Japan marries precision and poetry: bullet trains glide beneath temple eaves, and vending machines hum near mossy gardens. In one week, Tokyo’s energy and Kyoto’s elegance reveal the country’s twin spirits—innovative and timeless. This itinerary is crafted to maximize sights without rushing, with mornings for landmarks, afternoons for neighborhoods, and evenings for memorable meals.

Tokyo grew from an Edo-period castle town into the world’s largest metropolis—home to Shibuya Crossing, serene Meiji Shrine, and boundary-pushing digital art like teamLab Borderless. Kyoto, the former imperial capital, holds over a thousand temples and shrines: vermilion torii at Fushimi Inari, golden Kinkaku-ji, and lantern-lit lanes in Gion where tea culture still flourishes.

Practical notes: Mobile Suica/PASMO works on most phones, cash is still useful at markets, and luggage forwarding (takkyubin) lightens Shinkansen travel. Reserve popular restaurants, tea ceremonies, and museums early—especially teamLab, Ghibli Museum, and kaiseki dining. Spring and autumn are peak seasons; start early for crowd-free moments.

Tokyo

Tokyo dazzles with electric neighborhoods and quiet sanctuaries. Wander from temple incense to third-wave coffee, then end with ramen or tempura that redefines “comfort food.” Stay near Shinjuku, Ginza, or Shibuya for easy transit and nightlife.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Tokyo or hotels on Hotels.com Tokyo.
• Getting in: Fly into HND or NRT (search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com). From NRT, take the Narita Express (~50–65 min) or Keisei Skyliner (~41 min). From HND, central Tokyo is ~20–35 min by rail.

Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku Skylines, and Alleyway Eats

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs at Shinjuku Gyoen, a tranquil garden blending French, English, and Japanese styles—ideal to reset after the flight.

Evening: Watch the lights flicker on from the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory, then dive into tiny grill stalls at Omoide Yokocho. Try yakitori at Toriyoshi or kushiyaki at Kabuto; finish with ramen at Menya Musashi for a rich shoyu broth.

Day 2: Asakusa, Sumida River, and teamLab

Morning: Start at Senso-ji in Asakusa before big crowds. Snack on taiyaki and ningyo-yaki along Nakamise Street. Coffee at Onibus Coffee Asakusa for nutty single-origin pours.

Afternoon: Cruise or stroll along the Sumida River to Hamarikyu Gardens—saltwater ponds framed by skyscrapers. Lunch at Tsukiji Outer Market: queue at Sushi Daiwa for classic nigiri, or try tempura at Tenfusa. Udon lovers should hit Taniya for silky, hand-made noodles.

Evening: Explore teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills; reserve ahead)—immersive rooms that shift as you move. Dinner nearby at Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama (panko-crisp, juicy pork cutlets) or Afuri for yuzu-shio ramen that’s light yet aromatic.

Day 3: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku to Shibuya

Morning: Walk the cedar-lined path to Meiji Jingu; arrive early to catch a priestly procession. Breakfast at BREAD, ESPRESSO & in Omotesando for shokupan toasts and cappuccinos.

Afternoon: Browse Omotesando’s design boutiques, then head to Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for crepes and pop culture snapshots. In Shibuya, cross the famous scramble and peek into Shibuya Parco’s futuristic Nintendo store.

Evening: Sunset views at Shibuya Sky. Dinner at Fuunji in Shinjuku for silky tsukemen with thick bonito-chicken broth; for a sit-down izakaya, book Uoshin Nogizaka—grilled mackerel, sashimi platters, and crisp highballs.

Day 4: Museums or Mitaka, then Bullet Train to Kyoto

Morning: Choose an art or pop-culture thread: The National Museum of Western Art (Ueno), Nezu Museum (garden jewel), or the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (advance ticket required). Coffee at Cafe de L’Ambre in Ginza for vintage kissaten vibes and aged beans.

Afternoon: Depart for Kyoto by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station (2 hr 15–30 min; reserved seat ~¥14,000 one-way; book via Trip.com Trains). Check in near Kyoto Station or Gion/Higashiyama.

Evening: Twilight at Kiyomizu-dera (the wooden stage glows at dusk). Stroll Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka lanes; dinner at Kyoto Gogyo (burnt miso ramen, smoky and deep) or Katsukura (precise tonkatsu with barley rice and sesame).

Kyoto

Kyoto rewards early risers and unhurried walkers. Temples sit in moss gardens, markets sell pickles and knives, and alleyways hum with izakaya chatter. Base yourself near Gion/Higashiyama for heritage strolls, or Kyoto Station for transport ease.

• Where to stay: See VRBO Kyoto and Hotels.com Kyoto.

Day 5: Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, and Riverside Dining

Morning: Be at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by sunrise for hushed paths and soft light. Enter Tenryu-ji’s gardens (UNESCO) right when it opens.

Afternoon: Cross Togetsukyo Bridge; if you like short climbs and macaques, visit Iwatayama Monkey Park for panoramic views. Lunch at % Arabica Arashiyama for espresso with river views, or have tofu cuisine at Shoraian (reserve; refined kaiseki on the Katsura riverside).

Evening: Return central. Dine in Pontocho Alley: Torito for yakitori or Kappa-Sushi (local counter, not conveyor). If you prefer noodles, Honke Owariya (est. 1465) serves elegant soba in a historic townhouse.

Day 6: Fushimi Inari, Tea Ceremony, and Gion

Morning: Climb through vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari before 8 am to enjoy the hush. Grab onigiri and drip coffee at Kurasu Kyoto Stand afterward.

Afternoon: Explore Fushimi’s sake district—tour the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and taste junmai and ginjo styles. Consider a traditional tea ceremony near Gion to learn whisking and seasonality in matcha.

Evening: Stroll Gion’s Hanamikoji at dusk; be respectful of residents and no-photos zones. Dinner at Gion Tanto (homey obanzai small plates) or kaiseki at Gion Nanba (reserve well in advance; seasonal menu that honors Kyoto’s produce).

Day 7: Golden Pavilion, Zen Stones, and Departure

Morning: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) at opening, then nearby Ryoan-ji to contemplate its famed rock garden. Coffee and pastries at Inoda Coffee Honten—classic Kyoto kissaten style.

Afternoon: Walk a short stretch of the Philosopher’s Path if time allows, then depart to the airport. Osaka Itami (ITM) is ~1 hr by bus; Kansai International (KIX) is ~75–95 min by express trains/buses. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Tokyo & Kyoto Dining Shortlist (Save for Later)

• Tokyo Coffee: Koffee Mameya Kakeru (experimental flights), Onibus Nakameguro (terrace), Cafe de L’Ambre (aged beans).
• Tokyo Meals: Tempura Kondo (reservations), Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama, Fuunji (tsukemen), Uoshin (seafood izakaya).
• Kyoto Coffee: % Arabica Higashiyama (espresso with a view), Kurasu Kyoto (filter focus), Inoda Coffee (kissaten).
• Kyoto Meals: Honke Owariya (historic soba), Katsukura (tonkatsu), Kyoto Gogyo (burnt miso ramen), Gion Tanto (obanzai), Shoraian (tofu kaiseki, reserve).

Transport Notes & Booking

• City transit: Use Mobile Suica/PASMO on your phone; top up at stations. Subways and JR lines are fast and frequent.
• Intercity: Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen Hikari/Nozomi takes ~2 hr 15–30 min; reserve seats during peak seasons and note oversized luggage rules. Book via Trip.com Trains.
• Flights: For international or domestic legs, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

This 7-day Japan itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood wanderings and great meals. You’ll leave with temple quiet in your ears, city glow in your eyes, and a short list of places you already want to revisit. It’s a week built for memories—and your next return ticket.