Shabbat and holiday days
A day like this works without a wallet and without a train.
The main stops are free and within walking distance.
Each day says exactly which stop to skip and what to do instead.
These days work for a holiday too, for the same reason.
The one condition: sleep in the area.
Every day page has an "On Shabbat" note with the details.
Meals and prayer: The Chabad houses in Tokyo and Kyoto host Shabbat meals by prior arrangement, and Osaka has a small community. Book at least a week ahead. Temples and parks in Japan are open on Shabbat like any other day.
Walks and hikes · Tokyo, Shitamachi
Old Tokyo on foot: Senso-ji, Ueno, Yanaka, Nezu and Kanda
Walks and hikes · Kyoto, Higashiyama
Walking Kyoto's eastern hills: from Ginkaku-ji to Gion via the Philosopher's Path
Day trip · Kamakura
Day trip to Kamakura and Enoshima: the Great Buddha, Hase-dera, the tram and the caves
Full day · Tokyo, Asakusa
Asakusa, Ueno and Skytree: old Tokyo in one day
Full day · Tokyo, Shibuya
Shibuya, Harajuku and Meiji Shrine: the first day in Tokyo
Full day · Kamakura
Kamakura and Enoshima: the Great Buddha, the hydrangea temple and the coastal train
Full day · Kyoto, South
Fushimi Inari: the torii gates at sunrise, Tofuku-ji and the sake district
Full day · Kyoto, Higashiyama
Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera in the morning, the Sannenzaka lanes, and Gion in the evening
Full day · Kyoto, northern Higashiyama
Ginkaku-ji, the Philosopher's Path and Nanzen-ji: northern Higashiyama on foot
Full day · Osaka
Osaka in one day: the castle, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai and Dotonbori at night
Full day · Hakodate
Hakodate: live squid at the morning market, the church slopes, the star-shaped fort and the night view
Full day · Takayama
Takayama: the morning markets, the Sanmachi lanes, sake and Hida beef
Our criterion: at least 5 free stops in one walking sequence, with no ticket to buy on the way. Days marked "Shabbat-friendly" still include paid stops for those who are not observant, and they are marked.