Japan-Rail
The Golden Route by Rail: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka (7 Days)
The classic first visit to Japan. This route needs surprisingly few transfers: one Shinkansen ride covers the long jump, and everything else is short hops.
1
Arrive in Tokyo
Get an IC card (or add Suica to your phone) at the airport, then head into the city. Base yourself near the Yamanote Line loop — Shinjuku, Tokyo or Ueno make transfers easiest.
2
Tokyo by the Yamanote Line
One loop line covers most first-day sights: Harajuku, Shibuya, Akihabara and Ueno are all on the Yamanote Line. No route planning needed — trains come every few minutes.
3
Tokyo → Hakone
The Odakyu Romancecar runs direct from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto with zero transfers. Note: this private line is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass — a separate Hakone Freepass usually works out best here.
4
Hakone → Kyoto
Backtrack to Odawara and board the Tokaido Shinkansen. Hikari services are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass; reserve a seat on the right side for a chance at Mt. Fuji views (E seats).
5
Kyoto on foot and by local lines
Kyoto's sights spread across bus and rail: the JR Sagano Line reaches Arashiyama, and the Nara Line stops at Fushimi Inari (Inari Station — two stops, no transfer).
6
Day trip to Nara
Kintetsu is faster and drops you closer to the deer park; JR is the choice if you hold a JR Pass. Either way it's a no-transfer ride.
7
Kyoto → Osaka → fly out from KIX
The Haruka runs direct from Kyoto to Kansai International Airport — no transfers with luggage. If you have spare hours, stop at Osaka for a final meal in Namba (Shin-Osaka transfer).
Tip: tap any rail segment to open it in the route search and adapt it to your own stations.