Japan
7 Days in Japan (Tokyo + Kyoto)
Enough time to feel two very different sides of the country without rushing either.
Best time to go
Late March–April (cherry blossoms) or October–November (fall color) — book early for both.
Ideal trip length
7–10 days minimum given the flight; 10–14 if adding Osaka or Hakone.
Budget note
Mid-range trips run leaner than most assume once you skip hotel breakfasts for convenience-store and ramen-shop meals.
Days 1–4 — Tokyo
Split time between Shinjuku/Shibuya energy, Asakusa's old-town feel, and at least one full day for teamLab or a themed neighborhood crawl (Akihabara, Harajuku, Ginza depending on interests). Day-trip to Nikko or Kamakura if pace allows.
Day 5 — Shinkansen to Kyoto
The bullet train to Kyoto takes about 2.5 hours and is a highlight in itself. Settle in and start with Fushimi Inari's torii gates in the late afternoon light.
Days 6–7 — Kyoto & Nara/Osaka option
Arashiyama's bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji, and Gion in the evening. A day trip to Nara (deer park) or Osaka (street food) fits well if time allows before flying home from Kansai or heading back to Tokyo.
Quick tips
- Get a Suica/Pasmo IC card on arrival — it works on nearly everything, including convenience stores.
- A JR Pass only pays off on longer, multi-city routes — run the math for your specific itinerary before buying.
- Reserve popular restaurants and teamLab tickets before you land; both sell out.
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