Japan blends precision and poetry: bullet trains sweep past cedar-clad mountains while centuries-old shrines glow by lantern light. This 7-day Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary folds in essential sights, exquisite food, and a day trip to Nara—paced for first-time visitors who crave depth without rush.

Tokyo, once the samurai capital of Edo, reinvented itself into a global metropolis that still reveres harmony—visible in immaculate depachika food halls and pocket-sized cocktail bars. Kyoto, the imperial heart from 794 to 1869, preserves 2,000-plus temples and shrines, geiko traditions, and elegant kaiseki cuisine.

Practical notes: IC cards (Suica/PASMO) now work seamlessly on metro, JR lines, and convenience stores; load them to your phone for tap-and-go. The Japan Rail Pass is rarely cost-effective for this route; a one-way Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto is simpler. Book popular spots (teamLab, Shibuya Sky, kaiseki dinners) ahead, and carry a small coin pouch—many shrines still prefer cash for offerings.

Tokyo

Tokyo dazzles with contrasts: a 7th-century temple in Asakusa, minimalist coffee in Omotesando, and anime dens in Akihabara. Food is a revelation—from market-fresh sushi breakfasts to standing-bar yakitori and ramen broths layered with complexity.

• Don’t miss: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, Ueno’s museums, Tokyo Skytree, and a teamLab immersive art show (Borderless in Azabudai Hills or Planets in Toyosu).
• Eat/drink: Sushi Daiwa (Toyosu), Tempura Kondo (Ginza), Tonkatsu Maisen (Aoyama), Afuri yuzu ramen, Kanda Yabu Soba, Onibus or Glitch Coffee, Bar High Five (Ginza), The SG Club (Shibuya).
• Fun fact: Tokyo consistently leads the world in Michelin stars—and some of its best meals are at counters with fewer than 10 seats.

Where to stay: Search neighborhoods like Shinjuku (transport hub), Shibuya (nightlife), or Ginza (polished and central). Find apartments and stays on VRBO Tokyo or browse hotels via Hotels.com Tokyo.

Getting in: Compare flights to Tokyo (HND/NRT) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. In Tokyo, use the Metro/JR with a Suica/PASMO IC card for effortless transfers.

Kyoto

Kyoto feels like a living museum, yet it’s vibrantly modern—baristas pull perfect espresso near 1,000 vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari, and artisans still hand-dye kimono fabric along quiet canals.

• Don’t miss: Fushimi Inari sunrise, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion’s lantern-lit lanes, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji zen gardens, Nishiki Market, and a Nara day trip (Todaiji’s Great Buddha).
• Eat/drink: Omen (udon near the Silver Pavilion), Okutan (yudofu), Unagi Hirokawa (Arashiyama), Issen Yoshoku (Kyoto-style okonomiyaki), % Arabica (Higashiyama), Vermillion espresso, Sake Bar Yoramu, L’Escamoteur cocktails.
• Fun fact: Kyoto has more national treasures than anywhere else in Japan, and cherry blossoms once dictated imperial court calendars.

Where to stay: Base around Gion/Higashiyama for atmosphere or near Kyoto Station for transport. See options on VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto.

Tokyo–Kyoto travel: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi ~2h15; Hikari ~2h40). Reserved seats cost roughly ¥13,500–¥15,500 ($90–$110) depending on season. Check schedules and book on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive Tokyo, Neighborhood Stroll and Izakaya Night

Afternoon: Land in Tokyo (HND/NRT). If you haven’t booked, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Drop bags at your hotel in Shibuya or Ginza. Shake off jet lag with a flat white at Fuglen Tokyo (Tomigaya) or a pour-over at Glitch Coffee Kanda—both roast light, aromatic profiles.

Evening: Walk Meiji Jingu’s cedar paths at dusk, then weave through Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for crepes and street fashion. Dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub): try Uoshin Nogizaka for seafood plates or Torikizoku for budget-friendly yakitori. Finish with a view from Shibuya Sky at sunset; the 360-degree deck frames the famed scramble below in electric color.

Day 2: Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Design, and Shibuya After Dark

Morning: Breakfast at Bread, Espresso & in Omotesando (butter-rich toasts, custard-filled brioche) or at Boulangerie VIRON (French loaves with house butter and jam). Stroll Omotesando’s architecture—Tadao Ando’s concrete curves and flagship boutiques—then slip into Nezu Museum’s tranquil garden.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama (meltingly tender pork cutlets). Explore Cat Street’s indie shops to Shibuya. Grab a seasonal soft-serve at Minimal – Bean to Bar for cacao-forward treats. Cross the Shibuya scramble (iconic since the late 20th century) and browse Shibuya Parco’s pop culture floors.

Evening: Ramen run: Afuri (yuzu-shio, bright and citrusy) or Menya Musashi (rich, meaty broths). Cocktails at The SG Club (playful, award-winning) or Bar High Five (Ginza; classic technique). Note some bars have table charges—ask before sitting.

Day 3: Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno Museums, teamLab Night

Morning: Early market crawl at Tsukiji Outer Market—tamago-yaki on sticks, toro skewers, and hot bowls of clam miso. Coffee at Turret Coffee or Blue Bottle Kiyosumi. Head to Asakusa for Senso-ji; walk Nakamise-dori’s snack stalls (try ningyo-yaki cakes).

Afternoon: Ride up Tokyo Skytree for skyline views, then hop to Ueno Park. Choose one museum: Tokyo National Museum (samurai armor, lacquerware) or the National Museum of Western Art (Le Corbusier). Late lunch: Kanda Yabu Soba for buckwheat noodles with tempura sides.

Evening: Immerse in digital art at teamLab Planets (Toyosu) or teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)—both require timed tickets. Post-show, grab sushi at a reliable conveyor-belt spot like Nemuro Hanamaru (Toyosu area) or settle into Tempura Kondo in Ginza if you want a refined splurge—light, lacey batter on seasonal vegetables and prawns.

Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen, Higashiyama Old Streets

Morning: Board the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto (Nozomi ~2h15; around ¥13,500–¥15,500). Reserve seats and check times on Trip.com Trains. Grab ekiben (station bento)—try a wagyu steak box or mackerel sushi.

Afternoon: Drop your bags and head into Higashiyama. Visit Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden veranda, then wander Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka stone lanes past pottery shops and teahouses. Coffee at % Arabica (Higashiyama) for single-origin espresso with postcard views.

Evening: Dinner: Omen (handmade udon with seasonal vegetable toppings) near the Philosopher’s Path, or Okutan (since 1635) for tofu hot pot (yudofu)—Kyoto’s monastic specialty. Stroll Gion’s lantern-lit Hanamikoji; you may glimpse a maiko en route to an evening appointment (observe respectfully, no flash photography).

Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo, Zen Gardens, and Riverside Eats

Morning: Beat the crowds at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at first light, then enter Tenryu-ji’s zen garden—a masterpiece framed by misty hills. Espresso and toast at % Arabica Arashiyama or a matcha latte at Arabica By the River.

Afternoon: Lunch at Unagi Hirokawa (reservations recommended) for glazed eel over rice. Rent a rowboat on the Hozu River or ride the Sagano Scenic Railway for forested valley views (seasonal timetables). Walk to Gio-ji’s moss garden for a quiet interlude.

Evening: Soak at Funaoka Onsen, a classic sento with tile murals and cedar baths (bring small towels, follow bathing etiquette). Dinner back near Nishiki: Issen Yoshoku (playful, single-dish Kyoto okonomiyaki) or Chao Chao Gyoza (pan-fried dumplings, assorted fillings). Nightcap at L’Escamoteur—alchemy-themed cocktails crafted with Kyoto botanicals.

Day 6: Nara Day Trip — Great Buddha, Deer Park, and Lantern Paths

Morning: Take the JR Nara Line (rapid ~45–60 minutes; ~¥720) from Kyoto Station. Start at Todaiji to meet the 15-meter Daibutsu (Great Buddha) housed in an immense wooden hall. Wander Nara Park—polite bows earn deer biscuits and a gentle nod from the city’s most famous residents.

Afternoon: Walk the lantern-lined approach to Kasuga Taisha’s vermilion halls. Lunch at Edogawa Naramachi (unagi) or Mellow Café for wood-fired pizza and salads if you crave variety. Grab warm, pounded kusa mochi at Nakatanidou—watch the rhythmic, rapid mochi-making demo.

Evening: Coffee at Rokumei Coffee Roasters before returning to Kyoto. Dinner option: Menbaka Fire Ramen (theatrical green-onion blaze; safety briefing first) or a classic bowl at Ichiran if you prefer quiet focus on the broth. Sake flight at Yoramu—a connoisseur’s bar where the owner guides you through small-batch brews.

Day 7: Nishiki Market, Last Sips of Matcha, and Departure

Morning: Nishiki Market breakfast crawl: tofu doughnuts at Konnamonja, skewered tamagoyaki, pickled vegetables, and sesame ice cream. Coffee at Weekenders Coffee hidden behind a parking lot near Karasuma; pick up Uji matcha to take home.

Afternoon: Depart via Kansai International Airport. The JR Haruka Express runs Kyoto–KIX in ~75 minutes (about ¥3,000–¥3,500). Compare outbound flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If flying back from Tokyo instead, the Shinkansen returns in ~2h15; consider a later evening flight.

Practical Tips and Local Etiquette

• Transit: Load Suica/PASMO to Apple/Google Wallet; most shops accept cards, but keep some cash for small shrines and mom-and-pop eateries.
• Reservations: Book teamLab, Shibuya Sky, and kaiseki dinners 2–3 weeks ahead. For ultralow-seat sushi counters, ask your hotel to call.
• Etiquette: No eating while walking in old Kyoto lanes; queue neatly; speak softly on trains; remove shoes when requested.
• Seasonal swaps: In sakura season, picnic under blossoms in Ueno Park; in autumn, target Eikan-do’s maple blaze at dusk.

In one week, you’ll ride the Shinkansen, taste regional classics, and stand inside timbered halls that predate the printing press. With Tokyo’s energy and Kyoto’s composure, this itinerary sketches a portrait of Japan you’ll want to revisit—one bite of matcha parfait, one temple bell at a time.