Japan’s story arcs from samurai-era capitals to cutting-edge cities. Edo became Tokyo in 1868 as the Meiji Restoration vaulted the nation into modernity; Kyoto kept courtly arts, gardens, and tea traditions alive. Today, bullet trains stitch it all together—temples in the morning, sushi counters by night.

Expect contrasts at every turn: lantern-lit alleys tucked beneath supertall towers; bamboo groves a short hop from indie coffee bars; centuries-old shrines beside design-forward boutiques. A week lets you sample Tokyo’s neighborhoods, day trip to Mt. Fuji, then slow the pace in Kyoto’s temple districts.

Practical notes: Tap-to-pay IC cards (Suica/PASMO) work on most trains and subways. Spring and autumn bring mild weather and festivals; summer is hot and humid; winter is crisp and clear—great for Fuji views. Book popular restaurants and activities in advance, especially weekends and holidays.

Tokyo

Tokyo dazzles with distinct neighborhoods—Meiji Shrine’s forested calm in Harajuku, fashion-forward Omotesando, the sensory storm of Shibuya, and skyscraper canyons in Shinjuku. Historical anchors like Asakusa’s Senso-ji recall the city’s Edo roots.

Eat your way across town: stand-up sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi, buttery tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten, ramen at Afuri (yuzu-shio) or Ichiran (solo booths), and craft coffee at The Roastery by Nozy or Koffee Mameya Kakeru. After dark, tiny bars in Golden Gai pour highballs and vinyl-era classics.

Where to stay (Tokyo): Search stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Top picks: The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (fun Godzilla theme, steps from nightlife), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (great transport hub), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (family-friendly), Hilton Tokyo Bay (for Disney days), splurge at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo or Aman Tokyo.

Getting in and around (Tokyo): Book flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For Narita/central Tokyo, consider this private transfer: Narita Airport(NRT) Private Transfer To/From Tokyo. Use Trip.com Trains for Shinkansen tickets and intercity rail.

Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku Skyscrapers, and Alleyway Eats

Morning: In transit to Tokyo.

Afternoon: Land, ride the airport train or a pre-booked transfer to your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a stroll through Shinjuku Central Park; then ride up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observatory for skyline views of Shinjuku’s towers and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji.

Evening: Thread through Omoide Yokocho’s lantern-lit lane for yakitori—try thin-skewered negima and tsukune at Torien—or book Nabezo Shinjuku for shabu-shabu. Cap the night in Golden Gai’s tiny bars; Bar Albatross G is welcoming and artsy, while Champion spins vinyl hits.

Day 2: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing + Shinjuku Food Tour

Morning: Enter Meiji Jingu via towering cypress gates and the forested approach; it’s a serene counterpoint to the city. Coffee at The Roastery by Nozy on Cat Street, then window-shop Omotesando’s Tadao Ando and Herzog & de Meuron facades.

Afternoon: Tuck into lunch near Shibuya: Ichiran Ramen for customizable bowls or Uogashi Nihon-Ichi for quick, excellent stand-up sushi. Brave the famed Shibuya Crossing—its scramble began in the 1970s and remains Tokyo’s emblem of urban choreography—then explore Shibuya Sky or backstreet boutiques.

Evening: Join this guided tasting of hidden spots in Shinjuku (13 dishes across four eateries)—an effortless way to sample izakaya classics you might not order alone: Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries).

Day 3: Full-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Adventure

Trade neon for nature on a curated day out—Fuji’s 5th Station, volcanic Owakudani valley, Lake Ashi cruise, and a scenic return by Shinkansen. It’s the classic Fuji sampler in one day with logistics handled: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train.

For dinner back in Tokyo, warm up with curry at Curry Up in Harajuku or slurp late-night bowls at Afuri (yuzu-scented broth).

Day 4: Asakusa’s Old Tokyo, Skytree Views, and Sumo Night

Morning: Walk Nakamise Shopping Street to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and catch incense wafting from the jokoro cauldron. Grab a custard taiyaki or melon pan on the go; coffee at Turret Coffee Asakusa packs a punch.

Afternoon: Ride up Tokyo Skytree for vast river and city views. Head to Akihabara for retro game shops, arcades, and electronics; or explore the new wave of artisan knife and kitchenware stores in Kappabashi.

Evening: Dive into Japan’s national sport in a fun, interactive setting—with a chicken hot pot (chanko) and photo opps—near Asakusa: Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Photo.

Post-show, celebrate with tempura at Daikokuya (light, sesame-scented batter) or izakaya bites at Hoppy Street.

Kyoto

Japan’s former imperial capital wears time softly—shoji-lit wooden townhouses, mossy temple gardens, and tea houses along lantern-lined lanes. Yet it’s also a living city with indie roasters, seasonal sweets, and inventive kaiseki chefs riffing on centuries of technique.

Top sights sweep from Fushimi Inari’s 10,000 vermilion torii to Kiyomizu-dera’s hilltop veranda, the golden shimmer of Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and riverside villas. Dusk in Gion’s hanamachi (geisha district) is unforgettable—walk quietly and respectfully.

Where to stay (Kyoto): Search VRBO or Hotels.com. Favorites: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (riverside serenity), Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (value near transit), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (quiet and refined), Piece Hostel Sanjo (social and stylish), Kyoto Brighton Hotel (spacious rooms), Hotel M's Est Shijo Karasuma (central base).

Getting to Kyoto: Morning Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station takes ~2 hr 15 min on Nozomi (~¥14,000–¥16,000 reserved seat one-way). Book via Trip.com Trains. For flights home from Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM), check Trip.com.

Day 5: Tokyo → Kyoto, Gion Stroll, and Kaiseki or Yakitori

Morning: Depart Tokyo on the Shinkansen; grab an eki-ben (station bento)—look for wagyu sukiyaki or mackerel sushi sets. Arrive at Kyoto Station and drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Walk through Higashiyama’s stone lanes: Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka. Pause for matcha at % Arabica Higashiyama or a hand-drip at Blue Bottle Kiomizu (quiet side streets nearby are ideal for photos).

Evening: Golden-hour stroll along Hanamikoji-dori in Gion; be respectful of residents and photography rules. Dinner ideas: kaiseki at Gion Nanba (seasonal, delicate courses), yakitori at Torito (charcoal-grilled skewers and Kyoto vegetables), or casual noodles at Omen Ginkaku-ji (udon with mountain herbs). Nightcap by the Kamo River.

Day 6: Kyoto’s Icons in a Day (Guided Bus Tour)

Cover the city’s big-hitters efficiently—Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama—on a well-paced route with narration and time for photos: PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour.

If you prefer DIY: go early to Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, visit Tenryu-ji’s gardens, then hop to Kinkaku-ji and finish at the Fushimi Inari torii tunnels by sunset.

Day 7: Ramen Class, Nishiki Market Bites, and Departure

Morning: Learn to make ramen from scratch—knead noodles, blend tare, and finish with your own bowl (a delicious, hands-on souvenir): Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto.

Afternoon: Snack through Nishiki Market—try yuba (tofu skin), sesame-dusted dango, grilled eel skewers, and tsukemono pickles. Coffee at Weekenders Coffee or Vermillion by Fushimi Inari. Pick up knives in Aritsugu (heritage shop in Nishiki) and wagashi sweets for the flight.

Evening: Depart Kyoto in the afternoon. If flying from Tokyo, ride the Shinkansen back (~2 hr 15 min) to connect with evening flights; otherwise, head to KIX/ITM. Book rail and air on Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights.

Optional Tokyo Add‑Ons (If You Have Extra Time)

• Guided city overview with admission to top spots: 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour.

  

• Private, customizable city tour with an English-speaking driver: Customizable Private Tokyo Tour.

  

Tokyo & Kyoto Food and Coffee Shortlist

• Sushi: Sushi no Midori (plump cuts, value), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing, fast), Kyubey (book ahead).
• Ramen: Afuri (yuzu-shio), Ichiran (customizable), Menya Musashi (rich, meaty broth), Gogyo Kyoto (charring technique).
• Izakaya: Uoshin Nogizaka (seafood), Warayakiya (straw-flame seared bonito), Torito Kyoto (yakitori).
• Sweet stops: Taiyaki Wagokoro (filled fish-shaped cakes), Nakamura Tokichi (matcha parfaits), Gion Kinana (kinako gelato).
• Coffee: The Roastery by Nozy, Koffee Mameya Kakeru, Onibus Nakameguro; Kyoto’s % Arabica, Weekenders Coffee, Vermillion.

Getting between cities (recap): Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen ~2 hr 15 min (Nozomi), ¥14,000–¥16,000 reserved. Purchase on Trip.com Trains. If flying in/out, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Why this route works: Four nights in Tokyo let you sample neighborhoods and take a Fuji day trip; three nights in Kyoto balance temples, markets, and hands-on cooking—without rushing the rail transfer.

Kyoto dining reservations: Kaiseki and popular yakitori fill fast; book 2–3 weeks ahead when possible. Many spots welcome solo travelers at counters.

Onsen etiquette (for Hakone day trips): Rinse thoroughly before entering, no swimwear, towels stay out of the bath, and tattoos are increasingly accepted—but check each facility’s policy.

This 7-day Japan itinerary blends headliner sights with local moments—ramen you make yourself, alleys that glow at dusk, and river breezes under maples. With trains, tours, and hotels pre-picked, you’ll spend more time savoring and less time searching.