Japan One Week Itinerary: 7 Days That Actually Work (2026)

Got 7 days in Japan and feeling overwhelmed by the planning? You're not alone.

One week sounds like a lot until you realize Japan has 47 prefectures, countless shrines, and a train system that makes your head spin. The good news? Seven days is actually the perfect "starter trip" - long enough to experience Japan's magic, short enough to stay focused.

In this guide, you'll get:

• A realistic day-by-day itinerary for Tokyo and Kyoto (the two must-sees)
• Honest time estimates - no "you can fit 10 temples in one day" nonsense
• Budget breakdown with 2026 prices
• Tips on where to stay, what to skip, and how to avoid tourist traps

Let's build your perfect week.

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The Big Question: Tokyo Only or Tokyo + Kyoto?

First, let's address the elephant in the room:

Option	Pros	Cons	Best For
Tokyo Only (7 days)	Deep exploration, no travel stress	Miss Kyoto's temples and traditional Japan	City lovers, anime fans, repeat visitors
Tokyo + Kyoto Split	Best of both worlds	2.5 hours travel each way	First-timers who want variety

My recommendation for first-timers: Go with the split. You'll regret not seeing Kyoto's temples and the contrast between ultra-modern Tokyo and traditional Kyoto is what makes Japan special.

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7-Day Japan Itinerary Overview

Day	City	Theme	Highlights
Day 1	Tokyo	Arrival + Modern Tokyo	Shibuya, Harajuku
Day 2	Tokyo	Traditional Tokyo	Asakusa, Akihabara
Day 3	Tokyo	Hidden Gems	Yanaka, Ueno, Ginza
Day 4	Travel	Shinkansen Day	Tokyo → Kyoto (2h20m)
Day 5	Kyoto	Eastern Kyoto	Fushimi Inari, Gion, Kiyomizu
Day 6	Kyoto	Western Kyoto + Nara	Arashiyama or Nara Day Trip
Day 7	Kyoto/Osaka	Departure	Morning sightseeing + Airport

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Days 1-3: Tokyo

Day 1: Arrival + Shibuya & Harajuku

Why start here? These neighborhoods are walkable from each other and perfect for jet-lagged wandering. No complex train routes needed.

Morning/Afternoon: Airport to Hotel

Most international flights land between 2-5 PM Japan time. Budget 2-3 hours for:

• Immigration and customs (30-60 min)
• Luggage claim (15-30 min)
• Train to central Tokyo (60-90 min from Narita, 30-45 min from Haneda)

Where to stay: Shibuya or Shinjuku area. Both have direct airport connections and easy access to everywhere.

Late Afternoon (4-7 PM): Shibuya

• Shibuya Crossing: The world's busiest intersection. Experience it from:

  • Street level (free, chaotic, fun)
  • Starbucks 2F at Tsutaya (buy a drink, window seats fill fast)
  • Shibuya Sky observation deck ($18, best at sunset)

• Shibuya 109: Even if you don't shop, the 10 floors of Japanese fashion are worth a look

• Hachiko Statue: The famous loyal dog. Everyone takes a photo here.

Evening (7-9 PM): Harajuku

One stop from Shibuya on the JR Yamanote Line:

• Takeshita Street: Teenager paradise - crepes, cotton candy, quirky fashion
• Cat Street: More sophisticated, better cafes, fewer crowds
• Dinner: Try your first ramen at Ichiran (solo booths, no Japanese needed)

Why this pacing works: Day 1 should be about adjusting, not conquering. These areas are stimulating but low-pressure.

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Day 2: Asakusa & Akihabara

Theme: Traditional Tokyo meets otaku culture

Morning (8 AM - 12 PM): Asakusa

Start early - this area gets packed by noon.

• Senso-ji Temple (Tokyo's oldest, founded 628 AD)

  • Walk through Kaminarimon Gate (the big red lantern)
  • Browse Nakamise Street - 250m of snacks and souvenirs
  • The temple itself takes 30 minutes; the surrounding area needs 2+ hours

• Breakfast tip: Try fresh melon-pan (sweet bread) or ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped cakes)

Lunch: Asakusa area

Options:

• Sometaro: Historic okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) - cash only
• Daikokuya: Famous tempura since 1887 - expect a line

Afternoon (2-6 PM): Akihabara

20 minutes from Asakusa by subway:

• Electric Town: Multi-floor electronics stores (Yodobashi Camera is the biggest)
• Anime/manga shops: Animate, Mandarake (used goods, better prices)
• Maid cafes: Controversial but culturally interesting - try one if curious
• Retro gaming: Super Potato (5 floors of vintage games)

Evening option: Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree for night views (pick one, not both)

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Day 3: Hidden Gems Day

Theme: The Tokyo most tourists miss

Morning (9 AM - 12 PM): Yanaka

Tokyo's "old town" - survived WWII bombing and feels frozen in time:

• Yanaka Cemetery: Not creepy - actually a peaceful cherry blossom spot
• Yanaka Ginza: Old-school shopping street with local snacks
• Scai the Bathhouse: Art gallery in a converted bathhouse

Afternoon (1-4 PM): Ueno

• Ueno Park: Museums, shrines, and a zoo
• Ameyoko Market: Chaotic street market under the train tracks - great for souvenirs
• Pick ONE museum (Tokyo National Museum if you like history, Ueno Royal Museum for art)

Late Afternoon/Evening: Ginza

Tokyo's upscale district - window shopping is free:

• Department store basements: Free food samples everywhere (Mitsukoshi, Matsuya)
• Kabuki-za Theater: Even if not watching, the building is impressive
• Dinner: Ginza has everything from $15 ramen to $500 sushi

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Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto

The Shinkansen Experience

This isn't just transportation - it's an attraction:

• Train: Nozomi (fastest, 2h15m) or Hikari (2h40m, included in JR Pass)
• Cost: ~$130 one-way, or free with 7-day JR Pass ($200)
• Tip: Reserve a window seat on the right side (Mount Fuji views on clear days)

JR Pass: Worth it for 7 days?

Scenario	JR Pass Worth It?
Tokyo → Kyoto round trip only	❌ No ($200 pass vs $260 tickets)
Tokyo → Kyoto + Nara day trip	✅ Yes (breaks even + flexibility)
Tokyo → Kyoto + Osaka + Nara	✅ Definitely yes

Afternoon: Arrive in Kyoto

• Check into hotel/ryokan
• Wander Kyoto Station: One of Japan's most impressive modern buildings
• Take it easy - you have two full days of temples ahead

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Days 5-6: Kyoto

Day 5: Eastern Kyoto - The Classics

Early Morning (6-9 AM): Fushimi Inari

The famous 10,000 orange torii gates. Go at sunrise - by 9 AM, it's a crowded photo op.

• Full hike to the summit: 2-3 hours
• Quick photo walk: 30-45 minutes (first 200 gates)
• Bring water, wear good shoes

Mid-Morning (10 AM - 12 PM): Gion District

Kyoto's famous geisha district:

• Walk down Hanamikoji Street (best for atmosphere)
• Yasaka Shrine: Free entry, beautiful any time
• Spot geiko or maiko (apprentice geisha) if lucky - don't chase them for photos

Afternoon (2-5 PM): Kiyomizu-dera

One of Japan's most famous temples:

• Ticket: $4
• Best feature: The wooden stage with city views
• Tip: The surrounding streets (Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka) are equally beautiful
• Allow 2-3 hours total for temple + streets

Evening: Traditional Kyoto Dinner

Options:

• Nishiki Market: "Kyoto's Kitchen" - closes around 6 PM, so go before dinner
• Kaiseki: Multi-course traditional dinner ($50-150+)
• Gion restaurants: Atmospheric but pricey

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Day 6: Western Kyoto or Nara Day Trip

Option A: Arashiyama (Western Kyoto)

The famous bamboo grove and more:

• Bamboo Grove: Go at 7-8 AM (it's a narrow path, crowds ruin it)
• Tenryu-ji Temple: $5, beautiful gardens
• Monkey Park: 30-minute hike, feed wild monkeys, great views
• Togetsukyo Bridge: Iconic photo spot

Option B: Nara Day Trip

45 minutes from Kyoto by train:

• Nara Park: Over 1,000 free-roaming deer (buy crackers to feed them)
• Todai-ji Temple: World's largest wooden building, massive Buddha inside
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Thousands of stone lanterns

My recommendation: If you've never seen "bowing deer" videos, go to Nara. It's unforgettable.

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Day 7: Departure Day

If flying from Osaka (KIX): 75 minutes from Kyoto Station

• Morning option: Osaka's Dotonbori for one last food crawl
• Leave for airport: 3 hours before international flight

If flying from Tokyo (NRT/HND): Take morning Shinkansen back

• Pro tip: Ship your luggage ahead via Takkyubin - Japan's magical luggage delivery service ($15-20, arrives same/next day)

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Budget Breakdown: 7 Days in Japan

Category	Budget ($)	Mid-Range ($)	Comfort ($)
Accommodation	$40-60/night	$100-150/night	$200+/night
Food	$30-40/day	$50-80/day	$100+/day
Transport	JR Pass $200	JR Pass $200	JR Pass + taxis
Activities	$10-20/day	$30-50/day	$50+/day
7-Day Total	$700-900	$1,200-1,600	$2,000+

Prices in USD, based on 2026 rates

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Trying to See Too Much

Symptom: 6+ attractions per day, moving every day Fix: Max 3 major attractions per day. Quality over quantity.

Mistake 2: Underestimating Travel Time

Symptom: "It's only 30 minutes by train" (but 15 min walk to station + 10 min wait + 15 min walk from station = 70 min) Fix: Add 30-50% buffer to Google Maps estimates

Mistake 3: Not Reserving Popular Restaurants

Symptom: Arriving at famous restaurant at 6 PM, 2-hour wait Fix: Book ahead or go at off-peak times (11 AM lunch, 5 PM dinner)

Mistake 4: Ignoring Jet Lag

Symptom: Collapsing at 3 PM because you pushed too hard Fix: Day 1 should be exploration, not conquest. Sleep when tired.

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Is Your Japan Itinerary Too Rushed?

Planning is stressful. You've spent hours on TripAdvisor, Reddit, and blogs, and you're still not sure if your schedule makes sense.

Common worries:

• "Am I trying to do too much?"
• "Is the travel time between places realistic?"
• "Will I have time to actually enjoy anything?"

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• Overpacked days
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Final Tips

1. Download offline maps: Google Maps works offline in Japan
2. Get IC card: Suica or Pasmo for trains/convenience stores (now available on iPhone Wallet)
3. Cash is still king: Many places don't take cards
4. Convenience stores are amazing: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart - great food, ATMs, everything
5. Learn 3 words: Sumimasen (excuse me), Arigatou (thanks), Oishi (delicious)

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You're Ready

Seven days in Japan isn't a lot, but it's enough to fall in love with the country.

Focus on Tokyo and Kyoto, don't overschedule, and leave room for spontaneous discoveries - the random shrine down an alley, the tiny ramen shop with no English menu, the sunset from a temple you didn't plan to visit.

That's where the magic happens.

Have a great trip!

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Need help planning? Try our AI Trip Planner to create a personalized Japan itinerary in minutes.

Have more time? Check out our 9-Day Japan Itinerary covering Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka with a Nara day trip.

First time in Japan? Read our Complete First-Timer Guide with budget breakdown and JR Pass analysis.