To celebrate my 1-year anniversary, my husband and I planned out an amazing 10 day trip to Japan to do all of the things we had been dreaming about doing for years. Both of us are a bit nerdy and enjoy watching anime, playing Pokémon Go and the list goes on… Once we found out about the Pokémon Café in Tokyo, we knew we had to make it a priority to visit. Nerdiness aside, Japan is a fascinating country, with so much to offer travelers. Japan is a country of variety, filled with snow-capped mountains, gorgeous coral reefs in the southern islands, historical shrines, an abundance of amusements parks, and a food scene to satisfy any foodie!
Our first trip was such a success that I wanted to share this 10 day Japan itinerary with all of you! It’s a perfect itinerary for first timers who want to experience a little of everything, from traditional Japanese temples, to the bustling streets of Tokyo. I do suggest modifying the itinerary if you are looking to have a more relaxed vacation or are traveling with children.
Planning a vacation to Japan can take a lot of research and coordination. For a stress-free planning experience, contact me here! I am a Japan Travel Specialist through the Japan National Tourism Organization and absolutely love planning these types of trips!
Overview of the 10 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Day 2: West Side of Tokyo
Day 3: North Side of Tokyo
Day 4: Day Trip from Tokyo (Hakone, Kamakura, Nikko)
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto (Arashiyama)
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Osaka
Day 9: Osaka to Tokyo
Day 10: Fly Home from Tokyo
Pre-Travel Guide
Money
It is very important to carry enough Japanese Yen with you during your travels, as Japan is a primarily cash-based society. While there are some places that will allow you to use a credit card, most will expect cash. Unfortunately, you won’t get the best exchange rates at a currency exchange kiosk, so we recommend getting cash while in Japan. I found it easiest to get Yen at the airport ATM’s or any Seven-Eleven. If you are traveling from the US, the easiest way to figure out the conversion rate of the Dollar to the Yen is to move the decimal point two spots right or left.
1.00 USD ≈ 100 Yen (Y).
Inversely, 1,000 Y ≈ 10 USD
It’s an approximate, but again, quick and easy to remember.
Transportation – JR Pass
You will be able to get around Japan easily using a combination of the subway systems and the JR trains. At first, the train systems in Japan can seem a little overwhelming, but I promise it is so much easier in person! For this 10 day Japan itinerary, I recommend purchasing the 7 day JR pass and using Tokyo subway passes for the remaining 3 days. We personally chose to purchase “Green Car” tickets, which is the first-class version of the JR trains, and we were not disappointed. The seats were incredibly comfortable and spacious, with many amenities. Whether you choose the Green Car or not, the trains are incredibly clean, efficient, and always on time!
I highly advise you to purchase your JR pass before you enter the country. There are certain train stations and airports in Japan where you can purchase a JR pass, but they are more expensive than purchasing online. If you buy your passes online, a voucher will be mailed to your address and that is what you bring to Japan. When you are ready to activate your pass, you can exchange your voucher at a designated JR ticket booth in one of the major train stations. Buy your JR pass here, it’s where we got ours!
Helpful Apps to Download for your Trip
The most helpful app I downloaded for our Japan trip was “NAVITIME” for Japan Travel. I was able to type in my destination as well as my current location and the app would figure out multiple subway/train options, giving me detailed information on how long it would take, which platform to go to, and if there were any delays. It made moving around Japan so much easier!
Key Japanese Phrases
Hello – konichiwa
Excuse Me – Sumimasen
Thank you – Arigato Gozaimasu
Please – Onegashimasu
How much is this? Kore wa ikura desu ka
Where is ____? – ___ wa doko desu ka?
Yes – Hai
A common phrase you will hear in Japan is “Daijobu.” It is used to tell someone else you are fine (it’s okay) or not to be worried. For example, if someone bumps into on the train and says “sumimasen,” you can reply with “daijobu.”
Where to Stay in Tokyo
I highly advise you to stay near a major train station in Tokyo to make day trips and transferring to Kyoto easier. Shibuya Station and Tokyo Station are good options!
Shibuya Hotels
- Luxury: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
- Mid-range: Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel
- Budget: The Millennials Shibuya
Shinjuku Hotels
- Luxury: * Park Hyatt Tokyo
- Mid-range: Keio Plaza Hotel and JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
- Budget: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku
Tokyo Station Hotels
- Luxury: * Imperial Hotel Tokyo & * Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
- Mid-range: Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo
- Budget: APA Hotel Ginza-Kyobashi
* As your travel agent, I am able to get extra perks at these hotels
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Use today to relax and settle in. You’ll most likely be flying into Narita Airport (at least until 2021) and will need over an hour to get to the city center. The NEX, which your JR pass will cover, does go from the airport to Tokyo, but because we bought the 7-day, we chose to get tickets for the Keisei Skyliner and take that into the city. If you want to see other options, here’s a great article that helped me a lot.
You will most likely be dropped at Nippori or Ueno Station and have to take the Tokyo subway to your destination from there. Jet lag will be setting in, so tonight is perfect for taking it easy and enjoying your first Japanese dinner! I recommend going out for ramen or tonkatsu curry! Ichiran Ramen is a chain that offers a unique, solo eating experience. If you are traveling with other people, do note that you will all be eating individually, separated by little dividers.
Wherever you decide to eat tonight, enjoy it! Tomorrow will be a busy day!
Pokemon Cafe
I made reservations at the Pokemon Cafe weeks before we actually left for Japan and because it was so full, we could only get in the night we arrived! We had so much fun, but I would be lying if I said we weren’t falling asleep in our dinner! It did force us to stay up later, which helped with our jet lag. If you are a Pokemon fan, make a reservation and go! It’s very nostalgic and a lot of fun.
Day 2: West Side of Tokyo
Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku
If you are staying in Shibuya, then you will be close to the western districts on the list to explore today, including Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku! Remember, do not activate your JR pass yet! You don’t want it to expire before you really need it. Just keep using the Tokyo subway pass!
Breakfast Suggestion: If you’re interested in trying some of Japan’s fluffy pancakes for breakfast this morning, we recommend Rainbow Pancake (in Harajuku) or A Happy Pancake Omotesando.
Shibuya and Harajuku
We started our day by going to see the Shibuya Crossing, where hundreds of people scramble across the street all at once! It’s a really popular spot located right outside of Shibuya Station! Shibuya crossing is chaotic from the streets but can actually be really relaxing from above. One of the most popular viewing spots is the giant Starbucks in the plaza, which has a second story with floor to ceiling windows and counter for your viewing pleasure (you will need to buy a drink before making your way to the second floor). Of course, there are other cafes and restaurants that make use of their prime real estate, if you prefer to eat local food!
One of the reasons I suggest staying in Shibuya is that it is a large hub of Tokyo trains and subways, as well as a very lively part of the city, filled with restaurants, nightlife, and a ton of shopping! There’s so much to do in this area, so feel free to edit this itinerary to fit your needs and interests!
Don Quijote
There’s a fun store that you’ll find throughout Japan called “Don Quijote” (or “Donki” as it’s nicknamed) and there happens to be a Mega version in Shibuya! It’s a multi-leveled store with everything from candy to electronics to clothing! I enjoyed just walking around and checking out all of the random knickknacks! This is a great place to pick up fun flavored Kit Kats like sakura sake, matcha, sweet potato, wasabi and so many others.
Kawaii Monster Cafe
When we spent the day in Shibuya, we decided to make a reservation to have lunch at the Kawaii Monster Café because it looked really crazy and unique! The food was okay, but the show and overall décor was fun and I’m glad we got to experience it. Feel free to skip this attraction if it’s not something you’re interested in doing!
Shopping in Harajuku
Before going over to the Meiji Shrine, we recommend taking a walk down Takeshita Street! Takeshita Dori is the focal point for Harajuku’s teenage culture and is filled with crepe stands, trendy shops, clothing stores, and all sorts of boutiques that reflect this culture. It’s usually really busy and crowded, but it’s part of the experience! That’s one reason I opted to go down Takeshita Street before heading over to the Meiji Shrine. It’s nice to have that peace and quiet after pushing your way through a busy street!
Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine
Only a few minutes’ walk away from Kawaii Monster Café and Takeshita Street is Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine (southern entrance). As you enter the grounds, Yoyogi Park will be to your left and it’s a really nice spot to sit and enjoy the cherry blossoms. This park is also known for its ginko tree forest, which changes to a beautiful golden color in the fall. If you look to the right of the main entrance, there will be a massive torii gate marking the entrance to shrine grounds. That path leads to the main complex of shrine buildings, which takes about 10 minutes to walk. Visiting the Meiji Shrine makes for a nice break in the day, as the busyness of Tokyo is replaced by a tranquil forest. Take your time here and just enjoy exploring the grounds!
Shinjuku
We spent late afternoon and evening in Shinjuku, which is known to have a ton of restaurants, shops, bars, and entertainment. You’ll find that there is so much to do in Japan, you can easily spend all day just in one district, so it’s helpful to pick out a few highlights that you don’t want to miss. For me, my Shinjuku highlight was eating dinner in Omoide Yokocho (or Piss Alley). Omoide Yokocho, which translates to “Memory Lane” is essentially a small network of alleyways full of tiny restaurants that dates back to the 1940’s. There is an entire history here and it’s a great way to jump back into “old Japan.” The eateries are tiny, sometimes just a bar with a few stools, but the food is great and you’ll be able to find items like ramen, soba and yakitori!
Ever heard of the Robot Restaurant? It’s a pretty popular spot in Shinjuku, especially for tourists. We didn’t have time to fit this into our schedule, but we’ve heard it’s a pretty crazy experience! Hopefully we will get to go next time we are in Japan, but if this is something you really want to do your first trip, I say go for it!
Day 3: North Side of Tokyo
Asakusa, Ueno Park, Akihabara
Today you will be visiting the Northern side of Tokyo and seeing some different districts! Depending on where you decided to stay, you’ll need to look up how long it’ll take you to get to Asakusa Station! Do not activate your JR pass today! We will be needing the JR pass starting tomorrow!
Asakusa
The first stop on today’s list is Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. I highly encourage you to get up early and head to this temple if you want to really enjoy it, as it gets really crowded. I actually woke up early most mornings because of jetlag, so getting up early to visit this temple may actually not be that hard for you. I arrived at the Kaminarimon Gate around 6:45 am and there were only a handful of people. The shops leading up to the temple will not be open yet, but it’s worth it to be able to explore Senso-ji Temple in peace and quiet. When you get inside the main building, you can draw a written fortune or “Omikuji.” Remember, if you get a bad fortune, tie it on the rack and leave it behind!
Sumida Park and Tokyo SkyTree
Next on the list is Sumida Park and Tokyo SkyTree. Tokyo SkyTree is about a 20 minute walk from Senso-ji Temple and you can walk through Sumida Park on the way! If you are visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, Sumida Park is one of the least crowded places to enjoy them! If you are feeling hungry at all, consider getting a snack and eating it in the park because Tokyo SkyTree can have a long queue and take a while to get through. There are a ton of sakura themed snacks around cherry blossom season, especially donuts, icecream and other sweets!
Tokyo SkyTree is a great place to get views over the city! It has two observation decks at 634m (2,080ft) and a glass floor for the people who are willing to brave the heights! If you want to skip Sumida Park, the Tokyo SkyTree is a 5 minute train ride from Asakusa.
Ueno Park
Ueno Park is another big park for cherry blossom viewing. You’ll find that there are tarps laid out all over the ground for people to sit and relax, enjoying the blooms. This is the perfect place to grab some food and go to for a picnic. This massive park also contains Ueno Zoo and a number of museums like the National Science Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Tokyo National Museum.
Akihabara
The last district on our list was one of our favorites, given its fun, youthful vibe! Akihabara is a buzzing hub for electronics, manga, anime, and video games! If you are into anime, consider going to Tokyo Anime Center and Radio Kaikan. Radio Kaikan is a well-known landmark in the Akihabara district, consisting of 10 levels of collectibles, toys, figurines and more. As you walk down the streets of Akihabara, you’ll notice arcades, anime figurine shops, crazy cafes (like the maid café) and of course people playing Pokémon Go! If you’re a gamer, you must make a visit to Super Potato, a retro video game store. Super Potato is made up of 3 floors, the top being a vintage arcade, and the other 2 are a treasure trove for the classic video games of the 1980’s and 1990’s. You will, of course, find most games are in Japanese, but you’ll also be able to find items that were never sold overseas!
Tonight is a great night to try tonkatsu curry or ramen, if you haven’t had it yet!
Here are some suggestions for dinner:
- Akihabara Ramen: Motenashi Kuroki (usually pretty busy) or Yunrinbo Akihabara
- Akihabara Tonkatsu Curry: Go Go Curry or CoCo Ichibanya
Rest up, tomorrow you are leaving Tokyo!
Day 4: Day Trip from Tokyo
Kamakura, Hakone and Nikko
Okay, now you can finally activate your JR pass! Today, you’ll get to escape the busy city and explore a different area of Japan! There are many options for day trips, but we have three suggestions for today: Hakone, Nikko, and Kamakura. If you follow this 10 day Japan itinerary exactly, you’ll only have time for one day trip; however, all 3 is completely doable for a 2 week trip to Japan. During our vacation, we were actually able to visit 2, Hakone and Kamakura, because we only spent half a day in Kamakura. It’s technically possible but will make for a busy day!
Kamakura
My husband and I absolutely loved Kamakura and it was an incredibly easy day trip from Tokyo. We spent about half a day here, 9 am to 2pm roughly. Kamakura is only about an hour away from Tokyo by train, so it doesn’t take too long to get there, making it one of the easier day trips. The main attraction here is the Great Buddha of Kamakura! Although it’s technically walkable from the train station, we recommend getting a cab. The earlier you go, the better, as this is a stop for many tour buses, and it will get crowded! For a small fee, you can go inside the Great Buddha and see how it was constructed!
We both enjoyed the Great Buddha, but Kamakura also has a lot of gorgeous temples and Japanese gardens as well. My favorite being Hokoku-ji. At the time, we decided to walk to the Temple area, and it ended up taking us an hour. Whoops! The best route is either by taxi or by public bus, which has stops nearby to the temples. Hokoku-ji was filled with cherry blossom trees, little water fountains and mossy covered statues. The highlight for us was sipping on fresh matcha tea in this cute tea house that overlooked the bamboo forest! It was incredibly peaceful!
Hakone
If you are interested in visiting Hakone, plan to be gone the entire day, especially if you want to experience the full Hakone Loop. The Hakone Loop is a popular way to tour this region, circling around by 5 different means of transportation including train, boat, bus, ropeway and cable car. If you plan on doing this, be sure to purchase the Hakone Free Pass! Some of the highlights on this loop are Lake Ashi, Owakudani (Great Boiling Valley), the Hakone Shrine and views of Mt. Fuji! There is also an Open-Air Museum in Hakone, if you’re interested in adding that to the list. If you have extra time in Japan, consider staying the night in Hakone at a ryokan and soak in their famous, natural hot springs!
Fun Tip: If you’re feeling daring, try the kuro-tamago or black eggs of Owakudani! Boiled in the hot sulfur spring, it is said that eating one of these eggs will add 7 years onto one’s life!
Nikko
North of Tokyo, Nikko is the furthest option on this list, taking roughly 3 hours by train to get there. Nikko sits at the entrance to Nikko National Park, offering scenic hikes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys and the most famous Toshogu Shrine. Toshogu Shrine is an ornate complex consisting of more than a dozen buildings, including the mausoleum of Tokugawa Leyasu. You can actually find both Shinto and Buddhist elements, along with gold leaf and wood carving in incredible detail unlike any other temple in Japan. Some other highights are Kegon Falls, Shinkyo Bridge, and Lake Chuzenji, especially beautiful in the fall.
Day 5: Bullet Train to Kyoto
Today will be your first Shinkansen ride! If you opted for the Green JR Pass like I did, you’ll need to make a seat reservation! I recommend that you make this reservation when you first exchange your voucher for the JR pass or the night before leaving for Kyoto.
If you want to have most of the day to explore Kyoto, make sure to get up early and leave on one of the morning trains. It takes around 3 hours to get from Tokyo to Kyoto on the bullet train, so keep that in mind. Depending on your accommodation (we stayed in a ryokan), you might not be able to check-in when you arrive. Our check-in time was 3pm, so we left our luggage with the ryokan staff while we went out and explored. Another option is to rent a luggage locker at Kyoto Station, which is about 500-900 Yen for 2 suitcases.
You’ll need to allow extra time to get around in Kyoto, as this city relies largely on public buses unlike Tokyo. There is a subway system, but it won’t be able to get you around everywhere. Taxis are also an option; one I used a fair amount during my 3 days here.
Our ryokan in Kyoto – Kikusui
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
Today is a great day to spend a few hours at the iconic Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, one of my favorite experiences of our trip. It was never our plan to visit this shrine for hours, but I’m glad we took our time and made the hike, even if it was by accident! (That’s an entire story in itself!) This is an extremely popular shrine, so don’t be surprised if it’s really crowded! This is one reason I encourage people to hike up to the top or at least part of the way. In my experience, the higher you go, the less people there will be. My favorite spot is a trail junction with 2 tea houses and amazing views of southern Kyoto, about a 5-minute hike from the bottom. Relax and enjoy the views with a snack and beer in hand!
Read more: Best Temples and Shrines in Kyoto
Fox Treat at the Inari Shrine
Not going to lie, after a long day of train rides and hiking, we went back to our ryokan and took a nap. There’s nothing wrong with having some down time!
I have a few suggestions for dinner tonight in downtown Kyoto! We ate dinner at Shibata Premium Wagyu Beef and ordered the wagyu beef tasting course, which also came with spicy ramen! I left so incredibly full, but it was an amazing meal and the staff was so sweet!
Spicy Ramen
Here are some other options:
- Guilo Guilo Hitoshina: If you want to try kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese fine dining multi-course) at an affordable price! It is usually 10,000 Yen per person, but at Guilo Guilo, you can experience kaiseki for around 4,000 Yen per person.
- Katsukura Sanjo Main Shop: This is an excellent place to try pork tonkatsu, as Katsukura Sanjo is known for its homemade sauce! There are many other food options here as well if you aren’t feeling pork such as: crab croquettes, chicken, beef cutlets and even fried shrimp!
- Ninja Restaurant: This is a great option if you are traveling with kids! The Kyoto Ninja Restaurant is a themed restaurant, where you’ll eat in a cave-like grotto and your ninja-dressed wait staff will perform magic tricks and stunts throughout your meal. Really entertaining for kids!
Day 6: Kyoto (Arashiyama)
The Arashiyama area is a little bit further away than everything else you’ve been doing. You can catch the bus to the Saga-Arashiyama Station or take a taxi straight to the Iwatayama Monkey Park, where you will start the day!
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Start your day early and arrive when the Monkey Park opens so you don’t have to deal with the crowds. It’s about a 20-minute hike up to the top from the entrance, but it’s worth it to be able to interact and feed the monkeys! The macaques roam free so in order to feed them safely, you have to enter the feeding house. The feeding house is also where you can purchase apples, bananas and other food items for around 100 Yen a bag! About an hour after they open, the staff will openly feed all of the macaques at once and you do not want to miss this! It is a feeding frenzy and the monkeys are absolutely everywhere!
After you’ve had your fill of monkey cuteness, you can make your way to the Tenyru-Ji Shrine!
Tenyru-Ji Shrine
The Tenyru-Ji Shrine is the most important Zen shrine in the Arashiyama area, and it’s accompanied by a beautiful garden that’s worth a stroll! Take your time to explore the grounds and when you are done, exit through the north gate, which is accessible through the gardens, and take a left. This leads to the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which I’m sure you have seen before in pictures. This is a popular spot in the Arashiyama area and can get quite crowded during peak travel seasons.
If you are getting hungry, Arashiyama Station has a few snack venues or you can try out lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura, which has a beautiful view of the river!
Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Like I said before, it isn’t always easy to get from one place to another in Kyoto, so I do recommend taking a taxi to the next spot, Kinkaku-Ji Temple or the “Golden Pavilion.” I learned this the hard way and ended up taking a train over to the area and walking… it turned into a really long walk. The taxi should cost around 2,000 Yen or you can take a bus! I can almost guarantee you Kinkaku-Ji’s grounds will be crowded, but I am glad I didn’t miss it! The temple is located on a large pond and is surrounded by gardens, which you will walk through as you make your way through the grounds. There are also little statues along the way that people throw coins at for good luck! This is also a great place to try a Japanese flavored sweet! Near the exit, you’ll find matcha and black sesame flavored icecream stands, some with gold flake!
Day 7: Kyoto
Nishiki Market
Start your day off surrounded by food at the Nishiki Market! What better way to get your day going? Take an hour or so and explore the rows of food stalls full of unique Japanese treats! If you’ve been wanting to try something on the unusual side, look no further! Keep your eyes peeled for some tako tamago, candied baby octopus stuffed with a quail egg, or mentaiko soft serve ice cream (spiced pollock roe).
Matsubara Street and Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Either walk or taxi your way over to Matsubara Street! Heading east, stroll the street and enjoy popping in and out of shops as you make your way up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. At the end of the shops, the street opens up to a complex, where you’ll see a red pagoda and bell tower. Just passed the other complex buildings is the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which offers amazing views from its wooden stage that juts out over the hillside. This temple was built around the Otowa Waterfall, located at the end of the main hall. The Otowa’s water is divided into the three separate streams, all of which you can drink from using a cup that’s attached to long poles for better reach. There is almost always a line, but if you wait, it’s said to give you a variety of benefits including: success in school, a long life, and a good love life! Whoohoo!
Yasaka Pagoda and Maruyama Park
The next area is around a 20-minute walk from the Kiyomizu-dera Temple but offers a lot to see. One of the most recognizable buildings of Kyoto is the Yasaka Pagoda, which is where we are headed next! Now, the pagoda is rarely open for visitors to go inside, but it’s a great spot for pictures and is next to the Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park! Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park are really great spots for cherry blossom viewing; the most famous spots in Kyoto! Feel free to continue walking around this area. There are plenty of other temples to see!
Ginkaku-ji Temple and The Philosopher’s Path
If you are looking for anything else to do today, you could walk the “Philosopher’s Path,” which starts at Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) and ends in the Nanzenji neighborhood (this is actually where our ryokan was located). Today’s itinerary involved a lot of walking, so do what you feel comfortable doing!
The Nanzenji Neighborhood
Day 8: Osaka
There are 2 options for this portion of the 10 day Japan itinerary: do a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka or pack up your bags and stay one night. During our trip, we decided to actually stay in Osaka so we could go out and celebrate our anniversary on Dotonbori Street and not have to worry about taking the train back to Kyoto so late. If you are taking the shinkansen (bullet train), it should only take you about 15 minutes to reach Shin-Osaka Station from Kyoto, so a day trip is very doable.
Osaka Castle
No matter how long you decide to stay, you should absolutely make a trip to Osaka Castle! It’s best to visit Osaka Castle in the morning because the line to get in can be long. Take the train to the Ōsakajō-kōen Station and start the walk to the grounds. The castle is actually surrounded by gates, turrets, stone walls, moats and other citadels, all of which you have to walk through and around to get to the castle itself. One of the former citadels is now the Nishinomaru Gardens, filled with 600 cherry trees, a tea house and a former guest house, however; there is a separate fee to visit the gardens.
Osaka’s New World at Shinsekai
When you exit the Osaka Castle grounds, head toward Tanimachiyonchome Station. You’ll need to take the subway to Ebisucho Station, where you can walk to the wacky “New World” at Shinsekai! Shinsekai has an interesting history and in the early-20th century was considered Osaka’s “New World,” built to celebrate a hopeful vision of the future. This modern entertainment district became incredibly popular during World War 1 and people from all over Japan came to experience this Coney Island look-alike. Perhaps the biggest attraction of Shinsekai was Tsutenkaku Tower, which was destroyed during World War II, leaving the district feeling like an abandoned amusement park. The city did decide to eventually rebuild the tower to revitalize Shinsekai, so if you are a height lover (unlike myself), you can enjoy panoramic views from the tower’s observation decks. Although Shinsekai is a bizarre concoction of sorts, you can find quirky souvenirs and cheap food there.
Dotonbori Street
Hopefully all of that exploring today worked up an appetite because next up is Dotonbori Street, a foodie’s paradise! Dotonbori is the center for entertainment and food in Osaka, making it a can’t miss! One thing I love about this street is all of the over the top animal signage above the shops! Make sure to look up! This is a great place to try some of the most loved regional dishes like takoyaki (fried octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and hiyashi ame ginger drink! Of course, if the shop has a really long line, that means the food is out of this world and worth the wait! Some of the more famous restaurants are Kukuru (takoyaki shop), Kani Douraku (crab restaurant), and Zubora-ya (pufferfish specialty restaurant). If you are looking to try some of the best okonomiyaki, visit Mizuno in the heart of Dotonbori!
If you are interested in a slower pace, two blocks south of Dotonobori is Hozen-ji Yokocho; a narrow alleyway with an old Japan atmosphere. There are dozens of small restaurants and bars that serve incredible food (if you still have room of course!). Once you’re done stuffing your face, go ahead and waddle back to your hotel room or make your way back to Kyoto!
Day 9: Osaka to Tokyo
Today will highly depend on if you stayed the night in Osaka or in Kyoto. Here are some options for your morning before heading back to Tokyo!
Osaka
Osaka is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world! One option is to spend a few hours in the morning checking out Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan!
Kyoto
If you are waking up in Kyoto today, you can choose to have an easy morning, sleep in and relax or you can squeeze in a few more hours of sight-seeing before taking the train back to Tokyo. There are over 1600 temples and shrines in Kyoto, so there’s plenty to see! Some options for this morning are Nanzenji Temple, Nijo Castle or you could even check out the Manga Museum if that tickles your fancy.
Team Lab Borderless Museum
It’ll take around 3 hours to get back to Tokyo, so if you want to visit the Team Lab Borderless Museum today, you’ll have to allow enough time. During our 10 day Japan trip, we got back to Tokyo around 2pm / 3pm and spent the early evening at the Team Lab Borderless Museum in Odaiba. To get to Odaiba, you’ll have to make your way to Shimbashi Station so you can transfer to the Yurikamome monorail. The monorail is automatically operated and if you want the best seat in the house, make sure to sit in the very front! You’ll want to take the monorail to the Aomi Station, the closest stop to the museum.
I am so glad I didn’t miss this museum! One of my favorite exhibits was the “En Tea House.” While you wait in the line for the tea house, you’ll be presented with a menu so you’re ready to order before you go in. The tea house is a completely darkened space, allowing the light to work its magic! As your tea is poured into a clear cup, a flower made of light will begin to grow. Freely move your teacup around and the blossom will follow, exploding into pedals in the old spot and flourishing in the new.
Well, tonight is your last dinner in Tokyo, so if there’s any food you are really going to miss when you leave, I would get that tonight!
Day 10: Fly Home from Tokyo
It’s your last morning in Japan (cue the sad face) and what better way to end your trip than an awesome breakfast? It’s also possible that I think about food way too much…
Here are some breakfast options
- Bills Omotesando: Famous for their ricotta hotcakes! This breakfast spot is also centrally located!
- Shunsai (Shibuya): If you are interested in trying a traditional Japanese breakfast, visit Shunsai on the 25th floor of the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyo!
- Flipper’s Shimokitazawa: Flipper’s makes some of the best fluffy pancakes and savory pancakes, topped with ingredients like eggs, avocado, bacon and salmon!
You may have more time in Tokyo depending on your flight but remember to arrive a few hours early before your international flight. On your way to the airport you can now ride the NEX (Narita Express) using your JR pass (takes around 1 hour). You will need to reserve seats beforehand. I recommend doing this at a reservation kiosk in a major train station the night before.
I hope this 10 day Japan itinerary helps you plan an incredible, stress-free vacation! There is so much to do in Japan and it can be very overwhelming. If you have any questions, please ask below in the comments!
Of course, as a travel planning specialist with a certification in Japan travel, I would love to help you plan your next Japan adventure! Email me for a free consultation to get started!
