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Tokyo to Kansai Rail Adventure

I've put together a classic "Golden Route" itinerary for you! Since you specifically mentioned the Shinkansen (bullet train), we’ll skip the car rentals and use Japan's amazing rail network to zip between cities. I've stretched this to 7 days as requested to keep the pace brisk but manageable. Seven days of neon lights, ancient shrines, and the best street food in the world via high-speed rail.

7days
26stops
DAY01

Narita Airport (NRT) → Tokyo Metropolitan Government…

Overnight in Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
  1. 10:00
    Narita Airport (NRT)· start
  3. 14:00
    Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
  5. 18:00
    Omoide Yokocho
  7. 20:00
    Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building· overnight
DAY02

Senso-ji Temple → Harajuku (Takeshita Street)

Overnight in Harajuku (Takeshita Street)
  1. 09:00
    Senso-ji Temple· start
  3. 13:00
    Akihabara Electric Town
  5. 16:00
    Shibuya Crossing
  7. 19:00
    Harajuku (Takeshita Street)· overnight
DAY03

Tokyo Station → Gion District

Overnight in Gion District
  1. 09:00
    Tokyo Station· start
  3. 12:00
    Train to Kyoto Station
  5. 14:30
    Nishiki Market
  7. 17:00
    Gion District· overnight
DAY04

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Fushimi Inari Shrine

Overnight in Fushimi Inari Shrine
  1. 08:00
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove· start
  3. 11:30
    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
  5. 15:00
    Fushimi Inari Shrine· overnight
DAY05

Nara Park → Return to Kyoto

Overnight in Return to Kyoto
  1. 09:30
    Nara Park· start
  3. 11:30
    Todai-ji Temple
  5. 14:30
    Kasuga Taisha
  7. 17:00
    Return to Kyoto· overnight
DAY06

Osaka Castle → Dotonbori

Overnight in Dotonbori
  1. 10:00
    Osaka Castle· start
  3. 13:00
    Kuromon Ichiba Market
  5. 15:30
    Shinsekai
  7. 18:30
    Dotonbori· overnight
DAY07

Umeda Sky Building → Kansai International Airport…

  1. 09:00
    Umeda Sky Building· start
  3. 12:00
    Last Minute Shopping
  5. 15:00
    Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 3Flight · Tokyo Station
  2. Day 3Train · Train to Kyoto Station
  3. Day 5Train · Nara Park
Heads Up
  • Download the "SmartEX" app to book Shinkansen tickets on your phone—it's way easier than queuing at the machines!
  • Day 1: last stop 20:00 — leave earlier or drop a stop
  • Day 2: last stop 19:00 — leave earlier or drop a stop
  • Day 6: last stop 18:30 — leave earlier or drop a stop
  • 🛫 Route includes 1 flight + 2 rail segments. Map shows them as dashed lines (connection only, not real road).