1 / 5

Japan Golden Route

A classic first-timer's journey through Japan's 'Golden Route', balancing Tokyo's modern energy with Kyoto's timeless temples and Osaka's food culture.

7days
24stops
613km
DAY01

Narita Airport (NRT) → Omoide Yokocho

75 km · 1h 25m driving · Overnight in Omoide Yokocho
  1. 10:00
    Narita Airport (NRT)· start
  2. 72 km · 1h 10m
  3. 13:30
    Shinjuku Gyoen
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 15:30
    Tokyo Metropolitan Govt
  6. 1 km · 5m
  7. 17:15
    Omoide Yokocho· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku West Exit
Food
  • Ichiran Shinjuku · Famous solo-booth tonkotsu ramen experience.
  • Tsunahachi · High-quality tempura with a long history in Shinjuku.
Costs
Narita Express
¥3250
Lunch/Dinner
¥4500
Lodging
¥20000
DAY02

Senso-ji Temple → Imperial Palace East Garden

11 km · 40m driving · Overnight in Imperial Palace East Garden
  1. 09:00
    Senso-ji Temple· start
  2. 2 km · 10m
  3. 11:30
    Tokyo Skytree
  4. 5 km · 15m
  5. 14:30
    Akihabara Electric Town
  6. 4 km · 15m
  7. 16:45
    Imperial Palace East Garden· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku West Exit
Food
  • Asakusa Unatetsu · Specializes in Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice).
  • Kanda Matsuya · Historic soba noodle shop with a rustic atmosphere.
Costs
Skytree Ticket
¥3100
Food
¥5000
Subway Pass
¥800
DAY03

Meiji Jingu Shrine → Shibuya Sky

3.5 km · 20m driving · Overnight in Shibuya Sky
  1. 09:30
    Meiji Jingu Shrine· start
  2. 1 km · 5m
  3. 11:30
    Takeshita Street
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 14:30
    Shibuya Crossing
  6. 0.5 km · 5m
  7. 16:30
    Shibuya Sky· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku West Exit
Food
  • Maisen Tonkatsu · Famous breaded pork cutlets in a converted bathhouse.
  • Uobei Sushi · High-tech conveyor belt sushi with tablet ordering.
Costs
Shibuya Sky
¥2200
Food
¥4000
Shopping
¥5000
DAY04

Tokyo Station → Kiyomizu-dera

453 km · 2h 30m driving · Overnight in Kiyomizu-dera
  1. 09:00
    Tokyo Station· start
  2. 450 km · 2h 15m
  3. 13:00
    Nishiki Market
  4. 3 km · 15m
  5. 15:30
    Kiyomizu-dera· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo Ward (Kyoto Station)
Food
  • Ekibenya Matsuri · Huge selection of bento boxes at Tokyo Station.
  • Gion Duck Noodles · Trendy ramen spot using duck broth near the Kamo River.
Costs
Shinkansen Ticket
¥14000
Kiyomizu Entry
¥400
Food
¥5000
DAY05

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Fushimi Inari Shrine

20 km · 1h driving · Overnight in Fushimi Inari Shrine
  1. 08:30
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove· start
  2. 1 km · 5m
  3. 10:30
    Tenryu-ji Temple
  4. 7 km · 25m
  5. 14:00
    Kinkaku-ji
  6. 12 km · 30m
  7. 16:30
    Fushimi Inari Shrine· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo Ward (Kyoto Station)
Food
  • Arashiyama Yoshimura · Handmade soba with a view of the Togetsukyo Bridge.
  • Inari Konkon · Try Inari-zushi (sushi in tofu skin) near the shrine.
Costs
Temple Fees
¥1500
Food
¥4500
Bus/Train
¥1000
DAY06

Osaka Castle → Dotonbori

5 km · 20m driving · Overnight in Dotonbori
  1. 10:00
    Osaka Castle· start
  2. 4 km · 15m
  3. 13:00
    Kuromon Ichiba Market
  4. 1 km · 5m
  5. 15:30
    Dotonbori· overnight
Accommodation
Namba / Shinsaibashi
Food
  • Mizuno · Famous Michelin-guide Okonomiyaki (savory pancake).
  • Kukuru · Top-tier Takoyaki (octopus balls) with a giant octopus sign.
Costs
Osaka Castle
¥600
Street Food Crawl
¥6000
Lodging
¥18000
DAY07

Namba Parks → Kansai Airport (KIX)

45 km · 45m driving
  1. 10:00
    Namba Parks· start
  2. 45 km · 45m
  3. 14:00
    Kansai Airport (KIX)
Accommodation
None
Food
  • 551 Horai · Famous Osaka pork buns, perfect for a pre-flight snack.
Costs
Nankai Rap:t
¥1450
Lunch
¥2500
Souvenirs
¥8000
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 4Train · Tokyo Station
Heads Up
  • JR Pass may not be worth it for just one-way Tokyo-Osaka; check individual tickets.
  • Kyoto requires a lot of walking; wear comfortable shoes.
  • Day 4: hotel change (Shinjuku West Exit → Shimogyo Ward (Kyoto Station)) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 6: hotel change (Shimogyo Ward (Kyoto Station) → Namba / Shinsaibashi) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 7: hotel change (Namba / Shinsaibashi → None) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 7: Namba Parks → Kansai Airport (KIX) flight transit only 4.0h — allow ≥5h door-to-door
  • 🛫 Route includes 0 flight + 1 rail segments. Map shows them as dashed lines (connection only, not real road).