10 days
10-day Japan itinerary
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka — the classic first-timer's loop.
Pacing
Packed highlights · 10 days
Best for
First-timers, tight PTO, one big loop
Best time to go
Late March–May (cherry blossoms) or October–November (autumn leaves).
Budget per style
- Budget$90–130 / day · $900–1,300 total
- Mid-range$180–260 / day · $1,800–2,600 total
- Comfort$350+ / day · $3,500+ total
Per person, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day highlights
- Day 1: Arrive Tokyo (Narita/Haneda). Check in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Easy dinner at an izakaya.
- Day 2: Asakusa (Senso-ji), Ueno Park, teamLab Planets, then Shibuya crossing at dusk.
- Day 3: Harajuku & Omotesando, Meiji Shrine, evening in Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho.
- Day 4: Day trip to Nikko or Kamakura, or Ghibli Museum if you booked ahead.
- Day 5: Shinkansen to Hakone. Onsen ryokan, Lake Ashi cruise, Fuji views on a clear day.
- Day 6: Train to Kyoto. Gion walk, Yasaka Shrine, dinner in Pontocho alley.
- Day 7: Fushimi Inari at sunrise, Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market for lunch.
- Day 8: Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, monkey park; evening kaiseki dinner.
- Day 9: Day trip to Nara (Todai-ji, deer park), then train to Osaka. Dotonbori food crawl.
- Day 10: Osaka Castle or Umeda Sky, last-minute shopping, fly home from KIX.