Golden Route · 9 nights
10 days, 9 nights: Tokyo (3N), Hakone (1N), Kyoto (3N), Osaka (2N) + Nara day trip. Best time to go: Best Mar–May and Oct–Nov.
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.
- Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
- 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.
Day 3: Explore Tokyo
Tokyo
- Akihabara electronics & anime district · 2.5 h. Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.
- Shinjuku evening: Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai · 2.5 h. Tiny bars often add a seat charge; mostly yakitori, so vegetarians should eat elsewhere first.
- 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.
Local tip: Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.
Day 4: Tokyo → Hakone
Hakone · Tokyo to Hakone, Odakyu Romancecar Shinjuku–Hakone-Yumoto ~1.5h
- Hakone loop: ropeway, Owakudani & Lake Ashi cruise · 6 h. The Hakone Free Pass covers the loop and the Odakyu train from Shinjuku. Go clockwise early to beat tour groups; Owakudani can close on gas alerts.
Local tip: The Hakone Free Pass covers the loop and the Odakyu train from Shinjuku. Go clockwise early to beat tour groups; Owakudani can close on gas alerts.
Day 5: Hakone → Kyoto
Kyoto · Hakone to Kyoto, Bus to Odawara + Shinkansen ~2.5–3h
- Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
- Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
Day 6: 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.
- Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) · 1 h
Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
Day 7: Nara deer park & Todai-ji day trip
Kyoto
- Nara deer park & Todai-ji day trip · 6 h. Deer bow for crackers but nip and headbutt — keep food out of sight with small kids. Todai-ji opens at 7:30am.
Local tip: Deer bow for crackers but nip and headbutt — keep food out of sight with small kids. Todai-ji opens at 7:30am.
Day 8: 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 9: Explore Osaka
Osaka
- Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden · 1.5 h. Sunset is the best slot; open-air rooftop deck.
- Kuromon market · 1.5 h. Seafood-heavy and tourist-priced; go before noon.
- Shinsaibashi & Amerikamura shopping · 2 h
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan · 2.5 h. Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.
Local tip: Sunset is the best slot; open-air rooftop deck.
Day 10: Depart from Osaka
Osaka
- Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine · 1.5 h
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.
- Hakone (1 night): Hakone-Yumoto riverside ryokan. Onsen ryokan with dinner and breakfast often included — check whether rates are per person or per room.
- Kyoto (3 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.