Day 1: Arrival, airport transfer, hotel check-in, and a bit of exploration
From the airport, make your way to the hotel in Tokyo where you’ll be staying. Once you’ve settled in, have a nice shower or take a short nap to shake off the jet-lag. If you still have plenty of time in your hands, try to do some exploration in the area around your hotel. You’ll be likely to find a nice neighborhood bar, eatery or cafe not far from where you are staying!
Day 2: Sushi and shopping in Japan’s capital
Dive straight into the neon-lit heart of Tokyo, Shinjuku, where you’ll find vibrant karaoke bars, skyscraper buildings stacked like Tetris as well as endless rows of sushi joints and ramen eateries. Don’t forget to drop by Tokyu Hands, which feels more like an amusement park than a department store. Here, you’ll get to discover a plethora of amazing and interesting finds, from kabuki masks to bonsai kits and even gadgets like power-banks and charging cables for your phones and cameras.
Afterwards, move your feet to the eccentric pop culture epicenter of Japan – Harajuku. Spot a bunch of cosplay connoisseurs dressed as superheroes, scary warlords and Alice in Wonderland. For certified shopaholics, you may also get your fix in this part of Tokyo by shopping makeup kits, music and clothes. And whenever you feel like you need a dash of sugar, head to the gooey Takeshita Street, and stuff your face with a sweet, cream-filled fruity crepe.
Cap your day on a high note with a visit to the amazingly insane, ear-bashing and eye-popping cabaret show at Robot Restaurant.
Important note: You may also include an early morning visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market, if you feel like you’ll be able to wake up early and still have a ton of energy to visit all the spots mentioned above.
Day 3: Explore the cultural treasures of Tokyo
Think Japan’s capital is all sci-fi and about modern thrills? Guess what? Delve a bit deeper into the city of Tokyo, and you’ll discover another world drenched in tradition, culture and history and rich ancient heritage. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Meiji Jingu shrine, and snap photos of miniature dog stone deities, bicycling senior citizens and kimono-clad ladies.
Later on, meander through the charming backstreets of the oldest neighborhood in Tokyo, Asakusa, to make your trip even more pleasant. Alternatively, you may also wander around the quaint Imperial Palace East Gardens, to soak up the lovely views of its mini waterfalls, swan-filled moats, thick stone ramparts and soaring gates.
When night-time comes, indulge on breathtaking city views, juicy Kobe steak and sake at Park Hyatt Hotel’s New York Grill.
Day 4: Enjoy fabulous Mount Fuji views and hot springs in Hakone
Yearning for a quick break away from Tokyo’s non-stop electric energy? Why not include a day trip to Hakone to your Japan travel itinerary? From Tokyo, there are bullet trains that will take you to Hakone’s rolling forests, serene hills as well as its therapeutic and soothing hot springs, in an hour and 30 minutes. Aside from its springs and relaxing feel, the town also boasts splendid views of the iconic Mount Fuji.
For a truly sweet Instagrammable view of this Japanese icon, go to the glassy and picture-perfect lake known as Ashino-ko. And, if you have plenty of time in Hakone, hit other notable spots like the Hakone Open-air Museum.
Day 5: Travel to Kyoto from Hakone
Book a train ride to the otherworldly city of Kyoto from Hakone. To make the 5-hour ride more enjoyable and less boring, book a seat on the right side, and keep your eyes on the stunning Mount Fuji. Upon your arrival in Kyoto, waste no time, and go to the lantern-lit Hanami-koji Street, to get a chance to spot a living work of art – a Geisha.
Day 6: Hit some of the best sights in Kyoto
Even though you’ll feel like you’re short of time, you’ll still have the opportunity to see two of the best and most inspiring temples in Kyoto – Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Not to mention, a visit here lets you lay your eyes upon Kyoto Tower, the Bamboo Grove Path, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Arashiyama.
Day 7: Travel to Osaka, and leave for Manila
Wake up early, and hop on the Special Rapid Service, to get to Osaka. In less than 30 minutes, the train service will take you to Osaka from Kyoto. Don’t waste any time, upon your arrival, and go straight to the world-famous Osaka Castle.
After seeing the beloved castle, go to Dotonbori, and enjoy a hearty lunch at any of its awesome restaurants. Still have a lot of time to burn? Pay a visit to the towering Umeda Sky Building, and enjoy awe-inspiring panoramas of the city. Afterwards, make your way to Kansai International Airport, to make final preparations for your departure.
Important notes: There are flights to Manila from Osaka at 08:40 PM via Cebu Pacific 827 on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Likewise, Jetstar 81 flies to Manila at 08:30 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If you need to spend a night in Osaka, there are PAL flights from Kansai International Airport to NAIA every day at 09:55 AM.
For more info about the flight schedules and prices, use our flight search tool, available on our website and app!
Sample 7-day Japan travel itinerary:
Day 1:
- 05:10 AM: Depart from Manila
- 10:25 AM: ETA Tokyo
- 11:00 AM: Depart from the airport
- 12:00 PM: ETA hotel/check-in
- 12:30 PM: Lunch
- 01:30 PM: ETA hotel/nap
- 05:30 PM: Explore the area
- 07:00 PM: Dinner
- 08:00 PM: Return to hotel/lights off
Day 2:
- 08: 00 AM: Wander around Shinjuku/sample its food
- 10: 00 AM: Visit Tokyu Hands/ explore the area
- 11:00 AM: Depart for Harajuku
- 12:00 PM: ETA Harajuku/lunch
- 01:00 PM: Explore Harajuku/shopping
- 03:00 PM: Snacks at Takeshita Street
- 03:00 PM: Continue exploring the area
- 05: 00 PM: ETA Robot Restaurant
- 07:00 PM: Dinner at Robot Restaurant:
- 08:00 PM: Enjoy the show at the restaurant
- 10:00 PM: Return to your hotel/lights off
Day 3:
- 07:00 AM: ETA Meiji Jingu shrine/ wander around the area
- 10: 00 AM: Depart from the shrine
- 10:40 AM: ETA Asakusa/exploration
- 12:00 PM: Lunch
- 01:00 PM: Depart for Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 01:20 PM: ETA Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 04:00 PM: Depart from the gardens
- 05:00 PM: ETA New York Grill/have a drink and enjoy the view
- 06:00 PM: Early dinner
- 07:00 PM: Depart for your hotel
- 08:00 PM: ETA hotel/rest early
Day 4:
- 07:00 AM: Depart from Tokyo
- 07:30 AM: ETA Hakone Yumoto Station
- 08:00 AM: Depart for the lake from Hakoneyumotoeki
- 09:00 AM: ETA Lake Ashi
- 09:15 AM: Explore Hakone Shrine and do some sightseeing at Lake Ashi
- 11:15 AM: Depart for Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 12:15 PM: ETA Hakone Open-Air Museum/Lunch
- 01:00 PM: Delve into Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 02:30 PM: Depart from the museum
- 03: 00 PM ETA Sengoku Plateau/explore the area
- 05: 00 PM: Depart for Hakone Yumoto Station
- 05:30 PM: ETA Hakone Yumoto Station/find a nice hot spring
- 06:00 PM: Take a hot spring bath
- 07:30 PM: Eat dinner
- 08:30 PM: Check-in at your hotel
- 09:00 PM: Lights off
Day 5:
- 10:00 AM: Depart from Hakone
- 03:00 PM: ETA Kyoto
- 04:00 PM: Explore Tokyo
- 07:00 PM: Dinner
- 08:00 PM: Check-in at your hotel
- 08:30 PM: Lights off
Day 6:
- 08: 30 AM: ETA Kyoto Tower/photo ops
- 09:30 AM: Depart from the tower
- 10:15 AM: ETA the Temple of the Golden Pavilion
- 11:00 AM: Depart from the temple
- 11:30 AM: Arrival at Arashiyama/lunch
- 12:00 PM: Start sightseeing, hitting Bamboo Grove Path, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Arashiyama
- 02: 00 PM: Depart for Nishiki Market
- 03:00 PM: Arrive at the market/stroll and look for great bargains
- 03:30 PM: Depart from the market
- 04:15 PM: Arrive at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 06:00 PM: Stroll along Sanen-Zaka and Ninen-Zaka
- 07:00 PM: Eat dinner
- 08:00 PM: Go back to hotel/pack your bags
- 08:30 PM: Lights off
Day 7:
- 07:30 AM: Depart from Kyoto
- 08:00 AM: ETA Osaka/depart for Osaka Castle
- 09: 00 AM: ETA Osaka Castle
- 11:00 AM: Depart from the castle
- 11:30 AM: ETA Dotonbori/lunch
- 12:30 PM: Leave for Umeda Sky Building
- 01:00 PM: ETA Umeda Sky Building
- 03:00 PM: Depart from the building
- 04:00 PM: ETA Kansai International Airport/Make last preparations
- 08: 30 PM: Leave for Manila
- 11:40 PM: ETA NAIA
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