Itineraries / first trip
7 Days in Japan
Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
A sample first-trip route, with room for discovery. Choose fewer stops whenever your pace calls for it.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Overnight bases
- 3 cities
- Side trip
- Nara, optional
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Trip overview
Two nights in Tokyo, three in Kyoto and one in Osaka. Start in Tokyo and finish in Osaka; if your flight home leaves from Tokyo, plan the return journey before booking. Adjust the days to your arrival time and walking needs.
Shibuya seen from Shibuya Stream, Tokyo Day 1Arrive in TokyoSettle in. Keep your first evening flexible.
Choose the transfer after confirming Narita or Haneda, arrival time and hotel check-in. A late arrival may leave time only for the hotel.
Plan this part of your trip →
Shibuya crossing, Tokyo Day 2Tokyo highlightsMeiji Jingu and Shibuya, at your own pace.
Pair the wooded shrine approach near Harajuku with Shibuya’s crossing and shopping streets. Drop a stop if you need more rest or less walking.
Plan this part of your trip →Yasaka-dori and Hokan-ji, Kyoto Day 3Tokyo to KyotoTake the Shinkansen, then explore one district.
Travel to Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen. JR Central gives about 130 minutes between the cities; add time for station access and connections. Consider Gion or Higashiyama after settling in.
Plan this part of your trip →
Fushimi Inari, Kyoto Day 4Kyoto, one area at a timeFushimi Inari, or a day around Arashiyama.
Choose Fushimi in the south for the torii paths, or Saga and Arashiyama in the northwest for bamboo and riverside scenery. These are alternatives, not a promise to fit both into one day.
Plan this part of your trip →
Deer at Todai-ji, Nara Day 5Nara side trip (optional)Nara Park and Todaiji, then return to Kyoto.
Compare JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara stations before choosing your train. Visit the park and temples at a comfortable pace; the deer are wild animals. Stay in Kyoto instead if you prefer a quieter travel day.
Plan this part of your trip →
Dotonbori, Osaka Day 6Kyoto to OsakaSettle in, then discover Dotonbori.
Check the train for your Osaka hotel’s station. Choose Dotonbori for food and evening atmosphere; Osaka Castle Park is an alternative daytime focus. Avoid packing distant areas into the move day.
Plan this part of your trip →Day 7DepartureLet your airport and flight time set the plan.
Confirm your departure airport, terminal, baggage and airline check-in requirements before adding sightseeing. A flight from Tokyo needs a separate return journey; this sample does not include that transfer.
Plan this part of your trip →
Trip highlights
Make the route your own
When to change this route
- A late first arrival
- Keep the first evening for the hotel and rest. Move sightseeing to the next day.
- A flight home from Tokyo
- Add the return journey and reconsider the last night. It is not included in this Osaka-ending route.
- Less walking or fewer moves
- Skip the optional Nara day, choose fewer sights, or compare staying in one Kansai base.
Prefer fewer hotel moves?
Compare a single Kansai base.
Traveling with a stroller?
Check access and everyday journeys.
Official sources and review notes
Narita Airport: access
Narita offers rail, bus, taxi and terminal-transfer information.
Choose the route for your actual terminal, arrival time and hotel.
Haneda Airport: access
Haneda provides route searches by terminal, destination and transport mode.
Check the applicable terminal and service time.
ANA: departure and check-in guidance
Check-in counters, documents and deadlines depend on the itinerary and operating carrier.
ANA guidance is not a universal rule for every airline; confirm with your own carrier.
Kyoto Travel: Gion & Kiyomizu
Gion and Kiyomizu are historic districts with temples including Kiyomizu-dera.
Check individual facilities before visiting.
Kyoto Travel: Fushimi
Fushimi Inari is in southern Kyoto, known for its vermilion torii.
A district description does not establish walking time or step-free access.
Kyoto Travel: Saga & Arashiyama
Northwestern Kyoto includes the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge.
Keep to paths and do not damage bamboo.
Kyoto Travel: getting around
Rail, subway and buses serve different areas; road congestion affects journeys.
Check the destination stop and the current operator route.
JR Central: Kyoto by Shinkansen
The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Kyoto; JR Central gives about 130 minutes.
This is an indicative intercity journey, not a guaranteed departure or door-to-door time.
GO TOKYO: Shibuya
Shibuya combines the scramble crossing, shopping and contemporary culture.
A sample visit does not guarantee crowd levels or opening hours.
GO TOKYO: Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu has wooded grounds and a walking approach near Harajuku.
Check current access and visitor guidance.
Visit Nara: getting there
Kyoto and Osaka have rail connections to Nara using JR or Kintetsu.
JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are different stations. Check the chosen service.
Visit Nara: Nara Park
Nara Park has free-roaming wild deer and temples including Todaiji.
Wild deer are not pets; follow local visitor guidance.
OSAKA-INFO: Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a food and entertainment area in central Minami.
Individual venues have their own hours and booking conditions.
OSAKA-INFO: Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle Park combines historical facilities and seasonal gardens.
The park and its facilities have different access conditions.
JNTO: budgeting your trip
Transport, accommodation, meals and activities need separate allowances when planning a trip.
These categories help organise a budget; they do not establish current prices or savings for this itinerary.
Confirm current facility access, train services and flight requirements before booking. No fares, live availability or step-free route are assumed.