Japan in 10 days: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
Japan's golden route: neon Tokyo, temple-filled Kyoto and food-loving Osaka. The bullet train makes it simple, and flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka saves a day of backtracking.
When to go
Late March to early April (cherry blossoms) and November (autumn leaves) are the most beautiful and the busiest. May and October are pleasant with fewer crowds; June to August is hot and humid.
Flights: into Tokyo, home from Osaka
Search a multi-city (open-jaw) ticket: arrive in Tokyo and fly home from Osaka. Recent round-trip fares Aviasales travellers found to Tokyo; tap a route for today's price.
Day-by-day plan
Tokyo 4 nights
Arrive and settle in; the Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory and Omoide Yokocho at night.
Senso-ji in Asakusa, then the Tokyo Skytree or a river boat.
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, the Shibuya crossing and the view from Shibuya Sky.
teamLab, Akihabara and Ginza, or a day trip to Nikko or Hakone.
🚆 Bullet train Tokyo → Kyoto: about 2 h 15 min.
Kyoto 3 nights
Kiyomizu-dera, the lanes of Higashiyama and Gion in the evening.
Fushimi Inari early in the morning, then Arashiyama's bamboo grove.
A day trip to Nara (about 45 minutes by train): Todai-ji and the deer park.
🚆 Train Kyoto → Osaka: about 15 min by bullet train or 30 min by JR rapid.
Osaka 2 nights
Osaka Castle, then the street food of Dotonbori in the evening.
Kuromon Market, Shinsekai, or Universal Studios Japan.
✈️ Day 10: fly home from Osaka (Kansai).
Tips for this trip
- Compare a Japan Rail Pass with single tickets: for this route, single tickets are often cheaper.
- A Suica or ICOCA card (also on your phone) pays for local trains, buses and convenience stores.
- Send big suitcases ahead with a luggage delivery service so you can ride the bullet train with a day bag.
Prefer a guided tour?
The same route with hotels, transport and a guide arranged for you. Live prices and reviews; you book and pay on TourRadar.
More Japan trips ›FAQ
Is 10 days enough for a first trip to Japan?
Yes. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with a day in Nara is the classic first trip, with time for one extra day trip.
Do I need the Japan Rail Pass?
Not always. Price the trains you will take; a one-way Tokyo–Kyoto trip plus local trains often costs less than the pass.
Where should I fly into?
Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) in and Osaka Kansai out, so the route runs in one direction.