Indulge in ramen as the delightful aroma fills the air, weave through the bustling streets of Shibuya, and admire the incredible sight of Mount Fuji 🗻. Get ready to plan the ultimate 10 day Japan Itinerary, blending the vibrant cities, serene nature, and rich Japanese culture. Prepare to fall in love ❤️ with this spectacular country.
Our recent winter trip to Japan was nothing short of enchanting. One of my favorite memories was bathing in an onsen (hot spring) while mountains towered overhead. Despite merely scratching the surface of what Japan has to offer, every moment was packed with unforgettable experiences. The warmth of the people, the delectable cuisine, and the breathtaking sights are things I will always remember. As soon as I left, I began to plan a return trip.
Yet, planning a trip to Japan can be incredibly confusing and stressful. So, I’ve created a comprehensive 10 day itinerary and a quick guide to planning your Japan travel and alleviate your concerns. In this post you’ll find a detailed itinerary, a guide on when to visit, Japan travel tips, and ideal accommodation options.
Curious about our favorite ramen spot or a must-visit destination in Japan? Feel free to share your thoughts down below in the comments. Prepare yourself for an incredible journey!
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Table of Contents
10 Day Japan Itinerary
Itinerary Breakdown
One to Three Days Tokyo & Nikko
Two Days in Osaka
One to Two Days in Kyoto & Nara
One Day in Hakone
Last Day Back to Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo is the largest city in the entire world 😮, so you could explore for months and not see everything there. However, for this 10 day Japan itinerary, I recommend spending 2-3 days at the beginning of your trip and one at the end to focus on the highlights.
Below are some of the places in Tokyo that I think are incredible and worth spending time seeing. The best thing about Tokyo is there are tons of restaurants to try and great public transportation. So, you can see a ton in just a few days!
Senso-ji
Senso-ji is one of the most famous temples in all of Japan. It’s colorful building and beautiful architecture attracts visitors from all over. It’s definitely worth adding to your 10 day Japan itinerary!
One of the coolest parts of visiting Senso-ji is walking through Nakamise, a busy shopping street 🛍. There are a variety of vendors of Japanese souvenirs and delicious traditional snacks. It’s the kind of place you could spend hours exploring.
Mitsukoshi
Visit the largest department store in Japan when you go to Mitsukoshi. This large department store has everything from clothing to fantastic restaurants. On the bottom floor, you’ll be able to visit a whole food hall. It’s a fun place to check out!
Akihabara
Geek out in the Akihabara area of Tokyo. This neighborhood is know for being a large center of anime, manga, and video games 🎮. Throughout these streets you’ll find electronic stores, video game centers, and tons of vending/claw machines.
I am not even interested in video games, but I loved seeing this neighborhood, because it’s so different from anywhere else I’ve been!
Japanese Gardens
There are a number of absolutely beautiful gardens in Tokyo. Visiting a garden is a fantastic way to escape the craziness of Tokyo and enjoy peaceful moments in nature 😌. Japanese gardens are a wonderful part of their culture and I recommend exploring.
We visited the Kiyosumi Garden and it was a wonderful place to stroll through.
Beautiful Japanese Gardens in Tokyo
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Hamarikyu Garden
- Kiyosumi Garden
- Rikugien
Tsukiji Fish Market
If you are a seafood lover, then you need to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market 🐠. This huge complex used to be the largest fish market in the world! Despite it losing that rank, it’s still a great place to visit for fresh fish and a delicious meal.
There are a variety of vendors and restaurants to explore in the market. We had to skip it on our trip, but my husband has been and he was delighted.
Shibuya & Shibuya Sky
You can’t visit Tokyo without exploring the Shibuya area. This area is most similar to Times Square in New York City. It’s an extremely lively area, home to two of the busiest train stations in the world, and known for the fun shops & nightlife spots there.
On your visit to Shibuya, you have to visit Shibuya crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in Tokyo 🚶♀️. During its busiest hours over 1500 people can be seen crossing from all sides at once.
Walk through the crossing or travel up Shibuya tower to get a vantage point from above! If you want, you can pay to visit Shibuya Sky, the very top of the tower!
Mejii Shrine
The Mejii Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meijii. He was the one responsible for opening up Japan 🇯🇵 to the rest of the Western World in the 19th century. It’s a wonderful place to learn about Japanese history.
TeamLab
TeamLab is a unique experience that you will always remember. You’ll walk through TeamLab barefoot to explore experiential and immersive art exhibits. Each room has a different theme and it will leave you in awe.
Before visiting, I had seen this place all over instagram and I was worried it would be over hyped. But, my whole family loved it so much!
Ginza Area
Ginza is a popular shopping district in Tokyo. It’s a bit more upscale with stores like Prada and Dior lining Chuo-Dori, the main shopping street in this area. Even if you don’t like shopping, it’s an interesting place to visit.
🍜 Our favorite ramen shop, Kyūshū Jangara Ginza, in all of Tokyo was in Ginza!
I highly recommend visiting the 13 story Uniqlo store on your visit to Ginza. This store has interactive exhibits, exclusive designs only available at this store, and a coffee shop. We spent over 40 minutes exploring!
Spend a Day at DisneySea or Disney Land
If you’re interested in amusement parks or a big Disney fan, then you should definitely spend a day at Disney Land or DisneySea. I don’t even like theme parks usually and I was blown away by DisneySea!
DisneySea is a unique park in Tokyo that has different international waterfront themes throughout like Cape Cod or the Mediterranean. The food there is incredible and you won’t want to miss out on the variety of popcorn flavors.
While Disney Land exists in other places in the world, I’ve heard great things about the Tokyo location! Visit here for a magical day full of fun 🪄.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Choosing where to stay in Tokyo can be a very overwhelming decision. Because Tokyo is so large, there are a huge variety of neighborhoods and hotels to choose from. I hope that my recommendations can help guide your trip a little bit.
Many people say that Shinjuku is a great place to stay for first-timers, because it the quintessential “Tokyo experience.” But, it is also incredibly packed and densely populated.
Similarly, Shibuya area is a densely packed neighborhood with great food and access to trains. If you want something quieter that’s more central choose a hotel in Chiyoda City, which is home to Tokyo Station. Finally, choose Ginza if you want a hotel and neighborhood that is more upscale.
Great Hotels in Tokyo
What to Eat in Tokyo
Because Tokyo is such an international city, it really has flavors and foods from all over Japan. So, it’s a great place to start your Japanese food tour and try a bunch of different flavors.
Restaurants in Japan are often small and seat fewer people. It’s fun to try different spots and stop in for just a quick bite or wait in line for a ramen spot. There are so many cheap eats in Tokyo that you’ll find plenty to explore!
Best Food in Tokyo
- Ramen (noodle soup)
- Tempura (fried food in batter)
- Sushi
- Shabu Shabu (hot pot)
- Yakitori (chicken skewer)
- Convenience Store Food (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart)- try onigiri, fried chicken, or egg salad sandwiches
Nikko
Nikko is the perfect day trip from Tokyo at just a little over an hour away. Take the train or drive to incredible mountainous region. Once you’re there you’ll be captivated by the gorgeous waterfalls, ornate shrine, and serene lake.
Toshogu Shrine & Shinkyo Bridge
Toshugu Shrine in Nikko is known as the most ornately decorated shrines in all of Japan as it is covered in gold leaf. Wander around the grounds to see all of the incredible details on the buildings.
This shrine was built in the 1800s as a memorial for Tokugawa Ieyasu and features 12 different buildings nestled amongst the trees.
After visiting the shrine, walk down to the stunning Shinkyo Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in the country. You’ll be amazed at the beauty of this bridge as it sits over the running river below it with mountains behind.
Kegon Falls
Nikko is a mountainous town that is well known for its cascading waterfalls. Kegon is arguably one of the most stunning in all of Japan as the water falls off the tall cliffs and dives into the water below.
This waterfall is a fantastic destination year round, but it is one of the most popular sights in the fall.
There are multiple ways to see this waterfall but I recommend taking the Akechidaira Ropeway up the the incredible viewpoint 🤩. From there, you’ll be able to see the mountains, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls.
Ryuzu Falls
Ryuzu Falls is a gorgeous waterfall where two cascades drop into the pool below 💦. It’s one of the prettiest spots in all of Nikko, so don’t miss it! You can view Ryuzu Falls directly behind a rest area at the bottom of the Falls park or walk along the serene Falls Park path.
Osaka
Did you know that Osaka is the tenth largest city in the world? Before I visited, I had no idea that it was so densely populated. We only had a day in Osaka and honestly, I wish I had more! So, I recommend spending at least 2 days exploring the Osaka highlights.
Osaka is known for having some of the best food in all of Japan 🍘. So, don’t miss out on trying the great cuisine and exploring this lively city!
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Visit one of the oldest shrines in Japan and begin your morning at Sumiyoshi Taisha. This shrine is one of the most beautiful and one of the only shrines considered to be purely Japanese in style.
We visited on New Years Day and got to experience the customs that are important on that day.
One of the most beautiful parts of this shrine is the Sorihashi Bridge that leads to the buildings itself. When you view this shrine from across the water, it appears like a circle ⭕️ with the reflection from the water. You won’t want to miss it!
Abeno Harukas
Abeno Harukas was the tallest building in all of Japan until this past year. It towers above the city at 300 meters tall.
You can pay to take a lift up to the observation deck of the tower and get 360 degree panoramic views over the city. We loved visiting to get this vantage point up above and we thought it was far better than Shibuya Sky in Tokyo.
Shinsekai
Shinsekai literally means “New World,” but visiting this neighborhood you’ll find that it has retro old-school vibes. This area was once very seedy, known for drinking and raucous behavior, but now it’s turned around.
Find tons of great restaurants, fun shops, and even get your chance at riding a slide down the tower there. It’s an exciting area to explore and spend a few hours!
Osaka Aquarium
Osaka has the largest aquarium in the entire world (this is starting to be a Japan theme). This huge aquarium has a large route that you follow where you can see things like penguins, otters, and whale sharks! It was absolutely incredible!
Dontonbori
If you love a fun nightlife scene, then Dotonbori is the place for you. This lively area has plenty of bars, karaoke spots, and restaurants that line the canal there. Visit for a night on the town or to just take in all of the neon lights.
We spend New Years Eve there and I don’t think there’s a better place to be!
Where to Stay in Osaka
Like Tokyo, Osaka is a very large city so there are an overwhelming amount of options to stay. I’ve tried to break it down a little bit for you so that you have an easier time choosing where to stay.
Stay in the Umeda area if it’s your first time and you want to have a little bit of everything like great food, location, and shopping. For a fun nightlife area, choose Namba, which has great access to Dotonbori. Traveling with family? Opt for the Osaka Bay area.
Great Hotels in Osaka:
What to Eat in Osaka
Osaka is known for having incredible street food and if you aren’t trying the fun options, then you’re missing out! Wander the streets of Osaka and you’ll find plenty of delicious food to try. Below are some of the foods you can’t miss!
Best Foods in Osaka
- Takoyaki (octopus puffs)
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancake)
- Fugu (pufferfish)
- Kushikatsu (Fried skewers)
- Yakinuku (grilled meat)
Nara
What was once the capital of Japan, now stands as a monument to the past. Visit the Nara area to explore the incredible temple grounds, learn about this capital city, and of course, visit the famous bowing deer.
I recommend spending just half a day in Nara on your way from Osaka to Kyoto. It’s easy to see this area in a few hours and visit the deer.
Tōdai-ji Temple
Tōdai-ji temple is one of the most famous temples in all of Japan. At this temple, you’ll find significant history and a 15 meter tall Buddha. In fact, the Buddha hall of this temple was considered the largest wooden building for many years.
Wander through the temple and learn about its significance in Japanese history before wandering further around the grounds.
Deer Park
The deer in Nara are considered to be sacred animals. These deer wander around the temple grounds and tourists love to visit them. They are famous for bowing when you offer them food. It is truly a unique sight to behold!
Be careful they can be aggressive at times!
Kyoto
Learn about the traditional Japanese customs when you visit the lovely city of Kyoto. This city was once the capital of Japan, but now it still harkens back to its history. Get a meal with a geisha, experience a traditional tea ceremony, or explore the amazing shinto shrines in the region.
I recommend spending 2-3 days in Kyoto. There’s plenty to do and see in this city. Kyoto is vastly different from Tokyo, so it’s fun to explore both in your 10 day Japan itinerary.
Fushimi Inari
Fushimi Inari is one of the most popular destinations in all of Kyoto with the red torii gates that line the shrine and climb uphill. It’s a wild spectacle to see all of these gates in a row! You can wander through these gates and follow them all the way to the top of the mountain, but it will take 2-3 hours.
If you want to avoid crowds, then you’ll need to get to Fushimi Inari very early in the morning. We went during New Years, which is the busiest time of year so we didn’t have any luck with having space to ourselves.
Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Visit this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sight and see why so many people have fallen in love with this incredible temple. It’s a historic zen buddhist temple with three stories covered in gold leaf.
This temple sits beautifully over a pond below and has a nice walking path around its grounds. You’ll have plenty of vantage points of the lovely temple and the reflection in the pond below. It’s a must-see on your trip to Kyoto!
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
Kyoto is known for having plenty of beautiful temples and the Silver Pavilion is another one that you won’t want to miss visiting. It’s a zen temple that is nestled amongst the mountainous area. The grounds are covered with moss, ponds, a sand garden, and nice pathways.
If you walk a little deeper through the grounds, you’ll find a fantastic view over the area below 👀. It’s a wonderful place to spend golden hour and stroll through.
Philosopher’s Path
After visiting Ginkakuji, simply walk down the hill to get to the beautiful and serene Philosopher’s Path. This stone walkway follows a canal for 2 kilometers to the neighborhood of Nanzenji.
In the spring, the path is lined with cherry blossoms and it’s quite a sight to behold! But, it’s also a nice place to go for a walk throughout the year.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
You may have seen the famous photos of Japanese macaques hanging in hot springs. But, you don’t have to travel far to see these adorable creatures 🐒. Simply, visit the Arashiyama area in Kyoto to visit the monkey park.
You’ll have to walk 20 minutes up a steep path to see these cuties.
Once you get to the center of town, it’s a short walk before the steep climb up. But, there are over 120 in this park and it’s totally worth it to see them!
Sagano Bamboo Grove
Once you’re in the Arashiyama area, then you’ll definitely want to visit the incredible bamboo forest. Walk through this path as bamboos 🎋 shoot up on either side of you and create a peaceful scene.
You can choose to just go directly from the main street to the forest or visit the Tenryu-ji Temple directly in front of the grove. There are a few lovely walking areas on the temple grounds.
Again, this spot is very crowded so you can visit early in the morning to avoid crowds!
Gion
Gion is the traditional geisha district of Kyoto. This area is a wonderful place to explore the storied history of Kyoto. You may see geishas walking around the streets and you can even pay to share a meal with them, which is a memorable experience!
Samurai Experience
Okay if you want a truly unique experience in Kyoto, then you can learn all about the samurai tradition and learn some sword skills at a samurai class ⚔️. Samurai used to rule the Kyoto area many years ago, but the tradition still lives on.
We didn’t know what to expect from the samurai training, but it was too much fun! We felt our inner warriors come out!
Where to Stay in Kyoto
When choosing where to stay in Kyoto, it’s a bit simpler than the other cities. Choose a hotel or stay in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto. I recommend either staying in the downtown area, which is central to everything or finding a hotel in Gion, the traditional area.
Great Hotels in Kyoto
What to Eat in Kyoto
Kyoto, like the other cities in Japan, has so many incredible cuisine options. It also has a lot of traditional specialities that are different to those in Tokyo or Osaka. Explore the list below for the best foods to try when you’re in Kyoto.
Best Foods in Kyoto
- Soba (buckwheat noodles)
- Matcha or Green Tea
- Tofu
- Kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets)
- Obanzai (traditional Kyoto meal)
Hakone
Travel from Kyoto by bullet train to get to Hakone, where you can spend the day in a gorgeous mountainous setting. 🏔 Hakone is well known for its views of Mt Fuji as well as the hot springs throughout the area.
I recommend spending a day staying at a ryokan and visiting the beautiful natural sights around the area!
See Mount Fuji
Most visitors that go to Hakone hope to see incredible views of Mt Fuji. At 12,000 feet above sea level, this mountain is an incredible sight. On a clear day, you can see this beautiful mountain from a handful of spots.
We got to see Mt Fuji in all of its glory when the clouds dispersed and it was incredible. You can visit from above or choose to see this mountain from the lake below.
Great Mt Fuji Viewpoints:
- Taikanzan
- Hakone Pirate Ship in Lake Ashi
- Owakudani
- Onshi-Hakone Park
Hakone Open Air Museum
One thing you shouldn’t miss in Hakone is the incredible Hakone Open Air Museum. This beautiful museum combines the natural setting with stunning pieces of artwork as sculptures are placed throughout the grounds.
Admission is 1600 yen per person or 1400 yen if you have the Hakone Free Pass.
If you are an art lover, you will love exploring the Picasso hall and interacting with the variety of sculptures on the property. It’s definitely a unique place to visit!
Ryokan and Onsen
Hakone is known as being one of the best areas to visit the traditional Japanese inns (ryokans) and hot springs (onsen). You can choose to either visit a public bath house or stay overnight at a ryokan, which has hot springs on the property.
Staying at a ryokan was probably the highlight of my entire trip in Japan, so you do not want to miss it! ⭐️
Where to Stay in Hakone
Visiting Hakone is not complete without a visit to a ryokan. These traditional Japanese inns are famous in this area. The inns offer a unique experience that include incredible local food, modest rooms, and onsen baths.
Staying at a ryokan in Hakone was by far one of my favorite things that we did!
Great Ryokan in Hakone:
- Gora Kadan – It’s a splurge and it books out early, but it’s so worth it!
- Hakone Kyuan
- Gora Kansuiro
- Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Tokyo
Spend one final day in Tokyo visiting the highlights that you missed on your first trip. Then, prepare to fly home or continue on to your next adventure. It’s truly the best place to start and end your trip!
Japan Trip Planning
Things to Know Before Going to Japan
💴 Japan uses the yen as their currency. It’s smart to bring some cash with you before you go.
🛂 You do not need a visa if you are from the US and are staying for less than 90 days. You’ll just need a passport that is valid through your stay with proof of a return ticket.
🍜 Restaurants in Japan are all over, but they’re generally smaller. You can make reservations for restaurants but those tend to be very fancy. So, expect to just wander into various places to try them out!
🚌 Public transportation is extensive throughout the country. You can look into how to get from place to place on Google or Apple Maps.
🍣 Some of the very best Japanese food and treats are at the convenience stores. Make sure to check out 7-eleven, Lawson and Family Mart.
🗣 It’s not as common for people to speak English in Japan. You should download Google translate or get a catchphrase book to learn some Japanese.
🏨 Hotel rooms are smaller in many of the cities. You can stay at business hotels that have smaller rooms and are cheaper, but are still nice accommodations.
When to Go to Japan
Many people will tell you that the best times of year to visit Japan are in the autumn or the spring. In the fall, the colors cover the trees and visiting the mountainous areas is spectacular. While, the spring the sakuras (cherry blossoms) 🌸 bud and are incredibly beautiful.
That being said, autumn and spring are the most crowded times of year, so keep that in mind when planning!
Winter is a magical time with snow covering much of the mountains. We visited in winter and loved it! However, I wouldn’t recommend summer unless you like the heat because it gets incredibly hot in Japan.
Budget for Japan
Figuring out a budget for Japan can definitely be a hard question. There are ways to see Japan for less, but it does tend to be one of the pricier countries to visit. Hotels and flights are usually the most expensive, while food is generally cheaper.
I would budget $1000 or a little more for round trip flights from the US to Japan. ✈️
However, you can visit Japan for less than $100 a day. There are budget hotels in Japan as well as hostels. Then, you can eat cheaper street food and stick to public transit. But, if you wanted a nicer, fancier trip you might spend about $500 a day. So, your Japan budget will really depend on the trip you want!
How to Get Around Japan
One of the best thing about visiting Japan is the incredible public transportation, which is the easiest way to get from place to place. In most cities and areas there are a variety of transit options including:
- Bullet train
- Subway
- Cable Car
- Ropeway
You can look up your trip itinerary on the JR Pass website to see if it’s worth it to buy a JR Pass or get individual tickets. You can explore more on the site and get a Japan Rail Pass guide.
But, I highly recommend getting a reusable metro card (IC card) from Pasmo or Kitaca to use to get around. These cards can be used for the train, vending machines, and even to purchase things at convenience stores.
Final Tips for Visiting Japan
Planning a trip to Japan can be so overwhelming, but I hope this guide helped. When you visit the cities try to leave time open in your schedule to explore and find places that interest you. There’s truly so much to see!
Allow yourself to fall in love with Japan 💕, its culture, and its food. You won’t regret visiting.
There are plenty of ways to fill your 10 day Japan itinerary, but I believe that this is truly the best way. Get a fantastic mix of nature, city life, and history. You’ll see why so many people that visit Japan want to go back.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this itinerary!
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