Private companion page

Japan 5-7 Day Live Map Hub

Use this page with the paid Japan 5-7 Day Starter Route Blueprint. The guide explains the route logic; this page helps you open live map links, food areas, attraction pins, transport checks, and backup routes while you are on the move.

Always check current opening hours, train routes, platform details, weather, and ticket availability before you move.

Arrival support

Arrival support: airport transfer, hotel base, first meal

Use Day 1 to land calmly, reach your hotel base, solve airport transfer and IC card details, eat nearby, and avoid overplanning the first night.

ThemeArrival reset StartAirport arrival TransportTrain or airport bus FinishHotel-base dinner

Food tracing

Clear meal-area links for the day

Breakfast

Flight or airport breakfast

Use the airport or flight meal. Do not travel across Tokyo for breakfast after landing.

Search Narita breakfast
Lunch

Airport or station lunch

If arrival is midday, eat before the hotel transfer or near the arrival station.

Search Shinjuku lunch
Dinner

Easy base-area dinner

Choose ramen, teishoku, izakaya, department basement food, or convenience-store backup near the hotel.

Search Shinjuku dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Keep Day 1 gentle

Core 1

Arrival airport

Solve cash, IC card, luggage, and transfer before leaving.

Open Narita
Core 2

Hotel base

Check in or store luggage before adding any sightseeing.

Open Shinjuku
Core 3

First dinner zone

Eat close, reset, and prepare for the first full day.

Open dinner zone
Optional

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Only if you arrive early and still have energy.

Open viewpoint
Optional

Omoide Yokocho photo walk

A short atmosphere stop, not a late night.

Open Omoide Yokocho

Transport and backup

Use live directions before moving

Backup rule

Day 1 rule

Do not chase attractions after a long flight. The win is reaching the hotel, eating close, and setting up tomorrow.

Day 1 live links

Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya

Use this with the Day 1 route map. Start quiet at Meiji Jingu, use Harajuku as the food decision zone, protect energy in Omotesando, and finish in Shibuya.

ThemeQuiet first, busy later Best startMorning TransportIC card + walking FinishShibuya dinner

Food tracing

Breakfast, lunch, dinner are separated

Breakfast

Eat near hotel base first

Use a bakery, station cafe, hotel breakfast, konbini, or simple Japanese breakfast set before Meiji Jingu.

Search breakfast near Shinjuku
Lunch

Harajuku or Omotesando

Look for udon, gyoza, tonkatsu, cafe, bakery, or department-store food options depending on queues.

Search Harajuku lunch
Dinner

Shibuya dinner zone

Use ramen, sushi, izakaya, solo counter seats, or department basement food if the area is crowded.

Search Shibuya dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Core route first, extras only if energy allows

Core 1

Meiji Jingu

Calm morning shrine start. Allow time for the approach walk.

Open pin
Core 2

Harajuku food zone

Use lunch as the decision point before the busier afternoon.

Open lunch area
Core 3

Shibuya Crossing

Best later in the day when the city energy builds.

Open crossing
Optional

Omotesando

Cafe, design walk, or browsing buffer between Harajuku and Shibuya.

Open cafe area
Optional

Shibuya Sky

Only if tickets, weather, and timing work. Do not rely on it without checking.

Open Shibuya Sky

Transport and backup

Main movement links

Day 2 live links

Asakusa, Ueno, food streets, optional Akihabara or Ginza

Use Day 2 as the classic east Tokyo day. Keep the main route simple, then choose one optional add-on depending on energy.

ThemeOld Tokyo + food streets Best startMorning TransportSubway + walking FinishUeno or optional branch

Food tracing

Use food streets without over-snacking early

Breakfast

Eat near hotel before Asakusa

Start fed so you can enjoy Senso-ji without rushing into tourist snacks immediately.

Search base breakfast
Lunch

Asakusa or Ueno

Try tempura, soba, ramen, rice bowls, or street snacks. If Asakusa is crowded, move to Ueno.

Search Asakusa lunch
Dinner

Ueno, Akihabara, or Ginza

Pick dinner based on your optional branch: Ameyoko for casual, Akihabara for easy chains, Ginza for polished dining.

Search Ueno dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

East Tokyo core with one branch

Core 1

Senso-ji and Kaminarimon

The main cultural anchor for the morning.

Open Senso-ji
Core 2

Nakamise-dori

Food and souvenir street. Browse lightly; do not lose the full morning here.

Open Nakamise
Core 3

Ueno Park + Ameyoko

Use Ueno as the afternoon food and walking buffer.

Open Ameyoko
Optional

Akihabara

Best if you want anime, games, electronics, or easy indoor browsing.

Open Akihabara
Optional

Ginza

Choose this instead of Akihabara for a calmer, more polished evening.

Open Ginza

Transport and backup

One branch only

Optional branches

Day 2 rule

Choose one optional branch only. Do not try Akihabara and Ginza unless you have unusually high energy.

Day 3 live links

Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko clear-weather flex day

Use Day 3 as the flexible decision day. If Fuji visibility is good, go to Kawaguchiko. If the weather is poor or you want a lower-risk day, keep it as a Tokyo buffer day.

ThemeFuji flex or Tokyo buffer Best startVery early TransportTrain or highway bus FinishReturn to Tokyo

Food tracing

Keep food practical because Fuji is transport-heavy

Breakfast

Shinjuku before departure

Eat or buy breakfast before the long transfer. Do not wait until Kawaguchiko if you get hungry easily.

Search Shinjuku breakfast
Lunch

Kawaguchiko local lunch

Try houtou noodles, simple cafes, lake-area restaurants, or station-area meals.

Search houtou noodles
Dinner

Back in Tokyo

Plan dinner near Shinjuku after returning; do not depend on a late Kawaguchiko meal.

Search Shinjuku dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Only worth it when visibility is good

Core 1

Kawaguchiko Station

Arrival control point for buses, lake access, and return planning.

Open station
Core 2

Lake Kawaguchi

Main Fuji-view area. Visibility decides the value of the day.

Open lake
Core 3

Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Good optional-feeling core stop if weather and queues cooperate.

Open ropeway
Optional

Oishi Park

Use for lake views and photo time if transport timing works.

Open Oishi Park
Optional

Tokyo buffer backup

If Fuji is hidden, use Tokyo for indoor shopping, cafes, or rest instead.

Open Tokyo backup

Transport and backup

Weather decides the day

Decision rule

Day 3 rule

If the mountain is hidden, do not force the trip. Use the Tokyo buffer and keep your energy for Kyoto and Osaka.

Day 4 live links

Tokyo to Kyoto transfer day

Use this day to move cleanly, not to over-sightsee. The goal is luggage control, Shinkansen timing, Kyoto hotel arrival, and one soft evening area.

ThemeTransfer without chaos Best startAfter breakfast TransportShinkansen FinishKyoto Station or Gion

Food tracing

Eat around the transfer, not against it

Breakfast

Hotel or station breakfast

Keep breakfast near your hotel or departure station so luggage does not become a problem.

Search Tokyo Station breakfast
Lunch

Ekiben or Kyoto Station

Buy an ekiben before boarding or eat after arrival if train timing is tight.

Search Tokyo Station ekiben
Dinner

Kyoto Station or Gion

Choose Kyoto Station for easy recovery, or Gion/Pontocho only if check-in goes smoothly.

Search Kyoto Station dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Transfer-day sights stay light

Core 1

Tokyo Station

Main transfer control point. Confirm Shinkansen gate and timing.

Open Tokyo Station
Core 2

Kyoto Station

Arrival hub for hotel transfer, food, and luggage decisions.

Open Kyoto Station
Core 3

Hotel base

Check in before making the evening bigger.

Open hotel base area
Optional

Kyoto Tower area

Easy, close-to-station orientation if you want a light first Kyoto stop.

Open Kyoto Tower
Optional

Pontocho or Gion walk

Only if luggage, check-in, and energy are under control.

Open Pontocho

Transport and backup

Protect the train day

Booking and backup links

Day 4 rule

Do not turn transfer day into a full sightseeing day. Keep one evening area only after check-in.

Day 5 live links

Kyoto Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Pontocho

Use Day 5 for classic Kyoto. Start early, protect walking energy, use food breaks strategically, and finish softly in Gion or Pontocho.

ThemeClassic Kyoto Best startEarly morning TransportBus/taxi + walking FinishGion or Pontocho

Food tracing

Build breaks into a walking-heavy day

Breakfast

Hotel, cafe, or station base

Eat before heading to Higashiyama. Do not start the steep approach hungry.

Search Kyoto breakfast
Lunch

Higashiyama or Gion

Use soba, udon, tofu, matcha sweets, cafes, or simple set meals near the route.

Search Higashiyama lunch
Dinner

Pontocho, Gion, or Kyoto Station

Pontocho is atmospheric; Kyoto Station is easier if the day becomes tiring.

Search Pontocho dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Kyoto core without overloading

Core 1

Kiyomizu-dera

Main temple anchor. Start early to reduce crowd pressure.

Open Kiyomizu-dera
Core 2

Sannenzaka + Ninenzaka

Classic preserved lanes; best treated as a slow walk, not a shopping race.

Open lanes
Core 3

Gion

Evening atmosphere and soft finish after the walking route.

Open Gion
Optional

Yasaka Shrine

Easy add-on between Gion and Higashiyama if energy is good.

Open Yasaka Shrine
Optional

Nishiki Market

Better as a rain or food backup than a forced extra stop.

Open Nishiki Market

Transport and backup

Walking energy matters

Backup links

Day 5 rule

Kyoto is best when you protect walking energy. Start early and avoid adding Arashiyama to this day.

Day 6 live links

Nara day trip from Kyoto or Osaka

Use Day 6 as a clean day trip. Keep the main Nara loop compact, then return before the day becomes too tiring.

ThemeCompact day trip Best startMorning TransportTrain + walking FinishKyoto/Osaka base

Food tracing

Keep food close to the Nara loop

Breakfast

Eat before the train

Use your hotel base or station breakfast before leaving for Nara.

Search Kyoto breakfast
Lunch

Naramachi or station area

Choose a simple set meal, soba, cafe, or local lunch near Naramachi or Nara Station.

Search Naramachi lunch
Dinner

Back at your base

Return for dinner in Kyoto Station, Gion, Namba, or Umeda depending on where you sleep.

Search return dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Nara core loop plus flexible add-ons

Core 1

Nara Park

Main walking zone and orientation anchor.

Open Nara Park
Core 2

Todai-ji Temple

The strongest cultural anchor for a first Nara visit.

Open Todai-ji
Core 3

Naramachi

Use for lunch, cafes, and slower afternoon recovery.

Open Naramachi
Optional

Kasuga Taisha

Good if you still want another shrine/forest-feel stop.

Open Kasuga Taisha
Optional

Isuien Garden

Calmer add-on if you prefer garden time over more walking.

Open Isuien Garden

Transport and backup

Return before fatigue spikes

Backup links

Day 6 rule

Make Nara a focused loop. Avoid turning it into a late-night Osaka food crawl unless you are sleeping in Osaka.

Core transfer module

Kyoto to Osaka transfer guide

Use this module when you are moving from Kyoto to Osaka for the final food/shopping day, a Namba or Umeda hotel base, or Kansai Airport departure. It does not count as a sightseeing day, but it strongly affects luggage, dinner area, and airport timing.

Best defaultKyoto to Osaka Station Best forUmeda / JR users AlternativeKeihan or Hankyu Final baseOsaka or Namba

Food tracing

Plan meals around luggage and check-in

Breakfast

Kyoto base breakfast

Eat before moving luggage. If staying near Kyoto Station, use the station area before boarding.

Search Kyoto breakfast
Lunch

Osaka arrival lunch

Use Osaka Station, Umeda, or Namba after luggage is stored. Do not drag bags through food streets.

Search Osaka Station lunch
Dinner

Dotonbori or Umeda

Choose Dotonbori for food energy, Umeda for easier station recovery.

Search Dotonbori dinner

Route decision guide

Choose based on your Kyoto hotel base

Default

Kyoto Station to Osaka Station

Best first-time route if staying near Kyoto Station or heading to Umeda.

Open route
Namba

Kyoto Station to Namba

Use this if your Osaka hotel or food plan is around Namba/Dotonbori.

Open route
Shin-Osaka

Kyoto to Shin-Osaka

Useful only if your hotel or onward train is at Shin-Osaka.

Open route
Gion base

Gion-Shijo to Yodoyabashi

Good if you are staying around Gion/Sanjo/Higashiyama and want to avoid backtracking.

Open Keihan route
Kawaramachi

Kyoto-Kawaramachi to Osaka-Umeda

Good if your Kyoto base is Kawaramachi/Karasuma and your Osaka target is Umeda.

Open Hankyu route

Luggage and airport backup

Do this before food streets

Departure routing

Transfer rule

Move luggage first, then eat. If you are flying from Kansai Airport, choose the Osaka base that makes the airport route easiest.

Day 7 live links

Osaka food day, shopping buffer, departure cushion

Use Day 7 for food, flexible shopping, and departure protection. Keep the route easy to shorten if luggage, weather, or flight timing becomes stressful.

ThemeFood + departure buffer Best startFlexible TransportSubway + airport train FinishKIX or hotel base

Food tracing

Osaka food without risking departure

Breakfast

Hotel or Namba/Umeda cafe

Start simple. Use breakfast to confirm luggage and airport timing.

Search Namba breakfast
Lunch

Kuromon, Dotonbori, or Namba

Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, sushi, ramen, or market snacks.

Search Dotonbori lunch
Dinner

Namba or Umeda

If departing late, eat close to your airport route. If staying overnight, use Dotonbori slowly.

Search Umeda dinner

Top 3 + 2 optional

Food-first Osaka with backup routes

Core 1

Dotonbori

Main food and evening atmosphere zone.

Open Dotonbori
Core 2

Shinsaibashi

Shopping buffer that pairs naturally with Dotonbori.

Open Shinsaibashi
Core 3

Kuromon Market

Useful for daytime food browsing, not a required dinner stop.

Open Kuromon
Optional

Umeda Sky Building

Optional viewpoint if you are not airport-rushed.

Open Umeda Sky
Optional

Osaka Castle Park

Better for a non-departure day or early start.

Open Osaka Castle

Transport and backup

Protect airport timing

Backup links

Day 7 rule

Do not risk your flight or train for one more attraction. Build a departure cushion first, then spend the remaining time.

Departure support

Departure support: luggage, last meal, airport transfer

Use this module for the final admin day. It does not count as one of the 5-7 sightseeing days. The goal is to protect your flight, manage luggage, and keep the last meal simple.

ThemeAirport-safe finish Best startBefore checkout TransportAirport train/bus FinishKansai Airport or Tokyo airport

Food tracing

Eat close to your departure route

Breakfast

Hotel or station breakfast

Eat before check-out if your flight is later. If your flight is early, buy food after security.

Search Namba breakfast
Lunch

Station or airport lunch

Do not choose a famous lunch that risks airport timing. Eat near Namba, Osaka Station, or the airport.

Search KIX lunch
Dinner

Only if evening flight

If your flight is late, eat near your airport train route or after airport check-in.

Search KIX dinner

Final-day priorities

These replace attraction chasing

Core 1

Luggage plan

Confirm hotel storage, station lockers, or airport luggage timing before any final walk.

Open locker search
Core 2

Airport route

Check live route, transfer count, and buffer time before leaving the city center.

Open KIX route
Core 3

Last easy meal

Eat close to your airport route, not far across town.

Open Namba lunch
Optional

Last shopping

Only if luggage and airport timing are already solved.

Open Namba shopping
Optional

Airport meal buffer

Use airport food if the city feels too rushed.

Open airport restaurants

Departure transport

Choose the airport route before final shopping

Tokyo airport fallback

Departure rule

Airport timing beats sightseeing. If there is any doubt, go earlier and use airport food or shopping as the buffer.