# 7 days in Japan: an itinerary by city

> A week in Japan is the 'golden route' from the capital to the old capital. Three days in [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo): Shibuya and Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji, Tsukiji and Ginza, Akihabara and Shinjuku at night. Two days in [Kyoto](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto): the thousands of torii at Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, the Golden Pavilion and Arashiyama. A day in [Nara](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara) with the Great Buddha and the deer, and the last in [Osaka](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka) with its castle and Dotonbori neon. Tokyo to Kyoto is 2 h 15 min by shinkansen.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/in-7-days

## Who it suits

- A first trip to Japan
- Independent, by train
- City, temples and food in a week

Not for:

- Hiroshima and Fuji need a day each
- Okinawa is a separate trip by air

When to go: Late March–early April for cherry blossom and November for maples. Book trains and hotels early.

## Day 1 — [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo.md)

1. [Shibuya Crossing](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/shibuya-crossing.md) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400
   ↓ 19 min by transport
2. [Takeshita Street](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/takeshita-street.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free
   ↓ 13 min on foot
3. [Meiji Jingu](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/meiji-jingu.md) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free; Gyoen garden paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 29 min by transport
4. [Tokyo Imperial Palace](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-imperial-palace.md) — YesGo score 62/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · free
   ↓ 31 min by transport
5. [Senso-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/senso-ji.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free

Total with walks: 7 h 17 min

## Day 2 — [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo.md)

1. [Tokyo Tower](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-tower.md) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck ¥3,300 online
   ↓ 5 min on foot
2. [Zojo-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/zojo-ji.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · free; gallery ¥700
   ↓ 19 min by transport
3. [Hamarikyu Gardens](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/hamarikyu-gardens.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥300; over-65s ¥150
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 14 min on foot
4. [Tsukiji Outer Market](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tsukiji-outer-market.md) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free
   ↓ 14 min on foot
5. [Ginza](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/ginza.md) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · free

Total with walks: 7 h 32 min

## Day 3 — [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo.md)

1. [Akihabara](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/akihabara.md) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · free
   ↓ 19 min by transport
2. [Ameyoko](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/ameyoko.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 7 min on foot
3. [Ueno Park](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/ueno-park.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600
   ↓ 34 min by transport
4. [Kabukicho](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/kabukicho.md) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free
   ↓ 20 min on foot
5. [Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-government-building.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free

Total with walks: 8 h 20 min

Transfer Tokyo → Kyoto: shinkansen, ≈ 2 h 15 min

## Day 4 — [Kyoto](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto.md)

1. [Fushimi Inari Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/fushimi-inari.md) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · free
   ↓ 22 min by transport
2. [Sanjusangen-do](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/sanjusangen-do.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · about ¥600
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 19 min by transport
3. [Kiyomizu-dera](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kiyomizu-dera.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500
   ↓ 19 min by transport
4. [Gion](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/gion.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
5. [Yasaka Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/yasaka-shrine.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free

Total with walks: 8 h 21 min

## Day 5 — [Kyoto](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto.md)

1. [Nijo Castle](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/nijo-castle.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300
   ↓ 25 min by transport
2. [Kinkaku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kinkaku-ji.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥500
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 19 min on foot
3. [Ryoan-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/ryoan-ji.md) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥600
   ↓ 31 min by transport
4. [Arashiyama](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/arashiyama.md) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500

Total with walks: 8 h 15 min

Transfer Kyoto → Nara: Kintetsu or JR train, ≈ 45 min

## Day 6 — [Nara](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara.md)

1. [Naramachi](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/naramachi.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free
   ↓ 14 min on foot
2. [Kofuku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kofuku-ji.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 18 min on foot
3. [Todai-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/todai-ji.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ¥800
   ↓ 9 min on foot
4. [Nara Park](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/nara-park.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free
   ↓ 11 min on foot
5. [Kasuga Taisha](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kasuga-taisha.md) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · outer area free; corridors ¥700

Total with walks: 7 h 52 min

Transfer Nara → Osaka: Kintetsu or JR train, ≈ 40–50 min

## Day 7 — [Osaka](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka.md)

1. [Osaka Castle](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/osaka-castle.md) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · ¥1,200
   ↓ 24 min by transport
2. [Kuromon Market](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/kuromon-market.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 11 min on foot
3. [Dotonbori](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/dotonbori.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free
   ↓ 8 min on foot
4. [Shinsaibashi](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/shinsaibashi.md) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free
   ↓ 26 min by transport
5. [Umeda Sky Building](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/umeda-sky-building.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥2,000

Total with walks: 8 h 9 min

## 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](https://yesgo.io/japan/kamakura), [Hiroshima](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima) with Miyajima, and Himeji Castle on the way from Osaka.

## Tips

- 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

- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
- JR Central: Tokaido Shinkansen

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