7-Day Highlights of Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)

Only have one week in Japan? This 7-day itinerary covers the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka — Japan’s essential trio. Includes bookable links for JR Pass, hotels, gear, and more!

🗾 Why This Itinerary Works for First-Timers

Planning your first trip to Japan? This 7-day Japan itinerary is the perfect blend of culture, food, history, and modern city life — ideal for travelers short on time but big on adventure.

✅ Cities covered:

• Tokyo (3 days): Neon lights, sushi streets, and shrines

• Kyoto (2 days): Temples, tea, and tradition

• Osaka (2 days): Foodie heaven and castle vibes

🔗 Bookable links included for:

• Hotels (Expedia, Rakuten Travel)

• JR Rail Pass (if taking multiple shinkansen bullet train rides - which in this plan you may be) or take advantage of Regional passes like: Suica/Pasmo for Tokyo area, Kansai Wide Area Pass (for Osaka, Kyoto, Nara).

• Get a Pocket Wi-fi and stay connected your whole trip OR, if your phone plan allows you to add a global country, call your provider and add Japan.

🎟️ Essentials Before You Go

• 🚅 JR Pass (7-Day) → Buy here

• 🧳 Travel Gear → Japan Trip Essentials List

• 📱 Pocket WiFi → Book now

• 🛌 Hotels in all cities → Bookable via Expedia or Rakuten Travel - Check for promos on Rakuten Travel that offers additional discounts! Book your flight & room on Expedia for maximum convenience for booking.

📅 7-Day Japan Itinerary: Day-by-Day Breakdown

📍 Day 1–3: Tokyo – Tradition Meets Tech

Must-See Highlights:

• Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko Statue

• Harajuku: Takeshita Street + Meiji Shrine (One stop away from Shibuya, can be combined in one day) If you walk between Harajuku - Shibuya, you can go through world-famous Yoyogi Park. Sometimes, there will be special events held there.

• Asakusa: Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street

• Akihabara: Electronics and anime shopping

• TeamLab Tokyo (book ahead!) Read more on TeamLab Planets vs Borderless

• Optional: Day trip to Odaiba for the big ferris wheel and futuristic Joypolis, Diver City, and more, or Ghibli Museum for you Totoro Lovers

🚆 Transit:

• From airport: Narita Express (included if you have the JR Rail Pass!), Keisei Sky Access if you're staying in Asakusa, or read more here for Narita flights. Landing in Haneda? Read this.

• Use Suica card or Pasmo for local trains - Read more here

🛌 Where to Stay:

• Akasaka for nightlife + close to city center – Like this one on Expedia or see the full List

• Asakusa for culture & tradition – Like this one on Rakuten Travel or see the full List

🚅 Day 4: Travel to Kyoto (via Shinkansen)

• Ride the Tokaido Shinkansen (2.5 hours) from Tokyo to Kyoto

• Use your JR Pass → Puchase JR Pass here - JR Passes are recommended to be purchases at least 2-4 weeks PRIOR to your travel date! Get it now and avoid missing out!

📦 Travel Tip: Pack a bento box lunch from Tokyo Station! Read more about Ekiben here.

🏯 Day 4–5: Kyoto – Temples & Traditional Japan

Must-See Spots:

• Fushimi Inari Shrine (go early to avoid crowds!)

• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Monkey Park

• Gion district for geisha spotting

• Optional: Tea ceremony or kimono rental experience

For Inspo:

See the full List of Must-See Temples

Also Kyoto Temples in 2 Days Itinerary

Book popular Kyoto activities here

🛌 Where to Stay:

• Kadensho, Arashiyama Onsen, Kyoto - Kyoritsu Resort

• Gion Ryokan Karaku

🚆 Day 6: Travel to Osaka (15–30 min by train)

• Use JR Special Rapid Service — covered by JR Pass

🍜 Day 6–7: Osaka – Street Food & City Lights

Must-Do:

• Dotonbori: Neon signs, takoyaki, okonomiyaki

• Osaka Castle

• Shinsekai: Retro charm + local eats

• Kuromon Ichiba Market

• Optional: Visit Universal Studios Japan

Book your Osaka activities here

📸 Pro Tip: Bring a phone gimbal for epic night shots → View on Amazon

Set it up and try it out before your trip so you are fully equipped with any needed app and how to use it.

🛌 Where to Stay:

Modern hotel with spacious rooms at Osaka Hotel Tokyu

Perfect hotel choice for large groups / families at Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA

Luxe stay in Osaka at the Waldorf Astoria Osaka

✈️ Day 7: Fly Home or Return to Tokyo

• Osaka’s Kansai Airport offers international flights

• Or take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo (3 hours, JR Pass covers it)

Plan on staying a night in Tokyo or not, depending on ytour flight schedule.

If spending an extra night in Tokyo, adjust schedule above with one less day in Tokyo in the beginning, or adjusting the Kyoto/Osaka nights.

🎒 Quick Packing List for One Week in Japan

💡 Tips for First-Time Visitors

• 🍱 Always have cash – many small shops are cash-only. Read more for Japanese Yen 101

• 🚉 Arrive early at train platforms – bullet trains are punctual to the minute

• 🧴 Bring a small towel – many public restrooms have no paper towels

• 💼 If you have bulky luggage, use coin lockers at train stations for easy day trips. Do remember where the locker was - take photo.

• 🙏 Be respectful at shrines: bow, cleanse hands, and keep quiet. Take shoes off, if entering a temple.

💬 Final Thoughts

This 7-day Japan itinerary is the perfect highlights reel for anyone new to Japan. You’ll get a taste of futuristic Tokyo, traditional Kyoto, and the flavor-packed streets of Osaka — with easy travel in between using your JR Pass.

🧭 Don’t forget to bookmark this post, and use the links below to make your bookings and gear up for an unforgettable trip.

Keep in mind when you're booking that you will arrive a day after you leave the US to Japan, and arrive back on the same day you left when it comes to calendar days. Your accommodation should match your Arrival Date in Japan time. Inform the hotels directly if you are arriving later than expected for check-in due to flight or any other reason.

🚀 Book Everything You Need:

• 🎫 Buy JR Rail Pass Here - Remember to purchase this tourist perk at least 2-4 weeks before your travel date - the earlier the better.

• You can travel on just the Regional IC chip cards if you are only taking one big round trip on a Shinkansen. But if you are taking full advantage of the JR Rail Pass and using the Narita Express, more than one round of Shinkansen, other applicable express trains, it will be worth it.

• 🏨 Hotels & Flights on Expedia

• 🛏️ Stays via Rakuten Travel

• Book Unforgettable Experiences here

• 📦 Shop Amazon Travel Essentials