9 Days in Japan — Couple's Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka

Arrive at Narita or Haneda

Clear customs, take Narita Express or Keikyu Line to your hotel.

Convenience Store Run

Hit a 7-Eleven or Lawson for onigiri, beer, and snacks.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street

Tokyo's most iconic temple; arrive early before tour groups crowd in.

Asakusa Street Wander

Explore Hoppy Street and backstreets around Kappabashi kitchenware district.

Lunch in Asakusa

Eat tempura or unagi at a local spot before heading to Ueno.

Ueno Park & Ameyoko Market

Stroll Ueno Park then browse Ameyoko's open-air market stalls for snacks.

Akihabara Electronics & Pop Culture

Walk through Japan's electronics and anime mecca; great for novelty shopping.

Dinner & Izakaya in Yurakucho

Try the gritty izakaya alley under the train tracks near Yurakucho station.

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Forested Shinto shrine in central Tokyo; calm and genuinely impressive.

Takeshita Street & Omotesando

Harajuku's quirky teen fashion street, then upscale boutiques on Omotesando.

Lunch on Omotesando

Dozens of cafés and restaurants; great spot for a sit-down lunch.

Shibuya Scramble & Surrounds

Visit Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky observation deck, or Shibuya Stream.

Coffee in Shimokitazawa

Vintage-shop neighborhood with excellent indie cafés; try Bear Pond or Café Rosso.

Dinner in Shimokitazawa

Casual neighborhood izakayas and curry spots popular with locals, not tourists.

Yanaka Ginza & Old Tokyo Streets

One of Tokyo's few pre-war neighborhoods; walk the shotengai market street.

Yanaka Cemetery Stroll

Oddly beautiful tree-lined cemetery, peaceful and totally local.

Lunch in Yanaka or Nezu

Try a tofu shop lunch or ramen in this quiet, undervisited pocket.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Large, calm garden — worth an afternoon especially in warm September light.

Shinjuku Golden Gai

Labyrinth of tiny bars seating 6–10 people; great for early evening drinks.

Kabukicho or Omoide Yokocho

Explore Tokyo's entertainment district or Memory Lane's smoky yakitori stalls.

Check Out & Head to Tokyo Station

Allow 30–40 minutes to reach Tokyo Station from Shinjuku by train.

Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto

Hikari or Nozomi takes 2h15–2h45; reserve seats and enjoy Mt. Fuji views.

Check In & Lunch Near Hotel

Drop bags, grab lunch in Kyoto Station area before heading out.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Walk the lower torii gate path — stunning and only 15 min from station.

Gion District Evening Stroll

Walk Hanamikoji Street at dusk for atmospheric geisha district ambiance.

Dinner in Gion or Pontocho

Pontocho Alley has excellent mid-range kaiseki and kushikatsu options.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Go early — by 9:30 AM it fills with tourists; 20 min walk from Saga-Arashiyama station.

Tenryu-ji Temple & Garden

UNESCO-listed Zen garden with mountain backdrop; one of Kyoto's best.

Arashiyama Riverside Walk

Walk along the Oi River; rent a rowboat for a relaxed hour on the water.

Lunch in Arashiyama

Several tofu and kaiseki spots near the main street; Shigetsu is a classic.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Tourist-heavy but genuinely stunning; go mid-afternoon when morning crowds thin.

Ryoan-ji Rock Garden

Japan's most famous Zen rock garden; allow 30–45 minutes for quiet reflection.

Dinner near Gion or Nishiki Market area

Explore Nishiki Market for snacks or sit down near Kawaramachi for dinner.

Train Kyoto → Osaka

JR Shinkaisoku takes 28 minutes and costs ¥580 — fast and easy.

Osaka Castle

Impressive castle with views; interior museum is optional but exhibits are decent.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Osaka's 'kitchen' — eat fresh seafood, tamagoyaki, and skewers while walking.

Lunch: Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki in Dotonbori

Eat Osaka's two signature street foods at their home in Dotonbori.

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade

Covered shopping street 600m long; mix of Japanese brands, cosmetics, and gifts.

Amerika-Mura

Osaka's counterculture district with vintage shops, streetwear, and independent labels.

Return to Kyoto

JR Shinkaisoku back to Kyoto; easy 28 minutes.

Fushimi Inari Summit Hike (Optional)

If skipped Day 5, do the full 2-hour hike up for stunning ridge views.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Hillside wooden temple with sweeping Kyoto views; go early to avoid crowds.

Higashiyama Street Walk

Preserved stone-paved streets lined with craft shops, ceramics, and matcha stalls.

Lunch in Higashiyama

Try nishin soba (herring soba) — a Kyoto specialty at multiple spots here.

Philosopher's Path

2km canal walk connecting Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji; lined with cafés and small temples.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) & Garden

Serene moss and sand garden; often overshadowed by Kinkaku-ji but arguably better.

Nishiki Market Walk

Narrow covered market with 100+ stalls; great for pickles, snacks, and last souvenirs.

Final Kyoto Dinner

Splurge on kaiseki or enjoy a relaxed sake bar near Kawaramachi.

Morning Coffee & Check Out

Grab coffee at a local Kyoto café before checking out and heading to station.

Shinkansen Kyoto → Tokyo

Nozomi gets you back to Tokyo in 2h10; book a window seat on the right side.

Check In to Tokyo Hotel & Lunch

Drop bags, grab ramen or a set lunch near your hotel to decompress.

Shibuya Sky or TeamLab Planets

Rooftop observation deck or immersive digital art — both need advance booking.

Last Tokyo Shopping — Tokyu Hands or Don Quijote

Grab any remaining gifts or Japanese novelties before departure day.

Final Dinner — Tokyo Splurge or Comfort

Book a sushi counter experience or return to a spot you loved earlier in the trip.