10-day itinerary
10 Days in Japan
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
Japan dazzles first-time visitors with a mesmerizing collision of ancient temples, neon-lit streets, and world-class cuisine that no other destination can rival. This 10-day journey through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka packs in samurai castles, bullet-train rides, hidden izakayas, and cherry-blossom alleys — leaving you utterly hooked on the Land of the Rising Sun.
Morning: Land at Narita or Haneda, buy a Suica card at the airport, and take the express train directly to your Shinjuku hotel to drop your bags.
Afternoon: Stroll through the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku, visit the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory for panoramic city views, and pick up essentials at Don Quijote.
Evening: Dive into the lantern-lit alleyways of Golden Gai for a craft beer in a six-seat bar, then grab a bowl of rich tonkotsu ramen at Ichiran for your first Japanese meal.
Morning: Start at the serene Meiji Jingu shrine, walking the 700-metre forested gravel path to reach the towering cedar torii gate — arrive before 9am to beat the crowds.
Afternoon: Browse the wild Takeshita Street fashion boutiques in Harajuku, then head south to Omotesando for window-shopping along Tokyo's most elegant tree-lined boulevard.
Evening: Watch the legendary Shibuya Scramble Crossing from above at Starbucks or Mag's Park, then explore the lantern-strung Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) in Shinjuku for yakitori skewers.
Morning: Take the metro to Asakusa and explore the 7th-century Senso-ji temple complex at 7am before tour groups arrive, buying lucky fortunes (omikuji) for just ¥100.
Afternoon: Hop to Akihabara to browse multi-floor electronics towers and anime merchandise shops, then walk to Ueno Park and spend an hour in the Tokyo National Museum.
Evening: Return to Asakusa for dinner in a traditional tempura restaurant on Nakamise-dori, then sip matcha soft-serve along the riverside Sumida promenade as the sky turns orange.
Morning: Wake up early for the outer market at Tsukiji — eat a fresh sushi breakfast at a counter stall for around ¥1,500 and browse seafood vendors selling tamagoyaki egg rolls.
Afternoon: Walk through the upscale Ginza district past flagship stores, then catch the Ginza Line metro to Odaiba for the otherworldly TeamLab Planets digital art installation.
Evening: Take the Yurikamome driverless train over Tokyo Bay at sunset for spectacular skyline views, then enjoy all-you-can-eat yakiniku grilled meat near your hotel to fuel up before Kyoto.
Morning: Board the Nozomi Shinkansen from Shinagawa at 8am and glide to Kyoto in just 2 hours 15 minutes, storing luggage at the station and heading straight to Arashiyama by train.
Afternoon: Walk through the ethereal bamboo grove at Tenryu-ji, rent a rowboat on the Oi River for ¥1,100, and climb the mossy Monkey Park hillside for panoramic valley views.
Evening: Check into your ryokan in the Gion district, slip on your yukata robe, and eat kaiseki multi-course dinner served on lacquerware trays in your tatami room.
Morning: Take the JR Nara Line to Fushimi Inari-Taisha at 6am and hike the full 4km trail of 10,000 vermillion torii gates up Mount Inari — allow 2 hours for the full loop.
Afternoon: Return to central Kyoto for lunch at Nishiki Market, the narrow 400-year-old covered street nicknamed Kyoto's Kitchen, sampling pickled vegetables, grilled mochi, and fresh tofu.
Evening: Wander the cobblestone Hanamikoji Street in Gion at dusk for your best chance of spotting a maiko apprentice geisha hurrying to an evening appointment in the teahouses.
Morning: Visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) at opening time at 9am when the reflection in the mirror pond shimmers most brilliantly, then walk to the warlord's Nijo Castle for the nightingale floors.
Afternoon: Hire a bicycle from one of the rental shops near Kyoto Station and pedal the leafy 2km Philosopher's Path canal trail past moss-draped stone lanterns and quiet neighbourhood shrines.
Evening: Explore the backstreets of Pontocho Alley — a single lantern-lit pedestrian lane packed with hidden restaurants — for a candlelit dinner of shabu-shabu hotpot beside the Kamo River.
Morning: Take the JR Miyakoji Rapid train to Nara in 45 minutes and walk straight to Nara Park, where over 1,200 sacred sika deer roam freely and bow their heads to beg for shika senbei crackers.
Afternoon: Enter the enormous wooden Todai-ji temple hall housing Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue (15 metres tall), then hike up to the quiet hilltop Kasuga Grand Shrine through cedar forest.
Evening: Return to Kyoto by 5pm, enjoy a soak in your ryokan's private onsen bath, and eat at a standing sushi bar near Kyoto Station for an affordable final Kyoto dinner.
Morning: Check out of Kyoto and take the 15-minute Shinkansen or 75-minute Hankyu express train to Osaka, checking into a hotel near Namba to position yourself perfectly for food adventures.
Afternoon: Visit Osaka Castle and its surrounding moat park for historical context, then head to Kuromon Ichiba Market for a walking lunch of fresh scallops, wagyu skewers, and sea urchin on rice.
Evening: Explode into the neon chaos of Dotonbori — eat takoyaki octopus balls direct from the griddle, try crispy okonomiyaki savoury pancakes, and photograph the iconic giant Glico running man sign.
Morning: Explore the retro 1920s Shinsekai neighbourhood at its colourful best in morning light, eating kushikatsu deep-fried skewers for breakfast like the locals do, and spotting the Tsutenkaku Tower.
Afternoon: Shop for last-minute Japanese gifts at the Shinsaibashi covered arcade — pick up KitKat flavours unique to Japan, quality Japanese knives, and handmade ceramics as authentic souvenirs.
Evening: Head to Kansai International Airport via the Haruka Express (75 minutes), reflecting on 10 extraordinary days as the Osaka skyline disappears behind you through the train window.
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