This easy-paced itinerary pairs a few well-loved sights with plenty of time for unhurried meals, gardens, and neighborhood wandering. It uses Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka as comfortable bases, with travel times between stops kept short whenever possible.
Budget
Approximately ¥180,000–¥300,000 per person, excluding international flights and depending on accommodation, rail choices, and meals.
Best time to visit
Late March to May or October to November for comfortable walking weather; cherry blossoms and autumn colors bring larger crowds.
Asakusa and the Sumida River
Settle into Tokyo with a gentle day around historic Asakusa and the nearby riverside.
Morning
See and Nakamise-dori
Wander the temple grounds and browse the traditional snack and souvenir stalls at an easy pace. Allow about 5 minutes to walk between the temple and Nakamise-dori.
About ¥0Afternoon
Relax in
Walk about 10 minutes from to the riverside paths for a calm break and views across the water.
About ¥0Evening
Dinner at
Stay in Asakusa for a leisurely sukiyaki dinner; it is about a 15-minute walk from .
About ¥6,000–¥10,000
Ueno’s museums and park
Keep the day to Ueno, where the park, museums, and market streets are clustered together.
Morning
Take a quiet walk through
Start with the park’s broad paths and ponds before the day gets busy. It is about a 10-minute walk from Ueno Station’s park exit.
About ¥0Afternoon
Choose a few galleries at the
Spend a relaxed couple of hours with Japanese art and history rather than trying to see everything. The museum is about a 10-minute walk from the center of .
About ¥1,000Evening
Browse and eat along
Enjoy the lively market atmosphere and choose a casual dinner; it is roughly a 15-minute walk from the museum.
About ¥1,000–¥3,000
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
Pair a peaceful forest shrine visit with a gentle browse through ’s streets and cafés.
Morning
Walk the forest paths at
Take your time on the shaded approach to the shrine and enjoy a quieter side of central Tokyo. From Station, it is about a 5-minute walk to the entrance.
About ¥0Afternoon
Browse
Walk about 15 minutes from toward for architecture, shops, and a relaxed café stop.
About ¥0Evening
Have dinner in
Return toward for an easy choice of casual restaurants; the walk from takes about 10 minutes.
About ¥1,500–¥4,000
Shinjuku gardens and city lights
Spend a restorative day among ’s greenery, then stay nearby for dinner and an early evening stroll.
Morning
Enjoy
Explore its lawns, paths, and traditional garden areas without rushing. It is about a 10-minute walk from -gyoemmae Station.
About ¥500Afternoon
Take a relaxed café break in
Walk about 15 minutes from the garden toward central and pause for coffee or lunch before more sightseeing.
About ¥1,000–¥2,500Evening
See the city from the
Head to the free observation decks for an unhurried sunset or night view; it is about a 15-minute walk from central .
About ¥0
Hakone’s lake and hot springs
Trade the city for mountain air, a lakeside visit, and a restful evening at a hot-spring inn.
Morning
Travel to Hakone and settle in
Take the train from Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto, then leave your bags at your accommodation. The train journey from takes around 85 minutes on the Romancecar.
About ¥2,500–¥3,000Afternoon
Stroll beside
Ride a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to the lake area in about 40–50 minutes, then enjoy the waterfront at your own pace.
About ¥1,000–¥1,500Evening
Unwind in a Hakone onsen
Return to your ryokan or a nearby bathhouse by bus, usually around 30–50 minutes depending on the location, and enjoy a quiet soak.
About ¥1,500–¥5,000
Hakone Open-Air Museum and Kyoto
Enjoy one focused museum visit, then take the train to Kyoto and keep the evening simple.
Morning
Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum
Give yourself time to wander among the outdoor sculptures and indoor galleries. From Hakone-Yumoto, the train to Chokoku-no-Mori takes about 35 minutes, followed by a short walk.
About ¥2,000Afternoon
Travel to Kyoto
Return to Odawara by train in about 40 minutes, then take the Shinkansen to Kyoto in roughly 2 hours. Allow extra time for transfers and checking in.
About ¥12,000–¥14,000Evening
Take an easy evening walk in
From , take a taxi or train-and-walk journey of around 20–30 minutes to for dinner and a gentle stroll.
About ¥2,000–¥5,000
Higashiyama and Gion
Explore Kyoto’s atmospheric eastern lanes and temples on foot, with a restful pause between visits.
Morning
Visit
Enjoy the temple views and take your time around the grounds. From , it is about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride.
About ¥500Afternoon
Wander and Ninenzaka
Follow the historic lanes downhill, stopping for tea or a snack; these streets begin about 5–10 minutes on foot from the temple.
About ¥0Evening
Have dinner in
Walk about 20 minutes from the historic lanes back toward for a relaxed meal and an atmospheric evening stroll.
About ¥3,000–¥8,000
Arashiyama’s riverside and bamboo grove
Make a gentle western Kyoto day of river scenery, temple gardens, and a short visit to the bamboo grove.
Morning
Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arrive early for a calmer stroll through the bamboo paths. From Saga-Arashiyama Station, the grove is about a 10-minute walk.
About ¥0Afternoon
Enjoy the garden at
Visit the temple garden and take a break from the busier lanes; it is about a 5-minute walk from the grove.
About ¥500–¥800Evening
Relax by
Walk about 10 minutes to the river and bridge, where you can linger by the water before dinner nearby.
About ¥0
Nara Park and Naramachi
Take a manageable day trip to Nara for its landmark temple, spacious park, and traditional old-town lanes.
Morning
Travel to Nara and visit
Take a train from Kyoto to Nara in about 45–60 minutes, then walk around 20 minutes through the park to the temple.
About ¥800Afternoon
Rest and wander in
Explore the open park paths at your own pace; it is about a 5-minute walk from ’s main approach.
About ¥0Evening
Dinner in
Walk about 20 minutes or take a short local bus ride from the park to for dinner among its preserved streets.
About ¥2,000–¥5,000
Osaka Castle and Dotonbori
Finish with a relaxed Osaka day, balancing a peaceful castle park visit with a lively food-focused evening.
Morning
Visit
Travel from Kyoto to Osaka by train in about 30 minutes, then continue to the park; give yourself time to enjoy the grounds.
About ¥0Afternoon
Pause for lunch around
Take the train from to in about 25 minutes and choose a relaxed lunch close to the station.
About ¥1,000–¥2,500Evening
Enjoy the lights and food of
Walk about 10 minutes from to the canal area for a final stroll and a few Osaka specialties.
About ¥2,000–¥5,000
Good to know
Pacing
Keep your accommodation near a convenient station and leave unscheduled time each day; the itinerary is a guide, not a checklist.
Transport
Use an IC card such as Suica or ICOCA for local trains and buses. Compare individual Shinkansen and regional fares before buying a rail pass.
Reservations
Reserve popular restaurants and a Hakone ryokan ahead, especially during cherry blossom season, autumn foliage, and holiday periods.
Practical details
Temple, garden, and museum opening hours vary by season and weekday; check official websites before setting out. Cash is still useful at smaller eateries and shops.
Hakone
Check the Hakone transport and weather conditions before your lake visit, since mountain routes and views can be affected by weather or service changes.