Japan 2025

March 18 - 31

Tokyo skyline
18 Wed

Arrival Day

Tokyo
Arrive 07:00 at Narita/Haneda
  • 🚃
    Transfer to hotel

    Train or airport limo into the city, gentle start

  • ⛩️
    Senso-ji Temple

    Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, iconic and atmospheric

  • 🛍️
    Nakamise Street

    Traditional snacks and souvenir stalls

    Consider moving to last day to avoid carrying stuff

  • 🌊
    Sumida River walk

    Flat, scenic stroll with Skytree views

  • 🍜
    Early dinner & sleep

    Beat jet lag on day one

Hotel: The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon

Check-in: 14:00

Easy arrival, jet lag friendly, great walking, direct access to JR & subway

Traditional Tokyo street
19 Thu

Old Tokyo

Tokyo
  • 🌳
    Ueno Park

    Museums, wide paths, and early cherry blossoms

  • 🏘️
    Yanaka Ginza

    Preserved old-town streets with local shops

  • 🛒
    Ameyoko Market

    Lively street market with food and bargains

  • 🍶
    Izakaya dinner

    Casual Japanese small plates and drinks

Shibuya crossing
20 Fri

Modern Tokyo

Tokyo
Kyoto traditional street
21 Sat

Travel to Kyoto

Kyoto
Check-out: The Gate Hotel Asakusa

Check-out: 11:00

Morning: Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station

Shinkansen (Hikari/Nozomi) ~2h-2h20

Sit on right side for Fuji views

  • 🏮
    Gion stroll

    Traditional streets, teahouses, lantern-lit atmosphere

  • 😴
    Early night

    Prepare for early sightseeing

Check-in: NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO

Check-in: 15:00

Walkable evenings, close to temples, romantic atmosphere

Fushimi Inari torii gates
22 Sun

Kyoto Icons

Kyoto
Kyoto bamboo grove
23 Mon

Kyoto Depth

Kyoto
Japanese tea ceremony
24 Tue

Slow Kyoto

Kyoto
  • 🛒
    Markets & cafés

    Nishiki Market or neighborhood cafés

  • 🍵
    Optional tea ceremony

    Cultural experience in a traditional setting

Nara deer
25 Wed

Nara Day Trip + Tokyo

Nara Tokyo
Check-out: NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO

Check-out: 12:00

Morning: Kyoto → Nara

JR Nara Line Rapid ~45 min

Late afternoon: Nara → Kyoto

JR Nara Line Rapid ~45 min (collect bags)

Evening: Kyoto → Tokyo

Shinkansen (Hikari/Nozomi) ~2h-2h20

This is your longest day, but only one

Check-in: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Check-in: 14:00

Best base for sakura, Hakone trains, dining, and nightlife

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo
26 Thu

Main Sakura Day

Tokyo SAKURA
  • 🌸
    Shinjuku Gyoen

    One of Tokyo's best cherry blossom gardens

  • Rest / café time

    Avoid burnout during peak crowds

  • 🌸
    Chidorigafuchi Moat

    Iconic cherry blossoms along the water

  • 🍽️
    Kagurazaka dinner

    Charming streets with French-Japanese cuisine

Meguro River cherry blossoms
27 Fri

Meguro & Nakameguro

Tokyo
Tokyo Skytree
28 Sat

Ueno & Asakusa

Tokyo
Mount Fuji
29 Sun

Hakone Onsen

Hakone
Check-out: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Check-out: 11:00

Morning: Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto

Odakyu Romancecar ~1h30

Reserve seats recommended (very easy)

  • ♨️
    Onsen & kaiseki

    Hot springs and seasonal multi-course dinner

Check-in: FUKUZUMIRO

Check-in: 15:00

Hakone Lake Ashi
30 Mon

Hakone & Return

Hakone Tokyo
Check-out: FUKUZUMIRO

Check-out: 10:00

  • 🚢
    Lake Ashi cruise

    Calm boat ride with Mt. Fuji views (weather permitting)

    Book in advance

  • ⛩️
    Hakone Shrine

    Lakeside torii gate and forest setting

  • 🚡
    Ropeway

    Volcanic views over Owakudani

Afternoon: Hakone-Yumoto → Shinjuku

Odakyu Romancecar or Rapid Express ~1h30-2h

Romancecar if tired & relaxed

Check-in: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi

Check-in: 15:00

No hotel change stress, easy airport access

Airplane
31 Tue

Departure

Fly Home
Check-out: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi

Check-out: 12:00

  • 🧳
    Easy morning

    Pack, breakfast, last stroll

Fly home 13:00

Tokyo → Narita/Haneda: Narita Express / Airport Limousine / Monorail (45-90 min)

Transport Tips

  • IC Card (Suica/PASMO): All local trains & buses
  • Shinkansen: Buy individual tickets at station
  • Romancecar: Seat reservation recommended