7 Days in Japan: The BEST 7 Day Japan Itinerary for First Timers
Planning a one-week trip to Japan? This 7 Day Japan itinerary has everything you need to know! From the serenity of Mount Fuji to the chaos at the Shibuya Crossing, Japan strikes an incredible balance between traditional and modern.
I got the chance to spend 5 weeks living and working in Japan in 2019/2020 when I worked for Universal Creative. During that time I learned SO much about Japanese culture, including customs, food, work life, and more! Then I took everything I learned and packed it into this epic 7 day Japan itinerary!
For a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, I recommend at least 7 days in Japan to be able to see the most iconic sites! In this itinerary, you’ll split your time between Osaka and Tokyo, with a few day trips to other areas sprinkled in!
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The BEST 7 Day Japan Itinerary for First Timers
If this is your first trip to Japan, you are in for an EPIC week! Here’s a quick look at what you can expect in this 7 Day Japan itinerary.
- Days 1-4: Osaka and Surrounding Areas
- See the bowing deer in Nara
- Explore Osaka Castle
- Partake in a Geisha Tea Ceremony in Kyoto
- Shop and eat your heart out in Dōtonbori and Namba
- Days 5-7: Tokyo and Surrounding Areas
- See the famous Shibuya crossing
- Take in the splendor of Mount Fuji
- Visit incredible temples
- Embrace Shinjuku and Harijuku
Days 1-4: Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara
Getting to Osaka
This 7 day Japan itinerary begins in the city of Osaka, so you will fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX). There is also Osaka International Airport (ITM). However this airport only services domestic flights so you would need to connect in Tokyo to fly into here.
At the end of this trip, you will be leaving from Tokyo and will likely be flying out of Narita International Airport (NRT). If you have to book roundtrip tickets out of the same airport, you can choose either Osaka or Tokyo, whichever is cheapest! Then, just take a train or fly between the two at the end of the trip.
Getting to Your Hotel
Once you arrive in Osaka, you can either take a cab, a bus, or a train from the airport, which is located about 30 miles from the center of Osaka. This will depend on where you are staying, your preferences, and your budget. Taxis are the quickest but also the most expensive (at least $100).
If you are staying near Namba Station or Osaka Station, the airport limousine bus is only ~$15 USD, has free wifi, and has frequent routes. The timetable for the airport bus can be found here. You can also reach out to your hotel to see what they recommend or if they offer private transfers!
Pro Tip: This article from Inside Osaka goes over exactly how to use Osaka public transportation, which will be extremely useful for your trip!
Where to Stay in Osaka
Speaking of, let’s talk about where you should stay during your time in Osaka! There are a few different areas around the city that make great spots for first timers.
My top recommendation is the Kita/Umeda area. As highlighted on the map below in orange, this area is perfect for exploring all of Osaka. There is plenty of incredible restaurants, bars, and activities nearby, and it’s also right next to Osaka Station (one of the busiest train stations in Japan!).
Another great option is to stay in the Namba/Dotonbori area, which is basically like the Times Square of Osaka! It is a popular tourist district along the river, again full of plenty of restaurants and nightlife.
Day 1: Explore Osaka
Today is your first full day in Japan! Osaka is an incredible city, Japan’s second largest after Tokyo! The city is bustling with things to do, so you won’t be bored here. Here are the highlights around the city to choose from:
- Shopping:
- Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
- Namba Walk
- Entertainment:
- Shochikuza Theatre
- Osaka Aquarium
- Universal Studios Japan
- Dōtonbori
- Culture:
- Namba Yasaka Shrine
- Shitennoji Temple
- Namba Yasaka Shrine
Most importantly, make sure you check out all of the amazing food in Osaka – it’s a foodie paradise! The term “kuidaore” is associated with this area and sums it up pretty well – it basically means “eat ’til you drop!” Some must-try foods include Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu, and Gyoza!
Day 2: Day Trip to Kyoto
On your second day, you’ll be making a day trip to the nearby city of Kyoto! Kyoto, which was once the capital of Japan, is full of rich culture, temples, and history. The best way to get here from Osaka is by train. You can take a shinkansen (bullet train!) from Shin-Osaka Station which will get you there in only 15 minutes for less than 15 dollars!
This is the fastest and most comfortable method, but there are also other slower and cheaper trains! Whichever train you take, your final destination should be Kyoto Station. Make sure you get an early start so you can do as much as possible in Kyoto!
Kyoto is an incredible city full of rich culture and unique architecture! It was Japan’s capital and the residence of the Emperor from 794 until 1868, so it has a very strong history. Here’s a list of places to visit during your day in Kyoto:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Nishiki Market (Kyoto’s Kitchen)
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Arashiyama Monkey Forest
- Yasaka Street / Higashiyama District
- Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony
If all of this sounds overwhelming to plan, you can also take an organized tour from Osaka and let someone else coordinate all the details! GetYourGuide has some great options.
Day 3: Osaka Castle + Kita Bar Hopping
I’ve included another day in Osaka in this 7 Day Japan itinerary so you can explore some other parts of the city: my personal favorite being Osaka Castle.
To get here, hop on the (JR West) Osaka Loop line and get off at Ōsakajōkōen Station. Once you arrive, you can just follow the crowds to the castle. The castle looms high in the sky, and there are so many amazing views on the walk up.
The grounds of the castle are free to the public; however, if you want to go inside and visit the museum and the observation deck, the cost is 600 yen (less than $6 USD). Spend your morning exploring the castle and the surrounding park, which covers about two square kilometers and is especially beautiful in the spring and fall.
Head back to Osaka, and once the sun goes down, head over to Kitashinchi, about a 10-minute walk south of Osaka station. This is one of the most famous areas in Osaka for nightlife. Full of narrow streets and alleys packed full of tiny bars, delicious ramen restaurants, and some fancy nightclubs, this area is a must do while in Osaka.
You’ll also see a lot of business men entering some of the nice clubs with pretty girls outside them. Don’t forget to try some shochu or sake while you’re here!
Got Asia on your mind? Don’t forget to check out my other Asia itineraries, like 10 days in Thailand or 7 days in Bali!
Day 4: Day Trip to Nara
Today you will be journeying outside of Osaka to the nearby city of Nara, Japan. As Japan’s first capital, Nara is full of some of Japan’s oldest temples and remains a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. To get here, I recommend taking the Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka Namba station, which will get you to the center of Nara in 40 minutes for around 500 yen. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you should take the JR Yamatoji line from Osaka Namba station.
Once you arrive, follow the crowds up the hill to Nara Park. As you make your way away from the train station, you will start to notice all of the wild deer wandering through the streets.
The deer in Nara are a cultural symbol of the city and are considered messengers of God. If you bow to the deers, some will even bow back! If you want to feed them, you can find deer crackers for sale at stalls around the city, but make sure to not taunt the deer with food (they are still wild animals).
Spend your day exploring the many temples, shrines, gardens and parks in Nara. Be prepared to do lots of walking! There are tons of temples to see, but below are the ones you shouldn’t miss. For lunch, check out the historic district of Naramachi.
- Todaiji Temple
- Yakushi-ji Temple
- Horyu-ji Temple
Days 5-7: Tokyo
In the second half of your 7 day Japan itinerary, you will head northeast to the country’s bustling capital of Tokyo. There is obviously no shortage of things to do in Tokyo! From historical temples to busy streets, you could easily spend a week here.
To get here from Osaka, I recommend taking the Shinkansen bullet train, which will get you there in under 3 hours! Incredible right?! This is covered by your Japan Rail Pass 🙂 You’ll arrive at the bustling Tokyo Station!
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Like I mentioned, Tokyo is a HUGE city, which means there’s a ton of places to stay. If this is your first time visiting Japan, I recommend staying in either the Shibuya or Shinjuku area. These two “wards” are both part of Tokyo’s metropolitan district and have a multitude of restaurants, shops, bars, and more to choose from.
Aside from the area, one of the most important things to consider when choosing a hotel is proximity to the Tokyo Loop Line. This line, formally called the JR Yamanote Line, is the most common train loop in Tokyo and hits all the major areas throughout the city. You will want to stay near a station for convenience! Plus, your Japan Rail Pass will work on this line!
Days 5 & 6: Exploring Tokyo
I recommend at least 2 full days in Tokyo to see and do it all. Here’s a list of the highlights around the city. For convenience, you can spend one day exploring the east side and one day exploring the west side!
- East Side (Traditional)
- Sensō-ji Temple
- Ueno Park
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Tokyo Skytree
- Tsukiji fish market
- West Side (Modern)
- Shibuya Crossing
- Golden Gai (Bars)
- Harajuku
- Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
Day 7: Day Trip to See Mt. Fuji
With 7 full days in Japan, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Tokyo to see the glorious Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain (which is actually a volcano). To get to the area from Tokyo, there are a few different options (including taking a Shinkansen using your JR Pass). If you decide to go via train, expect to have to make at least one connection to get to your final destination for exploring the areas around Mt Fuji.
There’s plenty to do in the area, like wandering around Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Lake Ashinoko. You can even hike Mount Fuji if you’re visiting in the summer. Again, if you don’t feel like planning, there are tons of organized tours from Tokyo that you can book on GetYourGuide.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my Ultimate 7 Day Japan itinerary for first timers! If you’re planning a trip to Japan, I hope this itinerary helped show you all of the incredible places there are to visit. There is so much to see and do in Japan, 7 days really only scratches the surface!
If you have longer than 7 days for your trip to Japan, I recommend staying overnight in Kyoto and again near Mount Fuji. You can even check out a traditional Onsen resort!! Japan is truly one of the most unique countries I’ve ever visited, and I know you will love it too!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
