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Ten days is a fantastic length for a first trip to Japan — enough to pair the classic cities with a couple of deeper stops without rushing. Here’s a balanced 10-day itinerary.
At a glance
- Days 1–3: Tokyo
- Day 4: Hakone or Nikko (nature/onsen)
- Days 5–7: Kyoto (+ Nara)
- Day 8: Osaka
- Day 9: Hiroshima & Miyajima
- Day 10: Back to Tokyo / departure
Tokyo (Days 1–3)
Ease in with Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and a day trip. See our Tokyo guide; grab a Suica/Pasmo and an eSIM.
Nature break (Day 4)
Add hot springs and Mt. Fuji views in Hakone, or shrines and waterfalls in Nikko.
Kyoto, Nara & Osaka (Days 5–8)
Ride the shinkansen to Kyoto for temples and geisha districts, day-trip to Nara, then eat your way through Osaka.
Hiroshima & Miyajima (Day 9)
The Peace Park and the floating torii — see our Hiroshima & Miyajima guide.
Tips
- Price out the JR Pass — with this much long-distance travel it may pay off.
- Use luggage forwarding between cities; book hotels early on Booking.com .
- Shorter trip? See our 7-day and 5-day itineraries; longer? the 14-day.