🗺️ Japan in a week: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in one itinerary

Japan in a week is realistic if you don't try to see everything at once.

The Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka route gives you a first introduction to the country without rushing: the capital's gardens, the old capital's temples, neon-lit Osaka, and onsen at the foot of Mount Fuji. Between cities you travel by shinkansen, and each leg takes only a couple of hours. Below are the main sights by city.

The first rule of planning: temples and castles close before evening. Put the day's main sight in the morning, and leave the evening for neighborhoods and dinner.

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Tokyo and surroundings

💡 In short:

Give the first days to the capital: gardens, Asakusa, and the Odaiba waterfront.
Set aside a separate day for Hakone and Mount Fuji.

The capital is huge, so pick two or three neighborhoods in advance. Build each day around one main sight, and take the metro between stops. That way you don't burn out and you get more done.

Tokyo skyline with Shinjuku skyscrapers and Mount Fuji

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Start your introduction to the capital with Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. It's one of Tokyo's oldest landscape gardens, laid out back in the 17th century after Chinese and Japanese scenery. A circular path runs around the pond, and a new view opens up every few steps.

It's quiet inside, even though busy neighborhoods surround it. In spring the garden is awash in cherry blossoms, in autumn the maples turn red, and in late winter the plum trees bloom. Come at opening time: by midday there are noticeably more people.

Nijubashi Bridge

Nijubashi Bridge stands by the Imperial Palace and looks two-tiered from the front. In fact, it's two bridges side by side: a stone one in front and a steel one behind. The passage is usually closed; the bridge is opened for official guests and ceremonies.

On rare days in early January and late December, visitors are allowed across the bridge to the palace's East Garden. Check the exact dates on the Imperial Household Agency website. If you make it, you'll get a rare shot of the empty bridge.

Nijubashi Bridge with lanterns over the moat in Tokyo

Asakusa district

Asakusa is home to Senso-ji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. The Nakamise-dori shopping street leads to the gate: souvenirs, sweets, ceramics. You're unlikely to leave empty-handed.

According to legend, two brothers pulled a statue of the goddess Kannon out of the river and didn't know what to do with it. The statue kept coming back to them no matter how many times they released it, so a temple was built on that spot. In the evening the street is lit up.

Sumida Park

Sumida Park starts a few minutes from Asakusa Station. Cherry trees line the Sumida River, and in spring festivals and fireworks are held here. In the evening the trees are lit with hundreds of lights.

During the day people have picnics in the park. You can take a water bus ride, and the embankment offers a view of Tokyo Skytree. Come at sunset: the light is soft and there are fewer people.

Odaiba district

From Asakusa you can take a sightseeing boat to the Odaiba district. It's an artificial island in Tokyo Bay with modern architecture and amusement parks. The attractions can easily take up a whole day.

This is also a good place to try a traditional tea ceremony. The master demonstrates the steps, and at the end you whisk the tea yourself. For families with children, there are public transit routes: check child fares for different types of transport.

Fuji TV building with the sphere in Odaiba

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

After Tokyo, the route leads to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It's divided into four parts: Mount Fuji and Hakone in the north, the Izu Peninsula and islands in the south. The landscape here was shaped by volcanoes and tectonic shifts.

In the park you can walk through the forest, descend into lava caves, and visit the Sekisho checkpoint museum from the Edo period. Off the southern shores of Izu, dolphin swimming is offered. If you want quiet, head deeper away from the main trails.

Hakone is known for its onsen, resorts with hot mineral springs. Outdoor baths are chosen for their mountain views: there are family-friendly and quiet options. Keep in mind that some onsen don't admit people with tattoos.

If the baths don't appeal to you, take the ropeway: from above you get a panorama of the mountains. Then it's worth heading to Lake Ashi in the caldera of Mount Hakone. There are small towns and a couple of resort hotels along the shores. The best views of the water and Mount Fuji are from sightseeing boats and from the Hakone palace garden. The main thing is that Fuji doesn't hide in the clouds.

On the way to Kyoto you'll see Odawara Castle. It was destroyed by earthquakes and wars, and rebuilt in the late 20th century from old Edo-period blueprints.

Mount Fuji and red torii gates at Lake Ashi

Kyoto: temples and the old town

Kyoto was Japan's capital for nearly a thousand years and remains a city of temples. Shrines, gardens, and wooden houses survive in the old quarters. The city's historic districts are listed by UNESCO.

In Kyoto you move by districts, not by individual points. Gion and Higashiyama are next to each other, while Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle lie in another part of the city. Below is the main thing worth fitting into two days.

Gion district

Gion is called the most famous geisha quarter in Kyoto. It lies between Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River. Here you will find shops, restaurants, and tea houses where geisha and their apprentices, maiko, work.

Historic Gion street with wooden houses and willows

The quarter is built up with machiya, traditional narrow houses. When taxes were calculated by facade width, houses were built long and deep. In the evening you will hear footsteps on the cobblestones: geisha heading to work.

Higashiyama district

Continue your walk from Gion into Higashiyama, between Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera stands on wooden stilts on a hillside, founded more than 1,250 years ago (according to the official website). The wooden platform over the slope has become the city's calling card.

This district has the most old streets with shops. They sell local products, crafts, and souvenirs. Tickets and time slots are easier to book in advance: Kyoto temple tickets on Tiqets.

Kinkaku-ji temple

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, stands in northern Kyoto. The two upper floors are covered in gold leaf, and the building reflects in a large pond. The temple is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (checked on 13.09.2026 on the official website).

Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji reflected in the pond

This is the only surviving building of an entire complex. A fanatical monk set fire to it in the mid-20th century, but the pavilion was rebuilt. Come at opening time: the narrow paths fill up quickly, and you end up photographing the gold over other people's backs.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is known for its "nightingale" floorboards, which squeak underfoot like birdsong. That is how the defense works: the creaking warned of visitors. The grounds are divided into Honmaru, Ninomaru, and gardens, all surrounded by moats and stone walls.

The Ninomaru Palace served as the shogun's residence during his visits to Kyoto. On the site of the Honmaru Palace, a building from the Katsura Imperial Palace was erected, and it stands there to this day.

The surrounding gardens are famous for cherry blossom varieties that bloom from late March. The plum garden blooms earlier. There is also Seiryu-en, a garden half in Japanese and half in Western style. Gates close at 16:00, the castle itself is open until 17:00, closed December 29-31 (according to the official website).

White Nijo Castle building with a tiled roof

Inside, it is worth seeing the wall paintings and the old rock garden. Then walk around the outer moats with a map: from the other side you get views of the towers without the crowds.

The photos above were taken in different seasons, so the color and light differ. Plan your visit for the morning to get through the palace without a line.

Tours and tickets in Kyoto

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Osaka: Nara and Himeji Castle

Osaka is called Japan's second-largest metropolis after Tokyo. The city was formerly known as Naniwa and was the country's first capital. From here, it's convenient to make two day trips: to Nara with its deer and to Himeji with its white castle.

For hotels in Osaka on Trip.com, stay near the station so you can leave quickly in the morning and avoid wasting time on transfers.

Nara

From Osaka, it's easy to reach Nara, known for its herds of deer in the city park. The deer are wild but accustomed to people: they bow as a greeting, and visitors feed them crackers. Don't hold food in your hands for long, or the deer will follow you.

The city has many ancient shrines, some of them UNESCO-listed. Kofuku-ji Temple has stood here for over a thousand years: admission is free, and you only pay for certain halls housing the Yakushi Buddha. Nearby is Isuien Garden, a "water garden" with tea houses.

In Nara, visit Todai-ji Temple. Its Great Buddha Hall is considered the largest wooden structure in the world, and inside stands a huge bronze statue. The hall is open from 7:30 to 17:30 (verified 09/13/2026 on the official website). Finally, walk along Higashimuki shopping street and the Mochiidono arcades: kimonos, ceramics, sweets, and handkerchiefs.

Kofuku-ji Pagoda in Nara reflected in pond

Himeji

From Osaka, you can reach Himeji with its feudal castle. The white walls gave the castle its second name, the White Heron Castle. It's a large complex with a maze-like layout, numerous gates, staircases, and passageways.

The castle survived wars and fires, and the main tower was left untouched. Inside there are no elevators or escalators, only steep wooden staircases, so wear comfortable shoes. Adult admission costs 2,500 yen, and visitors under 18 enter free (as of 09/2026, Himeji Castle official website).

The castle is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00, and closed December 29-30 (castle official website). The train ride from Osaka takes about an hour; check the exact time on the JR schedule. During cherry blossom season, buy tickets in advance.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka?

For the classic route, allow a week. Two days go to Tokyo, two to Kyoto, and two to Osaka, plus one day for a trip to Fuji or Himeji. If you want the Hakone hot springs, add another day. That way you cover the highlights without rushing.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth buying?

The pass pays off on long journeys, primarily along the Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka line. On a short route, individual shinkansen tickets work out cheaper. Compare the total cost of your trips with the pass price on the official website before buying.

When should you go to catch the cherry blossoms?

Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, and the exact week varies from year to year. In Tokyo and Kyoto, the peak usually falls in late March and early April. During those dates, hotels get more expensive and sites are crowded, so book in advance.

What can you see in Nara in half a day?

Start with the deer park at Kofuku-ji Temple, then visit Isuien Garden and Todai-ji Temple with the Great Buddha Hall. Stop by the Mochiidono market before heading back. Half a day is enough if you don't go into all the paid halls.

How do you get to Himeji Castle from Osaka?

A train runs from Osaka to Himeji, taking about an hour, according to Himeji Castle. From the station to the castle it's about a twenty-minute walk along a straight street. Leave early so you can tour the tower before the tour groups arrive.

Is the route suitable for children?

Yes, but you should slow the pace down. Kids enjoy the deer in Nara, the water bus in Sumida Park, and the Odaiba area with its attractions. Set aside one day without museums, and the trip will go more smoothly.

In short: what to book

If this is your first trip, base yourself in Tokyo and Osaka, and spend two days in Kyoto between them. Choose a hotel near a subway line or shinkansen station so transfers don't eat up your time.

If you have a week and it's your first trip: book hotels in Tokyo and Osaka and a day trip to Fuji.
If you want hot springs: add a night in Hakone.
If you're chasing cherry blossoms: book accommodation and tickets several months in advance.

Accommodation is easy to compare on Trip.com, and for city tours and trips to Fuji, check GetYourGuide.

7 Days in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka itinerary for a first visit