Japan's classic route done right — Tokyo to Hakone to Kyoto to Nara to Osaka to Hiroshima. The JR Pass itinerary that hits every unmissable moment without feeling rushed.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrive in Tokyo
- Land at Narita or Haneda and take the express train to Shinjuku
- Drop bags and explore the hotel neighborhood
- Omoide Yokocho for yakitori and a cold Sapporo
- Rest — jet lag is real
2
Tokyo: Asakusa & Akihabara
- Senso-ji Temple at 7am before the tourist tide
- Nakamise shopping street for souvenirs
- Tokyo Skytree for the view
- Akihabara afternoon — arcades and anime
3
Tokyo: Shibuya & Harajuku
- Meiji Shrine morning walk in the forested park
- Harajuku and Takeshita Street
- Shibuya Crossing at rush hour
- Shibuya Sky rooftop observation for the Tokyo panorama
4
Hakone (Optional Overnight)
- Romancecar to Hakone from Shinjuku
- Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Lake Ashi and Fuji views
- Stay in a ryokan or day-trip back to Tokyo
5
Shinkansen to Kyoto
- Board the Nozomi from Tokyo (2h 15min to Kyoto)
- Check in and drop bags
- Nishiki Market lunch and afternoon
- Gion evening — lanterns and the old wooden streetscape
6
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Higashiyama
- Fushimi Inari before 7am — virtually empty
- Higashiyama walking path: Kiyomizudera, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka
- Matcha everything
- Kodai-ji Temple at dusk
7
Kyoto: Arashiyama
- Bamboo grove before the tour groups arrive
- Tenryu-ji garden
- Boat ride on the Hozu River
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) afternoon
8
Nara Day Trip
- 30 minutes from Kyoto → Nara
- Feed the deer in Nara Park
- Todai-ji — the largest wooden building in the world
- Return to Kyoto, then Shinkansen to Osaka
- Dotonbori first night in Osaka
9
Hiroshima & Miyajima
- Shinkansen to Hiroshima (1h from Osaka)
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine and the floating torii gate
- Return to Osaka for a final dinner
10
Osaka & Departure
- Kuromon Ichiba market for a final Japanese breakfast
- Osaka-jo Castle if time allows
- Head to Kansai Airport or Shin-Osaka for Shinkansen back to Tokyo
Created by
EP
Elena P.
Community contributor
Destinations
TokyoHakoneKyotoNaraOsakaHiroshima
Trip Style
ComprehensiveCultureFoodCityScenic
Duration10 days
Budget¥180,000–260,000
Days planned10