Planning a 10 day Japan trip and don’t know where to start? Japan is one of my favorite countries in the world, to the point I’ve made it into an annual trip! This is the ultimate 10 days Japan itinerary covering all the best things to see, eat, and do to maximize your time there.
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General Tips for 10 Day Japan Itinerary
- Book things in advance. Japan is one of the highest-visited tourist destinations in the world, and popular attractions sell out fast.
- Be prepared to wait in lines. Many restaurants have limited seating, with some as little as 5-8 seats inside.
- Use Tabelog to find places to eat. It’s what the Japanese locals use for their restaurant reviews rather than Google Reviews. While on Tabelog, you’ll notice that reviewers have a much tougher grading scale. Anything above a 3.5 is considered good!
- English is NOT a commonly spoken language here. Download a translator app to make your trip a lot easier.
- Free public wifi is available in most parts of Tokyo. However, in more rural areas of Japan, an eSim may be needed as wifi is more sparse.
- One of my favorite culture shocks when visiting Japan for the first time, especially coming from America, was the amount of stores, restaurants, and other activities all condensed in buildings. There are literally thousands of establishments and you’ll never run out of things to eat, see, and do.
Is 10 Days Enough in Japan?
For a first-timer in Japan, travel experts agree that 10 days is just enough to have a taste of various parts of the country. While your schedule may be jam-packed, it’s just enough time to see 3 of the most iconic cities – Tokyo, Kyoto, & Osaka, while also venturing on other day trips. However, to see other areas of Japan including Hokkaido, Hiroshima, and Sapporo, you will need extra time since it’s on the other side of the island.
What to Pack for Your 10 Days in Japan Itinerary
As a minimalist packer, I have successfully survived a 10 day Japan itinerary with just a backpack and carry-on. However, for many other travelers, a checked bag is needed. Bring at least one checked bag for maximum space. A travel hack is bringing a half empty luggage so you can fill up the bags from shopping!
Other items to pack:
- Coin purse → Japan is a cash-based society, and you’ll find that you will need a LOT of coins. Coins come in 1-yen, 5-yen, 10-yen, 50-yen, 100-yen and 500-yen. Bring a coin purse for easy access to your money.
- Small Umbrella → I bring my TOTES compact umbrella for all my trips, which is so convenient when walking around all day and not wanting to carry a bulky umbrella.
- Comfortable Sneakers → This 10 day Japan itinerary is loaded with activities and a lot of walking, so a trusted pair of sneakers that you KNOW are comfortable, are a must.
Further Reading: Complete Japan Packing List for your 10 day Japan itinerary (55+ Essentials)
How to Get Around Japan
The best way to get around Japan is to use their incredible train and subway system! The public transportation system is quick and efficient both within the cities and between cities. Foreigners may feel intimidated by the expansive transportation system, but Google Maps & Apple Maps have a great level of detail in their transportation routes, down to which exit to take. Additionally, there are English translations for routes at most stations.
Between cities, bullet trains, also known as shinkansens, are the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation. Their speeds are up to an impressive 320 kilometers per hour, or 199 miles per hour!
To save money on transportation between cities, purchase a JR Pass. It provides unlimited travel on the shinkansens and subways and can be bought in increments of 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. Within the cities, the Suica Card, ICOCA Card, and Pasmo cards are used to get around.
10 Day Japan Itinerary
This itinerary is both fast-paced and exciting, with a LOT of transportation between cities and walking to maximize your 10 days in Japan. The itinerary assumes that you’re flying into Tokyo at either the Haneda or Narita Airport, and that is what I would recommend for a first time visitor. If you’re flying into another airport, feel free to adjust this itinerary around as you see fit.
Days 1 of the 10 Days in Japan Itinerary: Fly into Tokyo
Your first couple of days are to get settled in Tokyo. There is so much to do in the city and you may be overwhelmed with options. Tokyo is very spread out, so I’ve grouped together activities and neighborhoods on this guide by distance so that you waste less time in transport. I recommend spending the first day settling into your accommodation and walking around Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku.
Shibuya
Shibuya is one of the most crowded, busy, and happening neighborhoods of Tokyo with plenty of amazing restaurants, shopping, and brightly-lit neon billboards that the city is known for. I recommend spending the afternoon just wandering the streets, popping into stores, and enjoying an excellent hamburg lunch.
Shibuya Crossing (a MUST on your 10 day Japan itinerary!)
Quite possibly one of the most famous sights that Shibuya is synonymous with, the Shibuya scramble is the world’s largest pedestrian crossing. There can be up to 3,000 people crossing at the same time! When I visited, it was to my surprise that while its busy, it still felt organized and nobody was bumping into one another.
Hachiko Dog Statue
While in Shibuya, make sure to also visit the Hachiko Dog Statue just outside the Shibuya station. The bronze colored sculpture is of the akita dog Hachiko and commemorates his loyalty to his owner, professor Hidesaburo Ueno, who met him at the station every day. Even after the owner’s passing, Hachiko continued to wait for him at the station for years.
Conveyer Belt Sushi
What’s a trip to Japan without sushi? A must-try restaurant in Shibuya is the conveyer belt sushi spot Katsumidori Seibu, located on the second floor of the Shibuya Seibu Department Store. You order what pieces you want on an iPad, and it comes on a conveyer belt straight to your table! You can order individual or pairs of rolls including fatty tuna, salmon, nad beef.
Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine
For a serene nature escape amid the city, visit Yoyogi Park. Yoyogi Park is one of the largest in Tokyo with a big lawn, forestry, and ponds. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic or just stroll.
Located right next to the park is the Meiji Jingu, a Shinto Shrine. This shrine has been around since 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It is free to enter and to get there, it is a 10-minute walk from the shrine entrance just across from Yoyogi Park.
Harajuku
The Harajuku neighborhood is located near the Meiji Shrine and is the center for the Japanese youth’s “kawaii” subculture and streetwear. The primary street to walk through is Takeshita Street, where you’ll see many people with unique fashion and accessories, trendy food stands, and stores. Stop into one of the crepe shops for a crepe (I was amazed that there were literally over 100 flavor combinations!), or try tanghulu, which are candied fruits like strawberries or grapes.
Another popular shopping street is Cat Street. The alley runs between Harajuku and Shibuya and is worth a stroll with its variety of fashion boutiques, cafes, and street art.
Sunset at Shibuya Sky
There are many spots to watch the sunset and skyline of Tokyo. Shibuya Sky is one of the most popular, with an observation deck 229m above Shibuya! Other excellent view decks that are also cheaper are the Tokyo Skytree and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Travel Tip: Reserve your tickets and time slots ahead of time, since sunset is a popular time to book.
End at the night in Shinjuku / Omoide Yokocho
End your first day in Japan of this 10 day Japan itinerary by exploring Tokyo’s nightlife. Neighborhoods with excellent nightlife include Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza and Roppongi. It’s nightlife consists of izakayas, clubs, cocktail and wine bars, karaoke venues. For those unfamiliar with the term, an izakaya is a Japanese bar with small bites like yakitori (chicken skewers), chicken karaage (fried chicken), and gyoza (fried dumplings).
For a first-time visitor, a unique (albeit touristy) area to check out is Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku. It’s a collection of tight-knit streets with bars and izakaya stalls. It originally got its name for not having anywhere to use the restroom, so people would piss in the streets. It’s known to have cheap drinks and is not fancy by any means.
For a more sophisticated atmosphere, head to the neighborhood Ginza.
Further Reading: Complete Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary
Day 2 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary
If you have a plan to visit Mount Fuji on your Japan trip, try to get it done towards the beginning. You’re not able to see much of Mount Fuji if it’s cloudy and there is often little to no visibility. By putting Mount Fuji at the forefront of your 10 day Japan itinerary, you can give it another shot on a different day if all goes wrong.
If Mount Fuji is NOT on your agenda for your 10 day Japan itinerary, listed is an alternative way spend day 2!
Tsukiji Market
Start day 2 of your 10 Day Japan itinerary at one of Tokyo’s most famous outdoor markets! Tsukuji Market is open 6AM-2PM every day, so it’s best to get this done first thing in the morning. You’ll find all sorts of Japanese food stalls from tuna skewers to strawberry daifuku to tamago (egg) on sticks. Make sure to bring cash, as many stalls are cash only.
While this is a “must-visit” attraction on many traveler’s itineraries, I would limit the amount you eat here and save your stomach for a more quality meal. Since it’s such a popular tourist area, the prices are extremely inflated and I found the quality not to be the best.
Teamlabs Borderless
A bucket list item on many traveler’s lists is the permanent art museum TeamLab Borderless. The interactive exhibit is all about art without boundaries, so the artwork “flows” from room to room. It’s a pretty unique and fun activity to add to your 10 day Japan itinerary! Alternatively, you can visit teamLAB Planets.
Asakusa
Transport yourself back in time in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood. There are plenty of street food stalls, traditional snacks and tourist souvenirs. The biggest attraction is Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple that was built in the 7th century. Before entering the temple you will come across Nakamise Street. Here you will find traditional street food stalls and souvenirs.
Lunch at Asakusa Imahan
One of my favorite meals on my recent Tokyo trip was a shabu shabu ands ukiyaki restaurant right in Asakusa! The shabu shabu and sukiyaki restaurant specializes in Japanese hotpot dishes with delicious, high-quality beef and floor seating. Everything was SUPER flavorful and they cook the meal at your table. You need to make reservations ahead of time — I recommend their set lunch sukiyaki meal.
Akihabara
For anyone into anime, video games, or electronics, Akihabara Electric Town needs to go onto your 10 day Japan itinerary! The neighborhood is filled with electronics retailers, anime stores, arcades, and maid cafes. Store sizes range from small stalls to mega-stores that feel endless. One of my highlights of Akihabara was the arcade, GiGO Akihabara Building 3, with 6 floors of arcade games! Even if not playing, it’s to see the gaming experts in their element.
Ginza
Next on the 10 day Japan itinerary, Ginza is known for its luxury stores, fine dining, and modern-style architecture.
Activity like Tea Ceremony or Sushi Making Class
Day 3 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Bullet Train to Kyoto
Head to Kyoto for your next leg of your 10 Day Japan itinerary. This is when I would also recommend activating your JR Pass to travel around the country. Kyoto is famous for its traditional Japanese architecture and historical sites and its breathtaking nature.
Wander Gion Neighborhood
Once arriving to Kyoto, walk around one of the most famous neighborhoods, the Gion District. It is a city hub known as the geisha district, where geiko (Kyoto words for geisha) and maiko (apprentice’s) had entertained for centuries. The neighborhood has plenty of teahouses and townhouses, traditional Kyoto restaurants, and various temples and shrines. You will need to spend most of, if not your entire day 3 of your 10 day Japan itinerary here!
Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto is known for its abundance of temples and shrines, and one of the most prominent ones is the Kiyomizu-dera on Mount Otowa.
Day 4 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: 2nd Day of Exploring Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha in the Morning
Perhaps one of the most famous sights in Kyoto is the iconic orange torii gates that you may have seen pictures of all over the internet. Fushimi Inari Taisha is a shrine with thousands of torii gates that move through the forest up into Mount Inari.
The entire journey up the summit is between 2-3 hours, but there isn’t much at the top that you don’t see at the beginning of the walk.
Admission is free for visitors. I recommend getting up extra early if you don’t want other people in your photos. I visited at 7AM in the morning and there was barely anyone there. Once we finished at 8AM, the shrine had started to fill up and people were actually lining up for pictures!
Arashiyama Bamboo Garden
Another famous sight in Kyoto is the bamboo grove. It’s free to enter and the lush, vibrant green forest is filled with thousands of bamboo stalks and several walking paths. It takes around 45 minutes to walk through the entire forest.
Tofu Set Lunch at Shoraian
Did you know that Kyoto is famous for its tofu? Within the bamboo forest, head to Shoraian for a unique kaiseki dining experience with excellent views of the river and mountains outside. The specialty restaurant serves a 7-course set menu with local tofu prepared in different ways. As someone who typically chooses a meat-based protein when dining out, I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful each of the dishes were. Just make sure to reserve ahead!
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Once you’ve filled up on lunch, head over to the Arashiyama Monkey Park on top of Mount Arashiyama. The animal sanctuary has 120+ Japanese macaque monkeys that freely roam around. There’s even an area to feed the monkeys nuts and fruit for a small fee. I did notice on my visit that the clientele was pretty much all Westerners. However, it was a fun, unique experience with incredible city views at the top.
Note: It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the park and it is at an incline – this can be a difficult hike for certain demographics.
Kinkaku-Ji
Spend the remainder of your second day in Kyoto exploring the other must-see temples. Take the bus or a taxi from Arashiyama over to Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. The Zen temple is completely covered in gold leaves, and is built overlooking a large pond for the most insane snapshot. Each floor has a different architecture style and there is also a garden outside. This was my favorite temple in Kyoto!
Ryōan-ji
Another temple just a bus drive away from Kinkaku-Ji is Ryoanji-Temple, a zen temple with a famous rock garden that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1450 and the garden itself has a rectangular area of pebbles that are surrounded by walls, and 15 different rocks across patches of moss. While the garden’s meaning is unknown, it is a relaxing, beautiful temple worth a visit at least once.
Yakiniku
End your day with some of the best yakiniku, or Japanese BBQ, that you may ever have. Yakiniku Hiro near Kyoto station is one of my absolute favorites. They have a selection of high quality wagyu for reasonable prices. Everything was delicious when I went!
Further Reading: Complete First-Timer’s Guide to Kyoto, Japan
Day 5 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Train to Osaka
On day 5 of your 10 Day Japan itinerary, take the bullet train 25 minutes to the neighboring city of Osaka. Book your hotel over in or near Dotonburi, the most well-known and central location of the city.
Lunch at Watanabe Curry
Once landing in Osaka, grab lunch at one of my FAVORITE restaurants for katsu curry – Watanabe Curry. Head up a narrow winding stairwell to the small restaurant. Their curry stands out in the fact that it is both sweet and spicy, and is made from Japanese sea bream, chicken soup stock, and Sri Lankan spices. I ordered mine with pork katsu, or breaded pork tenderloin.
Explore the Dotonbori Neighborhood
The most iconic Osaka neighborhood is Dotonburi. It’s a vibrant entertainment district with bright neon signs, amazing street food, and a fun nightlife. Dotonburi is best explored at night when its vibrant billboards come to life. Make sure to take a picture with the famous Glico Running Man sign — it is one of my favorite spots on this 10 Day Japan itinerary!
Also, try some of the city’s street food. It’s been nicknamed Japan’s kitchen for a reason! Must-try Osaka specialty foods include takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and vegetable skewers with a special sauce).
Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
Located just outside of Dotonburi is the famous arcade with hundreds of restaurants and specialty stores. This is the perfect rainy day activity since it is covered throughout. We easily spent HOURS, if not most of our day here. For anyone in need of kitchen supplies, the place to go is Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street. The 150-meter long shopping arcade has everything cookware and kitchen related – from Japanese knives to pottery.
Amerikamura
One of the more unique subculture neighborhoods in Osaka is Amerikamura, which is its America Town! The Western-inspired neighorhood has a popular hangout area, Sankakukoen Triangle Park, as well as vintage stores, cafes, and record shops. One of my favorite spots here is LiLo Coffee Roasters.
Further Reading: Epic 2 Day Itinerary to Osaka, Japan + Travel Guide
Day 6 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Half Day Trip To Nara
Nara Park
No trip to Nara is complete without checking out this park. At Nara Park, over 1,200 wild deer roam around. The park is vast at a whopping 1,240 acres and several notable temples, so be prepared for a lot of walking. Deer are considered sacred animals in the area and hunting them isn’t allowed, which is why there are so many!
While at the park, you can purchase crackers to feed the deer. Bow, the deer will mirror you, and then they feed the deer a snack!
Day 7 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Day Trip to Himeji Castle
Another excellent, easy half-day trip from Osaka that’s just just a 30-minute train ride to Himeji Station is the Himeji Castle. Atop a hill in Himeji, Japan, it is the country’s most widely visited castle! It has 83 rooms total and it takes about 2 hours to walk through, as well as explore the outdoor gardens.
Day 8 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Osaka & Train to Tokyo
Optional: DenDen Town
Similar to Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood, the Nipponbashi DenDen Town is the hotspot for Osaka’s otaku culture with all its anime, manga, and video games, and is the place to buy electronics.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle lies atop a hill and played a large role in the unification of Japan in the 16th century during the Azuchi-Momoyama period! The public can enter and it’s especially popular during the cherry blossom season in the spring. It’s about 40 minutes to the castle from the Dotonburi neighborhood.
Day 9 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo DisneySea or Yokohama
For your last full day in Tokyo, I recommend venturing out to either Tokyo DisneySea or Disneyland, or Yokohama, both of which are easy day trips outside of Tokyo.
Option 1: Yokohama
Did you know that Yokohama is the second most populated Japanese city after Tokyo? I recommend making a half day trip out to their Chinatown in central Yokohama. It’s the largest Chinatown in all of Asia and has plenty of colorful streets and over 500 Chinese shops and restaurants to explore.
Another fun thing to do in Yokohama is to visit the Cup Noodles Museum, or check out the Hawaii Town section of the World Porter’s Mall.
Option 2: Tokyo DisneySea
The second easy day trip option is to make a visit to Tokyo DisneySea or Disneyland! They are both conveniently located on the JR subway line. Tokyo DisneySea is the most unique Disney park in the world and is definitely worth a visit for amusement park enthusiasts! The amusement park is themed by the sea’s myths and legends, with exclusive drinks, food, and merch that are not available at other Disney parks.
Admission is around $50 USD and the theme park has exclusive rides such as Aquatopia and the Journey to the Center of the Earth, as well as all-time favorites like Toy Story Mania and Tower of Terror.
For a more “classic” Disney experience and feel, Tokyo Disneyland is located right next to DisneySea.
Fun Fact: Tokyo DisneySea is the only Disney Park not owned by Disney. Instead, it’s owned by the Oriental Land Company.
Day 10 of 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo & Fly Home
Shimokitazawa
Spend your last day of the 10 day Japan itinerary by traveling to a lesser-traveled neighborhood, Shimokitazawa. It’s known as Tokyo’s laidback “hipster” district with an abundance of vintage and secondhand shops, life music and theater scene, and independent cafes.
Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory
One of my favorite stops in Shimokitazawa is this hidden bakery and cafe selling cream puffs and other light bites. Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory serves cream puffs in 4 different flavors in the shape of Totoro, a character from the movie My Neighbor Totoro.
Wrapping Up: 10 Day Japan Itinerary
That concludes my 10 day Japan itinerary and full travel guide! While this is not even close to all the things you can do in this incredible country, it’s an excellent starting point for your first, second, or even third time. If I missed one of your favorite attractions, leave a comment or reach out to my contact page! Otherwise, check out my other Travel Articles.
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