The direct answer: for a first trip, Tokyo (4 nights) → Hakone (1 night) → Kyoto (3 nights) → Osaka (2 nights) covers Japan's three biggest cities plus one classic onsen escape, without feeling rushed. It's the same “golden route” most first-time visitors take, connected entirely by train — no rental car needed, and no single travel day longer than about three hours.
Rough Daily Budget (per person)
Accommodation
Business hotel to mid-range ryokan for two people; see our ryokan vs. hotel guide
¥8,000–18,000 / night
Food
Convenience store breakfast, ramen or teishoku lunch, one sit-down dinner
¥3,000–6,000 / day
Local transport
IC card taps for subway, JR, and buses within cities
¥1,000–1,500 / day
Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto–Osaka trains
Cheaper bought as-you-go than a 7-day JR Pass for this specific route
≈ ¥25,000–30,000 total
For a full breakdown by travel style — budget, mid-range, luxury — see the Japan travel budget guide.
Before You Go
Book the Hakone ryokan and any teamLab or workshop slots first — these sell out weeks ahead, everything else can wait.
Get a data eSIM before you land — no need to hunt for a SIM counter at the airport. →
Decide ryokan vs. hotel for the Kyoto nights before you book — the etiquette and cost trade-offs are different from a hotel stay. →
Pack for onsen etiquette in Hakone: no swimsuits, tattoos may need covering or a private-bath booking.