8 Days in Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka
Wander mesmerizing streets, temples and gardens in Japan, where traditional and modern culture blend harmoniously.
This itinerary doesn’t include every activity we did, I only want to share the very best experiences from our trip. It’s also not strict and leaves room for you to explore and improvise. Enjoy!
Table of Contents:
1. Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 - Fly into Tokyo, Japan (Haneda Airport)
Day 2 - Tokyo
Day 3 - Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 4 - Hakone to Kyoto
Day 5 - Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto to Osaka
Day 7 - Osaka to Tokyo
Day 8 - Depart Tokyo at Night
2. Travel Details and Tips
Day 1 - Fly into Tokyo, Japan (Haneda Airport)
Day 2 - Tokyo
Day 3 - Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 4 - Hakone to Kyoto
Day 5 - Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto to Osaka
Day 7 - Osaka to Tokyo
Day 8 - Depart Tokyo at Night
3. Calendar View
4. Map View
Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1 - Fly into Tokyo, Japan (Haneda Airport)
• Shinjuku
Breakfast at Ichiran Ramen - arrive before 9AM to avoid waiting in line
• Shibuya
• Harajuku
3D themed coffee at CAFE REISSUE
Day 2 - Tokyo
Tsukiji outer market
Tsukiji Ihachi - Grilled Wagyu Beef
Maguroya Kurogin - Fresh Sashimi
Strawberry Mania - Strawberry Mochi with Bean Paste
Tsukiji Peppers Cafe - Coffee and Pizza
Tea Ceremony at Hamarikyu Gardens
Ginza
Day 3 - Tokyo to Hakone
Romancecar train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station (~2 hours)
Hotel Zagakukan (This accommodation uses water directly from the hot springs, so you can have a private Onsen experience in your own room!)
Lunch at BOOTEA Restaurant
Hakone Ropeway (stunning view of Mt. Fuji)
Cruise Lake Ashi (Hakone Pirate Ship, included with Hakone Freepass)
Day 4 - Hakone to Kyoto
Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Hakone-Yumoto Station -> Odawara Station -> Kyoto Station (2.5 - 3 hours)
Nishiki Market (one of my favorite spots in the market was the black sesame ice cream shop!)
Dinner at Tai Sushi
Day 5 - Kyoto
Brunch at Kacto Cafe Restaurant
Day 6 - Kyoto to Osaka
Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka Station (15-20 minutes)
Dotonbori
Egg tarts from Lord Stow’s Bakery (Ken’s Papa Marron)
Glico (running man) billboard
Day 7 - Osaka to Tokyo
Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station (2.5 hours)
Rest/travel day
Day 8 - Tokyo, Depart Tokyo at Night
Azabudai Hills (home to teamLab Borderless art exhibition, and filled with beautiful shops and restaurants)
Thai dinner at Krung Siam Azabudai Hills
Depart for the airport
Travel Details and Tips:
Day 1 - Fly into Tokyo, Japan (Haneda Airport)
When planning your arrival, don't forget to accommodate for the change in time zone and jet lag - we left from New York Friday at 1AM, and landed in Japan on Saturday at 5:30AM. If you decide to power through with coffee to maximize your first day like we did, exploring the neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku will be a nice introduction to Tokyo. A unique experience coffee lovers should not miss is having a cup of 3D themed coffee at CAFE REISSUE, where you can choose any character or custom design to adorn your drink of choice. If there is a wait time at the very popular CAFE REISSUE, head to nearby British Indian Cafe 1930 for a flavorful snack of Olive Naan bread and Chicken Tikka Masala.
Day 2 - Tokyo
Arrive early to Tsukiji Outer Market - we arrived by 8:30AM and there was already a long line forming for fresh sashimi at Maguroya Kurogin. I recommend ordering Number 1 (“Special fatty tuna/Very fatty tuna/Medium fatty tuna”) and Number 2 (“Very fatty tuna/Medium fatty tuna/Lean tuna”) if you're not sure where to start. I am still dreaming of the grilled wagyu beef skewers from Tsukiji Ihachi! If I hadn't gotten so full from trying other vendors I would have gotten a second. For something sweet, I loved the fresh strawberry mochi with bean paste from Strawberry Mania. Mochi can be an acquired taste and texture, so it may not be for everyone. After eating your way through the outer market, you can relax with traditional Matcha green tea at Hamarikyu Gardens. The teahouse overlooks a pond and is surrounded by greenery, above which you can see the skyline of modern Tokyo buildings. One of my favorite experiences in Tokyo was the Art Aquarium Museum. The exhibits use a blend of colored lights, water, and living goldfish to create moving art unlike any I've seen before.
Day 3 - Tokyo to Hakone
For the most direct commute to Hakone from Tokyo, we opted to take the Romancecar train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station (~2 hours). It takes a little longer than taking the Shinkansen (Bullet train), however it was preferable to having to transfer to another train in the middle of the trip with our bags. Enjoy the views, and if you manage to stay awake, you may catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji as you approach Hakone.
We stayed at Hotel Zagakukan, which was less than a 10 minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station. The rooms were spacious with a beautiful blend of modern and traditional styles, and service was excellent. Rooms on the top floor of this accommodation have private open air baths as well. We went in March and decided to skip the rooftop bath due to the cold weather, however all rooms draw water directly from the hot springs, so you can have a private Onsen experience in your own room!
Ride the Hakone Ropeway to make your way to see active sulfur vents on the volcanic valley of Owakudani. While passing over the volcanically active Owakudani region, you can catch a stunning view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day.
During your time in Hakone, be aware that while Ubers were prevalent in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, they were not to be found in this town. I highly recommend getting the Hakone Freepass for discounted and seamless access to transportation and activities throughout the town.
Day 4 - Hakone to Kyoto
Ride the local train from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Odawara Station, where you can then catch the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. You can book Shinkansen tickets online, however we opted to buy them directly at the train stations. This approach allowed us more flexibility with our plans, rather than planning around arriving to the station at a specific time. This was also easier for us to ensure we were getting the correct tickets, since we often had a connecting trip.
The day we arrived in Kyoto it was raining, however were still able to enjoy hours wondering around Nishiki Market. The market is filled with endless stalls selling meat, seafood, sweets and souvenirs. One of my favorite spots in the market was Gomafuku-do, where we enjoyed delicious black sesame ice cream sprinkled with crushed sesame seeds. After you have your fill of Nishiki Market, head to Pontocho Alley. The alley is lined with restaurants and traditional wooden architecture. From the alley, head to Tai Sushi for yet another unique experience. There is a wait to enter this establishment, as there are limited seats, and guests both enter and leave as one group. The seats are comprised of one long bench that winds around the small kitchen, and are filled to the max (so be prepared with the possibility that you may have to squeeze in). Enjoy fresh sushi and sashimi while also watching the chef prepare each dish from start to finish for the entire table.
Day 5 - Kyoto
Start your day early at Fushimi Inari Shrine. It's recommended to arrive as early as 6:30AM - we arrived just after 7AM and there was already small crowd! By the time we were leaving shortly before 9AM, the tranquil shrine was filled with a massive crowd, which would have completely changed our experience of the site. It isn't easy waking up so early, but it's definitely worth it if you want to avoid endless tour groups and packed walkways. After spending the morning scaling the stairs of the shrine, head to Kacto Cafe Restaurant. Although the restaurant's specialty is pancakes, everything we had was delicious!
Take in stunning views sweeping across the city and mountains surrounding Kyoto from the Buddhist temple Kiyomizu-dera. From the temple, you can wind through the charming pedestrian streets of Sannenzaka Path and Ninenzaka, each of which are lined with traditional Japanese architecture and house endless shops. Studio Ghibli fans will appreciate that there are two Ghibli Shops (1, 2) located among the charming souvenir stores, which are beautifully adorned with various trinkets, decorations, and life-sized Totoros from the beloved films. If you have never watched a Ghibli film, such as Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited Away, I highly recommend it, since this is a huge part of Japanese culture and will allow you to have a deeper understanding of various references and music you are sure to come across during your time visiting the country.
While in Kyoto, you will see numerous visitors dressed in traditional kimonos and yukatas, which makes the experience even more beautiful. You may even be fortunate enough to see Geishas walking along the pathways of Ninenzaka as we did!
Day 6 - Kyoto to Osaka
Enjoy the morning in Kyoto with another early start to beat the crowds at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It is recommended to arrive by 6:15AM - we arrived just after 6:30AM and there was only a small amount of people there before us. By the time we left around 7AM, there was already a large crowd forming. The Bamboo Forest is not very expansive and doesn't require too much time to enjoy. From the Bamboo Forest, you can walk to the Kimono Forest, which is another small yet lovely "forest" of pillars displaying vibrantly colored and patterned kimono textiles. The installation is unexpectedly part of an active train station, which was not busy during such an early hour of the morning. After having some breakfast, we decided to head to Nijo Castle instead of Kinkaku-ji. I have been to Kinkaku-ji in the past, and it is beautiful but it was not as impressive as I had been hoping for it to be. We thoroughly enjoyed going to the expansive Nijo Castle, where we were able to not only view traditional rooms inside of the castle, but also roam beautiful gardens on the grounds. It was a wonderful way for us to wrap up our time in Kyoto before heading to Osaka.
When traveling to or from Osaka, be sure not to mistake Osaka Station for Shin-Osaka Station! The two stations are not nearby and you can only access the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station.
Blue Birds Rooftop Terrace is the perfect first stop in Osaka for a stunning view overlooking Osaka Castle away from the crowds. You can get a snack while on the rooftop, but save room for all the food that awaits you in Dotonbori and Shinsekai. Dotonbori is lined with huge neon-lit signs, and is also where you can admire the famous Glico (running man) billboard and boat tours along the river from Ebisubashi Bridge. In each neighborhood, vendors sell endless options of takoyaki, wagyu beef, and sweets from buildings adorned by giant 3D characters that seem to be bursting out of the walls.
Day 7 - Osaka to Tokyo
By our 7th day, all the running around caught up to us. Since we were traveling back to Tokyo, we took advantage of the time to slow down and rest. If you still have energy, either take the opportunity to explore other areas of Osaka and try more food, such as Okonomiyaki or Yakisoba, or head back to Tokyo early.
Day 8 - Tokyo, Depart Tokyo at Night
For your final day in Tokyo, make your way to the beautiful and bustling Senso-ji temple in Asakusa. The temple is lined with stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, cosmetics and more. After spending time in the traditional Senso-ji temple, head to the drastically contrasting Akihabara, a neighborhood brimming with electronics and high rise buildings with various types of arcade games on every level. While in Akihabara, do not miss wandering into one of the arcades to admire the players that frequent them and are able to conquer games that require rapid-fire response times - it is truly a wonder to witness. While there, you can enjoy games of all levels of difficulty - the drumming game Taiko no Tatsujin is a classic favorite!
After getting your fill of both watching and playing games, head to Azabudai Hills, filled with luxury shops and restaurants. Here you will find the teamLab Borderless art exhibition, but be aware that you will need to reserve tickets far in advance. At the time we went, tickets were sold out for several months out, so unfortunately we were not able to go. Therefore, if this is a stop on your list, be sure to secure your admission! If looking for a change from Japanese cuisine, grab a seat at Krung Siam Azabudai Hills for delicious Thai food. From Azabudai Hills, you can walk to Tokyo Tower, which is lights up beautifully at night. From here, you can pick up your baggage from your hotel and depart for the airport.
Calendar View: Japan Itinerary
Map View: Japan Itinerary
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