Japan rewards curiosity. In Tokyo, ancient shrines stand a few blocks from cutting‑edge art, and ramen counters draw late‑night crowds under glittering towers. Kyoto slows the pulse: red torii gates thread a sacred mountain, tea houses hide in lantern‑lit lanes, and gardens trace centuries of aesthetic thought.

This 7‑day itinerary splits time between Tokyo and Kyoto for a balanced taste of Japan. You’ll explore neighborhood by neighborhood, eat at beloved local spots, and use the Shinkansen to glide between cities in under 2.5 hours. Expect walkable days, sensible travel flow, and practical tips built in.

Plan on contactless IC cards (Suica/PASMO in Tokyo; ICOCA in Kyoto) for subways and buses, plus comfortable walking shoes. Book popular experiences—like teamLab or observation decks—early. As always, check current travel advisories and holiday closures before you go.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a constellation of villages stitched together by trains: serene mornings at Meiji Shrine, a flash of street fashion in Harajuku, retro vibes in Asakusa, and late‑night tastings in Ebisu. It’s where you can slurp a perfect bowl of ramen at lunch, then watch the city ripple beneath you from Shibuya Sky by dusk.

Top sights include Senso‑ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, the Tokyo Skytree, and contemporary digital art at teamLab Planets. Food-wise, follow locals to standing sushi bars, izakaya alleys, and third‑wave coffee roasters tucked into residential lanes.

• Where to stay: Browse stays near Shinjuku or Tokyo Station for easy transit (Hotels.com: Tokyo | VRBO: Tokyo).
• Getting in: Compare flights to Tokyo (HND/NRT) on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Typical roundtrips vary by season and origin.
• Local transit: Subways cost ~¥170–¥330 per ride; consider topping up a Suica/PASMO.

Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku Views, Izakaya Alley

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive Tokyo and check in near Shinjuku or Tokyo Station (Hotels.com: Tokyo | VRBO: Tokyo). Stretch your legs at Shinjuku Gyoen’s lawns if time allows; it’s a calm counterpoint to the station’s lively chaos.

Evening: Catch sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observatories, then graze through Omoide Yokocho’s tiny izakayas. Try skewers and potato salad at Tachan, grilled mackerel at Kabuto, or a sake flight at Torobakoya. Nightcap at Bar Benfiddich (for imaginative botanicals) or Golden Gai’s snug bars—pop into whichever doorway feels welcoming.

Day 2: Asakusa Traditions, Ueno Culture, Skytree Lights

Morning: Coffee and toast at Suke6 Diner in Asakusa, then walk Nakamise Street to Senso‑ji. Explore the main hall and the Asakusa Shrine behind it; peek down side lanes for taiyaki (fish‑shaped cakes) or ningyo‑yaki. If you like knives or kitchenware, browse Kappabashi Street nearby.

Afternoon: Choose culture in Ueno Park (Tokyo National Museum is a gem) or gadget and retro‑game hunting in Akihabara. Lunch on tendon (tempura over rice) at Asakusa’s Daikokuya—light batter, sesame oil aroma—or a lighter bowl of yuzu‑shio ramen at Afuri in nearby Kanda.

Evening: Head to Tokyo Skytree for panoramic city views (reserve; ¥2,100–¥3,100). For dinner, cross to Tsukishima’s Monja Street to try monjayaki—Tokyo’s gooier cousin of okonomiyaki—at Iroha Honten; staff can guide the tabletop cooking. Stroll the Sumida River promenade afterward.

Day 3: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku to Shibuya, Ebisu Yokocho

Morning: Enter the forested torii of Meiji Shrine early for a quiet start. Coffee at Onibus in Nakameguro or Fuglen in Yoyogi‑Uehara. Browse Omotesando’s design‑forward boutiques; grab a custard bun at Bread, Espresso & for a second breakfast.

Afternoon: Cross Shibuya Crossing—its “scramble” has symbolized Tokyo’s pace since the 20th century. Consider Shibuya Sky for an open‑air deck above the intersection (reserve). Sushi lunch at Uogashi Nihon‑ichi (standing, fast, fresh) or a creative ramen at Mensho (look for seasonal specials).

Evening: Eat and mingle at Ebisu Yokocho, a covered alley of micro‑eateries: sample Hokkaido seafood at Robata or yakitori at Kushiwakamaru’s offshoot. If art and light call, book teamLab Planets in Toyosu (immersive, barefoot; ~¥3,800, extended through 2027) and go post‑dinner for shorter lines.

Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s former imperial heart, where temple bells and tea steam frame the day. Wooden machiya houses line the lanes, and geiko still slip between engagements in Gion at dusk. It’s a city that invites slow wandering—and rewards early mornings.

Top draws include the vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu‑dera’s hillside stage, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and river, gilded Kinkaku‑ji, and the stone‑lined Philosopher’s Path. Between sights, taste Kyoto’s vegetable‑forward obanzai, delicate yuba, and refined kaiseki.

• Where to stay: Base near Gion/Higashiyama for atmospheric evenings or by Kyoto Station for transit ease (Hotels.com: Kyoto | VRBO: Kyoto).
• Tokyo → Kyoto: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi fastest) from Tokyo/Shinagawa to Kyoto: ~2 hr 15 min; reserved seat ~¥14,000–¥15,500 one way. Search schedules on Trip.com (trains).
• Airport out: From Kyoto to KIX, the Haruka Express takes ~1 hr 20 min; typical fares ~¥2,900–¥3,500 depending on ticket type. Compare flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Travel to Kyoto, Higashiyama Stroll, Gion Twilight

Morning: Depart Tokyo by Shinkansen around 8–9 am; grab an ekiben (station bento) for the ride. You’ll be in Kyoto before lunch (~2 hr 15 min). Drop bags and pick up an ICOCA card if needed.

Afternoon: Walk the Higashiyama hills: Yasaka Pagoda, Sannen‑zaka and Ninen‑zaka’s stone lanes, then Kiyomizu‑dera (temple admission ~¥400) with views over the city. Coffee with a view at % Arabica in Higashiyama; their espresso is bright and consistent.

Evening: Dinner on Kyoto flavors: Omen for thick udon with mountain vegetables, or Kamo for seasonal obanzai small plates. Wander Gion’s Hanamikoji and Shirakawa canal; be respectful—no flash photography of geiko/maiko on duty.

Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo, River, and Shojin Lunch

Morning: Arrive early (by 7–8 am) to Arashiyama’s bamboo grove before the crowds. Visit Tenryu‑ji’s gardens (temple ~¥500; garden separate) and, if you like a climb, the Iwatayama Monkey Park for sweeping river views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Shigetsu (inside Tenryu‑ji) for shojin ryori—Buddhist vegan cuisine emphasizing seasonal vegetables and tofu—served on tatami (set menus; reserve if possible). Rent a bicycle or stroll the Hozu River; optionally ride the Sagano Scenic Railway for a nostalgic valley view.

Evening: Casual yakitori at Torito near Sanjo or a splurge on seasonal kaiseki at Gion Nanba (book ahead). End with cocktails at L’Escamoteur—vintage apothecary vibes and precise classics—or a tea‑focused nightcap at Ippodo’s evening tastings if available.

Day 6: Fushimi Inari Gates, Sake Town, Golden Pavilion

Morning: Start at dawn at Fushimi Inari—thousands of vermilion torii climbing Mount Inari, free and open 24/7. Refuel at Vermillion – espresso bar along the approach. If you enjoy light hikes, ascend to the Yotsutsuji viewpoint (~40–60 min roundtrip).

Afternoon: Tram or train to Fushimi’s sake district: tour the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and taste junmai and ginjo styles. Lunch at Torisei’s historic brewery location (yakitori don and sake samplers are favorites). Later, visit Kinkaku‑ji (Golden Pavilion; admission ~¥500) or Nijo Castle’s nightingale floors (~¥1,300), time‑permitting. Coffee stop at Weekenders Coffee hidden behind a parking lot near Karasuma.

Evening: Explore Nishiki Market’s stalls—try soy‑milk donuts at Konnamonja, yuba croquettes, or grilled seafood skewers—then dine nearby: Musashi Sushi (conveyor belt with solid quality) or Yakiniku Hiro for marbled wagyu grilled at your table. Digest with a stroll through lantern‑lit Pontocho Alley.

Day 7: Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen‑ji, Departure

Morning: Walk the Philosopher’s Path from Ginkaku‑ji end toward Nanzen‑ji—stone canal, seasonal blossoms, and small ateliers. Enter Nanzen‑ji’s vast grounds and the brick aqueduct; if time allows, visit the sub‑temple gardens.

Afternoon: A final Kyoto lunch: Kyoto‑style okonomiyaki at Donguri or silky tofu sets at Yudofu Sagano (near Nanzen‑ji). Return to your hotel, collect bags, and head for the airport: Haruka Express from Kyoto Station to KIX ~1 hr 20 min (Trip.com: trains). Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit.

Optional add‑ons if you have energy or swap‑ins for weather: Tokyo—Odaiba’s waterfront walks, Yanaka’s old‑Tokyo lanes, or a sumo morning practice visit if in season. Kyoto—tea ceremony in a machiya, a half‑day to Uji for matcha and Byodo‑in, or sunset over the Kamogawa riverbanks.

This 7‑day Japan itinerary pairs Tokyo’s electric energy with Kyoto’s living history, paced so you can savor meals and moments. With fast trains, walkable neighborhoods, and carefully chosen food stops, it’s a week you’ll happily replay in memory—and plan to revisit in reality.