October 25 - 31, 2026

Om's Japan Trip

7 days across Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, and Nara with Chandim and Debopam. Budget hostels, JR Pass, and the quest for Even Realities G2 smart glasses.

3 travelersTokyo → Nikko → Kyoto → Nara7 days

01 Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for the trip.

Day 01Oct 25|Asakusa

Arrival in Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa with its large red lantern at dusk
Arrival in Tokyo - Asakusa

Morning: Arrive at Narita/Haneda

Pick up Welcome Suica, activate eSIM, withdraw JPY

Afternoon: Check into capsule hotel or hostel in Asakusa

Drop bags, quick konbini lunch

Evening: Nakamise Street & Senso-ji Temple

Temple grounds lit up at dusk; try melon pan and ningyo-yaki

Day 02Oct 26|Shibuya / Shinjuku

Classic Tokyo

Morning: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Yoyogi Park

Quiet forest shrine, then a park stroll

Afternoon: Shibuya Scramble & Hachiko Statue

Lunch at Shibuya Yokocho; explore Parco and Tower Records

Evening: Shinjuku Golden Gai & Memory Lane

Izakaya crawl through tiny bar alleys

Day 03Oct 27|Rikugien / Akihabara

Gardens, Gadgets & Night Views

Rikugien Garden in autumn with a tea house by the pond
Gardens, Gadgets & Night Views - Rikugien / Akihabara

Morning: Rikugien Garden

Autumn foliage peak; weeping cherry and teahouse by the pond

Afternoon: Akihabara Electric Town

Bic Camera / Yodobashi for Even Realities G2; arcades and anime

Evening: Tokyo Skytree at night

City lights from 350m; konbini dinner on the way

Day 04Oct 28|Nikko

Day Trip: Nikko

Kegon Falls in Nikko with autumn foliage
Day Trip: Nikko - Nikko

07:00: Depart Asakusa on Tobu Limited Express (2 hr)

Use Nikko All Area Pass for savings ~¥4,600

09:30: Toshogu Shrine

Tokugawa Ieyasu's lavish mausoleum; see the See No Evil monkeys

12:00: Lunch: yuba (tofu skin) soba

Try it at a local restaurant near the shrine

13:30: Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls

97m waterfall at its best in autumn colours

17:00: Return train to Asakusa

Rest on the ride back

Day 05Oct 29|Kyoto Station / Gion

Travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen

Thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen - Kyoto Station / Gion

08:00: Shinkansen Nozomi Tokyo -> Kyoto (2h15m, ~¥13,000)

Activate 7-day JR Pass if purchased; ekiben on board

11:00: Check into budget hostel or capsule near Kyoto Station

Drop luggage

13:00: Nishiki Market food crawl

Sample yatsuhashi, matcha sweets, and tamagoyaki

15:00: Kennin-ji Temple & Gion district

Zen rock garden, Hanamikoji Street; spot maiko if lucky

18:00: Pontocho Alley dinner

Lantern-lit alley along the Kamo River

Day 06Oct 30|Fushimi / Nara

Southern Kyoto & Nara

The Great Buddha statue inside Todai-ji in Nara
Southern Kyoto & Nara - Fushimi / Nara

07:00: Fushimi Inari Shrine (early)

Beat crowds; hike through the torii gate tunnel

09:00: Tofuku-ji Temple

Tsutenkyo Bridge over a valley of maples in full colour

11:00: Kintetsu train to Nara (45 min)

Drops you closest to Nara Park

12:00: Nara Park & deer

Buy shika senbei for ¥200; they bow back

13:00: Todai-ji Temple & Great Buddha

World's largest bronze Buddha in the world's largest wooden hall

14:30: Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Hundreds of bronze lanterns lining the approach

17:00: Return to Kyoto

Free evening to explore Kyoto Station observatory

Day 07Oct 31|Arashiyama / Depart

Arashiyama & Departure

Sunlight filtering through towering bamboo stalks in Arashiyama
Arashiyama & Departure - Arashiyama / Depart

07:00: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (before 8am)

Empty paths for the best photos

08:30: Tenryu-ji Temple & garden

UNESCO site with a pond garden facing the hills

10:00: Okochi Sanso Villa

Matcha set included; stunning mountain views

12:00: Lunch: yudofu (hot tofu)

Arashiyama's signature dish

14:00: Monkey Park Iwatayama

Kyoto panorama from the top; friendly macaques

16:00: Head to Kansai Airport (or Tokyo if flying out of Narita)

Haruka Express ~¥2,850 to KIX

Evening: Depart from Japan

02 Where to Stay in Tokyo

Recommended neighborhoods for the Tokyo leg of your trip.

Shinjuku

Vibrant nightlife and the best transport hub in Tokyo

Home to JR Shinjuku Station (busiest in the world), easy access to Shibuya, Harajuku, and the Shinkansen at nearby Tokyo Station. Unbeatable for nightlife, dining, and golden-hour izakaya crawls.

Budget options

Capsule Hotel & Sauna Century Shibuya
Capsule~₹3,000/night
Citadines Central Shinjuku
Aparthotel (shared)~₹6,000/night
Khaosan Tokyo Origami
Hostel dorm~₹2,500/night

Shibuya

Trendy shops, youthful energy, and iconic crossings

The epicentre of youth culture. Walk to Shibuya Scramble, Meiji Jingu, and Harajuku. Loads of affordable cafes, late-night restaurants, and excellent metro connections.

Budget options

Shibuya Granbell Hotel
Budget twin room~₹5,000/night
Unplan Shinjuku
Hostel capsule~₹3,500/night
The Millennials Shibuya
Smart capsule~₹4,000/night

Asakusa

Historic charm and temple-side calm

Old-Tokyo atmosphere with Senso-ji at your doorstep. Quieter, cheaper, and packed with traditional eateries. Direct Tobu train to Nikko saves time on Day 4. Great for budget travellers who prefer culture over crowds.

Budget options

Khaosan Tokyo Ninja
Hostel dorm~₹2,500/night
Asakusa Capsule Hotel Hachise
Capsule (males only)~₹3,000/night
The Gate Hotel Asakusa
Budget double (splurge pick)~₹8,000/night

03 Flight Options

Round-trip from India to Tokyo. Prices per person.

Budget pick

Vietjet Air

₹80,000

Total: ₹2,40,000

  • 1 stop (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Carry-on + checked baggage
  • Best value on this route
Premium

Singapore Airlines

₹80,000

Total: ₹2,40,000

  • 1 stop (Changi Airport)
  • 30kg checked + meals + entertainment
  • Changi stop is a bonus

04 Accommodation & Transport

Budget stays and rail passes for the 7-day trip.

Hostels & capsule hotels (7 nights)
Nights7 (Oct 25 - Oct 31)
StyleHostels, capsule hotels, budget ryokan
Avg per person per night~¥3,000 - 5,000
Total (3 pax)₹51,000 (~¥85,000)

Rail Passes

7-day JR Pass: ¥50,000 (~₹30,500/pp)
Unlimited Shinkansen + JR trains for the whole trip
Nikko All Area Pass: ¥4,600 (~₹2,800/pp)
Round-trip Tobu train + Nikko buses
Welcome Suica: ¥2,000 (~₹1,200)
Local metro, buses, konbini payments

05 Cost Breakdown

Estimated trip costs in INR.

CategoryPer PersonTotal (3 pax)
Flights (round trip)₹80,000₹2,40,000
Accommodation (7 nights, hostel/capsule)₹17,000₹51,000
7-day JR Pass₹30,500₹91,500
Nikko All Area Pass₹2,800₹8,400
Daily meals (¥4,000/day x 7)₹17,000₹51,000
Local transport & IC top-ups₹10,000₹30,000
Entry fees & activities₹15,000₹45,000
Misc (SIM, snacks, souvenirs)₹8,000₹24,000
Smart glasses (optional)₹64,700₹1,94,100
Total (without glasses)₹1,80,300₹5,40,900
Total (with smart glasses)₹2,45,000₹7,35,000

JR Pass covers the Tokyo-Kyoto Shinkansen and all JR local trains. Daily meals ~¥4,000 for budget eating. Smart glasses are optional and listed separately.

06 Smart Glasses Shopping

Buy Even Realities G2 smart glasses on Day 3 in Akihabara.

Even Realities G2 Smart Glasses

₹64,700 · ~109,700 JPY with tax waiver

Bic Camera Akihabara

3-2-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021

Wearables section on 3rd floor

Yodobashi Akihabara

1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0028

Bilingual staff; wider selection

Buying Tips

  • Bring your passport for 10% tax-free waiver instantly
  • No appointment needed - walk in and ask at the wearable tech counter
  • Both stores accept Visa / Mastercard / Amex
  • G2 units in Akihabara usually have English UI; confirm at counter
  • Ask about international vs domestic warranty before buying
  • Budget ~¥5,000 extra for a case or screen film
  • Visit on a weekday afternoon for a quieter experience
  • Check if the store offers a loyalty point card for future discounts