10-Day Japan Itinerary with Mt. Fuji, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka

A practical 10-day Japan itinerary for first-time visitors, including Tokyo, Mt. Fuji views from the Shinkansen, Kyoto, Osaka, hotels, airport transfers, eSIM and activities.

10 daysRelaxed pace

Best for: First-time visitors who want Tokyo, Fuji views, Kyoto and Osaka without rushing

Day-by-day plan

Tokyo

Arrive & settle in

Land at Narita or Haneda, transfer to hotel
Activate eSIM and get IC card (Suica/Pasmo) at the airport
Evening stroll — explore your neighbourhood on foot

Airport transfer to hotelStay: Shinjuku or Tokyo Station

Stay: Shinjuku or Tokyo Station

Move: Airport transfer to hotel

Book: Book airport transfer

Prepare: eSIM / IC card

Compare Shinjuku hotels on Trip.com Book airport transfer Get eSIM

Tokyo

Tokyo classic day

Morning: Senso-ji temple and Nakamise street (Asakusa)
Afternoon: Ueno Park, museums, or Akihabara
Evening: Shibuya crossing → Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Tower

Stay: Shinjuku

Book: See Tokyo activities

Prepare: Keep the day light — you're still adjusting

Compare Shinjuku hotels on Trip.com See Tokyo activities

Tokyo — East Tokyo

East Tokyo slow day

Morning: Kiyosumi-Shirakawa — specialty coffee and gardens
Afternoon: Kuramae or Monzen-Nakacho — craft shops and temples
Evening: Oshiage — Tokyo Skytree views at sunset
Alternative: Asakusa → Sumida River walk

Stay: Shinjuku

Book: See teamLab tickets

Prepare: Explore Local Tokyo neighbourhoods

Compare Shinjuku hotels on Trip.com See teamLab tickets Local Tokyo guide

Tokyo

Harajuku, Meiji & deeper Tokyo

Morning: Meiji Shrine — early is best
Afternoon: Harajuku → Omotesando → Shinjuku Gyoen
Evening: Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku

Stay: Shinjuku

Book: See Tokyo food tours

Compare Shinjuku hotels on Trip.com See Tokyo food tours

Tokyo → Kyoto

Shinkansen day — see Mt. Fuji

Take Tokaido Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto (2h15m)
Sit on the right side (Seat E) for the Mt. Fuji view
Afternoon: Fushimi Inari — walk the torii gates
Evening: Gion district walk and dinner

Shinkansen (single ticket is often cheaper than JR Pass)Stay: Kyoto Station area

Stay: Kyoto Station area

Move: Shinkansen (single ticket is often cheaper than JR Pass)

Book: Book Shinkansen ticket

Prepare: Check Fuji-side seat

Compare Kyoto Station hotels Book Shinkansen ticket Which seat for Fuji?

Kyoto

Kyoto classic sightseeing

Morning: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) → Ryoan-ji
Afternoon: Arashiyama bamboo grove and monkey park
Evening: Pontocho alley for dinner

Stay: Kyoto Station area

Book: Book kimono rental

Prepare: Temple opening times and weather check

Compare Kyoto Station hotels Book kimono rental

Kyoto or Nara day trip

Slower Kyoto or Nara day

Option A: Nara day trip (45 min) — deer park and Todai-ji
Option B: Philosopher's Path → Ginkaku-ji → Nanzen-ji
Evening: Nishiki Market stroll and kaiseki dinner

Stay: Kyoto Station area

Book: Book Nara day trip

Compare Kyoto Station hotels Book Nara day trip

Kyoto → Osaka

Move to Osaka

Morning: Last Kyoto stop — Tofuku-ji or tea ceremony
Afternoon: Train to Osaka (15–30 min)
Evening: Dotonbori street food — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu

JR or Hankyu to Osaka (15–30 min)Stay: Namba / Dotonbori

Stay: Namba / Dotonbori

Move: JR or Hankyu to Osaka (15–30 min)

Book: See Osaka activities

Prepare: Forward luggage if switching hotels

Compare Namba hotels See Osaka activities

Osaka

Osaka food and flexible day

Option A: Universal Studios Japan (book early)
Option B: Osaka Castle → Shinsekai → Kuromon Market
Option C: Day trip to Kobe (30 min) for beef and harbour views
Evening: Osaka street food tour or Amerikamura nightlife

Stay: Namba / Dotonbori

Book: Book USJ tickets

Compare Namba hotels Book USJ tickets

Osaka → Depart

Departure day

Morning: Kuromon Market or last-minute shopping
Head to KIX (Kansai Airport) for departure
Alternative: Shinkansen back to Tokyo if flying from Narita/Haneda

Nankai or JR to KIX, or Shinkansen to Tokyo

Move: Nankai or JR to KIX, or Shinkansen to Tokyo

Book: Osaka → KIX routes

Prepare: Airport transfer buffer and final checklist

Osaka → KIX routes

With 10 days on a Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka route, a JR Pass usually does not pay off unless you add Hiroshima or return to Tokyo by Shinkansen. Single Shinkansen tickets are simpler. Spend the saved complexity on enjoying the extra days.

Plan the logistics