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Japan's Golden Route

A perfect first-timer's loop through Japan's three most iconic cities, blending Tokyo's energy, Kyoto's soul, and Osaka's flavors.

7days
26stops
128km
DAY01

Senso-ji Temple → Shibuya Sky

13 km · 45m driving · Overnight in Shibuya Sky
  1. 10:00
    Senso-ji Temple· start
  2. 10 km · 30m
  3. 13:30
    Meiji Jingu Shrine
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 15:30
    Shibuya Crossing
  6. 0.5 km · 5m
  7. 17:00
    Shibuya Sky· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku or Shibuya
Food
  • Asakusa Kagetsudo · Famous for giant melonpan (sweet bread) with a crispy crust.
  • Ichiran Shibuya · Classic Tonkotsu ramen in individual booths for focused eating.
Costs
Lodging
¥30,000
Food
¥6,000
Shibuya Sky Ticket
¥2,500
DAY02

Imperial Palace East Garden → Tokyo Skytree

11 km · 45m driving · Overnight in Tokyo Skytree
  1. 09:30
    Imperial Palace East Garden· start
  2. 2 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Ginza District
  4. 4 km · 15m
  5. 15:00
    Akihabara Electric Town
  6. 5 km · 20m
  7. 17:00
    Tokyo Skytree· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku
Food
  • Ginza Kagari · Michelin-listed creamy chicken paitan ramen.
  • Kanda Myojin Edo-ko · Traditional Japanese sweets near the historic shrine.
Costs
Lodging
¥30,000
Food
¥7,000
Skytree Ticket
¥3,100
DAY03

Kyoto Station → Gion District

5.5 km · 45m driving · Overnight in Gion District
  1. 11:30
    Kyoto Station· start
  2. 4 km · 20m
  3. 14:00
    Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  4. 0.5 km · 10m
  5. 15:30
    Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
  6. 1 km · 15m
  7. 17:00
    Gion District· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo-ku (Near Kyoto Station)
Food
  • Ekiben at Tokyo Station · High-quality bento boxes to enjoy on the Shinkansen.
  • Gion Tanto · Cozy spot for Okonomiyaki and Yakisoba in a traditional setting.
Costs
Shinkansen Ticket
¥14,000
Lodging
¥25,000
Food
¥5,000
DAY04

Kinkaku-ji → Tenryu-ji Temple

9 km · 40m driving · Overnight in Tenryu-ji Temple
  1. 09:00
    Kinkaku-ji· start
  2. 1.5 km · 10m
  3. 11:00
    Ryoan-ji Temple
  4. 7 km · 25m
  5. 14:00
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  6. 0.5 km · 5m
  7. 16:00
    Tenryu-ji Temple· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo-ku
Food
  • Shigetsu · Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shojin Ryori) inside Tenryu-ji.
  • Arashiyama Yoshimura · Handmade soba noodles with a view of the Togetsukyo Bridge.
Costs
Lodging
¥25,000
Food
¥8,000
Temple Entries
¥2,000
DAY05

Fushimi Inari-taisha → Kasuga Taisha

38 km · 1h 10m driving · Overnight in Kasuga Taisha
  1. 08:00
    Fushimi Inari-taisha· start
  2. 35 km · 45m
  3. 11:30
    Nara Park
  4. 1 km · 10m
  5. 13:30
    Todai-ji Temple
  6. 1.5 km · 15m
  7. 15:30
    Kasuga Taisha· overnight
Accommodation
Shimogyo-ku
Food
  • Inari Sushi · Sweet fried tofu pouches filled with rice, a local specialty at Fushimi.
  • Nakatanidou · Famous for high-speed mochi pounding and fresh green tea mochi.
Costs
Lodging
¥25,000
Food
¥6,000
Train to Nara
¥1,500
DAY06

Osaka Castle → Dotonbori

5 km · 25m driving · Overnight in Dotonbori
  1. 10:30
    Osaka Castle· start
  2. 4 km · 15m
  3. 13:00
    Kuromon Ichiba Market
  4. 1 km · 10m
  5. 16:00
    Dotonbori· overnight
Accommodation
Namba or Shinsaibashi
Food
  • Mizuno · Famous Michelin-recommended Okonomiyaki in Dotonbori.
  • Kukuru · Classic Osaka Takoyaki (octopus balls) with a soft, gooey center.
Costs
Lodging
¥22,000
Food
¥9,000
Castle Entry
¥600
DAY07

Umeda Sky Building → Kansai Airport (KIX)

46 km · 55m driving
  1. 10:00
    Umeda Sky Building· start
  2. 0.5 km · 5m
  3. 12:30
    Grand Front Osaka
  4. 45 km · 50m
  5. 15:30
    Kansai Airport (KIX)
Accommodation
N/A
Food
  • Kiji Umeda · Excellent Okonomiyaki located in the basement of the Umeda Sky Building.
  • 551 Horai · Grab their famous pork buns at the airport for a final Japanese snack.
Costs
Food
¥5,000
Airport Express Train
¥2,500
Umeda Sky Ticket
¥1,500
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 3Train · Kyoto Station
Heads Up
  • Get a Suica/Pasmo card for local transit
  • Pack light or use luggage forwarding (Takkyubin)
  • Comfortable walking shoes are mandatory
  • Day 2: hotel change (Shinjuku or Shibuya → Shinjuku) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 3: hotel change (Shinjuku → Shimogyo-ku (Near Kyoto Station)) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 4: hotel change (Shimogyo-ku (Near Kyoto Station) → Shimogyo-ku) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 6: hotel change (Shimogyo-ku → Namba or Shinsaibashi) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 7: hotel change (Namba or Shinsaibashi → N/A) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
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