The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Timers

Your Japan adventure starts the moment you step off the plane. After the 12+ hour flight, you'll be exhausted but buzzing with excitement—I remember walking out of Haneda at 4pm, jet-lagged out of my mind, and thinking "I'm actually here."

First things first: grab a Suica or Pasmo card from the airport station. This rechargeable IC card will become your best friend—tap it for trains, convenience stores, vending machines, even some restaurants. Skip the JR Pass pickup for now (we'll talk about whether you need one later).

The train ride to Shinjuku takes about 90 minutes from Narita or 30 minutes from Haneda. Use this time to stare out the window as Japan slowly reveals itself—rice paddies, suburbs, then suddenly the density of Tokyo.

Check into your hotel and resist the urge to nap. I know it's tempting, but staying up until at least 9pm local time is the fastest way to reset your internal clock. Take a shower, change clothes, and head out for a gentle exploration.

Don't try to do too much tonight. Walk through Kabukicho if you have energy, but honestly? Get some sleep. Tomorrow is when it really begins.

Today is about contrasts—the Tokyo that's been here for centuries and the Tokyo that reinvents itself every decade.

Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple, and there's a weight to this place that you feel immediately. Buy an omikuji (fortune slip) for ¥100—if you get "bad luck," tie it to the designated rack. The monks don't expect tourists to be Buddhist; they just appreciate the respect.

Grab breakfast at one of the old-school kissaten (coffee shops) nearby. The coffee is surprisingly excellent, and the toast with butter and red bean paste is the perfect fuel.

*Option A: Tokyo Skytree* - The views from 450m up are genuinely breathtaking. On clear days, you can see Mt. Fuji. The ticket is pricey (¥3,100), but the perspective on how MASSIVE Tokyo is makes it worth it.

*Option B: Akihabara* - If you're into gaming, anime, or just want to see something genuinely weird, Electric Town delivers. Multi-floor arcades, maid cafes (yes, really), and more electronics than you've ever seen in one place.

When that crossing fills with people—sometimes 3,000 per light cycle—you'll understand why Tokyo is unlike anywhere else. It's not chaos; it's choreography. Everyone knows where they're going, and somehow nobody collides.

Dinner in Shibuya has endless options. I usually head to Fuunji for tsukemen (dipping ramen) or find a random izakaya with an English menu. This isn't the night for fancy kaiseki—save that for Kyoto.

Day 3 balances serene nature, youth culture chaos, and some of Japan's best nightlife.

The gravel path crunches under your feet. Crows call from the trees. You might see a traditional wedding procession. Write a wish on an ema (wooden plaque) if you'd like—there's no wrong way to do it.

If Takeshita feels too intense, walk parallel on Cat Street or head to Omotesando, Tokyo's answer to the Champs-Élysées. The architecture alone—Prada by Herzog & de Meuron, Dior by SANAA—is worth the stroll.

Spend the afternoon exploring. Maybe hit a department store rooftop, browse vintage shops in Shimokitazawa (a quick train ride), or just wander. Tokyo rewards aimless exploration more than any city I know.

Some bars charge a cover (¥500-1,500) and some don't welcome tourists—look for signs. But most are friendly, and the cover usually includes a small snack. Pick a place that looks interesting, slide open the door, and say "sumimasen" (excuse me). You'll end up having conversations you'll remember forever.

Don't stay too late—tomorrow you're heading to Kyoto.

Today you leave Tokyo's electric chaos for Kyoto's refined calm. The Shinkansen (bullet train) makes this transition feel almost spiritual.

The Nozomi Shinkansen to Kyoto takes 2 hours 15 minutes. Sit on the right side (E seats) for the best chance of seeing Mt. Fuji (about 40 minutes in, weather permitting). Even if Fuji hides in clouds, watching Japan blur past at 285 km/h never gets old.

**Note on JR Pass:** If you're doing this itinerary as written, a 7-day JR Pass isn't worth it. The math: Tokyo-Kyoto round trip is ~¥27,000, and the 7-day pass is ¥50,000. Unless you're adding significant day trips, just buy individual tickets.

Here's the thing: most tourists only walk the first 15 minutes, take photos at the crowded initial section, and leave. Keep going. The full hike to the summit takes about 2-3 hours round trip, and the further you go, the fewer people you'll see. The light filtering through those gates in late afternoon is otherworldly.

Pro tip: Enter from the back by taking the train to Inariyama station instead of Inari station. You'll hike down through the gates instead of up, and start where most people are ending.

Dinner here can range from affordable izakayas to multi-hundred-dollar kaiseki. For your first night, I'd go mid-range—maybe try obanzai (Kyoto home cooking) at a small spot, or find a place with outdoor seating overlooking the river.

After dinner, walk through Gion. This is the geisha district, and while spotting a geiko or maiko is increasingly rare (and please don't chase them for photos), the atmosphere alone—wooden machiya houses, stone streets, paper lanterns—is why you came to Japan.

This is the day you'll remember forever. Kyoto's most iconic sights, experienced properly.

The bamboo grove you see in photos—towering green stalks creating a natural cathedral, light filtering through in shafts—that's a real place. But by 9am, it's packed with tour groups and Instagram influencers. At 7am, you might have it nearly to yourself.

The walk through takes about 15-20 minutes. Go slowly. Listen to the bamboo creak in the wind. This is one of those moments where Japan stops feeling like a destination and starts feeling like a dream.

Walk out through the south exit onto the main Arashiyama street. The shops are opening now, selling matcha everything (ice cream, mochi, drinks) and traditional crafts. Consider the Monkey Park (a decent hike for views and wild macaques) or rent bikes to explore the riverside.

Two options for the afternoon:

*Option A: Kiyomizu-dera* - The wooden terrace jutting out over the hillside is incredible, though often crowded. The walk up through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka—preserved stone-paved streets lined with traditional shops—is arguably better than the temple itself.

*Option B: Philosopher's Path* - A quieter choice. This 2km canal-side walk connects several smaller temples and is named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who would meditate while walking it daily. In cherry blossom or autumn leaf season, it's stunning.

For dinner, splurge a little. Kyoto is the home of kaiseki, the multi-course meal that's as much art as food. Even a modest kaiseki runs ¥8,000-15,000 per person, but it's an experience—you're eating centuries of culinary tradition.

Nara is only 45 minutes from Kyoto, but it feels like traveling back 1,300 years. This was Japan's first permanent capital, and it shows.

About 1,200 sika deer roam Nara Park freely, and they've been protected since 1957 (before that, killing one was punishable by death). They're sacred messengers of the Shinto gods, supposedly.

They're also incredibly pushy.

Buy some shika senbei (deer crackers) from the vendors for ¥200, and you'll instantly become the most popular person in the park. The deer have learned to bow before receiving crackers—it's adorable until they realize you're out and start headbutting your pockets. Keep your bag closed and your maps secure; they'll eat anything paper-based.

The Buddha itself is 15 meters tall and was cast in 752 AD. Standing before it is humbling in a way that's hard to describe. There's a pillar with a hole at the base said to be the same size as the Buddha's nostril; if you can squeeze through, you're guaranteed enlightenment. (The line is usually long and it's mostly kids, but no judgment if you want to try.)

Explore at your own pace. Nara rewards wandering. Maybe find a quiet cafe, try some mochi (Nara is famous for it), or just sit and watch the deer exist in a space that's been theirs for a thousand years.

If you want a different evening experience, consider the Nishiki Market area for dinner. This "Kitchen of Kyoto" has food stalls and small restaurants where you can graze through pickles, grilled seafood, and various Kyoto specialties.

Your last day. Make it count, but don't exhaust yourself before a long flight.

Arrive when it opens (9am) to avoid the worst crowds. The viewing area is designed so everyone gets the same photo, and honestly? It really is that golden. Sometimes the famous things are famous because they're worth it.

The surrounding garden is peaceful, with paths winding through moss and pine trees. Take your time—this is your last quiet morning in Japan.

There's no wrong answer for your last morning.

Pack light snacks for the journey—konbini onigiri, some chocolate, maybe a couple of cans of coffee or tea. Airport food in Japan is decent but overpriced.

I recommend arriving at Kyoto Station at least 3.5 hours before your flight. Yes, it seems like a lot. But missing an international flight because you wanted one more temple is not how you want this trip to end.

Clear customs, find your gate, and maybe flip through the photos on your phone. It's only been a week, but Japan has a way of making days feel longer—in the best way.

You'll be back.