The perfect first-time Japan itinerary – balancing Tokyo's modern energy with Kyoto's ancient beauty. Suitable for solo travellers, couples and small groups.
| Day | City | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tokyo | Arrive, check in, recover from jet lag | Explore Shinjuku neighbourhood and Kabukicho | Ramen dinner in Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) |
| Day 2 | Tokyo | Senso-ji Temple & Asakusa markets | Akihabara Electric Town & electronics shopping | Izakaya dinner in Ueno with local beers |
| Day 3 | Tokyo | Shibuya crossing, Hachiko statue, Takeshita Street | Harajuku & Meiji Shrine forest walk | Tokyo Skytree observation deck at sunset |
| Day 4 | Transit | Shinkansen (bullet train) Tokyo → Kyoto (2h 15m) | Check in & explore Nishiki Market ("Kyoto's Kitchen") | Gion district walk – hope to spot a geisha |
| Day 5 | Kyoto | Fushimi Inari Taisha (arrive at 7am for sunrise) | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) & surrounding gardens | Traditional kaiseki dinner near Kamo River |
| Day 6 | Kyoto | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Garden | Sagano Scenic Railway & Monkey Park | Street food stalls around Gion Shijo station |
| Day 7 | Kyoto | Philosopher's Path & Nanzen-ji Temple | Nijo Castle & Imperial Palace gardens | Farewell dinner, depart or overnight in Kyoto |
Focused entirely on Kyoto's temples, shrines and traditional arts. Ideal for history and culture enthusiasts who want to go deeper rather than wider.
| Day | Theme | Key Experiences | Recommended Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive & Gion | Check in to ryokan (traditional inn), evening Gion stroll, dinner at a traditional izakaya | Half day |
| Day 2 | Eastern Kyoto | Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka cobblestone streets, Yasaka Shrine | Full day |
| Day 3 | Northern Kyoto | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji Rock Garden, Ninna-ji Temple | Full day |
| Day 4 | Arashiyama | Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, boat trip on Oi River, Jojakko-ji moss temple | Full day |
| Day 5 | Tea & Tradition | Morning tea ceremony workshop, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, depart | Full day |
The Japan Rail Pass must be purchased before you arrive in Japan. It covers Shinkansen bullet trains and provides excellent value for multi-city travel.
Golden Week (late April – early May) is Japan's busiest domestic holiday period. Hotels and attractions fill up months in advance and prices spike significantly.
Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October–November) for fall foliage are widely considered the best times to visit Japan.
Japan remains largely cash-based. Withdraw yen from 7-Eleven ATMs (which accept foreign cards) and always carry cash for smaller restaurants and shrines.