Japan Trip Itinerary: Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka
August 22-28, 2025
Arrival Day: August 22 (Thursday)
2:00pm – Arrive at Haneda Airport
- Immigration & Customs: Allow 30-60 minutes to clear immigration and collect luggage
- Transport to Tokyo:
- Option 1: Airport Limousine Bus (direct to major hotels, ¥1,700-¥2,000)
- Option 2: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station, then JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station (30-40 minutes)
- Check-in: Head to your hotel near Tokyo Station
- Evening: Rest or take a short walk around Tokyo Station or Ginza
Day 2: August 23 (Friday) – Tokyo Highlights
- Morning: Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (open early, free entry)
- Midday: Explore Akihabara (anime and electronics district)
- Afternoon: Head to Tokyo Tower (observation deck ¥1,200)
- Evening: Dinner and drinks in Golden Gai (Shinjuku) or Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku)
Day 3: August 24 (Saturday) – Tokyo Exploration
- Morning: Visit Meiji Shrine and walk through Yoyogi Park
- Midday: Stroll down Takeshita-dori in Harajuku
- Afternoon: Explore Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky observation deck (¥2,200; book in advance)
- Evening: Optional visit to TeamLab Planets (Toyosu; ¥3,800; book in advance)
Day 4: August 25 (Sunday) – Travel to Kyoto
- Morning: Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (2 hours 15 minutes)
- Check-in: Arrive in Kyoto by mid-morning, drop bags at your hotel
- Afternoon: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (open all day, free)
- Evening: Explore Gion district and Yasaka Pagoda
Day 5: August 26 (Monday) – Kyoto Sightseeing
- Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Midday: Explore Gion (if not visited the previous day) and Nishiki Market
- Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) or Kiyomizu-dera
- Evening: Free time in Kyoto, prepare for Osaka travel
Day 6: August 27 (Tuesday) – Travel to Osaka
- Morning: Final Kyoto sightseeing or visit any missed temples
- Afternoon/Evening: Take train from Kyoto to Osaka (30-45 minutes by express train)
- Check-in: Arrive in Osaka, check into hotel (recommend staying near Osaka Station, Namba, or Dotonbori)
- Evening: Explore Dotonbori district - famous neon signs, street food, and nightlife
Day 7: August 28 (Wednesday) – Osaka Day & Departure
- Morning: Visit Osaka Castle (¥600 entry; beautiful grounds and museum)
- Midday: Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market for fresh seafood and local specialties
- Afternoon:
- Option 1: Quick visit to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, then head to Kansai Airport
- Option 2: Last-minute shopping in Shinsaibashi, then airport
- Evening: Depart from Kansai Airport (KIX) at 8:00am
Modified Transport Notes
- Osaka to Airport: Take the Nankai Airport Express from Namba to Kansai Airport (35-45 minutes, ¥920)
- Alternative: If your flight departs from Haneda, take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo (3 hours) the night before
Key Osaka Experiences
- Food: Try takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (fried skewers)
- Nightlife: Dotonbori is spectacular at night with neon reflections in the canal
- Shopping: Shinsaibashi for high-end brands, Amerikamura for youth culture
Additional Tips
- Transport: Japan Rail Pass covers travel between cities (Hikari/Kodama Shinkansen)
- Luggage: Use luggage forwarding services between cities
- Bookings: Reserve Shinkansen seats and popular attractions in advance
- Mobile Payment: Set up Suica or Pasmo card for easy travel
Note: Verify your departure airport - this itinerary assumes Kansai Airport (KIX) in Osaka. If departing from Haneda, you'll need to return to Tokyo on Tuesday evening.