First Time in Japan: Tokyo 3 Days + Kyoto 2 Days Itinerary (Less Travel)
Stay in one hotel per city (Shinjuku for Tokyo, near Kyoto Station for Kyoto), group sights by area so each day uses one part of the city, and take the Shinkansen once (about 2 hours 15 minutes). Day 2 in Tokyo is a good slot for an indoor show such as YOUR SAMURAI NINJA (70 min, near Shinjuku).
Why this plan works: two hotels, one train ride
The biggest time-waster on a first trip to Japan is changing hotels and criss-crossing the city. This plan uses one hotel in Shinjuku and one hotel near Kyoto Station, and only one long train ride (Tokyo → Kyoto by Shinkansen, about 2 hours 15 minutes on the fastest trains).
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Area | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tokyo — Shinjuku & Shibuya | Arrive and check in. Walk around Shinjuku, see Shibuya Crossing in the evening. Early night for jet lag. |
| Day 2 | Tokyo — west side | Morning at Meiji Shrine and Harajuku. 13:00 or 17:00: YOUR SAMURAI NINJA ninja show (about 15 min by taxi from Shinjuku). Dinner back in Shinjuku. |
| Day 3 | Tokyo — east side | Asakusa and Senso-ji in the morning, then Ueno or Tokyo Skytree. One area, no backtracking. |
| Day 4 | Kyoto — south & east | Morning Shinkansen to Kyoto. Drop bags at the hotel, then Fushimi Inari in the afternoon and Gion in the evening. |
| Day 5 | Kyoto — west | Arashiyama bamboo grove early, then Kinkaku-ji. Back to Tokyo or on to Osaka in the evening. |
Where an indoor show fits best
Day 2 is the best day for a show: you are over the worst of the jet lag, you are still staying in Shinjuku, and it gives you a plan that works in any weather. The 13:00 show fits a "morning sightseeing, afternoon show" day; the 17:00 show finishes in time for dinner.
YOUR SAMURAI NINJA
A 70-minute ninja show for kids & families: live ninja performance inside powerful projection mapping, plus LED magic. Create your own ninja on your phone before the show — it trains and fights a dragon on the big screen.
- Length
- 70 minutes
- Show times
- 13:00 / 17:00
- Tickets
- Adult (13+) ¥5,000 (about US$33) / Kids (4–12) ¥3,000 (about US$20) / Age 3 & under free (on lap)
- Access
- About 15 minutes by taxi or 1 train stop from Shinjuku
- Language
- No Japanese needed
Tips to keep moving to a minimum
- Send big suitcases from Tokyo to Kyoto with a luggage delivery service (takkyubin) and travel light on the Shinkansen.
- Use an IC card (Suica or PASMO) for trains and convenience stores in both cities.
- In Kyoto, taxis between sights save a lot of time for families with small children.
- Book popular timed activities before you fly, so your days don't depend on last-minute availability.
FAQ
How many days do I need for Tokyo and Kyoto?
Five days (3 in Tokyo, 2 in Kyoto) is enough for a first visit if you keep one hotel per city and plan each day around one area.
How long is the train from Tokyo to Kyoto?
About 2 hours 15 minutes on the fastest Shinkansen.
Is there something fun for kids in Tokyo that doesn't depend on the weather?
Yes. YOUR SAMURAI NINJA is an indoor 70-minute ninja projection show near Shinjuku, with shows at 13:00 and 17:00.