Japan Itinerary: 10 Days in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Beyond for a First Trip

A first trip to Japan fits well in 10 days: Tokyo, a day near Mount Fuji, then Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Hiroshima by shinkansen. Travelers from the US, Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and most of Latin America and Europe can visit visa-free for short tourist stays (usually up to 90 days, per Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The US State Department keeps Japan at Level 1, "exercise normal precautions". Plan around the three domestic peak periods: New Year, Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August).

This guide replaces our old "3 days in Tokyo" post with a full-country route.

Photo: Jivan Garcha on Unsplash

Key facts before you book

• Entry: Japan's visa exemption covers 74 countries and regions, most for up to 90 days, including the US, Canada, the UK, Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Chile. Colombian citizens are advised to apply for a visa. Check your nationality on the official list before booking.
• Arrival: you can complete immigration and customs forms in advance on Visit Japan Web. Carry your passport at all times; it is required by law.
• Advisories: US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions). Spain's Foreign Ministry (MAEC) lists no specific travel restrictions.
• Natural hazards: Japan has frequent earthquakes; typhoons are most common from summer to fall, and the north gets heavy snow in winter. Learn the evacuation info at your hotel.
• Peak dates: New Year (late December to early January), Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August) bring crowds and fully booked transport.
• Trains: most urban trains run from about 5 a.m. to midnight. Luggage delivery services (takkyubin) let you send bags between hotels and travel light on the shinkansen.

The 10-day Japan itinerary

1. Day 1Tokyo, arrival and Shinjuku

   • Morning
     Arrive in Tokyo and settle in.
   • Afternoon
     Walk around Shinjuku.
   • Evening
     See the city from an observation deck.

2. Day 2Tokyo, old and new

   • Morning
     Asakusa and Senso-ji.
   • Afternoon
     Ueno Park and its museums.
   • Evening
     Akihabara.

3. Day 3Tokyo, Harajuku to Shibuya

   • Morning
     Meiji Jingu shrine.
   • Afternoon
     Omotesando and the Shibuya crossing.
   • Evening
     Dinner in a local izakaya.

4. Day 4Hakone or Kawaguchiko

   • Morning
     Leave Tokyo for Hakone or Kawaguchiko, and keep the day flexible.
   • Afternoon
     Lakes, ropeways and a chance to see Mount Fuji. Visibility depends on the weather.
   • Evening
     Return to Tokyo.

5. Day 5Shinkansen to Kyoto

   • Morning
     Send your big bag ahead and take the shinkansen to Kyoto.
   • Afternoon
     Higashiyama and Gion.
   • Evening
     Overnight in Kyoto.

6. Day 6Kyoto

   • Morning
     Fushimi Inari early, before the crowds.
   • Afternoon
     Arashiyama.
   • Evening
     Overnight in Kyoto.

7. Day 7Nara, then Osaka

   • Morning
     Todai-ji and Nara Park by local train.
   • Afternoon
     Continue to Osaka.
   • Evening
     Overnight in Osaka.

8. Day 8Osaka

   • Morning
     Osaka Castle.
   • Afternoon
     The grounds around Osaka Castle.
   • Evening
     Dotonbori and Shinsekai for street food.

9. Day 9Hiroshima and Miyajima

   • Morning
     The Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
   • Afternoon
     The ferry to Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima.
   • Evening
     Overnight in Hiroshima, or head back toward Kansai if you fly out the next morning.

10. Day 10Kansai or Tokyo departure

    • Morning
      Fly out of Kansai, or take the shinkansen back to Tokyo for an open-jaw ticket.
    • Afternoon
      Airport and departure.
    • Evening
      You are on the way home.

Best time to visit Japan

Spring and fall are the classic seasons. Cherry blossoms are probable from late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto, but the dates change every year; check the official forecast close to your trip. Fall colors move from north to south between roughly October and early December (JNTO). Summer is hot and humid and overlaps typhoon season; winter is quieter outside New Year.

Practical tips

• Plan by region: group Tokyo with Hakone or Nikko, and Kyoto with Nara and Osaka, to cut transfer time.
• Check opening days yourself: many museums close one day a week, and businesses close over New Year. Confirm on each venue's official site before you go.
• Pair Japan with another trip: Japan combines well with 5 days in Seoul or 3 days in Singapore.
• Plan with AI: see how to plan a trip with AI.

FAQ

Plan your Japan trip with Lets2Go

Tell Lets2Go your dates, pace and the cities you want, and it builds a day-by-day Japan itinerary you can adjust: swap Hiroshima for Kanazawa, add a day trip, or move days around peak holidays. Plan your Japan itinerary with Lets2Go, or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.

Sources

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, visa exemption: mofa.go.jp
• Digital Agency, Visit Japan Web: services.digital.go.jp
• U.S. Department of State, Japan travel advisory: travel.state.gov
• Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), Japan: exteriores.gob.es
• Japan National Tourism Organization: japan.travel