Japan harmonizes old and new with poetic ease. Samurai-era temples sit a subway ride from pop-culture playgrounds, while tea houses whisper traditions older than most nations. In this 7-day Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary, you’ll savor ramen steam, shrine quiet, and bullet-train speed.

Tokyo dazzles with world-class sushi, avant-garde art, and sky-high viewpoints. Kyoto slows the pace: lantern-lit lanes, Zen gardens, and cedar-scented mountain walks. Together they offer the essential Japan experience—foodie joys, cultural depth, and unforgettable cityscapes.

Practical notes: Trains run like clockwork; tap in with Suica/PASMO (Tokyo) and ICOCA (Kansai). Book popular restaurants and activities ahead. Spring and fall bring mild weather and festivals; summer is hot and humid; winter is crisp and clear with fewer crowds.

Tokyo

Tokyo is kinetic elegance—serene shrines tucked behind fashion avenues, tiny izakaya squeezed under rail tracks, and ramen counters open past midnight. You’ll hop neighborhoods like worlds: imperial gardens before lunch, neon canyons after dark.

Highlights span Meiji Jingu’s forested calm, Senso-ji’s incense haze, and skyline perches like Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree. Food is a headline act: omakase artistry, sizzling yakitori, and pastries precise as jewelry.

• Getting in: Fly into HND or NRT. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Narita Express to central Tokyo ~1 hr, Haneda monorail/rail ~20–30 min.
• Where to stay: Base in Shinjuku/Shibuya for nightlife and transport, or Asakusa/Ginza for calmer vibes. Browse VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo.

Day 1: Arrival, Asakusa, and a Taste of Old Tokyo

Morning: In transit to Tokyo. If landing early, store bags at your hotel or a coin locker and grab a light bite—try melon pan from a station bakery.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Asakusa’s Senso-ji. Stroll Nakamise-dori for rice crackers and ningyo-yaki (sweet bean cakes). Step behind the crowds to quiet lanes like Denboin-dori for photos of retro facades.

Evening: Dinner at Tempura Daikokuya (light, sesame-fragrant batter; long-running local favorite) or Sukiyaki at Asakusa Imahan (tableside simmered wagyu, classic since 1895). Night views: amble to the river promenade or ride up Tokyo Skytree’s Tembo Deck (budget ¥2,100–¥3,100; book ahead on a clear day).

Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku Fashion Lanes, and Shibuya Nights

Morning: Coffee at Bread, Espresso & in Omotesando (butter-rich toasts and custard “mu” bread). Walk the cypress-scented paths to Meiji Jingu; pause at the prayer wall and sake barrel display. Window-shop Omotesando’s architectural gems.

Afternoon: Explore Takeshita Street (crepes, vintage shops), then Cat Street’s indie boutiques. Lunch options: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi—ultra-fresh, quick) or Afuri Harajuku (yuzu-scented ramen, lighter broth).

Evening: Cross Shibuya Crossing at twilight; ride up to Shibuya Sky (open-air deck with panoramic city glow; ~¥2,200). Eat and bar-hop in Nonbei Yokocho’s tiny taverns or try Torikizoku (reliable, good-value yakitori with charcoal kiss). Nightcap: The Roastery by Nozy Coffee for a late espresso or a craft beer nearby.

Day 3: Tsukiji Bites, Imperial Green, Roppongi Art, and Neon

Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast crawl: Sushi Zanmai Honten (toro nigiri and warm miso), Itadori for kaisen-don, and Turret Coffee (strong espresso pulled on a vintage machine). Arrive early to skip lines.

Afternoon: Stroll Ginza’s flagship stores; peek into Itoya (stationery heaven). Wander the Imperial Palace East Gardens (moats, stone walls, seasonal blooms). Late day, head to Roppongi for art—Mori Art Museum or the digital wonderland of teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills (timed tickets; ~¥3,800).

Evening: Dinner ideas: Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten (juicy kurobuta cutlets with tangy sauce) or Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu (bustling, grill-smoke izakaya vibes). For a soak after, consider Thermae-Yu in Shinjuku (urban onsen/spa; tattoos may require cover).

Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Gion Lanes, and Kiyomizu-dera Sunset

Morning: Bullet train to Kyoto. Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station (~2 hr 15 min–2 hr 40 min; reserved seat ~¥14,000/$95–$110). Check schedules and book via Trip.com Trains. Drop bags at your lodging.

Afternoon: Walk Gion’s Hanamikoji and Shimbashi as lanterns flicker on. Visit Yasaka Shrine, then climb to Kiyomizu-dera; the veranda overlooks tiled roofs and mountains—magic near sunset (entry ~¥400).

Evening: Dinner in Gion. Consider Omen Kodai-ji (handmade udon with seasonal veg), or Hafuu (Kyoto beef steak; reservations advised). Post-dinner, wander Pontocho Alley’s narrow atmospheric lane beside the Kamogawa River.

Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heartbeat: 1,000+ temples, tea masters, and artisans working in wood, silk, and sweets. It’s a city best explored on foot, letting side streets lead to shrines wrapped in moss and maple.

From vermilion torii gates to Zen rock gardens, Kyoto invites unhurried mornings and seasonal cuisine—kaiseki that changes like a poem with the weather. Leave space for serendipity and second cups of matcha.

• Where to stay: Base near Gion/Shijo for old-town ambience or Kyoto Station for easy transport. Browse VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto.

Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo, River Views, and Temple Cuisine

Morning: Arrive early to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for tranquil paths. Visit Tenryu-ji’s gardens (mirror-like ponds, raked gravel). Coffee with a river view at % Arabica Arashiyama; the espresso milk foam is silky and balanced.

Afternoon: Cross Togetsukyo Bridge; optional hike to Monkey Park Iwatayama (city panoramas). Lunch: Yudofu Sagano (Buddhist tofu cuisine near Tenryu-ji; delicate broths and sesame). Explore side streets for ceramics and wagashi (traditional sweets).

Evening: Return central. Try Musashi Sushi (casual kaiten with surprisingly fresh cuts) or Tousuiro (tofu-focused kaiseki in a machiya townhouse). Digest with a riverside stroll along the Kamogawa.

Day 6: Fushimi Inari, Sake Alleys, and Nishiki Market

Morning: Sunrise at Fushimi Inari Taisha to walk through thousands of torii gates when it’s quiet. Coffee at Vermillion (near the shrine; espresso and matcha cakes) afterward.

Afternoon: Head to Fushimi’s sake district. Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and try tastings; canals and kura storehouses make for photogenic walks. Late lunch in the city at Honke Owariya (centuries-old soba; light, buckwheat aroma).

Evening: Graze through Nishiki Market: tamagoyaki from a specialty stall, fresh yuba (tofu skin), pickled vegetables. Sit-down dinner nearby at Ippudo Nishikikoji (well-balanced tonkotsu ramen) or Yasaka Endo (expert tempura). Nightcap on Pontocho’s petite bars.

Day 7: Zen Gardens and Departure

Morning: Choose a final temple: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion; gleams in morning light) or Ryoan-ji (austere rock garden that rewards quiet focus). Coffee and toast at Inoda Coffee Main Shop (retro kissaten style, rich Kyoto blend).

Afternoon: Depart via Kyoto Station for Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Itami (ITM). Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If returning to Tokyo for a flight, the Shinkansen back is ~2.5 hours; check Trip.com Trains.

Practical Tips and Costs

• Transit: Get a Suica/PASMO (Tokyo) and ICOCA (Kyoto/Osaka). Typical metro rides ¥180–¥250. Day passes exist but pay-as-you-go suits most travelers.
• Intercity: Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen reserved seat ¥13,500–¥15,500 ($90–$110). Depart mid-morning to check in by early afternoon.
• Admissions: Shibuya Sky ~¥2,200; Skytree ¥2,100–¥3,100; teamLab Borderless ~¥3,800; Kiyomizu-dera ~¥400; Nijo Castle ~¥1,300.
• Dining: Lunch ¥1,000–¥2,000; dinner ¥2,000–¥6,000 (more for omakase/kaiseki). Many spots are cashless-friendly; carry some yen for markets and shrines.
• Booking: Secure headline tickets/dining 2–4 weeks ahead in peak seasons (late Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov).

From Tokyo’s electric avenues to Kyoto’s lantern-lit alleys, this itinerary balances headline sights with hidden corners—and plenty of incredible food. Ride the Shinkansen between eras, and let each day serve a different flavor of Japan.