Ten days in Japan is enough to see the big highlights without rushing from station to station every morning. This 10-day Japan itinerary takes you from the neon of Tokyo to the mountains of Nikko and Hakone, the temples of Kyoto, the deer of Nara, the food of Osaka, and the floating shrine at Miyajima.
It works well for first-timers, and you can easily swap days around depending on the season and your interests. Below the itinerary, you will find costs, transport tips, and how to stay connected.
Before You Go
When to go: Spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to November) have the best weather. Read our guide to the best time to visit Japan.
Rough budget: Expect around ¥15,000–25,000 per person per day for mid-range hotels, meals, and local transport, plus long-distance trains. The Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen alone is around ¥14,000 one way. See how to do Japan on a budget.
Rail pass or not? Add up your train fares before buying a Japan Rail Pass. For this route, a 7-day pass can work if you activate it on day 4 and use it through to Hiroshima, but individual tickets are often similar in price since the pass got more expensive.
10-Day Japan Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Land at Narita or Haneda and take the train into the city. Get a Suica or PASMO card (or add one to your phone's wallet), check in, and head out for an easy first evening. Walk around Shinjuku, eat at an izakaya in Omoide Yokocho, and watch the city light up from the free observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
Start early at Senso-ji in Asakusa before the crowds, then take the train to the Tsukiji Outer Market for a sushi breakfast or snacks. In the afternoon, visit Meiji Jingu and walk through Harajuku to Shibuya, and end the day with views from Shibuya Sky at sunset. See more things to do in Tokyo.
Day 3: Day trip to Nikko
Nikko, about two hours north of Tokyo, is home to the lavish Toshogu Shrine, set in a forest of giant cedars. Cross the red Shinkyo Bridge, then, if time allows, take a bus up to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Return to Tokyo for the night.
Day 4: Hakone
Head southwest to Hakone, a hot spring area with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Ride the Hakone loop: a mountain railway, a cable car over the volcanic valley of Owakudani (try the black eggs), and a pirate ship across Lake Ashi. Stay the night in a ryokan with an onsen and a kaiseki dinner.
Day 5: Kyoto, day 1
Take the shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto (around two hours). After checking in, walk through the Higashiyama district to Kiyomizu-dera, then down the stone lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. In the evening, wander through Gion and along Pontocho alley by the river.
Day 6: Kyoto, day 2
Go to Fushimi Inari Taisha at sunrise to walk the torii gate tunnels in peace. Later, visit Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), then head west to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji temple, and the monkey park on the hill. Read our Kyoto travel guide for more ideas.
Day 7: Day trip to Nara
Nara is 45 minutes from Kyoto by train. Feed the bowing deer in Nara Park (buy the special crackers), see the giant bronze Buddha at Todai-ji, and walk to Kasuga Taisha, famous for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns. Continue to Osaka in the evening.
Day 8: Osaka
Osaka is all about food. Visit Osaka Castle in the morning, spend the afternoon in Kuromon Market, and eat your way around Dotonbori in the evening: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and more. Fans of theme parks could swap this day for Universal Studios Japan.
Day 9: Hiroshima and Miyajima
Take the shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 1.5 hours from Osaka). Spend the morning at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then take the train and ferry to Miyajima. See the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, meet the island's deer, and hike or ride the ropeway up Mount Misen. Return to Osaka or stay in Hiroshima.
Day 10: Departure
Fly home from Kansai International Airport near Osaka, or take the train back to Tokyo for a flight from Haneda or Narita. Leave time for last-minute shopping, and remember that big hotels and stations have luggage delivery and storage services.
Tips for This Itinerary
- Send your luggage ahead. Use a takkyubin luggage delivery service between Tokyo and Kyoto, and travel to Hakone with just a small bag.
- Reserve seats in busy seasons. Shinkansen reserved seats sell out during cherry blossom season and holidays.
- Go early. Kyoto's famous sights are much more enjoyable before 9 AM.
- Swap days to suit the season. In winter, consider swapping Nikko for a trip to the snow monkeys or a ski day.
- Use the right apps. See our list of the best Japan travel apps.
Stay online across Japan: This itinerary relies on maps, train timetables, and translation. An egoViet Japan eSIM connects as soon as you land and works on trains, in the mountains, and in the cities. Compare plans in our Japan eSIM guide.
For more planning, read our Japan travel guide.
FAQs: 10-Day Japan Itinerary
Is 10 days enough for Japan?
Yes, for a first trip. Ten days lets you see Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, with time for a mountain or onsen stop such as Hakone.
How much does a 10-day trip to Japan cost?
Excluding flights, a mid-range trip costs roughly ¥150,000–250,000 per person, depending on hotels, food, and how much you travel by bullet train.
Should I buy a Japan Rail Pass for 10 days?
Compare the pass price with individual tickets for your route. Since the 2023 price rise, the national pass is only worth it for long-distance itineraries with several shinkansen trips.
Should I fly into Tokyo or Osaka?
Flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka (Kansai) saves you from backtracking. Look for open-jaw flights when you book.