7 Days Tokyo Itinerary

Golden Route

Tokyo(Narita) – Osaka

Explore the highlights of Tokyo to Osaka on a 7-day adventure, with stops at Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato, Narusawa Ice Cave, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. Experience Japan’s culture and nature, including camping sites, RV parking, and iconic spots like Nara Deer Park and Dotonbori.

Day 1

Start at our Narita office. About 25-30 minutes from Narita Airport.

If you’re arriving late at our office and too tired for a drive, there is a nearby auto campsite or others that we recommend.

Arnomien Auto Campground ↗

Narita Yume Farm Auto Campsite ↗

or you can park and stay on these Roadside Stations Michinoeki with free parking area and open 24 hours.

Fumotoppara Campground ↗

PICA Fujisaiko Campground ↗

KOUAN Campground ↗

Narusawa Roadside Station ↗

Fuji Yurari Hot Spring ↗

If you arrive early and would like to start the journey right away, head straight to Mt. Fuji. About 4-5 hours’ drive from Narita office depending on traffic and the road you will take. You can choose to take the local road or the expressway. You will be able to pass through big cities like Tokyo if you choose the local road. There is a lot to see and do around Mt. Fuji area, to make the best of it, we recommend you stay for 2 days at least.

Day 2

There are a lot of things to do and see around Mt. Fuji area. Fujigoko is known as a lake resort area, where hiking, camping, fishing and snow sports are among the popular outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. There are also plenty of hot springs and museums found in the area. The famous Fujigoko consists of 5 lakes which are Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosuko. The most accessible is Lake Kawaguchiko. The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake's northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season around mid-April and the autumn colors around the first half of November.

You may also want to visit Oshino Hakkai, it is a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Fike Lake region, located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako.

After visiting the lakes, you can head to Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba (Traditional Japanese Village). It is also known as the “Healing Village” This village was reconstructed after it was damaged by a typhoon. Now, it consists of Japanese souvenirs shops, some are handmade. If you’re looking for more Japanese souvenir this is the place to go.

Lake Kawaguchiko

Oshino Hakkai ↗

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba ↗

Day 3

After exploring the bodies of water around Mt.Fuji, it’s time to explore the Aokigahara Forest or most commonly known as ‘Suicide Forest’. If you already did some research about Japan before coming or have been watching some documentary stories, you might already be familiar with this forest.

Entering the forest is akin to entering a fantasy world. There are clear paths that lead you through a comfortable hike but the surrounding trees and plant life are covered in moss and all of the roots intertwine with each other to create a fairytale aura with a ghostly twist. Walking further into the forests will entice you with crossroads. Usually, only one of the ongoing paths is left open for hikers and the other is taped off with an off-limits sign.

If you think ‘SUICIDE FOREST’ is not a good option, you may want to skip it and just make your way to 2 of the most famous caves in Japan. Both Narusawa Ice cave and Fugaku Wind cave are an easy trail.

Aokigahara Forest

Narusawa Ice cave ↗

Fugaku Wind cave ↗

After a tiring day, you may choose to stay in our recommended Campgrounds, Hot springs or Roadside stations.

Day 4

On your way to your next destination which is Nara, we have listed some stops where you can take a short break and relax. Kariya Oasis Highway service area is one of the most recommended service areas on your way to Osaka. The service area has a restaurant, shopping mall, a mini carnival and a relaxing Onsen.

If you are a fan of Ninjas, you may want to make a short stop at Iga-ryu Ninjas house. It offers a Ninja show and a Ninjas experience where you can wear Ninjas clothes. They also have souvenirs which you cannot buy anywhere else.

Not so far from the Iga-Ryu Ninja House is the Nara Deer Park. Considered the messengers of the Gods, Nara's over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are available around the park. Deer’s are surprisingly tame but they can aggressive at some point if they know that you’re teasing them with food.

Kariya Highway Oasis ↗

Iga-Ryu Ninja House ↗

Nara Deer Park ↗

There are few attractions that you can visit around Nara area. It includes Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum.

Kuruma Tabi ↗

Yamato Sato ↗

Day 5

Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years. It is famous its cultural heritage, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji. It is also known for its festivals, cuisine, crafts, and geisha district.

Among the places you may not want to miss while in Kyoto are Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Kamo River during the Sakura season.

The Fushimi Inari Taisha is a must visit place for a lot of people. It is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates.

The Kiyomizu-dera temple which literally means ‘Pure Water Temple’ is one of the most beautiful and celebrated temples in Japan. The temple is best known for its wooden stage where people can see the nice view after praying in the temple. Please bear in mind that the temple is a very sacred place where visitors offer prayers to Kannon for more than 1200 years. There are a lot of things that are prohibited inside the temple. Please make sure to follow the rules to show some respect.

Immerse yourself in a tunnel of green with a stroll through Kyoto's bamboo forest. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto's most iconic sights, and a walk through it will be one of your most lasting impressions of this city. The riverbanks of Kamo River are popular walking spots for residents and tourists. There are also many residents and tourists who just casually go to Kamo River for picnics.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Nijo Castle ↗

Kinkaku-ji ↗

Fushimi Inari Taisha ↗

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest ↗

Kamo River

Kiyomizu-dera temple ↗

There are also nearby parking and campgrounds in the area. Here’s some recommendation.

Times Parking ↗

Vantech RV ↗

Camping Car Rental Kyoto ↗

Miami Beach Autocamp ↗

Day 6

For your last full day, head to Osaka. Osaka is Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It is considered as Japan’s street food capital. Some of the dishes you may not want to miss while in Osaka is the Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu, King crab, Wanomiya Kobe beef, Gyoza, Melon pans and many more.

Dotonbori does not only consists of food stalls, there is also a lot of shop where you can go shopping for unique clothes, souvenirs and even luggage’s!

Dotonbori is a very crowded place, parking your vehicle somewhere else is a must.

There are still a lot more to Osaka than just Dotonbori, you can roam around Osaka during the daytime. You can visit Osaka Aquarium and Universal studios if you are a kid at heart. Abeno harukas, Minoo Park, Umeda sky building, Kuromon market and Mozu tombs are just a few places you can in Osaka.

Recommended coin parking with hot spring close to Namba-Osaka:

Dotonbori

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan ↗

Universal Studios Japan↗

Abeno harukas ↗

Minoo Park ↗

Umeda sky building ↗

Kuromon market

Mozu tombs ↗

Recommended coin parking with hot spring close to Namba-Osaka:

Taiheinoyu

Tsutaya Ryokan

Taishi Onsen

Day 7

For the last day, please make your way back to our Narita office. Osaka-Narita is about 7-8 hours drive depending on which road you will take. You will pass through service areas where you may take some rest.