Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Konnichiwa, Tokyo!
Arrive at Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport. Activate your JR Pass and take the express train into the city. Check into your hotel.
Evening: Head straight to the famous Shibuya Crossing—the busiest intersection in the world. Grab your first bowl of authentic Ramen at a local shop (order from the vending machine outside!).
Day 2: Tsukiji & Traditional Tokyo
Start your morning sampling incredibly fresh sushi and street food at the Tsukiji Outer Market.
Afternoon: Visit the historic Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Walk through the giant red Kaminarimon Gate and shop for traditional souvenirs along Nakamise shopping street.
Day 3: Shinjuku & Harajuku Culture
Explore the youth fashion capital of Harajuku. Walk down Takeshita Street and eat a famous Harajuku crepe. Find peace nearby at the massive Meiji Shrine, hidden in a forest right in the city.
Evening: Get lost in the neon-drenched streets of Shinjuku. Visit Godzilla towering over a movie theater and explore the tiny, atmospheric alleyways of Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) for Yakitori.
Day 4: Bullet Train to Kyoto
Pack a Bento box from the station and board the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Kyoto. If the weather is clear, sit on the right side of the train for a view of Mt. Fuji!
Afternoon: Arrive in Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. Visit the breathtaking Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), covered in real gold leaf.
Day 5: Fushimi Inari & Gion
Wake up very early to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine and hike through the thousands of iconic orange Torii gates before the crowds arrive.
Evening: Walk through the preserved historic district of Gion. If you are lucky, you might spot a Geisha or Maiko hurrying to an appointment.
Day 6: Nara Deer Park & Arrival in Osaka
Take a short train to Nara. Walk through Nara Park where hundreds of wild (but tame) deer roam freely. Buy some "deer crackers" to feed them (they will bow for food!). Visit the massive Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple.
Afternoon: Continue on the train to Osaka, the loud, vibrant kitchen of Japan.
Day 7: Dotonbori Street Food
Visit the impressive Osaka Castle and its surrounding moat.
Evening: Head to the Dotonbori district, famous for its giant moving signs (like the Glico Running Man). Go on a street food crawl: you must eat Takoyaki (octopus balls) and Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).
Day 8: Departure
Take the express train from Osaka directly to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for your flight home, or take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo if departing from there.