Japan Travel Guide: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & the Complete Circuit
8 city guides, 3 suggested routes, real costs in yen, JR Pass breakdown — and the mistakes that ruin most Japan trips.
Japan doesn't ease you in. You land at Narita, tap a Suica card, step onto a train that arrives to the second, and within an hour you're standing at Shibuya Crossing wondering how a city this enormous runs this smoothly. From Kyoto's silent bamboo groves to Osaka's neon-drenched food alleys, this guide covers every city, every route, and every yen.
✨ Why Japan?
There are good travel destinations and then there's Japan. Here's what makes it different from everywhere else.
Food That Ruins You
A ¥800 ($5) bowl of ramen in Tokyo is better than most $40 meals elsewhere. Convenience store onigiri at 2am is a genuine culinary experience. Tsukiji sashimi breakfast, Osaka street okonomiyaki, Kyoto kaiseki dinners — Japan has the highest density of Michelin stars in the world for a reason.
Everything Works
Trains arrive to the second. Vending machines dispense hot coffee in winter. Coin lockers are everywhere. Google Maps gives you exact platform numbers. Even the toilets are engineered. Japan doesn't have friction — it has systems.
Ancient + Futuristic
Walk from a 1,200-year-old Shinto shrine into a teamLab digital art installation in the same afternoon. Kyoto's zen gardens and Tokyo's Akihabara exist in the same country and somehow both make perfect sense.
Surprisingly Affordable
Japan's reputation as expensive is outdated. Budget travellers can manage on ¥8,000–12,000/day ($53–80) including accommodation. The yen's weakness against most currencies in 2026 makes it even more accessible.
🗼 City-by-City Guide
Each card links to a full day-by-day itinerary with real timings and costs. Click through for the complete guide.
Tokyo
5 Days · ¥10,000–¥25,000/day
Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji, teamLab, Tsukiji Market, Shinjuku Golden Gai. The world's largest metro area with the world's best food scene.
Read full guide →
Kyoto
4 Days · ¥8,000–¥20,000/day
Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji, geisha district. Japan's cultural soul with 2,000+ temples and shrines.
Read full guide →
Osaka
3 Days · ¥8,000–¥18,000/day
Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Kuromon Market. Japan's kitchen — street food capital where you eat until you physically cannot continue.
Read full guide →
Hiroshima
2 Days · ¥7,000–¥15,000/day
Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima Island's floating torii gate. A deeply moving and essential Japan experience.
Read full guide →
Hokkaido
5 Days · ¥10,000–¥22,000/day
Sapporo, Furano lavender fields, Niseko skiing, Otaru canal town. Japan's northern wilderness with the country's best seafood.
Read full guide →
Nara
2 Days · Day trip from Kyoto/Osaka
1,200+ wild deer roaming freely, Todai-ji's giant bronze Buddha, Kasuga Taisha shrine with 3,000 lanterns. Just 45 min from Kyoto.
Read full guide →
Hakone
2 Days · Day trip from Tokyo
Hot springs with Mt. Fuji views, Open Air Museum, ropeway over volcanic valley, Lake Ashi cruise. Tokyo's favourite escape.
Read full guide →
Yokohama
2 Days · Day trip from Tokyo
Cup Noodles Museum, Chinatown, waterfront Minato Mirai skyline. Just 30 min from Tokyo and completely underrated.
Read full guide →
🛤️ Best Routes
Three proven routes depending on how much time you have. All assume a JR Pass for inter-city bullet trains.
7-Day Classic
7 Days10-Day Complete
10 Days14-Day Ultimate
14 DaysNumbers in brackets = suggested nights. All routes work east to west (or add a flight to Sapporo for the 14-day version).
💰 Budget Guide
| Category | 💰 Budget | ✨ Mid-Range | 💎 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏨 Accommodation/night | ¥3,000–¥5,000 ($20–33) | ¥8,000–¥15,000 ($53–100) | ¥40,000+ ($267+) |
| 🍜 Food/day | ¥2,000–¥4,000 ($13–27) | ¥5,000–¥8,000 ($33–53) | ¥15,000+ ($100+) |
| 🚉 Transport/day | ¥1,000–¥2,000 ($7–13) | ¥2,000–¥3,000 ($13–20) | ¥5,000+ ($33+) |
| 🎯 Activities/day | ¥1,000–¥3,000 ($7–20) | ¥3,000–¥5,000 ($20–33) | ¥10,000+ ($67+) |
| 🍶 Extras/day | ¥1,000–¥2,000 ($7–13) | ¥2,000–¥4,000 ($13–27) | ¥10,000+ ($67+) |
| Daily Total | ¥8,000–¥12,000 ($53–80) | ¥15,000–¥25,000 ($100–167) | ¥40,000+ ($267+) |
All prices in ¥ (Japanese Yen), 2026. USD equivalent at ~¥150/$1. Excludes international flights and JR Pass.
🍜 5 Foods You Must Try
Ramen
Fuunji (Tokyo), Ichiran (everywhere) · ¥800–1,200 ($5–8)
Each city has its own style. Tonkotsu in Kyushu, miso in Hokkaido, shoyu in Tokyo.
Sushi
Tsukiji Market, standing bars in Ginza · ¥1,500–30,000+
Standing sushi bars offer omakase-quality fish at a fraction of the price. Skip tourist traps near stations.
Okonomiyaki
Dotonbori (Osaka), Hiroshima · ¥800–1,500 ($5–10)
Osaka style = mixed batter. Hiroshima style = layered with noodles. Both are incredible. Pick a side.
Tempura
Tendon Tenya (budget), Tsunahachi (Shinjuku) · ¥500–5,000
A ¥500 tendon bowl at a chain is honestly good. A ¥5,000 tempura omakase at a counter restaurant is transcendent.
Matcha Everything
Kyoto, especially Uji · ¥300–800
Matcha soft-serve, matcha tiramisu, matcha latte from a 400-year-old tea house in Uji. Kyoto is the matcha capital.
🛂 Visa & JR Pass
The two things every India-based traveller needs to sort before booking flights.
🛂Visa Guide for Indians
⚠️ Apply at least 3 weeks before departure. Japan does not offer visa on arrival for any nationality.
🚅JR Pass Guide
⚠️ The JR Pass does NOT cover private railways, subways or buses. Get a Suica/Pasmo IC card separately for local transport.
Where to Stay in Japan
Verified prices · Instant booking
Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki
Budget Hostel · Asakusa
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Mid-Range · Shinjuku
Machiya Kyoto Townhouse
Traditional · Kyoto
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Luxury · Shinjuku
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Helps keep our guides free.
Things to Do in Japan
Tours & experiences · Instant confirmation
teamLab Borderless Skip-the-Line
Must doFushimi Inari & Nara Day Tour from Kyoto
PopularOsaka Street Food Walking Tour
FoodMt. Fuji & Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Japan \u2014 Iconic Destinations
Click each thumbnail to explore Japan's most unforgettable spots.
📸
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Best viewed from above at Shibuya Sky, or cross it yourself during rush hour.
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto — 10,000 torii gates winding up Mt. Inari. The first section is crowded, but push past the halfway mark and you'll have the path to yourself.
❌ Mistakes to Avoid
Buying a JR Pass when you don't need one
If you're only visiting Tokyo or one city, the JR Pass is a waste of ¥50,000. It only makes sense if you're taking bullet trains between multiple cities. Do the maths for your specific route before buying.
Not carrying cash
Japan is still heavily cash-based. Many small restaurants, shrines, street food stalls and even some mid-range restaurants don't accept cards. Withdraw ¥30,000–50,000 at a 7-Eleven ATM on arrival.
Trying to see everything in 7 days
Tokyo alone deserves 4–5 days. Don't cram Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Hakone into one week. You'll spend more time on trains than experiencing anything. Pick the 7-day classic route and do it properly.
Not booking teamLab in advance
teamLab Borderless sells out weeks ahead. There are no walk-up tickets, no exceptions, no scalpers. Book online the moment your dates are confirmed or accept that you're not going.
Tipping at restaurants
Tipping is considered rude in Japan. Don't leave money on the table — staff will chase you down to return it. The bill is the bill. Service is already excellent because that's the standard, not because tips incentivise it.
Want Your Japan Trip Planned?
Tell us your dates, group size and budget — we'll send a personalised Japan itinerary within 24 hours. Free.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Explore More Destinations
You Might Also Like
Questions & Comments
Been there? Planning a trip? Drop it below — we reply to everything.
Have you visited this destination?
Any tips you'd add to this guide?
Questions before your trip?
Want a personalised itinerary?
We'll build your day-by-day plan in 24 hours — free.