Ancient shrines under cedar forests and the world’s busiest crosswalk: Japan compresses centuries into a single train ride. From Edo-period merchant quarters to slick glass towers and kaiseki dinners, each day reveals a different layer. In one unforgettable week, you’ll savor Tokyo’s energy, Kyoto’s elegance, and a bit of Kansai flavor.

Japan’s history reaches back over 2,000 years, yet much of what you’ll touch—ramen counters, department store basements, pop culture—grew from the dynamism of the last 150. You’ll see Shinto gates that predate the samurai and railway tech that still sets global standards. Along the way, meet artisans, taste seasonal specialties, and learn how ritual and routine soften city pace.

Practical notes: trains are punctual to the minute; IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) and cash coexist; shoes off for temples, homes, and some restaurants. Consider flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka (open-jaw) to maximize sightseeing. Book intercity trains and flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and use Trip.com Trains for Shinkansen tickets.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a mosaic: incense drifting through Asakusa’s Senso-ji, trend hunters in Harajuku, and ramen shops hidden under train tracks. Watch the sunrise over the Sumida River, get lost in vintage record stores, then end with cocktails high above Shinjuku’s skyline.

• Top sights: Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, teamLabs, Tsukiji Outer Market, Imperial Palace gardens.
• Why visit: Food that ranges from standing sushi bars to Michelin tempura; shopping from crafts to cutting-edge fashion; neighborhoods with distinct personalities.
• Fun fact: Shibuya Crossing can see 2,000+ people per signal—a choreographed chaos since the 1970s.

Stay: Hotel picks on Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, The Peninsula Tokyo, or browse homes on VRBO Tokyo or more hotels on Hotels.com Tokyo.

Getting there: Fly into HND or NRT via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains and airport buses available on Trip.com Trains.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the cradle of tea ceremony and kimono craft, where shrine bells echo at dawn and lanterns guide you through Gion by night. Here, wooden townhouses (machiya) hide noodle shops, and moss gardens cool summer heat.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari’s vermilion gates, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Philosopher’s Path, Nishiki Market.
• Why visit: Timeless temples, seasonal kaiseki cuisine, riverside strolls, traditional sweets (wagashi).

Stay: Splurge at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto or Kyoto Tokyu Hotel; great mid-range at Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya; budget-chic at Piece Hostel Sanjo. Browse VRBO Kyoto or more hotels on Hotels.com Kyoto.

Getting there from Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari/Nozomi, ~2 hr 15 min, reserved seats from ~¥13,500–¥15,000. Book on Trip.com Trains.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen: neon over riverside promenades and laughter spilling from izakaya. It pairs well as an evening detour from Kyoto—come hungry for takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu.

• Top sights/districts: Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Osaka Castle Park, Umeda Sky Building.
• Why visit: Lively street food culture, friendly banter, late-night energy.

Stay (if you add a night): The St. Regis Osaka, Swissotel Nankai Osaka, or family-friendly Hotel Universal Port. Browse more on VRBO Osaka or Hotels.com Osaka.

Getting there from Kyoto: JR Special Rapid ~28 min (Kyoto–Osaka Station) or Shinkansen ~15 min (Kyoto–Shin-Osaka). Tickets on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive Tokyo, Senso-ji Sunset, and Shibuya Night

Morning: Fly into Tokyo (HND is closer; NRT often has more long-hauls). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Transfer into the city by train or bus via Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Check in near Shinjuku or Ginza. Shake off jet lag with coffee at Glitch Coffee Kanda (single-origin brews) or Blue Bottle Aoyama (airy, minimalist). Head to Asakusa’s Senso-ji: stroll Nakamise Street for warm melonpan at Asakusa Kagetsudo and ningyo-yaki cakes hot from the iron.

Evening: Dive into Shibuya. Watch the famous crossing from the street, then grab dinner: ramen at Afuri (yuzu-shio, lighter style), sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing, fast and fresh), or tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama (pork cutlet perfected since the 1960s). Nightcap in Nonbei Yokocho’s tiny bars or a high-rise lounge in Shibuya Stream.

Day 2: Old Tokyo to Neon—Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shinjuku

Morning: Breakfast in Asakusa at Suke6 Diner (cast-iron pancakes, shakshuka) or Fuglen Asakusa (retro-Nordic coffee). Cross town to the forested calm of Meiji Shrine; learn how to bow, cleanse at the temizuya, and make a small wish at the main hall.

Afternoon: Harajuku and Omotesando: crepes at Santa Monica Crepes on Takeshita Street; browse Kiddy Land for character goods; admire Omotesando’s architecture (Tadao Ando’s Omotesando Hills). Late lunch ideas: Harajuku Gyoza Lou (pan-fried dumplings) or Aoyama’s Tempura Motoyoshi Shoten (tempura sandwich window).

Evening: Head to Shinjuku for a cultural deep-dive: Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo lets you get up close to wrestlers, learn rules, and take photos.

After the show, dinner at Nabezo Shinjuku (all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu/sukiyaki with quality beef cuts) or Fuunji (famous chicken-pork tsukemen). Explore Golden Gai’s pocket bars—try Albatross for chandeliers and jazz.

Day 3: Day Trip—Mt. Fuji and Hakone

Swap skyscrapers for sacred peaks on a full-day excursion: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. The deluxe coach usually visits Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Ropeway, with a Shinkansen ride back—efficient and scenic.

Lunch ideas in Hakone if you have free time: black eggs at Owakudani (local curiosity) or soba near Hakone-Yumoto. Back in Tokyo, celebrate with conveyor-belt sushi at Nemuro Hanamaru (Marunouchi KITTE) or a tempura dinner at Tempura Kondo (book ahead).

Day 4: Tokyo → Kyoto by Shinkansen, Gion by Night

Morning: Depart Tokyo Station for Kyoto (Hikari/Nozomi, ~2 hr 15 min; reserved seats from ~¥13,500–¥15,000). Book via Trip.com Trains. Bento tip: grab an ekiben (beef sukiyaki, mackerel sushi) at the platform kiosks.

Afternoon: Check in and head to Higashiyama: Yasaka Shrine’s vermilion gates, then wander Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka’s stone lanes. Coffee at % Arabica Higashiyama (single-origin espresso with a pagoda view) or Ippodo Tea for a quick sencha lesson.

Evening: Gion stroll near Shirakawa River—if you’re lucky, you may spot maiko heading to engagements. Dinner options: Izuju (Kyoto-style pressed mackerel sushi), Honke Owariya (soba since 1465), or Katsukura Shijo (juicy tonkatsu with sesame grinding ritual). End with a quiet drink on Pontocho Alley overlooking the Kamo River.

Day 5: Kyoto’s Greatest Hits—Guided or DIY

Maximize your day with a private, efficient overview: 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people). A local pro strings together Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, and more, minimizing transfers and crowds.

If you go DIY: start at Fushimi Inari before 8 a.m., then Tofuku-ji’s Zen gardens, lunch at Vermillion - e café (near the shrine) or Omen near Ginkaku-ji (udon with seasonal veg). Afternoon at Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden terrace and Kinkaku-ji’s golden reflection. Dinner kaiseki splurge (e.g., Gion Kikunoi) or homestyle obanzai at local izakaya—ask for seasonal dishes like yuba and bamboo shoots in spring.

Day 6: Nara’s Deer + Optional Osaka Night

Morning: Train to Nara (JR or Kintetsu; ~45–60 min; ~¥570–¥920). Bookable on Trip.com Trains. Visit Todai-ji (Great Buddha) and amble through Nara Park where polite deer bow for crackers (shika-senbei). Coffee break at Rokumei Coffee Co. (Naramachi) for expertly roasted cups.

Afternoon: Kasuga Taisha’s lantern-lined paths, then lunch: Edogawa Naramachi (unagi eel bowls), Nakatanidou (watch the famous high-speed mochi pounding and try yomogi mochi), and persimmon leaf sushi at Kakinoha-zushi Hompo Tanaka. Return to Kyoto for a tea tasting or sweets at Kagizen Yoshifusa (kuzukiri noodles dessert).

Evening: Optional Osaka detour: ride JR Special Rapid (~28 min) to Dotonbori’s neon. Progressive dinner—takoyaki at Aizuya or Wanaka (crisp outside, molten inside), okonomiyaki at Mizuno (griddle-side seats), and kushikatsu at Daruma (deep-fried skewers; “no double-dipping” in communal sauce). Craft beer at Minoh Beer Warehouse or a river-view highball, then back to Kyoto.

Day 7: Nishiki Market and Golden Farewell

Morning: Breakfast crawl at Nishiki Market: tamagoyaki sticks at Kyo Omelette, yuba (tofu skin), soy donuts at Konnamonja, and tsukemono pickles to sample regional flavors. Coffee at % Arabica Kyoto Fujii Daimaru or Weekenders Coffee.

Afternoon: Golden sendoff at Kinkaku-ji if you didn’t fit it in, or a contemplative stroll along the Philosopher’s Path. Grab a last lunch—Musashi Sushi (casual conveyor-belt), Owariya (soba), or Arashiyama Yoshimura (soba with river view if you head west). Depart from Kyoto Station to Kansai Airport on the JR Haruka Express (~75 min; from ~¥3,080, book via Trip.com Trains). If you’re flying home from Tokyo, the Shinkansen back is ~2 hr 15 min from Kyoto.

Optional Tokyo Enhancers (If You Add a Night or Swap Activities)

• Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day — tailor Asakusa, Skytree, and Shibuya with a pro.

  

• Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries) — alleyway gems and tastings led by a local.

  

Booking quick links:

• Flights: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com
• Trains (Shinkansen/local): Trip.com Trains
• Tokyo stays: The Peninsula Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, VRBO Tokyo
• Kyoto stays: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya, Piece Hostel Sanjo, VRBO Kyoto
• Osaka stays (if overnighting): The St. Regis Osaka, Swissotel Nankai Osaka, VRBO Osaka

Food and coffee cheat sheet (save for later):

• Tokyo coffee: Glitch Coffee Kanda; Onibus Nakameguro; Koffee Mameya Kakeru (reservations for flights); Blue Bottle Aoyama.
• Tokyo eats: Fuunji (tsukemen); Nabezo (shabu-shabu); Maisen (tonkatsu); Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi); Tempura Kondo (book).
• Kyoto coffee/tea: Ippodo Tea; % Arabica; Weekenders Coffee; Vermillion - e café (Fushimi Inari).
• Kyoto eats: Izuju (Kyoto sushi); Honke Owariya (soba); Katsukura (tonkatsu); Omen (udon); Nishiki Market snack crawl.
• Osaka night bites: Takoyaki at Aizuya or Wanaka; okonomiyaki at Mizuno; kushikatsu at Daruma.

In one week, you’ll sample Japan’s greatest hits: Tokyo’s pop and tradition, Kyoto’s temples and tea, and Kansai’s street-food sparkle. The Shinkansen stitches it all together, leaving more time for lantern-lit alleys and steaming bowls of noodles. Come hungry, walk curious, and let the journey hum like a perfectly timed train.