Japan bridges ancient ritual and cutting-edge design, where serene temples meet sci‑fi skylines and seasonal cuisine rules the table. From Edo‑era neighborhoods to hypermodern towers, the country rewards slow mornings at shrines and late nights under neon. This 7-day Japan itinerary makes the most of Tokyo and Kyoto, the nation’s cultural powerhouses.

Expect exquisite food—ramen, sushi, tempura, wagyu, kaiseki—and regional specialties like Kyoto tofu and matcha. Transit is fast, on time, and intuitive; IC cards on your phone (Suica/PASMO) make tap‑and‑go easy. Tipping isn’t customary, shoes come off in many spaces, and quiet on trains is polite.

Flying from Atlanta? Keep each flight leg under 12 hours by routing via a West Coast hub (SEA, LAX, or SFO) to Tokyo, then return from Osaka (KIX) or Tokyo. Search multi‑city options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical routes: ATL–SEA (~5.5h) + SEA–HND (~10.5h), or ATL–LAX (~4.5–5h) + LAX–HND (~10.5–11h). For the return, consider KIX–HND (~1h domestic) + HND–LAX (~10.5–11h) + LAX–ATL (~4.5h).

Tokyo

Tokyo is a living mosaic: lantern‑lit alleys in Asakusa, fashion‑forward Harajuku, and the behemoth scramble of Shibuya. Between them lie craft coffee bars, knife‑sharp sushi counters, and public art woven into daily life.

• Top sights: Sensō‑ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, teamLab’s immersive digital art, Tsukiji outer market, and the contemporary skyline from observatories like Tokyo City View or Shibuya Sky.
• Eat & drink: Queue for tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten, smoky yakitori in Omoide Yokocho, buttery tempura at Nihonbashi Tenmatsu, ramen at Ginza Kagari, and classic sushi at Uogashi Nihon‑ichi standing bars.
• Neighborhood vibes: Design-forward Daikanyama and Nakameguro canals; electronics and retro games in Akihabara; quiet gardens in Hamarikyu and Koishikawa Kōrakuen.

Where to stay (Tokyo): For effortless transit, base in Shinjuku, Ginza, or Tokyo Station. Browse options on Hotels.com (Tokyo) or apartments on VRBO (Tokyo). Consider hotels like Park Hotel Tokyo (art rooms), Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo (near Tokyo Station), or Shinjuku Granbell (rooftop views).

Getting around: Load a Suica/PASMO on Apple/Google Wallet for subways and convenience stores. Taxis are clean and cashless; trains are fastest.

Kyoto

Kyoto keeps the seasonal pulse of Japan—vermillion torii in cedar forests, tea whisked to silk, and wooden machiya along dim alleys. It’s the cradle of kaiseki cuisine and home to over a thousand temples and shrines.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari’s gates, Kiyomizu‑dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku‑ji), Philosopher’s Path, and Gion’s preservation districts.
• Eat & drink: Yudōfu near Nanzen‑ji, tofu kaiseki at Tousuiro, obanzai (Kyoto home cooking) in cozy izakaya, matcha parfaits at Tsujiri, and udon at Omen.
• Vibe: Early mornings for serenity, afternoons in gardens and markets, candle‑soft evenings in Pontochō.

Where to stay (Kyoto): For walking access, stay near Gion, Kawaramachi, or Kyoto Station. Search Hotels.com (Kyoto) or find townhouses on VRBO (Kyoto). Look at Hotel Kanra Kyoto (contemporary ryokan style), The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjō (central), or a machiya stay near Higashiyama.

Tokyo–Kyoto transport: Take the Tōkaidō Shinkansen (Nozomi) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station in ~2 hr 15 min. Reserved seats run roughly ¥14,000–¥15,000 (~$95–$115 USD). Check times and fares on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (Afternoon Arrival)

Afternoon: Land at Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT). From HND, the monorail to Hamamatsuchō connects quickly to JR lines; from NRT, take the Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku. Check in and decompress with a stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens—salt‑water ponds, black pines, and skyline contrasts.

Evening: Ease into Japan with a sumo culture show in Shinjuku for an up‑close look at the sport’s rituals, rules, and power.

Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo

Post‑show dinner: Choose yakitori at Toriyoshi Shinjuku (charcoal‑grilled skewers), curry rice at Nishimura, or handmade soba at Kyourakutei in Kagurazaka. Nightcap at Bar Benfiddich (botanical cocktails) or a quiet whisky at Zoetrope (1,000+ Japanese whiskies).

Day 2: Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya by Night

Morning: Coffee at Fuglen Asakusa (Norwegian‑Japanese vibe) or Glitch Coffee near Jimbochō. Visit Sensō‑ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street for ningyō‑yaki cakes and senbei rice crackers. Cross the Sumida River for a skyline angle featuring Tokyo Skytree.

Afternoon: Head to Meiji Shrine’s forested paths, then browse vintage shops and crepe stands in Harajuku’s Takeshita Street. Walk Omotesandō’s tree‑lined boulevard for Tadao Ando and Herzog & de Meuron storefronts; lunch on tempura at Tempura Yamanoue Roppongi or udon at Shin Udon Shinjuku (hand‑cut, springy noodles).

Evening: Join a guided food crawl in Shinjuku’s maze of alleys—13 dishes across four venues, from yakitori to regional specialties. It’s a delicious primer on izakaya culture.

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

Afterward, see Shibuya Crossing from ground level and, if time, from an observation deck for the full neon panorama. Late ramen at Afuri (yuzu‑shio brightness) or tsukemen at Fuunji in Shinjuku.

Day 3: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip (Full Day)

Trade the city for alpine air on a Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour. You’ll visit Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting), cruise Lake Ashi, ride the Hakone Ropeway over sulfur vents, and zip back to Tokyo by bullet train. It’s the classic nature‑plus‑onsen landscape within easy reach of the capital.

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

Back in Tokyo, soak tired legs at a sentō like Daikokuyu in Kiyokawa or opt for sushi at Uogashi Nihon‑ichi (stand‑and‑go freshness) or conveyor‑belt fun at Nemuro Hanamaru in Marunouchi.

Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto + Gion Stroll

Morning: Grab a flat white at About Life Coffee Brewers (Shibuya) or Koffee Mameya Kakeru (bar‑style tastings), then ride the Tōkaidō Shinkansen Nozomi to Kyoto (~2 hr 15 min). Expect ~¥14,000–¥15,000 one‑way reserved; check schedules and fares via Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Check in, then meander Higashiyama’s stone lanes—Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka—toward Kiyomizu‑dera’s veranda over the city. Pause for matcha and warabi‑mochi at a teahouse like Saryo Tsujiri Gion.

Evening: Gion after dusk is lanterns and footfall on wood. Dinner ideas: obanzai small plates at Mumokuteki Café, yakitori at Torito Gion, or tofu kaiseki at Tousuiro. Finish with a quiet drink along Pontochō Alley overlooking the Kamo River.

Day 5: Kyoto’s 10 Must‑See Spots (Private Guided Day)

Cover Kyoto efficiently with a private tour that strings together the greatest hits—Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku‑ji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu‑dera, and more—tailored to your pace and interests.

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)

Between sights, refuel with udon at Omen near Ginkaku‑ji, yuba (tofu skin) at Nishiki Market, or a seasonal wagashi sweet. Consider a traditional kaiseki dinner at Gion Nanba or modern washoku at Giro Giro Hitoshina.

Day 6: Arashiyama Dawn, Nishiki Market, and Riverside Evening

Morning: Beat the crowds at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove just after sunrise, then visit Tenryū‑ji’s gardens. Coffee and custard buns at Arabica Arashiyama by the river; optional side trip to the Iwatayama Monkey Park for views.

Afternoon: Head back to central Kyoto for Nishiki Market: try tako‑tamago (octopus with quail egg), fresh dashimaki tamago, sesame croquettes, and pickles from Daiyasu. Pop into Aritsugu for chef knives and learn about steel and sharpening.

Evening: Casual dinner at Kushikura (charcoal‑grilled chicken) or Kyoto Gogyo (burnt miso ramen with smoky depth). Stroll the Kamo River terraces; bars along Kiyamachi (try L’Escamoteur for whimsical cocktails) round out the night.

Day 7: Fushimi Inari Sunrise or Last‑Minute Kyoto, Then Fly Home (Afternoon Departure)

Morning: If you missed it on Day 5, start early at Fushimi Inari Taisha—climb the lower loops under vermillion gates as the city wakes. Coffee at Vermillion eXpress by the station, or a leisurely breakfast near Kawaramachi (Inoda Coffee for a retro kissaten feel).

Afternoon (Departure): Travel to Kansai International Airport (KIX) via JR Haruka Limited Express (~75 min from Kyoto Station; ~¥2,900). To keep flight legs under 12 hours, route KIX–HND (~1h) then HND–LAX (~10.5–11h) + LAX–ATL (~4.5h). Compare fares and timings on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Practical Notes & Booking Tips

• Trains: The Tokyo–Kyoto round trip is often cheaper point‑to‑point than a nationwide pass on a short itinerary. Check real‑time prices and seat types on Trip.com Trains.
• Flights: For ATL with sub‑12‑hour legs, favor routings via SEA/LAX/SFO. Use multi‑city (ATL–HND, KIX–ATL) to minimize backtracking: Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Cash & cards: Cards are widely accepted, but keep some yen (¥) for small shops and shrines. No tipping; a polite bow and “arigatō gozaimasu” go far.
• Etiquette: Speak softly on trains, queue neatly, and remove shoes where indicated. Tattoos may be restricted in some baths; check posted rules.

Optional Tokyo Add‑Ons (time permitting)

• Personalized city overview by car or on foot to maximize your first full day: Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day

  

  (If you prefer to swap this in for Day 2’s DIY sightseeing.)

In one invigorating week, you’ll taste Tokyo’s energy, breathe Kyoto’s quiet, and glimpse Mt. Fuji over volcanic lakes. With smart routing from ATL and the Shinkansen stitching cities together, this itinerary balances headline attractions with authentic neighborhood flavor—fuel for many happy returns to Japan.