1 / 5

Japan Golden Route

A classic 8-day journey through Japan's 'Golden Route', blending Tokyo's neon energy, Kyoto's timeless temples, and Osaka's culinary delights.

8days
28stops
6km
DAY01

Meiji Jingu → Shinjuku Gyoen

6 km · 40m driving · Overnight in Shinjuku Gyoen
  1. 10:00
    Meiji Jingu· start
  2. 1 km · 15m
  3. 12:00
    Harajuku Takeshita
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 14:30
    Shibuya Crossing
  6. 3 km · 15m
  7. 16:30
    Shinjuku Gyoen· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku Station Area
Food
  • Ichiran Shinjuku · Classic tonkotsu ramen in individual booths.
  • Omoide Yokocho · Atmospheric alleyway for yakitori and drinks.
Costs
Lodging
¥25000
Food
¥6000
Transport
¥1500
DAY02

Senso-ji Temple → Ueno Park

Overnight in Ueno Park
  1. 09:00
    Senso-ji Temple· start
  3. 10:30
    Nakamise-dori
  5. 13:30
    Tokyo Skytree
  7. 16:00
    Ueno Park· overnight
Accommodation
Shinjuku Station Area
Food
  • Asakusa Imahan · Famous for high-quality Sukiyaki and beef bowls.
Costs
Skytree Ticket
¥3100
Food
¥7000
Lodging
¥25000
DAY03

Kyoto Station → Gion District

Overnight in Gion District
  1. 11:30
    Kyoto Station· start
  3. 13:00
    Nishiki Market
  5. 15:30
    Gion District· overnight
Accommodation
Gion or Kawaramachi
Food
  • Gion Tanto · Excellent Okonomiyaki in a cozy riverside setting.
Costs
Shinkansen Ticket
¥14000
Lodging
¥35000
Food
¥5000
DAY04

Kinkaku-ji → Tenryu-ji Temple

Overnight in Tenryu-ji Temple
  1. 09:00
    Kinkaku-ji· start
  3. 11:00
    Ryoan-ji
  5. 14:00
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  7. 15:30
    Tenryu-ji Temple· overnight
Accommodation
Gion or Kawaramachi
Food
  • Shigetsu · Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shojin Ryori).
Costs
Temple Fees
¥2000
Food
¥6000
Lodging
¥35000
DAY05

Fushimi Inari Shrine → Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

Overnight in Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
  1. 08:30
    Fushimi Inari Shrine· start
  3. 13:00
    Kiyomizu-dera
  5. 15:00
    Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka· overnight
Accommodation
Gion or Kawaramachi
Food
  • Inari Sushi stalls · Try the local specialty near the shrine entrance.
Costs
Food
¥5000
Lodging
¥35000
Transport
¥1000
DAY06

Nara Park → Dotonbori

Overnight in Dotonbori
  1. 10:00
    Nara Park· start
  3. 11:30
    Todai-ji Temple
  5. 14:00
    Kasuga Taisha
  7. 17:00
    Dotonbori· overnight
Accommodation
Namba / Shinsaibashi
Food
  • Mizuno · Famous Okonomiyaki spot in Dotonbori.
Costs
Train to Nara/Osaka
¥1800
Todai-ji Entry
¥600
Lodging
¥20000
DAY07

Osaka Castle → Umeda Sky Building

Overnight in Umeda Sky Building
  1. 09:30
    Osaka Castle· start
  3. 12:00
    Kuromon Ichiba Market
  5. 14:30
    Shinsekai
  7. 16:30
    Umeda Sky Building· overnight
Accommodation
Namba / Shinsaibashi
Food
  • Kushikatsu Daruma · Deep-fried skewers, a Shinsekai staple.
Costs
Castle Entry
¥600
Food
¥7000
Lodging
¥20000
DAY08

Shinsaibashi-suji → Kansai Airport

  1. 10:00
    Shinsaibashi-suji· start
  3. 14:00
    Kansai Airport
Accommodation
None
Food
  • Endo Sushi · High-quality sushi located near the wholesale market.
Costs
Airport Train
¥1450
Food
¥4000
Souvenirs
¥10000
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 3Train · Kyoto Station
Heads Up
  • Pack light or use luggage forwarding (Takkyubin)
  • Book Shinkansen seats in advance during peak seasons
  • Carry some cash for small temples and street food
  • Day 3: intercity transfer (Shinjuku Station Area → Gion or Kawaramachi ~373km) — allow 4-8h for travel + check-in
  • Day 6: hotel change (Gion or Kawaramachi → Namba / Shinsaibashi) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 8: hotel change (Namba / Shinsaibashi → None) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  • Day 8: 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).