Overview
This 7-day route covers Japan's essential highlights on a single 7-day Japan Rail Pass. You'll spend 3 days in Tokyo, take the shinkansen to Kyoto for 3 days (with day trips), and finish in Osaka. The JR Pass costs ¥50,000 ($330) and pays for itself with the Tokyo-Kyoto shinkansen alone (¥13,000 one-way).
Day 1-2: Tokyo
Day 1: Arrive, activate JR Pass. Explore Shibuya (crossing, Shibuya Sky), Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine), and Shinjuku (Golden Gai evening). Day 2: Asakusa (Senso-ji temple, Nakamise shopping street), Akihabara (anime/electronics), and TeamLab Borderless in the afternoon. Evening: Tsukiji Outer Market or conveyor belt sushi. Stay near Shinjuku or Shibuya for metro access.
Day 3: Tokyo Day Trip
Options: Kamakura (giant Buddha, bamboo grove, coastal town — 1 hour by JR). Or Nikko (ornate Toshogu Shrine in mountain forest — 2 hours by JR). Both covered by JR Pass. Return to Tokyo for an evening in Roppongi or Shimokitazawa.
Day 4-5: Kyoto
Day 4: Morning shinkansen to Kyoto (2h15m, covered by JR Pass). Fushimi Inari (go at dawn or late afternoon). Gion district evening walk — spot geiko. Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park (morning). Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Philosopher's Path if cherry blossoms are blooming. Nishiki Market for street food lunch.
Day 6: Nara Day Trip
Train to Nara (45 min from Kyoto, covered by JR Pass). Todai-ji Temple (world's largest wooden building with 15m bronze Buddha). Nara Park — 1,000+ free-roaming deer that bow for crackers. Kasuga Taisha shrine with thousands of stone lanterns. Return to Kyoto by evening.
Day 7: Osaka
Morning train to Osaka (15 min from Kyoto). Osaka Castle and park. Dotonbori — neon-lit food street: takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancake), gyoza. Shinsekai for kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). Fly out from Kansai International Airport (KIX), or return to Tokyo by shinkansen.
Budget Estimate
7-day JR Pass: ¥50,000 ($330). Accommodation (7 nights budget hotel): ¥42,000 ($280). Food: ¥28,000 ($185). Activities: ¥10,000 ($65). Total: ~$860 per person not including flights. Save by staying in capsule hotels (¥3,000-4,000/night) and eating at convenience stores and ramen shops.