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A week in Japan: destination guide for first-timers
Tokyo energy, Kyoto temples, and one nature reset — a practical seven-day shape that leaves room for noodles and wrong turns.
Days 1–3: Tokyo
Pick a central stay (Shinjuku or Tokyo Station area) and walk neighbourhoods instead of checklist temples. One food walk or Tsukiji-outer-market morning beats three disconnected restaurants.
Days 4–6: Kyoto (and a day trip)
Shinkansen south. Early Fushimi Inari, one garden, and an Arashiyama or Nara half-day. Evenings are for alleyway dinners, not more shrines.
Day 7: Nature reset
Hakone, Nikko, or a shorter onsen town — something green before the flight home. If you only have six days, trim Tokyo to two and protect this reset.
Practical notes
- IC cards and Google Maps beat paper plans.
- Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) between hotels saves your back on the bullet train.
- Book one “hard” experience (tea ceremony, cooking class, guided food walk) so the free days stay free.
A packaged week can lock trains and stays; independent travellers should still pre-book the first Tokyo night and the Kyoto hotel.
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