A week is not a lot of time to visit Japan and see the many highlights of this dazzling country, but with a 7 days Japan tour package, you can make most of your short stay in the country. And it is enough time to be able to discover the unique culture, the quiet, peaceful temples, and amazing cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Choose a Great Time for a 7 Days Japan Tour
Japan is a four-season country that has an almost year-round tourist industry, which means you can visit any time of year, though September is best avoided. The best time to visit Japan is from March to May (spring) and mid-September to November (autumn), when the weather is at its best and you have the choice of the cherry (sakura) blossoms or the colorful leaves of fall.
Japan burst with color in autumn
How to Get to Japan to Start your 7 Days Japan Tour?
Tokyo and Osaka are the major gateway cities for overseas tourists to start a Japan tour. International Flights to Japan’s major airports of Tokyo and Osaka operate from all over the world, with direct flights running from all the major departure locations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, several countries in mainland Europe, including France and Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and more.
Our Most Recommended 7 Days Japan Tour Itinerary
7 Days in Japan, you can take a classic trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, during which you can get a glimpse of Japan from the major three cities on the main island of Japan.
Detailed 7 Days Japan Tour Itinerary
Day 1, you arrive in Tokyo and enjoy some free time on your own.
Day 2, you can spend explore Tokyo from ancient shrines to global fashion districts. Never miss the chance to reach up to the Tokyo tower to enjoy a majestic night view of this city.
Day 3, you are recommended to take a one-day side trip to nearby attractions, like Enoshima and Kamakura, where you can see Mt. Fuji, the symbol of Japan, and enjoy some of the most beautiful sights along the coast by the Enoden Train Line.
Day 4, you can transfer to Kyoto from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train). The ancient capital shows a different side of Japan. Upon arrival, you can visit the Nishiki Market, where you can find many of Kyoto’s regional specialties and taste local dishes.
Day 5, you can visit the Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion) and the Kiyomizu-dera, which is the most beautiful temple complex in Kyoto. After the day’s tour, you can stroll along the busy streets of the Higashiyama district and enjoy the local nightlife in Gion.
Day 6, you will depart to Osaka via Nara, where you can see the lovely deers walking freely in the city and visit the Todaiji Temple. Once upon arrive in Osaka, you can visit Osaka Castle to learn more about the city, and enjoy delicious Kansai food in the Dotonbori district, the landmark gourmet destination in Osaka.
Day 7, you can easily explore the city until you leave Osaka from Kansei International Airport on the last day.
Top Things to Do in Japan in these 7 Days
How to spend 7 days in Japan? What to do in 7 days in Japan? Here are the top things that you will not miss during your tour in Japan.
Explore Japan’s Modern Capital, Tokyo
Japan’s capital city is a modern metropolis of culture, and you can spend weeks exploring this amazing city. From the karaoke bars and pinball parlors to the numerous restaurants, nightclubs, and izakaya bars, this city has a lot to offer, both day and night.
Taste Real Japanese Cuisine
Japan is famous for sushi, but in fact, Japanese cuisine is more than sushi. When you visit Japan, you can go to the local restaurants to taste authentic Japanese food, like Ramen, Tempura, Unagi, etc.
There are usually a lot of food to offer during your Japan tour.
Travel on the Bullet Trains
One of Japan’s most spectacular experiences, the original bullet trains in Japan take you from city to city at tremendous speeds of around 320 km/hr.
Visit Mount Fuji
An active volcano as well as a sacred mountain in the Shinto religion, taking a trip to view the outstandingly beautiful Mount Fuji is one of the most exhilarating experiences ever, and gives breathtaking views.
Visit Japanese Temples and Castles
Japan has a wealth of ancient temples, including the Tenryuji and Kiyomizu-dera Temples in Kyoto; the Todaiji Temple in Osaka; the Sensō-ji, the oldest in Tokyo; or even the famous Osaka Castle, built in 1583.
Go to the Onsen (Hot Spring)
Whatever time of year, you will find locals taking a bath in these natural hot springs, for the healing minerals and relaxing ambience.
Try the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Tea is important in Japan and is as much a part of the culture as sumo, geishas, samurai, and ramen. There is a whole ceremony dedicated to drinking tea, and you can learn the ritual, art, and tradition of the famous Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Top Japan Tourist Destinations
For a 7-day tour in Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the most recommended destinations that you will not miss. If you have a longer vacation in Japan, you can also go to some other top tourist destinations.
Tokyo - The Amazing Metropolis Capital of Japan
The capital, Tokyo, is by far the most popular destination for tourists, featuring the city centers of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, and Ginza and the Tokyo Tower, Kaminarimon at Asakusa, and Disneyland.
Kyoto - the Ancient Heart of Japan
Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is one of the most popular destinations in Japan, and a must-see for any visitor. Streets are lined with ancient temples, the city is renowned for the Gion entertainment district, and the area around is famed for its high-quality matcha green tea.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is the headquarters of the more than 30,000 inari shrines across Japan.
Osaka - the Foodie’s Paradise in Japan
The commercial center of Japan, Osaka is famous for its unique culture and foods, such as the Osaka Castle Park and the delicious Takoyaki (octopus balls). Here you can taste the Kansai cuisine that is different from the Kanto region and feel the warmth of the Kansai people.
Nara - Japan's First Permanent Capital
Once the hub of Japanese culture, Nara is a city that is filled with ancient historic buildings, not to mention a wealth of ancient Japanese art. It is also the location of the Kofuku-ji Temple, the most well-known of the “Seven Great Temples of Nara”.
More Destinations for Further Exploration in Japan
Once the site of an atomic bomb blast that ended a war, Hiroshima is a popular tourist destination in Japan, and includes the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Kōen), which lies at the epicenter of the atomic blast.
Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan, and the best place to visit for cool summers and snowy winter. Its regional capital, Sapporo, is famous for the annual Snow Festival.
How to Get around Japan & How to Tour Japan?
The best way to get around Japan is through their extensive public transport system. It is convenient and the extensive public transport system covers the entire country.
Rail travel is the most efficient way to travel in Japan, and trains are fast, efficient, and almost always on time, getting you where you want to go within the expected time. Buses are good across most cities as well, and often go where trains cannot. Long-distance buses are the cheaper option for travel, but local buses get you around the area quickly and accurately.
Booking your tour with a tour company always the best way to discover the incredible country.
The best ways to tour Japan are either by self-travel or by booking an inclusive tour with a tour company. The best option for self-touring is to use the transport system, where you can travel where and when you want. But make an itinerary for yourself, to ensure you don’t miss trains or buses, which are always on time.
Another option is to take a Japan tour with a tour company, which will provide all transportation for the duration of your trip, including airport transfers and outings to various locations as part of the tour. And when it comes to city-hopping, someone else is doing the driving while you sit back and enjoy the phenomenal views of the Japanese countryside.
Conclusion
All in all, a seven-day tour of Japan is best done with a tour operator, who can take the troubles out of travel, leaving you free to enjoy the trip even more. And with a wealth of things to do in that week, you may find one week is not enough and wish for longer. As the first trip to this amazing country, seven days is the best option, and will leave you yearning to return.