Japan blends ultramodern skylines with centuries-old tradition. From Edo-era shrines and Kyoto’s storied tea culture to Osaka’s sizzling street food, this itinerary threads together history, nature, sports, and local life in an easy flow across three cities.

Expect excellent transit (the Shinkansen is a joy), hyper-fresh cuisine, and polite etiquette. Cash is still useful for small shops and shrines; IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) make trains and convenience-store runs effortless. Cherry blossom (spring) and foliage (autumn) seasons are gorgeous but busier—book ahead.

Food lovers should arrive hungry: ramen, sushi, yakitori, okonomiyaki, and more await. Sports fans can catch sumo exhibitions or pro baseball, hikers can scale gates at Fushimi Inari or day-trip to Mt. Fuji, and beach seekers can ride the local line to Enoshima for a salty breather.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a kaleidoscope—ancient temples beside glass towers, alleyway izakaya under train tracks, and hidden third-wave coffee bars steps from mega-crossings. It’s also a launchpad for Mt. Fuji, Hakone hot springs, and Kamakura’s beaches.

• Top sights: Senso-ji in Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, teamLab Borderless/Planets, Tokyo National Museum, Tsukiji Outer Market.
• Eat & drink: Izakaya in Ebisu and Omoide Yokocho (grilled skewers and sake), tsukemen in Ikebukuro, ramen in Harajuku, kissaten classics and new-wave coffee in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.
• Fun fact: Shibuya Crossing moves up to 3,000 people per light cycle—a rhythmic ballet of urban life.

Stay: Search stays on VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo. Tried-and-true picks: The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (fun, central), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value near JR), or Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Shinjuku convenience).

Arriving/Getting Around: Fly into Haneda or Narita via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Use IC cards for subways; cabs are plentiful but pricier.

Day 1: Arrival, Shibuya and Harajuku

Afternoon: Land in Tokyo and check in. Shake off jet lag with a stroll through Omotesando’s zelkova-lined avenue and Takeshita Street’s pop boutiques.

Evening: Watch the organized chaos at Shibuya Crossing from street level, then dinner in Ebisu: try an izakaya like a local—order yakitori, karaage, and sake. For dessert, soft-serve at a convenience store is a beloved Tokyo nightcap.

Day 2: Old Tokyo, Museums, and Neon

Morning: Asakusa’s Senso-ji (Tokyo’s oldest temple). Snack on ningyo-yaki cakes and try melon-pan. Coffee at Bridge or a nearby kissaten for a retro pour-over.

Afternoon: Ueno Park for the Tokyo National Museum (samurai armor, ukiyo-e). Alternative: teamLab Planets (immersive art) if you prefer cutting-edge over classical.

Evening: Wander Omoide Yokocho’s lantern-lit alleys in Shinjuku (tiny yakitori bars). Ramen options: Afuri (yuzu shio) or Ichiran for solo booths.

Day 3: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Adventure (Full Day)

Trade city lights for volcano views, lakes, and hot springs on a guided day trip. You’ll ride to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station (weather permitting), cruise Lake Ashi, and return to Tokyo by bullet train—a thrill for rail fans.

Book: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

Day 4: Markets, Bay Views, and Sumo Night

Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market for tamagoyaki sticks, tuna onigiri, and grilled scallops. Sip matcha at a traditional tea stand.

Afternoon: Head to Odaiba for waterfront walks and skyline views; pop into teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) or explore Toyosu’s market area if you’re curious about Japan’s fish trade.

Evening: Experience Japan’s national sport in a fun, interactive way in Asakusa/Ryogoku—learn rules, take photos, and enjoy classic chanko hot pot.

Book: Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Photo

Day 5: Kamakura Hike and Enoshima Beach

Morning: Train south (~60–75 minutes; about ¥1,000) to Kamakura. Walk the Daibutsu hiking trail to the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) and Hase-dera’s ocean-view terraces.

Afternoon: Enoshima Island for beach time and lighthouse views. Lunch on shirasu (whitebait) rice bowls, grilled squid, or seafood curry; cafés line the promenade.

Evening: Return to Tokyo. Craft beer near Kanda or a mellow kissaten nightcap. Pack for tomorrow’s bullet train.

Tokyo → Kyoto Travel (Day 6 morning): Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (~2 hr 15 min on Nozomi; typical fares ¥13,000–¥14,500). Reserve seats at the station or book via Trip.com Trains.

Kyoto

Kyoto cradles 1,200 years of imperial heritage—Zen gardens, vermilion gates, and tea houses. Yet it’s also alive with artisan roasters, kissaten breakfast sets, and nighttime strolls through lantern-lit lanes.

• Top sights: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Nishiki Market, Gion and Pontocho.
• Eat & drink: Yudofu (tofu hot pot), kaiseki, Kyoto-style ramen, wagashi sweets, and small sake bars along Kiyamachi.
• Insider tip: Sunrise or late-night visits to Fushimi Inari make the torii-lined trails feel otherworldly.

Stay: Browse VRBO Kyoto or Hotels.com Kyoto. Favorites: Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (value and transit), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (calm courtyards), or Piece Hostel Sanjo (stylish, social).

Day 6: Arrival, Gion, and Pontocho

Morning: Shinkansen to Kyoto; drop bags.

Afternoon: Stroll Higashiyama’s stone lanes—Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and hidden craft shops. Coffee at % Arabica (Higashiyama) or Kissa Master for retro vibes.

Evening: Pontocho alley for dinner (grilled river fish, yakitori, or seasonal kaiseki). Watch for maiko gliding by Gion’s Shirakawa canal.

Day 7: Fushimi Inari Hike and Old Town

Morning: Beat the crowds at Fushimi Inari. Hike to the summit (2–3 hours round trip) through thousands of torii gates; sunrise light is magical.

Afternoon: Nishiki Market for lunch—try soy doughnuts, dashimaki tamago, and fresh tofu. Visit Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden stage and the Sannen-zaka/Ninen-zaka lanes.

Evening: Join a storytelling walk through Kyoto’s geisha district for historic context and etiquette, led by locals.

Book: Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

Day 8: Arashiyama Bamboo, River, and Monkeys

Morning: Arashiyama early: Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji gardens, then the short hike to Iwatayama Monkey Park for city views.

Afternoon: Lunch on yudofu near Tenryu-ji or soba by the river. Rent bikes to explore Sagano’s farm lanes and thatched-roof corners.

Evening: Kiyamachi-dori’s intimate sake bars or ramen at Gogyo (rich, smoky miso). Rest—Osaka tomorrow.

Kyoto → Osaka Travel (Day 9 morning): Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka (≈15 min; ~¥1,500) or JR rapid to Osaka/Namba (≈30–45 min; ~¥600–¥1,000). Book or check times on Trip.com Trains.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen—rowdy, generous, and full of flavor. By day, hit castles and quirky retro districts; by night, get lost among neon crabs and sizzling griddles along Dotonbori.

• Top sights: Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Dotonbori, Shinsekai, Kuromon Market.
• Eat & drink: Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and standing sake bars. Coffee culture is strong around Shinsaibashi.
• Vibe: Friendly and unpretentious—perfect for “live like a local” evenings.

Stay: Explore VRBO Osaka or Hotels.com Osaka. Great choices: Swissotel Nankai Osaka (over Namba Station), Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (value near Dotonbori), or The St. Regis Osaka (upscale on Midosuji).

Day 9: Castles and Skyscrapers, Night Food Safari

Morning: Osaka Castle and its museum (samurai armor and city history). Coffee at Lilo Coffee Roasters or Millpour for meticulous pours.

Afternoon: Umeda Sky Building’s floating garden for 360° views. Shop Shinsaibashi’s covered arcade; sample takoyaki at Wanaka or Yamachan.

Evening: Dive into Osaka’s backstreets with locals—taste 15+ dishes from takoyaki to kushikatsu, with drinks included.

Book: Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour: 15 Dishes & 3 Drinks - Like a Local

Day 10: Markets and Retro Osaka, Departure

Morning: Kuromon Ichiba for breakfast-on-the-go: charcoal-seared wagyu skewers, uni, and fresh fruit. Swing by Shinsekai’s Tsutenkaku Tower and try kushikatsu at Daruma (dip once!).

Afternoon: Head to KIX or ITM for your flight via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If time allows, grab souvenirs along Ebisubashi—matcha sweets, Japanese knives, and regional snacks.

Evening: Departure day—safe travels!

Optional Tokyo Add-On (swap with Day 2 or 4): 1-Day Highlights by Coach

If you prefer an efficient overview with admissions included, a guided bus tour hits major attractions in comfort.

Book: 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

Where to Eat and Caffeinate (Quick Picks by City)

• Tokyo: Tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama, tempura at a small Asakusa counter, udon at Udon Shin (Shinjuku), ramen at Afuri (yuzu), sushi at a Tsukiji stand-up bar; coffee at Koffee Mameya or Blue Bottle Kiyosumi.
• Kyoto: Yudofu near Tenryu-ji, soba along Arashiyama’s river, ramen at Gogyo, matcha and wagashi at Ippodo; kissaten breakfast (thick toast, salad, coffee).
• Osaka: Okonomiyaki at Mizuno, takoyaki at Yamachan, kushikatsu in Shinsekai, yakiniku near Namba; coffee at Lilo or Mel Coffee Roasters.

Budget Notes (63/100)

• Mix mid-range hotels with occasional splurges (e.g., Peninsula cocktails, kaiseki in Kyoto).
• Transit passes and IC cards keep costs predictable; convenience stores offer excellent breakfasts.
• Allocate for 2–3 guided experiences (Mt. Fuji, Kyoto geisha walk, Osaka food tour) to deepen context.

Getting Between Cities (At-a-Glance)

• Tokyo → Kyoto: 2 hr 15 min (Nozomi) / ~¥13,000–¥14,500. Book via Trip.com Trains.
• Kyoto → Osaka: 15 min Shinkansen (~¥1,500) or 30–45 min JR/Private lines (~¥600–¥1,000).
• Airports: Tokyo (HND/NRT), Osaka (KIX/ITM). Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Why this route works: Four nights in Tokyo allow for city highlights, a Fuji hike-and-onsen day, and a beach break. Kyoto’s three nights cover temples and hikes, while Osaka’s two nights deliver culinary fireworks and easy airport access.

In 10 days you’ll taste Japan’s culinary heart, walk through living history, and ride world-class trains between vibrant neighborhoods and quiet mountains. Expect to leave with new favorites—and a resolve to return.