Ten days lets you see four very different parts of Japan. You get a big city, a mountain town with hot springs, an old capital with temples, and a city known for its food. The trick is to keep the number of moves low. Stay in each base for a few nights, and make the train days simple.
The route in one line
Tokyo, then Hakone for one night, then Kyoto, then Osaka. Each step is one train ride. The order works well because Hakone sits between Tokyo and Kyoto on the way west.
Here is one shape for the ten days. Change it if you want more time in one place.
| Base | Nights | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Most of the first part | Neighbourhoods, a day trip, food |
| Hakone | One night | Onsen, a lake and the mountain views |
| Kyoto | Most of the middle part | Temples, gardens, a day trip |
| Osaka | The last nights | Food, nightlife and the old town |
Tokyo: first days
Use the first days for the big city. Pick two areas per day at most. Asakusa is good for the old temple. Shibuya and Shinjuku are good for the busy streets and the views. Add one day trip, such as Kamakura, if you have the time.
Hakone: one night
Take the Romancecar express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, then the mountain railway. Stay at an onsen inn for one night. Ask about the bath rules before you book, because some onsen do not allow visible tattoos.
The inn is the best part of this stop. Eat dinner at the inn, and use the bath before bed. In the morning, walk by the lake if the weather is clear.
Check first: The Hakone train and bus times, and whether the volcanic valley is open. Use the operator's site and the Hakone tourism site. Check the volcanic alert level on the official notices.
Kyoto: the middle days
Kyoto gives you the most temples in the trip. Use the first full day for the main shrine with many red gates, and the second day for the old streets and a garden. Add a day trip to Nara or Uji. Both are short rides from the city.
Gion is best after dark, when the streets are quiet. Walk slowly, and keep your voice low. Do not block the narrow lanes.
Osaka: the last nights
Osaka is the city of food. The Dotonbori canal area has many restaurants and lights. Use Tabelog to find places in each area, and read recent reviews. Many small shops are open late, and some close on one day each week.
Keep one morning for the old town. The castle park is calm, and the museum near it is a good place to see the history of the region.
Food on this trip
Food is a strong reason to take this route. Try a counter meal in Tokyo, a tea sweet in Kyoto, and street food in Osaka. Eat a simple breakfast, a big lunch and a light dinner on busy days.
Train days
The route has three main train days. Each one is a long ride, so plan a light day around each. Keep the bags small enough to carry. Some hotels will hold your bags for a few hours.
Check first: Whether a rail pass helps your route, and the current price. Use the JR official site and the operator sites. Do not use a price from this article or from an old blog post. Rules change.
A simple daily rhythm
- Morning: the main sight, while the crowds are small.
- Midday: a rest or a walk in a quieter area.
- Afternoon: a second sight, or a shop street.
- Evening: dinner near your base and an early night.
Couples
The onsen night and the Kyoto gardens suit two people well. Choose one special dinner in Kyoto, and one slow morning in Hakone. Do not fill every hour. The best moments often come from a walk with no plan.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is too many moves. Each change of base costs a half day with bags and trains. Keep the four bases, and do not add a fifth unless you have a strong reason.
The second mistake is booking Hakone without a clear plan. The inn is the reason to stay, so choose one that suits your bath needs and your budget. Read the bath rules before you book.
The third mistake is the wrong order of meals. Osaka food is busy in the evening, so book a table or go early. Tokyo and Kyoto have quieter dinners, which suit a slow end to a day.
The last mistake is leaving the packing to the last night. Plan each move a day ahead. Check the train times and the hotel check-out times before you go to bed.
What to do next
Ten days is a full trip. Use the planner to test your order and dates. Read the Tokyo page, the Kyoto page and the Osaka page for each base. The Namba and Dotonbori area is a good place to start your Osaka plan.
Check first: Your flight times, the hotel check-in times and the train times for each move. Use the operator's timetable a few days before you travel. Check the weather for each city with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
