Ten days is one of the most common trip lengths for Japan, and the sweet spot between covering the highlights and feeling like you are rushing. This itinerary covers Tokyo, a night in Hakone, Kyoto, a day in Nara, and Osaka, connected by the Shinkansen. It moves at a pace that actually leaves time to experience each city rather than photograph it and leave.
Quick Answer: 10-day Japan route: 3 nights Tokyo, 1 night Hakone, 3 nights Kyoto (with Nara day trip), 2 nights Osaka. Use the JR Pass for Shinkansen travel. Get a Suica card at the airport for local transit.
Before You Go
Check the JR Pass guide to see if a 7-day or 14-day pass saves money on this route. For 10 days, a 7-day pass activated on the Hakone travel day typically covers the Shinkansen legs efficiently. Also, get a Suica IC card at Narita or Haneda airport on arrival for local trains, buses, and payments at convenience stores.
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Most long-haul flights arrive at Narita or Haneda. Take the Narita Express (NEX) or Keikyu Line to central Tokyo, depending on your airport. See the Narita-to-Tokyo guide or the Haneda-to-Tokyo guide for options.
Keep day one light. Check in, eat ramen or soba near your hotel, and walk your neighbourhood. Shinjuku and Asakusa are both excellent first-night bases. See the Tokyo neighbourhoods guide for where to stay.
Day 2: Tokyo East
Start at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa before 8 am when the temple grounds are calm. Walk the Nakamise shopping street and the back lanes behind the temple. Continue to Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum. Afternoon in Akihabara for electronics and anime culture, or walk south to Yanaka for old Tokyo atmosphere—evening at a local izakaya in whichever neighbourhood you are based.
Day 3: Tokyo West
Morning at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku, walk through the forested approach—Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for the spectacle, Omotesando for architecture and design. Afternoon at Shibuya scramble crossing and Shibuya Sky observation deck (book in advance). See the Shibuya guide.—evening in Shinjuku at Golden Gai for a drink in a tiny bar.
Day 4: Hakone
Take the Romancecar express from Shinjuku (approximately 85 minutes) to Hakone. Board the Hakone Ropeway over the Owakudani volcanic valley for views of Mount Fuji on clear days—Lake Ashi cruise. Stay overnight at a ryokan for the onsen experience. See the Hakone guide. This is the best place on the itinerary for a proper Japanese inn night.
Day 5: Hakone to Kyoto
Morning at leisure in Hakone, then take the Shinkansen from Odawara Station to Kyoto (approximately 2 hours 15 minutes on the Hikari). Arrive in Kyoto in the early afternoon. Walk the Gion district in the late afternoon, the best time for spotting geiko and maiko in the narrow lanes around Hanamikoji Street. See the Gion guide for evening ramen or a kaiseki dinner in central Kyoto.
Day 6: Kyoto Temples
Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha before 7 am. The lower gates are crowded by 9 am; arriving early gives you a fundamentally different experience. Hike as far as the first summit for panoramic views. See the Fushimi Inari guide in the afternoon at Kiyomizudera temple on the eastern hills. See the Kiyomizudera guide evening in the Gion backstreets or Pontocho alley for dinner.
Day 7: Arashiyama and Western Kyoto
Morning at the Arashiyama bamboo grove before 88 am. The grove is one of Japan’s most photographed places and reaches peak crowd density by 9 am. Also visit Tenryu-ji temple garden (one of Japan’s finest), and walk the Togetsukyo Bridge. See the Arashiyama guide in the afternoon for food sampling at Nishiki Market. See the Nishiki Market guide.
Day 8: Nara Day Trip
Take the train from Kyoto to Nara (35 minutes on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line). Nara Park is home to approximately 1,200 free-roaming sika deer. Todai-ji Temple houses Japan’s largest bronze Buddha. Kasuga Taisha shrine is beautiful in any season. A half-day covers all three comfortably. Return to Kyoto for the evening. See the Nara guide.
Day 9: Osaka
Take the 15-minute train from Kyoto to Osaka on the Shinkansen or regular JR line. Check in, then walk through Otonbori in the afternoon. The neon canal district is Osaka’s most famous area and the best introduction to the city’s food and energy. Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu at a standing kushikatsu bar in Shinsekai district, one of Osaka’s most atmospheric older neighbourhoods. See the Osaka food guide.
Day 10: Osaka and Departure
Morning at Osaka Castle Park if cherry blossoms or autumn foliage are in season, or the Kuromon Ichiba market for a market breakfast. See the Kuromon market guide. Afternoon flight from Kansai Airport (KIX) back home, or onward travel. Kansai Airport connects directly to Namba in 38 minutes via the Nankai Line, making it very convenient for travellers from central Osaka.
Practical Information
Transport: Shinkansen between Tokyo, Odawara (for Hakone), Kyoto, and Osaka. Consider a 7-day JR Pass activated on Day 4. Local transit by Suica card everywhere.
Accommodation: 3 nights in Tokyo, 1 night in a Hakone ryokan, 3 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Osaka. Book Kyoto at least 2 months ahead.
Budget: Mid-range daily budget excluding accommodation is 5,000 to 10,000 yen per person for food and activities. See the Japan budget guide for a detailed cost breakdown.
FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Japan?
Yes. Ten days is one of the best trip lengths for a trip to Japan. It allows proper time in three or four cities without the rushed feeling of a 7-day trip. This itinerary covers the main Golden Route highlights at a comfortable pace. A 2-week trip allows adding Hiroshima, Miyajima, or a second night in Hakone.
Should I start in Tokyo or Osaka for a 10-day trip to Japan?
Starting in Tokyo and ending in Osaka (or vice versa) allows you to fly in and out of different airports, which is more efficient and avoids backtracking. Most visitors arrive at Narita or Haneda (Tokyo) and depart from Kansai (Osaka), or the reverse. This itinerary uses that structure.
What is the best time of year for a 10-day Japan trip?
Late March to early April for cherry blossoms. Mid-October to mid-November for autumn foliage. Both are peak seasons with higher prices and more crowds. May, September, and early October offer excellent conditions with lower tourist volumes. See the Japan in October guide and Japan in spring guide for seasonal planning.
