Itineraries
10 days in Japan: a first-timer's itinerary for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Day-by-day plans, how to use the bullet train and an IC card, and whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth it.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- Spend four nights in Tokyo, one in Hakone near Mount Fuji, three in Kyoto with a day trip to Nara, and two in Osaka.
- The bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto takes about two hours and 15 minutes. For city travel, load a Suica, PASMO or ICOCA card on your phone.
- Since the October 2023 price rise, a nationwide Japan Rail Pass rarely pays off for this route; compare it with single tickets first.
| Route | Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka |
|---|---|
| Tokyo–Kyoto by bullet train | About 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Flight from Los Angeles | About 11–12 hours |
| Flight from New York | About 14 hours |
| Best seasons | Late March–May, October–November |
Days 1–4: Tokyo
Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods. Spend a day on the traditional side in Asakusa, with Sensō-ji temple, and Ueno; another on the modern side in Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku; and a third around the Imperial Palace gardens, Ginza and the Tsukiji outer market.
Use your fourth day for teamLab digital art, a sumo or baseball game in season, or a day trip to Nikkō or Kamakura.
Day 5: Hakone and Mount Fuji
Hakone is about 90 minutes from Tokyo. Ride the loop of mountain train, cable car, ropeway and lake boat, stay in a ryokan with an onsen hot spring and, on clear days, see Mount Fuji. Fuji is most often visible in the colder, clearer months from late fall to early spring.
Days 6–8: Kyoto and Nara
Continue to Kyoto by bullet train. Visit Fushimi Inari's red gates at sunrise, the Kiyomizu-dera temple and the old streets of Higashiyama, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and the bamboo grove at Arashiyama. Kyoto is very busy, so start early.
Nara, under an hour away, has the giant Buddha at Tōdai-ji and friendly deer in Nara Park, and makes an easy half-day or day trip.
Days 9–10: Osaka
Osaka, about 15 minutes from Kyoto by bullet train or 30 minutes by local express, is Japan's food capital. Eat your way around Dotonbori and Kuromon Market, visit Osaka Castle, or spend a day at Universal Studios Japan. Kansai Airport makes it easy to fly home from Osaka.
Practical tips
- IC cards: add a Suica, PASMO or ICOCA card to your phone's wallet for trains, buses and convenience stores.
- Luggage: send big suitcases between hotels with a forwarding service (takkyubin) and travel light on the bullet train.
- Cash: cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some yen for small restaurants, shrines and rural areas.
- Japan is 13 to 14 hours ahead of New York and 16 to 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles, depending on daylight saving time.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Japan?
Ten days is enough for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and a night near Mount Fuji. Add a few days for Hiroshima and Miyajima or the Japanese Alps.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?
Usually not since the price rise in October 2023. Single bullet train tickets plus an IC card are often cheaper for this route; a pass can still pay off if you add long trips such as Hiroshima or northern Japan.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (late March to May) for cherry blossom and mild weather, and autumn (October to November) for fall colors. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold but clear.
