Curated by EZYaan · 7 days · 20 places
7-Day Japan Itinerary for Vegetarians & Slow Travellers: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Osaka
Japan rewards travellers who slow down — and with a little planning it is surprisingly kind to vegetarians and Jains. This 7-day route takes you from Tokyo's temples and neon to a clear-day view of Mount Fuji, then by bullet train to Kyoto's shrines and bamboo, Nara's bowing deer and Osaka's food streets. You get a realistic walking pace, Buddhist shojin-ryori and Indian vegetarian restaurants, e-Visa steps for Indians and the rail and money tricks locals use.
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- Trip length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Best time to go
- Mar – May, Oct – Nov
- Budget per person
- ₹1.3L – 2L
- Visa for Indians
- Visa required — e-Visa available for Indian passport holders
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka itinerary: day by day
Day 1: Asakusa
Moderate paceTemple streets and the Skytree are easy, but arrival day is long.
Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street
Tokyo’s oldest temple, entered through the giant red lantern of Kaminarimon.
Tokyo Skytree
The world’s tallest tower, with decks over the endless city.
Heads up: Buy timed tickets online to skip queues
Day 2: Harajuku
Active paceShrine paths, Shibuya and teamLab add up to 15,000+ steps; teamLab is barefoot in water.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Serene Shinto shrine in a forest right in central Tokyo.
Takeshita Street, Harajuku
Colourful, crowded street at the heart of Tokyo’s youth fashion.
Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky
The famous scramble crossing and an open-air rooftop above it.
Heads up: Shibuya Sky sunset slots sell out — book ahead
teamLab Planets
Immersive digital-art museum where you wade barefoot through the artworks.
Heads up: Timed tickets — book online; wear clothes you can roll up to the knee
Day 3: Fujiyoshida
Active pace398 steps to Chureito Pagoda; a gentler hill path exists, or view Fuji from below.
Chureito Pagoda
The classic postcard view: a red pagoda with Mount Fuji behind it.
Heads up: Fuji is often hidden by cloud — clear mornings in winter and spring are best
Lake Kawaguchiko
Lake at the foot of Fuji with reflections, a ropeway and cafés.
Oshino Hakkai
Eight crystal-clear spring ponds in a traditional village.
Day 4: Fushimi
Active paceFushimi Inari's gates climb a mountain — turn back at the first viewpoint (about 30 minutes) if tired.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Mountain shrine famous for its tunnels of thousands of vermilion gates.
Gion & Hanamikoji Street
Kyoto’s historic geisha district of wooden teahouses and lanterns.
Heads up: Do not photograph geiko/maiko without permission; some private lanes are closed to tourists
Day 5: Kita
Moderate paceFlat garden and bamboo walks with taxis between areas.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen temple covered in gold leaf, reflected in a still pond.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A path through towering stalks of swaying bamboo.
Tenryu-ji Temple
Zen temple with one of Japan’s finest landscape gardens.
Togetsukyo Bridge & Hozugawa riverside
The scenic bridge and river that define Arashiyama.
Day 6: Nara
Moderate paceNara Park is flat; Kiyomizu-dera's approach streets are uphill.
Todai-ji Temple
Massive wooden hall housing a 15-metre bronze Buddha.
Nara Park
Parkland where friendly, bowing deer roam freely.
Kiyomizu-dera
Hillside temple with a famous wooden stage overlooking Kyoto.
Day 7: Chuo
Moderate paceCastle grounds and Dotonbori, then the airport train.
Osaka Castle
Grand reconstructed castle surrounded by moats and gardens.
Dotonbori
Osaka’s neon-lit food street along a canal — Japan’s kitchen.
Where to stay in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
Days 1 – 4
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Our pick: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Days 4 – 7
Kyoto Station
Our pick: Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Vegetarian & Jain food in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
Japanese broths often contain fish stock (dashi), so choose dedicated vegetarian places. Tokyo and Kyoto have Indian vegetarian restaurants that understand Jain food.
NatarajJain food
Harajuku Omotesando, Tokyo
Japan's first vegetarian Indian restaurant; Jain, vegan and halal meals available.
ShamaJain food
Higashiyama, Kyoto (near Kiyomizu-Gojo)
Indian vegetarian food made without onion, garlic or leek; every dish can be made Jain.
Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji
Arashiyama, Kyoto
Traditional shojin-ryori Buddhist vegetarian meal inside a UNESCO temple.
T's Tantan
Inside Tokyo and Ueno stations
Fully vegan ramen and dumplings — handy between train rides.
Mother IndiaJain food
Nakagyo, Kyoto
Indian restaurant that prepares Jain meals on request.
How to ask: Carry a card in Japanese saying "I do not eat meat, fish, eggs or dashi (fish stock)". Say "Jain" at Indian restaurants.
Visa, flights & money: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka from India
- Visa for Indians
- Apply for the Japan eVISA (for residents of India) or through VFS/approved centres with your itinerary, bookings and bank statements. Fill in Visit Japan Web before departure for a single QR code at immigration and customs.
- Flights from India
- Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda, about 8 hours) on Air India, JAL and ANA. Fly home from Osaka Kansai with one stop, or return to Tokyo by bullet train.
- Money & payments
- Currency is the yen (JPY; ₹1 is about ¥1.7). Japan still uses a lot of cash — 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept Indian cards. Load an IC card (Suica, PASMO or ICOCA) for trains, buses and convenience stores.
- SIM & apps
- Buy a Japan eSIM before you fly or rent pocket Wi-Fi at the airport. Google Maps transit directions work brilliantly.
- Plugs & power
- Types A/B (flat two-pin), 100V. Indian plugs need an adapter; most phone and laptop chargers handle 100V, but check hair dryers and straighteners.
- Time difference
- Japan is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of India.
Visa and entry rules change. Always confirm with the official embassy or government website before booking.
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka insider tips: money savers, local secrets & what to avoid
Save money
Skip the JR Pass for this route
Since the 2023 price increase, a one-way Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen ticket plus IC-card local trains is usually cheaper than a 7-day JR Pass.
Save money
Convenience-store meals
7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart sell onigiri, fruit and salads; look for plum (ume) or kelp (kombu) onigiri for vegetarian options.
Save money
Tax-free shopping over ¥5,000
Show your passport at shops marked "Tax Free" for purchases above ¥5,000 at one store on the same day and skip the 10% consumption tax.
Local secret
Use luggage forwarding (takkyubin)
Send big suitcases from your Tokyo hotel to your Kyoto hotel for about ¥2,000–3,000 each and travel the bullet train light.
Local secret
No tipping, ever
Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion. Great service is simply standard.
Best timing
Fushimi Inari at sunrise
The shrine is open 24 hours. Arrive before 8 AM for photos of the torii gates without crowds.
Best timing
Mount Fuji is clearest in the morning
Fuji is often hidden by afternoon cloud. Take an early bus from Shinjuku and see Chureito Pagoda first.
Avoid this
Talking on phones in trains
Phone calls on trains are considered rude; set phones to silent ("manner mode") and keep voices low.
Avoid this
Photographing geiko in Gion
Gion has banned tourists from private lanes and fines intrusive photography. Watch from the main streets.
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka trip FAQs for Indian travellers
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Indians living in India can apply for a single-entry tourist e-Visa through the Japan eVISA system, or apply through the visa application centres. Register on Visit Japan Web before flying to speed up immigration and customs.
How much does a 7-day Japan trip cost from India?
Plan about ₹1.3–2 lakh per person excluding flights, including hotels, the Tokyo–Kyoto bullet train, a Fuji day trip and entry fees. Flights from Delhi or Mumbai to Tokyo usually cost ₹45,000–80,000 return.
Is Japan good for vegetarians and Jains?
Yes, with planning. Try shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) at Tenryu-ji in Kyoto, vegan ramen at T's Tantan, and Indian vegetarian restaurants like Nataraj in Tokyo and Shama in Kyoto, which cooks without onion and garlic.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for 7 days?
Since the 2023 price rise, often not for this route. Separate tickets for the Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen plus IC cards for local trains are usually cheaper — compare before you buy.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Late March to early April for cherry blossoms and late October to November for autumn colours. Both are busy, so book hotels early. Summer is hot and humid; winter is clear and quiet.
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