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Japan Golden Route — a 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Do

The 5-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 7-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.

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5
days
504 km
distance
4.6 h
on trains
35
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Tokyo → Shinjuku

0h02 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 -0.5–26.7°C · 🌧 ~19 rain days · ☀ 12.9h light
09:00
Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Centermuseums & heritage
Discover Japan's medical system and insurance details in multiple languages.
50 min · Tokyo
open: 09:00-20:00
09:50
Emergency Translation Services (for Medical Institutions)
Know emergency translation aid for smoother doctor-patient communication.
50 min · Tokyo
open: Weekdays:17:00-20:00, Weekends and Holidays:09:00-20:00
10:40
China
Find visa application services for China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
50 min · Tokyo
11:32
Suga Shrinehistory & sagas
Admire iconic stairs featured in the film Your Name.
50 min · Shinjuku · free
open: 10:00 ~ 17:00
12:22
Fire Museummuseums & heritage
Explore firefighting vehicles and interactive kids' exhibits.
50 min · Shinjuku · Free
open: 09:30-17:00, closed on Mondays
13:12
Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardenmuseums & heritage
Stroll through diverse garden styles and enjoy peaceful cherry blossoms.
50 min · Shinjuku · ¥500, seniors/students ¥250, children un
open: 09:00-16:30; open until 18:00 mid-March to June and mid-August to Sept
14:02
Pasutakanlocal & traditional
Savor okonomiyaki cooked right at your table.
60 min · Shinjuku · ¥1200
open: 11:00-22:00
18:30
Loft/Plus Onemuseums & heritagecraft beer & pubs
Experience eclectic performances from comedy to bold art installations.
75 min · Shinjuku · Tickets ¥1000-6000 (discounts for advanc
open: Shows at 14:00, 19:30, and 00:00
Overnight: Shinjuku
e.g. Hilton Tokyo · Sakura Hotel Hatagaya

Day 2 Hakone → Kyoto

4h03 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 5.1–22.6°C · 🌧 ~23 rain days · ☀ 12.9h light
09:47
Hakone Kowakien Yunessunlocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Enjoy unique baths from sake to coffee in a fun complex.
90 min · Hakone · \3500/1700 adult/child
open: March to October daily 09:00-19:00
11:17
Hakone Museum Of Arthistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Savor ancient Japanese earthenware and peaceful moss gardens.
50 min · Hakone · ¥1300 adults, children free
12:07
Hakone Open Air Museummuseums & heritage
Stroll through lush parkland surrounded by global sculptures.
50 min · Hakone · ¥1,600 (¥200 discount for holders of Hak
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
12:57
Nukafukucoffee & bakes
Savor vegan, gluten-free rice bran sweets and doughnuts.
60 min · Hakone
open: 11AM-4PM
18:30
PUBSTOP Pizza & Barcraft beer & pubs
Enjoy pizzas and craft beers from the Gora Brewery.
75 min · Hakone
open: 11:30-14:30,16:00-20:30
Overnight: Hakone
e.g. Asante Inn · Hotel Okuyumoto

Day 3 Higashiyama (Kyoto)

0h01 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 -1.2–26.2°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 12.9h light
09:01
Hosomi Art Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Admire timeless Japanese religious art in rotating seasonal temple and shrine exhibits.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Prices vary depending on the exhibit
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
09:51
Rokuharamitsu-jihistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Marvel at unique Kamakura Period artwork in its serene museum.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Grounds: free, Museum: ¥500
open: Daily 08:00–17:00
10:41
Kyoto National Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Discover ancient Japanese treasures in a grand, serene setting.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Admission ¥500 (¥1500 during a special e
open: Tu-Su 09:30-18:00
11:31
Chishaku-in Templehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Stroll through a historic garden once cherished by a tea master.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥500
open: 9:00-16:00
12:21
Heian Shrinehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Admire a scaled-down imperial palace and its blooming garden.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Grounds: free; Garden: ¥600
open: Mar-Aug 08:30–17:30; Sep-Oct: 08:30–17:00; Nov-Feb: 08:30–16:00
13:11
Kōdai-ji Templehistory & sagashiking
Stroll through a serene bamboo grove leading to this historic temple near Ryōzen Kannon.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Entrance fee: ¥600
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
14:01
Saryou Tsurijilocal & traditional
Savour iconic matcha parfait, a Kyoto specialty loved by locals.
60 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Dishes typically range from ¥1000–1400
open: M-F 10:00-21:00, Sa Su national holidays 10:00-20:30
18:30
Gion Kappa Restaurantlocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Unwind in a lively izakaya, enjoying freshly made dishes and sweet plum liquor.
75 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Most of the small dishes cost ¥390 each.
Overnight: Higashiyama (Kyoto)
e.g. Hana-Touro Stay Miyagawa-cho Residence · Guesthouse Tanakaya

Day 4 Arashiyama (Kyoto)

0h01 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 -1.2–26.2°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 12.9h light
09:01
Jōjakkōji Templehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Enjoy autumn foliage and panoramic city views from the pagoda heights.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥400
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
09:51
Matsunoo Taishahistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Visit this ancient shrine cherished by sake brewers.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · Shrine is free, ¥500 to see shrine treas
open: Shrine: 05:00-18:00; Treasure house 09:00-16:00
10:41
Giōji Templehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Marvel at a vivid green moss garden tied to ancient tales of devotion.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥300
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
11:31
Daikakuji Templehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Appreciate the birthplace of Saga Goryu Ikebana amidst historic grounds.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto)
12:21
Umenomiya Shrinehistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Pray for easy delivery and sake under sacred stones.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · The shrine grounds are free, but to ente
13:11
Tenryū-jimuseums & heritage
Stroll serene gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site with tranquil beauty.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥600 (garden + temple), or ¥500 (garden
open: Mar-Oct: daily 08:30-17:30; Nov-Feb: daily 08:30-17:00
14:01
Shintogetsu
Delight in simple yet famous Yodofu and soothing soba dishes.
60 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥650-1300
open: 11:00-17:00
18:30
Shinpachi Tea House
Savor gelatto while browsing souvenirs in this charming teahouse.
75 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · Gelatto single ¥350, double ¥400
open: Daily 09:00-18:00
Overnight: Arashiyama (Kyoto)
e.g. Rokuō-in · Bola Bola Guest House

Day 5 Osaka

0h28 transit · wraps up ~14:28
🌡 -2.1–26.5°C · 🌧 ~19 rain days · ☀ 12.9h light
09:28
ICOCA smart card
Tap effortlessly through Osaka's transport hubs with this handy card.
50 min · Osaka · ¥2000, including a refundable ¥500 depos (price listed 2000)
10:18
Unlimited Kintetsu Rail Pass
Explore Kansai region freely with unlimited rail travel for days.
50 min · Osaka · ¥1800/3000/4700 for 1/2/5 days
11:08
Subway and bus one-day Passes
Enjoy unlimited city travel and discounts with a day's pass.
50 min · Osaka
11:58
English-speaking doctor
Receive confident care from an English-speaking doctor nearby.
50 min · Osaka
12:48
From JR Shin-Osaka Station (Shinkansen Line)
50 min · Osaka · ¥310
open: Travel time: at least 40 minutes to Cosmosquare Station
13:38
From Namba
50 min · Osaka · ¥270
open: Travel time: at least 30 minutes to Cosmosquare Station

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