Planning 10 days in Japan? Follow this first-time Japan itinerary covering Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with travel tips and ideas.
Japan is one of those destinations where ten days can give you an incredible introduction to the country — provided you plan your route carefully.
For a first visit, the classic journey through Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka offers an excellent combination of modern cities, traditional temples, Japanese food, historic neighbourhoods, beautiful scenery and unforgettable cultural experiences.
This 10-day Japan itinerary follows much of Japan's famous "Golden Route", the country's most popular first-time visitor route. Japan's official tourism organisation similarly recommends Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka as key stops for travellers wanting to experience Japan's major highlights.
If possible, consider flying into Tokyo and home from Osaka. This avoids travelling all the way back across the country at the end of your holiday.
10-Day Japan Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1–3: TokyoDay 4: Hakone and Mount Fuji
Days 5–7: Kyoto
Day 8: Nara
Days 9–10: Osaka
Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo and Explore Asakusa
Your first day in Japan should be relatively relaxed, particularly if you've arrived after a long international flight.After checking into your hotel, head to Asakusa, one of the best areas in Tokyo for getting your first taste of traditional Japan.
Start at the impressive Kaminarimon Gate before walking along Nakamise-dori, the traditional shopping street leading towards Senso-ji Temple.
Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest major Buddhist temple and one of the city's best-known attractions. The contrast between historic Asakusa and Tokyo's modern skyline makes this a great introduction to the city.
If you still have some energy, continue towards:
- Tokyo Skytree
- Ueno
- Akihabara
For dinner, resist the temptation to search for an expensive restaurant on your first night. Finding a small ramen shop, izakaya or local restaurant is often just as memorable.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 2 – Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku
Today you'll experience the Tokyo most people imagine before visiting Japan — enormous railway stations, neon signs, skyscrapers, fashion districts and seemingly endless crowds.Start around Harajuku and visit Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo's most important Shinto shrines.
From there, explore Harajuku before making your way towards Shibuya.
Shibuya Crossing
The famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing has become one of the symbols of modern Tokyo.Take some time to explore the surrounding area, including:
- Shibuya Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- Shibuya shopping streets
- Shibuya Sky
- department stores and underground food halls
Later in the afternoon, travel to Shinjuku.
Explore the skyscraper district before seeing the completely different atmosphere around the entertainment areas after sunset.
Depending on your interests, spend the evening exploring the restaurants and small streets around Shinjuku or simply wander around and take in Tokyo at night.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 3 – Discover More of Tokyo
Your third day gives you the opportunity to explore another side of the Japanese capital.One possible route is:
Tsukiji Outer Market → Ginza → Tokyo Station → Imperial Palace area → Akihabara
Start at Tsukiji Outer Market, particularly if you enjoy seafood and Japanese food.
Continue to Ginza, Tokyo's famous shopping district, before heading towards the impressive red-brick Tokyo Station and nearby Marunouchi area.
You could also spend part of the day visiting:
- Tokyo National Museum
- Ueno Park
- Tokyo Skytree
- Odaiba
- teamLab
- Tokyo Tower
- Roppongi
- Akihabara
Tokyo is enormous, and one of the easiest mistakes first-time visitors make is creating an itinerary that involves constantly crossing the city.
Choose two or three neighbourhoods that genuinely interest you and spend some time exploring them.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 4 – Tokyo to Hakone and Mount Fuji
Leave Tokyo behind today and head towards Hakone, one of Japan's most popular hot-spring destinations.Hakone also offers the possibility of spectacular views of Mount Fuji, although seeing the mountain is never guaranteed because weather and cloud conditions can change quickly.
A typical Hakone visit can include:
- Hakone Shrine
- Lake Ashi
- Hakone Ropeway
- Owakudani
- mountain scenery
- hot springs
Stay in a Japanese Ryokan
If your budget allows, this is an excellent opportunity to spend a night in a traditional ryokan.Many ryokan stays include a Japanese dinner and breakfast, tatami rooms, futon bedding and access to an onsen.
For many first-time visitors, staying in a ryokan becomes one of the highlights of their entire Japan holiday.
Overnight: Hakone
Alternative: If Mount Fuji is your main priority, consider spending the day around Lake Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes instead.Day 5 – Hakone to Kyoto
Today you'll travel west towards Kyoto, Japan's great cultural and historic city.After arriving and leaving your luggage at your accommodation, spend the afternoon exploring eastern Kyoto.
A good walking route includes:
Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka → Yasaka Shrine → Gion
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Kyoto's most recognisable sights and offers excellent views across the city.From the temple, walk through the atmospheric streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka.
These areas are lined with traditional buildings, small shops, cafés and restaurants.
Continue towards Gion, Kyoto's historic entertainment district.
In the evening, explore Gion and the nearby streets around the Kamo River and Pontocho.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 6 – Fushimi Inari and Central Kyoto
Get up early today.Your first destination is one of the most photographed places in Japan:
Fushimi Inari Taisha
The thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount Inari create one of Japan's most distinctive landscapes.JNTO recommends visiting particularly early because Fushimi Inari is extremely popular and becomes considerably busier later in the day.
You don't necessarily have to walk all the way to the top of the mountain. Even exploring part of the trail gives you the opportunity to experience the famous torii gates.
Afterwards, return to central Kyoto.
Consider visiting:
- Nishiki Market
- Nijo Castle
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Pontocho
- Gion
Nishiki Market
Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", Nishiki Market is a long covered market containing more than 100 shops and restaurants selling everything from seafood and pickles to sweets, knives and regional specialities.Take your time and try a few things you've never eaten before.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 7 – Arashiyama and Western Kyoto
Today head to Arashiyama, on the western side of Kyoto.The district is famous for its bamboo grove, temples and mountain scenery.
Popular places include:
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Togetsukyo Bridge
- surrounding mountain walks
After exploring Arashiyama, you could continue to one of Kyoto's other famous attractions such as Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion.
Alternatively, don't schedule anything else.
Kyoto rewards slow exploration, and wandering through residential streets, discovering a tiny temple or stopping at a neighbourhood café can sometimes be more memorable than rushing between another five attractions.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 8 – Day Trip to Nara
Take the train from Kyoto to Nara, Japan's ancient capital and one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips in the Kansai region.Nara is easily reached by train from both Kyoto and Osaka.
Spend most of your day around Nara Park.
Nara Park and the Deer
Nara is famous for the deer that roam freely through the park.You'll find deer crackers for sale around the park, although remember that these are still wild animals and should be treated with respect.
Continue towards:
- Todai-ji Temple
- Kasuga Taisha
- Kofuku-ji
- Naramachi
Todai-ji Temple
One of Nara's greatest attractions is Todai-ji, home to its enormous bronze Buddha.The historic monuments around Nara include some of Japan's most important Buddhist temples and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
You can return to Kyoto for another night, or move on to Osaka in the evening.
For this itinerary, travelling to Osaka after visiting Nara makes the following day easier.
Overnight: Osaka
Day 9 – Osaka Castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori
Welcome to Osaka.Tokyo can feel organised and slightly overwhelming. Kyoto often feels historic and refined.
Osaka has a different personality altogether.
The city is famous for food, nightlife, shopping and a much more informal atmosphere.
Start at Osaka Castle and explore the surrounding park.
Later, make your way towards southern Osaka.
Consider visiting:
- Shinsekai
- Tsutenkaku
- Kuromon Market
- Namba
- Shinsaibashi
- Dotonbori
Dotonbori at Night
Save Dotonbori until the late afternoon or evening.This is when its neon signs, restaurants and enormous advertising displays really come alive.
JNTO's Osaka itinerary recommends travelling through the city's Minami district from Shinsaibashi towards Dotonbori and Shinsekai, particularly visiting Dotonbori around dusk when the riverside neon displays become illuminated.
And most importantly:
Come hungry.
Try some of Osaka's famous foods, including:
- takoyaki
- okonomiyaki
- kushikatsu
- ramen
- sushi
- yakitori
Overnight: Osaka
Day 10 – Explore Osaka and Depart Japan
Your final day will depend heavily on your flight time.If you have most of the day available, use it to explore somewhere you missed yesterday.
Possibilities include:
Umeda
Explore the modern northern side of Osaka and visit the Umeda Sky Building for excellent city views.Kuromon Market
A good choice for anyone wanting one final Japanese food experience before heading home.Shinsaibashi
Perfect for last-minute shopping and souvenirs.Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
A good alternative if you're travelling with children or simply want something different from temples and shopping streets.If you're flying from Kansai International Airport, allow plenty of time to reach the airport and complete departure formalities.
Then start thinking about everything you didn't manage to see — because there's a very good chance your first Japan holiday won't be your last.
Getting Around Japan
Japan's public transport network makes this itinerary surprisingly straightforward.For travel within Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, an IC card such as Suica, PASMO or ICOCA can make everyday train, subway and bus travel much simpler.
For longer journeys, Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet trains connect Tokyo with Kyoto and Osaka.
Do You Need a Japan Rail Pass?
Don't automatically buy a nationwide JR Pass.Calculate the cost of the journeys you actually intend to make and compare this with the pass price.
The nationwide Japan Rail Pass has become significantly more expensive in recent years, and JR announced further changes to some sales-channel prices from October 2026. (Japan Rail Pass)
For a relatively simple itinerary such as:
Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka
buying individual tickets can sometimes make more sense.
Always calculate your own itinerary before purchasing a rail pass.
Where Should You Stay?
For a first visit, staying close to good transport connections can save a surprising amount of time.Tokyo
Consider:Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Asakusa or Tokyo Station
Kyoto
Staying around:Kyoto Station, Kawaramachi or Gion
makes exploring the city relatively straightforward.
Osaka
Look around:Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi or Umeda
Namba is particularly convenient if restaurants and nightlife are important to you.
How Much Walking Should You Expect?
A lot.Japan's public transport is excellent, but you'll still spend considerable time walking through railway stations, temple grounds, shopping districts and attractions.
Comfortable shoes are essential.
A day exploring Tokyo or Kyoto can easily involve far more walking than expected, so don't fill every hour of your itinerary.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan?
Japan can be visited throughout the year, but every season offers something different.Spring brings the famous cherry blossom season.
Summer is hot and humid across much of the country but brings festivals and long daylight hours.
Autumn offers comfortable sightseeing weather and spectacular autumn colours.
Winter generally brings fewer visitors to many cities, while northern and mountainous areas become popular for snow, skiing and winter scenery.
There is no single perfect month for everyone.
Your best time to visit depends on whether your priorities are cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, snow, festivals, smaller crowds or cheaper accommodation.
Is 10 Days Enough for Japan?
Ten days isn't enough to see Japan — but it is enough to have a fantastic first trip.The key is resisting the temptation to visit too many places.
Trying to include Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji, Nara, Hiroshima, Kanazawa and several day trips in ten days can turn your holiday into a constant series of railway journeys and hotel check-ins.
A route through Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka gives you a much better balance.
You'll experience enormous modern cities, ancient temples, Japanese gardens, traditional neighbourhoods, Mount Fuji scenery, local food and some of Japan's most famous landmarks without spending your entire holiday in transit.
And when you leave, you'll still have plenty of reasons to come back.
Planning Your First Trip to Japan?
Have you visited Japan before?Perhaps you're planning your first holiday and aren't sure how long to spend in Tokyo, whether to stay overnight near Mount Fuji, or whether you should spend more time in Kyoto or Osaka.
Start a discussion in our Japan Travel Forum and ask the community for advice.
And if you've already travelled around Japan, we'd love you to share your own itinerary, favourite destinations, accommodation recommendations, transport tips and hidden gems.
Your experiences could help another traveller plan their perfect trip to Japan.
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