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Japan Golden Route

A classic 7-day journey through Japan's 'Golden Route', balancing Tokyo's modern energy with Kyoto's ancient temples and Osaka's culinary delights.

7days
22stops
689km
DAY01

Narita Airport → Metropolitan Building

74 km · 1h 10m driving · Overnight in Metropolitan Building
  1. 13:00
    Narita Airport· start
  2. 72 km · 1h
  3. 15:30
    Shinjuku Gyoen
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 17:15
    Metropolitan Building· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Food
  • Ichiran Shinjuku · Famous solo-booth tonkotsu ramen experience.
Costs
Narita Express
¥3,200
Dinner
¥2,500
Lodging
¥18,000
DAY02

Senso-ji Temple → Imperial Palace East Garden

10 km · 40m driving · Overnight in Imperial Palace East Garden
  1. 09:00
    Senso-ji Temple· start
  2. 3 km · 15m
  3. 11:30
    Ueno Park
  4. 3 km · 10m
  5. 14:30
    Akihabara Electric Town
  6. 4 km · 15m
  7. 16:30
    Imperial Palace East Garden· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Food
  • Asakusa Imahan · Historic spot famous for high-quality Sukiyaki and beef bowls.
Costs
Daily Food
¥6,000
Subway Pass
¥800
Lodging
¥18,000
DAY03

Tokyo Station → Ryoan-ji

457 km · 2h 25m driving · Overnight in Ryoan-ji
  1. 09:00
    Tokyo Station· start
  2. 455 km · 2h 15m
  3. 13:30
    Kinkaku-ji
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 15:30
    Ryoan-ji· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Food
  • Kyoto Engine Ramen · Incredible spicy miso ramen near the downtown area.
Costs
Shinkansen Ticket
¥14,000
Ekiben Lunch
¥1,500
Lodging
¥25,000
DAY04

Fushimi Inari Shrine → Gion District

8 km · 35m driving · Overnight in Gion District
  1. 08:00
    Fushimi Inari Shrine· start
  2. 5 km · 20m
  3. 11:30
    Kiyomizu-dera
  4. 1 km · 5m
  5. 13:30
    Sannenzaka Slope
  6. 2 km · 10m
  7. 16:00
    Gion District· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Food
  • Gion Duck Noodles · Hidden gem serving duck ramen in a stylish, minimalist setting.
Costs
Temple Fees
¥2,000
Dinner
¥5,000
Lodging
¥25,000
DAY05

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Dotonbori

59 km · 1h 15m driving · Overnight in Dotonbori
  1. 08:30
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove· start
  2. 55 km · 1h
  3. 13:30
    Osaka Castle
  4. 4 km · 15m
  5. 16:30
    Dotonbori· overnight
Accommodation
Namba, Osaka
Food
  • Mizuno Okonomiyaki · Michelin-listed savory pancake specialist in Dotonbori.
Costs
Local Train
¥900
Street Food
¥3,500
Lodging
¥15,000
DAY06

Nara Park → Umeda Sky Building

36 km · 55m driving · Overnight in Umeda Sky Building
  1. 09:30
    Nara Park· start
  2. 1 km · 5m
  3. 11:00
    Todai-ji Temple
  4. 35 km · 50m
  5. 16:00
    Umeda Sky Building· overnight
Accommodation
Namba, Osaka
Food
  • Kushikatsu Daruma · Deep-fried skewers, an Osaka soul food staple.
Costs
Nara Train
¥1,200
Todai-ji Entry
¥600
Lodging
¥15,000
DAY07

Shinsaibashi-suji → Kansai Airport

45 km · 50m driving
  1. 10:00
    Shinsaibashi-suji· start
  2. 45 km · 50m
  3. 14:00
    Kansai Airport
Accommodation
Departure
Food
  • Endo Sushi · Fresh sushi at the Osaka Central Wholesale Market.
Costs
Airport Train
¥1,450
Lunch
¥3,000
Souvenirs
¥5,000
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 3Train · Tokyo Station
Heads Up
  • Pack light or use luggage forwarding (Takkyubin)
  • Book Shinkansen seats in advance during peak season
  • Carry some cash for small temples and street food
  • Day 3: hotel change (Shinjuku, Tokyo → Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 5: hotel change (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto → Namba, Osaka) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 7: hotel change (Namba, Osaka → Departure) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 7: Shinsaibashi-suji → Kansai Airport 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).