1 / 5
Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka
A 7-day first-timer Japan route using the Shinkansen between cities, with slow days so you’re not sprinting through temples and train stations.
7days
23stops
DAY01
Depart → Akihabara
Overnight in Akihabara
- 09:00Depart· start
- 10:30⭐ Asakusa
- 14:30Ueno Park
- 17:00Akihabara· overnight
Accommodation
Ueno or Asakusa
Food
- Nakamise-dori · Snack around Nakamise-dori early, then keep dinner casual in Akihabara or Ueno.
DAY02
Meiji Jingu → Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Overnight in Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- 10:00⭐ Meiji Jingu· start
- 13:30Harajuku and Omotesando
- 17:00Shibuya Scramble Crossing· overnight
Accommodation
Shibuya or Shinjuku
DAY03
Depart → Gion
Overnight in Gion
- 09:00Depart· start
- 09:45Tokyo Station
- 12:30⭐ Kyoto Station
- 15:30Nishiki Market
- 17:30Gion· overnight
Accommodation
Kawaramachi or Gion-Shijō
DAY04
Depart → Fushimi Inari Taisha
Overnight in Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 08:30Depart· start
- 09:00⭐ Kiyomizu-dera
- 13:00Nanzen-ji
- 16:30Fushimi Inari Taisha· overnight
Accommodation
Kawaramachi or Gion-Shijō
DAY05
Depart → Dotonbori
Overnight in Dotonbori
- 08:30Depart· start
- 09:15⭐ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 13:30Kyoto Station
- 15:00Osaka Castle Park
- 17:30Dotonbori· overnight
Accommodation
Namba or Shinsaibashi
DAY06
Depart → Umeda Sky Building
Overnight in Umeda Sky Building
- 09:30Depart· start
- 10:15Kuromon Ichiba Market
- 13:30⭐ Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku
- 17:00Umeda Sky Building· overnight
Accommodation
Namba or Umeda
DAY07
Shitenno-ji → Kansai International Airport
- 10:00⭐ Shitenno-ji· start
- 13:30Namba Yasaka Shrine
- 16:30Kansai International Airport
Heads Up
- Day 3: 5h 59m driving — plan rest stops
- Tokyo–Kyoto is the big Shinkansen leg; Kyoto–Osaka is short, so compare ticket options before buying a rail pass.
- Use luggage forwarding if you pack big, because Kyoto buses and busy stations are not fun with oversized bags.