Japan · Route map
First-Time Japan: Icons and Local Life
This balanced journey pairs Japan's must-see historic and modern icons with the deep food culture of Osaka.
- 1
Tokyo
3 nights
Futuristic neon and hidden neighborhood shrines
- 2
Hakone
1 night
Mt. Fuji views and hot spring ryokans
- 3
Kyoto
3 nights
Ancient temples, bamboo groves, and geisha districts
- 4
Osaka
2 nights
Street food heaven and vibrant local nightlife
- ✦4 stops · 9 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to Tokyo
Arrive at Tokyo Haneda Airport
Flight · Morning · Haneda
Train transfer to Shinjuku
Transfer · Afternoon · Shinjuku
Take the Tokyo Monorail and JR Yamanote Line into the city.
Pick up a pre-charged Suica card at the airport station for seamless transit.
Afternoon walk around Gyoen National Garden
At leisure · Afternoon · Shinjuku
Izakaya dinner in Omoide Yokocho
Excursion · Evening · Shinjuku
Look for the tiny counter seats serving charcoal-grilled yakitori and cold draft beer.
Overnight in Shinjuku
Accommodation · Evening · Shinjuku
Historic Temples and Hidden Laneways
Morning exploration of Senso-ji Temple
Excursion · Morning · Asakusa
Arrive by 8:00 AM to see the temple grounds before the tour buses turn up.
Stroll the craft shops of Yanaka
Excursion · Afternoon · Yanaka
Skip modern malls for this old-school neighborhood's traditional paper and tea shops.
Craft beer crawl in Shimokitazawa
Excursion · Evening · Shimokitazawa
Taproom Ushitora serves excellent local draft beers from around Japan.
Overnight in Shinjuku
Accommodation · Evening · Shinjuku
Tokyo's Fresh Flavors and Skylines
Tsukiji Outer Market seafood tasting
Excursion · Morning · Tsukiji
Try the famous sweet tamagoyaki omelet from the stalls still operated by local families.
Wander through stylish Daikanyama
At leisure · Afternoon · Daikanyama
Daikanyama T-Site is arguably the most beautiful bookstore in the world.
Sunset views from Shibuya Sky
Excursion · Evening · Shibuya
Pre-booking is highly recommended to secure the sunset time slot.
Overnight in Shinjuku
Accommodation · Evening · Shinjuku
Escape to Mount Fuji Views
Romancecar limited express to Hakone-Yumoto
Transfer · Morning · Hakone
The scenic train ride takes about 85 minutes.
Hakone Open-Air Museum walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Hakone
The Picasso Pavilion houses an incredible, little-known collection of his ceramic works.
Overnight in Hakone Ryokan
Accommodation · Evening · Hakone
Enjoy a traditional multi-course kaiseki dinner and onsen baths.
Soak in the outdoor baths after dark when the stars come out.
Bullet Train to Ancient Kyoto
Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto Station
Transfer · Morning · Kyoto
Transfer at Odawara Station for the fast line to Kyoto.
Stroll through the Gion district
Excursion · Afternoon · Gion
Walk along the Shirakawa Canal for a quieter, more romantic vibe than main Hanami-koji.
Pontocho Alley wooden corridor walk
Excursion · Evening · Pontocho
Look for a spot with a raised platform over the river during warmer months.
Overnight in Kyoto
Accommodation · Evening · Kyoto
Kyoto's Zen and Bamboo Groves
Quiet morning at Tenryu-ji Temple
Excursion · Morning · Arashiyama
Enter the temple garden at 8:30 AM to beat the bamboo grove crowds.
Stroll down the Philosopher's Path
Excursion · Afternoon · Higashiyama
Stop at the tiny cafes tucked away along the canal for matcha and sweets.
Overnight in Kyoto
Accommodation · Evening · Kyoto
Vermilion Gates and Sake Cellars
Hike the Fushimi Inari shrines
Excursion · Morning · Fushimi
Most tourists turn back early; walk up to the Yotsutsuji intersection for epic views.
Sake tasting in Fushimi District
Excursion · Afternoon · Fushimi
Visit the historic Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum to taste fresh, unpasteurized sake.
Overnight in Kyoto
Accommodation · Evening · Kyoto
Nara Bows and Osaka Neon
Local train to Nara Park
Transfer · Morning · Nara
It is a short 45-minute journey from Kyoto.
Visit Giant Buddha at Todai-ji
Excursion · Morning · Nara
Walk through the park to feed the bowing deer but keep your snacks hidden.
Train transfer to Osaka
Transfer · Afternoon · Osaka
A direct regional train connects Nara to central Osaka.
Explore Neon Signage of Dotonbori
Excursion · Evening · Namba
Find the tiny Hozenji Yokocho alley nearby for an atmospheric, mossy temple experience.
Overnight in Osaka
Accommodation · Evening · Namba
Osaka's Street Food and Castle
Osaka Castle park walk
Excursion · Morning · Chuo Ward
Skip going inside the concrete castle museum and enjoy the outer stone walls instead.
Snack crawl through Shinsekai
Excursion · Afternoon · Shinsekai
Try Kushikatsu, deep-fried skewers; remember that double-dipping in the sauce is forbidden.
Evening stroll in Orange Street
At leisure · Evening · Horie
Overnight in Osaka
Accommodation · Evening · Namba
Goodbye Kansai
Kansai Airport Express train
Transfer · Morning · Kansai Airport
Take the Haruka Express straight to the airport.
Departure flight from Kansai Airport
Flight · Afternoon · Kansai Airport
Like the shape of it?
Make this trip yours.
Start from this plan and tell us what's different about your trip — your dates, your pace, your people. We'll rewrite it around you.