Planning a Japan 10 day itinerary feels like trying to drink from a firehose, doesn't it? I remember staring at maps until my eyes crossed, wondering how to fit Tokyo's neon, Kyoto's temples, and Osaka's street food into just ten days. After two trips where I made every mistake possible (like that time I got stranded in Hakone after missing the last cable car), I finally cracked the code. This Japan 10-day travel plan balances must-see spots with realistic pacing, because let's be honest - nobody wants to spend their vacation in a train seat.
Key reality check: You can't see all of Japan in ten days. But you can experience its heart. This itinerary focuses on the Golden Route (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka) with a Hakone day trip for Mt. Fuji views. Perfection beats exhaustion.
Before Your Japan 10 Day Trip: Crucial Prep
First things first: sort your essentials. Japan runs like clockwork, but only if you're prepared. On my first trip, I showed up without pocket Wi-Fi and spent hours lost in Shinjuku Station. Learn from my pain.
Must-Haves for Your Japan 10 Day Itinerary
- JR Pass: Buy BEFORE arrival (exchange order delivery takes 2-5 days). For this itinerary, get the 7-day pass activating on Day 4. Cost: ¥50,000/$340 (ordinary class).
- Pocket Wi-Fi: Book online for airport pickup. I used NinjaWiFi (¥900/day). Essential for Google Maps and last-minute translations.
- Cash: Despite tech reputation, many places are cash-only. Withdraw from 7-Eleven ATMs (accept int'l cards). Budget ¥10,000/day per person.
- Comfortable Shoes: You'll walk 8-12 miles daily. I destroyed two pairs of Vans before switching to Asics.
My biggest regret? Not reserving Shinkansen seats early. That "unreserved seat" gamble left me standing between cars for an hour. Book seats immediately when activating your JR Pass.
Budget reality: My mid-range trip cost ¥200,000 ($1,350) excluding flights. Breakdown: Accommodation 35%, Transport 25%, Food 25%, Attractions 15%. Hostels could cut costs by 30%.
Detailed Japan 10 Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Breakdown
Days 1-3: Tokyo's Electric Pulse
Land at HND (Haneda) if possible - it's closer than Narita. After clearing immigration (took me 90 mins), take the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station. Hotel tip: Stay near JR Yamanote line stations. I preferred Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (¥25,000/night) for direct airport access.
Day 1: Shibuya & Harajuku
| Attraction | Details | Cost/Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Shibuya Crossing | Hachiko Exit, Shibuya Station. Best view: Mag's Park Rooftop (¥500) | Free; Avoid noon crowds |
| Meiji Jingu | 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya. Forest shrine | Free; Open sunrise-sunset |
| Takeshita Street | Harajuku. Crazy fashion & snacks | Melon pan ¥350; Go before 10am |
Honest take: Takeshita Street is Instagram bait. After 10am, it's wall-to-wall tourists. I preferred Cat Street for actual shopping.
Day 2: Asakusa & Ueno
| Attraction | Details | Cost/Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Senso-ji Temple | 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa | Free; Main hall 6am-5pm |
| Nakamise Market | Leading to Senso-ji | Try ningyo-yaki ¥600; Opens 9am |
| Ueno Park | Contains museums & zoo | Park free; Museums ¥500-1000 |
Evening idea: Head to Golden Gai at night - but research bars first. Many have cover charges or membership rules. I loved Albatross (¥500 cover, drinks ¥800).
Watch your step in Asakusa! Rickshaw drivers weave fast. Saw a tourist spill melon pan everywhere avoiding one.
Day 3: Tech & Neon
| Attraction | Details | Cost/Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Tsukiji Outer Market | 4-chōme-16-2 Tsukiji | Open 5am-2pm; Tuna skewers ¥800 |
| TeamLab Planets | 6-chōme-1-16 Toyosu | ¥3,800; Book 3 weeks ahead! |
| Akihabara | Electric Town | Super Potato retro games; Yodobashi Camera |
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) at night is essential. Tiny yakitori stalls with salarymen. Try the chicken hearts (¥150/stick) if you're adventurous.
Day 4: Hakone & Fuji Views
Activate JR Pass today. Catch Shinkansen to Odawara (40 mins), then transfer to Hakone Tozan Railway. Do the loop counter-clockwise to dodge crowds.
| Stop | Activity | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone-Yumoto | Buy Hakone Free Pass (¥5,000) | Covers all transport |
| Gora | Hakone Open-Air Museum | ¥1,600; Picasso exhibits |
| Sounzan | Cable car to Togendai | Fuji visibility check first! |
| Lake Ashi | Pirate ship cruise | Red torii gate photo op |
Reality check: Fuji is shy. On my first visit, clouds ruined everything. Have a backup plan - I enjoyed Hakone Shrine instead. Ryokan stay? Gora Hoshi costs ¥45,000/night but includes kaiseki dinner.
If Fuji is visible, get off at Motohakone-ko for postcard views of the torii gate with Fuji behind it. Morning light works best.
Days 5-7: Kyoto's Soul
Shinkansen to Kyoto Station (2h20m). Stay near Karasuma Oike Station - I liked Citadines (¥20,000/night). Buses get packed; rent bikes (¥1,500/day) instead.
Day 5: Arashiyama Area
| Attraction | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo Grove | Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō | Free; Arrive by 7:30am |
| Tenryu-ji Temple | 68 Susukinobabachō | ¥500; Garden opens 8:30am |
| Monkey Park | Steep 20-min hike | ¥600; Feed monkeys ¥100 |
Lunch tip: Head to Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. Try yudofu (tofu hot pot) at Sagano Yorudo (¥2,500).
Day 6: Eastern Kyoto Temples
| Attraction | Details | Cost/Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Fushimi Inari | 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō | Free; Start hike before 7am |
| Kiyomizu-dera | 1-chōme-294 Kiyomizu | ¥400; Scaffolding until 2024 |
| Gion District | Geisha spotting area | Evenings best; No flash photos! |
Geisha etiquette: Don't block their path or touch kimonos. I saw tourists literally chase one down an alley. Just don't.
Dinner must: Kichi Kichi Omurice (reserve 2 months ahead) or Pontocho Alley for yakitori.
Day 7: Philosopher's Path & Golden Glory
- Nanzen-ji Temple: Massive Sanmon gate (¥500 entry)
- Philosopher's Path: Cherry blossoms in spring (free)
- Ginkaku-ji: Silver Pavilion (¥500)
- Kinkaku-ji: Golden Pavilion (¥500; closes 5pm)
Hot take: Kinkaku-ji is stunning but feels like a tourist conveyor belt. Go right at opening or skip it for Daitoku-ji's subtler gardens.
Days 8-10: Osaka's Grit & Flavor
JR Special Rapid Service to Osaka (30 mins). Stay in Namba - I chose Cross Hotel (¥22,000/night) near Dotonbori.
Day 8: Castle & Kitchen
| Attraction | Details | Cost/Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Castle | 1-1 Osakajō | ¥600; Museum inside |
| Kuromon Market | "Osaka's Kitchen" | Try uni (¥1,500); Open 9am-6pm |
| Dotonbori | Iconic Glico Man sign | Night walk; Takoyaki stands |
Must-eat: Mizuno for okonomiyaki (queues up fast) or Imai Honten for udon.
Day 9: Universal Studios or Retro Vibes
| Option | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios | Super Nintendo World needs timed entry | ¥9,400; Express Pass +¥5,000 |
| Shinsekai | Retro district with Tsutenkaku Tower | Tower ¥900; Kushikatsu meals |
| Umeda Sky Building | Floating Garden Observatory | ¥1,500; Sunset views |
If choosing USJ: Buy tickets 60 days out. Arrive 90 mins before opening. Head straight to Nintendo World - they hit capacity fast.
Day 10: Last Bites & Departure
Morning at Namba Yasaka Shrine (giant lion head) before souvenir shopping in Shinsaibashi. Catch airport limousine bus from Namba Station to KIX (45 mins, ¥1,600).
Airport tip: KIX has amazing ramen street. Ippudo serves Hakata-style tonkotsu until boarding.
Japan 10 Day Itinerary: Transport Cheat Sheet
| Route | Train | Duration | Cost (w/JR Pass) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Hakone | Shinkansen to Odawara | 40 mins | Covered |
| Hakone → Kyoto | Shinkansen | 2h | Covered |
| Kyoto → Osaka | JR Special Rapid | 30 mins | Covered |
| Osaka → KIX | Airport Limousine Bus | 45 mins | ¥1,600 |
Honest advice: Skip taxis unless desperate. My 3km Kyoto ride cost ¥2,000 - enough for two ramen bowls!
Budget Breakdown for 10 Days in Japan
| Category | Per Person (¥) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 70,000-100,000 | Business hotels/3-star |
| Transportation | 35,000 | JR Pass + local transit |
| Food | 40,000-60,000 | Convenience breakfasts + restaurants |
| Attractions | 15,000 | Temples, museums, parks |
Save money: Convenience store breakfasts (¥500), standing sushi bars (¥1,500), and temple grounds are often free.
Japan 10 Day Itinerary FAQ
Can I do this Japan 10 day itinerary with kids?
Absolutely, but modify: Reduce temple days. Add Tokyo DisneySea, Kyoto Railway Museum, or Osaka Aquarium. Kids love ekiben (train bento).
Is Japan 10 days enough time?
For highlights? Yes. For deep exploration? No. This itinerary balances depth with pace. I'd rather see Kyoto properly than rush to Hiroshima.
What should I pack for a 10-day Japan trip?
Essentials: Portable charger, coin purse (so many ¥100 coins!), slip-on shoes (temples require removal), umbrella. Leave space for souvenirs.
When's the worst time for this Japan 10-day travel plan?
Golden Week (late Apr/early May) - hotels triple price. Obon (mid-Aug) - everything crowded. Summer heat/humidity is brutal.
Can I use credit cards everywhere?
No. Major hotels and department stores yes, but small shops, temples, and markets often cash-only. Always carry ¥10,000+.
Final Tips for Your Perfect Japan 10 Day Itinerary
After two trips, I've learned: Japan rewards preparation but punishes over-scheduling. Build in breathers - that unplanned hour in a Kyoto tea shop became my favorite memory.
My biggest lesson? Stop chasing Instagram spots. That bamboo grove photo took 20 mins to get without people. Was it worth missing Kappabashi's kitchen shops? Absolutely not.
Remember: Conveyor belt sushi for lunch, izakayas for dinner, and always say "sumimasen" (excuse me). Your Japan 10 day itinerary is the start of a lifelong obsession - I'm already planning my third trip.
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