Japan

Japan Classic: Tokyo, Hakone & Kyoto

The golden route — neon city, Fuji onsen and old Kyoto

8 days 1987

CultureCity

Day 1

Tokyo east

Old Tokyo and the Skytree.

08:30
Senso-ji & Nakamise
Free; Tokyo's oldest temple, walk the shopping street early.
11:00
Tokyo Skytree
Tembo Deck ¥2,100-3,100; book a timed slot.
18:00
Shibuya & izakaya alley
Small plates ¥400-900; the famous crossing nearby.

Day 2

Shrine, gardens and skyline.

09:00
Meiji Jingu & Harajuku
Free forest shrine; crepes on Takeshita St ¥500-700.
13:00
Shinjuku Gyoen
¥500; three garden styles in one park.
16:00
Free observatory
Free 45th-floor deck; Mt Fuji on clear days.

Day 3

Day in Fuji country.

08:00
Train to Hakone
Romancecar from Shinjuku ~85 min; Hakone Free Pass ~¥6,100 covers the loop.
10:30
Open-Air Museum & Owakudani
¥1,600; sculpture park, then the ropeway to sulphur vents (black eggs ¥500).
15:00
Lake Ashi & onsen
Pirate-ship cruise on the pass; soak in a ryokan or day onsen ~¥1,000-1,500.

Day 4

Bullet train west, then temples.

09:30
Shinkansen Odawara -> Kyoto
~2h15 on the Hikari; ~¥11,000. Grab an ekiben bento for the ride.
14:00
Kiyomizu-dera & lanes
¥500; walk down Sannenzaka's teahouse slopes.
18:00
Gion at dusk
Free; respect the no-photo lanes, you may glimpse a geiko.

Day 5

Bamboo, torii and gold.

07:30
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Free; arrive before 09:00 for empty paths. Tenryu-ji garden ¥500.
11:00
Fushimi Inari
Free; thousands of vermilion torii, full loop ~2h.
15:00
Kinkaku-ji
¥500; gold-leaf temple over a reflecting pond.

Day 6

Deer and giant Buddha en route south.

09:00
Nara Park & deer
45 min by train; free. Bow to the deer for crackers ¥200.
10:30
Todai-ji Great Buddha
¥600; the colossal bronze Buddha in a vast wooden hall.
17:00
Train to Osaka
~40 min from Nara; check into Namba for the nightlife district.

Day 7

Japan's kitchen.

Day 8

Last bites before KIX.