Welcome to a 7-day gamer-forward Japan itinerary that balances arcades, anime stores, and VR playgrounds with temples, markets, and incredible food. You’ll split time between Tokyo and Osaka—two cities where neon, nostalgia, and cutting-edge tech live side-by-side.

Japan’s gaming story runs deep: from 1970s arcades to the global rise of Nintendo, Sony, and Capcom. Today’s Akihabara remains a pilgrimage for collectors, while Osaka houses Universal Studios Japan’s beloved Super Nintendo World, where Mushroom Kingdom moments come alive.

Practical notes: Pick up a Suica/PASMO (digital works on most phones) for tap-and-go transit. Cash is still useful at small shops, but cards and mobile payments are widely accepted. For flights to Japan, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; for Shinkansen and domestic trains, see Trip.com Trains.

Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital of cool, where retro game cartridges share shelves with the newest consoles. Akihabara is your arcade-and-anime anchor; Shibuya offers flagship stores (Nintendo, Pokémon), and Odaiba brings a waterfront of VR fun and digital art.

• Top sights: Akihabara Radio Kaikan, Super Potato (retro games), GiGO/Taito Station arcades, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, teamLab Planets Tokyo (digital art), Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa’s Sensō-ji.
• Gaming and pop culture: RED° Tokyo Tower (esports/VR), Nintendo Tokyo and Pokémon Center Shibuya (in Shibuya PARCO), Capcom Store Tokyo, Square Enix’s Artnia in Shinjuku.
• Where to stay: Base near Akihabara for arcades, Shibuya for shopping and nightlife, or Asakusa for traditional vibes. Compare stays on VRBO Tokyo and Hotels.com Tokyo.
• Getting in: Fly into HND (closer) or NRT. Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Asakusa vibes, and Skytree views

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, stash bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs in Asakusa. Visit Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and browse Nakamise-dori’s snack stalls (try ningyō-yaki cakes). Coffee at Bridge Coffee & Ice Cream or Suke6 Diner.

Evening: Head to Tokyo Skytree for panorama sunsets. Dinner at Tempura Daikokuya (classic Edo-style) or Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku (Michelin Bib-worthy rice balls). Nightcap at Hoppy Street izakayas—go for yakitori and a lemon sour.

Day 2: Akihabara arcades and retro treasure hunting

Morning: Fuel up at Fuglen Asakusa or hop to Onibus Coffee Nakameguro. Dive into Akihabara: explore Radio Kaikan for figures and model kits, then hunt cartridges and consoles at Super Potato. Try crane games and rhythm machines at GiGO and Taito Station.

Afternoon: Lunch near Akiba: Tonkatsu Marugo (juicy, thick-cut pork) or Gyukatsu Motomura (beef cutlet you sear at the table). Browse Mandarake for rare manga, then drop by Artnia (Square Enix) in Shinjuku for Final Fantasy/Dragon Quest merch and themed desserts.

Evening: Go big at RED° Tokyo Tower: racing simulators, VR shooters, and esports arenas inside Tokyo Tower’s complex. Late dinner in nearby Shiba at Torikizoku (budget yakitori) or relax over craft beer at Beer Ma Kanda.

Day 3: Shibuya and Harajuku—Nintendo, Pokémon, fashion, and food

Morning: Breakfast at Streamer Coffee Company or About Life Coffee Brewers. Visit Shibuya PARCO for Nintendo Tokyo, Pokémon Center Shibuya (with the Mewtwo statue), and Capcom Store. Cross the famous Shibuya Scramble and snap Hachikō.

Afternoon: Walk to Harajuku: pop by Meiji Shrine for serenity, then Takeshita Street for crepes. Lunch at Afuri Harajuku (yuzu ramen) or Uogashi Nihon-Ichi standing sushi. Browse vintage shops in Cat Street.

Evening: Sunset at Shibuya Sky (reserve ahead). Dine at Nabezo Shibuya (sukiyaki/shabu-shabu sets) or Uobei (fun conveyor-belt sushi). Finish at tiny-bar alley Nonbei Yokocho—small pours, big stories.

Day 4: Odaiba digital art and waterfront play

Morning: Coffee and pastry at Bakery & Table Toyosu, then immerse yourself at teamLab Planets Tokyo (barefoot, water installations—book timed entry). It’s the perfect blend of tech and art.

Afternoon: Ride over to Odaiba: hit Joypolis (indoor rides and rhythm games), shop at DECKS/Aqua City, and stroll the seaside park. Lunch at Garuva (Japanese curry) or Kua ‘Aina (Hawaiian burgers) with Rainbow Bridge views.

Evening: Return via Shimbashi’s Yurikamome line for night lights. Dinner at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu (the “Kill Bill” inspiration) or Umegaoka Sushino Midori for generous cuts. Rest up—Osaka awaits tomorrow.

Osaka

Osaka is the street-food capital with a cheeky sense of humor and neon-drenched nights. It’s also home to Universal Studios Japan and Super Nintendo World—think Mario Kart races, power-up snacks, and warp-pipe photo ops.

• Top sights: Dotonbori canal and neon, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Kuromon Market, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Den Den Town (anime/electronics).
• Gaming and fun: Super Nintendo World (USJ), Round1 Stadium arcades, Taito Station Namba, retro hunting in Nipponbashi’s Den Den Town, and family-friendly esports/edutainment at RED°-style venues across the city.
• Where to stay: Namba/Shinsaibashi for nightlife and food, Umeda for transport links, Universal City if you want to rope-drop USJ. Compare on VRBO Osaka and Hotels.com Osaka.
• Getting there from Tokyo (Day 5): Take the Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo/Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka (~2.5–3 hours; ~$110–$130 one-way). Search and book via Trip.com Trains. Flights are ~1 hour if you prefer to fly.

Day 5: Shinkansen to Osaka, castle strolls, and Dotonbori night

Morning: Depart Tokyo by Nozomi around 8–9 AM; grab an ekiben (train bento) at the station. Enjoy Mount Fuji views if skies are clear.

Afternoon: Drop bags at your Osaka hotel, then walk the grounds of Osaka Castle. Coffee break at LiLo Coffee Roasters (Shinsaibashi) or Mouton Coffee (Umeda). Late lunch: Okonomiyaki Kiji (Umeda Sky Building) or Mizuno (Dotonbori) for cabbage-saucy heaven.

Evening: Immerse in Dotonbori’s neon—snap the Glico sign, try Kushikatsu Daruma (deep-fried skewers) and Takoyaki Yamachan. Game at Round1 Sennichimae or Taito Station Namba—rhythm games, UFO catchers, bowling, and more.

Day 6: Universal Studios Japan—Super Nintendo World day

Morning: Early breakfast near your hotel: Granknot Coffee (Kyobashi) or Brooklyn Roasting Company Kitahama. Be at USJ before opening; secure timed-entry for Super Nintendo World and consider Express Passes on peak days.

Afternoon: Race through Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, ride Yoshi’s Adventure, and snack on Super Mushroom Pizza Bowls and Question Block Tiramisu. Explore other USJ hits—Jujutsu Kaisen or seasonal collabs, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Hollywood Dream coaster.

Evening: Return to Namba for dinner at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M (premium beef grilling) or Tsurutontan (hearty udon in giant bowls). If you’ve got energy, arcades are open late, or unwind with dessert at Gram (fluffy pancakes).

Day 7: Markets, Den Den Town, and departure

Morning: Breakfast graze at Kuromon Ichiba—fresh uni, grilled scallops, wagyu skewers. Browse Den Den Town (Nipponbashi) for retro games, model kits, and figure shops.

Afternoon: Departure day. If flying from KIX, the Nankai Rapi:t from Namba or JR Haruka from Tennoji/Shin-Osaka gets you to the airport in ~35–50 minutes. Check train options on Trip.com Trains, and compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit. If your flight is late, fit in a quick stop at Sumiyoshi Taisha or sunset views from Umeda Sky Building before heading out.

Where to stay (quick picks by vibe)

• Tokyo: Akihabara (arcade access), Shibuya (shopping/nightlife), Asakusa (historic). Browse VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo.
• Osaka: Namba/Shinsaibashi (food and fun), Umeda (transport hub), Universal City (for USJ). Compare on VRBO Osaka or Hotels.com Osaka.

That’s your week of gaming, gadgets, and great eats—Tokyo’s arcades and pop culture paired with Osaka’s theme-park thrills and street food. You’ll leave with a camera roll full of neon, a backpack of collectibles, and a craving to come back for another round.