Japan is an elegant contradiction: a place where centuries-old temples sit a few steps from cutting-edge design. Tokyo crackles with pop culture and culinary innovation, while Kyoto whispers through moss gardens, tea houses, and lantern-lit lanes. Riding the Shinkansen between them is part of the joy: efficient, scenic, and quietly thrilling.

Across these 8 days you’ll savor a sushi breakfast in Tokyo, watch the sun haze around Mt. Fuji, and wander Kyoto’s wooden machiya streets at twilight. We’ve woven in guided experiences where they add value, plus flexible pockets to follow your curiosity—be it ramen hunting, artisan shopping, or a tea ceremony.

Practical notes: IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) make trains and convenience-store stops easy; cash is still useful at small shops and shrines. Be respectful at temples (no flash, quiet voices), and remove shoes where requested. This plan assumes afternoon arrival on Day 1 and afternoon departure on Day 8.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, each with a flavor: Asakusa’s incense and market sweets, Shibuya’s kinetic crossing, Shinjuku’s ramen dens and pocket bars, and Omotesando’s fashion-forward avenues. Its history runs from Edo-period shrines to postwar reinvention, while the dining scene—sushi to yakitori to wagyu—is rightly world-famous.

• Top sights: Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing, Odaiba waterfront, teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills).
• Food highlights: Tsukiji Outer Market for a sushi breakfast; tonkatsu at Maisen in Aoyama; yuzu-shio ramen at Afuri; late-night bowls at Ichiran; tempura in Asakusa.
• Fun fact: Shibuya Crossing’s scramble began in the 1970s; at peak hours, thousands stride across in a single minute—orderly chaos Japan-style.

Where to stay (Tokyo):

• High-end: The Peninsula Tokyo • Aman Tokyo • The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
• Great midrange: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku • Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku • Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
• Apartments/homes: VRBO Tokyo • Hotels: Hotels.com Tokyo

Getting there: Fly into HND (closer) or NRT with Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From NRT, the Narita Express to Tokyo Station is ~60 min (~¥3,070). From HND, the monorail or Keikyu lines reach the city in ~20–30 min.

Day 1: Arrival, Asakusa & First Bites

Afternoon: Land in Tokyo, drop bags at your hotel, and head to Asakusa. Walk the lantern-lined Nakamise-dori to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, pausing for taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) and ningyo-yaki (bean-filled sweets). Climb the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for a free skyline view.

Evening: Dinner nearby: try Daikokuya Tempura (since 1887, famed for tendon) or sukiyaki at Asakusa Imahan (silken wagyu in a sweet-salty broth). Cap the night in Shibuya: watch the famous Crossing and, if you like a view, time a sunset visit to Shibuya’s observation deck. Night ramen option: Ichiran Shibuya for solo-booth tonkotsu.

Day 2: Icons of Tokyo (Guided)

Maximize your first full day with a curated city overview—shrine, skyline, and a cruise if conditions allow.

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

This full-day tour typically includes Meiji Shrine, a tea/matcha experience, Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree admission, and a Tokyo Bay ferry (weather-dependent). It’s a time-smart way to get bearings and hit big sights with context.

Dinner ideas after the tour: In Shinjuku, try Nabezo (all-you-can shabu-shabu/sukiyaki with premium meats) or Udon Shin (handmade udon; go early). For casual yakitori and retro vibes, explore the tiny counters of Omoide Yokocho—expect charcoal smoke, skewers, and cold beer.

Day 3: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip

Trade neon for mountain air—the classic Fuji/Hakone loop mixes 5th-station views, lakes, and hot-spring hills, returning by bullet train.

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

You’ll visit Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting), cruise Lake Ashi, and ride the Hakone ropeway over sulfurous Owakudani. Return to Tokyo by Shinkansen—fast and fun.

Dinner back in Tokyo: Slurp yuzu-forward bowls at Afuri Harajuku or order modern conveyor-style sushi at Uobei Shibuya. If you’re celebrating, reserve tempura at Tempura Kondo (Ginza).

Day 4: Markets, Pop Culture, and Nightlife

Morning: Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market: grab coffee at Turret Coffee Tsukiji, then try Sushi Zanmai (Tsukiji main) or tamagoyaki skewers and fresh oysters from market stalls. Stroll to the nearby Hamarikyu Gardens if you crave greenery and a matcha break in the teahouse.

Afternoon: Harajuku and Omotesando: step into the forested calm of Meiji Shrine, then browse Takeshita-dori for crepes and street fashion. For digital art immersion, book teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) and let the installations wash over you.

Evening: Dinner at Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten (melt-in-mouth pork cutlets) or Umegaoka Sushi no Midori (generous cuts, good value). Nightcap in Golden Gai’s tiny bars in Shinjuku—some have cover charges; look for English-friendly signs.

Tokyo → Kyoto travel (tomorrow): Book the Tokaido Shinkansen with Trip.com trains. Nozomi takes ~2 hr 15 min; reserved seats are roughly ¥14,000–¥14,500 (~$95–$100) one-way.

Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium, and it wears its heritage gracefully: vermilion gates, moss gardens, tea houses, and quietly perfect cuisine. Yet it’s no museum—artisan roasters, innovative kaiseki, and indie boutiques thrive across neighborhoods like Kawaramachi, Gion, and Arashiyama.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Philosopher’s Path, Nijo Castle.
• Food highlights: Nishiki Market tastings, tofu cuisine (yudofu), Kyoto-style kaiseki, matcha parfaits, and delicate obanzai (home-style small plates).
• Fun fact: Kyoto’s wooden townhouses (machiya) survived wartime bombing, preserving an urban fabric of narrow lanes perfect for evening strolls.

Where to stay (Kyoto):

• High-end: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto • Kyoto Tokyu Hotel • Kyoto Brighton Hotel
• Great value: Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya • Hotel M's Est Shijo Karasuma • Piece Hostel Sanjo
• Apartments/homes: VRBO Kyoto • Hotels: Hotels.com Kyoto

Day 5: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Nishiki Market & Pontocho

Morning: Depart Tokyo on the Nozomi Shinkansen (~2 hr 15 min). Grab an ekiben (station bento) for the ride. On arrival, drop bags and orient around downtown (Kawaramachi/Shijo).

Afternoon: Taste your way through Nishiki Market (knife shops, pickles, wagashi). For lunch, consider classic soba at Honke Owariya (dating to 1465) or crisp tonkatsu at Katsukura (Shijo). Coffee break at Weekenders Coffee in a hidden courtyard roastery.

Evening: Stroll lantern-lit Pontocho Alley along the Kamogawa. Dinner ideas: yakitori at Tori Shin Pontocho, Kyoto home-style plates at Gion Tanto, or tempura kaiseki at Tempura Endo Yasaka (reserve). If you spot a geiko or maiko, admire respectfully—no photos without permission.

Booking note: If you didn’t prebook, use Trip.com trains for shinkansen seats.

Day 6: Kyoto Classics (Guided) + Gion by Night

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

This efficient day typically covers Kiyomizu-dera (wooden stage over the hillside), the vermilion tunnels of Fushimi Inari, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove/river district. It’s ideal for first-timers to see headline sites with transport handled.

Evening (optional add-on): Deepen your cultural lens with a short, story-rich walk:

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Guides explain geiko/maiko training, customs, and how the district evolved—priceless context for those lantern-lit lanes.

Dinner before/after: Try Izakaya Suiba (Gion branch; seasonal small plates), handmade udon at Omen Kodaiji, or wagyu yakiniku at Yakiniku Hiro (multiple locations).

Day 7: Golden Pavilion, Zen Gardens & Fushimi Sake

Morning: Go north to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) as gates open to catch sunlight on gold leaf and fewer crowds. Walk or bus to Ryoan-ji for Japan’s most debated rock garden—sit quietly and see how many stones you can perceive at once. Coffee stop at Sarasa Nishijin (retro cafe in a former public bathhouse).

Afternoon: Head to the Fushimi district for a simple lunch—try tofu specialties or udon—and a sake history stroll. Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and taste local brews at nearby breweries; look for bottles labeled junmai and ginjo to compare styles.

Evening: Dinner kaiseki splurge at Gion Nanba (intimate counter; book ahead) or keep it casual with Kyoto-style obanzai at Gion Hanasaki. For dessert, try a matcha parfait at a Gion teahouse.

Day 8: Philosopher’s Path Stroll & Departure

Morning: A gentle finale along the Philosopher’s Path, linking Ginkaku-ji’s silver pavilion area to Nanzen-ji’s massive temple gate and aqueduct. Coffee at % Arabica Higashiyama or Walden Woods Kyoto, then a light lunch near Heian Shrine—consider Okakita (thick, comforting udon) if the line isn’t daunting.

Afternoon: Depart from Kyoto. For Kansai International Airport (KIX), the JR Haruka Express from Kyoto Station takes ~75 min (~¥2,900–¥3,600, depending on ticket). Search flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Tokyo Extras (if you swap Day 4 plans)

• Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day

  

  Perfect if you want a bespoke neighborhood deep-dive.

Airport/rail quick-links for this itinerary: Flights—Trip.com, Kiwi.com. Trains (including Shinkansen)—Trip.com trains.

What We Booked For You (Tours)

• Day 2: 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour
• Day 3: Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Trip (return by Shinkansen)
• Day 6: Kyoto Perfect 1-Day Bus Tour + Gion Geisha District Walking Tour

Pro tips: Start big-ticket sites at opening or after 4 pm to dodge tour groups. Carry a lightweight umbrella and slip-on shoes for temple visits. Convenience stores (konbini) are your allies for excellent on-the-go breakfasts and train snacks.

Summary: In one week plus a day, this Japan itinerary balances neon energy with temple calm: Tokyo’s icons, a Fuji-side escape, and Kyoto’s wooden lanes and vermilion gates. With shinkansen speed, thoughtful tours, and great eats, it’s equal parts efficient and soul-soothing—easy to follow, delicious to live.