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Only have five days in Japan? You can still see the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto without rushing. Here’s a tight but comfortable 5-day first-timer itinerary.
At a glance
- Days 1–2: Tokyo
- Day 3: Day trip (Hakone or Nikko) or more Tokyo
- Days 4–5: Kyoto (with a Nara or Osaka half-day)
Days 1–2: Tokyo
Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and a neighborhood or two — see our Tokyo guide. Get a Suica/Pasmo and an eSIM on arrival.
Day 3: A taste of nature
Add an onsen-and-Fuji day in Hakone or shrines and waterfalls in Nikko — or simply go deeper into Tokyo.
Days 4–5: Kyoto (+ Nara/Osaka)
Take the shinkansen to Kyoto for temples, bamboo groves, and geisha districts (Kyoto guide), with an easy half-day to Nara or Osaka.
Tips to make 5 days work
- Base in just two cities to minimize transit; a 7-day pass usually isn’t worth it — see JR Pass.
- Use luggage forwarding between Tokyo and Kyoto to travel light.
- Book hotels early — compare on Booking.com .
- Have more time? See our 7-day and 14-day itineraries.