A week is enough for a first trip to Japan if you stick to the classic route: Tokyo, then Kyoto, with Nara and Osaka close by. This Japan itinerary for 7 days spends three days in Tokyo, takes the Shinkansen to Kyoto, adds a day in Nara and ends in Osaka, so you can fly in to Tokyo and out of Kansai Airport without doubling back.
Know before you go
- Route: Tokyo (3 nights), Kyoto (3 nights, with a day trip to Nara), Osaka (1 night or a day trip).
- Fly in / out: into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), out of Kansai International Airport near Osaka.
- Main transfer: Tokyo to Kyoto by Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train).
- Entry rules: see our Japan visa guide for Indians.
- Before landing: Visit Japan Web, run by Japan’s Digital Agency, handles immigration and customs forms online.
- Last checked: 27 October 2026 (sources under Official resources below).
In this Article
- Japan 7 day itinerary at a glance
- Before you fly
- Day 1: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
- Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku
- Day 3: Free day or a day trip
- Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari and Gion
- Day 5: Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama
- Day 6: Day trip to Nara
- Day 7: Osaka
- Getting around
- Where to stay
- When to go
- Planning tips
- FAQ
Japan 7 day itinerary at a glance
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | Asakusa and Senso-ji, Ueno, Akihabara |
| 2 | Tokyo | Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku |
| 3 | Tokyo | Free day or a day trip from Tokyo |
| 4 | Kyoto | Shinkansen to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion |
| 5 | Kyoto | Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama |
| 6 | Kyoto | Day trip to Nara: Todai-ji and Nara Park |
| 7 | Osaka | Osaka Castle and Dotonbori, then fly home from Kansai |
If you fly in and out of Tokyo, cut Day 7 and take the Shinkansen back from Kyoto on the last morning.
Before you fly
Check the visa rules for your passport first. Japan’s Digital Agency runs Visit Japan Web, where you can fill in immigration and customs details before you land. On arrival, a rechargeable IC card such as Suica or ICOCA makes city trains and buses easier than buying single tickets.
Day 1: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
Start at Senso-ji in Asakusa. According to the temple’s own history, its image of the Kannon was found in the Sumida River by two fishermen in 628, which makes the temple close to 1,400 years old. You enter through Kaminarimon, the outer gate with its huge red lantern, and walk up Nakamise, the shopping street that leads to the main hall.
From Asakusa, head to Ueno, where Ueno Park holds several of the city’s big museums. End the day in Akihabara for electronics, anime and game shops.
Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku
Meiji Jingu sits in a forest next to Harajuku station, and the gravel approach passes under large wooden torii. Spend an hour there before walking down to Harajuku and Omotesando.
In the afternoon, go to Shibuya and see the scramble crossing, where pedestrians cross from every direction at once. Several buildings around the station have viewing points over it. Finish in Shinjuku for dinner and the lights of the east side.
Day 3: Free day or a day trip
Keep Day 3 flexible. You could stay in Tokyo for the Tsukiji outer market, Ginza and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, or take a day trip to Kamakura, Nikko or Hakone. Pick one; each takes most of a day with travel.
Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari and Gion
Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto in the morning. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji from the train. Japan’s national tourism organisation says the shinkansen offers “maximum speed with maximum comfort”.
Leave your bags at the hotel and go to Fushimi Inari Taisha. The shrine says it has stood here since 711, and it is the head shrine of the Inari shrines across Japan, which it puts at about thirty thousand. The whole of Inariyama, a 233 m mountain behind the main hall, is part of the shrine, and the paths up it pass through the Senbon Torii, the rows of orange gates.
In the late afternoon, move to Higashiyama for Kiyomizu-dera, the hillside temple with a large wooden stage over the slope. Walk down the old lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to Gion for the evening.
Day 5: Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama
Kyoto was built in 794 and was Japan’s imperial capital until the middle of the 19th century, according to UNESCO, which lists the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as a World Heritage Site. UNESCO counts 17 component parts, all religious sites except Nijo-jo castle.
Start the day at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, which is covered in gold leaf and stands over a pond. Then go west to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove, the Togetsukyo Bridge and the temples along the river. Go to the bamboo grove early in the morning or late in the day if you can, as the path is narrow.
Day 6: Day trip to Nara
Nara was Japan’s capital from 710 to 784, and UNESCO lists its historic monuments as a World Heritage Site. The property has eight parts, including Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga-Taisha. UNESCO notes that no hunting or tree-felling has been allowed in the Kasugayama Primeval Forest since 841.
Trains run from Kyoto to Nara on both the JR and Kintetsu lines. Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga-Taisha are in and around Nara Park, so you can walk between them. Start at Todai-ji and its Daibutsuden, the hall of the Great Buddha, then walk to Kasuga-Taisha.
Sika deer roam freely around Nara Park. Vendors sell shika senbei, the crackers made for the deer. Feed them gently and keep food and paper out of reach, because the deer will push for it.
Return to Kyoto for the night.
Day 7: Osaka
Take a train from Kyoto to Osaka in the morning. Visit Osaka Castle and the park around it, then go to Dotonbori in the Namba area for street food and the neon signs along the canal. From Osaka, trains run to Kansai International Airport for your flight home.
If your flight is late, keep your luggage in a coin locker at the station or at your hotel.
Getting around
- Shinkansen: for Tokyo to Kyoto. Book a reserved seat in busy seasons.
- City trains and subways: use an IC card such as Suica or ICOCA.
- Kyoto: buses and trains reach most sights; walk within Higashiyama and Arashiyama.
- Nara and Osaka: both are a short train ride from Kyoto, so you can stay in one Kyoto hotel for three nights.
Compare the cost of point-to-point tickets with a rail pass for your exact route before you buy one.
Where to stay
In Tokyo, stay near a station on the JR Yamanote Line, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno or Tokyo Station. In Kyoto, the area around Kyoto Station is best for train connections, and Gion or Kawaramachi put you closer to the old streets. If you add a night in Osaka, Namba and Umeda both have good train links.
When to go
Spring cherry blossom season and autumn leaf season are the busiest times for Kyoto, and hotels fill early. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold but quieter. Book the Shinkansen and hotels early if you travel in spring or autumn.
Planning tips
- Carry some cash for small restaurants and temple entry fees, along with your card.
- Check opening hours on each temple’s own website; some close in the late afternoon.
- Keep your passport with you, as hotels ask for it at check-in.
- Shoes come off in some temple halls and restaurants, so wear shoes that slip on easily.
- Download offline maps and a translation app before you leave.
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for Japan?
Seven days is enough for Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka on a first trip. You will have to skip places farther away, such as Hiroshima or Hokkaido.
Should I fly into Tokyo or Osaka?
Flying into Tokyo and out of Kansai Airport near Osaka saves a trip back. If that costs more, fly in and out of Tokyo and return from Kyoto by Shinkansen.
How do I get from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Take the Tokaido Shinkansen. Book a reserved seat in busy seasons.
Is Nara worth a day trip from Kyoto?
Yes. Nara was Japan’s capital from 710 to 784, and its temples, shrine and deer park are close together, so a day is enough.
What is Visit Japan Web?
It is an online service run by Japan’s Digital Agency for immigration and customs procedures, which you can complete before you land.
Do I need a rail pass for this itinerary?
Not always. Compare the price of individual tickets for your route with a pass before you buy.
Official resources: Senso-ji history; Fushimi Inari Taisha; Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, UNESCO; Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, UNESCO; Getting around, Japan National Tourism Organization; Visit Japan Web
Photo credits
Featured image: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 1: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara: そらみみ (Soramimi) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku: David Kernan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari and Gion: Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari and Gion: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 5: Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 5: Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 6: Day trip to Nara: ONO Masanobu / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Day 6: Day trip to Nara: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 7: Osaka: DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 7: Osaka: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
