From samurai strongholds and Zen gardens to neon crossings and sizzling street food, Japan rewards the curious traveler. This 9-day Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka itinerary is built for sightseeing lovers and foodies, with a budget-friendly focus and easy train connections. You’ll eat where locals eat, see the big-ticket sights without rushing, and still have time for the little discoveries that make a trip memorable.

Japan’s story reads like an epic: shoguns and merchants, tea houses and tech giants. Tokyo grew from the Edo shogunate into a global megacity; serene Kyoto preserves imperial tradition; Osaka, the nation’s kitchen, feeds everyone with a grin. Expect spotless trains, punctuality, and food culture that spans centuries—sushi, tempura, soba, wagashi, and the “kuidaore” (eat-’til-you-drop) spirit.

Practical notes: Cash is still handy, though cards and mobile pay work widely. Consider a rechargeable IC card (like a tourist “Welcome Suica” or “PASMO PASSPORT”) for metro and convenience stores. Luggage forwarding is common and cheap—use it on city-transfer days. For a 9-day, point-to-point trip, individual train tickets usually beat a nationwide pass.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a mosaic of villages: old-world Asakusa and Yanaka, fashion-forward Harajuku, skyscraper-studded Shinjuku, and foodie-heaven Tsukiji. Highlights include Meiji Shrine’s cedar forest, the spectacle of Shibuya Crossing, and Senso-ji’s lantern-lit Kaminarimon Gate. It’s also where you can browse anime arcades at Akihabara or sip pour-over coffee in quietly stylish cafes.

• Top sights: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, Imperial Palace Outer Gardens, teamLab-style digital art spaces, Ueno Park museums.
• Eat this: Tuna sashimi at Tsukiji Outer Market, yuzu-scented ramen at Afuri, yakitori skewers in Shinjuku’s alleys, monjayaki in Tsukishima.
• Fun fact: Shibuya’s scramble began in the 1970s; thousands cross in 30 seconds at peak times—a choreography of pure Tokyo.

Where to stay (Tokyo): Good-value, convenient bases near major stations.

• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (excellent transport, business-class comfort).
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (the Godzilla head is a fun bonus; compact, efficient rooms).
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (more amenities; easy walk to Shinjuku transit).
• Browse apartments: VRBO Tokyo or more hotels: Hotels.com Tokyo.

Getting in: Search flights to Tokyo via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For intercity trains later, use Trip.com Trains.

Kyoto

With 17 UNESCO sites, Kyoto is Japan’s cultural anchor—Buddhist temples veiled in incense, Shinto shrines ribboned with vermilion torii, and narrow lanes where wooden machiya glow at dusk. The city serves tofu hot pots near Zen gardens and bowls of hand-cut soba in century-old shops.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari’s vermilion gates, Kiyomizu-dera’s hillside hall, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, and Kinkaku-ji’s golden pavilion.
• Eat this: Yudofu (tofu hot pot) in Arashiyama, matcha sweets in Gion, Kyoto-style sushi (sabazushi), and seasonal kaiseki if budget allows.
• Fun fact: Geisha are “geiko” in Kyoto, and apprentices are “maiko”—watch for ornate hairpins indicating the season.

Where to stay (Kyoto): Central stays for easy buses and subways.

• Piece Hostel Sanjo (budget, social, walkable).
• Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (wallet-friendly, near Hankyu line).
• Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (quiet area, free shuttle to Kyoto Station).
• See more: VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto.

Osaka

Osaka wears its appetite on neon sleeves. The city’s motto is kuidaore—spend all your money on food. Dotonbori’s giant signs lure you to takoyaki stands and okonomiyaki griddles; nearby, Osaka Castle recalls the age of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

• Top sights: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori canal and Glico sign, retro Shinsekai, Kuromon Market, and the Umeda Sky Building.
• Eat this: Takoyaki (Aizuya or Kukuru), okonomiyaki (Mizuno), kushikatsu (Daruma), and hearty kitsune udon.
• Fun fact: Osaka comedians shaped Japan’s stand-up culture; locals are famously direct and friendly.

Where to stay (Osaka): Base near Namba or Umeda for easy transport.

• Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps to Dotonbori, value pick).
• Hotel Taiyo (ultra-budget, simple, near Shin-Imamiya).
• Swissotel Nankai Osaka (directly above Nankai Namba Station).
• Browse more: VRBO Osaka or Hotels.com Osaka.

Day 1 — Arrive in Tokyo (Asakusa vibes and an easy first night)

Morning: Fly into Tokyo (HND or NRT). Search fares and times with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Pick up an IC transit card and a pocket Wi‑Fi or eSIM.

Afternoon: Check in near Shinjuku or Tokyo Station. Head to Asakusa: stroll Nakamise-dori to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Climb the free terrace at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for a wide-angle view of the Skytree and temple roofs.

Evening: Dinner in Asakusa: try tendon bowls at ‘Tempura Daikokuya’ (light, sesame-scented batter) or soba at ‘Namiki Yabusoba.’ If you have energy, amble the Sumida River promenade and sample taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry) for dessert.

Day 2 — Classic Tokyo: Tsukiji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Shinjuku food tour

Morning: Fuel up at ‘Boulangerie VIRON’ near Tokyo Station (Paris-level croissants), then explore Tsukiji Outer Market. Taste tamagoyaki-on-a-stick, freshly shucked oysters, and tuna onigiri. Optional guided upgrade for foodies: Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour for insider stalls and stories.

Afternoon: Visit Meiji Shrine (tranquil forested paths) and peek at Harajuku’s Takeshita Street crepe stands. Continue to Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko statue. Grab a light lunch—yuzu-shio ramen at ‘Afuri Harajuku’ or conveyor-belt sushi at ‘Uobei Shibuya.’

Evening: Join a guided izakaya hop in neon-lit Shinjuku for grilled skewers, karaage, and sake: Best of Shinjuku: Izakaya Food Tour (4 Stops, 14+ Tastings).

Prefer DIY? Wander Omoide Yokocho’s lantern alleys and order negima (leek-chicken) at a pocket-sized yakitori bar; cap the night with craft beer at ‘YYG Brewery.’

Day 3 — Old Tokyo lanes, Ueno Park, and Akihabara

Morning: Coffee at ‘Onibus Coffee’ (Nakameguro) or ‘Glitch Coffee’ (Kanda). Head to Ueno Park for museums (Tokyo National Museum is a standout) and a stroll around Shinobazu Pond. Snack at ‘Innsyoutei’ for a light bento or try tonkatsu at ‘Tonkatsu Yamabe’ in nearby Okachimachi.

Afternoon: Walk through Ameyoko market for fruit skewers and mochi, then continue to Akihabara for retro video game shops and electronics. Late lunch: standing sushi at ‘Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Akihabara’ for ultra-fresh nigiri without a splurge.

Evening: Explore Yanaka’s nostalgic streets at golden hour—cat lanes, indie galleries, and croquettes from shopfronts. Dinner near Tokyo Station: ‘T’s TanTan’ (plant-based ramen inside the station) or ‘Gyukatsu Motomura’ (beef cutlet you sear at the table). Dessert: seasonal fruit parfait at ‘Takano Shinjuku.’

Day 4 — Optional Full-Day Trip: Mt. Fuji & Hakone

Trade city lights for volcanic valleys and lake views on a guided escape that’s efficient for first-timers: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo with Bullet Train Option. Expect Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting), Owakudani’s sulfuric vents, and a Lake Ashi cruise; some options include a return by shinkansen.

Budget alternative in Tokyo: explore Odaiba’s bayfront, walk the Rainbow Bridge promenade, and enjoy a cheap bowl of curry at ‘Go! Go! Curry!’

Day 5 — Tokyo to Kyoto (Fushimi Inari and Gion)

Morning: Take the shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (Nozomi: ~2 hr 15 min; Hikari: ~2 hr 40 min). Reserve seats and check times on Trip.com Trains. Typical fare: around ¥14,000–¥15,000 one-way. Drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Ride JR Nara Line 2 stops to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Climb through thousands of torii gates; peel off onto quieter loops for photos without crowds. Snack on inari sushi or grilled yakitori from shrine-side stalls.

Evening: Sunset walk through Gion and Shirakawa canals. Dinner on a budget at ‘Omen Kodaiji’ (udon with crisp veg toppings) or ‘Yakitori Hitomi.’ For sweets, try matcha tiramisu at a Gion cafe or sesame dango from a wagashi shop.

Day 6 — Arashiyama morning, ramen cooking class afternoon

Morning: Beat the tour buses to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dawn. Visit Tenryu-ji’s garden, then cross Togetsukyo Bridge for river views. Late breakfast: tofu-don at ‘Shoraian’ (if open, reservations help) or budget-friendly croquettes at ‘Arashiyama Yoshimura’ takeout window.

Afternoon: Learn to cook like a local: Kyoto Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class with Professional Chefs—you’ll hand-fold dumplings and season broth like a pro, a perfect souvenir skill for food lovers.

Evening: Hop a bus to Kinkaku-ji for golden reflections before closing, then dinner near Sanjo: ‘Musashi Sushi’ (belt sushi; great value) or ‘Menya Inoichi’ (refined shio ramen). Night stroll through Pontocho Alley’s lantern-lit lanes.

Day 7 — Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and tea time

Morning: Start at Kiyomizu-dera before crowds; the veranda overlooks tiled roofs and forested hills. Wander Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lanes—peek into pottery studios and try yatsuhashi (cinnamon mochi).

Afternoon: Tea break at a traditional house near Kodaiji or Maruyama Park; learn whisking basics and sweet pairings. Lunch: Kyoto-style sushi at ‘Izuju’ (try the mackerel), or veggie-forward obanzai at ‘Kamo.’

Evening: Free time for souvenir shopping around Teramachi Arcade. Budget dinner: curry udon at ‘Mimikou’ or tempura at ‘Yamamoto Menzou’ if you can queue; finish with matcha soft serve at ‘Tsujiri.’

Day 8 — Kyoto to Osaka (Castle, markets, Dotonbori food tour)

Morning: Transfer to Osaka: JR Kyoto Line to Osaka/Umeda (~30 min, ~¥570) or Ltd. Exp. to Namba via Kintetsu. Compare options on Trip.com Trains. Drop bags, then walk Osaka Castle’s ramparts; the keep’s museum details unification-era intrigue.

Afternoon: Graze through Kuromon Ichiba Market: grilled scallops with butter-soy, wagyu skewers, taiyaki. Coffee at ‘Brooklyn Roasting Company Namba.’

Evening: Feast where Osaka shines: Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries—think takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and more in backstreet nooks you’d walk past alone.

Prefer DIY? Try okonomiyaki at ‘Mizuno,’ takoyaki at ‘Aizuya,’ and end with melon-pan ice cream by the canal.

Day 9 — Osaka easy morning and depart

Morning: Breakfast at ‘LeBRESSO’ (butter-toast specialists) or ‘LiLo Coffee Roasters.’ Ride up to the Umeda Sky Building for a city panorama. If you’d like one more history hit, the Osaka Castle outer park paths are free and peaceful.

Afternoon: Last slurp of noodles—kitsune udon at ‘Dotonbori Imai’—then head to your airport (ITM ~30–45 min; KIX ~45–60 min). Check flight options via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit.

Budget tips and smart swaps

• Transit: Keep intercity trains to two rides (Tokyo–Kyoto, Kyoto–Osaka) and use subways/buses locally—cheaper than a nationwide pass for 9 days.
• Meals: Alternate splurges with stellar budget spots: standing sushi bars, lunch sets (teishoku), and convenience-store picnics in parks.
• Luggage: Forward a suitcase from Tokyo hotel to Kyoto (~¥2,000) to enjoy transfer day hands-free.
• Timing: Start early at marquee sights (Fushimi Inari, bamboo grove, Kiyomizu) for crowd-free photos and cooler temps.

Suggested hotels quick-links (by city):

• Tokyo: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, browse Hotels.com Tokyo or VRBO Tokyo.
• Kyoto: Piece Hostel Sanjo, Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya, Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, browse Hotels.com Kyoto or VRBO Kyoto.
• Osaka: Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba, Hotel Taiyo, Swissotel Nankai Osaka, browse Hotels.com Osaka or VRBO Osaka.

With three cities in nine days, this plan keeps travel light and experiences rich—temples at dawn, neon at night, and unforgettable bites in between. You’ll leave with a camera full of views and a notebook full of flavors. And you’ll know exactly where to return when Japan calls you back.