10 Day Japan Itinerary for First Timers: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka

Your First 10 Days in Japan — Temples, Neon & Sushi Dreams

Picture this: neon-lit nights in Tokyo’s Shibuya, morning prayers echoing through Kyoto’s golden temples, and street food steam rising in Osaka’s bustling alleys. Japan isn’t just a country — it’s an experience where ancient tradition and futuristic wonder blend seamlessly. And if it’s your first time, a 10-day adventure through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka is the perfect way to fall in love with it all.

This isn’t about racing through checklists — it’s about feeling the pulse of modern Japan in Shinjuku, finding quiet reflection among Kyoto’s bamboo groves, and tasting freshly grilled takoyaki under Osaka’s glowing lanterns. From historic shrines to anime cafés, bullet train rides to hidden tea houses, every day brings a new discovery.

Planning your first trip can feel overwhelming: Where do you go? How long in each city? What shouldn’t you miss? That’s why we’ve created this detailed itinerary: to help you balance iconic sights with local gems, fast-paced energy with peaceful escapes — and, of course, the best food stops in between.

Get ready to sip matcha in Kyoto, shop quirky finds in Harajuku, and watch the skyline sparkle from Osaka’s Umeda Sky Building. This isn’t just a trip — it’s the start of a lifelong love affair with Japan.

👉 Pack light, charge your camera, and open your heart to wonder. Here’s your perfect 10-day journey through Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka! 

Planning your first trip to Japan? Here’s a perfect 10-day itinerary covering the highlights of Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka – plus tips on trains, hotels and food.

Days 1–3: Tokyo

• Visit Senso-ji Temple & Asakusa

• Explore Shibuya & Harajuku (fashion & food)

• Day trip: Nikko or Kamakura

• Try sushi, ramen & izakaya dining

Stay near Ueno or Shinjuku for easy transport.

Days 4–7: Kyoto

• Take the Shinkansen (~2.5h)

• See Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama bamboo forest & Kiyomizu-dera

• Tea ceremony & Gion geisha district

• Day trip: Nara deer park

Buy a JR Pass (7 days) – it saves money!

Days 8–10: Osaka

• Train: ~15min from Kyoto

• Explore Dotonbori food street

• Visit Osaka Castle

• Day trip: Himeji Castle or Universal Studios Japan

Try takoyaki & okonomiyaki – local must-eats!

Where to Stay

• Tokyo: Shinjuku or Ueno

• Kyoto: near Kyoto Station

• Osaka: Namba or Umeda

(Tip: Book early – hotels fill up quickly.)

Extra Tips

• Buy a prepaid SIM or pocket Wi-Fi

• Use IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) for subways

• Pack light – coin lockers are everywhere

More Than a Trip — Your First Taste of Japan’s Magic

After 10 days weaving through Japan’s temples, markets, and neon-lit streets, you’ll realize this country is more than places on a map — it’s an unfolding story you get to live. From Tokyo’s futuristic skyline to Kyoto’s quiet gardens and Osaka’s lively food stalls, each city reveals a unique chapter of Japan’s spirit.

Maybe you lost track of time wandering through Kyoto’s torii gates, found unexpected peace sipping sake in a tiny izakaya, or felt your heart race as the Shinkansen blurred past Mount Fuji. Those aren’t just travel memories — they’re the magic moments that make Japan unforgettable.

And while you may not see everything (no one ever truly does), that’s part of the beauty: Japan invites you to return, again and again, discovering new corners, flavors, and traditions each time.

As your bullet train pulls away or your flight lifts off, you’ll carry more than souvenirs — you’ll bring home fresh perspectives, a deeper appreciation for detail, and a sense of wonder sparked by lantern-lit alleys and ancient temples.

So keep this itinerary as your guide, but let curiosity lead the way. Embrace a wrong turn, try the dish you can’t pronounce, and say yes to moments unplanned.

👉 This was your first 10 days — the beginning of countless journeys to come. Because once Japan captures your heart, it never truly lets go. 

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