Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Ten days lets you add a relaxing ryokan night and slow down in Kyoto. Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka Kansai if possible.
Day-by-day plan
Arrive in Tokyo
Settle in, evening stroll in Shinjuku or Shibuya.
Old Tokyo
Asakusa, Ueno Park and museums, Yanaka's old streets, Akihabara in the evening.
Modern Tokyo
Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya; teamLab or Roppongi art museums; dinner in an izakaya.
Tokyo free day
Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast, Ginza and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, or a day trip to Kamakura or Nikko.
Hakone: onsen & lake
Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto, then the Hakone loop: Tozan railway, Open-Air Museum, ropeway over Owakudani, Lake Ashi cruise. Overnight in a ryokan with dinner.
To Kyoto via Odawara
Bus or train to Odawara and the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Afternoon in Gion and Higashiyama.
Kyoto: east & south
Fushimi Inari early; afternoon on the Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.
Kyoto: west & north
Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, then Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. Nishiki Market for snacks.
Nara, then Osaka
Morning in Nara, then on to Osaka. Evening in Dotonbori for takoyaki and neon.
Osaka & depart
Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market and Shinsekai; depart from Kansai Airport.
Transport & rail pass notes
Individual tickets are usually better than the national JR Pass here. Odakyu's Hakone Freepass covers the Hakone loop. In Kansai, IC cards cover most travel; the Kintetsu line is a good option to Nara.
What to book ahead
- Hakone ryokan (popular ones book out)
- Romancecar seats
- Kyoto accommodation
- Popular restaurants in Tokyo
Ways to adapt this route
- Swap Hakone for Kawaguchiko if Fuji views are the priority.
- Replace an Osaka day with Himeji Castle.
- Families: add Universal Studios Japan (book tickets ahead).