Japan 5 Day Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

For five days in Japan, choose one simple line: Tokyo, then Kyoto, then Osaka. Spend two days in Tokyo and take the bullet train to Kyoto on day 3. Explore Kyoto on day 4, then see Osaka and fly home from Kansai Airport on day 5.

This plan is our own short version of a longer route. Japan's national tourism office ⓘ JNTO shows a "Golden Route" through Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but over two weeks ⓘ JNTO.

1Why this 5-day route works

The Golden Route is JNTO's example for first-time visitors. It goes from Tokyo toward Kyoto and ends with a departure from Osaka ⓘ JNTO. That direction is the key to a calm five days.

You move forward each day and never go back. You change hotels only once or twice. That saves time and energy.

The JNTO two-week plan also includes Hakone, Nara and Hiroshima ⓘ JNTO. In five days we skip them. You will see the big names well instead of everything quickly.

Many travelers on YouTube follow this same Tokyo-to-Osaka line in five days.

2Day-by-day plan at a glance

If you only want Tokyo, that also works. Five-day Tokyo plans are some of the most watched videos on this topic.

3Days 1–2: Tokyo (Asakusa and Shibuya)

Day 1: Asakusa. Asakusa is an area built around Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple. Walk in through Kaminarimon, the big gate, then along Nakamise, a shopping street. It leads to the main temple hall (GO TOKYO).

Nakamise has shops selling souvenirs and traditional sweets (GO TOKYO). It is an easy first stop after a long flight. Asakusa Station has the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line and Tobu Skytree Line (GO TOKYO).

If you land at Narita, the Keisei Skyliner is an airport express train. It runs between Keisei Ueno and Narita Airport, and every seat is reserved. The fastest trip between Nippori and Airport Terminal 2 is 36 minutes (Keisei).

Day 2: Shibuya. The famous Scramble Crossing is outside Shibuya Station (GO TOKYO). Shibuya is also good for shopping, movies, music and books (GO TOKYO).

From Shinjuku, Shibuya is 7 minutes on the JR Yamanote Line. From Tokyo Station it is 23 minutes (GO TOKYO). You can walk to Harajuku and Omotesando in about 20 minutes, or Daikanyama in about 15 (GO TOKYO).

A local creator shares a five-day Tokyo plan with areas like these.

4Day 3: Bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto

The shinkansen is Japan's bullet train. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Nozomi took about 2 hours 15 minutes from Tokyo to Kyoto in a JR Central travel story. Times can change with the season and other factors ⓘ JR Central.

Leave Tokyo in the morning if you can. Then you have the afternoon for a first walk in Kyoto.

Big suitcases. If your bag measures more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm (length + width + height), you must book a "seat with oversized baggage area" (smart EX). From July 1, 2025, some luggage spaces on 16-car trains can be used without booking as a trial. smart EX says the end date will be announced separately, and we did not confirm it (smart EX).

5Day 4: Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari)

JNTO's Kansai route puts Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Taisha on the same day ⓘ JNTO. We do the same.

Kiyomizu-dera. This temple is about 30 minutes from Kyoto Station by train and on foot ⓘ JNTO. Enter through the Niomon, the main gate. The main hall was rebuilt in wood in 1633 and has a wooden stage (Kiyomizu-dera).

From the Okunoin hall you can see the stage and the city of Kyoto. The name "Kiyomizu" comes from the clear water of the Otowa Waterfall (Kiyomizu-dera). Normal opening hours and fees were not on the page we checked, so look at the official site.

In 2026, Kiyomizu-dera has a special night visit from November 21 to 30. Last entry is 21:00 and the gates close at 21:30 (Kiyomizu-dera).

Fushimi Inari Taisha. This shrine is known for Senbon Torii, rows of orange gates ⓘ JNTO. You can visit at any time of day ⓘ JNTO. It is just a short walk from Inari Station on the JR Nara Line. Inari is two stops, or 5 minutes, from Kyoto Station (Fushimi Inari Taisha).

You can also walk 5 minutes east from Fushimi-Inari Station on the Keihan Main Line. The shrine asks visitors to use public transport because nearby parking gets crowded (Fushimi Inari Taisha).

Optional: Arashiyama. A JR train from Kyoto to Saga-Arashiyama takes about 11 minutes at the fastest on weekends and holidays ⓘ JR West map. Decide whether to visit it on the same day as Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari by how long you like to stay at each place ⓘ JR West map.

For a slower look at Kyoto, one traveler films five calm days with autumn leaves and cafes.

6Day 5: Osaka and Kansai Airport

JNTO's Osaka route goes from Shin-Osaka to Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori and the Umeda Sky Building ⓘ JNTO. On a departure day, pick the parts that fit your flight time.

Osaka Castle is about 20 minutes by train from Shin-Osaka. From Shinsekai, Dotonbori is about a 30-minute walk ⓘ JNTO. Dotonbori has shops selling takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) ⓘ JNTO.

If your flight is late, JNTO suggests the Floating Garden Observatory at the Umeda Sky Building for night views. Only go if you have enough time.

Getting from Kyoto to Osaka is simple. The JR Kyoto Line, Hankyu Kyoto Line and Keihan Main Line all connect the two cities ⓘ JR West map.

For the airport, take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service from Osaka or Tennoji ⓘ JR West. We did not confirm exact times and fares from central Osaka, so check before you go.

Remi Shimazu's video shows a five-day Kansai trip with Osaka food spots and day trips.

7Tickets and the Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is a pass for JR trains that you use for a set number of days. It comes in 7, 14 and 21 days. There is no 5-day pass ⓘ JR Pass site.

A 7-day ordinary pass costs 50,000 yen for adults and 25,000 yen for children when bought online. From overseas agents it costs 53,000 yen for adults and 27,000 yen for children ⓘ JR Pass site.

To ride the Nozomi or Mizuho with the pass, you need a special extra ticket for pass holders ⓘ JR Pass site. Whether the pass saves money on this route depends on your trains and how you buy. We could not confirm this, so compare it with single tickets.

Kansai Airport Station has a JR West ticket office, reserved-seat ticket machines and regular ticket machines ⓘ JR West.

One budget video shares tips on transport and ATM use over five days in Tokyo.

8Step by step: plan your 5 days

1. Book flights first. Look for a flight into Tokyo and out of Kansai Airport.
2. Book two hotel areas. Two nights in Tokyo, then two nights in Kyoto or Osaka.
3. Measure your luggage. If it is over 160 cm and up to 250 cm in total, book a special seat for the shinkansen (smart EX).
4. Compare the rail pass. Check single tickets against the 7-day pass price ⓘ JR Pass site.
5. Check seasons and events. Look at Kiyomizu-dera's site for blossom, leaf and night-visit dates.
6. Check timetables. Train times can change, so check close to your trip ⓘ JR Central.

9Mistakes first-timers make

• Trying to add Hakone, Nara and Hiroshima -> Keep them for a longer trip. They are in JNTO's two-week plan, not this one.
• Booking a round-trip flight from Tokyo -> Choose an open-jaw ticket, or plan extra time and money to return to Tokyo.
• Bringing a huge suitcase with no booking -> Measure it and book the oversized baggage seat if needed (smart EX).
• Sitting in the back of the Kansai Airport Rapid -> Ride in the front four cars ⓘ JR West.
• Buying a rail pass without checking -> Compare prices first. There is no 5-day pass ⓘ JR Pass site.

10FAQ

Is 5 days enough for Japan? Yes, for a first taste. Focus on Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and skip extra stops.

Should I spend all 5 days in Tokyo instead? That works too, and many popular videos do it. Choose this route if you also want Kyoto temples.

How long is the train from Tokyo to Kyoto? About 2 hours 15 minutes on the Nozomi, according to one JR Central story ⓘ JR Central. Times can change.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for 5 days? It depends on your trains. The shortest pass is 7 days, at 50,000 yen online for adults ⓘ JR Pass site.

When can I visit Fushimi Inari? At any time of day, according to JNTO.

What is the best season? Spring blossoms peak late March to early April, and autumn leaves mid-November to early December. It changes each year (Kiyomizu-dera).

11Related guides

• Tokyo to Kyoto
• Japan Rail Pass: is it worth it?
• Luggage on the shinkansen
• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Kansai Airport to Osaka
• Japan 7-day itinerary

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