Japan'S Golden Route By Rail
7 day Roadigo trip with 27 stops: Narita Airport → Tokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka → Kansai Airport
Narita Airport → Tokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka → Kansai Airport
Arrival in Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! After clearing customs, grab your JR Pass or Suica card and hop on the Narita Express. It’s the smoothest way to get into the city.
Narita International Airport
Welcome to Japan! After clearing customs, grab your JR Pass or Suica card and hop on the Narita Express. It’s the smoothest way to get into the city.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Start with some zen. This massive park is a mix of French, English, and Japanese garden styles—perfect for shaking off the jet lag before the Shinjuku crowds hit.
Omoide Yokocho
Duck into "Memory Lane" near Shinjuku Station. It's a narrow alley packed with tiny yakitori stalls. Grab a stool, order some skewers, and soak in the smoky, old-school atmosphere.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Head to the free observation deck for a stunning night view of the city. If it's clear, you can see the endless carpet of lights stretching to the horizon.
Tokyo's Old & New
Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa. Walk through the Kaminarimon Gate and down Nakamise-dori for some traditional snacks like age-manju (fried bean cakes).
Senso-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa. Walk through the Kaminarimon Gate and down Nakamise-dori for some traditional snacks like age-manju (fried bean cakes).
Akihabara Electric Town
Dive into the "Electric Town." Whether you're into anime, gaming, or just want to see the wild multi-story electronics shops like Yodobashi Camera, it’s a sensory overload in the best way.
Shibuya Crossing
Experience the world's busiest intersection. Grab a coffee at the Starbucks overlooking the street to watch the "scramble" from above, then visit the Hachiko Statue nearby.
Harajuku Takeshita Street
End the day exploring the colorful boutiques and grabbing a giant decorative crepe.
Train to Kyoto
Grab an *ekiben* (station bento box) and board the Shinkansen. The Nozomi or Hikari trains will whisk you toward Kyoto at 300km/h. Keep your eyes peeled on the right side for a view of Mt. Fuji!
Tokyo Station
Grab an *ekiben* (station bento box) and board the Shinkansen. The Nozomi or Hikari trains will whisk you toward Kyoto at 300km/h. Keep your eyes peeled on the right side for a view of Mt. Fuji!
Kyoto Station
Arrive at this futuristic glass marvel. It’s a stark contrast to the old Kyoto you’re about to see.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Hike through the thousands of vermilion torii gates. The higher you go, the thinner the crowds get. It’s open 24/7, so late afternoon light here is magical for photos.
Gion District
Walk through the lantern-lit streets of Hanami-koji. If you’re lucky, you might spot a Geiko or Maiko heading to an evening appointment.
Kyoto's Zen Spirit
The "Golden Pavilion." Go early to see the gold leaf reflecting perfectly in the pond. It’s one of the most iconic sights in Japan.
Kinkaku-ji
The "Golden Pavilion." Go early to see the gold leaf reflecting perfectly in the pond. It’s one of the most iconic sights in Japan.
Ryoan-ji
Just a short trip away is the world’s most famous rock garden. Sit on the wooden veranda and try to find all 15 rocks (hint: you usually can't see them all at once).
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Walk through the towering stalks of green bamboo. It feels like another world.
Tenryu-ji Temple
Located right at the edge of the bamboo grove, this temple has one of the finest Zen gardens in Kyoto, which has survived centuries of fires and wars.
The Cultural Heart
This massive wooden temple was built without a single nail. The view from the "stage" over the maple trees is legendary.
Kiyomizu-dera
This massive wooden temple was built without a single nail. The view from the "stage" over the maple trees is legendary.
Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
Walk down these preserved pedestrian streets. They are lined with traditional tea houses and shops. It’s the best place to buy high-quality incense or matcha.
Nishiki Market
Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen." Try the octopus lollipops, fresh sashimi, or black sesame ice cream.
Nanzen-ji Temple
A sprawling Zen complex at the base of the forested Higashiyama mountains. Don't miss the brick aqueduct—it looks like something out of Roman Europe.
Nara Day Trip
Take a local train or drive down to Nara. The deer here are considered messengers of the gods and are very polite (they’ll bow for crackers!).
Nara Park
Take a local train or drive down to Nara. The deer here are considered messengers of the gods and are very polite (they’ll bow for crackers!).
Todai-ji
Home to the Great Buddha. The building itself is one of the largest wooden structures in the world, and the scale of the bronze statue inside is breathtaking.
Kasuga Taisha
Walk the path to this shrine lined with thousands of stone lanterns. It feels incredibly peaceful and ancient.
Dotonbori
Head into Osaka for the evening. This is the heart of Osaka's food scene. Look for the giant moving crab sign and the Glico Running Man. Eat some takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki.
Osaka Highlights & Departure
A grand symbol of Osaka's history. The park surrounding it is huge and great for a morning stroll, and the museum inside the tower gives a great breakdown of the city's samurai past.
Osaka Castle
A grand symbol of Osaka's history. The park surrounding it is huge and great for a morning stroll, and the museum inside the tower gives a great breakdown of the city's samurai past.
Shinsekai
Visit this retro neighborhood built in 1912 to look like Paris and New York. It’s famous for kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers)—the perfect final Japanese feast.
Kansai International Airport
Head to the airport built on a man-made island. Give yourself time to browse the duty-free shops for last-minute matcha KitKats or Tokyo Bananas before your flight out!
- Download the "SmartEX" app to book Shinkansen tickets on your phone. If you have a large suitcase, remember to book the "oversized baggage" seats!