Tokyo & Kyoto first trip · 6 nights

7 days, 6 nights: Tokyo (3N), Kyoto (3N). 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.

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.

Tokyo

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.
Imperial Palace East Gardens & Marunouchi · 2 h. Free; closed Mondays and Fridays.

Local tip: Go 8–10am; many stalls close by early afternoon and on Sundays/Wednesdays. Tamagoyaki and fruit work for vegetarians.

Kyoto · Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi ~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.

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.
Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.

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

Kyoto

Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.
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.
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.
Nijo Castle · 1.5 h. Listen for the 'nightingale floors' that squeak by design.

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

Kyoto

Philosopher's Path walk · 1.5 h. Canal-side cherry trees peak early April; walk south from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) · 1 h

Local tip: Canal-side cherry trees peak early April; walk south from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.

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 (3 nights): Kyoto Station area. Larger rooms for families with luggage; easy day trips to Nara and Osaka.