First trip to Japan: a 7-day Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka itinerary

The plan at a glance

Seven days is enough for Japan's classic first route: three days in Tokyo, two in Kyoto, a half day in Nara and a last night in Osaka. Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka's Kansai Airport, so you never backtrack.

Day 1: Land in Tokyo, ease in

Arrive at Haneda or Narita, sort out yen, data and an IC card (our arrival day guide walks you through it) and check in. From Haneda, the Keikyu Line or the monorail gets you to the Yamanote Line in about 20 minutes (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). If you still have energy, walk to Senso-ji in Asakusa: the red Kaminarimon gate and the snack stalls of Nakamise are five minutes from the nearest stations, and the temple, founded in 628, is lovely after dark (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Coming from the US or Europe, jet lag will hit hard tonight, so keep it short.

Day 2: Tokyo's neighbourhoods

Spend a full day on the Yamanote Line, which loops around central Tokyo. A classic run: the Meiji Shrine forest and Harajuku in the morning, Shibuya Crossing at lunchtime, and Shinjuku for the evening, from the free observation floors at the city hall to the tiny bars of the side streets. Your IC card covers every ride.

Day 3: Your Tokyo, or a day trip

Use day three for what you love: museums and the park at Ueno, shopping in Ginza, anime and electronics in Akihabara, or a day out of the city across Kanto. If you plan to use a rail pass from tomorrow, do not start it today.

Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto

Take the morning shinkansen to Kyoto; Nozomi trains reach Shin-Osaka in 2 hours 21 minutes, and Kyoto a little earlier (JR Central (opens in a new tab)). Buy an ekiben for the ride and, from Tokyo, sit on the right for Mount Fuji. Our shinkansen guide covers tickets and the rules for big suitcases. Spend the afternoon in Higashiyama, walking the old lanes between temples as the lanterns come on.

Day 5: Fushimi Inari and central Kyoto

Start early at Fushimi Inari Taisha, just outside Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line. Its tunnels of torii climb the mountain; there may be as many as 10,000, and walking the whole circuit takes two to three hours (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Most people turn back about halfway, where the crowds thin. Spend the afternoon at Nishiki Market and a temple or garden of your choice from our shrines and temples picks.

Day 6: Nara, then on to Osaka

Kintetsu trains reach Nara from Kyoto Station in just over 30 minutes, and Nara Park is a five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Meet the tame deer, then see Todai-ji, home to the largest bronze Buddha in the world. In the late afternoon, continue to Osaka: from Nara to Osaka-Namba is about 35 minutes. Spend the evening eating your way along Dotonbori.

Day 7: Osaka and home

Keep your last morning simple: Osaka Castle park, a market breakfast, or last-minute shopping. Remember that from 1 November 2026 tax-free refunds are claimed at the airport before check-in, so arrive early. From central Osaka, JR trains reach Kansai Airport in just over 30 minutes (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).

Getting around: passes and cards

An IC card covers every city train, subway and bus on this route. For the long legs, Tokyo to Kyoto and the airport trains, compare single tickets with a JR Pass: on a one-way route like this, the 7-day pass often does not pay off, so do the maths before you buy.

When to go

This route works all year. Spring cherry blossoms in April and autumn colours in November are the most beautiful and the busiest; book hotels early. Check the Tokyo weather and Osaka weather a few days before you fly.

Before you go

• Get data sorted with an eSIM before you fly.
• Carry some cash: read money in Japan.
• Mind a few manners: take your shoes off where asked, keep your voice down on trains, queue, and take your rubbish with you, as bins are rare (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).