Japan Kyoto temple during sunset, part of our 10 day Japan Travel Itinerary

10 Day Japan Travel Itinerary: First Timer’s Complete Guide

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If youโ€™re planning your first trip to Japan and want to experience the best this incredible country has to offer, youโ€™ve come to the right place. After traveling through Japan for three weeks and having extensively researched each place, Iโ€™ve carefully crafted this 10 day Japan travel itinerary to ensure you get a balanced mix of must-see cities, historical landmarks, cultural highlights, and local culinary experiences.

Rather than simply giving you a checklist of temples, shrines, and tourist spots, this itinerary instead focuses on unique and unforgettable experiences you can have in Japan. Wherever possible, we venture off the beaten path to introduce you to experiences that set this journey apart from more traditional itineraries. The destinations on this list have been personally explored and chosen to give you an unforgettable introduction to Japan. Letโ€™s get right into it!

Woman standing in front of osaka castle

Where to arrive in Japan?

There are several international airports in Japan, but most visitors will choose to either land in Osaka Kansai International Airport, or the two airports nearby Tokyo (Narita Airport or Haneda airport). Where you choose to arrive depends on where you would like to start your trip, the flight routes available from your region, as well as the flight prices at the moment of your booking. 

We decided to land in Osaka airport, and then start heading East from Osaka through KyotoIzu Peninsula, and Tokyo, before departing from Narita airport. 

You can do the same by starting in Tokyo and then heading West to depart from Osaka Kansai Airport. 

Finally, if you are arriving and departing from the same airport, you can easily do a loop tour by taking the Shinkansen from Osaka back to Tokyo (or vice-versa) which takes only about 3 hours! 

busy streets of Tokyo

Top Japan experiences included in the itinerary

Our 10-day Japan travel itinerary offers a blend of the countryโ€™s best in gastronomy, culture, sightseeing, outdoor adventures, and metropolitan life. Below is a quick highlight of the top moments youโ€™ll enjoy during your 10 days exploring this beautiful country:

  • Witness Mount Fuji
  • Omakase gastronomy experience, one of Japanโ€™s finest haute-cuisine
  • Get eclectic exploring and shopping in Japanโ€™s Otaku culture in Akihabara
  • The ultimate relaxing experience staying at a traditional Ryokan and unwinding in a geothermal bath
  • Immerse into the word of Harry Potter in the studio tour
  • Experience ancient Japan donning their traditional Kimono attire
  • Play with the bowing-deers of Nara and admire the beautiful zen gardens
  • Stroll through the thousand famous red tori gates of Fushimi Inarii
  • Taste Japanโ€™s finest beef, the Wagyu steak
  • Become a Samurai or a Tea Ceremony Master through a guided cultural experience tour
  • Race around Japan Mario-kart style

Overview of our 10 days Itinerary in Japan

Below weโ€™ll share with you what we consider a perfect 10 day itinerary traveling through Japan, including what activities you can do, alternatives to satisfy different interests, where to eat, where to stay, and overall how to organize your schedule

We have illustrated the itinerary to be starting in Osaka, and ending in Tokyo, but it can be done the other way around as well, or as a loop by taking a Shinkansen back to the starting city. If you have more time than 10 days, we have also included a section below with suggestions of where else to explore in Japan. 

map of japan itinerary including kyoto, tokyo, osaka, and activities

This itinerary allows you to explore at a comfortable pace rather than jamming packed the schedule with sights to see. In our experience, the true magic of traveling in Japan is through the interactions and having the time to immerse in the culture rather than checking temples and shrines off the list. With 10 days, you wonโ€™t have enough time to do everything so we have also included alternative suggested activities for you to choose based on your interests.


Day 1-4: Arrival Day, Osaka and Day Trips (3 nights)

Following your first day which will be spent arriving in Japan, we recommend spending about 3 days exploring Osaka and including a few options of Day trips. Osaka felt the most like a bustling city for locals, compared to the more tourist-centered atmospheres of Tokyo or Kyoto. Here, you will get to visit the ancient Osaka Castle, do sake tasting, explore the bustling downtown foods of Dotonburi, enjoy the rides of Universal Studios, and fit in a day trip or two to the beautiful Nara, Uji, or Kobe. If you are looking for a guide specifically for how to spend your time in Osaka, check out our Osaka Itinerary guide.

Dotonbori square in Osaka

where to stay in Osaka?

Osaka is a fairly large city but the main attractions are all clustered in the centre near Namba Station. No matter which neighbourhood you stay in, we highly recommend that it be a short walking distance to one of the metro lines as you will be using the metros daily. We stayed in an AirBnB nearby Osaka castle and it was only a quick 15 minutes metro ride to the downtown area.

Day 1: Arrival in Osaka

On your first day in Japan, you will need to account for approximately 1-2 hours to get from Osakaโ€™s International airport to your hotel. If you have a lot of luggage, you can use the convenient luggage transfer service available at the airport.

Normally it costs around 1000 yen for a bag under 10kg, and around 2500 yen for a 25kg checked luggage. If you are curious about the available means of transportation from the airport to the city centre, we have it covered in detail in the below โ€˜Getting around Japanโ€™ section. 

ramen bowl in Japan

It is best not to plan too much on your first day in Japan since youโ€™ll likely be tired from the long flight. We suggest exploring the area that you are staying in and enjoying your first bowl of delicious Ramen!

Day 2: Exploring Osaka Castle and doing Sake Tasting

Morning: Osaka Castle and Rooftop bar view

On your first full-day in Osaka, we recommend spending the afternoon discovering Osaka Castle and walking around the beautiful gardens there. Osaka Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583 was a symbol of power and ambition in Japan, and was designed as a fortress to withstand attacks.

This becomes evident the moment you step onto the castle grounds where you canโ€™t help but be in awe by the sheer size of the castle, surrounded by towering walls and a vast moat that once kept attackers away. 

You can explore the castle grounds for free but if you would like to enter the castle and explore the museum inside, then you will need to buy an entrance ticket. It costs only 600 yen but make sure to try to go early as there can be a big lineup to go in. 

We suggest spending around 2 hours exploring the castle grounds and maybe another hour discovering the museum inside the castle. 

Bluebirds rooftop terrace with view of Osaka castle

After youโ€™re done, make sure to stop by Blue Birds rooftop terrace to grab a drink and get one of the best rooftop panoramic views of Osaka Castle


Afternoon: Sake Tasting experience

In the late afternoon, we recommend trying out a Sake Tasting experience. Sake is a traditional Japanese Alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, often referred to as โ€œrice wineโ€. There are countless sake breweries, or โ€œSakagurasโ€, in Osaka but we did our tasting experience at Shimada Store Sake

We had the chance to taste six different sakes (each for a small fee), while the owner walked us through the sake-making process and explained the nuances of each flavor. The highlight for us though was sampling the same sake in both a glass cup and a ceramic sake cup, where we noticed a remarkable difference in the taste profile. The only drawback was that the owner spoke minimal English but we managed with the use of Google Translate. 

If you would like to do a full guided sake-tasting experience in English, where you get to sample 9 carefully selected sakes under the proper guidance of a sake instructor, then you can instead check out this Sake Tasting tour

🍶 English-guided Sake Tasting experience where you get to sample 9 carefully selected sakes

Expect to spend around 1-2 hours doing the Sake tasting experiences. 


Evening: Exploring the amazing food in Dotonburi or doing a food tour

Spend the evening strolling through the vibrant downtown area of Dotonbori and explore all the amazing choices of food!

Dotonbori is pretty much like the Times Square of Osaka, known for its energetic atmosphere, bustling entertainment, and tons of street food. Did you know that Osaka is famously known as Japanโ€™s โ€œKitchenโ€ and is celebrated for its delicious street food?

While strolling through the streets, make sure to try out Takoyakis (octopus balls), Okonomiyaki (savoury pancake), Kushikatsu (meat skewers), and Ikayaki (pan-fried squid). Dotonbori Canal is also lined with theaters, shops, bars, and karaoke spots, making it a perfect place to explore for both locals and tourists. 

If you would instead prefer a guided tour experience where youโ€™ll get to discover Dotonbori as well as some of Osakaโ€™s hidden gems, you can check out this Osaka Hotspots walking tour.  

Alternatively, if you want to do a food-oriented walking tour and be guided through all the amazing Osaka-famous foods, then check out this Shinsekai Food tour with 13 different dishes!


Day 3: Explore Osakaโ€™s Universal Studios or day trip to Uji/Kobe

Today, you will have the choice between discovering Universal Studios Japan, or taking a day trip outside of Osaka.

Choice 1: Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios is famous for its immersive, world-class attractions, many of which are based on popular movies and franchises. Here youโ€™ll get to discover Hogwarts and drink butter beer in the Wizarding world, Race Mario-kart style in the Super Mario World, and chase dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park. 

Universal Studios Osaka Mario Ride
Universal Studios Osaka Yoshi Adventure ride: Photo by Romeo A

Since USJ is one of the busiest attraction parks in Japan, we highly recommend that you buy a pass that includes the timed entry. This is especially important so you can get access to the Super Mario World. Check out the USJ 1-day studio pass + timed entry ticket which also includes a 1 week Have Fun in Kansai activity Pass!

Make sure to book it at least 2-3 weeks in advance as it tends to sell out quickly!  

If you do visit Universal Studios, then it will take up your entire dayโ€™s plans. 


Choice 2: Day trip to Uji or Kobe

If you are less interested in theme parks, we highly recommend doing a day trip to either Uji or Kobe

Uji Day Trip

Uji is best known for its high quality green tea, particularly matcha, and its rich history. Here you can spend the day strolling along the Uji River, experience an authentic tea ceremony, and taste the incredible array of food and desserts made with Uji Matcha. You can even find matcha flavour soba noodles. Weird and cool at the same time!

Walking along the canal in Uji
Beautiful Canal in Uji

You can conveniently reach Uji by train from Osaka which takes only 50 minutes. If you would like to visit Uji and Nara in one day trip, you can check out this Day tour including Nara, Uji, Tea ceremony, and onsen from Osaka

Kobe Day Trip

Alternatively, you can visit Kobe, a port city world-famous for its exquisite Kobe beef, stunning harbor views, and unique blend of Western and Japanese architecture. Kobe Beef, which comes from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black Cattle, is known for its rich marbling, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, and flavour.

The first thing you should do when visiting Kobe is definitely visit a steakhouse and try out the delicious Kobe beef. We recommend eating lunch there as the pricing is significantly cheaper as compared to dinner. 

While there, why not unwind in a natural hot spring within the Arima Onsen, one of Japanโ€™s oldest and most famous hot spring resorts. In this way, you can easily spend a whole day in Kobe, and it can be easily reached by train taking only 30 minutes from Osaka! If you would like a more guided experience in Kobe, you can check out this Guided Kobe highlights tour

City of Kobe with buildings and port
City of Kobe

Day 4: Osaka Day trip to Nara

Located just 50 minutes by train from Osaka Central station, the small city of Nara makes for a perfect day trip to escape the crowds of the city, discover the bowing deers, and also find one of the best tuna bowls in all of Japan! In fact, Nara turned out to be one of our favourite day trips in Japan! 

The reason for this is actually not the bowing deers, which we found questionable regarding ethicality, but instead because of the very peaceful atmosphere, the vast natural gardens, that particularly delicious tuna bowl, and one of the cutest Japanese garden cafes weโ€™ve ever been to. We wrote an entire guide on how to spend a day in Nara so you can check it out for all the details there, including where this Tuna bowl restaurant is! 

Uni and Toro bowl at Maguro Koya
THE best Tuna bowl with fresh Okinawa Uni!!

📙 Check out our full guide on how to spend a day trip in Nara!

In total, your day trip to Nara should take up most of the day.  


Day 5-7: Kyoto and Day trips (3 nights)

We recommend spending 3 nights in Kyoto including a few options of day trips.

Kyoto, out of the three, is the most historical and cultural, filled with ancient temples, traditional tea houses, beautiful gardens, and vibrant festivals that showcase its rich heritage and artistic traditions.

Here you will get to experience dressing up in a Kimono and walking through the Geisha District of Gion, taste some of the best matcha desserts, walk the hundreds of stairs lined with red tori gates in Fushimi Inarii, and much more!

As an overview, we recommend splitting up your days as follows:

  • Day 5: Visiting Arashiyama with the bamboo forest, wagyu restaurant lunch, and onsen, followed by exploring Gion and Higashiyama in Kyoto wearing a Kimono.
  • Day 6: Exploring the red tori gates of Fushimi Inarii (there is a secret route that I describe in my Kyoto travel guide)
  • Day 7: Exploring more of Kyoto including the famous temples of Kinkaku-Ji and Kiyomizu-dera, then participating in a cultural activity.
  • Also, make sure to go to Nanaโ€™s Green Tea for their delicious matcha desserts! We went back there 3 times and were sad that we couldnโ€™t find it easily in Tokyo after (They also have it in Osaka!)!     

Alternative Things to do in Kyoto

Legendary Knife-making workshop

Japanese knives are renowned as some of the finest in the world, and this exclusive private experience at Wada Shouten offers you the chance to craft your very own authentic Japanese knife. Youโ€™ll not only learn the art of knife-making but also create a personalized masterpiece, complete with your name engraved on it. Choose from three iconic knife styles: Deba, Sashimi, or Santoku, and take home a true work of craftsmanship.

Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experience


Immerse yourself in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, where youโ€™ll savor expertly crafted tea paired with a delightful sweet treat.

Learn the art of brewing your own matcha while taking in the serene beauty of a traditional tea house in Kiyomizu.

Or check out some of these other great tours:

📙 To see a more detailed guide about some of the best things to do in Kyoto, including how to reach the secret side of Fushimi Inarii, where to eat, and where to stay, check out our 2 day Kyoto guide


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This post is part of our series about Japan. If you want to learn more about Japan, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:


Day 8-10: Tokyo (3 nights)

We recommend spending 3-4 nights in Tokyo including an optional day trip to Hakone to see Mount Fuji.

Tokyo is the most metropolitan out of the three, and has the most variety of things to do all within the city of Tokyo.

What makes Tokyo special is its division into numerous distinct districts, each with its own unique atmosphere and highlights. Every neighbourhood offers a different experience, from bustling shopping hubs to serene cultural areas, making the city incredibly diverse and dynamic. If you want to get a better idea of if Tokyo is worth visiting, check out our guide on the 27 Unique things you’ll get to experience in Tokyo!

Here are a few notable districts in Tokyo and what they are best known for:

  • Shibuya is known as the hub of fashion and has the Shibuya Crossing 
  • Shinjuku is known for its lively nightlife in Kabukicho and the huge variety of street food and restaurants
  • Akihabara is the haven for all things Japanese pop culture including anime, manga, and electronics! 
  • Roppongi is the centre of luxury shopping and features the Mori Art Museum
  • Tsukiji is famous for its wholesale seafood market. 
  • Ginza is Tokyoโ€™s premiere shopping district, known for its luxury brands, high-end dining, and upscale living.
Tokyo city at night

As you can see, with only 3 days, you wonโ€™t have enough time to see all the districts so youโ€™ll need to pick and choose the neighbourhoods that most interest you. In total, there are 23 wards in Tokyo, each offering a unique experience!

Where to stay in Tokyo?

As you can see from the previous highlights of each ward, where you stay in Tokyo will highly depend on the environment you want and your budget. Shinjuku is incredibly lively, with the streets filled even late into the night. It also has the red light district there so the crowds around there are different. If you prefer something more upscale, then you can stay in Shibuya or even Roppongi

Also, ideally, pick an accommodation somewhere within walking distance to the main train stations or the Pink Toei Oedo line (Circular loop line that goes around the main central districts in Tokyo). We chose to stay in Shinjukuโ€™s ToyokoInn and it was super convenient as it was connected to the Toei Oedo line as well as several of the other main lines. 

If you want to save some money, you can also opt to stay in a business hotel such as ToyokoInn (We stayed there and it was excellent), APA Hotel, or Tokyu Stay Hotels (a bit more upscale). 


Day 8: Explore Shinjuku and Akihabara districts, then try an omakase experience

Morning: Exploring Akihabara ward

Spend your first full day exploring two very distinct and unique wards of Tokyo.

In Akihabara, you will be fully immersed in Japanโ€™s Otaku culture, seeing all things Anime, Manga, and electronics. The district is filled with stores selling anime figurines, merchandise, and cosplay items. It is also here that you can experience the famous maid cafรฉs, like Maidreamin, where waitresses dressed as maids serve customers cute, themed desserts. 

busy streets of Tokyo

Alternatively, they also have several other themed cafes inspired by famous video games like Gundam and Final Fantasy.

Before leaving, make sure to check out the massive department stores like Yodobashi and BIC where you can find everything from the latest gadgets to unique Japanese souvenirs. Also keep in mind many of these stores offer duty-free shopping so bring your passport!  

Late afternoon: Explore Shinjuku Ward

Shinjuku is one of Tokyoโ€™s most famous districts, known for its dynamic mix of business, shopping, food streets, and nightlife.

Here you will find the famous massive Godzilla head looming at the top of the Shinjuku Toho skyscraper, Omoide Yokocho (a famous narrow street lined with izakayas), Golden Gai (beer street), as well as Shin-Okubo Korean Town for all things KPOP. It is also here that you will find Tokyoโ€™s red light district. The atmosphere here is energetic and alive at all times of the day and night, and the streets are filled with some of the most local and vibrant restaurants.

The only place out of this list that we wouldnโ€™t recommend as much is Golden Gai, famous for its narrow alleyways lined with hundreds of tiny bars. The reason is that here they charge a big cover charge to even go in (usually between 500 yen to 1000 yen per person) to each bar, simple alcoholic drinks are easily 1000+ yen each, and cash only.

Personally, we felt you can get a far better and more unique experience with that money in the cute izakayas in Omoide Yokocho, or just save it for your full omakase experience later in the evening! 

Evening: Omakase experience

Omakase is a Japanese term that translates to โ€œIโ€™ll leave it up to youโ€ or โ€œchefโ€™s choice.โ€ In the context of dining, omakase refers to a meal where the chef selects and serves a curated menu based on seasonal ingredients and the chefโ€™s expertise. It is usually between 12 to 18 unique courses and one of the best gastronomical experiences you can have in Japan.

There are thousands of omakases available in Tokyo so you will need to choose based on your budget, restaurant preference, and location. To give you a general idea, an omakase experience normally goes from 10,000 yen to 30,000 yen per person

We strongly recommend researching Omakase restaurants in advance and booking at least a few weeks, or ideally a month, ahead. These restaurants can typically accommodate only 6-10 guests at a time with just two seatings per day, so they tend to get fully booked.

During our trip, we went to Sushi Muku in Roppongi for our Omakase experience. Not only did we get to taste over 12 delicious and unique seafood courses, but there was also all-you-can-drink sake (with multiple choices of sakes)! 


Day 9: Seeing Mount Fuji from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building + Harry Potter studio tour

Morning: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation deck

One of the best ways to enjoy the view of the Tokyo skyline, and if you are lucky and the day is clear, of Mount Fuji, is from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. You can go to the more popular Tokyo Sky Tree, but it is often crowded, fully booked, and costs between 2100-3100yen per person! 

Instead, you can visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildingโ€™s observation deck, which is completely free and offers stunning 360-degree views of the city from the 45th floor!

Thereโ€™s also a cafรฉ on the deck, and if youโ€™re lucky, you might catch a live piano performance during your visit.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government building

Make sure to go there early to avoid the queue. We went at around 11am and had to wait approximately 45 minutes. We would recommend accounting a minimum of 2 hours for your visit there, including the waiting time.  


Afternoon: Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo

If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, then visiting the Tokyo Harry Potter Studio is a must!

Even for those who havenโ€™t read the books, it is truly fascinating to be able to walk through the true Hogwarts and Diagon Alley movie sets and marvel at the painstaking details they went through to create this fascinating world.

Harry potter studio tour in Tokyo
Our Harry Potter experience in Tokyo

You get to see the costumes, how they created all the magical creatures, and even walk through and interact with the potions lab. I had read all the books but Nan did not but we both thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

Keep in mind that the studio is massive, and it took us around 4-5 hours to see the whole thing. Also, make sure to pick up a Butterbeer at the midway point and they give you a free Beer chalice with different Hogwarts house emblems! 

Make sure to book the Harry Potter Studio tickets 🧙‍♀️ early as they do tend to sell out a few weeks in advance!


Evening: Wagyu Tasting Experience

Even if you ended up trying Wagyu beef in Kobe as a day trip from Osaka, you will likely still be craving more!

Tokyo, being the metropolitan centre of Japan, is a premiere destination offering combination wagyu tasting experiences. What makes this special is that you can not only taste Wagyu beef Yakiniku-style (grilled), but also pan-seared, Sukiyaki-style (cooked in sweet savoury broth), Shabu-Shabu Style (hot-pot), as a Wagyu Sushi, and as a Wagyu Steak, all within one meal.

We highly suggest also choosing an experience where you get to pair sake tasting with the wagyu tasting

Check out these two highly recommended Wagyu + Sake Tasting experiences. We did our tour with the first company, however, both tours are rated very highly:


Day 10: Chocie of activities around tokyo

On your final day in Tokyo, weโ€™ll offer a variety of unique activity options. This allows you to pick the experience that best suits your interests and gives you the flexibility to swap these activities with others in the itinerary as needed.

  • Tokyo Mario Go Karting: Race through the streets of Tokyo on a Mario-Kart style Go-kart, including Mario Kart Costumes! Make sure to book this far in advance as it tends to sell out. 
  • Hakone Day trip: This day trip offers stunning views of Mount Fuji and a chance to explore the charming town of Hakone. Reaching Hakone will take you about 90 minutes each way, therefore we recommend it more for those with a late-night flight or an early departure on Day 11. You can do this tour as a private tour or a joined group tour to Hakone
  • Teamlab Planets: Experience the interactive digital art museum of TeamLab, where stunning visuals and immersive installations blend art and technology. Explore enchanting rooms filled with dynamic projections, such as the mesmerizing โ€œFloating Flower Gardenโ€ and the โ€œInfinite Crystal Universeโ€. Make sure to book this far in advance.
  • Sensoji Temple + Miyamoto Drum Museum: If you are interested in seeing more temples, check out Sensoji Temple in Taito and at the same time, you can visit the Miyamoto Drum Museum. There are over 800 drums in their collection and for a fee of 500 yen, you can even get to play on many of them! If Japanese drumming (Taiko) sounds like fun to you, then you can also check out this official Taiko experience where you learn how to play!
Sensoji Temple in Tokyo

If you want even more ideas on what to do, we have a guide on the hidden gem experiences in Tokyo!

Following your day of activities, you will make your way back to Narita or Haneda airport for your international flight. We will guide you through the multiple transportation methods in the โ€œGetting Around Japanโ€ section. 


If you have more time: 14 day itinerary Japan

If you have more time, and can extend your trip to 14 days+ days in Japan, then we would highly recommend adding one one or more of these spots to your itinerary.

Izu Peninsula

Located only about 45 minutes by high-speed train from Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula offers some of Japanโ€™s most majestic coastal views, authentic small Japanese fishing villages, and some of the most relaxing ryokans!

We did a 5 day road trip through the Izu Peninsula and it turned out to be our favourite experience in all of Japan. If you want to see if Izu is right for you, you can check out our top things to do in Izu Peninsula Guide! If you are into food, Izu has some of the freshest seafood we have ever eaten, reminding us of our time dining on fresh calamari and fish in Taormina Sicily.

If it is right for you, then you can easily insert the Izu portion of the trip right before going to Tokyo.

Hakone

If you didnโ€™t have time to see it on the final day of our 10 days itinerary in Japan, then you can add it as an extension to your trip. In Hakone, you can easily spend 2-3 days to enjoy the Ryokans and explore the multiple gardens with views of Mount Fuji.

Hiroshima

Another must-do spot in Japan is visiting Hiroshima, and more particularly the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Here you will get to learn about the history of the atomic bombing, the impact it had on the city and its inhabitants, and the ongoing efforts for peace and nuclear disarmament.

The memorial serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of promoting a peaceful, nuclear-weapon-free future.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial, part of our 10 day Japan itinerary

While in Hiroshima, you can also make a quick day trip to see Miyajima, famous for its massive red tori gate that appears to float in the water. By high speed train, it takes around 90 minutes from Osaka. If you would like to include it in your itinerary, we would suggest including it after visiting Osaka, but before Kyoto and Tokyo. 


Getting around Japan

After landing at Osaka Kansai International Airport or Tokyoโ€™s Narita or Haneda airport, the first decision you need to make is which means of transportation to take to reach your hotel. Below we have highlighted all the recommended routes.

But first, while you are at the airport, make sure to pick up your SUICA or ICOCA card, and your JR Shinkansen Pass if you purchased it, as they can only be picked up at certain major transport stations.

We will also share how to get from one city in Japan to another as well as all the transportation passes you need to get!

How to go from Osaka Kansai Airport to Osaka downtown

To go from Osaka Kansai Airport to your hotel in central Osaka, you have three options available. You can take the Kansai-Airport Limousine bus which takes around 60 minutes to Osaka station, The JR Haruka train which takes only 45 minutes to reach Osaka Station, or a private transport such as WelcomePickups which takes around 45-60 minutes. 

The first two options will certainly be the most cost-effective, and both the Kansai-Airport Limousine Bus as well as the JR Haruka train ride are conveniently included in the Klook Pass Kansai.

Hotel

Transport Time

Features

60 minutes

  • No need to navigate station

  • Dedicated seats

  • Wifi available

45 minutes

  • Cost-effective

  • No dedicated seat

  • Need to navigate through station

50 minutes

  • Most convenient

  • English-speaking driver

  • Direct to hotel

What we did was buy the Klook Pass Kansai, and added on the JR Kansai wide area pass as a premium add-on, which allowed us to ride the JR Haruka Hello Kitty train for free and then use unlimited Shinkansens in the wider Kansai area for 5 days!   

✅ If you are landing in Osaka, we highly recommend picking up the Klook Pass Kansai


How to go from Narita Airport to Tokyo Downtown

From Narita station, you have 5 options available to reach Tokyo Central Station.

Hotel

Transport Time

Features

53 minutes

  • Need to navigate station

  • Very comfortable

  • Direct from Terminal 1

41 minutes

50 minutes

  • Most convenient

  • English-speaking driver

  • Direct to hotel

80 minutes

  • Slowest

  • Affordable

  • Stops at Shinjuku

The first is the JR Narita Express train which takes only about 60 minutes to reach Central Tokyo. 

The second option is the Narita Keisei Skyliner Train which brings your from Narita to Ueno (Tokyo Centre) in just 41 minutes! Whatโ€™s more is that purchasing the Skyliner ticket also includes a ticket for 24-72 hours of unlimited tokyo subway rides at a highly discounted price. Another bonus is that the Narita Skyliner Train is included in the Klook Pass Greater Tokyo!

Check out the Klook Pass Greater Tokyo 🗼 which gives you access to multiple activity passes as well as covering the Keisei Skyliner Train!

Airport in Japan

Our third option is taking the Tokyo Airport Limousine Bus, bringing you to Central Tokyo in about 80 minutes. What is great about this option is that they have several stops around the city, and you can avoid going up and down all the stairs of the train station. We took this option going from Tokyo Shinjuku to Narita airport and the process was seamless.

The fourth option is by taking the Keisei Access Express or Keisei SkyAccess, which is slightly cheaper but has multiple stops along the way, making the journey time longer at around 80 minutes. Personally I would recommend taking the first 3 options as they are quicker, more convenient, has dedicated seating, and is more direct. 

The final option is taking a private transfer with WelcomePickups, which should take around 55 minutes. Keep in mind that taking taxis or any private transport is expensive, but can be a good option if you are a larger group with more luggage. 


How to go from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Downtown

Haneda station is located closer to Tokyo than Narita Airport. There are 4 main options for getting to Tokyo.

Hotel

Transport Time

Features

Keikyu Airport Line

30 minutes

  • Need to navigate station

  • Need to walk 10 minutes

  • Cheapest

40 minutes

  • Affordable

  • Stops at Shinjuku

  • WIFI available

20 minutes

  • Most convenient

  • English-speaking driver

  • Direct to hotel

25 minutes

The first is the Keikyu Airport line which brings you from Haneda Airport to Takaracho station which is a 10-minute walk to Tokyo Station. This route costs only 550 yen, and you can pay with the PASMO, SUICA, or ICOCA cards. In total, it should take around 30 minutes.

The second option is the Haneda Airport Limousine Bus, bringing you from Haneda Airport to the area around Shinjuku within 40 minutes. The biggest advantage of taking the limousine bus is that you avoid needing to go up and down all the stairs in the train stations with your luggage, and you have a dedicated seat on the bus.

The third option is the Tokyo Monorail bringing you from Haneda to downtown Tokyo in around 25 minutes. You can easily pay for it with your PASMO, SUICA, or ICOCA card, and is also covered by the regional JR Passes such as the JR Hokuriku Arch pass.

The final option is taking a private transfer with WelcomePickups, which should take only around 20 minutes.


JR Passes in Japan for long-distance travel

The JR Passes, allowing you unlimited travel on their high-speed Shinkansens, used to be advertised as a must-have when traveling in Japan. However, since the significant price increase in 2023, it may no longer be the case. We would highly recommend that you plan out all your long-distance train journeys (for example: going from Osaka to Hiroshima, then Hiroshima to Osaka, then Osaka to Kyoto, etc…) and then use the JR Pass Fare Calculator to see if you will actually be saving any money by buying the JR Pass. 

Shinkansens in Japan

JR sells 7, 14, and 21 day passes (JR whole Japan pass) that can cover all of Japan, or they also sell regional passes. In our case, since we were going to take several Shinkansens within the 5 days we were in the Osaka/Kyoto region (going from Okayama to Kyoto), it was worth it for us to buy the regional pass of JR Kansai Wide Area Pass. If you will only be traveling within the narrower Kansai region (from Himeji to Kyoto), then instead check out the JR Kansai Area Pass

If in your case, you will be traveling a lot between Osaka and Tokyo, and maybe adding on some of the northern regions like Kanazawa and Nagano, then you can consider getting the JR Pass Hokuriku Arch regional pass. There are so many passes available depending on where you will be traveling so make sure to check them out!  


SUICA or ICOCA card for local transportation

Regardless of which region of Japan you will be visiting, it will be essential to pick up the SUICA card (from Tokyo) or the ICOCA card (from Osaka or Kyoto). The SUICA and ICOCA cards are rechargeable local transportation cards that can be used for the buses, trains, metros, certain convenience stores, and even coin lockers. 

ICOCA card that is used in the Kansai region

By using these cards, you will simply need to load money into the card, and tap whenever passing through the barriers at the transport stations or buses. As you pass through, it will also show how much credit you have remaining on the card so you know when you need to recharge again. This saved us a lot of time and hassle as I initially tried to not get the card and pay with coins. Every time I took a metro or train, I needed to go to the ticket machine, input the route I was taking, and have the right amount of coins to pay for the ride. I gave up and purchased the ICOCA card after 2 rides. 

You can pick up the ICOCA/SUICA cards at the airport or main JR stations. You will need to make a one-time payment of 2000 yen, where 500 yen is used as a deposit, and the remaining 1500 yen becomes the cardโ€™s balance. 

lineup at the japan station machines

Do note that each person must have their own ICOCA/SUICA card. Also, make sure to pick it up right when you land at the airport or arrive at the main JR stations as the vending machines are not available at all stations. 

Fortunately, ICOCA and SUICA can be used interchangeably, meaning they can be used in each otherโ€™s regions.


How much time do you need in Japan?

We would say that 10 days is the minimum time you need to visit Japan. Japan is a big country with so much to offer. Our itinerary focuses more on the central portion of Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, there is also the far north in Sapporo where you can go skiing, or the far South in Okinawa where there are beaches and you can go scuba diving! 

We spent 3 weeks traveling through just the central region of Japan and we still had so much more we wanted to see. Within 3 weeks, we only got to explore Kyoto, Osaka, Okayama, Nara, Uji, Izu Peninsula, and Tokyo.

For this reason, we have provided above an optimal 10 days Japan travel itinerary, but also included optional add-on destinations which can easily extend your trip in Japan to 2-3 weeks.  


Important Japan travel tips

Japan seamlessly blends tradition, modernity, and rich culture in a way thatโ€™s truly unique. However, for first-time visitors to Japan, navigating the country can be a bit daunting due to its distinct customs, advanced technology, and language barriers.

To ensure you have a smooth and unforgettable trip, weโ€™ve put together 36 essential tips for traveling in Japan as a first-time visitor. These will help you navigate everything from booking restaurants, how to get internet, tipping, which activities require advanced booking, and much more!   


How much does traveling Japan cost?

The cost of your trip will depend on many factors including what type of hotel you book, how expensive your meals are, and how many activities you are doing. Our trip to Japan for 19 days costed us about 6027 CAD for the two of us including everything except international flight. From this, you can extrapolate that spending 10 days in Japan could cost approximately 3170 CAD per couple. Here are some examples of how much things cost:

  • Ramen: 2300 yen for two
  • Izakaya dinner including sake: 6180 yen for two
  • Family mart Onigiri with a salad and coffee: 400 yen
  • Mid-range hotel: 7000-10,000 yen per night
  • Ryokan including onsen, kaiseki dinner, and breakfast: 37,000 yen for two
  • Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo: around 14,000 yen per person
  • Short local metro transportation: around 240 yen per person
  • 7 day Japan pass for Whole of Japan: 50,000 yen per person  
  • Teamlab Planet ticket: 4200 yen per person
  • Universal Studios in Osaka: from 8600 yen per person

All in all, we were happily surprised by how traveling through Japan can be affordable. It was certainly not as cheap as traveling through Guatemala or Vietnam, but every meal and experience we got in Japan was of super high quality. 


Using WISE card in Japan

When you take out cash at an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that countryโ€™s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily add up to 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

Wise card

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.


Recap: 10 day Japan Travel Itinerary

By following our 10 days itinerary, you will get to see some of Japanโ€™s most vibrant cities, savour some of the best seafood and omakases, visit several historical shrines, and truly immerse yourself in some of Japanโ€™s most unique culture experiences. Before going to Japan, we repeatedly heard from fellow travelers that it was one of their favourite countries to visit, and now we can understand why. We hope you found this guide helpful and before going on your trip, make sure to check out our 36 essential tips for traveling in Japan!  



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