Stage 1: Eastern Tokyo & Historic Hubs
Hotel Base: Ueno (Oct 1 – Oct 5)Arrival & Hotel Check-in
Land in Tokyo (Narita/Haneda). Board the Keisei Skyliner or Tokyo Monorail straight to Ueno Station. Drop off bags at your hotel.
Ueno Park & Shinobazu Pond Promenade
Take a gentle afternoon stroll around Ueno Park to fight jet lag. Visit Bentendo Temple located in the center of Shinobazu Pond.
Ameyoko Market Street Food & Izakaya Dinner
Walk under the train tracks at Ameyoko Market. Snack on fresh melon skewers, takoyaki, and yakitori skewers at open-air street stalls.
Sensō-ji Temple & Historic Asakusa
Arrive early at Sensō-ji Temple to admire the Kaminarimon Gate lantern. Walk through Nakamise Shopping Street for traditional crafts.
Asakusa Snack Break & Tempura Lunch
Try Ningyo-yaki (red bean cakes) and fried Ningyo-manju along Nakamise, followed by a bowl of traditional tendon (tempura rice bowl) at Daikokuya.
Tokyo Skytree & Solamachi Shopping Complex
Walk or ride 1 stop to Tokyo Skytree. Ascend to the Tembo Deck (350m) for sweeping city views. Spend time shopping at Solamachi (Pokémon Center, Japanese souvenirs).
Riverfront Stroll & Hoppy Street Dinner
Walk back along Sumida Riverwalk to Asakusa. Have dinner on "Hoppy Street" (famous retro alleyway lined with stewed beef stew & Izakayas).
Tokyo Imperial Palace & Edo Castle Ruins
Tour the grounds of Edo Castle ("Tokyo Castle"), examining the massive stone foundations, defensive moats, and outer Imperial Palace Gardens.
Tokyo Station Underground Food Hall Lunch
Walk to Tokyo Station's historic red-brick building for lunch on Ramen Street or Character Street.
Akihabara Electric Town
Explore multi-story gaming, electronics, and anime towers including Radio Kaikan, Yodobashi Akiba, and GiGO arcades.
Kanda / Akihabara Izakaya Dinner
Enjoy local izakaya dining or tonkotsu ramen around Akihabara and Kanda district.
Tsukiji Outer Market Breakfast & Seafood Crawl
Taste fresh sushi bowls, tamagoyaki (rolled omelets), grilled oysters, wagyu skewers, and fresh fruit at Tsukiji market stalls.
teamLab Planets TOKYO Digital Art Experience
Enter teamLab Planets in Toyosu to wade through knee-deep water art installations, mirrored infinity rooms, and floating flower gardens.
Odaiba Waterfront Promenade & Rainbow Bridge
Stroll along Odaiba bayfront park to view the Statue of Liberty replica, Rainbow Bridge skyline, and Gundam Statue.
Waterfront Dinner & Return to Ueno
Enjoy dinner overlooking Tokyo Bay in Odaiba before taking the Yurikamome line train back to Ueno base.
Kappabashi Dougu Street (Kitchenware Town)
Explore famous Kappabashi street near Ueno/Asakusa. Browse artisan handcrafted Japanese chef knives, ceramic dishware, lacquered chopsticks, and realistic wax food replicas (sampuru).
Ginza Luxury District & Depachika Gourmet Halls
Take the metro to Ginza. Explore flagship architecture, visit the Ginza Six rooftop garden, and sample gourmet lunches and Japanese sweets in Mitsukoshi's underground Depachika.
Ginza Dinner & Return to Ueno to Pack
Dine in Ginza or under the Yurakucho train track arches. Head back to Ueno hotel base to pack your luggage for tomorrow morning's Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto.
Stage 2: Kyoto Cultural Heartland
Hotel Base: Central Kyoto (Oct 6 – Oct 10)Shinkansen Journey & Kyoto Hotel Check-in
Board Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto. Enjoy an Ekiben (station bento box) on board. Arrive at Kyoto Station and check into hotel.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Torii Gate Mountain Trail
Take JR Nara line 5 mins to Fushimi Inari. Hike through thousands of vermilion torii gates stretching up sacred Mount Inari.
Shrine Base Tea & Kitsune Senbei Snack
Sample fox-shaped Kitsune cookies and hot roasted hojicha tea at traditional tearooms near the shrine exit.
Pontocho Alley & Kamogawa River Stroll
Walk down atmospheric Pontocho Alley, a lantern-lit narrow pedestrian lane alongside the Kamogawa River. Dine on Kyoto-style obanzai or yakitori.
Kiyomizu-dera Early Visit
Arrive early at Kiyomizu-dera to view the wooden stage overlooking Kyoto without crowd congestion. Drink from Otowa Waterfall spring waters.
Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka Stone Lanes Walk
Walk down preserved stone-paved lanes. Stop at traditional teahouses for matcha parfaits and Dango rice cakes on wooden sticks.
Kodai-ji Temple & Yasaka Shrine
Visit Zen garden at Kodai-ji Temple and stroll through Maruyama Park to lantern-lit Yasaka Shrine.
Gion Historic Evening Stroll
Walk down Hanami-koji Street in Gion to view wooden machiya teahouses and potentially spot Geiko/Maiko heading to appointments.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Tenryu-ji Garden
Take Randen or JR train to Arashiyama. Walk through towering green Bamboo Grove before standard crowds arrive. Tour UNESCO-listed Tenryu-ji Zen garden.
Togetsukyo Bridge & Yudofu Tofu / Soba Lunch
Walk along Oi River near Togetsukyo Bridge. Dine on fresh Arashiyama yudofu (hot tofu pot) or handmade buckwheat soba noodles.
Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion)
Take bus/taxi north to Kinkaku-ji. Marvel at the top two floors clad in gold leaf reflecting across Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond).
Nishiki Market Evening Food Crawl
Head to Nishiki Market ("Kyoto's Kitchen"). Taste seafood skewers, fried fish cakes, tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), and pickles.
Nara Park & Todai-ji Great Bronze Buddha
Board Kintetsu or JR line to Nara. Feed shika senbei (deer crackers) to free-roaming sacred deer in Nara Park. Marvel at Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) in Todai-ji.
Naramachi Merchant Quarter Lunch & Mochi Show
Walk into Naramachi historic merchant district. Stop at Nakatanidou to watch famous high-speed pounded green Yomogi Mochi making and sample fresh warm mochi.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine Lantern Paths
Stroll forested stone lantern paths leading to Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine, framed by bronze lanterns hanging from wooden corridors.
Return to Kyoto & Kyoto Station Porta Dinner
Return to Kyoto. Explore underground Porta shopping mall at Kyoto Station for Tonkatsu or Ramen Street on the 10th floor.
Nijo Castle & Nightingale Security Floors
Tour Nijo Castle, former Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Walk across squeaking "nightingale floors" designed to detect intruders.
Ryoan-ji Zen Dry Rock Garden
Visit Ryoan-ji, world-famous Zen dry landscape garden featuring 15 stones arranged in white gravel where not all 15 can be seen at once.
Kawaramachi & Shijo-dori Shopping
Browse modern shops, craft boutiques, and souvenir stores along Shijo-dori and Kawaramachi shopping arcades.
Kaiseki Multi-course Farewell Kyoto Dinner
Enjoy traditional Kyoto Kaiseki multi-course dinner featuring seasonal vegetables, sashimi, and Kyoto specialties. Forward main bags to Osaka hotel base.
Stage 3: Hiroshima Peace & Miyajima Sacred Island
Hotel Base: Hiroshima (1 Night: Oct 11)Shinkansen from Kyoto & Hiroshima Check-in
Board Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station (~1h 45m). Drop overnight bags at your Hiroshima hotel.
Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome & Museum
Pay respects at the Atomic Bomb Dome ruins, Children's Peace Monument, and Flame of Peace. Tour the artifacts inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Okonomimura Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Feast
Head to Okonomimura building (3 floors filled with 25+ Okonomiyaki stalls) for layered cabbage, noodle, and pork teppan pancakes. Sleep in Hiroshima.
Hiroshima Castle ("Carp Castle") & Moat Grounds
Tour the reconstructed 5-story feudal carp castle keep and moat defenses, featuring samurai armor exhibits and a top-floor view across Hiroshima city.
Shukkei-en Historic Japanese Garden & Local Lunch
Stroll through Shukkei-en, a historic 1620 daimyo garden featuring miniature valleys, bridges, and koi ponds. Enjoy Hiroshima-style spicy tsukemen or anago meshi (eel rice) for lunch.
Hiroshima Oizuru Tower, Hondori Arcade & Shinkansen to Osaka
Visit Hiroshima Oizuru Tower for observation views over Peace Park and fold a paper crane. Walk through Hondori shopping arcade, collect bags from hotel, and board Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station (~1h 25m).
Check-in Osaka Hotel & Dotonbori Neon Street Food
Check into central Osaka hotel (where main luggage was forwarded). Walk down Dotonbori canal for takoyaki & kushikatsu snacks.
Stage 4: Osaka Food & Neon Energy
Hotel Base: Central Osaka (Oct 12 – Oct 15)Osaka Castle Keep & Moat Parklands
Tour Osaka Castle main keep museum detailing Toyotomi Hideyoshi's unification of Japan. Walk through Nishinomaru garden grounds.
Umeda District Lunch & Shopping
Head to Umeda district for lunch at Grand Front Osaka or underground station eateries.
Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory
Take open-air escalators up Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden for 360-degree views across Osaka's cityscape.
Shinsaibashi Arcade & Namba Night Stroll
Stroll Shinsaibashi-suji covered shopping arcade and enjoy local izakaya dining around Namba.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan & Tempozan Harbor
Explore Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the world's largest marine exhibits featuring whale sharks in the giant Pacific Rim tank. Stroll along Tempozan Harbor.
Tempozan Marketplace Lunch & Giant Ferris Wheel
Grab lunch at Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho food hall inside Tempozan Marketplace, and optionally ride the 112m Tempozan Ferris Wheel for Osaka Bay views.
Tsutenkaku Tower & Retro Shinsekai District
Travel to Shinsekai quarter. Ascend Tsutenkaku Tower for retro neighborhood views, try the tower slide, explore nostalgic pinball parlors, and enjoy a feast of fried Kushikatsu skewers for dinner.
Super Nintendo World (USJ) OR Kaiyukan Aquarium
Option A: Full day at Universal Studios Japan entering Super Nintendo World (Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge).
Option B: Visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan to view whale sharks in the giant Pacific tank.
Theme Park Attractions OR Amerikamura Vintage Shops
Continue USJ attractions (Harry Potter land) or explore Amerikamura vintage clothing shops and cafes.
Farewell Osaka Yakiniku Dinner & Pack
Enjoy grilled wagyu Yakiniku dinner in Namba and pack bags for tomorrow's bullet train back to Tokyo base 2.
Stage 5: Western Tokyo Modern Metropolis
Hotel Base: Shinjuku (Oct 16 – Oct 22)Shinkansen to Tokyo & Shinjuku Hotel Check-in
Board Tokaido Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Transfer to Shinjuku Station and check into your Shinjuku hotel.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 45th Floor View
Take the high-speed elevator to the 45th floor observation deck for free panoramic views across Tokyo's metropolis.
Kabukicho 3D Cat & Shinjuku Golden Gai Micro-bars
See the 3D Giant Cat screen near Shinjuku Station East. Grab yakitori and drinks inside historic micro-bars in Shinjuku Golden Gai.
Meiji Jingu Shrine & Takeshita Street
Walk under giant wooden torii gates into tranquil Meiji Jingu forest. Browse Takeshita Street in Harajuku for crepes and youth fashion.
Omotesando Avenue Lunch & Stroll
Walk down tree-lined Omotesando avenue for architecture browsing and lunch at Omotesando Hills.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko Statue
Walk across world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing alongside thousands of pedestrians. Visit Hachiko bronze dog statue.
Shibuya Sky Rooftop Sunset & Shibuya Nightlife
Ascend to open-air rooftop observation deck at Shibuya Sky for sunset view across Tokyo skyline. Dine in Shibuya Parco or Miyashita Park.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Stroll through 144 acres of Japanese landscape gardens, English lawns, French formal gardens, and large greenhouse exhibits.
Ginza Luxury District OR Roppongi Hills
Explore luxury boutiques and department store depachika food halls in Ginza or art galleries at Roppongi Hills.
Relaxed Shinjuku Izakaya Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed evening meal in West Shinjuku or Omoide Yokocho ("Memory Lane").
Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone & Cable Car
Board Romancecar from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto. Take Hakone Tozan Railway and cable car up the mountain.
Owakudani Volcanic Valley & Black Eggs
Ride Hakone Ropeway over steaming Owakudani volcanic valley. Sample famous Kuro-tamago (black eggs boiled in volcanic waters).
Lake Ashi Pirate Ship Cruise & Mt. Fuji View
Cruise across Lake Ashi on a pirate ship with views of Mount Fuji and Hakone Shrine's red torii gate in the water.
Return to Shinjuku & Dinner
Take Romancecar back to Shinjuku Station for late dinner.
Ghibli Museum OR Harry Potter Studio Tour (Optional)
Optionally visit Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka or Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - Making of Harry Potter *(Must pre-book far in advance)*.
Secondary Neighborhood Exploration
Visit Shimokitazawa (vintage thrift shopping), Kichijoji (Inokashira Park), or Nakano Broadway (retro collectibles).
Shinjuku Dining & Cocktail Bar Night
Dine at a local craft beer hall or cocktail bar in West Shinjuku.
Shinjuku Flagship Department Stores
Shop for tax-free goods, cosmetics, and Japanese souvenirs at Isetan Shinjuku, Takashimaya Times Square, and Don Quijote.
Last-minute Snack & Souvenir Packing
Pick up Japanese sweets (Tokyo Banana, matcha snacks) and organize suitcase packing at hotel base.
Farewell Japan Premium Wagyu Dinner
Celebrate your final evening with a premium Wagyu beef Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu, or Yakiniku dinner in Shinjuku.
Hotel Check-out & Final Morning Walk
Check out of hotel, store bags with bell desk, and enjoy a final Japanese cafe breakfast near Shinjuku Station.
Express Train / Bus to Airport
Board the Narita Express (N'EX) directly to Narita Airport or Airport Limousine Bus to Haneda Airport from Shinjuku Station. Fly home!