Deciding an itinerary is a fun part of the trip, but it can be also a headache. There are so many places to visit in Japan. From city scenery of Tokyo to serene temples in Kyoto, or dynamic nature of Mt.Fuji or hot springs.
I’d like to make a blue print of Japan’s golden route itinerary with some tips from me. I’m covering the major spots of Japan. But also you have your own quiet moment for yourself or with your partner that you can relax and enjoy the air at the moment. I put everything into details from timetable to which hotel to stay, so you can just follow everything if you don’t have time to plan.
Follow the itinerary as listening to the video.
Day 1
Summary of Day 1
✈️ Arrival at the airport 14:00 (example)
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Before you leave the airport (options) :
🐧 Purchase Suica Transportation IC Card 3000 Yen (deposit 500 Yen)
💴 Get Japanese Yen cash if you haven’t
📲 Receive Pocket WiFi or eSIM Pocket WiFi
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🚃 Narita Airport 15:14 – Tokyo 16:41 (Round trip ticket: 5000 Yen)
🚃 Tokyo – Shinbashi
or
🚃 Haneda Airport 15:07 – Shinbashi 15:29 (Keikyu 510 Yen 🐧)
🚶♂️ 3-5 minutes walk from Shinbashi statoin. Please See the map below for the location.
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🏕️ 17:15 Check in at the hotel : Blossom Hibiya (Sample hotel for this itinerary)
* Choose Superior Twin or King for partial Tokyo Tower View🗼
Reasonable option for a solo traveler near the hotel. Sotetsu Fressa Inn (business hotel)
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🍽️ 18:30 Eat easy dinner at Ootoya. Around 1500 Yen (under Sotetsu Fressa Inn Hotel)
* My favorite is fried chicken with black vinegar sauce 1030 Yen. You can find other menu under 1500 Yen. English menu available. No tip needed. You can use credit card too.
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🚃 Shinbashi 19:15 – Shibuya 19:29 (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line 180 Yen 🐧)
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🚶♂️ Get the first look of Tokyo: Explore neon towns of Shibuya
Cost Summary: $70 (10,000 Yen, A$107, CA$95, £51, €60) per person, Excluding hotel
– Narita Express Roundtrip Ticket : 5,000 Yen
– Suica Transportation IC card: 3,000 Yen
– Dinner : 2,000 Yen
🐧 icon : You can use IC Card balance
ARRIVAL
Day 1 can be very different depends on what time you arrive at the airport, and which airport you arrive. The good thing to arrive early is you can have full day to enjoy Tokyo and no rush to go to the hotel. The good thing to arrive late afternoon is you can check into your hotel smoothly and can take a rest after long flights.
AT THE AIRPORT
Before you head to the city center, there are two things to do, not a must but convenient to do here. At the airport, if you don’t have cash yet, you can exchange your currency to Japanese Yen. Once you enter the town, you can find it too but not many. It can take up your time to look for it, and you want to get off even one task from your brain to avoid stress and enjoy time.
Another things is securing Internet connection in Japan. There are serveral options such as eSIM, Pocket WiFi. If you booked to receive the rental WiFi device for your stay in Japan, you can go to the counter and get the package. If you are using eSIM, you can complete everything in your hand.
7 days eSIM price sample – as of June 2025
– Japan Wireless 5G Unlimited is $35.10 (9 days only) 4G Unlimited $25.20 （7 days)
*Price is after using 10% off coupon esimkenchan
– For high security = Saily eSIM Unlimited $30.59 (10 days only）
* Price is after 15% off from this link
– For unlimited WiFi = Holafly $42.75
* Price is after 5% off from this Holafly page
– For option of having Japanese number = Mobal $55 (7920yen) but… only 7GB per month.
Good when you stay long or need Japanese phone number. Mobal
▶︎Comparing eSIM or Pocket WiFi
Day 2 Full Tokyo Day!
Summary of Day 2
🚶♂️ 6:00 Walk to Imperial Palace. (can skip if difficult)
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🍽️ 7:30 Breakfast at hotel
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🚃 8:47 Shinbashi – Nippori Yamanote Line 180 Yen 🐧
* Walk from Yanaka towards Ueno direction
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9:00 – 11:30 Ueno Park / Yanaka Enjoy museum, walk by ponds and shrines, quiet streets.
– Yanaka Ginza Street
– Ueno Toshogu Temple, Bentendo and Shinobazuike pond
– Tokyo National Museum
– Walking to Okachimachi station
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🚃 11:45 Eat at Yoshiike Shokudo in front of Okachi machi station
- As it was a little too busy this day and I got several feedback on YouTube, I changed the direction of walking from north to south, starting in Yanaka (Near JR Nippori station) towards Ueno. So you can eat in Ueno instead of going to Tsukiji.
(option for active travelers / not too tired yet )
🚃 13:32 Shinbashi – 13:46 Daiba Yurikamome 330 Yen 🐧
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🚶♂️ 14:00 See Daiba & Gundam Statue
* You can take a rest and eat snack in the food court
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🚢 15:10 Odaiba Pier – 16:10 Asakusa Ferry: 2000 Yenf
Make reservation to guarantee the seat.
🚶♂️16:30 Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Nakamise Street
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🍽️ 17:30 Asakusa Imahan in Asaksua
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🚶♂️Take train to Tokyo Sky Tree or walk along Tokyo Mizumachi
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🎫 19:00 Tokyo Sky Tree (Go first for sunset in winter, Go to Asakusa first for souvenirs)
Ticket at official site or Klook Tokyo Skytree Ticket
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🚃 20:01 Oshiage station – Shinbashi 20:19 🐧
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🌕 Enjoy the view from the room
Cost Summary: $83 (12,000 Yen, A$128, CA$113, £51, €60) Excluding hotel
– Ferry : 2000 Yen
– Lunch : 1500 Yen
– Dinner : 5000 Yen
– Tokyo Sky Tree: 3100 Yen
🐧 icon : You can use IC Card balance
In this plan, traditional and new sides of Tokyo, and busy and quiet neighborhoods of Tokyo are mixed into timeline. This is the only full day in Tokyo, so I packed the schedule. I recommend you to see your body condition and adjust the plan. Your trip just started.
Day 3. Nature part of Japan
A day to enjoy dyamic view of volcano and Mt.Fuji.
Summary of Day 3
7:00 Breakfast at hotel
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🚃 8:20 Shinbashi – 8:24 Tokyo
🚄 8:57 Tokyo – 9:30 Odawara – Kodama
* 33 minutes ride. Non-reserved seat for 3280 Yen.
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(idea A)
🚌 10:00 Hotel Shuttle Bus
🚶♂️ 10:40 Hotel Indigo Hakoene Gora (about $150 a night per person with 2 meals)
* All rooms have private hot-springs (real hot springs).
(idea B)
🚃 9:46 Odawara – 10:00 Hakone-Yumoto (Hakone Free Pass 🎫)
🚞 10:11 Hakone Yumoto – 10:48 Gora (Hakone Free Pass 🎫)
🏕️ Leave luggage at Gora Kansuiro $435 (for 2 including 2 meals)
* Old style Japanese ryokan for epic experience like time traveled
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⛰️ Explore Hakone (Hakone Free Pass 🎫)
– 11:46 Hakone Cable Car & Hakone Ropeway
– 12:20 Enjoy Owakudani 15-20 minutes.
– 13:15 ⛴️ Togendai – Hakonemachi
– 13:30 Lunch / Hakone Old street / Sekisho / Hakone Shrine
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♨️ 16:00 Check Inn and take a bath
🍽️ 18:00 Dinner at the hotel
🌕 Enjoy quiet night at hot-springs
Cost Summary: $70 (10,000 Yen, A$107, CA$95, £51, €60) Excluding hotel
– Shinkansen : 3280 Yen
– Lunch : 1500 Yen
– Odakyu Hakone Free Pass : 5000 Yen from Odawara station
🐧 icon : You can use IC Card balance
Tips: Try to avoid this day hits Friday or Saturday because many Japanese travel on the weekend. Places can be busy and hotels can be expensive.
Going to Hakone
The popular way to go to Hakone is Odakyu line’s Romance Car, but since the hotel is close to Tokyo station, let’s take Shinkansen.
You can take Shinkansen from Shinagawa, which is the first stop of Tokaido Shinkansen. But the reason I go back to Tokyo station is to get the seats for non-reserved seats. And it’s easier to take seats at Tokyo as it’s the first station if you go a little early. Kodama has 8 to 10 non-reserved cars out 16 cars.
Get Odakyu Hakone Freepass
When you arrive at Hakone, make sure to purchase Odakyu Hakone Freepass. It’s 5,000 Yen if you start from Odawara. 6,100 Yen if using Odakyu line from Shinjuku including round trip fare. * Not including Romance Car seat charge ( Plus 1,110 Yen for Romance car between Shinjuku – Hakone Yumoto) . You can purchase the pass at ticket vending machine using credit card or cash. 💳/💴 * In case you purchase online, make sure you have Internet connection on your phone as screenshot doesn’t work. ▶︎Official site for more details and purchase
Day 4. – Going to Kyoto!
Now we enjoyed the city of Tokyo and a little bit of nature of Japan, so it’s time to indulge yourself into serene gardens and tradition of Japan – Let’s go to Kyoto.
You don’t have to go back to Tokyo to take Shinkansen. You can either take from Odawara or Mishima. Nozomi doesn’t stop these stations, so either Kodama or Hikari. Every 2 hours, Hikari stops at Odawara.
This directly takes you to Kyoto in about two hours. Arriving Kyoto at 12:12.
Summary of Day 4
7:00 Breakfast at hotel
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🚞 Gora 10:16 – Hakone-Yumoto 10:52 (Hakone Free Pass 🎫)
🚃 Hakone-Yumoto 11:02 – Odawara 11:16 (Hakone Free Pass 🎫)
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🚄 Odawara 12:07 – Kyoto 14:12 （Hikari 641) 2 hours 5 minutes travel 12,100 Yen for Reserved Seat
* Make sure to bring some drinks, lunch and snacks as there are no food service on this route.
* Recommended to make reservation on Smart EX, Klook, Japan Bullet Train
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🏕️ 14:30 Check in
Hotel Granvia ($330 for 2 nights 2 guests including breakfast)
* The hotel is located right above JR Kyoto station
🚃 Kyoto 15:00 – Inari 15:05 (JR Nara Line 🐧 )
🚶♂️ Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Right in front of Inari statoin.
🚃 Fushimi Inari 16:00 – Gion Shijo (Keihan Line 🐧 )
* You have a lot more time in early Summer.
🚶♂️ 17:00 Take a sit and feel the breeze on the river side of Kamogawa river with other locals. Chill.
🚶♂️Enjoy stroll around Higashiyama Area
– Sanjo Ohashi : The most Kyoto like view with people relaxing on the river bank
– Gion : Traditional entertainment district with numerous narrow streets
– Yasaka shrine: Face of Gion area. Entrance to the picturesque slopes towards Kiyomizu temple.
– Gion Shirakawa : Follow along the small river and you might find hidden picturesque spots
– Pontocho : Long alley with many bars and restaurants.
🍽️ 19:00 Dinner
You have choice of authentic Kyoto Kaiseki cuisine (on the river by in summer) or casual Japanese style drinking bar. My favorite is Kurobe that you can make your own Takoyaki as you drink, guided by kind store master. Shishikura next to it is also popular.
Kawaramachi –
🚃 Tofukuji 12:39 – Gion Shijo 12:44 Keihan Line 170 Yen 🐧
🚃 Kyoto 12:30 – Tofukuji 12:32 JR Nara Line 150 Yen 🐧
or
🚃 Kyoto Kawaramachi – Karasuma (Hankyu Kyoto Line 170 Yen🐧)
🚃 Shjjo – Kyoto (Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line 220 Yen🐧)
Cost Summary: $70 (10,000 Yen, A$107, CA$95, £51, €60) Excluding hotel
Shinkansen : 12,100 Yen
Bento Box : 1500 Yen
Dinner : 3000 Yen
🐧 icon : You can use IC Card balance
I don’t recommend to plan to leave luggage at Kyoto station unless a small bag. It’s difficult to find vacancy in coin locker for large luggage, and station cloakroom has long line sometimes. Therefore, the easiest choice is to get a hotel near Kyoto station. This is especially easy on the Day 6 when you leave luggage after checking out until Shinkansen time going back to Tokyo.
However, it was a difficult choice considering the hotels in city center are walkable to many historical districts and temples which is perfect for early morning walking or evening stroll. Some hotel has different services here. For example, Kyoto Prince Hotel is located in northern part of Kyoto, but have a counter in Kyoto station that you can deliver your luggage for 500 Yen to the hotel / from the hotel.
Day 5. Full day in Kyoto (& Osaka?)
Summary of Day 5
🚌 6:20 Kyoto Station (Bus Stop D at Karasuma Exit) – Gojozaka （ City Bus NO.206 🐧230 Yen) Bus Map
🚶♂️ Explore Kiyomizu Temple area
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🍽️ 8:00 Breakfast
☕️ Starbucks at Ninenzaka opens at 8am
🚶♂️ Explore Nanzenji, Tetsugakuno michi area
– Chionin
– Heian Jingu
– Nanzenji Temple
– ☕️ Blue Bottole Coffee (opens 9am)
– Testugakuno michi : Cozy pathway continuing from near Nanzenji to Ginkakuji temple in north.
– Ginkakuji
* Do no hesitate to use taxi to go back to hotel or to lunch place.
🍽️ 12:00 Lunch
🚃 Kyoto Shiyakusho / Sanjo – Kyoto
🛏️ 14:00 – 16:00 Take a rest at hotel
(see the Osaka option)
🚶♂️ 17:00 Explore Kawaramachi – Shinkyogoku
🍽️ 19:00 Dinner
Sample restaurants
Junmai Sakekasu Tamano Hikari : A restaurant operated by Kyoto’s local Sake brewer.
Osaka option
🚃 Kyoto Kawaramachi 16:09 – Osaka Umeda 16:52
or
🚃 JR Kyoto 16:00 – JR Osaka 16:28 (JR Shinkaisoku 580 Yen🐧)
🚃 Umeda 17:10 – Nanba 17:18
🚶♂️ Stroll Nanba, Dotonbori of Osaka
🍽️ Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki
🚃 Nanba 20:12 – Yodoyabashi 20:18 (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line 190 Yen 🐧)
🚃 Yodoyabashi 20:26 – Gion Shijo 21:16 (Keihan Line 430 Yen 🐧 + option: 500 Yen Premium Car)
Rainy day option in Kyoto: Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto train museum, Kyoto Manga Museum. Shin-Kyogoku arcade shopping street.
This is a full day plan of Kyoto. If you can, I recommend you to visit Kiyomizu temple and Ninzenzaka, Sannenzaka slope in early morning. The temple opens at 6am for public, and you can see the amazing view of Kyoto with less crowd. If you are still energetic in the late afternoon, you can consider visiting Osaka. You cannot see much, but the famous Dotonbori and Takoyaki is only 1 hour away from where you are, and trains are running every 10 minutes toward mid-night.
Day 6 Going back to Tokyo
🚃 Kyoto 7:50 – Kintetsu Nara 8:25
9:00 Kasuga Taisha shrine
10:00 Todaiji Nigatsudo
Todaiji Great Buddha
11:00 Yoshikien Garden
🚃 Kintetsu Nara 12:10 – 12:45 Kyoto Limited Express 🐧 + 520 Yen seat ticket
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🚄 Kyoto 13:30 – Tokyo 15:45 （Nozomi 234) 2 hours 15 minutes travel
* Let’s buy a lunch box and eat on Shinkansen 🍱
🚃 Kyoto 8:16 – Saga Arashiyama 8:34
Torokko Train 9:02 – 9:56 Get off at Torokko-Arashiyama
🚶♂️Stroll Arashiyama (10:00 – 12:30)
– Jojakkoji Temple
– Bamboo Forest
– Tenryuji Temple
– Arashiyama park Observatory
– Togetsukyo Bridge
– Monkey Park
🚃 Saga Arashiyama 12:40 – Kyoto 12:51 (JR Sagano Line Rapid 240 Yen 🐧)
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🚄 Kyoto 13:30 – Tokyo 15:45 （Nozomi 234) 2 hours 15 minutes travel
* Let’s buy a lunch box and eat on Shinkansen 🍱
🚃 Tokyo 16:00 – Shinjuku (JR Chuo Line)
16:30 Check in
Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
17:00 Shopping / Explore Shinjuku
– Isetan Department store
– Donqui Jote
– Bic Camera
– Uniqlo Flagship store
🍽️ 19:00 Dinner in Shinjuku
🚶♂️Explore Shinjuku
– Kabukicho Tokyu Tower
– Omoide Yokocho
– Golden-gai
– LGBT Town
– Hanazono Shrine
– Korea town
– Tokyo metropolitan government observatory
– Godzilla show
Feels like it was a long time ago that you arrive Tokyo a week ago. Since many shops open late afternoon, it’s better to finish shopping this date.
Day 7 Leaving Japan
6:00 Morning walk in Meiji Shrine
7:30 Eat breakfast at hotel
9:00 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
11:00 Check out the hotel
🚃 Shinjuku 11:38 – Narita Airport 12:58 Narita Express
🚌 Shinjuku Bus Terminal 12:10 – Haneda Airport 13:05 Highway Bus 1400 Yen
The last day is the day to finalize shopping, and pack everything well. If your flight is early, you can leave the hotel and head to the airport. If your flight is at night, you can leave the luggage at the hotel and leave for another sightseeing day. You can explore the part of Tokyo you liked, or explore the parts you haven’t visited in this itinerary … like Harajuku, Akihabara, Shinjuku.
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Does JR Pass worth on this itinerary?
No. The total cost of the train is about 36,000 yen max, so the 7 days JR pass 50,000 yen doesn’t pay off. JR pass starts to pay off when you travel long distance or longer period.
▶︎ The JR Pass Itinerary that actually pays off
Handling Luggage
In case you find it difficult to carry luggage, I recommend you to bring it back to Tokyo.
Does this plan works in any season?
Yes. This plan doesn’t get effect of the season and weather. However, there is a slightly high possibility that trains stop during typhoon season from Summer to early Autumn. I recommend you not to take Shinkansen back to Tokyo on the day you fly out of Tokyo. Also, make sure to bring water and snacks on the train.
Lastly
Now you can develop your own travel plan based on this blue print of the itinerary, depends on the days you stay in Japan, your favor, and budget. Of course you can also use this as it is.
Thank you for reading.
