Japan in 10 Days: 3 Recommended 10-day Itineraries to Japan

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Japan 10-day itinerary options
Ready for your next Japan holiday? Check out some of our handpicked 10-day Japan itinerary ideas below.
Itinerary #1: Japan's Cultural Hotspots


Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Welcome to Tokyo! | |
Day 2 | Spend the day getting to know Tokyo on your own. Make sure to visit the Skytree | City sightseeing |
Day 3 | Day trip to the seaside spiritual hub Kamakura, home to over 80 ancient temples and shrines | Temple visits |
Day 4 | Head to Osaka, tour Osaka Castle and enjoy its amazing street food | City exploration |
Day 5 | Catch the bullet train to Hiroshima and hop on a ferry to Miyajima Island | Train journey |
Day 6 | Take a train to Japan’s old capital city, Kyoto | Train journey |
Day 7 | Explore Kyoto’s gorgeous old streets, where you’ll find scenic temples, beautiful pottery and maybe a geisha! | City sightseeing |
Day 8 | Enjoy a day trip to Nara where you can feed the park’s famously friendly deer | Exploration |
Day 9 | Return to Tokyo and celebrate your last evening in style | Leisure |
Day 10 | Say goodbye to Japan and depart |
This 10-day itinerary is perfect to check off Japan’s essential sites. Start your adventure in Tokyo, exploring iconic landmarks like the Skytree and experiencing the city's vibrant culture. Take a day trip to Kamakura, a seaside spiritual hub with over 80 ancient temples and shrines. Then, journey to Osaka, where you can tour the historic Osaka Castle and indulge in its renowned street food scene. Travel to Hiroshima and visit the poignant Peace Memorial Park before taking a ferry to Miyajima Island, famous for its "floating" torii gate. In Kyoto, wander through picturesque old streets, visit stunning temples, admire traditional pottery, and perhaps encounter a geisha. Enjoy a day trip to Nara, where you can feed the park's famously friendly deer and explore historic sites. Return to Tokyo for a memorable final evening before departing Japan. See all 10-day Japan tours.
Itinerary #2: Bullet train and hiking

Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo | |
Day 2 | Go on a sightseeing tour of Tokyo | City sightseeing |
Day 3 | Hop on the bullet train for a day trip to Mount Fuji and Hakone before returning to Tokyo | Outdoor exploration |
Day 4 | Explore Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market and Akihabara | City sightseeing |
Day 5 | Travel to Nikko and see its highlights | City sightseeing |
Day 6 | Go hiking around Nikko | Hiking |
Day 7 | Board shinkansen to Kyoto and see Fushimi Inari Taisha | City sightseeing |
Day 8 | Spend a free day in Kyoto | Leisure |
Day 9 | Explore Kyoto on your own | Exploration |
Day 10 | End your Japan tour in Kyoto |
Discover Japan's blend of tradition and modernity on this 10-day journey. Begin in Tokyo, the world's largest city. Take time to explore its unique blend of bewildering futuristic streets as well as soothing ancient monuments. Explore Tokyo's Tsukiji Outer Market and Akihabara. It is also possible to take a day trip to Mount Fuji and Hakone from the city on the super-fast bullet train. Then travel to the serene city of Nikko, known for its shrines and museums, and enjoy hiking in the surrounding area. Continue to Kyoto, where you’ll visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha and have time to explore the city's rich cultural heritage. Soak in its rich heritage as you walk down quiet alleyways that are interrupted by the gentle swish of geishas’ kimono. Describe your ideal 10-day itinerary create a bespoke trip to Japan.
Itinerary #3: Highlights with special activities

Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo and enjoy views from the top of Tokyo Skytree | City sightseeing |
Day 2 | Attend a cooking class and visit Imperial Palace Gardens | Cooking activity & exploration |
Day 3 | Tour a sake brewery, visit the futuristic Odaiba | Brewery tour |
Day 4 | Travel to the base of Mount Fuji | Outdoor exploration |
Day 5 | Take train to Nagoya and see its ancient robots | Train journey & exploration |
Day 6 | Visit Ise Jingu shrine | Temple visit |
Day 7 | Wander through Kanazawa’s samurai district | City sightseeing |
Day 8 | See Gokayama’s gassho-style houses | Exploration |
Day 9 | Explore Kyoto on bicycle | Cycling |
Day 10 | Encounter friendly deer in Nara before traveling back home |
Overflowing with must-see sights, this 10-day Japan itinerary offers a rich mix of experiences. Start in Tokyo, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views from the Tokyo Skytree. Dive into Japanese culinary traditions with a cooking class, then stroll through the serene Imperial Palace gardens. Explore a sake brewery and the ultramodern Odaiba, a hub for futuristic attractions. Travel to the base of Mount Fuji for stunning natural beauty. In Nagoya, discover the fascinating world of ancient robotics and visit the sacred Ise Jingu shrine. In Kanazawa, wander through the historic samurai district, and admire the traditional gassho-style houses in Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Kyoto's rich history by cycling through its quiet, cobbled alleys, and end your journey in Nara, where you can meet the friendly deer in Nara Park before heading home. See all Japan vacation packages.
Planning a 10-day Japan itinerary?
Japan is such a unique country with its own distinct cultural flair—whether you’re exploring temples, geisha districts, or trying the local liquor—and it’s the perfect place to take a holiday if you want to experience something new. Want to relax in some hot springs? Hike? You can! Want to feed deer or see a Buddha the size of a house? We’ve got you covered! As you can see from our 10-day Japan itinerary suggestions, 10 days is the perfect amount of time to see all of the country's highlights, with a few off-the-beaten-track sites along the way. Also check out 9-day Japan itinerary and how to spend 11 days in Japan.
More information:
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