Japan blends time-honored rituals with boundary-pushing futurism. In a single week, you’ll wander incense-swirled temple grounds, slurp ramen under glowing lanterns, and ride the Shinkansen past rice paddies and mountain silhouettes. This itinerary pares the best of Tokyo’s energy and Kyoto’s elegance into a crisp, day-by-day plan.

Tokyo rose from Edo, a 17th-century castle town, into the world’s largest metropolis; Kyoto, the imperial capital for over a millennium, protects craftsmanship and gardens shaped like poetry. Together they offer a perfect first taste of Japan: varied neighborhoods, iconic shrines, and unforgettable cuisine from sushi counters to kaiseki feasts.

Practical notes: purchase an IC card (Suica/PASMO) or use mobile wallet for subways and convenience stores. Japan is card-friendly but keep some cash for small shops. Tipping is not customary. For a 7-day trip, individual train tickets beat a nationwide rail pass on cost.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a collage of micro-cities: the temple markets of Asakusa, the subculture lanes of Harajuku, and the skyscraper canyons of Shinjuku and Shibuya. It’s a place to nibble street snacks, browse vinyl shops, sip hand-poured coffee, and then suddenly look up to find a shrine tucked under a tower.

• Top sights: Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, teamLab Planets, Tokyo Skytree views.
• Food to try: sushi for breakfast, tempura, tonkatsu, yakitori, wagashi (traditional sweets).
• Neighborhood vibes: retro Yanaka, luxury Ginza, otaku Akihabara, neon Shinjuku, youthful Shimokitazawa.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Tokyo | Hotels.com Tokyo

Getting in (Atlanta → Tokyo): Search one-stop or nonstop options (ATL–HND/NRT) on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical times: 14–15h nonstop or 16–20h with a connection; economy fares often range $900–$1,500 depending on season. From Haneda, the monorail/subway gets you central in ~30–40 minutes; from Narita, plan ~60 minutes via rail.

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo, Lanterns & First Bites

Afternoon: Land in Tokyo and ride into town. Drop bags, freshen up, and take a gentle stroll through Asakusa’s Nakamise shopping street to Senso-ji’s iconic Kaminarimon gate—perfect for a first taste of old Tokyo and souvenir scouting.

Evening: Dinner in Shibuya. Try Umegaoka Sushi no Midori (well-priced, excellent toro; expect a queue), Afuri (citrusy yuzu-shio ramen; light and fragrant), or Uobei’s standing successor counters for fun, speedy sushi. Cap the night with a look at the Shibuya Crossing—the scramble has dazzled visitors since the 1970s boom in neon-lit intersections. For cocktails, slip into a tiny bar in Nonbei Yokocho (Alley of Drunkards) to toast your arrival.

Day 2: Classic Tokyo—Temples, Parks, and Neon

Morning: Coffee and pastry at Suke6 Diner or a sesame-sprinkled melon-pan at Kagetsudo in Asakusa. Explore Senso-ji in better light, then ride to Meiji Shrine via Harajuku. Wander Omotesando’s flagship architecture and Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for crepes and fashion curios.

Afternoon: Consider a focused city overview with this excellent guided experience: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide. It’s efficient for first-timers, tailoring stops like Skytree, the Imperial Palace area, and Shibuya to your interests.

Evening: Eat your way through Shinjuku. For a guided feast, book the small-group Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries) to sample yakitori, oden, and regional bites while learning izakaya etiquette. Prefer DIY? Hit Omoide Yokocho for smoky yakitori counters, then peek at the neon of Kabukicho and panoramic views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free observatory).

Day 3: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Tour

Spend a full day chasing volcanic scenery, shrines, and hot-spring villages on this popular outing: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. Expect stops like Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), Lake Ashi, and Owakudani’s sulfur vents, often capped with a Shinkansen return—efficient and scenic.

Tip: If lunch isn’t included, seek out houtou (thick, miso-based noodle stew) around Lake Kawaguchiko—perfect fuel beneath Fuji’s snowy crown. Back in Tokyo, wind down with craft coffee at Fuglen Tokyo or nightcaps in Golden Gai’s micro-bars.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the keeper of tea rooms, lantern-lit lanes, and gardens that change with the seasons. It’s where you’ll hear bamboo creak in Arashiyama, watch vermilion gates ribbon up a sacred mountain, and maybe glimpse a geiko gliding through Gion at dusk.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Philosopher’s Path.
• Signature tastes: matcha sweets, yudofu (tofu hot pot), kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine), obanzai small plates, wagashi confections.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Kyoto | Hotels.com Kyoto

Getting there (Tokyo → Kyoto): Morning Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto takes ~2h15 on the Nozomi; expect about ¥14,000–¥15,000 (~$95–$105) for a reserved seat. Book tickets and see schedules via Trip.com trains. Sit on the right side for potential Mt. Fuji views after Shinagawa.

Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Higashiyama Wanders

Morning: Depart Tokyo early by Shinkansen. Grab an ekiben (station bento) like salmon harasu or tonkatsu cutlets for the ride—half the fun is the meal on wheels.

Afternoon: Check in, then explore Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera’s terrace views, and the stone lanes of Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka lined with pottery shops. Pause for matcha at % Arabica Higashiyama or a seasonal wagashi stop.

Evening: Dine near Gion or Pontocho Alley. Try Gion Tanto (hearty okonomiyaki and teppan dishes), Musashi Sushi (casual conveyor-belt sushi, reliable for families), or a small obanzai spot for homestyle Kyoto plates. Stroll the Kamo River embankments afterward.

Day 5: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Market Bites

Morning: Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha around sunrise if possible—photogenic torii gates without the crowds. Ride to Arashiyama for the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji’s Zen garden, and (if you like a climb) the Iwatayama Monkey Park. Early lunch with river views at Arashiyama Yoshimura (handmade soba and tempura).

Afternoon: Return via Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s pantry.” Sample yuba (tofu skin), pickles, and mochi; pick up knives from artisans if you cook. Coffee break at Weekenders Coffee hidden behind a parking lot—third-wave in a wabi-sabi courtyard.

Evening: Consider a splurge on seasonal kaiseki (book well ahead) or opt for yakitori and small plates around Kawaramachi. If you’d prefer a guide to hit more ground in a day, this curated option is excellent: 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people).

Day 6: Nara’s Gentle Deer or Osaka’s Nightlife (or Both)

Morning: Day trip to Nara (~45 minutes from Kyoto). Visit Todaiji’s Great Buddha and greet the bowing deer in Nara Park. Coffee at Sarasa or sweets in the Naramachi district. For lunch, try Edogawa for grilled eel donburi or Kamakura Pasta for a Japanese-Italian twist.

Afternoon: Return to Kyoto for a calm temple—Ginkaku-ji’s sand gardens and the Philosopher’s Path, especially serene outside peak hours. Shop for textiles or tea canisters along Teramachi-dori.

Evening: If you’re up for Osaka’s buzz (30 minutes by train), feast in Dotonbori. A terrific, guide-led option: Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries—hit kushikatsu, okonomiyaki, and hidden counters most visitors miss. If DIY, try Mizuno (okonomiyaki), Daruma (kushikatsu), and a bowl at Kinryu Ramen before the train back.

Day 7: Quiet Kyoto Morning and Departure

Morning: Last sips and souvenirs. Try Inoda Coffee for a retro kissaten breakfast or % Arabica for a final matcha latte. Pick up yatsuhashi sweets, tea from Ippodo, or hand-dyed tenugui cloths as packable gifts.

Afternoon: Fly home from Kansai International Airport (KIX) or return to Tokyo if you prefer a round-trip flight. Compare fares and routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. One-stop KIX→ATL typically runs 14–18h including a connection.

Optional add-ons and swaps: teamLab Planets in Toyosu for immersive digital art; a sumo show experience in Tokyo; tea ceremony in Kyoto; or trading Nara for a full Osaka day if you’re a street-food devotee.

Neighborhood lodging tips: In Tokyo, stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya for nightlife and transit, or Asakusa for atmosphere. In Kyoto, Gion/Kawaramachi for evenings on foot, or near Kyoto Station for easy day trips.

Summary: In a week, you’ll sample Tokyo’s icons, breathe mountain air near Fuji, and lose track of time among Kyoto’s temples and lanes. The bullet train stitches it together with ease—leaving you to focus on flavors, photos, and a thousand small, indelible moments.