Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka, Japan
Embark on an iconic 12-day journey through Japan's golden triangle, from the futuristic metropolis o
About this trip
Embark on an iconic 12-day journey through Japan's golden triangle, from the futuristic metropolis of Tokyo to the cultural heart of Kyoto and the vibrant culinary scene of Osaka. This active-paced trip showcases the best of each city, blending ancient temples and serene gardens with bustling street markets and dazzling modern landmarks. Experience Japan's rich history, world-renowned cuisine, and unforgettable sights on this comprehensive multi-city adventure.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
5 stopsSarabeth's Lumine Shinjuku
9:00 AMEnjoy a classic New York-style breakfast to start your first day in Tokyo.
Restaurant1 hrSarabeth's Lumine ShinjukuIchiran Shinjuku Central East Exit
12:00 PMSavor a quintessential solo ramen dining experience at one of Japan's most famous tonkotsu ramen chains.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minIchiran Shinjuku Central East ExitPark Hyatt Tokyo
3:00 PMCheck into your luxurious hotel in Shinjuku, famous for its stunning city views and appearance in 'Lost in Translation'.
Lodging1 hrPark Hyatt TokyoTokyo Metropolitan Government Building
5:00 PMAscend to the free observation decks for breathtaking panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline.
Activity1 hr 30 minTokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingOmoide Yokocho
7:30 PMStep back in time and dine on delicious yakitori and other Japanese staples in this atmospheric alleyway of tiny eateries.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minOmoide Yokocho
Day 2
5 stopsBills Omotesando
9:00 AMIndulge in the famously fluffy ricotta hotcakes at this popular Australian-style cafe.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minBills OmotesandoMeiji Jingu
10:30 AMWander through a peaceful forest to this important Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Activity2 hrMeiji JinguHarajuku Gyoza Lou
1:00 PMEnjoy a simple but delicious lunch of freshly made gyoza, either steamed or pan-fried.
Restaurant1 hrHarajuku Gyoza LouShibuya Crossing
3:00 PMExperience the world's busiest intersection, an iconic scramble of pedestrians and neon lights. Find the nearby Hachiko statue.
Activity3 hrShibuya CrossingUobei Dogenzaka
7:00 PMHave fun ordering sushi on a tablet and having it delivered directly to you via a high-speed conveyor belt.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minUobei Dogenzaka
Day 3
5 stopsTurret Coffee
9:00 AMGrab a specialty coffee at this renowned spot near Tsukiji, known for its turret latte.
Restaurant45 minTurret CoffeeTsukiji Outer Market
10:00 AMExplore the vibrant lanes of the outer market, sampling fresh seafood, snacks, and produce.
Activity2 hrTsukiji Outer MarketSushi Zanmai Hon-ten
12:30 PMEnjoy high-quality, fresh sushi at the main branch of this famous 24-hour sushi restaurant.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minSushi Zanmai Hon-tenteamLab Planets TOKYO
3:00 PMImmerse yourself in a stunning world of digital art, walking through water and becoming one with the installations.
Activity3 hrteamLab Planets TOKYOGinza Kojyu
7:30 PMExperience an exquisite Michelin-starred kaiseki dinner in the upscale Ginza district.
Restaurant2 hrGinza Kojyu
Day 4
5 stopsPelican Cafe
9:00 AMStart your day with perfectly toasted bread from the famous Pelican bakery at this charming cafe.
Restaurant1 hrPelican CafeSenso-ji Temple
10:30 AMVisit Tokyo's oldest temple, passing through the massive Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) and browsing the traditional stalls of Nakamise-dori street.
Activity2 hrSenso-ji TempleDaikokuya Tempura
1:00 PMSavor a hearty bowl of tendon (tempura over rice) with a rich, dark sauce at this long-standing Asakusa institution.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minDaikokuya TempuraUeno Park
3:00 PMStroll through this large public park, home to several museums, a zoo, and beautiful temples.
Activity3 hrUeno ParkIsomaru Suisan Ueno 6-chome
7:00 PMEnjoy a lively dinner experience grilling fresh seafood at your table at this popular 24-hour izakaya.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minIsomaru Suisan Ueno 6-chome
Day 5
6 stopsBoul'ange Shinjuku Southern Terrace
9:00 AMGrab delicious pastries and coffee for a quick and satisfying breakfast before checking out.
Restaurant45 minBoul'ange Shinjuku Southern TerracePark Hyatt Tokyo
10:00 AMCheck out from your hotel. You can arrange to have your luggage stored for the day.
Lodging30 minPark Hyatt TokyoImperial Palace East Garden
11:30 AMExplore the beautiful grounds that were once the site of Edo Castle, the former seat of the Tokugawa shogun.
Activity2 hrImperial Palace East GardenMotenashi Kuroki
2:00 PMSlurp down a bowl of exquisite shio ramen at this highly acclaimed restaurant near Akihabara.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minMotenashi KurokiAkihabara Electric Town
4:00 PMImmerse yourself in the vibrant hub of Japanese otaku culture, with its countless electronics shops, anime stores, and arcades.
Activity3 hrAkihabara Electric TownGyukatsu Ichi Ni San
7:30 PMEnjoy a final dinner in Tokyo with delicious gyukatsu, a breaded beef cutlet you can cook to your liking on a personal stone grill.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minGyukatsu Ichi Ni San
Day 6
4 stopsIppudo Nishikikoji
12:30 PMArrive in Kyoto and head for a satisfying lunch at this popular ramen spot, known for its creamy Hakata-style tonkotsu broth.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minIppudo NishikikojiNishiki Market
2:00 PMExplore 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' a narrow, five-block long shopping street lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants.
Activity1 hr 30 minNishiki MarketHotel The Mitsui Kyoto
4:00 PMCheck into your elegant hotel, a luxurious base for exploring the ancient capital.
Lodging1 hrHotel The Mitsui KyotoGion Karyo
7:00 PMExperience a refined multi-course kaiseki dinner in the heart of the historic Gion district.
Restaurant2 hrGion Karyo
Day 7
5 stopsInoda Coffee Honten
9:00 AMEnjoy a traditional kissaten-style breakfast at this iconic Kyoto coffeehouse, a local favorite for decades.
Restaurant1 hrInoda Coffee HontenKiyomizu-dera Temple
10:30 AMVisit one of Japan's most celebrated temples, famous for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall.
Activity2 hrKiyomizu-dera TempleOmen Kodai-ji
1:00 PMSavor delicious, thick udon noodles with a variety of seasonal toppings at this popular restaurant near the temple.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minOmen Kodai-jiFushimi Inari Shrine
3:00 PMHike through the iconic thousands of vibrant red torii gates that wind through the hills behind the main shrine.
Activity2 hr 30 minFushimi Inari ShrineKatsukura Kyoto Station
7:30 PMEnjoy a high-quality tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) dinner, complete with unlimited rice, miso soup, and cabbage.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minKatsukura Kyoto Station
Day 8
5 stops% Arabica Arashiyama
9:00 AMGrab a superb coffee with a stunning view of the Katsura River at this world-famous specialty coffee shop.
Restaurant45 min% Arabica ArashiyamaArashiyama Bamboo Grove
10:00 AMTake a magical walk through the towering stalks of the famous bamboo forest.
Activity2 hrArashiyama Bamboo GroveShigetsu
12:30 PMDine on shojin ryori (Zen vegetarian Buddhist cuisine) within the beautiful gardens of the Tenryu-ji Temple.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minShigetsuKinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
3:00 PMMarvel at the stunning Zen Buddhist temple, with its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully in the pond.
Activity1 hr 30 minKinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)Tousuiro Kiyamachi Honten
7:00 PMEnjoy a fantastic meal specializing in tofu cuisine, with beautiful views overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurant2 hrTousuiro Kiyamachi Honten
Day 9
5 stopsSmart Coffee Teramachi
9:00 AMEnjoy a hearty breakfast of french toast or pancakes at another of Kyoto's beloved old-school coffee shops.
Restaurant1 hrSmart Coffee TeramachiHotel The Mitsui Kyoto
10:00 AMCheck out from your hotel and store your luggage for your final day of sightseeing in Kyoto.
Lodging30 minHotel The Mitsui KyotoPhilosopher's Path
11:00 AMTake a pleasant stroll along this cherry-tree-lined canal path, named after a famous Japanese philosopher who practiced meditation while walking it.
Activity1 hr 30 minPhilosopher's PathHinode Udon
1:00 PMJoin the queue for the famous curry udon at this small, popular restaurant near the Philosopher's Path.
Restaurant1 hrHinode UdonHafuu Honten
7:00 PMIndulge in a spectacular wagyu beef dinner for your last night in Kyoto, whether as a steak or in a katsu sandwich.
Restaurant2 hrHafuu Honten
Day 10
4 stopsOkonomiyaki Mizuno
12:30 PMBegin your Osaka culinary adventure with a delicious okonomiyaki (savory pancake) at this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minOkonomiyaki MizunoDotonbori
2:00 PMExplore the vibrant, neon-lit entertainment district, famous for its extravagant signage like the Glico Running Man.
Activity1 hr 30 minDotonboriThe St. Regis Osaka
4:00 PMCheck into your luxurious hotel in the heart of Osaka, known for its impeccable butler service.
Lodging1 hrThe St. Regis OsakaKuromon Ichiba Market
6:30 PMDive into Osaka's reputation as 'Japan's Kitchen' with a street food dinner, sampling grilled scallops, takoyaki, and fresh sea urchin.
Restaurant2 hrKuromon Ichiba Market
Day 11
5 stopsGranknot coffee
9:00 AMStart your day with expertly brewed coffee and a light breakfast at this stylish cafe.
Restaurant1 hrGranknot coffeeOsaka Castle
10:30 AMVisit the symbol of Osaka, a grand castle that played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century.
Activity2 hr 30 minOsaka CastleEndo Sushi Kyobashi
1:30 PMEnjoy incredibly fresh and affordable sushi at this popular, long-standing market sushi restaurant.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minEndo Sushi KyobashiUmeda Sky Building
4:00 PMTake the floating escalator up to the Floating Garden Observatory for spectacular 360-degree views of the city.
Activity2 hrUmeda Sky BuildingKiji Umeda Sky Building
7:00 PMHead to the retro restaurant alley in the basement of the Umeda Sky Building for another round of delicious Osaka-style okonomiyaki.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minKiji Umeda Sky Building
Day 12
5 stopsMicasadeco & Cafe
9:00 AMTreat yourself to gravity-defying, fluffy soufflé pancakes for your final breakfast in Japan.
Restaurant1 hrMicasadeco & CafeThe St. Regis Osaka
10:00 AMCheck out from your hotel, storing your luggage until your departure.
Lodging30 minThe St. Regis OsakaOsaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
11:30 AMExplore one of Japan's most spectacular aquariums, famous for its massive central tank featuring a whale shark.
Activity2 hr 30 minOsaka Aquarium KaiyukanNaniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho
2:00 PMHave a fun, nostalgic lunch at this food theme park designed to look like a 1960s Osaka street, featuring many local specialties.
Restaurant1 hr 15 minNaniwa Kuishinbo YokochoYotaro Honten
6:30 PMConclude your trip with an elegant, Michelin-starred tempura dinner known for its light batter and high-quality ingredients.
Restaurant1 hr 30 minYotaro Honten
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Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka, Japan
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