The Perfect Itinerary for One Week in Japan

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I put a lot of energy into crafting the perfect itinerary before my own trip. Japan is a fairly small place that’s easy to get around, but there is just so much to see. Mismanaging your time could mean missing out on amazing stuff!

Luckily, this week-long itinerary will make it simple to plan your entire trip. 

I’ll walk you through each day from dawn until dusk, sharing the best places to stay, eat, and soak up the culture. I’ll even share a few key Japan travel hacks along the way. 

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7-Day Japan Itinerary

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this itinerary here!

Day 1 – Tokyo

🌅 Morning

After the jet lag from flying to Japan wears off, kick off your first day in Tokyo with a bite to eat from the adorable Breakfast & Brunch Jade5. Then, stop over at the Tokyo Tower for an aerial perspective over the city in the daylight. 

Before it gets too late in the day and crowded with visitors, walk along Nakamise-dori shopping street to reach Tokyo’s famous Senso-Ji Temple. 

🌞 Noon

Grab fried pork and shrimp from Danki Tonkatsu before continuing on to the bustling neighborhood of Shibuya. This is one of the best places to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors. 

Join the thousands crossing Shibuya Scramble Square and take a leisurely walk in Yoyogi Park. 

Just before dusk, go 750 feet up in the air at Shibuya Sky for panoramic views of the city as the sun sets over Tokyo. 

🌙 Evening

On your first night in Japan, enjoy a satisfying omakase sushi dinner (chef’s choice) at Sushi Toshi. Finally, check out one last perspective of the city all lit up in the evening at the Tokyo Skytree to finish off the day. 

Day 2 – Mount Fuji Day Trip / Tokyo

🌅 Morning

Wake up extra early to try the street food dishes at Tsukiji Outer Market. The sweet egg omelet and the strawberry daifuku are extremely popular. Then, join this guided day trip to Kawaguchi Lake and Mt. Fuji. 

This tour around the Mount Fuji region will bring you to several amazing viewpoints of the famous mountain and the town of Oshino Hakkai. You’ll also get to participate in a traditional tea ceremony before an optional lunch. 

The tour will last until the early evening and bring you back to Tokyo Station around 5 pm. You’ll likely be hungry after returning from the long day, so choose a restaurant along Ramen Alley under Tokyo Station. 

🌙 Evening

Make an evening reservation at teamLab Planets to take photos in the art installation’s otherworldly rooms. After working up an appetite, head into Shinjuku for a multi-course traditional dinner at Kappo NAKAJIMA. 

End the night by diving into Shinjuku’s welcoming nightlife around the narrow alleyways of Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai. 

Day 3 – Kamakura Day Trip

🌅 Morning

On your third morning, hop on Japan’s public transportation to reach the nearby town of Kamakura. Upon arrival, fuel up with some coffee and an epic egg platter from EENY Breakfast & shop. 

After breakfast, go down to Kamakura Yuigahama Beach to get a glimpse of the coastline. Depending on the season, you may even want to lay out a towel or take a dip in the water. 

Next, walk approximately 15 minutes away to reach Kotoku-in, also known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Snap a photo under the 43-foot statue and peruse the surrounding souvenir shops. 

🌞 Noon

In the afternoon, make your way to the 8th-century Hasedera Temple. Take the time to wander around this sprawling place of worship and check out glimpses of the coastline along the way. 

Eat a vegetarian lunch from Magokoro while you take in the views of the sea. Then, try some street food or go shopping for souvenirs along Komachi-dori Street. Continue up this central avenue to see the intricate temple of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and its lake. 

🌙 Evening

After watching the sunset on the beach, try classic Japanese curry for dinner at Gokuraku Curry. Following your savory meal, satisfy your sweet tooth by grabbing a Swiss cake roll from atelier VANILLE. 

Finally, get a craft beer and one last snack from Neighbors before returning to Tokyo on the train. 

Day 4 – Kyoto

🌅 Morning

The next major city you’ll visit is Kyoto, about three hours away from Tokyo by train. On your first morning in the city, wait in the queue to order Japanese fluffy pancakes from A Happy Pancake for breakfast. 

Wander over to the Higashiyama Ward, one of the best places to stay in Kyoto for its proximity to intriguing attractions. Go up the elevated streets of the neighborhood, window-shopping along the way. 

Eventually, you’ll arrive at Kiyomizu-dera for a dose of Japanese culture and expansive views over Kyoto. Since it’s located on Otowa Mountain, the temple is surrounded by gorgeous nature and multi-colored leaves in autumn. 

🌞 Noon

In the afternoon, make your way back to the city center and visit the beloved Ichiran ramen chain. Here, you’ll place your order on a machine and eat in a private little cubby. Next, roam the grounds of the prestigious Nijō Castle and the nearby Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. 

Grab a few more Japanese snacks at Nishiki Market before making your way to the traditional Gion neighborhood. Appreciate the geisha culture and wooden architecture. 

Then, walk 15 minutes away to Ninenzaka to design your own ring on the spot at glänta.  Stand underneath the towering Yasaka Pagoda and appreciate the unique wooden architecture. 

🌙 Evening

As the nighttime rolls in, cross back into the heart of Kyoto for a dinner of Michelin-star conveyor belt sushi at Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera. Make sure you order the seared salmon and the uni. Turn in early for the night because you’ll want to wake up as early as 4 am for the next day. 

Day 5 – Fushimi & Nara

🌅 Morning

A few of my favorite places to take photos in Japan will be covered on your fifth day. Wake up extra early, so that you can be one of the very first people climbing up the mountain at the holy Fushimi Inari Shrine. 

Go all the way to the top for the full experience or simply snap a few photos at the first round of gates if you have mobility difficulties. Then, head back down the mountain and make a stop for breakfast at the beautiful Vermillion Cafe. 

🌞 Noon

In the afternoon, take the hour-long train ride south from the Fushimi neighborhood to the city of Nara. Explore Nara Park, one of Japan’s top animal attractions, and meet its population of free-roaming, sociable deer. 

Follow the pathways filled with deer to the magnificent Todaiji Temple. Inside the temple, you can get a fortune and outside you can browse souvenirs. Next, walk over to Maguro Koya for a full lunch set with some of the best tuna in the world. 

🌙 Evening

Before it gets too late, catch the train back into Kyoto and stop by the Nakagyo ward to try a creme brulee donut from Brulee as a little snack. Then, participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at Tea Ceremony Nagomi. 

For dinner, treat yourself to the finest wagyu money can buy at the quaint and romantic Yakiniku Steak Iwai. Followed by an artistic, hand-crafted dessert from ja!rêve. Cap off the night with cocktails from L’Escamoteur, but bring enough yen because they’re cash-only. 

Day 6 – Osaka

🌅 Morning

Take a morning train from Kyoto to your next destination: Osaka. 

Kick off your sixth day with a light croissant sandwich from maZe in Osaka’s Shinsaibashi district. Browse around the cool upcycling shops throughout the neighborhood, such as Hedy Vintage, AURA, and ACORN. 

Make a quick pit stop to see Osaka Castle before going to the city’s crown jewel: Dotonbori. Walk through the bustling area and stop to try some delicious street foods along the way. Then, try out Manmanki, one of the best izakayas (Japanese dive bars) in the city. 

🌞 Noon

Stroll south for about 30 minutes through the Namba neighborhood to the vibrant entertainment district of Shin Sekai. 

Take a selfie with the Tsūtenkaku Tower looming over the streets. Play games at the various arcades and go shopping at the massive Don Quixote store. For lunch, munch on a Japanese seafood pancake from Okonomiyaki Chitose that will be made right in front of you. 

🌙 Evening

In the evening, make your way to head down to Nishinari, one of the quieter neighborhoods in Osaka. Have a memorable sushi dinner at the quaint, family-run Yama Sushi. Make sure you order the eel as it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. 

Once you’ve gotten your fill of Osaka’s food scene, make your way back to the city center to experience its legendary nightlife. Grab a couple of cocktails at the trendy Cocktail Library Akashic Records. Then, dance the night away at CLUB UNDER and Pure Osaka. 

Day 7 – Kobe

🌅 Morning

Grab a couple of snacks from 7-Eleven before taking a morning train from Osaka to Kobe, your last destination in Japan. This is a city that’s renowned around the globe for its food, so after you arrive, begin with breakfast and coffee from Round Point. 

Check out some views over the city at Kobe Port Tower. Then, browse the stores at Kobe Harborland, a shopping center near the water. While it’s still early, ride the ropeway that takes you up to the Nunobiki Herb Gardens.

🌞 Noon

At noon, go to the Shinto shrine of Ikuta Jinja, one of the oldest of its kind in the country. Then, grab some lunch in the Nankin-machi neighborhood where you’ll find hundreds of Chinese restaurants and shops. 

Next, take in the works and interesting architecture at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. 

🌙 Evening

For your last dinner in Japan, you want to truly indulge yourself in some of the best food the country has to offer – the city’s specialty of Kobe beef. 

Book a table in advance on Facebook at Tor Road Steak Aoyama. The chef will cook up the decadent meat to perfection right at your table and it’s basically a pre-meal show. After the feast, cheers to a successful trip to Japan at Alchemy, Kobe. 

👉 Pro Tip: This day 7 schedule for Kobe is a long day, so an overnight stay might be a good choice. However, Kobe can also be done as a day trip from Osaka if you’d prefer.

Japan Itinerary Map

Here is a Google Map with all the stops, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.

How to Get Around in Japan

🚶‍♀️ Walking – Japan is a very pedestrian-friendly country. Walking is the easiest and cheapest way to get around if you’re not going too far. 

🚇 Public Transit – The public transportation system in Japan is consistently recognized as being one of the best in the world. It’s simple to navigate and highly recommended. 

🚗 Driving – Visitors with an International Driver’s Permit are free to rent a car and drive around Japan. However, it’s not really necessary unless you want to take a road trip as public transit is so reliable. 

🚕 Rideshare/Taxi – Go and Uber are the most widely available rideshare apps in Japan. Taxis are also easy to find in major cities. 

Itinerary Planning Tips

Tip #1 – Leave time in your itinerary for wandering the back streets

One of my favorite parts about solo traveling in Japan was walking around the unique neighborhoods to see what I would stumble upon. 

There is so much interesting stuff to do in Japan that most people schedule their entire trip down to the very last minute. While it’s good to have a plan, leave a bit of free time just for getting to know the area with nothing on the agenda. 

👉 Read Next: I went to a random Japanese town I picked out on Google Maps

Tip #2 – Most major cities in Japan have towers to watch the sunset 

In most major cities in Japan, you’ll find giant observation decks where visitors can take in an expansive perspective of the area. Right before sunset is the best time to visit these popular attractions in Japan as the rosy views are divine. 

Tokyo has the Tokyo Skytree. In Kyoto, there is the Kyoto Tower and Osaka is home to the Tsūtenkaku Tower. 

Tip #3 – Don’t book the JR Rail Pass unless you’re taking 3+ long train rides in less than one week 

Skip the $435, one-week-long JR Rail Pass unless you’re really intending to be on the move during your trip. I spent around half that by just buying train tickets as I needed them during the more than a month I was in Japan. 

Tip #4 – A tour can often be the easiest way to reach remote towns and attractions

Although tours feel more expensive, they can actually be a much more affordable and simple way to reach far-off destinations in Japan. 

For example, it would’ve taken me hours of buses and trains to reach the tiny town of Oshino Hakkai. Joining a tour of the Mount Fuji region was easy as pie, though. Plus, I got to visit several other locations and get insight from a local guide. 

Tip #5 – The cherry blossom season only lasts from March until the beginning of April 

Everyone wants to experience the ethereal blossom season in Japan, but the reality is that it’s very brief. It only happens from March through April. Certain flowers, like the cherry blossoms, have an even shorter blooming period of as little as two weeks. 

FAQs

How many days is enough for Japan?

Seven days is enough time to get a taste of Japan and visit two to three cities. Since the country has extremely efficient public transportation, it’s easy to get around and see a lot even during a short stay. 

How can I plan a 10-day itinerary for Japan?

The perfect 10-day itinerary for Japan would involve staying in 3 to 4 of Japan’s largest cities and taking a few day trips to explore the region. You could stay 3 days in Tokyo, 3 days in Kyoto, 3 days in Osaka, and do one overnight trip in another place like Kobe or a town around Mount Fuji. In each city, you can spend two days exploring and use one for a nearby day trip.  

How much will a trip to Japan cost?

A one-week trip to Japan will cost between $1,200 to $2,500. It can be cheaper or more expensive depending on how frugal you are. A budget traveler can spend less than $1,000 a week in Japan (without flights). Alternatively, a luxury trip in Japan can cost well over $2,500. 

Is it expensive to fly to Japan?

It can be expensive to fly to Japan and the price varies based on your point of origin. A roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000+ depending on the season. From New York, a flight to Tokyo is $1,000 minimum. 

🖨️ Don’t forget! You can get a free, printable version of this itinerary here!

Where to Stay In Japan

Best Hotels

Japan has thousands of accommodations for everyone from families to solo travelers. These are just a few of the best ones: 

• Budget – R Hotel Namba South (Osaka)
• Mid-Range – Muji Hotel Ginza (Tokyo)
• Luxury – Imperial Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo)
• Ryokan – Ryokan Motonago (Kyoto)
• For Solo Travelers – Piece Hostel Sanjo (Kyoto)
• For Honeymoon – Rinn Gion Shirakawa (Kyoto)
• For Families – Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo (Tokyo)

📚 Related Reading: Interested in a ryokan? Read about Chelsea’s Kyoto experience staying at Ryokan Motonago (the one mentioned above!).

Best Neighborhoods & Areas

Most travelers know of Japan’s major cities, but they’re less familiar with the local neighborhoods within each city. Each one offers something unique to visitors: 

• Shibuya, Tokyo (Search apartments in Shibuya) – The most well-known district of Tokyo. This area has some of the best attractions for first-time visitors, like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Shibuya Sky. 
• Asakusa, Tokyo (Search apartments in Asakusa) – A budget-friendly part of Tokyo with amazing cultural attractions, such as Senso-Ji Temple. This neighborhood also offers delicious, authentic food for a low cost. 
• Gion, Kyoto (Search apartments in Gion) – A small section of Kyoto distinguished by its stunning traditional wooden architecture. There are lots of cute shops and unique luxury hotels here. 
• Nakagyo, Kyoto (Search apartments in Nakagyo) – This district is in the heart of Kyoto with easy access to the city’s other neighborhoods. It is a great place for first-timers as there are many attractions and lots of hotels at different price points. 
• Naniwa, Osaka (Search apartments in Naniwa) – This Osaka neighborhood is situated conveniently between other major districts. There are lots of affordable hotels and things to do around here, like Shin Sekai and Tsūtenkaku Tower. 
• Sannomiya, Kobe (Search apartments in Sannomiya) – A central Kobe district with a solid shopping scene and restaurants serving the city’s famous Kobe beef. 

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That’s it for my 7-day itinerary. You’re officially ready to spend a week exploring this mesmerizing country. Which place are you most excited to visit in Japan? Let us know in the comments below. 

Up next, check out my complete Japan packing list so you don’t forget a thing.