7 Days in Tokyo and Kyoto: A Cultural, Culinary, and Mt. Fuji-Focused Japan Itinerary

Dive into neon-lit Tokyo, serene Kyoto temples, and a day by Mt. Fuji on this 7-day Japan itinerary featuring food tours, geisha districts, and the Shinkansen bullet train.
Scenic view of Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan, capturing traditional Japanese architecture at twilight.
Photo by Belle Co on Pexels

Japan harmonizes 1,200 years of imperial tradition with dazzling modernity. Kyoto was the imperial capital until 1868, when Edo was reborn as Tokyo—today a global megacity of pop culture, Michelin-starred dining, and whisper-quiet shrines tucked beneath skyscrapers. The country’s famously punctual Shinkansen bullet trains, launched in 1964, still hum across Honshu at up to 320 km/h.


Expect efficient transport, spotless streets, and convenience stores that serve legitimately good snacks. Cherry blossoms peak roughly late March–early April (and again for autumn foliage late October–mid November), but Japan rewards year-round: winter illuminations, summer festivals, and shoulder-season serenity.

Practical notes: Japan is largely cashless-friendly, though small shops may prefer coins and bills. Load a mobile Suica/PASMO transit card to Apple/Google Wallet, remove shoes where asked, and don’t tip—gratitude is built into the service. For flights into Tokyo, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Tokyo

Tokyo dazzles with contrasts: incense at Asakusa’s Senso-ji, omakase counters in Ginza, indie coffee in Shibuya, and arcade nostalgia in Akihabara. It’s a city that rewards wandering: pocket gardens, basement noodle bars, and department-store food halls (depachika) that turn lunch into an art form.

Top sights include Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace gardens, Tokyo Skytree, Harajuku’s street fashion, and the kinetic Shibuya Crossing—an intersection that has symbolized Tokyo’s energy since the 1930s tram era evolved into the current pedestrian scramble.

Where to stay (Tokyo):


Getting around: Use JR’s Yamanote loop and the Tokyo Metro/Toei lines; tap in/out with mobile Suica/PASMO. Taxis are cashless-enabled and spotless, but rail is usually faster.

Tokyo ⇄ Kyoto: The Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari/Nozomi) takes ~2 hr 15–2 hr 40 min, reserved seats ~¥13,500–¥14,500 one-way. Check times and book seats on Trip.com Trains.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the soul of Japan: 2,000 temples and shrines, lantern-lit lanes, and tea houses where time slows. Walk Higashiyama’s cobbles, hear bamboo groves rustle in Arashiyama, and watch shadows lengthen over Kamo River at dusk.

Headliners include Fushimi Inari’s torii tunnels, Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden stage, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji’s enigmatic rock garden, and Gion—home to geiko (geisha) and maiko apprentices, glimpsed on quiet side streets.

Where to stay (Kyoto):


Getting around: Kyoto’s buses reach temples away from rail lines; subways and JR lines are efficient for cross-town hops. IC cards work seamlessly across both cities.

Day 1 — Arrival in Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku First Tastes

Morning: In transit to Japan. Compare fares to Tokyo (HND/NRT) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. On arrival, Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku is ~53 min; Haneda to Shinjuku via Keikyu/JR or Monorail/JR ~35–45 min.

Afternoon: Drop bags and shake off jet lag with a Shibuya stroll. Cross the famed Shibuya Scramble, then peek into Shibuya Station’s rooftop Shibuya Sky-esque viewpoints at nearby complexes, and browse Tokyu Foodshow for depachika grazing.

Evening: Eat like a local in Shinjuku. Options: slurp ultra-creamy chicken paitan at Fuunji (arrive early), stand for pristine nigiri at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi, or try kushiyaki skewers in Omoide Yokocho’s tiny counter bars. Nightcap at Golden Gai’s micro-bars (Bar Albatross for vintage lamps and jazz).

Day 2 — Tokyo Icons in One Sweep

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour on Viator

Morning: Join the 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour for an efficient overview: Meiji Shrine’s forested calm, a matcha experience, and panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree (admission included on many departures).


Afternoon: Continue to Asakusa’s Senso-ji and Nakamise shopping street for ningyo-yaki cakes and senbei crackers, then a short ferry or bay cruise segment (when operating) for skyline views.

Evening: Dinner in Ebisu. Try Afuri for yuzu-scented shio ramen, or Ebisu Yokocho’s cluster of lively izakaya—order karaage, yaki-onigiri, and highballs. If you’re a cocktail fan, Bar Trench in nearby Daikanyama mixes outstanding classics.

Day 3 — Old Tokyo Mornings, Electric Afternoons, Foodie Night

Morning: Beat the crowds at Asakusa’s Senso-ji with a quiet amble through temple grounds. Breakfast nearby: melon-pan from Asakusa Kagetsudo (still warm and crisp) or a hearty plate at Suke6 Diner. Coffee lovers can detour to Glitch Coffee for light-roast pour-overs.

Afternoon: Walk Ueno Park’s museums—Tokyo National Museum for samurai armor and lacquerware—then ride to Akihabara for retro games at Super Potato and multi-floor electronics browsing. Pause for parfait at Fruit Parlour Kajitsuen in Atre for show-stopping seasonal fruit.

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

Evening: Meet a local guide for the Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries). You’ll weave through alleys to tiny counters most visitors miss—think yakitori glazed over binchotan, seasonal oden, Tokyo-style monjayaki, and wagashi for dessert. It’s a delicious primer on Tokyo’s after-dark palate.


Day 4 — Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip by Coach and Bullet Train

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

Morning: Depart on the Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour (Return by Bullet Train). Typical stops include Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting) and Lake Ashi’s pirate-ship cruise with postcard views.

Afternoon: Ride the Hakone Ropeway over Owakudani’s steaming volcanic valley, snack on black eggs boiled in sulfur springs for good luck, then zip back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen.

Evening: Soothe travel muscles at Spa LaQua’s mineral baths (Tokyo Dome City), then dinner at Tempura Kondo in Ginza (reservations recommended) or casual tendon bowls at Tempura Tendon Tenya for a quick, tasty fix.

Day 5 — Tokyo to Kyoto, Higashiyama Walk

Morning: Take an early Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (2 hr 15–2 hr 40 min). Reserve seats and check schedules via Trip.com Trains. Insider tip: use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) from your Tokyo hotel so you can travel hands-free.

Afternoon: Stroll Higashiyama from Kiyomizu-dera’s veranda down Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka. Sample yatsuhashi (cinnamon rice sweets) and pick up a hand-crafted fan. Coffee break at % Arabica in Higashiyama for single-origin espresso with a temple-side backdrop.


Evening: Glide along the Kamo River at sunset; then dine in Pontocho Alley. Choices: yakitori at Torito for superb tsukune and negima; kyo-ryori (seasonal Kyoto cuisine) kaiseki at Gion Nanba; or a relaxed tempura course at Tempura Endo Yasaka. Nightcap at L’Escamoteur—Victorian alchemy vibes and polished cocktails.

Day 6 — Arashiyama, Zen Gardens, and Gion After Dark

Morning: Arashiyama before the crowds. Walk the Bamboo Grove at dawn, then visit Tenryu-ji’s landscaped gardens. Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge for river views. Brunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura (soba with Katsura River scenery) or tofu-focused Shoraian if you’ve reserved.

Afternoon: Taxi or bus to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), then to Ryoan-ji’s mysterious rock garden—count the stones and embrace the puzzle. Stop for matcha and a sweet at a neighborhood wagashi shop.

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha on Viator

Evening: Join the Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour to learn how geiko and maiko train, work, and preserve tradition. Afterwards, try Kyoto-style obanzai (home-style small plates) at Kamo or a comforting bowl at Menya Inoichi (shio ramen with subtle broth).

Day 7 — Fushimi Inari Sunrise, Nishiki Market, Departure

Morning: Early start at Fushimi Inari Taisha to walk beneath vermilion torii gates in soft morning light; go as far as the Yotsutsuji intersection for Kyoto basin views. Coffee and a pastry at Vermillion café near the shrine makes a perfect post-walk pause.


Afternoon: Graze through Nishiki Market—tako tamago (baby octopus with quail egg), soy milk doughnuts, and fresh yuba. Sit down for classic soba at Honke Owariya (dating to the 15th century) before collecting luggage. Trains to Kansai International Airport (KIX) via the Haruka Express take ~75–90 minutes; compare flights on Trip.com.

Featured Alternatives and Add-ons

If you crave more adrenaline in Tokyo, consider street-level karting through Shibuya (license required), or in Kyoto swap in a tea ceremony near Gion to delve into matcha etiquette. Food lovers with an extra evening can day-trip to Osaka (15 minutes by Shinkansen from Kyoto) for kushikatsu and neon along Dotonbori.

Booking Logistics at a Glance

Viator Activities Included in This Itinerary

In seven days, you’ll sample Tokyo’s high-energy highlights, savor alleyway eats, stand in the shadow of Mt. Fuji, and slow down among Kyoto’s gardens and lantern-lit lanes. It’s a well-paced loop that balances travel time with deep, flavorful experiences—and leaves just enough mystery to bring you back.


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