Last updated: October 26, 2025
She lands in Tokyo with one week and a short list: classic streets, a few temples, big city views, and good food. Fast trains make long distances feel short. With this plan and a few smart tickets, she sees Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka without rushing.
In a nutshell: (the week at a glance)
- Days 1–3: Tokyo. Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE, Shinjuku and Shibuya, plus an evening at teamLab Planets (timed tickets).
- Day 4: Tokyo → Kyoto by Tokaidō Shinkansen (about 2 hours 10 minutes). Walk Higashiyama, visit Kiyomizu-dera, end in Gion.
- Day 5: Kyoto choices. Arashiyama in the morning, Fushimi Inari later; or a half-day in Nara.
- Day 6: Kyoto → Osaka (about 15 minutes by Shinkansen). See Osaka Castle by day and Dōtonbori at night.
- Day 7: Fly from KIX on the HARUKA train, or ride the Shinkansen back to Tokyo for your flight.
- Passes kept simple: Tokyo Subway Ticket, Kyoto Subway & Bus 1-Day, Osaka Amazing Pass.
- Book early: Reserve Shinkansen seats and teamLab time slots.
Day-by-day table
USD shown at ≈ 1 USD = ¥150; check live rates.
| Day | Area | Highlights | Transit time | Booking notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo — Asakusa & Skytree | Sensō-ji, Nakamise, view from TOKYO SKYTREE | Local subway | Consider the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 hours). |
| 2 | Tokyo — Shinjuku & Shibuya | Shinjuku Gyoen, Omoide Yokocho, Shibuya Crossing / Shibuya Sky | Local subway | Reserve viewpoints if you want a specific time. |
| 3 | Tokyo — Your pick + teamLab | Ueno museums or Odaiba; teamLab Planets at night | Local subway | teamLab is timed entry. Book in advance. |
| 4 | Tokyo → Kyoto | Tokaidō Shinkansen; Higashiyama walk (Kiyomizu-dera → Gion) | ~130 min Tokyo→Kyoto | Reserve Shinkansen seats; check temple opening/seasonal evening hours. |
| 5 | Kyoto options | Arashiyama AM (bamboo grove) → Fushimi Inari later / Nara half-day | JR/local 15–45 min | The Kyoto Subway & Bus 1-Day pass helps if you ride several times. |
| 6 | Kyoto → Osaka | Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka (~15 min); Osaka Castle → Dōtonbori | ~15 min | Osaka Amazing Pass can be good value if you visit a few sights. |
| 7 | Depart | HARUKA to KIX (about 50–80 min) or Shinkansen back to Tokyo | 50–140+ min | Leave enough time for the airport. Buy tickets ahead when you can. |
Logistics that keep the week smooth
When to go (Nov 1–30, 2025)
November is cool and comfortable. Sunsets are early, so start your days early. Some temples offer special night hours in late November. Check dates on official sites.
Where to stay
- Tokyo: Asakusa (classic vibe, river walks), Shinjuku (big transport hub, lots of food), Shibuya (lively, easy late-night returns).
- Kyoto: Higashiyama (walkable to many temples), Kyoto Station (easy buses and trains).
- Osaka: Namba/Dōtonbori (food and nightlife), Umeda (rail links and shopping).
How to get around (IC cards and simple passes)
- IC cards: Welcome Suica or ICOCA works for most trains, subways, and many buses. Tap in and out.
- Tokyo: Tokyo Subway Ticket (24h / 48h / 72h) is great if you’ll ride several times in a day or two.
- Kyoto: Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass is useful when temple-hopping across town.
- Osaka: Osaka Amazing Pass gives transport plus entry to many sights in one day.
Time and cost ranges (for planning)
USD shown at ≈ 1 USD = ¥150; check live rates.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto (reserved seat) | ~¥13,000–¥15,000 one-way | About 130 minutes; booking is easy online. |
| Shinkansen Kyoto → Shin-Osaka (reserved) | ~¥3,000–¥4,000 one-way | About 15 minutes. |
| HARUKA KIX ↔ Kyoto/Shin-Osaka | ~¥2,000–¥3,500 one-way (with deals) | About 1h20 to Kyoto, 50 min to Shin-Osaka. |
| Tokyo Subway Ticket | ¥800 / ¥1,200 / ¥1,500 | 24 / 48 / 72-hour versions. |
| Osaka Amazing Pass | Varies by version | Good if you’ll visit 2–3 included sights that day. |
| teamLab Planets (adult) | from ~¥4,000 | Timed tickets only; evening slots are popular. |
Smart booking and timing
- Shinkansen seats: Book seats online as soon as your dates are set, especially for weekends or holidays. Pick the departure station (Tokyo or Shinagawa) closest to your hotel.
- Viewpoints and special nights: Check official hours for TOKYO SKYTREE and any seasonal evening events at Kiyomizu-dera before you plan your nights.
- Airport link: From KIX, HARUKA is the simplest option to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. Trains are frequent and luggage-friendly.
Accessibility notes
- Stations: Major Shinkansen stations have elevators, wide gates, and accessible restrooms. Staff can help if you need more time or directions.
- Attractions: Large sites like TOKYO SKYTREE and Osaka Castle Museum list access details on their official pages, including elevators and last entry times.
- Buses in Kyoto: The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass page shows covered routes. This helps if you prefer flatter walks or fewer stairs.
FAQs
Is a 7-day Japan Rail Pass worth it for this route?
Often, point-to-point tickets are cheaper for one week if you travel Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka just once. Compare your exact rides against the official pass price.
Should I board at Tokyo or Shinagawa?
Both work for the Tokaidō Shinkansen. Pick the station closer to your hotel. Travel time to Kyoto is similar once you’re on the train.
What is the easiest way from KIX to Kyoto or Osaka?
Take the HARUKA Limited Express. It is fast, has space for bags, and goes straight to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
When should I visit Kiyomizu-dera?
Go early for fewer crowds. In late November, special night openings may extend hours on set dates. Check the official calendar.
Does the Osaka Amazing Pass save money?
It can, if you plan a few included sights the same day and will use the subway several times. Check the list to see if it matches your plan.
Key Takeaways
- Keep it simple: 3 days in Tokyo, 2 in Kyoto, 2 in Osaka.
- Book Shinkansen seats and teamLab tickets early.
- Use easy passes: Tokyo Subway Ticket, Kyoto Subway & Bus 1-Day, Osaka Amazing Pass.
- For KIX, HARUKA is the cleanest transfer to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka.
Sources used
- JR Central — Kyoto by Shinkansen: global.jr-central.co.jp
- SmartEX — Shinkansen Online Reservation: smart-ex.jp
- Tokyo Metro — Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 h): tokyometro.jp
- Kyoto City Transportation — Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass: city.kyoto.lg.jp (transport pages)
- JR West — HARUKA times (KIX to Kyoto/Shin-Osaka): westjr.co.jp (global/en)
- Osaka Amazing Pass — price/validity: osaka-amazing-pass.com
- TOKYO SKYTREE — official site and hours/FAQ: tokyo-skytree.jp
- teamLab Planets — ticketing: teamlabplanets.dmm.com
- Kiyomizu-dera — opening times and seasonal evenings: kiyomizudera.or.jp
- Osaka Castle Museum — official info: osakacastle.net / en.osaka-info.jp
