Wondrous Japan

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (Stay 3 Nights)

Arrival: Narita or Haneda Airport.

Stay: Shinjuku, Asakusa, or Shibuya for easy access.

Evening:

Explore Asakusa: Senso-ji Temple + Nakamise Shopping Street.

Dinner: Local izakaya or ramen near your hotel.

Day 2: Tokyo City Tour

Morning: Visit Meiji Shrine, walk through Yoyogi Park.

Midday: Explore Harajuku (Takeshita Street) + Omotesando.

Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing + Hachiko Statue.

Evening: Optional: teamLab Planets or Tokyo Tower/Skytree.

Day 3: Tokyo Day Trip Options

Option 1: Nikko – UNESCO shrines + nature (2 hrs each way).

Option 2: Hakone – Mt. Fuji views, hot springs, lake cruise.

Option 3: Kamakura – Giant Buddha + coastal vibes.

Return to Tokyo by evening.

Day 4: Tokyo → Kyoto (Stay 2 Nights)

Shinkansen: ~2.5 hrs. Use JR Pass or buy Nozomi ticket.

Stay: Gion, Kawaramachi, or near Kyoto Station.

Afternoon:

Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (thousands of torii gates).

Dinner in Pontocho Alley (riverside dining area).

Day 5: Explore Kyoto

Morning: Arashiyama – Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park, Togetsukyo Bridge.

Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) + Ryoanji Temple.

Evening: Walk through Gion — geisha district with traditional streets.

Day 6: Kyoto → Osaka (Stay 3 Nights)

Train: 30 minutes by local JR or private line.

Stay: Namba, Umeda, or Shinsaibashi.

Afternoon:

Explore Dotonbori Canal, try takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

Visit Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade.

Day 7: Explore Osaka

Morning: Osaka Castle + surrounding park.

Afternoon: Umeda Sky Building or Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

Evening: Food crawl at Kuromon Ichiba Market or try a themed café.

Day 8: Day Trip to Nara or Universal Studios

Option 1: Nara (45 min train):

Todaiji Temple, Deer Park, Kasuga Shrine.

Option 2: Universal Studios Japan:

Full-day fun: Harry Potter, Nintendo World (book early).

Return to Osaka for final night.

Day 9: Departure from Osaka

Airport: Kansai International Airport (KIX).

If time allows: Quick shopping in Shinsaibashi or relax at Spa World.