7 days in Japan: an itinerary by city
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 20 of 34 free; 14 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 7 days, 9:30 to 17:51 each day
- Start and finish
- Shibuya Crossing → Umeda Sky Building
- On foot
- ≈ 2 h 49 min in total
- Transport
- 13 rides, ≈ 5 h 17 min; 3 transfers between cities
- Lunch
- around 12:17
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Late March–early April for cherry blossom and November for maples. Book trains and hotels early.
Cities in order
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Tokyo09:30–16:47 · 5 places · 7 h 20 min
Shibuya Crossing
· 30 min · Free
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Takeshita Street
· 45 min · Free
- 13 min on foot
Meiji Jingu
· 1 h · Free; Gyoen garden paid
- Lunch · 1 h
- 29 min · transport or taxi
Tokyo Imperial Palace
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 31 min · transport or taxi
Senso-ji
· 1 h · Free
Day 2 · Tokyo09:30–17:02 · 5 places · 7 h 30 min
Tokyo Tower
· 1 h · Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck ¥3,300 online
- 5 min on foot
Zojo-ji
· 40 min · Free
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Hamarikyu Gardens
· 1 h · ¥300; over-65s ¥150
- Lunch · 1 h
- 14 min on foot
Tsukiji Outer Market
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 14 min on foot
Ginza
· 1 h 30 min · Free
Day 3 · Tokyo09:30–17:50 · 5 places · 8 h 20 min
Akihabara
· 2 h · Free
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Ameyoko
· 45 min · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 7 min on foot
Ueno Park
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 34 min · transport or taxi
Kabukicho
· 1 h · Free
- 20 min on foot
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
· 45 min · Free
Day 4 · Kyoto09:30–17:51 · 5 places · 8 h 20 min
Morning transfer: shinkansen · ≈ 2 h 15 min
Fushimi Inari Shrine
· 2 h · Free
- 22 min · transport or taxi
Sanjusangen-do
· 45 min · About ¥600
- Lunch · 1 h
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Kiyomizu-dera
· 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Gion
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 6 min on foot
Yasaka Shrine
· 30 min · Free
Day 5 · Kyoto09:30–17:45 · 4 places · 8 h 20 min
Nijo Castle
· 1 h 30 min · ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300
- 25 min · transport or taxi
Kinkaku-ji
· 45 min · ¥500
- Lunch · 1 h
- 19 min on foot
Ryoan-ji
· 45 min · ¥600
- 31 min · transport or taxi
Arashiyama
· 3 h · Free
Day 6 · Nara09:30–17:22 · 5 places · 7 h 50 min
Morning transfer: Kintetsu or JR train · ≈ 45 min
Naramachi
· 1 h · Free
- 14 min on foot
Kofuku-ji
· 1 h · Grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900
- Lunch · 1 h
- 18 min on foot
Todai-ji
· 1 h 30 min · ¥800
- 9 min on foot
Nara Park
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 11 min on foot
Kasuga Taisha
· 1 h · Outer area free; corridors ¥700
Day 7 · Osaka09:30–17:39 · 5 places · 8 h 10 min
Morning transfer: Kintetsu or JR train · ≈ 40–50 min
Osaka Castle
· 2 h · ¥1,200
- 24 min · transport or taxi
Kuromon Market
· 1 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 11 min on foot
Dotonbori
· 1 h · Free
- 8 min on foot
Shinsaibashi
· 1 h · Free
- 26 min · transport or taxi
Umeda Sky Building
· 1 h · ¥2,000
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
20 of 34 are free; 14 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 3 | Meiji Jingu | 50 | 1 h | free; Gyoen garden paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Tokyo Imperial Palace | 62 | 1 h 30 min | free |
| 6 | Tokyo Tower | 56 | 1 h | Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck ¥3,300 online |
| 8 | Hamarikyu Gardens | 36 | 1 h | ¥300; over-65s ¥150 |
| 17 | Sanjusangen-do | 38 | 45 min | about ¥600 |
| 18 | Kiyomizu-dera | 51 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ ¥500 |
| 21 | Nijo Castle | 44 | 1 h 30 min | ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300 |
| 22 | Kinkaku-ji | 48 | 45 min | ¥500 |
| 23 | Ryoan-ji | 37 | 45 min | ¥600 |
| 26 | Kofuku-ji | 44 | 1 h | grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900 |
| 27 | Todai-ji | 51 | 1 h 30 min | ¥800 |
| 29 | Kasuga Taisha | 37 | 1 h | outer area free; corridors ¥700 |
| 30 | Osaka Castle | 55 | 2 h | ¥1,200 |
| 34 | Umeda Sky Building | 36 | 1 h | ¥2,000 |
| Other 20 places | 24 h 30 min | Free | ||
| Total | 40 h 40 min | 20 of 34 free |
Who this route is for
- A first trip to Japan
- Independent, by train
- City, temples and food in a week
- Hiroshima and Fuji need a day each
- Okinawa is a separate trip by air
Late March–early April for cherry blossom and November for maples. Book trains and hotels early.
How the week works
The route runs east to west: Tokyo — Kyoto — Nara — Osaka. Each day is a YesGo city itinerary: three days in Tokyo, two in Kyoto, one each in Nara and Osaka.
Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka (Kansai Airport) so you never double back.
The cities on the route
Tokyo is a megacity of ancient temples and neon districts. Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years: UNESCO temples, the geisha district and the bamboo grove. Nara was the first permanent capital, with its Great Buddha and free-roaming deer. Osaka is the food city: takoyaki, okonomiyaki and Dotonbori's street food.
Getting around independently
Tokyo to Kyoto: about 2 h 15 min by shinkansen. Kyoto — Nara — Osaka: Kintetsu and JR trains, 40–50 minutes each. In the cities, the metro and local trains on a Suica or PASMO card. Whether a JR Pass is worth it depends on your long-distance trips — do the sums before you go.
Where to stay
Three nights in Tokyo near the Yamanote line: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno or Ginza. Three nights in Kyoto, with Nara as a day trip. The last night in Osaka by Namba or Umeda, for the train to Kansai Airport.
Japan itinerary for 5 or 10 days
Five days: Tokyo 2, Kyoto 2 and Osaka 1. Ten days: add Fuji from Tokyo, Kamakura, Hiroshima with Miyajima, and Himeji Castle on the way from Osaka.
How to do it right
- Get a Suica or PASMO card on day one.
- In cherry blossom season and November, Kyoto hotels sell out months ahead.
- Send your luggage ahead with a courier service to ride the shinkansen light.
- Japan uses the yen. Foreign cards work almost everywhere, but temples, markets and small cafés want cash. A Suica or PASMO card pays for trains, metro and shops by the station.
- Keep quiet at temples and shrines and take your shoes off before entering halls; photos inside halls are often not allowed. There is no tipping in Japan.
Questions
What is a good 7-day Japan itinerary?
Tokyo for 3 days, Kyoto for 2, Nara for 1 and Osaka for 1.
Can you travel around Japan independently?
Yes: trains are punctual, signs are in English and the metro is easy.
How long from Tokyo to Kyoto?
About 2 h 15 min by shinkansen.
How do I get from Kyoto to Nara?
By Kintetsu or JR train, about 45 minutes.
Do I need a JR Pass?
It depends on your long trips — compare the pass with single tickets for your route.
What can I see in Japan in 5 days?
Tokyo 2, Kyoto 2 and Osaka 1.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Cherry blossom season and November.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; Tokyo has its own with-kids itinerary, and Nara has the deer.
How should I behave at temples?
Keep quiet at temples and shrines and take your shoes off before entering halls; photos inside halls are often not allowed. There is no tipping in Japan.
How do I pay in Japan?
Japan uses the yen. Foreign cards work almost everywhere, but temples, markets and small cafés want cash. A Suica or PASMO card pays for trains, metro and shops by the station.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
- JR Central: Tokaido Shinkansen
