Here are some sample DIY Japan itineraries for Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto for 4 DAYS, 6 DAYS, 7 DAYS (1 WEEK), 8 DAYS, and 15 DAYS. Each DIY itinerary has its own recommended minimum budget to help you manage your finances well.
This post covers only Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. If you’re looking for sample itineraries for Sapporo and Nagoya, we have separate samples in the posts below:
If you need help on how to start planning a multi-city tour across Japan, this post might help: Japan Travel Guide
Please take note of the following.
- All the itineraries below assume that you are a party of two, that you will be staying at a double room of a budget hotel or hostel (less than $80 per night), and that you will be splitting costs. The only exception is Tokyo Option 3 and the 15-day backpacking itinerary.
- If your hostel or hotel does not serve free breakfast, visit the supermarket on your first day to buy food (biscuits, drinks, bread).
- Set aside ¥1000 for every unspecified lunch or dinner.
- Airfare is not included in the costing.
- Estimated budget indicated is per person. However, note that this has a big allowance. For example, the ¥1000 budget per meal is often too much because you can actually find a good bowl of ramen, even in Tokyo, for only ¥500. But it’s better to overestimate than under.
Tokyo Budget Itinerary: 6 Days
Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Estimated Budget: ¥35,000 (USD315, PHP15,600)
The BUDGET OPTION. This itinerary replaces the pricey Disneyland visit with a day trip in Odaiba and replaces double room with a bed at a capsule hotel.
Tokyo + Disneyland Itinerary: 6 Days
Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Estimated Budget: ¥53,000 (USD475, PHP23,700)
This itinerary removes the visit to Kamakura and Yokohama and adds a visit to Sensoji Temple.
Tokyo + Disneyland + Kamakura and Yokohama Itinerary: 6 Days
Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Estimated Budget: ¥56,000 (USD500, PHP25,000)
This is a pretty jampacked itinerary.
If you need more information about traveling on a budget in Tokyo, check this out: Tokyo Travel Guide
Osaka and Kyoto Itinerary: 4 Days
Duration: 4 Days, 4 Nights
Estimated Budget: ¥38,000 (USD340, PHP17,000)
This itinerary assumes you will be landing at Kansai International Airport at night and will be staying in a double room at a budget hotel or hostel for ¥6000/night (¥3000/head).
If you need more help planning your Osaka-Kyoto trip, this post is for you: Osaka and Kyoto Travel Guide
Osaka – Nara – Kyoto Itinerary: 4 Days
Duration: 4 Days, 4 Nights
Estimated Budget: ¥45,000 (USD400, PHP20,000)
This itinerary assumes you will be landing at Kansai International Airport at night and will be staying in a double room at a budget hotel or hostel for ¥6000/night (¥3000/head). You will be visiting Nara but only on a day tour.
Osaka – Kyoto – Tokyo Itinerary: 8 Days
Duration: 8 Days, 8 nights
Estimated Budget: ¥85,000 (USD760, PHP38,000)
This itinerary assumes you will be entering Japan via Osaka and leaving via Tokyo. You will also be staying in a double room at a budget hotel or hostel for ¥6000/night (¥3000/head) in Osaka/Kyoto and ¥9400/night (¥4700/head) in Tokyo.
Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka Itinerary: 7 Days
Duration: 7 Days, 6 nights
Estimated Budget: ¥85,000 (USD760, PHP38,000)
This is the reverse of the Osaka-Tokyo itinerary above. This one assumes you’re landing in Tokyo and leaving via Osaka. Your hotel budget here is the same: ¥6000/night (¥3000/head) in Osaka/Kyoto and ¥9400/night (¥4700/head) in Tokyo.
Tokyo – Nagoya – Kyoto – Osaka Itinerary: 15 Days
15-Day Budget Backpacking
Duration: 15 Days, 14 nights
Estimated Budget: ¥115,000 (USD1030, PHP51,200)
This one is for budget backpackers. This assumes you’ll be staying at hostel dorm (around ¥2000 per night). Because you will be visiting multiple cities including day tours in Ibaraki and Kawaguchiko, it would be great if you have a JR Pass.
You can check the updated rates or purchase one here: Check JR PASS Rates Here
Do you really need a JR Pass?
It depends on your chosen itinerary. In this post, we weighed in on the JR Pass. You might want to read it first before making a decision: For more info, read: Is the JR Pass Worth It?
Top Budget Hotels in Tokyo
According to TripAdvisor users as of Feb 2017.
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Andon Ryokan Check Rates |
 Hotel Horidome Villa Check Rates |
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Tokyo Kiba Hotel Check Rates |
 Agora Place Asakusa Check Rates |
Search for more: Tokyo Hotels
Top Budget Hotels and Hostels in Osaka (Under $70)
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Goen Lounge & Stay Check Rates
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 ZenLabo Osaka Check Rates
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 Hostel Jin Check Rates
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 Ark Hostel and Cafe Dining Check Rates
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Top Guest Houses in Kyoto (Under $70)
 Guest House Oumi Check Rates
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 Guest House Gajyun Check Rates
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Guesthouse Tu Casa Check Rates
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 MOSAIC HOSTEL KYOTO Check Rates
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Search for more: Kyoto Hotels
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ • 3️⃣ • 2️⃣4️⃣ (updated)
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 5️⃣ • 2️⃣5️⃣ (first up)
More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️
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