Japan balances centuries-old tradition with bold modernity. Samurai castles, Zen gardens, and tea houses coexist with high-speed rail, sky-scraping towers, and obsessive attention to craft—from knives to kissaten coffee. Few countries reward curious travelers as richly, and even fewer are this easy to navigate.

This 7-day itinerary focuses on two essential cities—Tokyo and Kyoto—linked by the iconic Shinkansen. You’ll sample Tsukiji street bites, witness Shibuya’s famous scramble, wander Kyoto’s lantern-lit alleys, and meet the bowing deer of Nara. A day trip to Mt. Fuji and Hakone delivers mountain vistas, lake cruises, and an onsen-friendly pace.

Practical notes: Pick up a Suica/PASMO transit card for tap-and-go travel; carry some cash for small eateries. The Tokyo–Kyoto Nozomi bullet train takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Spring and autumn are peak seasons; book hotels and tours in advance. Slurp your ramen (it’s polite), and remove shoes where requested at temples and traditional restaurants.

Tokyo

Tokyo is the world’s biggest village—ancient shrines and alley-sized izakaya tucked beneath futuristic skylines. Neighborhoods feel like distinct worlds: incense at Asakusa’s Senso-ji, fashion in Harajuku, design in Nakameguro, and late-night energy in Shinjuku and Shibuya.

• Top sights: Meiji Jingu, Imperial Palace gardens, Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree views, teamLab Borderless’s immersive art, and the fabled Shibuya Crossing.
• Food scene: From ramen counters and conveyor-belt sushi to basement sake bars, Tokyo is an endless tasting menu. Seek out monjayaki in Tsukishima and yakitori smoke alleys like Omoide Yokocho.
• Fun fact: The scramble at Shibuya can see thousands cross at once; the intersection has been a symbol of Tokyo’s pace since the mid-20th century.

Where to stay (Tokyo): For easy rail access and nightlife, base in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Search stays on VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo. Specific favorites: The Peninsula Tokyo (elegant, near the Imperial Palace), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (great midrange in the action), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (classic high-rise), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value near JR lines), or splurge at Aman Tokyo.

Getting in: Fly into Haneda (closest) or Narita. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Narita Express to Tokyo Station takes ~55 minutes (~¥3,070). Prefer a car? Book a private transfer: Narita Airport(NRT) Private Transfer To/From Tokyo.

Day 1: Arrival, Asakusa Atmosphere, and Skytree Views

Morning: Fly in and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, drop bags and stretch your legs in a nearby park—Shinjuku Gyoen is a serene first breath of Japan.

Afternoon: Head to Asakusa’s Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, entering through Kaminarimon Gate and its giant lantern. Snack your way down Nakamise-dori: ningyo-yaki (little bean cakes), senbei rice crackers, and melon pan ice cream sandwiches.

Evening: For a first-night dinner, try monjayaki at Tsukishima Monja Street—griddle-cooked, savory, and interactive—or stay in Asakusa for tempura at Daikokuya (light, sesame-oil fried). Cap it with Sumida River night views, or ride up Tokyo Skytree for a shimmering cityscape.

Day 2: Markets, Shrines, Harajuku Style, and a Sumo Night

Morning: Dive into Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast: tamagoyaki on a stick, uni cups, and tuna nigiri at Sushi Zanmai. Coffee at Koffee Mameya Kakeru (barista-led tasting, reservations recommended) or Onibus Coffee Nakameguro for roasts and a calm canal vibe.

Afternoon: Wander Meiji Jingu’s cedar forest, then stroll Omotesando’s architecture and Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for crepes and vintage boutiques. Lunch at Maisen Aoyama Honten (pillowy tonkatsu) or Afuri Harajuku (yuzu-shio ramen, bright and citrusy).

Evening: Experience Tokyo’s national sport up close with the Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo.

After the show, walk to Omoide Yokocho’s smoky yakitori alleys (try Tsukune chicken meatballs). Alternatively, book a late food crawl in Shinjuku after-hours, or people-watch at the Shibuya Crossing—alive since the 1930s, now a neon icon.

Day 3: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip (from Tokyo)

Leave the city for a classic Fuji-view day. Book the Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train for the 5th Station panoramic views, a Lake Ashi cruise, and Owakudani’s volcanic valley—returning by Shinkansen for speed and comfort.

Back in Tokyo, celebrate with sushi at Sushi no Midori (go early for a number) or contemporary izakaya bites at Uobei/Genki Sushi (fun, fast, and affordable).

Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen, Gion at Dusk

Morning: Depart Tokyo Station or Shinagawa on a Nozomi Shinkansen to Kyoto (~2h15; ~¥14,500 reserved seat). Book tickets on Trip.com Trains. Grab an ekiben (station bento) for the ride—try beef sukiyaki or mackerel sushi styles.

Afternoon (Kyoto): Check in, then walk the preserved lanes of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka to Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden stage overlooking the city. Pause for matcha and wagashi at Kagizen Yoshifusa (traditional sweets) or a soft-serve swirl infused with Uji matcha.

Evening: Explore Gion’s lantern-lit alleys; you might glimpse maiko on evening errands (observe respectfully, no obstructing photos). Dinner along Pontocho Alley—try yakitori at Torito Pontocho or Kyoto obanzai (seasonal home-style dishes) at Gion Tanto. Nightcap at L’Escamoteur, a theatrical cocktail den using Japanese botanicals.

Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart: 1,000+ Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines framed by torii gates, and seasonal beauty that locals plan their lives around. Here, craft and cuisine slow down—kaiseki tasting menus, tofu artistry, and heirloom pickles in wooden markets.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari’s vermilion gates, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji’s rock garden, and Arashiyama’s bamboo groves.
• Neighborhood vibes: Gion’s geiko districts, riverside dining on the Kamogawa, and the culinary bustle of Nishiki Market—Kyoto’s pantry since the 1600s.
• Day trips: Nara’s bowing deer and colossal Buddha in Todai-ji are under an hour away.

Where to stay (Kyoto): Base near downtown (Kawaramachi/Shijo) for dining and transit. Browse VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto. Standouts: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (riverside serenity), Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (great value near Hankyu line), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (quiet, refined), and Piece Hostel Sanjo (budget-friendly design).

Getting there from Tokyo: The Nozomi bullet train is fastest (about 2h15). For schedules and fares, use Trip.com Trains. If you’re flying home from Kansai (KIX), compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo, Zen Gardens, and Market Grazing

Morning: Beat the crowds at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at sunrise; continue to Tenryu-ji’s strolling gardens. Take the short hike to the Iwatayama Monkey Park for city views (moderate incline).

Afternoon: Lunch on tofu cuisine—Yudofu Sagano serves set menus that spotlight Kyoto’s delicate soy traditions. Then head to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and nearby Ryoan-ji to contemplate its famed rock garden.

Evening: Graze through Nishiki Market: tako-tamago (octopus with quail egg), fresh yuba, and croquettes from Karikari Hakase. Sit down at Katsukura (Sanjo) for flaky tonkatsu, then stroll the Kamogawa River paths—locals sit along the banks to chat and strum guitars.

Day 6: Kyoto & Nara Essentials (Guided Day)

See headline sights efficiently with a guided outing: From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day Tour. Expect Fushimi Inari’s torii tunnels, Kiyomizu-dera’s hillside views, and Nara Park’s friendly deer (they bow for crackers).

Return to Kyoto for dinner—try Kyoto-style kaiseki if you want the full seasonal experience, or keep it casual with ramen at Ippudo Nishikikoji.

Day 7: Fushimi Inari at Dawn, Sake Tasting, and Departure

Morning: If you didn’t visit yesterday, start early at Fushimi Inari to walk through near-empty gates and hear the forest wake. Coffee at Vermillion Espresso by the tracks (excellent with a gate view).

Afternoon: Sample sake in Fushimi, one of Japan’s premier brewing districts—Gekkeikan’s museum offers tastings and a peek into water, rice, and koji craftsmanship. Pick up bento for your train or airport ride.

Evening (Departure): Head to KIX (about 75–90 minutes by rail) or back to Tokyo via Nozomi (~2h15). Compare tickets on Trip.com Trains and flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Allow extra time for duty-free browsing—matcha sweets and regional snacks make easy gifts.

Optional Enhancements and Private Guiding

Prefer a tailored day in Tokyo? Book the Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide to string together Senso-ji, the Imperial Palace, and trend pockets like Daikanyama with local context and transit know-how.

Your guide can weave in food stops—think wagyu croquettes, taiyaki, and sake bars you’d never find alone.

Daily dining ideas at a glance:

• Tokyo breakfast: Tsukiji tamagoyaki, conbini onigiri, or pastries at Viron (Ginza).
• Tokyo lunch: Afuri (yuzu ramen), Ichiran (solo-booth tonkotsu), or Tonkatsu Maisen.
• Tokyo dinner: Yakitori at Torikizoku, sushi at Sushi no Midori, wagyu yakiniku at Han no Daidokoro (Shibuya).
• Kyoto breakfast: % Arabica Higashiyama espresso, Kissaten-style toast at Smart Coffee (Teramachi).
• Kyoto lunch: Omen Udon near Ginkaku-ji, yudofu in Arashiyama, or Kyoto-style curry at GoGo Curry Kawaramachi.
• Kyoto dinner: Kaiseki splurge, tonkatsu at Katsukura, or gyukatsu at Motomura (quick but delicious).

Transportation tips: Use Suica/PASMO for subways and buses; tap to enter/exit across most networks. Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) sends bags hotel-to-hotel overnight—worth it before/after the Shinkansen. For intercity tickets and schedules, keep Trip.com Trains handy.

In one week, you will have savored Japan’s contrasts—lantern-lit alleys and LED canyons, bamboo quiet and bullet-train speed, kaiseki grace and market sizzle. This Tokyo-and-Kyoto route is a foundation you can build on—next time, add Kanazawa, Hiroshima, or Hokkaido for fresh flavors and new landscapes.