Ultimate 7/10/14-Day Japan Itineraries: Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka Core + Day Trips 🇯🇵✈️

Planning your first trip to Japan? You’re in for an incredible adventure! This comprehensive guide provides three perfectly crafted itineraries that cover Japan’s golden triangle (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) plus exciting day trips to hidden gems. Whether you have a week, 10 days, or two full weeks, we’ve got you covered with insider tips, must-see attractions, and practical advice to make your Japan journey unforgettable.

🗓️ Quick Itinerary Overview

7-Day Itinerary: Tokyo (3 days) → Kyoto (2 days) → Osaka (1 day) → Tokyo (1 day)

10-Day Itinerary: Tokyo (4 days) → Day Trip to Hakone/Mt. Fuji → Kyoto (3 days) → Day Trip to Nara → Osaka (2 days)

14-Day Itinerary: Tokyo (5 days) → Day Trips to Hakone & Kamakura → Kyoto (4 days) → Day Trips to Nara & Kobe → Osaka (3 days) → Day Trip to Hiroshima/Miyajima

🚀 7-Day Japan Itinerary: Essential Highlights

Day 1-3: Tokyo - The Dynamic Capital

Day 1: Arrival & Central Tokyo

Morning: Arrive at Narita/Haneda Airport, check into your hotel in central Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza recommended)
Afternoon: Explore Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky for iconic Tokyo views
Evening: Dinner at Ichiran Ramen or Sukiya for authentic Japanese flavors

Day 2: Traditional & Modern Tokyo

Morning: Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views
Afternoon: Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sushi and street food
Evening: Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills for night views

Day 3: Tokyo’s Cultural Heart

Morning: Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park
Afternoon: Harajuku shopping and Takeshita Street
Evening: Shinjuku Golden Gai for authentic izakaya experience

Day 4-5: Kyoto - Ancient Capital

Day 4: Kyoto Arrival & Eastern Temples

Morning: Take Shinkansen to Kyoto (2.5 hours), check into hotel
Afternoon: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion District for geisha spotting
Evening: Pontocho Alley for traditional Kyoto dining

Day 5: Western Kyoto & Arashiyama

Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple
Afternoon: Ryoan-ji Rock Garden, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Evening: Nishiki Market for local food exploration

Day 6: Osaka - Food & Entertainment Capital

Morning: Take train to Osaka (30 minutes from Kyoto) Afternoon: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori for street food and entertainment Evening: Shinsekai District for authentic Osaka atmosphere

Day 7: Return to Tokyo & Departure

Morning: Kuromon Ichiba Market for breakfast Afternoon: Return to Tokyo via Shinkansen Evening: Final shopping in Ginza or Akihabara, departure

🌟 10-Day Japan Itinerary: Enhanced Experience

Day 1-4: Tokyo - Extended Exploration

Days 1-3: Follow the 7-day Tokyo itinerary above Day 4: Tokyo Day Trip Options

Option A: Hakone - Hot springs, Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji views
Option B: Kamakura - Great Buddha, temples, coastal charm
Option C: Nikko - UNESCO World Heritage shrines and nature

Day 5-7: Kyoto - Deep Cultural Immersion

Day 5: Follow Day 4 from 7-day itinerary Day 6: Follow Day 5 from 7-day itinerary
Day 7: Northern Kyoto & Hidden Gems

Morning: Kifune Shrine and Kibune River dining
Afternoon: Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei
Evening: Philosopher’s Path walk and Nanzen-ji Temple

Day 8: Nara Day Trip - Ancient Capital

Morning: Train to Nara (45 minutes from Kyoto) Full Day: Todai-ji Temple with Great Buddha, Nara Park with friendly deer, Kasuga Taisha Shrine Evening: Return to Kyoto

Day 9-10: Osaka - Extended Stay

Day 9: Follow Day 6 from 7-day itinerary Day 10: Osaka Exploration & Departure

Morning: Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka Aquarium
Afternoon: Umeda Sky Building, final shopping
Evening: Return to Tokyo or direct departure from Osaka

🎯 14-Day Japan Itinerary: Complete Immersion

Day 1-5: Tokyo - Comprehensive Capital Experience

Days 1-3: Follow the 7-day Tokyo itinerary Day 4: Hakone Day Trip

Morning: Hakone Open-Air Museum, Lake Ashi cruise
Afternoon: Owakudani volcanic valley, Hakone Shrine
Evening: Return to Tokyo

Day 5: Kamakura Day Trip

Morning: Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Hase-dera Temple
Afternoon: Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine, Komachi-dori shopping
Evening: Return to Tokyo

Day 6-9: Kyoto - Complete Cultural Experience

Days 6-7: Follow Days 4-5 from 7-day itinerary Day 8: Northern Kyoto (follow Day 7 from 10-day itinerary) Day 9: Southern Kyoto & Fushimi

Morning: Fushimi Inari Shrine with early morning hike
Afternoon: Tofuku-ji Temple, Sake District tour
Evening: Gion Corner for traditional arts performance

Day 10: Nara Day Trip

Follow Day 8 from 10-day itinerary

Day 11: Kobe Day Trip - Port City Charm

Morning: Train to Kobe (30 minutes from Osaka) Full Day: Kobe Harborland, Kitano-cho foreign settlement, Nunobiki Herb Garden Evening: Kobe beef dinner, return to Osaka

Day 12-14: Osaka - Extended Stay

Day 12: Follow Day 6 from 7-day itinerary Day 13: Osaka Exploration

Morning: Osaka Museum of History, Tennoji Temple
Afternoon: Shitennoji Temple, Abeno Harukas observation deck
Evening: Hozenji Yokocho traditional alley

Day 14: Hiroshima/Miyajima Day Trip or Departure

Option A: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima Island with floating torii gate
Option B: Final shopping and departure from Osaka

🚇 Essential Transportation Guide

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)

7-Day: ¥29,650 (~$200) - Worth it for 7+ day trips
14-Day: ¥47,250 (~$320) - Excellent value for 14-day itinerary
21-Day: ¥60,450 (~$410) - Best for extended stays

Key Train Routes

Tokyo → Kyoto: Shinkansen, 2.5 hours, ¥13,080
Kyoto → Osaka: Local JR train, 30 minutes, ¥560
Tokyo → Hakone: Romancecar, 1.5 hours, ¥2,330
Kyoto → Nara: JR Nara Line, 45 minutes, ¥710

Transportation Tips

IC Cards: Get a Suica or Pasmo card for convenient local travel
Reservations: Book Shinkansen seats in advance during peak seasons
Local Passes: Consider city-specific passes for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

Tokyo

Budget: Capsule hotels in Shinjuku, hostels in Asakusa
Mid-range: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Tokyu Stay Ginza
Luxury: Park Hyatt Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

Kyoto

Budget: Kyoto Hana Hostel, Piece Hostel Kyoto
Mid-range: Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Kyoto Hotel Okura
Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, Four Seasons Kyoto

Osaka

Budget: Osaka Hana Hostel, Capsule Hotel Asahi Plaza
Mid-range: Hotel Granvia Osaka, Cross Hotel Osaka
Luxury: Conrad Osaka, St. Regis Osaka

🍜 Must-Try Japanese Foods by Region

Tokyo

Sushi: Tsukiji Outer Market, conveyor belt sushi
Ramen: Ichiran, Ippudo, local ramen shops
Tempura: Tenya, specialized tempura restaurants

Kyoto

Kaiseki: Traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine
Matcha: Uji green tea, matcha desserts
Yudofu: Hot pot with tofu and vegetables

Osaka

Takoyaki: Octopus balls, street food specialty
Okonomiyaki: Savory pancake with various toppings
Kushikatsu: Deep-fried skewers

💰 Budget Planning Guide

Daily Budget Estimates (per person)

Budget: ¥8,000-12,000 ($55-80)
Mid-range: ¥15,000-25,000 ($100-170)
Luxury: ¥35,000+ ($240+)

Cost Breakdown

Accommodation: 30-40% of total budget
Food: 25-35% of total budget
Transportation: 15-25% of total budget
Activities: 10-20% of total budget

Money-Saving Tips

Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart for affordable meals
Lunch specials: Many restaurants offer cheaper lunch menus
Free attractions: Parks, temples, and shrines often have free entry
Local transport: Use IC cards and avoid taxis when possible

📅 Best Time to Visit Japan

Spring (March-May)

Pros: Cherry blossoms, mild weather, beautiful scenery
Cons: Peak tourist season, higher prices, crowded attractions
Best for: Photography, cultural experiences, outdoor activities

Summer (June-August)

Pros: Festivals, green landscapes, fewer crowds
Cons: Hot and humid, rainy season in June, typhoon risk
Best for: Festivals, indoor attractions, mountain escapes

Autumn (September-November)

Pros: Fall foliage, comfortable weather, cultural events
Cons: Peak season for fall colors, moderate crowds
Best for: Nature photography, hiking, cultural experiences

Winter (December-February)

Pros: Fewer crowds, lower prices, winter sports
Cons: Cold weather, some attractions closed, limited daylight
Best for: Skiing, hot springs, indoor activities

🎒 Essential Packing List

Clothing

Comfortable walking shoes - You’ll walk 10-15 km daily
Lightweight layers - Weather can change quickly
Modest clothing - Required for temples and shrines
Rain gear - Umbrella or rain jacket essential

Electronics

Portable charger - Heavy phone usage for navigation
Universal adapter - Japan uses Type A/B plugs
Camera - You’ll want to capture everything
WiFi device - Pocket WiFi or SIM card for navigation

Documents

Passport - Must be valid for 6+ months
JR Pass voucher - Exchange at airport or major stations
Hotel confirmations - Printed copies recommended
Travel insurance - Medical coverage recommended

🚨 Important Travel Tips

Cultural Etiquette

Bowing: Greet people with a slight bow
Shoes: Remove shoes when entering traditional buildings
Quiet: Keep voices down on public transport
Queueing: Always wait in line, don’t cut

Language

Basic phrases: Learn hello (konnichiwa), thank you (arigato), excuse me (sumimasen)
Translation apps: Google Translate works well offline
English: Available at major tourist areas, less so in rural areas

Safety

Very safe: Japan is one of the world’s safest countries
Emergency: Dial 110 for police, 119 for ambulance/fire
Lost items: Check with station staff or police boxes

🔄 Sample Daily Schedule (Tokyo Example)

7:00 AM: Breakfast at hotel or convenience store 8:00 AM: Early temple/shrine visit (fewer crowds) 10:00 AM: Main attraction of the day 12:00 PM: Lunch at local restaurant 1:30 PM: Afternoon exploration 4:00 PM: Shopping or cultural activity 6:00 PM: Dinner at izakaya or restaurant 8:00 PM: Evening entertainment or relaxation

🎯 Itinerary Customization Tips

For Families

Reduce daily activities - Kids get tired quickly
Include interactive museums - Science museums, aquariums
Plan rest days - Pool time or park visits
Choose family-friendly hotels - Larger rooms, amenities

For Seniors

Slower pace - Fewer activities per day
Accessible accommodations - Elevators, ground floor rooms
Guided tours - Less stress, more information
Hot springs - Relaxing cultural experience

For Solo Travelers

Hostels and capsule hotels - Meet other travelers
Food tours - Social dining experiences
Free walking tours - Learn and meet people
Safety - Japan is extremely safe for solo travelers

🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planning Mistakes

Over-scheduling - Leave time for exploration and rest
Ignoring jet lag - Plan light activities for first day
Not booking in advance - Popular restaurants and attractions need reservations
Underestimating walking - Plan for 10-15 km daily

Cultural Mistakes

Wearing shoes indoors - Always check for shoe removal signs
Speaking loudly - Japanese value quiet and respect
Not bowing - Simple gesture shows respect
Ignoring local customs - Research basic etiquette

Practical Mistakes

Not getting IC card - Makes transportation much easier
Carrying too much cash - Most places accept cards
Not checking train schedules - Some trains stop running early
Forgetting umbrella - Rain is common year-round

🎉 Final Thoughts

Japan is a country that will exceed your expectations in every way. From the efficient public transportation to the incredible food, from the ancient temples to the cutting-edge technology, every moment will be filled with wonder and discovery.

Choose your itinerary based on:

7 days: Perfect for first-time visitors with limited time
10 days: Ideal for a comprehensive experience with day trips
14 days: Ultimate immersion for those who want to see it all

Remember, the best Japan trip is one that balances must-see attractions with unexpected discoveries. Leave room in your schedule for the small moments - the perfect bowl of ramen, the hidden temple garden, the friendly local who helps you find your way.

Start planning your dream Japan adventure today! 🇯🇵✨