7-Day Japan First Timer Itinerary
Short on time? This is the one-week plan I run when friends have limited days—tight, doable, and fun.
Overview
- Tokyo (Days 1-4): Modern Japan
- Kyoto (Days 5-7): Traditional Japan
Days 1-4: Tokyo
Day 1: Shibuya & Harajuku
- Meiji Shrine morning walk
- Harajuku & Takeshita Street
- Shibuya Crossing at night
- Dinner in Shibuya
Day 2: Traditional Tokyo
- Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)
- Nakamise shopping street
- Ueno Park & museums
- Akihabara evening
Day 3: Modern Tokyo
- TeamLab Borderless (book ahead!)
- Odaiba exploration
- Rainbow Bridge views
- Ginza evening stroll
Day 4: Flexible Day
Choose one:- Day trip to Nikko
- Day trip to Kamakura
- More Tokyo exploration
Days 5-7: Kyoto
Day 5: Travel & Eastern Kyoto
- Shinkansen to Kyoto (2.5 hours)
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Higashiyama walking
- Gion evening walk
Day 6: Iconic Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari (early!)
- Nishiki Market lunch
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Arashiyama evening
Day 7: Final Day
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Last-minute shopping
- Travel to Kansai Airport
Is the JR Pass Worth It?
For a 7-day Tokyo-Kyoto trip, calculate:
- Tokyo-Kyoto round trip: ~¥27,000
- 7-day JR Pass: ¥50,000
Verdict: Only worth it if you add day trips or travel extensively within Tokyo/Kyoto on JR lines.
Travelmaxing Tip: Use our JR Pass Calculator to see exactly how much you'll save (or won't)!