: Start at Café Onion Anguk (hanok café and excellent pastries); lunch at Myeongdong Kyoja (hand-cut kalguksu); barbecue dinner at Mapo Jeong Daepo or Yuktongryeong (marbled pork); craft beer at Amazing Brewing Co. Seongsu; late dessert bingsu at Sulbing.

American Canyon (Napa Valley Gateway)

American Canyon sits at Napa Valley’s southern doorstep, minutes from Carneros vineyards, Napa River wetlands, and family-friendly trails. It’s a smart, budget-conscious base with easy access to Yountville, Napa, and Sonoma.

Spend golden hours at hilltop estates like Artesa (modernist architecture, sweeping views) or chase castle vibes at Castello di Amorosa up-valley. Balance tastings with farm-to-table dining, Oxbow Public Market grazing, and riverside strolls.

• Where to stay (American Canyon): Compare stays on Hotels.com or VRBO. You’re 15–25 minutes from downtown Napa and Carneros.
• Getting there from Seoul: Nonstop ICN–SFO is ~10.5–11.5 hours. Expect ~$550–$950 roundtrip equivalents; search Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Drive SFO to American Canyon in 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic; consider a rental car.
• Eat & drink: Coffee at Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company (Napa); casual lunch at Gott’s Roadside (juicy burgers, ahi poke tacos); Oxbow Public Market (Hog Island Oyster Co., C Casa tacos, Ritual Coffee kiosk); dinner at La Calenda (Oaxacan cuisine) or Bottega (Italian) in Yountville.

Day 1 — Arrive Tokyo (Afternoon & Evening)

Afternoon: Land in Tokyo and check in. If you’re staying near Shinjuku, stretch your legs at Shinjuku Gyoen’s landscaped gardens. Coffee pick-me-up at Fuglen Shinjuku or % Arabica.

Evening: Head to Shibuya. See Hachikō’s statue, then experience the famous Scramble Crossing—its neon glow has symbolized Tokyo’s hustle since the 20th century. Dinner ideas: Ichiran (customizable tonkotsu ramen), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (stand-up sushi), or Teyandei Nishi-Azabu (izakaya classics like karaage and grilled mackerel). Nightcap in Golden Gai’s tiny bars—each with its own theme and soundtrack.

Day 2 — Tokyo Icons, Shrines, and a Shinjuku Food Safari

Morning: Asakusa first: walk Nakamise shopping street to Sensō-ji’s thunder gate and incense censer. Snack on melonpan from Asakusa Kagetsudō. Hop to Ueno Park if you love museums—or to Kappabashi “Kitchen Town” for blades and ceramics.

Afternoon: Meiji Shrine’s cedar-scented approach contrasts with nearby Harajuku’s Takeshita Street (crepes, vintage shops). Browse Omotesandō’s architectural boutiques. Late-day views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free) or Tokyo Skytree (ticketed).

Evening: Join an expert-led tasting walk and eat like a local in alleyway eateries:

Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

Expect yakitori, nikomi stew, gyoza, and regional specialties, with stories behind each bite. If you prefer DIY, try Omoide Yokocho’s tiny grills or Nabezo for sukiyaki/shabu-shabu.

Day 3 — Fly Tokyo to Seoul (Morning), Palaces and Hanok Lanes

Morning: Fly Haneda–Gimpo or Narita–Incheon (~2h15–2h40). Search and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport rail or taxi into the city; drop bags.

Afternoon: Gyeongbokgung Palace: see the changing of the guard at Gwanghwamun, explore throne halls and courtyards, and pop into the National Folk Museum. Stroll Bukchon Hanok Village’s traditional lanes toward Insadong for tea—try omija or jujube tea with rice cakes.

Evening: Myeongdong street-food crawl: tteokbokki, tornado potatoes, hotteok stuffed with brown sugar, and skewered chicken. Dinner sit-down options: Myeongdong Kyoja (dumplings and noodles) or Tosokchon Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) near the palace. For views, ride up to N Seoul Tower on Namsan after dark.

Day 4 — DMZ History, Markets, and Craft Beer

Morning–Afternoon: Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone with a licensed guide to understand the peninsula’s modern history. Expect the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and border narratives.

Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional)

Evening: Gwangjang Market is perfect for a post-tour feast—order mayak gimbap (addictive mini-rolls), bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), and yukhoe (Korean steak tartare) from long-standing stalls. Cap the night with a pint at Amazing Brewing Co. (Seongsu) or a café stop in Ikseon-dong’s hanok alleys.

Day 5 — Fly Seoul to San Francisco, Drive to American Canyon

Morning: Nonstop ICN–SFO departs throughout the day; aim for a morning flight (~10.5–11.5 hours). Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Pick up a rental car and drive to American Canyon (1.5–2 hours). Check in, refresh, then head out for golden-hour vineyard views—Artesa’s hilltop terrace or Domaine Carneros’ grand staircase are close and scenic.

Evening: Dinner in Napa: Oxbow Public Market lets you graze—Hog Island oysters, Karaage at one of the counters, or C Casa’s wood-grilled tacos. For sit-down, La Calenda in Yountville serves Oaxacan mole and house-made tortillas; Bottega delivers polished Italian with a lively patio.

Day 6 — Napa & Sonoma Wine Country (Full Day)

Let a driver handle the roads so you can savor tastings across two valleys, with free time for lunch and photos among vineyards and historic plazas.

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

Typical stops include a mix of renowned estates and boutique producers; tasting fees vary by winery (often $30–$60 per flight). If you prefer to self-drive, plot a gentle loop: Carneros sparkling to start, a family-run Sonoma tasting room midday, and a Napa Cabernet specialist to finish—always book ahead and drink responsibly.

Day 7 — Slow Morning in Wine Country, Depart in the Afternoon

Morning: Easy breakfast at Café 29 (American Canyon) or Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company (Napa). Take a short wetland walk at the Napa River Bay Trail for birdwatching, or pop into Yountville for Bouchon Bakery pastries and a stroll among public art installations.

Afternoon: Drive back to SFO for your flight. If time allows, pause at the Golden Gate Vista Point for a last California panorama before the airport.

Practical Booking Shortlist

• Flights: Global options via Kiwi.com and Trip.com.
• Japan trains: Check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains.
• Hotels (Tokyo): The Peninsula Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, or browse all Tokyo stays and Tokyo VRBOs.
• Hotels (Seoul): Browse Seoul stays and Seoul VRBOs.
• Hotels (American Canyon): Check American Canyon stays and VRBO vacation homes.
• Included tours: Shinjuku Food Tour, DMZ Tour, Napa & Sonoma Day Tour.

Optional Add-On (If You Keep an Extra Day in Tokyo)

If you extend your Japan time, a classic nature escape pairs perfectly with the city:

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

Ascend to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting), cruise Lake Ashi, and ride the ropeway over Owakudani’s volcanic valley—then zip back to Tokyo by shinkansen.

Final word: In one high-energy week, you’ll capture three distinct travel moods—Tokyo’s glow and gastronomy, Seoul’s depth and dynamism, and Napa Valley’s golden landscapes—linked by straightforward flights and easy, curated days. Expect a satisfying blend of culture, cuisine, and countryside worthy of a repeat visit to each.