Japan’s story stretches from samurai citadels and tea pavilions to the world’s most punctual trains and avant-garde pop culture. In a single week you’ll taste both—lantern-lit lanes in Kyoto, edible adventures in Tokyo, and a brush with Mt. Fuji’s volcanic majesty.

This 7-day itinerary balances headline sights—Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji, Fushimi Inari—with neighborhood gems, markets, and hands-on experiences like ramen-making. It’s designed for easy travel days, smart transport choices, and plenty of delicious pauses.

Practical notes: pick up (or add to your phone) a transit card for tap-and-go rides, arrive early to major temples, and book popular restaurants and tours in advance. Cash is still handy for small shops; trains run like clockwork; and slurping noodles is not only allowed—it’s encouraged.

Tokyo

Once called Edo, Tokyo fuses tradition and futurism—Shinto torii gates framed by skyscrapers, tiny counter-seat eateries next to Michelin temples, neon canyons and quiet gardens. It’s a city to explore at street level, bite by bite.

• Top hits: Senso-ji in Asakusa, Meiji Jingu’s forested calm, Shibuya Crossing’s organized chaos, and panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree or Roppongi Hills.
• Eat & drink: ramen at Afuri (yuzu shio), curry at CoCo Ichibanya for a quick fix, tendon bowls at Tendon Tenya, standing sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi, craft coffee at Onibus or Koffee Mameya.
• Fun fact: The “scramble” at Shibuya sees thousands cross every signal—its origins trace to prewar urban redesign in the 1930s.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo. Handpicked: The Peninsula Tokyo (imperial-park views), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla perch, steps from nightlife), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (transport hub), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (rooftop bar, family rooms).

Getting in and around: Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From NRT/HND, use airport rail, or reserve a door-to-door ride with Viator private transfer (handy with luggage).

Kyoto

Kyoto, imperial capital for a millennium, is where Japan’s courtly past lingers—vermilion gates, moss gardens, tea steam, and alleys where wooden machiya houses glow at dusk.

• Top hits: Fushimi Inari’s 10,000 torii, Kiyomizu-dera’s great veranda, bamboo groves of Arashiyama, golden Kinkaku-ji, and geiko territory in Gion and Pontocho.
• Eat & drink: tofu hot pots (yudofu), kyo-kaiseki tasting menus, matcha soft serve, and hearty Kyoto-style ramen. Coffee lovers: % Arabica by the river, or Inoda Coffee for retro vibes.
• Fun fact: “Heian-kyo” (Kyoto’s old name) means “Capital of Peace and Tranquility.” Its grid was modeled after Tang-era Chang’an.

Where to stay: See VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto. Picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (riverside, art-filled), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (sleek, quiet), Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (value near transit), Piece Hostel Sanjo (social, central).

Getting there from Tokyo: Take the Nozomi Shinkansen (2 hr 15–30 min; ~¥14,000–¥15,000 reserved seat). Check times and book on Trip.com Trains. JR Pass users take Hikari (~2 hr 40 min).

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo, Shinjuku Nights

Afternoon: Land in Tokyo and head to your hotel. If you want a no-fuss arrival, book a private transfer. Shake off jet lag with a pour-over at Blue Bottle Shinjuku or an espresso at Fuglen.

Evening: Wander Omoide Yokocho’s postwar alley for skewers at Torikizoku or Yakitori Shinpachi, then peek into Golden Gai’s tiny bars (try Bar Albatross or Ace’s). For guided grazing, join this small-group food crawl:

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

Expect smoky yakitori, crispy tempura, and regional bites you’d miss solo—ideal on night one when menus can feel mysterious.

Day 2: Tokyo Icons in One Sweep

Prefer to see a lot with minimal logistics? This full-day coach tour hits Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree (ticket included), and a bay cruise when schedules permit—plus a casual matcha experience.

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

After the tour, celebrate in Shibuya: ramen at Afuri (yuzu-scented, light) or tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten. Then watch the Shibuya Crossing from the second-floor windows of a nearby cafe and feel the city pulse.

Nightcap option: a playful sumo stage show with photos and drinks in Shinjuku—more culture than combat, and surprisingly educational for families.

Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show Experience with Photo and Drinks

Day 3: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip

Escape the city for mountain air, volcanic valleys, and lake views with Fuji in the frame. This popular day trip reaches the Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), cruises Lake Ashi, and rides the Hakone ropeway—then returns by bullet train.

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

Back in Tokyo, dine near your arrival station: Shinagawa’s ecute food halls for bento or tempura at Tsunahachi. Rest up—tomorrow, Kyoto.

Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto, Ramen From Scratch, Gion Stroll

Morning: Board the Nozomi to Kyoto (aim for ~9:00 a.m.; ~2 hr 20 min). Book seats on Trip.com Trains. Pick up ekiben (station lunch boxes)—try beef tongue bento or salmon harasu.

Afternoon: Drop bags, then dive into a hands-on cooking workshop where you’ll knead noodles, craft broth, and eat your masterpiece.

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

Evening: Gion at dusk: walk Hanamikoji Street past wooden machiya. Dinner ideas: kyo-kaiseki at Gion Nanba (multi-course seasonality), soba at Omen near Yasaka Shrine, or yakitori at Wabiya Korekido. Finish with matcha parfait at Gion Tsujiri.

Day 5: Kyoto’s World Heritages in a Day

Cover the big names with logistics handled—Kiyomizu-dera’s stage, Fushimi Inari’s vermilion tunnels, Arashiyama’s bamboo, and more on this efficient coach tour.

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Post-tour dinner along Pontocho Alley: river-view seating at Pontocho Kamo for Kyoto obanzai (home-style plates), sukiyaki at Mishima-Tei (book ahead), or tonkatsu at Katsukura Sanjo.

Day 6: Nara Day Trip, Sake and Izakaya Night

Morning: JR Nara Line to Nara (~45–60 min from Kyoto Station; check Trip.com Trains). Visit Todai-ji’s Great Buddha, feed (politely!) the semi-wild deer in Nara Park, and stroll lantern-lined Kasuga Taisha.

Afternoon: Lunch on Nara specialties—kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi) or freshly pounded kusa-mochi near Nakatanidou. Return to Kyoto and stop in Fushimi for a sake tasting—Gekkeikan’s historic district has multiple tasting rooms.

Evening: Back in central Kyoto, try Torito for yakitori and local sake, or head to Standing Bar Daiichi for casual pours and otsumami snacks. Dessert: warabimochi at Kotoba no Haoto (soft, molasses-dusted).

Day 7: Temple Farewells and Departure

Morning: Beat the crowds at Kiyomizu-dera or slip into the serene gardens of Nanzen-ji. For coffee, grab a flat white at % Arabica near Kamo River or a kissaten-style blend at Inoda Coffee. Snack your way through Nishiki Market—tamago-yaki on sticks, yuba (tofu skin), and sesame mochi.

Afternoon: Depart from Kansai International Airport (KIX). From Kyoto Station, the Haruka Limited Express takes ~75 min; the airport bus is ~90 min. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re looping back to Tokyo for your flight, the Nozomi runs ~2 hr 20 min to Tokyo Station.

Where to Eat Each Day (Quick Picks)

• Day 1: Shinjuku—Onibus Coffee; Omoide Yokocho yakitori; Golden Gai cocktail.
• Day 2: Asakusa—melonpan ice cream; lunch near Skytree; Shibuya—Afuri ramen.
• Day 3: Hakone—black eggs (onsen tamago) at Owakudani; Shinagawa ekiben dinner.
• Day 4: Kyoto—ramen you made; Gion kaiseki or soba at Omen.
• Day 5: Arashiyama—yudofu set near Tenryu-ji; Pontocho dinner by the river.
• Day 6: Nara—kakinoha-zushi; Kyoto—Fushimi sake, yakitori at Torito.
• Day 7: Nishiki Market breakfast bites; airport bento.

Getting Between Cities & Budget Notes

Tokyo ⇄ Kyoto: Nozomi Shinkansen ~2 hr 15–30 min; ~¥14,000–¥15,000 one-way reserved. Luggage racks are available; consider sending large bags via takuhaibin (hotel-to-hotel courier) a day ahead.

Transit cards: Mobile Suica/PASMO on your phone or a physical IC card works on metros, JR lines, and many convenience stores. For this 7-day plan, a nationwide rail pass is usually not cost-effective unless you add more long-distance trips.

Optional Tokyo Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Energy)

Private Photoshoot at Shibuya Crossing Tokyo

Capture pro-level memories at the world’s most famous crosswalk.

Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya

Dress up and roll past landmarks on a guided drive—bring your valid international driving permit.

Lodging Shortlist (Bookable Links)

• Tokyo: The Peninsula Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, or browse Hotels.com Tokyo and VRBO Tokyo.
• Kyoto: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya, or browse Hotels.com Kyoto and VRBO Kyoto.

With neon nights, mountain horizons, and temple dawns, this week threads Japan’s essential contrasts. You’ll leave with a camera full of shrines, street eats, and city light—and a wish to come back for the regions you’ve just discovered on your plate.

Bookmark this guide—your go-to companion from booking links to breakfast spots—and you’ll move through Japan like a regular.