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10 days in Japan, without rushing
The classic first trip: Tokyo, a night in a ryokan in Hakone, Kyoto and Nara, then Osaka. You cross the country from east to west, with no backtracking.
Swipe the map
4 stops9 nights, never doubling back
≈ 24,000 ¥in train fares, with single tickets
No JR Passthe 7-day pass costs 50,000 ¥
Book a multi-city ticket: into Tokyo, home from Kansai Airport. No need to go back to Tokyo to fly out.
PlanJapanItineraries · 10 daysThe route, stop by stop
D1Arrive at Haneda or Narita. In the evening, Asakusa and Senso-ji lit up.
D2Shibuya and Harajuku: Meiji-jingu shrine, then the city from above at SHIBUYA SKY.
D3Shinjuku: Shinjuku Gyoen garden (closed Mondays), the free view from the Government Building, Omoide Yokocho at night.
D4teamLab Planets and Ginza, or a day in Kamakura. In the morning, send your suitcase ahead to Kyoto.
D5The Hakone loop: mountain train, ropeway, boat on Lake Ashi. A night in a ryokan, hot spring bath included.
D6Gion and the Kamo River late in the day, after the Shinkansen.
D7Fushimi Inari early, then Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama on foot.
D8Day trip to Nara: the deer in the park, the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha.
D9Arashiyama or the Golden Pavilion in the morning, in Kyoto. Train to Osaka in the afternoon, Dotonbori at night.
D10Departure: Osaka Castle or Kuromon Market if your flight leaves in the afternoon, then the Nankai Rapi:t to Kansai Airport (34 min, 1,670 ¥).
PlanJapanItineraries · 10 daysPass or no pass? Single tickets
On this route, the JR Pass costs far more than buying tickets one by one. Adult fares, unreserved seats, checked in October 2026.
With the 2-day Hakone Freepass: the loop, then down to Odawara.
Nozomi trains don't stop at Odawara: a Hikari runs about every two hours.
See Fuji from the Shinkansen
Ordinary car: seat E. In the Green Car, four seats per row: seat D.
PlanJapanItineraries · 10 daysBook this trip, stop by stop
Range: $ budget, $$ mid-range, $$$ comfort.
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When to book what
- As soon as your dates are set
The flight, then the hotels and the ryokan, which sell out fast in high season.
- One month ahead
The Romancecar to Hakone: sales open at 10 a.m., Japan time.
- Two weeks ahead
SHIBUYA SKY: sales open at midnight, Japan time.
PlanJapanItineraries · 10 days