Japan condenses millennia of culture into ultra-modern cities threaded by some of the world’s fastest trains. From Edo-period streets to LED-lit skylines, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka each reveal a distinct personality—and together form a timeless introduction to the country.

Tokyo is the megacity of contrasts: tranquil shrine forests beside skyscrapers, sushi breakfasts followed by otaku arcades. Kyoto preserves imperial elegance, where moss gardens, wooden machiya townhouses, and tea masters still set the pace. Osaka, the nation’s “kitchen,” is pure flavor and fun—late-night markets, sizzling teppans, and unfussy, big-hearted hospitality.

Practical notes: load Mobile Suica or PASMO on your phone for transit in Tokyo; in Kansai (Kyoto/Osaka), ICOCA works similarly. Cash is still handy for small shops, though cards are widely accepted. Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) is a traveler’s dream—send suitcases hotel-to-hotel and travel light between cities.

Tokyo

Japan’s kinetic capital blends ancient ritual with cutting-edge cool. Pray beneath towering torii at Meiji Jingu, then people-watch at Shibuya Crossing. Taste Japan’s seafood story at Tsukiji, and cap the day in Shinjuku’s alleyway bars.

• Icons: Senso-ji in Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree views.
• Neighborhoods: fashion-forward Harajuku and Omotesando; old-school Yanaka; neon-drenched Shinjuku.
• Food you can’t miss: Edomae sushi, ramen (yuzu-shio at AFURI; rich tonkotsu at Ichiran), yakitori, monjayaki in Tsukishima.

Stay in style: splurge at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo or serene Aman Tokyo; excellent mid-range picks include Hotel Gracery Shinjuku and Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku; families love Hilton Tokyo Bay. Browse more stays on Hotels.com or apartment-style options on VRBO.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the heart of classic Japan, once the imperial capital for over a thousand years. Bamboo groves whisper in Arashiyama, fox-guarded gates climb the mountain at Fushimi Inari, and incense curls through temple eaves.

• Don’t miss: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle, Gion’s lantern-lit lanes.
• Experiences: tea ceremony in kimono, kaiseki dining, cycling quiet temple districts, riverside evenings on Pontocho.
• Tastes: tofu and yuba cuisine, matcha sweets, Kyo-wagashi, delicate tempura, refined soba.

Where to stay: riverside elegance at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto; polished comfort at Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or Kyoto Brighton Hotel; great-value bases include Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya, Hotel M's Est Shijo Karasuma, and social Piece Hostel Sanjo. See more on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s fun-loving foodie capital. Stroll under neon in Dotonbori, trade banter with takoyaki vendors, and eat your way through Tenma’s standing bars. The city’s motto is “kuidaore”—eat until you drop.

• Highlights: Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building views, Namba backstreets, Kuromon Market tastings.
• Essentials to try: okonomiyaki, kushikatsu skewers, takoyaki, hearty Kansai-style udon, and sake pairings.
• Nightlife: intimate tachinomi standing bars, retro arcades, live jazz in Kitashinchi.

Top stays: refined The St. Regis Osaka and Swissotel Nankai Osaka (right above Namba Station). Mid-range/affordable: Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba, Hotel Universal Port, or family-ready Universal Bay Condominium; budget basic at Hotel Taiyo. Explore more on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Getting In, Around & Between Cities

Fly into Tokyo (HND or NRT). Compare fares and times on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For airport-to-city, taxis cost more; consider a private transfer if you have luggage or arrive late: Narita–Tokyo Private Transfer.

Shinkansen links the cities quickly. Book Japan trains on Trip.com Trains. Typical fares (reserved seats): Tokyo→Kyoto ~2h15 on Nozomi, ~¥14,500 ($95–105). Kyoto→Osaka: 13 minutes by Shinkansen (~¥1,420) or ~30 minutes by JR Special Rapid (~¥580).

7-Day Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Tokyo Arrival, Shibuya & Shinjuku Nightlife

Morning: In transit. If landing at NRT/HND before noon, grab an onigiri and green tea to reset your body clock.

Afternoon: Check into your Tokyo hotel. Shake off jet lag with a walk through Shibuya—say hello to Hachiko, then watch the “Scramble” from the second-floor windows at the crossing’s northwest corner. Coffee break at The Roastery by Nozy Coffee (single-origin pour-overs) or Fuglen Tomigaya for Nordic-style brews.

Evening: Eat your way through Shinjuku’s back alleys. Yakitori smoke curls through Omoide Yokocho; try salt-seasoned negima skewers and tsukune. For a guided feast, join this small-group tasting: Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries).

Post-dinner, peek into Golden Gai’s micro-bars—tiny, themed, and very friendly. If you prefer a sit-down dinner, book Uoshin Nogizaka (seafood izakaya with seasonal sashimi) or Ichiran for late-night tonkotsu ramen in private booths.

Day 2: Tokyo’s Old Town, Markets & Skytree Views

Morning: Start with a chef-led amble and tastings at Tsukiji’s Outer Market—tamagoyaki, knife-shopping, and buttery toro handrolls. Book: Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour.

Afternoon: Ride to Asakusa for Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Stroll Nakamise-dori for senbei rice crackers and melon-pan ice cream. Cross the river for Tokyo Skytree views; for lunch, try tendon (tempura rice bowl) at Daikokuya or soba at Namiki Yabusoba.

Evening: Head to Akihabara for retro game arcades and anime shops, or to Kappabashi’s kitchenware street for pro-grade knives. Dinner back in Shibuya at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi standing sushi (fast and great value), or book counter seats at Sushi no Midori for generous cuts without breaking the bank.

Day 3: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku Fashion, and Tokyo Night Views

Morning: Enter the cedar-scented calm of Meiji Jingu; then people-watch along Takeshita Street. Brunch at A Happy Pancake (fluffy soufflé stacks) or crepes from Santa Monica Crepes—both Harajuku icons.

Afternoon: Window-shop Omotesando’s architectural flagships, then browse design-forward boutiques in Aoyama. For a fun photo souvenir, book a mini-shoot at the world’s busiest crossing: Private Photoshoot at Shibuya Crossing Tokyo.

Evening: Sunset vantage points: Shibuya Sky, Tokyo City View, or the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Dinner ideas: Teyandei (Nishi-Azabu; creative izakaya classics), Afuri (yuzu-shio ramen; clean and citrusy), or Nakajima (Michelin-star sardine set menu at wallet-friendly prices; arrive early for lines).

Day 4: Tokyo → Kyoto by Shinkansen, Fushimi Inari & Gion

Morning: Depart Tokyo after breakfast. Tokyo Station → Kyoto on Nozomi: ~2h15, ~¥14,500. Reserve seats and track platforms easily via Trip.com Trains. Use luggage forwarding so you can board with just a daypack.

Afternoon: Check into your Kyoto stay. Head straight to Fushimi Inari Taisha; hike through thousands of vermilion gates to a viewpoint over the city. Late lunch nearby: Kitsune udon (sweet fried tofu topping) or matcha soft-serve at a shrine-side cafe.

Evening: Wander Gion at dusk when lanterns glow and you might glimpse a maiko on the way to an appointment. Dinner picks: Honke Owariya (Kyoto’s historic soba, founded 1465), Tousuiro (tofu kaiseki), or Omen Kodai-ji (udon with seasonal veg). For a guided cultural intro, consider Kyoto Gion Cultural Walk & Geisha Show (with dining options).

Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo, Zen Gardens & Tea Ceremony

Morning: Beat the crowds in Arashiyama. Walk the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji’s strolling garden, and Okochi Sanso’s hilltop vistas on a guided route that threads quieter paths: Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour.

Afternoon: Lunch riverside—yudofu (hot tofu) or tempura soba—then head north to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and the quieter Daitoku-ji subtemples for wabi-sabi stone gardens. Deepen your Kyoto moment with a kimono-clad tea ceremony: KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono.

Evening: Stroll Pontocho Alley beside the Kamogawa River. Dinner picks: tempura counter at Gion Namba (reserve), premium yakitori at Torito Pontocho, or casual izakaya plates at Musashi Sushi’s conveyor for a light, fast option. Nightcap at a kissaten like Inoda Coffee’s retro salon.

Day 6: Kyoto → Osaka, Osaka Castle & Tenma Backstreets

Morning: Short hop to Osaka: Kyoto → Shin-Osaka via Shinkansen (13 minutes, ~¥1,420) or JR Special Rapid to Osaka Station (~30 minutes, ~¥580). Drop bags, then join a historian-led walk at the city’s symbol: Osaka Castle Walking Tour with Tower Admission.

Afternoon: Coffee at LiLo Coffee Roasters (serious beans, friendly baristas). Lunch is Osaka soul food: okonomiyaki at Mizuno (Dotonbori) or Ajinoya (thick, caramelized edges), or kushikatsu at Daruma in Shinsekai—dip once only, no double-dipping in communal sauce.

Evening: Experience Osaka after dark in the neighborhoods locals love. This small-group crawl includes 15+ tastings and neighborhood stories: Osaka Deep Night Food Tour: Tenma & Kyobashi.

Prefer DIY? Snack your way down Dotonbori: takoyaki from Aizuya or Wanaka, grilled crab legs at Kani Doraku’s street window, and jiggly cheesecake from Rikuro Ojisan near Namba.

Day 7: Osaka Markets, Last Bites & Departure

Morning: Breakfast ramble at Kuromon Market. Try fatty tuna nigiri, wagyu skewers at a butcher stall, and fresh fruit daifuku. Alternatively, learn to flip the city’s signature snack: Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience—fun, quick, and delicious.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping along Shinsaibashi-suji. For KIX departures, Nankai Rapi:t from Namba (~38–44 minutes, ~¥1,450) or JR Haruka from Tennoji (~35 minutes). Compare flight times/fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re heading back to Tokyo for a flight, the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo takes ~2h30.

Evening: In transit. Grab an ekiben (station bento) for the ride or a final bowl of Kansai-style udon before boarding.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have More Time)

• From Tokyo: Day trip to Mt. Fuji and Hakone with lake cruise and Shinkansen return: Mt Fuji & Hakone Tour.
• From Kyoto/Osaka: Early-bird Nara deer and Todai-ji before crowds: Nara Early Morning Tour.

Where to Book Your Stays (Quick Links)

• Tokyo stays: Hotels.com | VRBO. Editor’s picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Aman Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.
• Kyoto stays: Hotels.com | VRBO. Editor’s picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya.
• Osaka stays: Hotels.com | VRBO. Editor’s picks: The St. Regis Osaka, Swissotel Nankai Osaka, Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (Save This!)

• Tokyo breakfast/coffee: Fuglen Tomigaya; The Roastery by Nozy Coffee; Tsukiji tamagoyaki stands; Onigiri Bongo (rice balls stuffed to order).
• Kyoto bites: Inoda Coffee; yudofu near Nanzen-ji; Honke Owariya soba; matcha parfaits in Gion.
• Osaka essentials: LiLo Coffee Roasters; okonomiyaki at Mizuno/Ajinoya; kushikatsu Daruma; takoyaki Aizuya/Wanaka; Rikuro cheesecake.

This one-week sprint distills Japan’s greatest hits—Shibuya’s energy, Kyoto’s grace, and Osaka’s flavors—without ever feeling rushed. With high-speed trains, smart dining picks, and a few expertly led tours, you’ll see why travelers return again and again to refine their perfect Japan itinerary.