8 Nights in Japan: The Perfect First-Timer’s Itinerary for Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara & Osaka
Japan was the final stop on our five-week Asia adventure after visiting Thailand, Singapore, Bali, Bangkok, and Vietnam. By the time we landed in Tokyo, we had gotten pretty good at navigating Southeast Asia, but Japan felt like an entirely different world. Everything was incredibly clean, organized, and efficient.
We visited from March 30th to April 7th, which meant we were lucky enough to experience cherry blossom season.
Although we packed a lot into eight nights, I left wishing we had another week. Between the incredible food, beautiful temples, unique cafés, and hidden cocktail bars, I feel like we only scratched the surface.
If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, here’s exactly how we spent our 8 nights in Japan along with a few things I’d do differently.
Before You Go
Before jumping into the itinerary, here are a few things I wish I had known before visiting Japan.
Google Maps made navigating Japan possible. It tells you exactly which train to take, what platform to use, and even which exit to leave from once you arrive.
If you’re following a similar itinerary, I’d also skip purchasing the JR Pass. We bought one thinking we’d save money, but after comparing costs later, we realized we would have saved around $50-$100 each by purchasing individual Shinkansen tickets instead. That being said, having the JR Pass did feel more convenient since we didn’t have to worry about purchasing a ticket each time we used a JR line train. For all other transportation we just used the Suica Card (in our apple wallets on our iPhones). Click here for more information on logistics and where to stay in Japan.
Japan is becoming more card-friendly, but it’s still worth carrying cash for smaller restaurants, markets, and food stalls.
If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season like we did, book accommodations and popular attractions, especially TeamLab, well in advance.
One random thing we noticed while in Tokyo was that we were never able to find public trash cans.
I googled it and found this out: “Cities like Tokyo removed a lot of public trash cans following the 1995 subway security incidents, they now rely on the cultural practice of taking trash home or using bins at convenience stores.”
Day 1: Arriving in Tokyo
After an overnight flight into Narita Airport with almost no sleep, we landed around 8 a.m. completely exhausted. Since we couldn’t check into our Airbnb until later that afternoon, wandering around Tokyo on zero sleep didn’t sound very appealing.
Thankfully, we found the Nine Hours capsule hotel inside Narita Airport.
Each of us had our own private sleeping pod, plus access to showers, towels, pajamas, and slippers. After a few hours of sleep and a hot shower, we felt like completely different people.
Once we were rested, we took about a one-hour train ride into Tokyo and checked into our Airbnb in Taito City, near Ueno Park and Asakusa. It wasn’t in the middle of all the action, but it was much more affordable, spacious for the three of us, and had great train access.
That evening we kept things simple with sushi at a neighborhood restaurant before getting some much-needed sleep.
Quick Tips
- Stay in Taito or Asakusa for more affordable accommodations. If you want to be closer to all the action, Shibuya or Shinjuku would be best.
- If you land early, the Nine Hours nap pods are absolutely worth it.
Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku & Cherry Blossoms
We kicked off our first full day exploring Shibuya, grabbing a quick bowl of ramen before wandering through one of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods.
From there, we walked over to Harajuku and spent time exploring the colorful shops and cafés along Takeshita Street. One of the highlights was Café Reissue, where the baristas create adorable 3D latte art. The wait was a little long, but the 3D coffees were so cute!
Since we were visiting during cherry blossom season, our next stop was Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Seeing hundreds of cherry blossom trees in full bloom while families gathered for traditional hanami picnics was great to experience. Cost to enter the park is around $3 per adult.
As evening approached, we wandered through Omoide Yokocho, a narrow alley lined with tiny restaurants, glowing lanterns, and cozy bars. We squeezed into one of the restaurants for sake and kimchi before finding a conveyor belt ramen restaurant where we ordered everything from a touchscreen and watched our meals arrive right at our seats.
We ended the night watching the organized chaos of Shibuya Scramble Crossing before grabbing drinks at Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, which offered beautiful nighttime views over the city.
Don’t Miss
- Café Reissue
- Omoide Yokocho after dark
- Shibuya Crossing
- A conveyer belt restaurant
Day 3: Ueno Park & TeamLab Planets
Saturday morning started with a walk through Ueno Park, where locals gathered beneath the cherry blossoms with picnic blankets, food, and friends. It was such a fun atmosphere and gave us a glimpse into one of Japan’s most beloved spring traditions.
Later we headed back to Harajuku to visit a dog café (we didn’t stay long, the cafe was kind of chaotic with people and yapping dogs all around) before trying one of the famous rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches (fun looking but the taste wasn’t anything to rave over).
For lunch, we waited for a table at Sushi no Midori. While my friend went all in with the omakase experience, I happily stuck with a California roll lol.
That evening we visited teamLab Planets, one of the coolest attractions we experienced in Japan. Walking barefoot through water, mirrored rooms, floating flowers, and interactive digital art made it feel unlike any museum I’d ever visited.
Travel Tip
- Reserve TeamLab tickets several weeks in advance, especially during cherry blossom season.
- We booked ours the day of by getting lucky, they happened to have 3 openings for an 830pm slot.
Day 4: Taking the Bullet Train to Kyoto
After three nights in Tokyo, it was time to head to Kyoto for the next four nights. We took the Hikari Shinkansen, one of Japan’s famous bullet trains, and the ride itself was an experience. The trains are incredibly clean, quiet, and comfortable, and it’s impressive how punctual they are.
One thing I would do differently is skip purchasing the JR Pass. We originally bought one because we thought it would save money, but after comparing prices later, we realized we probably could have saved around $50- $100 each by purchasing individual train tickets instead. If you’re only visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and doing a couple of day trips, it’s definitely worth comparing the costs before buying a pass.
After checking into our Airbnb, we headed straight to Nishiki Market, also known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” The market stretches for about five blocks and is packed with food stalls selling everything from grilled seafood and wagyu skewers to matcha desserts, fresh sushi, sake, and Japanese sweets.
After spending a few hours eating our way through the market (and maybe enjoying a little too much wine), we walked about ten minutes to Kiyamachi-dori, a charming street lined with restaurants and tiny bars along a peaceful canal. We randomly wandered into a cozy little bar for hot mulled wine before heading back to our Airbnb.
Travel Tip
- Nishiki Market is generally open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bring cash, as some vendors still don’t accept credit cards.
Day 5: Fushimi Inari, Mini Pigs & Arashiyama
Our first stop was one of Japan’s most iconic attractions—Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Known for its thousands of bright orange Torii gates, the shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity.
Admission is free, and the shrine is open 24 hours a day. We arrived around noon, which meant it was pretty crowded, so if you’re hoping for quieter trails or better photos, I’d recommend arriving before 8 a.m.
Each Torii gate has been donated by individuals or businesses, and if you look closely at the back, you’ll see the donor’s name and the year it was dedicated. If you’re up for a little exercise, you can continue hiking the Mount Inari Trail, which takes about two to three hours round trip and offers quieter sections farther up the mountain.
One unexpected highlight for us was finding several friendly cats relaxing near one of the quieter areas of the shrine. As cat lovers, we definitely spent a little extra time there.
Next, we headed to the Mipig Café, where we had made reservations to spend time with miniature pigs. There was one couple that all the mini pigs kept gravitating to and the people that worked there kept trying to get some of the pigs to come to us lol.
We also couldn’t leave Kyoto without trying Japan’s famous fluffy cheesecake before making our way to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
Although the bamboo grove itself isn’t very large, walking beneath the towering bamboo stalks was still worth the visit. Afterward, we explored the charming streets of Arashiyama, picked up a few bottles of sake to bring home, and finished the evening walking through the illuminated Kimono Forest, a beautiful display of colorful lanterns wrapped in traditional kimono fabrics.
Don’t Miss
- Visit Fushimi Inari early to beat the crowds.
- Reserve spots ahead of time to visit the mini pigs.
- Stay after sunset to see the Kimono Forest illuminated.
Day 6: A Day Trip to Nara
One of the easiest and most popular day trips from Kyoto is Nara.
We started by visiting Kōfuku-ji Temple before making our way to Nara Park, home to more than 1,000 free-roaming deer.
According to Shinto tradition, the deer are considered sacred messengers, and one of the funniest things about visiting is that many of them have learned to bow before being fed. You can purchase special deer crackers from vendors throughout the park, bow to a deer, and often they’ll bow right back before patiently waiting for their snack.
Some deer were definitely more aggressive than others, and we watched one chase a little kid and made him cry. So just be cautious around some of the more aggressive deer.
After spending the afternoon in Nara, we grabbed sushi and soup before catching the train back to Kyoto.
Travel Tip
- The deer are wild animals, so always treat them with respect and keep an eye on your belongings—they know exactly where the food is!
- Bring cash to buy the deer crackers.
Day 7: The Perfect Day Trip to Osaka
For our last full day, we took the train to Osaka, a city known for its incredible food, nightlife, and energetic atmosphere.
Our first stop was Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most famous districts. The streets were packed with restaurants, shops, giant neon signs, and endless street food. Even if you don’t have a plan, it’s the perfect place to simply wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
That evening we had reservations at Yakiniku Kappō Sakura, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
The restaurant was small and intimate, with only a handful of guests dining at a time. Throughout the multi-course meal, the chef served different cuts of premium wagyu beef while we cooked each piece ourselves on a tabletop grill. Paired with sake and a hilarious chef who kept everyone laughing, it was one of those dining experiences we’ll never forget.
After dinner, we explored Osaka’s incredible cocktail scene.
Our first stop was Cocktail Library Akashic Records, a gothic-inspired cocktail bar serving creative drinks with smoke, bubbles, and theatrical presentations. If you’re visiting on a Friday or Saturday, the bartenders even put on live performances while making cocktails.
Next, we visited Bible Club, a hidden speakeasy tucked beneath the Beyond Cool building. Inspired by pre-Prohibition America, it features vintage décor, antique glassware, and an intimate atmosphere.
Finally, another bartender recommended Bar Shiki, and I’m so glad we listened.
This tiny bar only seats about eight people at the counter, and there isn’t even a drink menu. Instead, the bartender asks what flavors you’re in the mood for before creating a completely custom cocktail.
It was honestly one of the best drinks I’ve ever had.
If You Love Craft Cocktails…
- Osaka completely surprised me. If you’re into unique bars and creative drinks, I’d highly recommend spending an evening exploring the city’s cocktail scene.
- Make sure to check out Cocktail Library, Bible Club and Bar Shiki
Day 8: One Last Night in Japan
Instead of rushing to Narita Airport the morning of our flight, we took the train back the day before and spent one final night near the airport.
Our Airbnb host met us at the station and drove us to the house, which was such a thoughtful gesture after weeks of traveling.
For our last dinner in Japan, we walked to Horumon Tei, a local yakiniku restaurant near Sanrizuka Memorial Park. It was my first experience with zashiki seating, where you sit on cushions at low tables while grilling your own meat. It felt like the perfect way to end our time in Japan with one final memorable meal.
The next morning, our host drove us to the Narita Airport, where we relaxed in the ANA Lounge using our Priority Pass before catching our flight home.
Japan in Summary
One minute you’re walking through centuries-old temples and peaceful gardens, and the next you’re surrounded by neon lights, interactive museums, and some of the most efficient public transportation in the world.
The food was incredible, the cities felt very safe and clean, and every neighborhood had its own unique personality. Visiting during cherry blossom season made the experience even more memorable.
Looking back, I would skip the JR Pass for this itinerary and probably spend a few extra days exploring. Eight nights gave us a great introduction to Japan, but there was so much more to see and do.
If you’re planning your first trip, this itinerary covers a good mix of things to see and do. It offers the perfect combination of iconic sights, amazing food, unforgettable experiences, and enough flexibility to make the trip your own.
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