Home › Journeys › Japan Golden Route › 7 days
Japan Golden Route: 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
Last updated:
The 7-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
7
days
505 km
distance
12.7 h
on trains
41
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Cherry-blossom season: magical and mobbed — book trains, stays and popular temples weeks ahead.
Day 1 Tokyo → Shinjuku
- Transit
- 1h28
- Finish
- ~15:40
- Temperature
- 8.8°C–18.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~19
- Daylight
- 12.9h
09:00
Browse vibrant stalls filled with fresh seafood and local delicacies.
50 min · Tokyo · Free
open: Varies by shop, but typically M-Sa 09:00-14:00, closed holidays and most Wednesdays
10:00
Marvel at the iconic tower's bright lights against the sky.
50 min · Tokyo
open: Daily 09:00-22:00
11:20
Marvel at the tallest self-supporting tower in the world.
50 min · Tokyo · Adults ¥2,400 to the main deck, additional ¥1,100 to the upper deck, with slightly higher admission charges on weekends and holidays. Advanced purchase tickets …
open: Daily 08:00-22:00 (varies during the year)
12:30
You will see the bustling atmosphere of Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji, adorned with traditional lanterns and crowded with visitors.
50 min · Tokyo
13:50
Stroll through diverse garden styles and enjoy peaceful cherry blossoms.
50 min · Shinjuku · ¥500, seniors/students ¥250, children under 15 free
open: 09:00-16:30; open until 18:00 mid-March to June and mid-August to September, until 19:00 July to mid-August. Closed Mondays (with some exceptions) and during …
14:40
Suzuya toncya-suzuya.co.jp map ↗
Enjoy salty, filling green tea tonkatsu and other delicious varieties.
60 min · Shinjuku · ¥1000-2000 (price listed 2000)
Overnight: Shinjuku
e.g. Hyatt Regency Tokyo · Keio Plaza Hotel
Day 2 Hakone
- Transit
- 2h06
- Finish
- ~16:30
- Temperature
- 12.3°C–16.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 12.9h
10:25
11:25
Admire torii gates emerging from serene waters.
50 min · Hakone
12:35
13:35
Explore a curated collection of Western and Japanese art.
50 min · Hakone · ¥1800
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
14:40
Stroll through lush parkland surrounded by global sculptures.
50 min · Hakone · ¥1,600 (¥200 discount for holders of Hakone Free Pass, a ¥100 discount voucher is available on the museum's website)
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
15:30
Overnight here
e.g. Asante Inn · Hotel Suimeisou
Day 3 Kyoto
- Transit
- 3h46
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 6.3°C–16.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 12.9h
11:15
Contemplate serene rocks and raked gravel in quiet meditation.
50 min · Kyoto · ¥600
open: Mar-Nov: daily 08:00-17:00; Dec-Feb: 08:30-16:30
12:15
Marvel at the shimmering golden pavilion reflecting on water.
50 min · Kyoto · Admission fee is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
13:20
14:35
Discover ancient art, including the world's first manga-style rabbit and monkey painting.
50 min · Kyoto · Temple grounds are free, entrance to the temple is ¥600
16:15
Overnight here
e.g. Popeye media cafe · Uronza Guesthouse
Day 4 Higashiyama (Kyoto)
- Transit
- 0h32
- Finish
- ~15:00
- Temperature
- 6.3°C–16.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 12.9h
09:05
Take in breathtaking city views from this historic temple terrace.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥400 adults, ¥200 children 6–15 years
open: Daily: 06:00–18:00 (varies, check website)
10:05
Discover ancient Japanese treasures in a grand, serene setting.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Admission ¥500 (¥1500 during a special exhibition period)
open: Tu-Su 09:30-18:00
11:05
12:10
Feast your eyes on ever-changing modern and contemporary artworks.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥420. (college students receive a discount and special exhibitions require additional costs)
open: Tu-Su 09:30-17:00 (on Fridays during special exhibitions, hours may be extended to 20:00)
13:10
Contemplate meticulously maintained dry landscapes at the serene Silver Pavilion temple.
50 min · Higashiyama (Kyoto) · Admission ¥500
open: Mar-Nov 08:30-17:00; Dec-Mar 09:00-16:30
14:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hana-Touro Stay Miyagawa-cho Residence · Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Day 5 Arashiyama (Kyoto)
- Transit
- 0h46
- Finish
- ~15:15
- Temperature
- 6.3°C–16.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 12.9h
09:25
Stroll serene gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site with tranquil beauty.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥600 (garden + temple), or ¥500 (garden only)
open: Mar-Oct: daily 08:30-17:30; Nov-Feb: daily 08:30-17:00
10:25
Visit a small shrine hidden in the bamboo forest, steeped in history.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · Entrance is free
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
11:25
12:25
13:25
Wander among thousands of Buddhist statues commemorating the unknown dead.
50 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto)
open: Daily 09:00-16:30
14:15
Shintogetsu shintogetsu.net
Delight in simple yet famous Yodofu and soothing soba dishes.
60 min · Arashiyama (Kyoto) · ¥650-1300
open: 11:00-17:00
Overnight here
e.g. Rokuō-in · Bola Bola Guest House
Day 6 Nara
- Transit
- 2h05
- Finish
- ~16:30
- Temperature
- 6.7°C–17.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~19
- Daylight
- 12.9h
10:25
Marvel at the world's largest Buddha in a grand wooden hall.
50 min · Nara · ¥600; ¥1000 to see the museum as well
open: Nov-Mar 08:00-17:00, Apr-Oct 07:30-17:30; museum opens at 09:30
11:25
Discover exquisite Buddhist art and sacred statues.
50 min · Nara · ¥500; special exhibitions up to ¥2000 (price listed 2000)
open: 09:30-17:00
12:25
13:25
Marvel at countless stone lanterns lining the temple path.
50 min · Nara · Grounds free, inside of shrine ¥500, treasure hall ¥400
14:40
Explore a reconstructed temple with rare pagodas and Buddhist art.
50 min · Nara · ¥800
open: 08:30-17:00
15:30
Senjuan Yoshimune senjyuan.co.jp map ↗
Savour warabimochi, a silky jelly, in a traditional tea room.
60 min · Nara · Warabimochi set ¥680, shaved ice from ¥1000
open: Daily 10AM-6PM
Overnight here
e.g. Ryokan Matsumae · Nara Washington Hotel Plaza
Day 7 Osaka
- Transit
- 2h00
- Finish
- ~17:30
- Temperature
- 6.7°C–17.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~19
- Daylight
- 12.9h
09:45
Marvel at the imposing concrete reconstruction of this historic landmark.
50 min · Osaka · Adults ¥1200, university/high school students ¥600, children 15 and below free
open: Daily 09:00-17:00, closed around New Years
10:50
Explore ancient architecture in a serene, historically rich setting.
50 min · Osaka
11:50
Soar high in Osaka's tallest building with panoramic city views.
50 min · Osaka
13:10
Ascend to sweeping city views from a futuristic sky observatory.
50 min · Osaka · Adult ¥2000, children 4-12 ¥500, 50% reduction for those with a disability certificate (price listed 2000)
14:30
Marvel at massive tanks filled with diverse sea creatures.
120 min · Osaka · adults (16 and over, high school), child (7-15, elementary school and junior high-school), infant (4-6)
open: 10:00-20:00 (last admission is 19:00)
16:30
Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Shop kushikatu-daruma.com map ↗
Taste famous kushikatsu skewers under a grumpy uncle's watch.
60 min · Osaka
open: Daily 11am-10:30pm
Katsura Imperial Villa
Kyoto / Arashiyama
Application or walk-in place required — optional visitJoin only with a confirmed application or an available same-day place. The guided outdoor circuit takes about 60 minutes; visitors under 12 are not admitted. This visit is not placed in the timed itinerary. Check the official calendar and assigned time before planning the day.
detailsSaihō-ji (Kokedera)
Arashiyama, Kyoto
Reservation required — optional alternativeReserve at least one day ahead. Allow about 60 minutes for the visit. This visit is not included in your timed itinerary; once your reservation is confirmed, adjust the day around the assigned time. Check the official booking and access requirements.
details🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.