A Dreamy 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto & Countryside

You’ve probably heard that Japan is a country of extremes—the chaotic and modern billboard-adorned streets of Tokyo, and the serenely reverent atmosphere nearly everywhere else, especially in small countryside towns, temples, and shrines.

I’ve been lucky enough to immerse in both sides of Japan on two exceptional trips—first with my local Japanese host family and most recently with my husband, a first time visitor to Japan.

Based on my recent visit, this 10 day Japan itinerary leans toward the quieter, more traditional side of Japan—tea ceremonies and bamboo boat rides in Kyoto, a stay in a Buddhist temple, a few days in a 15-person farming village deep in the Japanese Alps, and off the beaten path explorations of Tokyo’s lesser known neighborhoods.

Of course, we have some of the modern side of Tokyo, too—sipping Asahi from a tower overlooking Asakusa, crossing the chaotic Shibuya Scramble, and wandering through the izakaya-lined alleyways of Shinjuku. But this itinerary is suited best for folks like me who want a trip that makes it feel like you’re stepping back in time, or traveling straight into a Ghibli movie.

How to Spend 10 Days in Japan

Before we dive into the day-by-day details of this Tokyo, Kyoto, and Japanese countryside itinerary, here’s a quick overview of the entire 10 days in Japan:

• 🗼 Days 1-3 are spent in Tokyo* (stay at Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu), exploring the modern and traditional sides of Tokyo, including the must-see spots like the Shibuya Scramble and Sensō-ji Temple, plus plenty of Tokyo hidden gems!
• ⛩️ After a 2-hour Shinkansen ride, days 3-5 are spent in Kyoto (stay at Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo), exploring the bamboo groves and moss-covered temples of Arashiyama, izakayas, tea ceremonies, and sake tastings, a hidden gems hike at the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, and more.
• 🌾 Then a 3-hour train ride takes us our countryside destination, Gifu prefecture for days 6-9 (stay at Zenkoji Temple). Here we’ll stay at a Buddhist temple in charming Takayama, before escaping to a quiet mountain getaway for a few slow days in the Japanese countryside.
• 🌇 Finally, a 4-hour train ride takes us back to Tokyo, so we spend day 10 in Tokyo (stay at Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu) before heading home.

*Day 3 is a ‘flex day’ that could be used for a day trip from Tokyo to see Mt. Fuji, Kamakura and Hakone, a day trip to Nara from Kyoto, a day in Osaka, or anything else you’d like to add on!

TOKYO: Days 1-3

We stayed at the budget-friendly Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood and LOVED IT! Our room had a view of Sensō-ji Temple’s pagoda (that’s the oldest and most important Buddhist temple in Tokyo!) and the property has onsen baths with views, too!

Asakusa itself is delightful, it’s well connected to the rest of Tokyo via subway, full of cute artisanal shops and izakayas, and retains an old-Tokyo feel compared to modern Shinjuku and Shibuya (where many tourists stay). The neighborhood is located along the Sumida River, too, and a short distance from Tokyo Skytree to the east and Ueno Park to the west.

By the way, we’ll spend one more day in Tokyo at the end of the trip (since we’ll fly out of Tokyo), and we’re saving some of my Tokyo favorite for the last day! If you prefer to do all your Tokyo adventures at the beginning of my trip, check out my 3 day Tokyo itinerary.

Day 1: Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya & Shinjuku

Remember how I said this Japan itinerary centers around the quieter, more traditional side of Japan? Well, not today! We’re starting off our Japan explorations right in the heart of the largest city in the world.

We’ll cross the world’s busiest street crossing AND pass through the world’s busiest train station—be ready for crowds and more crowds… In the midst of it all, we’ll experience some tranquility at our first Shinto shrine and maybe do some izakaya bar hopping!

Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu Shrine & Harajuku

📍Start: Harajuku Station | ~35-45 minutes from Asakusa Station (numerous train routes)

Located within Yoyogi Park in Harajuku neighborhood, the stunning Meiji Jingu Shrine symbolizes the convergence of traditional Japanese culture and Western influence.

We started our first day here with on this $35 local-guided tour to set our historic and cultural foundation for our many more shrine visits to come. Meiji Shrine itself was quite different from the other shrines we visited in Japan, with wood-toned torii gates rather than red, and a large display of sake barrels beside French wine barrels, which symbolize traditional Japan meeting the western world.

The park and shrine are just steps from Harajuku Station and Harajuku itself, a quirky shopping area known for its kawaii culture. It’s easy to explore on foot, but has become quite touristy—and less quirky—in the past few years.

We also got in some people watching and coffee at Café Mori no Terrace, which is at the entrance of Yoyogi Park. Then both ordered some spicy ramen at nearby Vegan Bistro Jangara—it was some of the best ramen of our Japan trip!

Cat Street to Shibuya Crossing

From Harajuku, walk toward Cat Street (pinned here), a shopping street that connects Harajuku to Shibuya, it’s about a 20 minute walk. You could also jump on the train for a quick 3 minute ride.

Along the way we stopped at Creative Space Akademeia 21 Harajuku, a small free art gallery. When we visited there was a beautiful display from a Japanese artist that blended traditional Japanese style with street art.

Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky & Shopping

From the end of Cat Street walk toward one of the world’s busiest street crossings, the Shibuya ‘Scramble’ Crossing. It’s unapologetically overwhelming—and a bit awe-inspiring to think about the thousands of individual lives being lived right in this spot.

Before you go—another enticing add-on to your time in Shibuya is Shibuya Sky… which I honestly wish I would have added to my itinerary! Located on the 47th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Building (yes, with a view of the crossing below), Shibuya Sky has one of the best views of the Tokyo skyline. Make a reservation here on Klook.

Izakaya-Lined Alleyways & Godzilla in Shinjuku

A 7-minute train ride from Shibuya takes you to Shinjuku Station, the world’s busiest train station… nearly 4-million people pass through here daily, and there are over 200 individual exits!

But of course, Shinjuku is much more than a train station, it’s one of Tokyo’s liveliest—and grittiest—neighborhoods, with towering billboards, hidden alleyway bars, all under the watch of Godzilla who peers down from the Toho Building.

And Shinjuku is best experienced after dark, when you can wander the lantern-lit alleyways of Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane), lined with hundreds of tiny little izakayas.

Keep in mind that many of these small bars only serve local ‘members’, and most have a cover charge. Waits for food can be excessively long, too… so while these alleyways are picturequse and so worth seeing, I’d probably eat somewhere unless you’re able to skip-the-line with a local-led tour like this!

This bar hopping tour of Shinjuku takes you to several local spots in Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, and Kabukicho. You’ll learn about Golden Gai’s post-war origins, answers to the questions you’re afraid to ask about Kabukicho’s love hotels and hostess bars, and all about the 13 different local dishes you get to try!

(I would have loooooved to join this tour if it was vegan-friendly, but the 5,000+ 5-star reviews give me confidence in recommending it!)

Day 2: Teahouse, Ghibli Clock, Asakusa & Asahi Sky Room

For our second day in Tokyo we’re exploring a bit of Central and East Tokyo at a slower place than yesterday. And if you booked a hotel with a traditional bath (like where we stayed in Asakusa), there’ll be time to enjoy it today!

Matcha at Nakajima Tea House & Hamarikyu Gardens

📍 Start: Shimbashi Station | ~15-20 minutes from Asakusa Station on the Asakusa Line or Ginza Line

Start off your morning sipping matcha in a traditional 1700’s tea house in the middle of a tranquil pond, surrounding by Japanese gardens… hidden in the middle of Tokyo!

Once a resting place from shoguns and nobels, Nakajima Tea House is located inside the peaceful Hamarikyu Gardens and a bit off the tourist trail! The gardens themselves are also worth exploring, and a welcome slow down after all the busy, billboard-adorned streets we wandered yesterday.

The garden opens at 9am, and costs ¥300 (~$2) to enter. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Shimbashi Station, so to optimize your time, I’d aim to arrive at the station around 8:40ish.

10am Show at the Ghibli Clock

If you’re visiting on the weekend, leave the gardens in time to see the Ni-Tele Really Big Clock come to life right before 10am. Designed by Hayao Miyazaki, the founder and director of Studio Ghibli’s most whimsical films (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, etc), this clock puts on a little mechanical show several times a day:

• Saturdays and Sundays: 10am, 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 6pm, and 8pm
• Weekdays: 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 6pm, and 8pm

The short ‘show’ starts a few minutes before the hour, so make sure you get there 5-10 minutes beforehand! And keep in mind that you’ll want to be up on the second story (climb up some stairs!) outside of where the Ghibli Clock is pinned on Google Maps.

Sensō-ji Temple & Asakusa by Rickshaw

Head back to Asakusa from Shimbashi Station in time to explore Asakusa by rickshaw (reserve here). If you’re staying in Asakusa, this will be a great introduction to the neighborhood (your rickshaw driver will point out plenty of restaurants, hidden streets, and lesser known shrines to see later), and if you’re not, it’ll be an efficient way to experience Asakusa with limited time!

Afterward you’ll want to experience Sensō-ji Temple on foot—painted in vibrant red, green, and white, it’s Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, dating back to 645. Approach the temple from the bustling Nakamise Dori street, which is lined with 90 different vendors, many of which have been in operation here for hundreds of years!

There are tons of unique artisan shops around this area, too. I’m not usually much of a shopper but Japan changed that… I can only say no to so many locally-made goodies! In addition to the small artisanal shops, there are also bigger stores a short walk away, like Uniqlo and Don Quijote.

Sumida River & Asahi Sky Room

After grabbing dinner and maybe soaking in your hotel’s bathhouse, cross the Sumida River to Asahi Sky Room where you can sip Asahi beer while overlooking the sparkling city below! We did this at night and spent about an hour at the sky room, but I’m sure it would be lovely in the day, too.

There is no entry fee, just purchase an Asahi beer and seat yourself! We had to wait about 10 minutes after arriving, and wow, the wait was so worth it!

Although the sky room isn’t as high up as the observation room at nearby SkyTree Tower, the view is exceptional—maybe even better, since you get a closer view of what’s below you! Depending on where you sit, you’ll get to gaze down at Sensō-ji Temple, river boats floating along the Sumida River, Asakusa’s vibrant Kaminarimon Dori street, and get a close-up view of nearby Skytree Tower.

Day 3: Flex Day—Mt. Fuji, Nara, Osaka & Beyond

Day three is a flex day! At some point you’ll need to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto (2 hour Shinkansen ride), but with as many as 400 train departures daily, you have options. ☺️ Personally, we took a morning train and got settled in Kyoto early. But if Mt. Fuji, Nara, and/or Osaka are on your Japan bucket-list, today is a lovely day to add those in!

• 🗻 Mt. Fuji, Kamakura & Hakone Option: This quintessential day trip from Tokyo takes you to see beautiful Mt. Fuji at peaceful Lake Kawaguchi, plus a boat ride on a Hakone pirate ship and a stop at the 13.3 meter tall bronze Buddha in Kamakura!
• 🦌 Nara Option: Near Kyoto and Osaka, Nara is home to Japan’s famous bowing deer!! To add Nara in, travel Kyoto in the morning, and book this exceptional Nara & Uji tour for one of your days in Kyoto. It also includes matcha tasting at Uji, Japan’s matcha capital!
• 🏯 Osaka Option: Take a morning Shinkansen from Tokyo all the way to Osaka (just past Kyoto) and store your bags in a luggage locker at Osaka Station (super easy!) Then explore Osaka the day before heading to your Kyoto hotel in the evening. Join this award winning Osaka walking tour for an efficient intro to the city.

KYOTO: Days 3-5

I have a full article about where to stay in Kyoto, but here’s the quick version: I’d highly recommend basing yourself somewhere central as getting around Kyoto isn’t as convenient as getting around Tokyo. My top choice is Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo which is right by the station and has beautiful hot spring baths!

Day 4: Fushimi Inari Hike, Gion & Sunset at Kiyomizu-dera

Ideally, arrive in Kyoto the night (or day) before. After a good night’s rest, we’re exploring the local side of one of Japan’s most iconic attractions—Fushimi Inari Taisha! Plus, wandering through Kyoto’s stunning geisha district, and sunset at a mountainside Buddhist Temple.

Hidden Fushimi Inari Hike

📍 Start: Tofukuji Station | 3 minute train ride (1 stop) from Kyoto Station

There’s no better way to start off your Kyoto adventures than by hiking beneath 10,000 red torii gates that lead up Mt. Inari!

But before you head to the crowded main entrance (this is one of the most visited shrines in Japan), I highly recommend hiking the alternative local trails! I share all about this in my full guide to hiking the local trails of Fushimi Inari. But here’s the quick version:

We LOVED this $70 small group hiking tour. Led by one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had, we trekked up the quiet side of mountain beneath thousands of torii gates (plenty of crowd-free photo ops), learned about several smaller shrines along the way, visited the summit and three shrines up there, and ended at the main entrance of Fushimi Inari Taisha (so we didn’t miss anything!)

We got to visit a few ‘bonus’ sites too, including nearby Tofuku-ji Temple and a bamboo forest! Best of all, we actually walked away with cultural and historical insights, and some great photos! 📷 (our guide was also a pro photographer!!)

Vermillion Café

📍 Pin: Vermillion Café | 3 minute walk from Fushimi Inari Shrine

A short walk from the main entrance to Fushimi Inari Taisha (where you’d end if you do the hidden gems hiking tour), you’ll find Vermillion Café, a tranquil cafe overlooking a tiny pond! It was absolutely beautiful, but unfortunately my camera died, so I don’t have any good photos.

We loved sitting here, sipping delicious lattes and vegan pastries for a little rest before our next adventures for the day!

Gion & Higashiyama

📍 Start: Local Sake & Beer Stand 336 | 15 minute taxi ride from Fushimi Inari Shrine, or 25 minutes via bus and walking

Located within the larger Higashiyama district, Gion is Kyoto’s historic geisha district, home to winding streets lined with traditional wooden homes.

You’ll see plenty of ladies dressed up in kimonos, and may even spot a real geisha if you know what you’re looking for (join this Gion night tour to learn about + spot geishas).

The best thing to do here is simply wander with a few interesting stops pinned on your map, our pinned spots included:

• 🍶 Local Sake & Beer Stand 336 (our FAVORITE): A welcome break from the busy streets to take a variety of local sake (and beer) here. I didn’t think I was a sake person but these delicious herbal brews won me over!
• 📷 Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda): Seeing this stunning 5-story pagoda rise over the streets of Gion is one of the best things to do in Kyoto!
• 👘 Walk along the prettiest streets: Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Hanamikoji, Miyagawasuji, and Shirakawa
• 🛍️ Visit artisan shops: Despite how touristy this area is, most of the shops are still small, locally-owned artisanal shops, like Musahi Knife Shop. We also enjoyed shopping at Donguri Kyowakoku, the official Studio Ghibli shop!
• 🍵 Attend a tea ceremony: Prebook this tea ceremony, which takes places in the most beautiful garden, right in the heart of Gion! We walked by and wished we’d have made a reservation when we saw how serene it is!

Keep in mind, Gion is one of those areas you simply must see, but expect the streets to be quite crowded. Lots of travel bloggers will tell you to show up at sunrise to beat the crowds, but some of us can’t be bothered to get up that early on vacation!

Sunset at Kiyomizu-dera

📍 Start: Nio-mon Gate | 8 minute walk from Local Sake & Beer Stand

Next, walk up the hill toward the Kiyomizu-dera, a 1200-year-old Buddhist temple perched on a cliff overlooking the city of Kyoto. It costs￥500 to enter and is the perfect place to watch the sunset!

That said, there’s plenty more to see here, so I’d arrive around an hour before sunset to give yourself time to explore the temple grounds (the temple closes after sunset).

Day 5: Hozugawa River Adventure, Arashiyama Moss Temples & Pontocho Alley

Day five should feel like stepping back into a foregone era as you journey toward the mossy temples of Arashiyama on a bamboo boat through the mountains. Then, of course, you’ll have time to walk through the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest, plus a quieter bamboo forest, and several one-of-a-kind temples.

Temples & Trails of Arashiyama

📍 Start: Togetsukyō Bridge | Walking distance from boat

As with many of the popular places in Kyoto, the main part of Arashiyama gets quite crowded. But there are so many quieter streets and enchanting temples and shrines just a short distance away.

After seeing the iconic Togetsukyō Bridge over the river, take a taxi up to the top of Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street, then slowly walk back down toward the river, stopping at moss-adorned temples, bamboo forests, and other hidden gems along the way!

If it is open, start at Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, known for its thousands of little statues covered in moss. This temple was the #1 thing I wanted to see in Arashiyama, but our plans got switched around last minute and we ended up visiting on a day when the temple was closed—I was HEARTBROKEN, so please visit for me!! (It is closed on Wednesday and Saturday).

Dinner & Drinks at Pontocho Alley

📍 Start: Pontocho Park | 20 minute bus from Kyoto Station

Spend your last night in Kyoto at an izakaya along (or nearby) the lantern-lit Pontocho Alley. A block from the river and close to the shops of downtown Kyoto, Pontocho Alley absolutely charming and worth walking after dark!

If you’re unfamiliar, an izakaya is a tiny Japanese bar and dining at one is a must-do Japan experience! You can usually order a variety of small plates, which allows you to try a lot of different dishes! We went to the vegan izakaya, Nijiya, and indulged in some delicious yakitori, miso rice balls, dumplings, freshly made tofu, obanzi and local sake!

COUNTRYSIDE: Days 6-9

Now we’re getting off the golden route tourist trail and heading to some adorable Edo-era towns surrounded by rice fields and the lush Japanese Alps!! Start by traveling from Kyoto to Takayama, which takes about 3 hours on a Shinkansen and Limited Express train with a quick transfer in Nagoya.

For the first one or two nights, stay at Zenkoji Temple, a Buddhist temple in the heart of Takayama! Then transition to a secluded mountain stay—I stayed at the peaceful Tanekura Inn in a 15-person mountain village, but Nakaodaira and Yamazato No Iori Soene are some lovely options too, both more luxurious with onsite hot springs!

Day 6: Takayama: Folk Village, Edo Streets & Artisan Foodie Experiences

Takayama is perhaps my favorite place in Japan! We were lucky enough to visit during their UNESCO-recognized Autumn Harvest Festival and fell in love with the city’s well-preserved Edo shops, tranquil walks along the river and vibrant red bridges, and strong artisan community!

Miyagawa Morning Market & Riverside Coffee

📍 Start: Miyagawa River | ~10 minute walk from Takayama Station

If you’re able to arrive in Takayama before noon like we did, drop off your bags (or store them in a luggage locker at the train station), and head straight to the Miyagawa Morning Market on the east side of Takayama’s serene river!

This lovely daily market is the perfect place to grab some street food, and then head to Haiz Coffee for a warm drink beside the river. If you’re hungry for something more substantive, walk a few blocks to Kamon, for what might be the best ramen in Japan! If you can, snag the table overlooking the Kaji Bridge for even more views!

Sake, Miso, Soy suace, and Tofu tastings at Sanmachi Suji

In addition to being simply gorgeous, the historic Sanmachi Suji street, is an artisan foodie haven! There are a handful of decades-old sake breweries, soy sauce makers, and a grandma-run tofu restaurant that are perfect for a self-led tasting tour:

• Onoya Brewery: A soy sauce and miso maker with free tastings of their two rich misos, miso soup, and several soy sauce flavors. We ended up buying some miso and soy sauce to bring home!
• Harada Brewery: Here a ¥500 ticket (~$3) gets you a small souvenir cup and self-served tastings of 12 different local sakes.
• Tofu Cuisine Noguchiya: This place is adorable! They have every type of tofu you could imagine—all creamy, delicious and made in house by the sweetest local grandmothers.

Along Sanmachi Suji you’ll also find plenty of lovely artisan shops for souvenirs—we ended up buying lots of local art here!

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)

Situated on 24 acres upon a hill over Takayama, Hida Folk Village is a model village with over 30 thatched roof homes that were moved here from across the Japanese Alps.

Entry is ¥700 per adult (~$4.50) and there is plenty of parking and room to park bikes. Inside, you’re greeted with a picturesque pond and several of the historic homes in sight. Inside each building you’ll find interesting artifacts—traditional clothing, art, kitchenware, and more. The homes themselves are of course magnificent—look closely and you’ll see that they use no nails!

We rented bikes near Takayama station and rode up the hill—a ride that looks short and easy until you realize how steep the hill is up to the folk village! (I’d rent an e-bike instead!)

By the way, if you have extra time, you can visit Shirakawa-go, Hida’s living folk village with the same charm of Hida no Sato, and local families still living there!

Homestyle Dinner

Takayama locals take pride in their artisan approach to food, so there are plenty of exceptional places to eat dinner! I’d look getting reservations at Heianraku, a lovely 30-year-old restaurant owned by a husband and wife who will make you feel right at home—and wow you incredible homestyle meals.

Day 7: Hida Furukawa & Countryside Stay

Check out of your Takayama stay and take the train over to Hida Furukawa (store your bags in the train station’s luggage lockers) a smaller town where koi swim through the canals! And then head to your serene countryside stay, either Tanekura, Nakaodaira or Yamazato No Iori Soene.

Hida Furukawa’s Koi Canals

📍 Start: Hida Furukawa Station | ~17 minutes from Takayama on the JR Takayama Line

If you’ve read my guide to nearby Hida Furukawa, you’ll know that it’s actually this little town and its cute koi-canals-lined streets that drew me to the area—only later did I learn about Takayama and Tanekura!

If you’re visited between April and November you’ll get to see—and feed—some of the 1,000+ carp that swim through Hida Furukawa’s Seto Canal. There are little deposit boxes along the canal where you can leave ¥100 yen in exchange for a bag of bread to feed the koi.

While you’re here, you can taste some more self-serve local Hida sake at Watanabe Shuzoten, which dates back to 1850! Then, walk through the courtyards of nearby Enkō-ji Temple.

Then I’d also recommend checking out Hida Furukawa Festival Exhibition Hall, where you can see the Shinto floats used in the annual Furukawa Festival, and try your hand at some of the traditional activities!

Transfer to Your Countryside Stay

Now, transfer to your countryside stay for the next few days! If you’re heading to Tanekura like I did, my Tanekura travel guide has detailed info about getting there on the train! Otherwise, follow instructions from your ryokan and enjoy a well-deserved slow evening in the mountains!

📍 Getting There: ~15 minutes from Hida Furukawa to Sakakami Station To reach the deep countryside, take the train further North to Sakakami Station.

• Crucial Tip: Small stations like Sakakami do not accept IC cards (Suica/Pasmo). You must have cash (small change is best!) to pay the conductor at the front of the train as you exit. If you’ve booked the Tanekura Inn, your host (the wonderful Shinji!) will meet you at the station for the 10-minute drive up into the mountains.

A Night at Tanekura Inn Tanekura is a tiny agricultural village with only 15 residents, and staying at the Tanekura Inn is like moving into a piece of history. This 100-year-old house sits on the edge of the village with views of the Japanese Alps that feel like a Studio Ghibli movie come to life.

Days 8 & 9: Countryside Stay

While we were in Tanekura, we signed up for the local foraging tour, village tour, and soba-making class. And we were still left with plenty of time to soak in the gorgeous cedar tub, wander the little village, and read with a view of the surrounding Alps!

After checking out on your last day, travel back to Tokyo! It was a 4-hour journey for us from Tanekura, and I share details on our route in my Tanekura guide.

TOKYO: Day 10

Day 10: Ueno Park, Yanaka & Optional Traditional Boat Tour

We’ve saved some of the best of Tokyo for last! We get to explore the lesser known neighborhood of Yanaka, full of artisan shops, cat statues, shrines, and if you’re lucky like we were, vintage markets! Along the way, wander through Ueno Park, and spend your evening floating through Tokyo Bay on a traditional party boat lit by paper lanterns.

Ueno Park Lotus Ponds, Shrines & More

📍Start: Ueno Station | ~6 minutes from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line

Start your explorations by wandering through at Ueno Park. Our favorite was Shinobazu Pond Bentendo, a small Buddhist temple in the middle of a pond surrounded by thousands of lotus plants!

There are plenty of other things to do in Ueno Park, too, like walking under the torii gates at nearby Gojoten and Hanazono Inari Shrines, visiting the Tokyo National Museum or Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, or sipping tea at the Tohaku Cha-kan traditional tea house.

Ueno to Yanaka: Cafe in an Old Bathhouse & Nezu Shrine

A ten-minute walk through side streets lined with Edo-period homes (depending on where you’re coming from in Ueno Park) will lead you to Miyano-Yu, a charming cafe inside an old neighborhood bathhouse!

With the tatami mat floor seating overtop the old baths, beautiful vintage murals, local ambiance, and delicious matcha lattes, this was one of our favorite stops of the day!

Next, walk six minutes further to Nezu Shrine, a small Shinto shrine with lines of vibrant red torii gates reminiscent of those thousands of gates at Fushimi Inrari in Kyoto!

And if you’re visiting in April or May, you might catch the annual Azalea Festival here when over 3,000 azaleas (and 100 varieties) are in bloom.

Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street

A 10 minute walk further will lead you to Yanaka Ginza, a 1950’s shopping street full of local shops, small eateries, and dozens of cat statues!

One of our favorite finds was Hinomoto Canvas where we bought my husband a handmade canvas sling bag that he used for the rest of the trip. There’s also Midoriya for bamboo handicrafts, Togijin for Japanese knives, and so much more!

Make sure you walk all the way up the Yuyake Dandan (Sunset Stairs) at the end of Yanaka Ginza for an iconic view reminiscent of a scene from the famous anime Your Name (though that scene actually was modeled after the stairs up to Suga Shrine, not Yuyake Dandan!)

Temples, Shrines, Cemetery & Maybe a Flea Market

We happened to be in Yanaka while there was a lovely packed vintage market at nearby Enmei-in Temple. Of course, this doesn’t happen everyday, but you’ll never know what you’l find! Check the dates for the market here!

And of course, there are literally hundreds of shrines and temples around the Yanaka area, so if you have time, I’d get off the beaten path and explore! The 25-acre Yanaka Cemetery is also nearby, home to over 7,000 graves and surrounded by dense foliage.

Another place on our list was SCAI The Bathhouse, an art gallery in an old bathhouse, but it was closed when we were visiting!

🥟 Lunch Options: Head to Kayaba Coffee to eat sitting on the tatami mat floor (not vegan-friendly, sadly), Tofu Room Dy’s for homemade tofu and fresh salads, or Vegan Gyoza to try a set of 11 flavor-packed veggie RAINBOW GYOZA—it was my husband’s favorite meal in Japan!