Japan is a very unique destination that challenges preconceived notions of western societal norms. Japan has a more “we” vs “I” centric society that is refreshing to experience. Japan really made me feel lost in translation like no other destination, but in a good way. It is absolutely worth visiting to get a better understanding of the quirky Japanese culture. It is necessary to research before your trip, Japan is not one of the destinations where you can show up and just simply follow the tourist trail. Japan is a very homogenous country that had little foreign influence until the 20 the century making it a very unique culture. Besides researching your ideal itinerary it is very important to be prepared to navigate Japanese public transportation. This 10 day itinerary will provide an unforgettable experience highlighting Japan’s food, history, culture, and futuristic technology. This 10 day itinerary assumes you will be getting a 7 day JR pass and activating it on day 3.

Day 1: Arrival Tokyo

Tokyo has two major airports; Haneda and Narita. I highly recommend flying into Haneda as it is much closer to Tokyo. If you are flying from the United States Delta, flies into Haneda and it’s really easy to get into Tokyo from Haneda.

Where to stay: I recommend staying within a quick walk to the JR Yamanote loop line. This line accepts JR pass and connects most of the main highlights of Tokyo via a loop around the city. I prefer to stay near Tokyo Station at the Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station. Staying by Tokyo Station is convenient for navigating the train system.

What to do: After checking into your hotel, go check out the closest 7-11 or Lawson convenient store and be amazed at how good Japanese convenient stores are. This will be a common theme during your trip, I was astonished by how efficient everything worked in sync. From Tokyo Station walk to the Tokyo Imperial Palace and surrounding Imperial Gardens to teleport back to the Edo period of Imperial Japan. Next head back to Tokyo Station and go eat at Ramen Street within the train station. Ramen Street is a row of quality ramen shops where you place your order into a vending machine and get a ticket voucher that you give to the waiter when seated. After slurping the best Ramen of your life and battling jet lag all day head back to your hotel for a good night’s rest, or if you’re too jet lagged take the train to Shinjuku. Go bar hopping at Golden Gai alleyways- a small labyrinth of a whole in the wall bars serving draft beers and small plates.

Day 2: Tsukiji Food Tour and Sightseeing Tokyo

Where to Stay: Near Tokyo Station

What to do: Sign up in advance for a Tsukiji market food tour. You can walk to Tsukiji outer market from Tokyo Station(2.4km). The outer market is still open to the public with a plethora of fresh seafood and quality Japanese food. There is a really unique buddhist temple at the beginning of the market worth popping in. I always try to do a food tour at the beginning of my trips to help get a better understanding of the cuisine. Japanese cuisine can be difficult to comprehend and having a food tour of Tsukiji market will be a great introduction. Your guide will take you to the tastiest food stalls which can be hard to find as a foreigner. After your morning food tour walk over to the Art Aquarium Museum, it’s in between Tsukiji and Tokyo Station so it’s on your way. The Art Aquarium Museum has some really trippy exhibits. I really enjoyed it even though I’m usually not into art museums, but I do love aquariums. Next you likely will wanna go recoup in your hotel for a quick rest and relaxation. After some R&R take a quick train ride up to Akhibara station and walk around the famous electronic district. Nerd out on comics, video games, anime, and electronics. Head to Don Quijote store in Akhibara and slowly shop your way up to the top, it feels like the further you go up, the weirder it gets. I really felt like a duck out of water in Akhibara. After nerding out in Akhibara walk or train to the adjacent neighborhood, Asakusa, and check out the famous Senso-ji temple complex, this was my favorite landmark in Tokyo. After admiring the magnificent Senso-ji Temple, walk over to Sushiro for a classic conveyor belt sushi dinner. If you still have energy pop into a an Izakaya for some drinks before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Day 3: Day Trip to Mt. Takao then Shinjuku

Where to Stay: Either continue your stay at Tokyo station or consider moving to a capsule hotel in Shinkjuku or Shibuya.

What to do: Time to activate the JR pass( clink link for detailed article on JR pass and navigating Japanese public transportation) and take a day trip. There are some great day trips from Tokyo. The three best day trips are; 1.) Mt. Fuji if you want to get close to one the most iconic mountains in the world, but it is very far for a day trip. 2.) Kamakura if you want to see the large Buddha statue. 3.) Mt. Takao if you want a quick day trip with quality hike and want to experience Japanese Onsen. Mt. Takao is my favorite as it is easy and quick to get to using only one train line. You will arrive at the Takaosanguchi Station. It is a great day hike-especially in the fall with beautiful foliage. After the moderate hike, next to the Takaosanguchi Station is Keio Takaosan Onsen which I recommend relaxing in after your hike. The onsen has thermal hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and massages. Onsen is an integral part of Japanese culture and a must have experience when in Japan, unfortunately no tattoos due to shunning of Yakuza influence. Take the train back into Tokyo and stop in Shinjuku or Shibuya on your way home for dinner and drinks, it is on the way back into Tokyo from Mt Takao on the western side of Tokyo so it’s a convenient stop. I prefer Shinjuku to get small plates and beers at Omoido Yokocho, a maze of traditional food stalls next to Shinjuku station. Shinjuku is the quintessential stereotypical futuristic Japanese experience, with huge video screens, video game casino’s, Japanese school girls, and Japanese salary men in Karaoke bars.

Day 4 Optional add on: If your visit coincides with a Sumo tournament/season and you’re interested in this martial art, consider adding a day to do a tour of the Sumo training stables, Sumo Museum, or even go to a Sumo Wrestling Match. Ryogoku area is the where all the Sumo culture/events take place in Tokyo and it’s easily accessible on the JR Sobu line.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience a Sumo wrestling match in person but at least got to watch on the tele in my hostel.

Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto

Where to stay: Backpackers Hostel K’s House- or somewhere conveniently located in between Kyoto Station and historical Gion district. Kyoto is not as well connected as Tokyo and you will be more dependent on walking. For those looking for a more traditional experience consider a Ryokan.

What to do: Take a morning bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and enjoy the Japanese countryside passing by. If you have a JR Pass, take the Hikari bullet train as it is covered and it’s the fastest train covered under JR pass. The slightly faster Nozomi trains are not covered by JR pass. Make sure to get a bento box in Tokyo station for the ride- it is socially acceptable to eat on longer train rides. The ride is roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes. It is a bucket list experience to take the bullet train, I never booked a train in advance and didn’t have any issues because they run so frequently from Tokyo to Kyoto. After arriving at Kyoto station walk to your accommodation and check in. After checking in head east and cross over the Kamogawa river into Higashiyama Ward- the historical district of Kyoto. Wander around Gion district, stroll down the Philosopher’s path, walk around the Hokan-ji temple complex, and hike the Fushimi Inari shrine. There is a lot to see in the Higashiyama historical district so I recommend spending your entire rest of your day wandering around and admiring the traditional Shinto and Buddhist Japanese architecture.

Views from the Bullet train to Kyoto

Day 5: Kyoto Cycle Tour

Where to stay: I recommend spending at least one night splurging on Ryokan while in Kyoto for a traditional Japanese homestay. Remember if you are transferring hotels you can easily store your luggage at the train station in between checking in and checking out, read this in depth article on how to navigate Japanese public transportation

What to do: Organize a morning half day cycling tour around Kyoto. Kyoto is very bike friendly and there are many quality cycling tours. The guided cycling tour will help you cover more ground and get a better understanding of Kyoto’s sights and culture. Spend the rest of your day relaxing at your Ryokan- try and book one that comes with onsen bath.

Day 6: Arashiyama then Transfer to Osaka

Where to Stay: Within walking distance of Dotonburi. I recommend Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba- they have the best breakfast ever.

What to do: After waking up and getting breakfast, check out and head to Kyoto Station with your luggage. I recommend getting a locker in Kyoto station to store your luggage for the day while you sightsee in Kyoto. From Kyoto station take the JR Sanin Line to Saga Arashiyama, it’s about a 35 min train ride north west. After arrival stroll through the main shopping strip towards the river. There are some great lunch and shopping opportunities in the main strip. Cross the river via the beautiful Togetsukyo Bridge and make your way towards Arashiyama Monkey park. There is a monkey park atop Mt. Arashiyama that is reachable via a moderate hike. There are a plethora of Macaques and amazing views of the Kyoto region, this was a highlight of my trip to Japan and I spent a couple hours hanging out admiring the monkeys. After hiking back down if you have the energy there is a really nice Bamboo forest hike on your way back to the station. After the bamboo hike stroll around the area and eventually train back to Kyoto station. After picking up your luggage take the quick 20 min train over to Osaka Station. At Osaka station you will need to transfer to the local Nishi-Umeda station and take the blue line to Namba station near Dotonburi. Quick walk to your hotel. I choose to transfer to Osaka in the later evening to maximize my time in Kyoto during the day and then be able to wake up in Osaka the following day. It is a more efficient use of time this way because I prefer Osaka over Kyoto. Osaka is like a smaller more manageable Tokyo and is nicknamed Japan’s kitchen. Today is an action packed day with a lot of train travel, after checking into your hotel in Namba area either just relax or walk into Dotonburi for a late meal and/or drinks.

Day 7: Osaka

Where to Stay: Within walking distance of Dotonburi. I recommend Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba

What to do: Eat your way through Kuromon Ichiba Market. This is the best food market in Japan, Osaka is known as Japan’s kitchen and is a foodie’s paradise. When you are full walk over to Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping street. Osaka has giant outdoor covered malls that span kilometers and is worth checking out. After shopping around and working back an appetite head back to Kuromon Ichiba Market to eat more. Head over to Dotonbori and walk the river promenade and enjoy the quintessential Osaka with neon video screens, giant seafood statues, and great nightlife.

Day 8: Day Trip to Nara

Where to Stay: Within walking distance of Dotonburi. I recommend Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba

What to do: Take the 40 minute day trip by train to adjacent city Nara. Nara is a formal capital of Japan and is home to main historical temples and shrines. Nara is also very famous for it’s friendly deer, the deer are famously comfortable with humans. They will eat right out of your hand and even bow to the gangsta’s. Nara is a pleasant and simple day trip from Osaka. After your day trip I recommend a night out in Dotonburi if you have the energy.

Day 9: Morning sightseeing Osaka, then Shinkansen to Kawasaki

Where to Stay: Dormy Inn- an onsen hotel in Kawasaki close by train station and right in the main area of Kawasaki.

What to do: Wake up and before checking out go check out the Namba Yasaka shrine. This was actually my favorite shrine in all of Japan and is not very well known as a recommended sight in Osaka. This shrine is symbolic of Osaka’s energy. Next take the Shinkansen to Kawasaki which is just south of Tokyo close to Haneda airport. This is the same JR bullet train line you took to Kyoto earlier in the trip- at this point you will be a pro at navigate Japanese public transportation Kawasaki is not very popular for international travelers, but the Dormy Inn onsen hotel is very popular for locals from Tokyo doing a weekend get away. I added Kawasaki with an onsen stay for the last night of the trip in order to have a relaxing detox and rest after a lot of traveling. I was the only foreign tourist at this hotel and it was a much needed rest after a long trip and before a long flight home. The hotel is walking distance to many restaurants and the train station.

Day 10: Transfer to Haneda airport and depart.

What to do: Hopefully you have enough time for a morning onsen session before checking out and taking the train to the airport for departure.

If I had more/less time: If I had more time I would fly down to Okinawa from Osaka for a couple days. If i had less time you could consider a multi-city flight and booking your return flight directly from Osaka, I would also remove the day trip to Nara if I had less time. You could also consider heading further south to Hiroshima and/or stopping at Mt. Fuji on your way back to Tokyo. Japan has a lot to see and 10 days is just enough to scratch the surface and see the main highlights

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