This route balances Tokyo’s neighbourhoods with historic Kyoto, energetic Osaka, Hiroshima and a restorative hot-spring stay. The days are grouped geographically to keep transfers manageable; costs are rough per-person estimates in Japanese yen and exclude international flights and hotels.
Budget
Approximately ¥95,000–¥125,000 per person for listed activities, meals and intercity transport, excluding accommodation and international flights. Your total will depend on dining choices, ticket reservations and transport passes.
Best time to visit
Late March to May for mild weather and spring scenery, or October to November for crisp days and autumn colour. Cherry blossom timing varies by region and year; book accommodation and popular timed-entry attractions well ahead.
Tokyo: Asakusa and the Sumida River
Ease into Japan with a compact day around Asakusa’s historic streets and riverside.
Morning
Visit
Explore Tokyo’s best-known Buddhist temple and the surrounding grounds. From Asakusa Station, it’s about a 5-minute walk.
About ¥0Morning
Browse
Walk the lively approach to the temple for traditional snacks and souvenirs; it’s about 2 minutes on foot from .
About ¥500Afternoon
Explore
Take a relaxed riverside stroll with views toward Tokyo Skytree, about 10 minutes on foot from Nakamise-dori.
About ¥0Evening
Dinner at
Settle into an old-fashioned izakaya lane for dinner and a drink, around 10 minutes on foot from .
About ¥2,500
Tokyo: Ueno and Yanaka
Pair Ueno’s museums and park with the quieter temple lanes and shops of nearby Yanaka.
Morning
Walk through
Enjoy the park’s broad paths and pond before the museums get busy. Ueno Station is about 5 minutes away on foot.
About ¥0Morning
Choose a museum
Spend a couple of hours at the for Japanese art and history; it’s about 10 minutes on foot from the park’s central paths.
About ¥1,000Afternoon
Browse
Explore the lively market street for snacks and everyday goods, about 15 minutes on foot from the museum.
About ¥1,000Evening
Wander
Head to this friendly shopping street for an unhurried neighbourhood stroll and casual dinner; allow about 20 minutes by taxi from .
About ¥2,500
Tokyo: Harajuku and Shibuya
Follow a short southbound route from leafy Meiji Shrine to fashion streets and Shibuya’s bright city centre.
Morning
Visit
Walk through a forested approach to this major Shinto shrine. It’s about 5 minutes on foot from Harajuku Station’s west exit.
About ¥0Morning
Explore
Browse Harajuku’s famous fashion and snack street, about 10 minutes on foot from ’s main shrine buildings.
About ¥1,000Afternoon
Stroll
Admire the architecture and browse the shops along this elegant avenue, about 10 minutes on foot from .
About ¥0Evening
See Shibuya Crossing
Take in the crossing and its surrounding lights, then find dinner nearby; it’s about 15 minutes on foot from ’s eastern end.
About ¥3,000
Tokyo: Shinjuku
Spend the day among Shinjuku’s gardens, skyline views and atmospheric evening lanes.
Morning
Relax in
Enjoy landscaped gardens and a quiet start to the day. Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station is about 5 minutes away on foot.
About ¥500Afternoon
See the city from the
Take in the free observation-room views; it’s about 20 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Gyoen’s main gate, or a short taxi ride.
About ¥0Evening
Eat and wander in
Choose a yakitori counter in this narrow dining lane, about 10 minutes on foot from the Government Building area.
About ¥3,000Evening
Finish with Golden Gai
Drop into a tiny bar or simply explore the lantern-lit lanes; it’s about 10 minutes on foot from .
About ¥2,000
Tokyo: Tsukiji and Ginza
Taste your way through Tsukiji before spending an easy afternoon and evening in central .
Morning
Sample breakfast at
Browse stalls for sushi, tamagoyaki and other market favourites. Tsukiji Station is about 5 minutes away on foot.
About ¥2,500Afternoon
Visit
Take a peaceful break in this historic garden by the bay, about 15 minutes on foot from the market.
About ¥300Afternoon
Browse
Walk the department stores and flagship shops, about 15 minutes on foot from ’ main entrance.
About ¥0Evening
Enjoy dinner at
Try a well-loved ramen spot in the neighbourhood; allow about 10 minutes on foot from central shops.
About ¥2,000
Hakone: lake, shrine and hot springs
Trade Tokyo for mountain scenery, a lakeside shrine and a relaxing onsen night in Hakone.
Morning
Travel to Hakone-Yumoto
Take the train from Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto; the journey is typically around 1.5–2 hours depending on your departure point and connection.
About ¥2,500Afternoon
Visit
See the forested shrine and its iconic lakeside gate; allow about 35 minutes by bus from .
About ¥0Afternoon
Stroll the shore at
Enjoy the lake and mountain views, about 10 minutes on foot from ’s lakeside gate.
About ¥0Evening
Unwind at
Relax in a day-use hot spring before dinner or your ryokan stay; it’s about 35 minutes by bus and shuttle from the area.
About ¥1,700
Kyoto: Higashiyama and Gion
Arrive in Kyoto and focus on its eastern temple lanes, traditional streets and after dark.
Morning
Travel to Kyoto
Take the shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto, usually about 2 hours; allow extra time to reach Odawara from Hakone.
About ¥12,000Afternoon
Explore
Visit the hillside temple and its famous wooden stage. From , allow about 30 minutes by bus and on foot.
About ¥500Afternoon
Walk
Follow the atmospheric stone-paved lane past traditional shops, about 10 minutes on foot from .
About ¥0Evening
Stroll
Continue to the lantern-lit historic district for dinner, about 20 minutes on foot from .
About ¥3,500
Kyoto: Arashiyama
Keep the day in western Kyoto, combining a famous bamboo grove with temple gardens and riverside scenery.
Morning
Walk through
Arrive early for a quieter walk through the bamboo paths. From Saga- Station, it’s about 10 minutes on foot.
About ¥0Morning
Visit
Explore the temple’s landscape garden, directly beside the bamboo grove and about 5 minutes on foot from its main entrance.
About ¥500Afternoon
Cross
Enjoy the river and mountain views, about 15 minutes on foot from .
About ¥0Evening
Dinner in
Stay in the area for a relaxed meal before returning to central Kyoto; restaurants are generally within a 10-minute walk of the bridge.
About ¥3,000
Kyoto: Fushimi and central Kyoto
Start at the iconic torii gates in Fushimi, then return to central Kyoto for markets and dinner.
Morning
Walk the trails at
Explore the vermilion gates and choose a comfortable section of the hillside trails. The shrine is about 5 minutes on foot from Inari Station.
About ¥0Afternoon
Browse
Return to central Kyoto for food stalls and specialist shops; allow about 25 minutes by train and on foot from Inari Station.
About ¥1,500Afternoon
Visit
Pause at this small shrine at the market’s eastern end, about 5 minutes on foot from the market’s central stretch.
About ¥0Evening
Walk
Choose a riverside dinner or a drink in this atmospheric lane, about 10 minutes on foot from .
About ¥4,000
Nara: temples and deer park
Take an easy day trip to Nara, where major temple sites and the park are close enough to explore on foot.
Morning
Visit
See the Great Buddha Hall, one of Japan’s most impressive historic buildings. From Kintetsu Nara Station, allow about 20 minutes on foot.
About ¥800Morning
Wander
Look for the park’s free-roaming deer and enjoy its open lawns, about 5 minutes on foot from ’s main gate.
About ¥0Afternoon
Explore
Follow the wooded paths to this celebrated shrine, about 20 minutes on foot from the park’s central area.
About ¥700Evening
Dinner in
Return to the old merchant district for a meal among traditional townhouses, about 25 minutes on foot from or a short bus ride.
About ¥3,000
Osaka: Osaka Castle and Namba
Move to Osaka for a historic morning and an evening amid the city’s famous food streets.
Morning
Explore
Visit the castle grounds and museum, allowing time for the wide park paths. From Osaka Station, the train and walk take about 25 minutes.
About ¥1,200Afternoon
Explore
Sample seafood and street snacks at the market, about 30 minutes by train and on foot from .
About ¥2,000Evening
See
Follow the canal-side lights and choose dinner in the district, about 10 minutes on foot from .
About ¥3,500Evening
Walk
Browse the covered shopping arcade after dinner, about 5 minutes on foot from ’s central canal area.
About ¥0
Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park and Okonomimura
Travel west for a thoughtful visit to Hiroshima’s memorial sites followed by its local speciality.
Morning
Travel to Hiroshima
Take the shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima, usually about 1.5 hours; allow roughly 30 minutes to reach Shin-Osaka from central Osaka.
About ¥10,000Afternoon
Visit
Learn about the atomic bombing and the city’s peace efforts; from , allow about 25 minutes by tram and on foot.
About ¥200Afternoon
Walk Peace Memorial Park
Reflect at the park’s monuments and riverside paths, about 5 minutes on foot from the museum.
About ¥0Evening
Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at
Choose from the multi-floor collection of okonomiyaki counters, about 15 minutes on foot from Peace Memorial Park.
About ¥1,500
Miyajima: shrine and island views
Make a full-day island outing from Hiroshima for shrine scenery, forest paths and a relaxed return.
Morning
Travel to Miyajima
Take a local train to Miyajimaguchi and then the ferry to the island; the combined journey is about 45 minutes from , plus waiting time.
About ¥500Morning
Visit
See the celebrated shrine and its sea-facing setting; it’s about 10 minutes on foot from the ferry terminal.
About ¥300Afternoon
Walk
Enjoy a quiet woodland walk beneath the island’s maple trees, about 15 minutes on foot from .
About ¥0Evening
Return to Hiroshima for dinner
Take the ferry and train back, around 45 minutes in transit, then have dinner near .
About ¥3,000
Tokyo: Roppongi and teamLab Planets
Return to Tokyo for an art-filled day, pairing an immersive exhibition with ’s galleries and city views.
Morning
Travel back to Tokyo
Take the shinkansen from Hiroshima to Tokyo, usually about 4 hours; the fare varies by train and seat type.
About ¥19,000Afternoon
Visit
Explore the immersive digital art exhibits; from , allow about 35 minutes by train and on foot, and reserve timed entry ahead.
About ¥3,800Evening
Explore
Browse the complex or visit its observation deck for city views, about 25 minutes by train and on foot from teamLab Planets.
About ¥2,000Evening
Dinner in
Stay nearby for a final Tokyo dinner, within about 10 minutes on foot of .
About ¥4,000
Tokyo: Akihabara and Tokyo Station
Wrap up with a playful shopping district and an easy final wander around .
Morning
Browse
Explore electronics, games and anime shops in the district; from , it’s about 10 minutes by train and on foot.
About ¥0Afternoon
Visit
See this colourful shrine tucked near Akihabara, about 15 minutes on foot from the main shopping streets.
About ¥0Afternoon
Explore and Marunouchi
Enjoy the station’s historic façade and nearby shops, about 20 minutes by train and on foot from Kanda Myojin.
About ¥0Evening
Dinner at
Choose a final bowl from the ramen shops inside ; it’s within the station, so no additional travel is needed.
About ¥1,500
Good to know
Rail and luggage
Compare individual shinkansen fares with regional passes before buying; a nationwide rail pass is not automatically the best value. Forward large bags between hotels to make train changes easier.
Bookings
Reserve shinkansen seats during busy periods, and book timed-entry attractions such as teamLab Planets in advance. Check current opening days and admission prices close to travel.
Getting around
An IC card works on most local trains, buses and many convenience-store purchases. In Kyoto, allow extra time for buses, especially around midday.
Onsen etiquette
Bathe without a swimsuit and rinse thoroughly before entering shared hot-spring baths. Check a facility’s current policies if you have tattoos.
Pace
This is an active itinerary with several long-distance transfers. Keep the first evening in each new city flexible, and adjust walking distances to suit your energy.