The bullet train route

Who it is for

For a first trip to Japan that takes in the capital, the temples of Kyoto and the Hiroshima memorial.

Not for anyone who wants to stay in one hotel, since there are four bases in two weeks.

The strategy

The trip heads west by train from Tokyo, never doubling back. Kyoto sits in the middle as a base for Nara, and Hiroshima closes the itinerary with a day trip to Miyajima.

What you will see

• Sensō-ji, Tokyo. Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, founded according to tradition in 628 and rebuilt in concrete in 1958 after the bombing.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto. A shrine from 711 dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and commerce, with about 10,000 torii donated by companies.
• Umeda Sky Building, Osaka. Twin 173-meter towers linked at the top by an open-air observatory, the Floating Garden, designed by Hiroshi Hara and completed in 1993.
• Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima. The shell of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, designed by the Czech architect Jan Letzel and opened in 1915.

Day by day

Tokyo

1. 1
   Day 1: Low city: Asakusa, the river, and Ryōgoku

   1. 1Sensō-ji1h30Essential
   2. Nakamise Street20–40 minIf there is time
   3. Kaminarimon Gate10–20 minIf there is time
   4. 7Tokyo Skytree1h30Worth a visit
   5. Ryōgoku and Kokugikan2hIf there is time
   6. 8Sumida Hokusai Museum1hWorth a visit
   7. Tsukishima1h30Worth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: High city: Meiji Jingū, Shibuya, and Shinjuku

   1. 4Meiji Jingū1h30Essential
   2. 5Omotesandō avenue1h30Essential
   3. 6Shibuya Crossing45 minEssential
   4. Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatories1hWorth a visit
   5. Shinjuku Golden Gai1h30You can skip it
3. 3
   Day 3: Historic center, museums, and Yanaka

   1. 3Tsukiji Outer Market1h30Essential
   2. Ginza shopping streets1h30If there is time
   3. Kabukiza Theatre20–30 min (exterior)If there is time
   4. Imperial Palace East Gardens1h30Worth a visit
   5. 9Tokyo National Museum3hWorth a visit
   6. 2Yanaka2hEssential
4. 4
   Day 4: Kamakura (day trip) · if you have more time

   
5. 5
   Day 5: Hakone (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Kyoto

1. 6
   Day 6: Higashiyama on foot, from sunrise to night

   1. 2Kiyomizu-deraEssential
2. 7
   Day 7: Zen northwest and Arashiyama

   1. 3Ryōan-jiEssential
   2. 5Kinkaku-jiWorth a visit
3. 8
   Day 8: Downtown, power, and the market

   1. 6Nijō CastleWorth a visit
   2. 8Nishiki MarketWorth a visit
   3. 7Sanjūsangen-dōUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 9Kyoto Station and the TowerWorth a visit
4. 9
   Day 9: Nara (day trip) · if you have more time

   1. 9Kyoto Station and the TowerWorth a visit

Osaka

1. 10
   Day 10: Minami: market, canal and theater

   1. 2Kuromon MarketEssential
2. 11
   Day 11: Castle, Nakanoshima and Umeda

   1. 7Nakanoshima: Public Hall and museumsUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 1Umeda Sky BuildingEssential
3. 12
   Day 12: Old south and bay, with a subway journey between areas · if you have more time

   1. 9Shitennō-jiUp to half an hourIf there is time
   2. TsūtenkakuUp to half an hourIf there is time

Hiroshima

1. 13
   Day 13: The park, the museum and the night downtown

   1. 3Peace Memorial MuseumEssential
   2. 8Orizuru TowerWorth a visit
2. 14
   Day 14: Miyajima from morning to evening

   
3. 15
   Day 15: Garden and castle, with a choice of afternoon · if you have more time

   1. 7Shukkei-enWorth a visit