Japan is a wonderland for people who plan trips around meals and the next great cup of coffee. From Tokyo’s record number of Michelin stars to Osaka’s rollicking street food, you’ll find precision, passion, and deliciousness in every neighborhood. This itinerary blends classic flavors—sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki—with specialty coffee, kissaten (old-school cafés), and lively night spots.

Tokyo evolved from a samurai seat to the world’s largest metropolis, and with it came an unmatched dining scene—tiny counters, immaculate markets, and craft-obsessed roasters. Osaka, nicknamed “the Nation’s Kitchen,” perfected casual feasting: takoyaki, kushikatsu, and the savory pancake known as okonomiyaki, washed down with sake or highballs.

Practical notes: cards are widely accepted, but small izakaya and markets may prefer cash. Expect queues for famous spots; arrive early or have backups. Trains are punctual to the minute; load a transit IC card (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) and you’re set. For flights into Japan, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a tapestry of neighborhoods and tastes: sushi before sunrise, smoky yakitori alleys at dusk, and serene kissaten pouring careful hand-drip brews. It’s also a capital of third‑wave coffee, where roasters treat beans like single‑malt.

• Don’t miss: Tsukiji Outer Market tastings, an izakaya night under the Yurakucho tracks, Shibuya Crossing, and the coffee district of Kiyosumi‑Shirakawa.
• Coffee hits: Koffee Mameya (bean‑focused temple), Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro), Fuglen (Scandi‑Japanese vibe), Glitch (light roasts), Little Nap (by Yoyogi Park), Cafe de L’Ambre (kissaten legend since 1948).
• Where to stay: Shinjuku for nightlife and transit, Shibuya/Omotesando for shopping and cafes, Ginza for walkable dining.

Search stays: Browse apartments and hotels in Tokyo on VRBO or compare on Hotels.com.

Getting to Tokyo: Fly into Haneda (closer) or Narita with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Keisei Skyliner or JR/Narita Express connect to the city; from Haneda, the monorail or Keikyu line is quickest.

Day 1: Arrival, Shibuya Stroll, and Ramen Night

Morning: In transit. Eat lightly on the plane to save room for your first bowls in Tokyo.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs around Shibuya. Grab a first coffee at Fuglen Shibuya (retro Nordic‑Japanese design, excellent pour‑overs and natural wines by night). Watch the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing and pay a quick visit to the Hachiko statue for a bit of local lore.

Evening: Slurp yuzu‑shio ramen at Afuri (citrusy, clean broth that resets the palate after a flight). If you’re still peckish, pop into an onigiri stand for late‑night rice balls (try salmon or umeboshi). Early night to adjust.

Day 2: Tsukiji Outer Market, Kiyosumi Coffee District, and Ginza Cocktails

Morning: Arrive early to Tsukiji Outer Market. Snack as you wander: tamagoyaki from a griddle stall, sweet strawberries in winter, grilled scallops with butter, and a tuna/uni donburi. For a casual counter sushi, Sushizanmai branches do solid toro and seasonal specials without a splurge. Espresso fans: detour to Turret Coffee (Tsukiji) for a punchy shot inspired by market “turret” trucks.

Afternoon: Ride to Kiyosumi‑Shirakawa, Tokyo’s “coffee town.” Visit Blue Bottle’s roastery for tasting flights, then ARiSE Coffee Roasters for small‑batch beans. If you love bean geekery, Koffee Mameya guides you to origin‑driven brews and helps pick beans for home.

Evening: Do an izakaya crawl under the Yurakucho/Ginza tracks (“gado‑shita”). Order yakitori (try tsukune meatballs and tebasaki wings), simmered oden, and highballs. For a refined nightcap, Bar High Five (Ginza) crafts bespoke classics; tell the bartender your base spirit and mood.

Day 3: Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Cafes, and Ebisu Yokocho

Morning: Walk the forested approach to Meiji Shrine, then coffee at Little Nap Coffee Stand by Yoyogi Park (smooth milk drinks, relaxed vibe). Brunch at Bread, Espresso & in Omotesando for custardy French toast or a panini while people‑watching.

Afternoon: Café‑hop across Omotesando, Aoyama, and Nakameguro: try Koffee Mameya (bean consultations, no seating), then Onibus Coffee Nakameguro (patio by the tracks). Browse Daikanyama T‑Site and indie boutiques; pick up Japanese drip bags as souvenirs.

Evening: Eat around Ebisu Yokocho, a lively hall of micro‑stalls—grilled skewers, Hokkaido seafood, Okinawan bites. Finish with a seasonal cocktail at Trench (amaro‑forward menu, elegant speakeasy atmosphere) or head to Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho for late‑night skewers if you prefer grit and neon.

Day 4: Kissaten Heritage, Tonkatsu Lunch, and Sushi or Tempura Dinner

Morning: Pay homage to kissaten culture at Cafe de L’Ambre (Ginza). Order a hand‑drip single origin or an aged bean for a caramel, whisky‑like depth. Stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens afterward for a breather.

Afternoon: Tonkatsu at Tonki (Meguro) is ritual and craft: thick‑cut pork, panko fried to a blonde crunch, and miso soup with shijimi clams. If the line’s long, Maisen Aoyama’s fillet katsu is a worthy alternate. Explore Akihabara or Ameyoko Market for snacks and kitchen tools.

Evening: Choose your splurge: a sushi counter such as Umegaoka Sushi no Midori (great quality-to-price, expect a line) or a tempura omakase like Tempura Kondo (reserve ahead). Nightcap with Japanese whisky in Shinjuku—ask for a flight to compare regions (Yoichi vs. Miyagikyo vs. Chichibu).

Osaka

Osaka eats with gusto. Neon‑drenched Dotonbori is a carnival of steam and sizzle, while markets and mom‑and‑pop counters dish regional staples perfected over generations. Coffee culture is rising fast, anchored by roasters who favor balanced, chocolate‑forward profiles.

• Don’t miss: Dotonbori’s takoyaki crawl, okonomiyaki griddles, Kuromon Ichiba Market, Umeda Sky Building’s sunset, and kissaten breakfasts.
• Coffee hits: Lilo Coffee Roasters (precise brewing), Mel Coffee Roasters (small‑batch, Hommachi), Takamura Wine & Coffee Roasters (warehouse chic, serious gear), and Marufuku Coffee (kissaten icon since 1934).
• Where to stay: Namba/Dotonbori for food at your doorstep, Umeda/Kitashinchi for transport and bars, Kitahama for riverside calm and cafés.

Search stays: Compare apartments and hotels in Osaka on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Tokyo → Osaka travel: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi) from Tokyo Station to Shin‑Osaka in about 2 hr 30 min; reserved seats are roughly ¥14,500–¥15,500 (~$95–$105). Search schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains. Flying is ~1 hr plus airport transfers; compare prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Shinkansen to Osaka, Dotonbori Feast, and Lilo Coffee

Morning: Depart Tokyo after breakfast; aim for a mid‑morning Nozomi so you can lunch in Osaka. Pick a right‑side window for a chance at Mount Fuji views if it’s clear.

Afternoon: Check in near Namba, then dive into Dotonbori. Snack progression: takoyaki from Wanaka (creamy interior, bonito flurry), grilled crab legs from Kani Doraku’s street counter, then okonomiyaki at Mizuno (their yam‑based batter is a local favorite). Coffee reset at Lilo Coffee Roasters—choose from multiple origins dialed for pour‑over or espresso.

Evening: Stroll Hozenji Yokocho’s stone lanes and visit Hozenji Temple. For dinner, kushikatsu at Daruma—order a mix (pork, quail egg, lotus root) and remember the rule: no double‑dipping in the sauce. Nightcap along the canal or a highball bar in Namba.

Day 6: Market Morning, Castle Greens, and Umeda Skyline

Morning: Breakfast graze at Kuromon Ichiba Market: charcoal‑grilled eel skewers, buttery otoro, sea urchin cups, and sweet tamago. If you want classic sushi, go early to Endo Sushi near the wholesale market—set plates showcase the day’s best.

Afternoon: Coffee at Mel Coffee Roasters (taste their seasonal filter roast), then head to Osaka Castle Park for a leafy walk. Snack stop: Rikuro’s (Rikuro Ojisan) cheesecake in Namba—still warm and jiggly from the oven, mild and airy rather than dense.

Evening: Catch sunset from the Umeda Sky Building’s Floating Garden Observatory. Dinner at Kiji (Umeda) for Osaka‑style okonomiyaki cooked at the counter—watch the choreography of batter, cabbage, pork, and lacquered sauce. Sip Japanese whisky after at Bar K in Kitashinchi; ask for a guided tasting across regions.

Day 7: Kissaten Breakfast, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Settle into Marufuku Coffee (Namba), a handsome kissaten from 1934. Order the thick toast set with jam and a cup of dark, toasty drip coffee. If you prefer a modern roastery, Takamura Wine & Coffee Roasters pours excellent espresso in an airy warehouse.

Afternoon: Last‑minute shopping in Shinsaibashi and a quick ramen lunch—try Jinrui Mina Menrui for a refined shoyu or tonkotsu bowl with springy noodles. Transfer to the airport (Kansai International): the Nankai Rapi:t or JR Haruka whisk you there efficiently. Compare flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Fly home with beans in your bag and a camera roll of markets, counters, and neon canals.

Extra tips:

• Reservations: For high‑end sushi/tempura, reserve weeks ahead; casual favorites often take your name on arrival.
• Coffee etiquette: Many specialty cafés are small; linger courteously and order at the counter. Kissaten often have table service and set menus.
• Payments: Load an IC card (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) for trains and convenience stores; keep some cash for market stalls.

This 7‑day Japan food and coffee itinerary balances headline restaurants with everyday gems: markets, counters, and cafes where craft is the point. Between Tokyo’s precision and Osaka’s exuberance, you’ll taste the spectrum of Japanese flavor—one pour‑over and one skewer at a time.