7 Days in Japan — Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka for Two

Check into Shinjuku Hotel

Settle in, freshen up, and orient yourself with a neighborhood walk.

Shinjuku Golden Gai

Wander the alley of tiny bars — each holds 6 to 8 people.

Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)

Grab a skewer of yakitori under smoke-stained lanterns in this narrow alley.

Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo's oldest temple is quieter before 9 AM — arrive early.

Nakamise Shopping Street

Browse 200-meter arcade of traditional snacks, fans, and souvenirs.

Kappabashi Kitchen Town

Street of restaurant supply shops — ceramic plates, knife stores, plastic food.

Akihabara Electric Town

Multi-floor electronics and anime shops — Yodobashi Camera is unmissable.

Shibuya Crossing

Watch the world's busiest scramble crossing from street level or Mag's Park.

Shibuya Sky Observatory

Open-air rooftop 229m up — sunset slot is the most photogenic time.

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Forested Shinto shrine — tranquil contrast to the city around it.

Takeshita Street

Harajuku's famous pedestrian street for crepes, vintage, and street fashion.

Omotesando Avenue

Tokyo's Champs-Élysées — high-end boutiques and architecturally interesting buildings.

teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)

Immersive digital art installation — new venue opened 2024, book in advance.

Tokyo Midtown Hibiya or Roppongi Hills

Evening stroll through upscale retail and dining complex with city views.

Tokyo Disneyland

Arrive at rope drop — use Disney Premier Access for Pooh and Fantasyland rides.

In-Park Lunch — Eastside Cafe or Queen of Hearts

Sit-down meal mid-day to rest feet before afternoon peak crowds.

Tomorrowland & World Bazaar Shopping

Hit lower-demand attractions in peak afternoon and browse limited Disney Japan merch.

Evening Parade & Fireworks

Electrical parade and fireworks — stake out a spot 30 min early on Main Street.

Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto

Board Nozomi from Tokyo Station — 2 hrs 15 min to Kyoto.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Walk the iconic bamboo path — quieter before 11 AM on weekdays.

Tenryu-ji Temple & Garden

UNESCO garden with autumn foliage framing Arashiyama mountain backdrop.

Togetsukyo Bridge & Riverside

Stroll the bridge and riverside for peak November maple colour views.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Walk the lower torii gate tunnel — full hike is 2–3 hrs, partial is fine.

Check into Kyoto Hotel

Base near Kyoto Station for easy access to all districts.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Iconic gold-leaf temple reflected in Mirror Pond — arrive before tour buses.

Ryoan-ji Rock Garden

Japan's most famous dry garden — 15 stones arranged in raked white gravel.

Nishiki Market

Kyoto's 'kitchen' — 5-block covered arcade of pickles, tofu, grilled skewers.

Gion District Walk

Stroll Hanamikoji Street for preserved machiya townhouses and possible geisha sightings.

Kiyomizudera Temple

Hillside wooden stage temple with sweeping November foliage panoramas of Kyoto.

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Lanes

Preserved stone-paved lanes lined with craft shops and matcha cafes.

Check out Kyoto & Shinkansen to Osaka

16-minute Shinkansen hop — or 15 min on JR Special Rapid service, ¥560.

Universal Studios Japan (USJ)

Prioritise Nintendo World and Harry Potter — use Express Pass to skip queues.

Lunch at USJ — Three Broomsticks or Super Nintendo World

Power-up band dining in Nintendo World is an experience in itself.

Check into Osaka Hotel — Namba or Shinsaibashi area

Drop bags, freshen up, then head straight into Dotonbori.

Dotonbori Canal Walk

Walk the neon-lit canal strip — Glico Man, giant crab, takoyaki stalls.

Kuromon Ichiba (if still open) or Shinsaibashi

Kuromon has some evening stalls; Shinsaibashi is the shopping and nightlife strip.