Japan in 7 Days: 3 Recommended 1-week Itineraries to Japan
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- Tyler. P
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- Anthea. A
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Japan 7-day itinerary options
Check out our handpicked 7-day Japan itinerary ideas below.
Itinerary #1: Discover gourmet Japan
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in the Japanese capital of street food, Osaka | Food tour |
| Day 2 | Explore Osaka’s sites, ending with a food tour of the famed Dotonbori and Shinsekai districts | City exploration |
| Day 3 | Catch the train to Kyoto, join a traditional tea ceremony, and lap up an authentic kaiseki dinner | Food exploration |
| Day 4 | Go on a day-long sightseeing spree around the former ancient capital | City sightseeing |
| Day 5 | Travel by train from Kyoto to Tokyo and take the rest of the day to explore the capital city | City exploration |
| Day 6 | Discover Tokyo’s landmarks and attractions and join a sushi-making class with a master | City sightseeing |
| Day 7 | Leave Tokyo with a new appreciation of Japanese cuisine! |
Foodies, jump on the food bandwagon in one of the world’s culinary hotspots over the next 7 days in Japan! From visiting the country’s street food capital (Osaka) to embracing the art of traditional tea ceremonies in Kyoto, to learning how to roll and make different kinds of sushi like a master in Tokyo! Begin with a flavor burst in Osaka; try the famous jiggly cheesecake by Rikuro, takoyaki, negiyaki, fugu, and more local delights. Kyoto, famous for its tofu, is steeped in traditions, and evenings end in classic kaisekis. Every corner of the Japanese city delights the senses, from its landmarks to the cooking class you’ll join, where you’ll also learn how to make miso! Itadakimasu. See all 7-day tours in Japan.
Itinerary #2: Japan heritage on a bicycle
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Starting in Kyoto, cover 18 kilometers worth of city sightseeing | City sightseeing |
| Day 2 | Wake up in Japan’s once-capital city and head off to the Ogoto Onsen hot spring village | Cycling |
| Day 3 | Follow Lake Biwa, pit-stopping in Omihachiman, and arrive in Koka for the night | Cycling |
| Day 4 | Leave for Nara from Koka, passing tea plantations en route | Cycling |
| Day 5 | Enjoy temple-hopping in the morning, partake in a Japanese tea ceremony, and enjoy an afternoon historic trail ride | Cycling |
| Day 6 | Cycle along the Kizu and Katsuragawa rivers back to Kyoto, visiting Tenryu-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest on the way in | Cycling |
| Day 7 | Bid farewell to your friends in Kyoto |
Pedal away on this itinerary and enjoy the next 7 days in Kyoto. From traditional geisha districts to onsen hot spring towns to villages once home to the revered ninja, you’re about to experience all of the special culture, traditions, heritage, and beauty that make Japan one-of-a-kind! Cycling around each city, town and hamlet, venture through loads of countryside terrains and historic trails, and past rivers, lakes, tea plantations, and rolling hills. A highlight is Koka — appearing straight from a painting. You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness for this adventure, so this may not be for everyone. See all bicycle tours in Japan.
Itinerary #3: Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Land in Tokyo and catch the train to its Shinjuku district with your guide | Exploration |
| Day 2 | Lap up a city sightseeing excursion | City sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Catch the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and explore the city’s famous sites | Exploration |
| Day 4 | Head to Nara and visit the famous Hōryū-ji Temple. Arrive in Osaka and explore the Dotonbori neighborhood | Temple visits |
| Day 5 | Travel to Okayama, and tour Korakuen Garden and Kibitsujinja Shrine | Cultural exploration |
| Day 6 | Make your way to Kurashiki, then Hiroshima | Exploration |
| Day 7 | Goodbyes in Hiroshima |
A wonderful mixture of major Japanese cities and some hidden gems; get ready for seven days packed to the brim with cultural endeavors, museum visits, monumental sites, WWII memorials, and metropolitan vibes. The tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Hiroshima, visiting Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Okayama and Kurashiki in between. The Tokyo Tower, the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara Park, Osaka Castle, Okayama Korakuen, Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), and Miyajima’s floating Great Torii Gate are just a few of the highlights you’ll discover this week!
You can tweak this itinerary to create a personalized trip to Japan.
Planning a 7-day itinerary to Japan?
Using the country’s Shinkansen bullet trains makes traveling for 7 days in Japan as convenient as ever, amping up the destination count between the week’s long adventure. From 7 days in Osaka and time centered around Kyoto or Tokyo, the most magical moments await. Apart from the bullet trains, traveling by bicycle and motorbike trips are also popular, or you can hire a car for the duration. With such rich infrastructures, crafting 7-day Japan itinerary plan by yourself isn't very challenging. However, for less hassle, join one of our pre-packaged 7-day trips to Japan, or alternatively, connect with travel experts for a customized journey in Japan!
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