10 days - Tokyo/Kyoto
Provide a short intro
Days
Day 1: Tokyo: West Side/Modern Tokyo
Visit
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Meiji Jingu
Located right next to JR Harajuku Station, Meiji-jingu Shrine is one of Japan’s most visited Shinto shrines. The shrine grounds are located within a large 170-acre forest of evergreen trees. -
Omotesando
After visiting the shrine, walk along Omotesando (the main avenue of Harajuku), checking out all the cool shops. -
Nezu Museum
With its stunning architecture, superb art collection, and landscape garden, there’s something to thrill anyone visiting the Nezu Museum in Aoyama. -
Hachikō Memorial Statue
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Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Shibuya crossing is the main intersection of Shibuya. It's the one you've seen all the pictures of: thousands of pedestrians surrounded by huge shopping complexes and giant video screens. -
Roppongi Hills
Head up to the 52nd floor Tokyo City View observation deck of the Mori Tower to see the city.
Eat
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Lunch near Shibuya
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Dinner Near Roppongi
Transit
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Start the day from Harajuku Station
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Head over to Shibuya Station
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Head over to Roppongi Station
Photos
Day 2: Tokyo: West Side/Modern Tokyo
Visit
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Sensō-ji
Senso-ji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, was completed in the year 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple. -
Ueno-Kōen (Ueno Park)
Ueno is the place to go for a taste of Old Tokyo, a walk in the park, or a day visiting museums. -
The Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum has a vast collection of art and archaeological objects from Japan and beyond, it’s a treasure not to be missed when visiting Tokyo. -
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum
The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum is an iconic landmark in the Marunouchi area. Even if you don’t attend an exhibition, you can still relax in the garden out front. -
Shopping at Ginza
The wide boulevards and narrow lanes of Ginza are lined with high-end boutiques, department stores and exclusive restaurants.
Eat
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Lunch Birdland
This restaurant near the Nihombashi Gate of Tokyo Station serves upscale yakitori. Some say it's overpriced. That may be the case, but it's tasty. It's on the B1 floor of the Iiyo!! dining complex.
Transit
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Start the day from Asakusa Station
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Ueno Station
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Tokyo Station
Photos
Day 3: Tokyo: Central Tokyo and Shinjuku
Visit
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The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Walk east from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace East Garden. Visit the East Garden and exit via the Kitahanebashi-mon. -
Yasukuni Shrine
Walk north through Kitanomaru-koen Park and then visit Yasukuni-jinja Shrine. Do not miss the controversial and interesting Yushukan Museum at the shrine. -
Shinjuku
Take the Shinjuku Line subway west to Shinjuku. Eat lunch somewhere in Shinjuku. -
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Go up to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices to see the view of the city (and maybe even Mt Fuji) from the observation decks. -
Roppongi
Roppongi is Tokyo's most vibrant and foreigner-friendly dining and nightlife district.
Eat
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Lunch in Shinjuku
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Dinner in Roppongi
Transit
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Start the day at Tokyo Station
Photos
Day 4: Travel Day: Tokyo to Kyoto
Transit
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Tokyo Station
Take the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto. The trip takes about 2.5 hours. There's no point in getting an early start on this day since most hotels and ryokan won't allow you to check in until 3pm. -
Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station
Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station -
Kyoto Station
Day 5: Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama
Visit
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Take a bus or taxi to the Gojo-Kawaramachi intersection. The closest bus stop is Gojozaka. Walk up Gojo-zaka, which is the main street that leads east, up the hill, to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Don’t forget to visit the wonderful Tainai-Meguri. -
Sannen-Zaka Hill
After exploring Kiyomizu-dera, exit via the front of the temple and walk down Matsubara-dori Street (lined with shops) to reach the lovely preserved district of Sannen-zaka Hill. -
Ninenzaka
Continuing from Sannen-zaka hill, go down the street to where it flattens out and then go a bit further and take a right down into Ninnen-zaka, another lovely preserved district. -
Maruyama Park
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Chion-in Temple
Exit the north side of Maruyama-koen and follow the street north to the impressive main gate of Chion-in Temple. Climb the steep steps and enter the wide courtyard of Chion-in. -
Shoren-in Temple
You’ll soon pass the enormous camphor trees in front of Shoren-in Temple. Enter the temple and enjoy a nice cup of green tea and a sweet while looking out over the garden. -
Nishiki Market
Make your way to Nishiki Market to pick up some lunch. Then explore all the local shops nearby. -
Fushimi Inari Taisha
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Rest
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Shijo Bridge
Start from Shijo-Ohashi Bridge (the big bridge on Shijo-dori over the Kamo-gawa River). At the east end of the bridge, cross Kawabata-dori and walk north on the east side of Kawabata for about 100 meters. You will soon see a tree-lined pedestrian lane. This is the end of Shirakawa-dori. Follow it east and you’ll get to the Shimbashi District (also known as Shirakawa), which is the most beautiful street in Kyoto.
Eat
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Dinner
Photos
Day 6: Kyoto: Arashiyama
Visit
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Tenruy-ji Temple
First, explore the superb Tenryu-ji Temple, being sure to check out both the inside of the main hall and the expansive stroll garden. -
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Leave Tenryu-ji by the north gate (accessible through the garden), and take a left, which will bring you into the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Take your time savoring the magical atmosphere here, while working slowly uphill. -
Okochi-Sanso Villa
At the top of the hill in the Bamboo Grove, you will see a small hut and a road leading up the hill into the forest. This is the entrance to the superb Okochi-Sanso Villa, the former home of a wealthy Japanese actor. Enter the villa and take your time exploring the garden. Be sure to hold onto the ticket they give you, because it will get you a nice cup of green tea and a sweet after the garden tour. -
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji, the famed “Golden Pavilion,” is Kyoto’s most iconic sight. It’s well worth a visit, just try to pick a time when the crowds aren’t there. -
Daitoku-ji Temple
There’s really no good way to go by public transport, so jump in a taxi to Daitoku-ji Temple. It will cost around Y2,000 from Kinkaku-ji. Note that if you’re starting to feel templed out by this point, consider cutting out Daitoku-ji and just head back to downtown Kyoto. -
Rest
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Pontocho Alley
Arguably the single most atmospheric street in all of Kyoto, Pontocho Alley is a great place to do some geisha spotting in the evening.
Eat
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Lunch in Arashima
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Dinner Downtown Kyoto
Photos
Day 7: Nara Day Trip
Visit
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Nara Park
Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. -
Issui-en Garden
Isui-en Garden is the best garden in Nara and one of my favorite gardens in Kansai (central Japan). It’s a spacious stroll garden with a pond and plenty of blooming flowers and trees. -
Todai-ji Temple
Home of the famous Daibutsu (Great Buddha), Todai-ji Temple is a must-see for all visitors to Japan. It’s awe-inspiring and moving. -
Kasuga-taisha Shrine
Kasuga-Taisha Shrine is the most important Shinto shrine in Nara. More than just the shrine buildings, Kasuga-Taisha is a mysterious world of forest, pathways, lanterns and wandering deer.
Transit
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Start the day from Kyoto Station
It only takes 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nara by the private Kintetsu Line (and only takes slightly longer by JR train). -
End the day by traveling back to Kyoto Station
Cut through the precincts of Kofuku-ji Temple to get back to Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station.
Photos
Day 8: Kyoto: Northern Higashiyama
Visit
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Mount Kurama
In the morning, take a half-day trip up to the village of Kurama and do the hike over the mountain via the temple to the quaint village of Kibune. -
Ginkaku-ji Temple
Ginkaku-ji Temple (“The Silver Pavilion”) is on everyone’s checklist of sights to see while in Kyoto, both foreigners and Japanese alike. -
Tetsugaku No Michi
After exploring Ginkaku-ji Temple, walk about 100 meters down the hill and walk south along the famed Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi). It’s the canal that has a pedestrian path running alongside it. -
Nanzen-ji Temple
One of the best temples in the Northern Higashiyama district, Nanzen-ji Temple is a sprawling Zen paradise surrounded by lush green hills.
Eat
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Lunch in Kyoto
Photos
Day 9: Kyoto: Tofuku-ji Temple, Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine etc
Visit
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Tofuku-ji Temple
Visit to immerse yourself in the tranquility of its Zen gardens. -
Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine
Explore the mesmerizing pathway of thousands of vibrant torii gates, experiencing the spiritual ambiance of this revered Shinto shrine. -
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Step into the regal history and architectural splendor of Japan's imperial heritage by exploring the majestic Kyoto Imperial Palace. -
Daitoku-ji Temple
Find inner peace and serenity in the serene surroundings of Daitoku-ji Temple, known for its Zen Buddhist traditions, traditional architecture, and peaceful gardens.
Eat
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Lunch at Downtown Kyoto
Photos
Day 10: Travel Day: Kyoto to Tokyo
Transit
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Kyoto Station
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Kyoto Station → Tokyo Station
Kyoto Station → Tokyo Station -
Tokyo Station
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