Japan honeymoon · 8 nights

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.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

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.

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

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Tokyo

Tokyo

• Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.
• Shinjuku evening: Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai · 2.5 h. Tiny bars often add a seat charge; mostly yakitori, so vegetarians should eat elsewhere first.

Local tip: Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Tokyo → Hakone

Hakone · Tokyo to Hakone, Odakyu Romancecar Shinjuku–Hakone-Yumoto ~1.5h

• Hakone Shrine & lakeside torii · 1.5 h. Queues for the lakeside torii photo reach an hour by midday; arrive before 9am.
• Hakone Open-Air Museum · 2.5 h. Includes a Picasso pavilion and a free foot bath; play sculptures for kids.

Local tip: Queues for the lakeside torii photo reach an hour by midday; arrive before 9am.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Hakone loop: ropeway, Owakudani & Lake Ashi cruise

Hakone

• 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.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: 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.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

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.

Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Kyoto

Kyoto

• 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.
• Tea ceremony experience · 1.5 h. Book a small-group session in English; kneeling is involved, ask for a stool if needed.
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) · 1.5 h. Opens at 9am; it is a short loop, so pair with Ryoan-ji nearby.
• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) · 1 h

Local tip: Runs Mar–Dec, usually closed Wednesdays; seats sell out in autumn, book online a month ahead. Return by Hozugawa river boat if you like.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Depart from Kyoto

Kyoto

• 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: No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.

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

Open day 9 route in Google Maps