Ultimate 10 Day Japan Itinerary for First Timers

If you’re planning your first trip to Japan and don’t know where to start, this 10 day Japan itinerary is your perfect entry point. This route will give you a mix of modern cities, rich culture, scenic landscapes, and unforgettable food experiences.

You’ll start in Tokyo, explore historic Kyoto and Nara, and finish with the lively energy of Osaka. You could also do this in reverse by starting in Osaka and ending in Tokyo.

This guide is structured to be efficient, practical, and rewarding. I’ve included how to get around, where to stay (with point redemptions in mind), and what to do each day so you don’t waste time second-guessing your next move. Whether you’re a foodie, a culture buff, or just want to see the highlights without getting overwhelmed, this itinerary has you covered!

Don’t feel like you have to do everything in this itinerary, it is purely just a guide. Feel free to change the order of events, too. This is just what worked for me! Make sure you give yourself enough time at each place to really embrace the culture and enjoy your trip!

Days 1-3: Tokyo

Getting to Tokyo

Most international flights land at either Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). I recommend flying into Haneda if possible. It’s much closer to central Tokyo and will save you time and money on transfers. From Haneda, the Tokyo Monorail or a direct airport limousine bus can get you into the city quickly.

If you land at Narita, the Narita Express (N’EX) is the fastest and easiest way to reach central Tokyo. Both airports are well connected, but it’s worth allotting an hour or more if you’re coming in from Narita.

We flew into NRT and booked our transfer in advance on Klook. Once we arrived at Narita, we had to take our confirmation QR code to a booth and receive our tickets. Seats were spacious and comfortable, and there was a lot of space for your luggage too!

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Omo3 Akasaka

Omo3 Akasaka is a great budget-friendly choice with a local vibe. It’s located in a quieter area but still close to major sights. The hotel feels more boutique than standard, and it’s surrounded by ramen shops, izakayas, and convenience stores. Great value if you want to save points or cash early in the trip.

Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya(Use Points!)

For something more upscale using points, Hyatt House in Shibuya is a smart pick. A king room will only cost 20K Hyatt points per night! This just opened in 2024 and has gotten stellar reviews! You’re walking distance from Shibuya Crossing and close to train lines that connect to the rest of the city. Rooms are modern and spacious by Tokyo standards.

Day 1: teamLab Planets/Tsukiji Outer Market/Ginza/Akasaka

Start your first full day with sensory overload at teamLab Planets. I recommend booking the earliest time you can get. This immersive digital art museum in Tokyo is hard to describe but impossible to forget. It was one of my favorite things I did in Tokyo!

You go through several different rooms and each one will be a different sensory experience! You will walk through water, so I would advise wearing shorts or pants that can easily roll up. There is also a room of mirrors, so ladies make sure you are not wearing a dress or skirt.

Book tickets in advance since time slots do sell out quickly!

Afterward, take the train to Tsukiji Outer Market, or if you’re feeling up for it, you can take a scenic walk, just under 2 miles! This market is packed with incredible street food, fresh seafood, and Japanese wares.

We found this really cool outdoor hang-out spot on the top floor of one of the buildings. We grabbed some sushi and beers from the market and relaxed for a bit! It made us feel like one of the locals!

After the market, you can take a short walk over to Ginza, Tokyo’s luxury shopping district. It’s a pretty cool scene to walk around and see all the name-brand stores and also check out Uniqlo or Sanrio World.

Wrap up your day by taking the train from Ginza to Akasaka-mitsuke Station. This station recently unveiled a Harry Potter-themed train display modeled after Platform 9¾. Once you come out of the train station, you will find the Harry Potter Café. It’s a fun, quick stop for fans and a good photo opportunity!

From here, take a short walk to Hie-jinja Shrine. This is a more peaceful shrine known for its bright red torii gates and steep staircases. It’s photogenic and much less crowded than other popular shrines. Make sure you check out the display of Emas, handwritten wishes, or thanks to the gods. You can purchase various Ema designs, like the torii gates below, and hang them at the shrine.

Day 2: Shinjuku/Shibuya

Start your day in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods. Head to Shinjuku Station and walk over to the east exit to see the giant 3D cat billboard. Shinjuku is known for a district called Golden Gai, a narrow, winding alley with numerous snug taverns. Hanazono Shinto Shrine is also close by. Explore this area and stop here for lunch!

From there, hop on a short train ride to Shibuya. Watch the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing, Japan’s most famous intersection. For an elevated view, head to Shibuya Sky, one of the city’s best rooftop observatories. The panoramic views of Tokyo stretch all the way to Mount Fuji on clear days. I recommend trying to get a sunset time, it’s a really cool way to see the city lights!

Finish your night with dinner at Ginza Steak Shibuya. It’s a premium all-you-can-eat wagyu experience that’s surprisingly reasonable for the quality. You’ll get table-side cooking and perfectly marbled meat that melts in your mouth!

Day 3: Asakusa/Akihabara

Today, you will head to northeast Tokyo to Asakusa, home to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji. It’s best to get here as early as possible to avoid crowds! Walk through the Kaminarimon Gate, then make your way up to Senso-ji where you can draw an omikuji, or fortune slip, to learn about your luck for the year! Afterward, stroll down Nakamise-Dori for the famous strawberries on a stick and souvenirs.

Don’t miss the biggest Don Quijote when you are in this area! This is one of the best places to get souvenirs and local items. They carry snacks/sweets, alcohol, beauty/health products, clothing, and more! This store is 7 stories high and you could easily spend hours in here! Overseas visitors can also get tax-free shopping on items over 5,000 yen.

If you still have time after this and you are an animé fan, you can take the train to the electric town of Akihabara. This area is full of arcades and the famous claw machines. We went into a building that had 5 floors of claw machines!

Days 4-7: Kyoto

Getting to Kyoto

The Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. You can book your tickets in advance on Klook, but there are a few things to know before booking.

Make sure you are reserving the Nozomi, this is the fastest option. There is also ordinary and green car seating. Green car is their first class, which offers wider seats that recline, more legroom, and extra luggage space. When boarding, you will see ‘Green Car’ on the outside of the train car, so you know where to enter.

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the train station before departure. The station is huge, and the signs can get confusing if it’s your first time navigating. You will also want to grab a bento box before boarding. Tokyo Station’s food options are legendary, and train meals are part of the experience.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

Hyatt Place Kyoto(Use Points)

Don’t let this category 2 hotel go out of your radar! For only 9,500 World of Hyatt points per night, Hyatt Place Kyoto is a great value hotel option! It’s located near Nijo Castle and the subway line is literally around the corner which provides quick access to anywhere in Kyoto! Rooms are modern, nice size, and it’s easy to get around! We really enjoyed our stay here and would book it again.

Nazuna Kyoto Nijojo(Ryokan-Splurge!)

For a true Japanese stay, Nazuna Kyoto Nijojo ryokan offers private open-air baths and kaiseki dining. Each one of their inns has a different theme so each time you stay here could be a different experience!

Our friends stayed here and had nothing but good things to say about this ryokan. Their hospitality and amenities were top-notch! They helped us with dinner reservations one night at a place we would have never found on our own. It was the best meal we had in Kyoto! Make sure you check out Ginjo Cloud for the best izakaya meal!

Day 4: Nishiki Market/Gion District

Arrive in Kyoto midday and check in at the hotel. Start with Nishiki Market, a covered food street with everything from shrimp tempura to grilled eel skewers. Try samples and get a feel for Kyoto’s culinary culture.

Although food is a main attraction here, there are several shopping stores too! This is where we found engraved chopsticks, which make great gifts and something you can use for a lifetime to remember your trip.

In the evening, walk to Pontocho Alley or Gion District. These historic districts come alive at night with lanterns glowing and the chance of spotting a geisha. For a more in-depth experience, consider booking a guided tour that includes these sites! There are some very affordable night walking tours available on Get Your Guide. I will put a couple I recommend below.

Day 5: Nara/ Fushimi Inari Taisha

Nara is just under an hour from Kyoto and makes for an easy half-day trip. The best way to get there is by taking the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station, which is within walking distance to Nara Park. Make sure you don’t take the local subway or JR line, because it will take twice as long! You can buy tickets at the station, and trains run frequently, or you can purchase them in advance here if you know the date and time you want to go.

Once in Nara, walk to Nara Park to see the free-roaming deer. Spend some time feeding the sacred deer. There are several places to buy crackers, but be cautious, the deer can get aggressive if you run out of crackers! I would also recommend not to wear a dress or skirt this day, because the deer will have no problems sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong, if you know what I mean.

Then make sure to visit Todai-ji Temple. It’s home to the Great Buddha and is one of the most impressive temples in Japan! There is an entry fee to get inside, and you will want to pay so you can see everything! If you are collecting stamps in Japan, make sure you stop and get one here!

After Nara, head to Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its iconic path of 10,000 torii gates. From Kintetsu-Nara Station, take the train back towards Kyoto and transfer at Tanbabashi Station to the Keihan Line, then get off at Fushimi Inari Station. The total trip takes about 1 hour. The entrance is right outside the train station.

There is no admission fee here. Go later in the day for fewer crowds and wear comfortable shoes! You can choose to walk all the way up the mountain, or there is a shorter loop, which is what we did. This was one of my favorite temples in Kyoto!

Day 6: Explore North Kyoto

Today, you are going to explore all the sites north of Kyoto. Begin your day early at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to experience its serene beauty before the crowds arrive. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approximately 17 minutes). The bamboo grove is about a 10–15 minute walk from the station.

After the bamboo grove, there are several shrines and temples within walking distance you can explore. Nison-in Temple, a tranquil site known for its beautiful autumn foliage and historical significance. It’s just a short walk away from the bamboo forest. There is a small admission fee of ¥500 for adults, but we really enjoyed this temple. If you walk all the way up, there is a great viewpoint of Kyoto at the top.

If you’re interested in wildlife and panoramic views, consider visiting Iwatayama Monkey Park. Located on Mount Arashiyama, the park is home to about 120 wild Japanese macaques. The park offers a unique opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitat. The hike to the top takes about 20 minutes.

Next, head to Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto’s iconic Golden Pavilion. From Arashiyama Statio, take the Keifuku Randen Line to Kitano-Hakubaicho Station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Kinkaku-ji. You can enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage site in a 90-minute tour with a knowledgeable guide, which includes your admission fee.

Day 7: Maikoya Tea Ceremony

The perfect way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture is to book a traditional tea ceremony in kimonos. You learn about Japanese history, sample matcha green tea and wagashi sweets, and capture memorable photos in a kimono.

You will find tea ceremonies offered throughout Japan, but Kyoto is a popular destination because it is considered the cultural heart of Japan. I booked ours with Maikoya teahouse, and it was a great experience.

my Pick

Kimono Tea Ceremony

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.

BOOK NOW ON VIATOR

I not only learned how to make matcha tea, but I also learned that it’s a meticulous ritual where every movement and gesture has a meaning. It’s not about the taste, but all about enjoying the moments and remembering that this moment will never come back again.

This Kyoto tea ceremony is right next to the Nishiki market, so if there is anything you missed or regret not buying, now is a good time to go back and get it! Feel free to hit any other stops on your list today before heading to Osaka!

Days 8-10: Osaka

Getting to Osaka

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Special Rapid Train to Osaka Station. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively, the Shinkansen gets you there in 15 minutes, but it’s not always necessary. Shinkansen only stops at certain stations, so depending on where your hotel is, I would take the train that will get you closest to it!

If you take the JR Special Rapid Service, it will stop at Osaka Station. It is connected to a huge shopping mall with Nintendo Osaka, Pokemon Center, and various eating places! The Umeda Sky Building is only about a 10 minute walk if you want to make a stop here and ride the ferris wheel!

Where to Stay in Osaka

Miyako City Osaka Hommachi

Miyako City Osaka Hommachi is a mid-range hotel that is modern and clean. It is located in a quieter part of the city but offers great subway access. It’s a good choice for travelers who want to avoid Osaka’s louder nightlife areas. There is also a 7-Eleven across the street, and it’s within walking distance of Dotonbori Street.

This hotel smelled really good, so it had a great first impression! Check-in was easy, and they also offered free beverages in their lounge area. Our standard room had a bathroom with a bathtub and an amenity kit with face and body oils! This was a great feature after a long day of walking the city! I loved how centrally located it was, and I would definitely stay here again!

Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka(Use Points)

This is one of the newest Hyatt properties in Osaka! It wasn’t taking reservations yet when I visited, but I wanted to include this hotel because it’s a really good value if you have World of Hyatt or Chase points floating around. It’s only 9,500 points per night for a queen bed, alternatively, the rates are around $150 per night which still makes it a great deal!

This hotel has a casual social vibe with a shared workspace they call Talk Shop. Here, you can grab a bite to eat, an artisanal coffee, or a cocktail! It’s also a great location and walkable to Shinsekai District.

Day 8: Osaka Castle/Dotonbori

This will be your first full day in Osaka! In the morning head to Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. The park around the castle is great for a walk or a picnic. You can purchase admission-only tickets using the link above, or there are guided walking tours too! I will put a few I recommend below!

Next, you can take the train to Dotonbori, the neon-lit food and entertainment district. Here you will find LOTS of food options! We walked along the canal and stopped to try a lot of various foods. Osaka is known for its takoyaki, and it’s really cool if you catch them in the process of making it! You can also walk to the Ebisubashi-suji shopping street to find souvenirs.

Day 9: Universal Studios

Dedicate your full day to Universal Studios Japan. It’s home to Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and world-class rides like The Flying Dinosaur.

We unfortunately had a rainy day when we went, but to our surprise, a lot of rides were still running! We were able to ride The Flying Dinosaur before it shut down for the day, and a lot of the other popular rides are indoors which worked in our favor!

You will need to purchase your tickets and Express Passes in advance to minimize wait times. You do have to purchase these tickets separately, so make sure you are selecting the same day for both!

There are several express pass options depending on what rides you are interested in and what time you want. Each pass has different rides with various time slots. Make sure you pay close attention to this and choose the one that makes the most sense for you!

If theme parks are not your jam, you can select the link below and find different options for the day!

Here are a few I recommend:

• Osaka Aquarium
• Umeda Sky Building
• Cupnoodles Museum

Day 10: Shopping/KIX Airport

If you have a later flight, wrap up your trip with some last minute shopping in Osaka. There are several shopping areas you can explore depending on what you’re looking for. We went to Doguya-suji shopping street to look for Japanese dishes as this is known as the kitchen street, Nippombashi, known for anime and electronics, and Shinsaibashi-suji, which has a wide variety of shops.

The Kuromon Market is a great place to grab something to eat with several food vendors. We grabbed a croissant at Cinderella Croissant, filled with fresh Hokkaido cream and it was amazing! They also have mochi, Kobe beef, sushi, and much more!

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is easily reached by Nankai Airport Express from Namba Station or the JR Haruka Express from Tennoji Station. Allow at least 1.5 hours to get there depending on your route. You can take your luggage on the train, or you can ask your hotel if they offer a luggage service to send it for you.

Final Thoughts

This 10-day Japan itinerary gives first-time visitors the best of what Japan has to offer, cutting-edge cities, centuries-old temples, unforgettable food, and experiences that bridge tradition and innovation. By covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, you’ll experience Japan’s Golden Route without feeling rushed. The balance of structure and flexibility allows for both bucket-list highlights and meaningful cultural moments.

Japan is a country where every detail matters, and that includes how you travel. By using this itinerary, you’ll avoid common planning pitfalls, maximize your travel days, and get real value from your time and points. Whether it’s walking through a bamboo forest at sunrise, sipping matcha in a 400-year-old teahouse, or standing under neon skyscrapers in Shibuya, this journey is crafted to deliver impact. Follow this guide, and you’ll return home not just with photos but with stories worth telling.