Japan food trip · 7 nights

8 days, 7 nights: Tokyo (3N), Kyoto (2N), Osaka (2N). Best time to go: Year-round; Oct–Nov and Mar–May are most comfortable.

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.

Tokyo

Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
Tsukiji outer market food walk · 2 h. Go 8–10am; many stalls close by early afternoon and on Sundays/Wednesdays. Tamagoyaki and fruit work for vegetarians.
Shinjuku evening: Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai · 2.5 h. Tiny bars often add a seat charge; mostly yakitori, so vegetarians should eat elsewhere first.
Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.

Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.

Tokyo

Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
Imperial Palace East Gardens & Marunouchi · 2 h. Free; closed Mondays and Fridays.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden · 2 h. One of Tokyo's best cherry blossom spots (late Mar–early Apr); closed Mondays. No alcohol allowed.

Local tip: Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.

Kyoto · Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi ~2h15

Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
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: Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.

Kyoto

Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
Tea ceremony experience · 1.5 h. Book a small-group session in English; kneeling is involved, ask for a stool if needed.
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.
Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.

Local tip: Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.

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.
Kuromon market · 1.5 h. Seafood-heavy and tourist-priced; go before noon.

Local tip: Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.

Osaka

Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku & kushikatsu · 2 h. Retro district; kushikatsu menus include vegetable skewers. No double-dipping in the shared sauce.
Takoyaki & okonomiyaki cooking class · 2 h. Several classes offer vegetarian or Halal versions on request.
Osaka Castle & park · 2 h. The park is a major cherry blossom spot; the tower interior is a modern museum.
Shinsaibashi & Amerikamura shopping · 2 h

Local tip: Retro district; kushikatsu menus include vegetable skewers. No double-dipping in the shared sauce.

Osaka

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan · 2.5 h. Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.

Local tip: Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Tokyo (3 nights): Shinjuku. Biggest rail hub: Romancecar to Hakone, buses to Kawaguchiko, late-night dining.
Kyoto (2 nights): Kyoto Station area. Larger rooms for families with luggage; easy day trips to Nara and Osaka.
Osaka (2 nights): Umeda (Osaka Station). Direct trains to Kyoto and Kobe; Shin-Osaka Shinkansen one stop away.