Exploring Japan: A Captivating 10-Day Itinerary Packed with Hidden Marvels

Planning a trip to Japan can feel overwhelming—there’s just so much to see! I know, we had lists and lists and many variations of the below Japan itinerary! Whether you’re drawn to the bustling streets of Tokyo, the serene temples of Kyoto, or the breathtaking landscapes of rural Japan, having a well-structured and efficient 10-day Japan itinerary is the key to making the most of your adventure. While we know there are too many things on the must-see list for Japan, this was a great mix for our first trip!

This guide takes you beyond the typical tourist spots, combining must-see attractions with hidden gems and smart travel hacks to help you explore Japan with ease. From historic shrines and vibrant markets to unforgettable natural wonders, this 10-day Japan itinerary ensures a balanced mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation.

Get ready to experience Japan in a way that’s both efficient and immersive—let’s dive in!

Arrival and Stay in Tokyo – Day 1

We planned to stay in Tokyo on the first day that we arrived as we were not sure we could make all the connections to Nagano in time if we had any issues navigating the train. This actually worked out because we saw northern Tokyo in one stop and then stayed in southern Tokyo at the end of our stay.
Take the Keisei Skyliner to Keisei Ueno Station (60 minutes).
Check into hotel in the area between Keisei Ueno station and the Senso-Ji Temple. We stayed at Toyoko Inn Ueno Tawaramachi-eki and had a really great stay! The luggage storage and water station were convenient; and complimentary breakfast was great!
Evening: Explore Ameyoko Market or enjoy a light dinner nearby. The ramen place right next to the hotel was a great and easy spot!

Senso-ji Temple and Travel to Nagano – Day 2

7:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
8:00 AM: Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (~15–20 minutes by subway).
- Explore Nakamise Shopping Street.
11:00 AM: Collect luggage and head to Ueno Station.
- For you luggage, you can either bring it along as we did since we only had one bag; or find a local luggage locker in the area. Our hotel did not store luggage the day you checked out.
12:30 PM: Take the shinkansen to Shibu Onsen (3 hours by train and bus).
Afternoon/Evening: Check into your hotel and relax in the historic onsen baths and enjoy dinner. We opted for the Nozaru Hostel since it was reasonably priced, and we liked that it felt authentic. Would recommend! The staff and other guests were incredibly friendly and fun to talk to. Please note that this hotel is not in the group of the hotels that has the keys to the nine onsens in town. Instead, you would need to pick one up from the visitor center in town if you are looking for that experience.

Snow Monkeys and Travel to Kyoto – Day 3

9:00 AM: Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park (~1-hour travel).
Stop at the Enza Cafe one the walk back down for a nice meal to warm you up. The ramen was excellent, and the snow monkey cocoa is just too cute!
Mid-Day: Collect luggage and travel to Kyoto (5.5 hours).
Check into your hotel in Kyoto! we stayed at The OneFive Kyoto Shijo and again, had a fantastic experience! They have free espresso, a guest lounge, a water refill station which makes life so much easier! They are centrally located with a two-minute walk to a bus pickup and also gave laundry facilities in case you pack light like us!
Evening: If you’re exhausted like we were, grab dinner downstairs at 7-Eleven and eat in the guest lounge at the hotel before a great night of rest!

Kyoto Highlights – Day 4

10 am: Take the Hozugawa River Boat Ride. Use promo code UYWSW9 for $5 off
12 pm: Enjoy a meal in the Arashiyama area.
2 pm: Walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and visit the many parks in the area.
- Alternate: Hike to Senkoji Temple, a serene spot with panoramic views of Arashiyama
Evening: Nishiki Market

Gion Exploration and Yasaka Shrine – Day 5

Optional: Dress Kimono style through a rental agency!
Morning: Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Mid-day: Explore Sannenzaka and enjoy snacks and shops along the way. If you are a Ghibli fan, watch out for their store! Another great find is the Sugi Bee store which has amazing citrus honey tea samples!
Afternoon: Explore Kodaiji Temple and make your way over to Nishiki market for an early dinner stroll through all the stalls!
Evening: Walk off all your food with a visit to Yasaka Shrine, which is beautifully lit at night.

Kurama to Kibune Hike – Day 6

Morning: Take the train to Kurama (~30 minutes from Kyoto). Begin the Kurama to Kibune Hike (~3–4 hours).
- Explore Kurama-dera Temple and the lush forest trail to Kibune.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch or snacks in Kibune and walk or take shuttle from Kurama station to visit the Kurama Onsen.
- We got a later start and had littles so we didn’t get to check out the Kurama Onsen but it was on the itinerary.
Evening: Relax at your hotel or enjoy dinner near one of your bus stops. We ended up trying a soba noodle restaurant so that we could try all three noodle types in Japan!

Kyoto to Tokyo – Day 7

Morning: Fushimi Inari (stop at Kyoto station to drop off luggage in a luggage locker)
Mid-day: Explore the area and grab some lunch
Afternoon: Collect luggage at Kyoto Station and leave for Tokyo (2h)
Our hotel was a little out of the way for what we wanted to do, so we snagged a luggage locker at a subway transfer that we knew we had to come back to. We then went on to see the Giant 3D Cat which was also the same exit as Omoide Yokocho. A must-stop for dinner and the narrowest restaurants you will ever see!
Gather your luggage and check into your hotel.

Tokyo – Day 8

Morning: Enjoy pancakes at A Happy Pancake Kichijoji.
After breakfast, head to the Ghibli Museum if you’re a fan! Book these a month in advance! We sadly did not get tickets and tried to just show up .. that did not work! We ended up spending hours at the park with multiple playgrounds right next door so the kids were not too upset.
Evening: Visit Kura Sushi for sushi on a conveyor belt!

Tokyo DisneySea – Day 9

All Day: Visit Tokyo DisneySea. Arrive early for a full day! Find the different carts of flavored popcorn and let us know your favorite!

Exploring Tokyo – Day 10

Morning: Katsuo Shokudo, Shibuya Crossing, Don Quijote
Lunch: Visit Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory in Setagaya for Totoro-themed desserts. 140
Get the freshest sushi at Toyosu Fish Market or other sushi places in the area!
5pm: Visit teamLab Planets for an immersive and unforgettable art experience.
Evening: Return to your hotel and prepare for departure.

Departure – Day 11

Have an easy morning and get started on your trip back to the airport.

Japan is a country that never fails to captivate! This 10-day Japan itinerary is designed to showcase the very best it has to offer. By following this itinerary, you’ll experience the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path wonders.

Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this 10-day Japan itinerary will help you travel smarter, see more, and make unforgettable memories. So start packing, follow these essential travel hacks, and enjoy all that Japan has to offer!