Autumn leaves · 10 nights
11 days, 10 nights: Tokyo (3N), Kanazawa (2N), Kyoto (4N), Osaka (1N) + Nikko day trip. Best time to go: Late Oct–late Nov (Nikko peaks earlier than Kyoto).
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Tokyo
- Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky · 2 h. Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
- teamLab Planets / Borderless digital art · 2 h. Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.
Local tip: Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
Tokyo
- Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden · 2 h. One of Tokyo's best cherry blossom spots (late Mar–early Apr); closed Mondays. No alcohol allowed.
- Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
Day 3: Nikko shrines day trip (Toshogu & Rinno-ji)
Tokyo
- Nikko shrines day trip (Toshogu & Rinno-ji) · 9 h. Take an early Tobu train from Asakusa; the shrine area closes around 4–5pm.
Local tip: Take an early Tobu train from Asakusa; the shrine area closes around 4–5pm.
Day 4: Tokyo → Kanazawa
Kanazawa · Tokyo to Kanazawa, Hokuriku Shinkansen ~2.5–3h
- Kenroku-en garden · 2 h. Opens 7am (8am in winter); go early. Snow ropes on the pines from November.
- Higashi Chaya teahouse district · 2 h. Gold-leaf soft serve is the local snack; quietest in early evening.
Local tip: Opens 7am (8am in winter); go early. Snow ropes on the pines from November.
Day 5: Explore Kanazawa
Kanazawa
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art · 2 h. The Swimming Pool installation needs a timed ticket; closed Mondays.
- Omicho market seafood breakfast · 1.5 h. Kaisendon bowls are seafood-only; vegetarians have fruit, pickles and onigiri stalls.
- Nagamachi samurai district · 1.5 h
- Kanazawa Castle Park · 1 h
- D.T. Suzuki Museum · 1 h
- Myoryu-ji (Ninja Temple) guided tour · 1 h. Reservation required; children under school age are not admitted.
Local tip: The Swimming Pool installation needs a timed ticket; closed Mondays.
Day 6: Kanazawa → Kyoto
Kyoto · Kanazawa to Kyoto, Shinkansen to Tsuruga + Thunderbird ~2h15
- Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) · 1.5 h. Opens at 9am; it is a short loop, so pair with Ryoan-ji nearby.
Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
Day 7: Explore Kyoto
Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera & Sannenzaka lanes · 2.5 h. Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
- Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
- Sagano romantic train (Torokko) · 1.5 h. Runs Mar–Dec, usually closed Wednesdays; seats sell out in autumn, book online a month ahead. Return by Hozugawa river boat if you like.
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) · 1 h
Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
Day 8: Explore Kyoto
Kyoto
- Tea ceremony experience · 1.5 h. Book a small-group session in English; kneeling is involved, ask for a stool if needed.
- Philosopher's Path walk · 1.5 h. Canal-side cherry trees peak early April; walk south from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.
- Shojin ryori or yudofu temple lunch (vegetarian) · 1.5 h. Buddhist temple cuisine is fully plant-based — the easiest proper Japanese meal for vegetarians. Book ahead in Arashiyama or Nanzen-ji.
- Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
- Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.
Local tip: Book a small-group session in English; kneeling is involved, ask for a stool if needed.
Day 9: Explore Kyoto
Kyoto
- Nijo Castle · 1.5 h. Listen for the 'nightingale floors' that squeak by design.
- Kimono rental & Higashiyama stroll · 4 h. Return by about 5–6pm; hair styling costs extra. Pairs well with Kiyomizu-dera.
- Monkey Park Iwatayama · 1.5 h. 20-minute uphill walk; city views from the top.
Local tip: Listen for the 'nightingale floors' that squeak by design.
Day 10: Kyoto → Osaka
Osaka · Kyoto to Osaka, JR Special Rapid ~30 min (Shinkansen 15 min)
- Dotonbori street food evening · 2.5 h. Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
- Osaka Castle & park · 2 h. The park is a major cherry blossom spot; the tower interior is a modern museum.
Local tip: Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
Day 11: Depart from Osaka
Osaka
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Tokyo (3 nights): Shinjuku. Biggest rail hub: Romancecar to Hakone, buses to Kawaguchiko, late-night dining.
- Kanazawa (2 nights): Korinbo / Katamachi. Between Kenroku-en and Omicho; restaurants and bars around Katamachi.
- Kyoto (4 nights): Kyoto Station area. Larger rooms for families with luggage; easy day trips to Nara and Osaka.
- Osaka (1 night): Umeda (Osaka Station). Direct trains to Kyoto and Kobe; Shin-Osaka Shinkansen one stop away.