10 Days in Japan: A First-Timer Itinerary I’d Actually Recommend (After Learning the Hard Way)

I still remember one spring evening on Kyushu when I thought the day was done. I’d spent hours hiking through volcanic landscapes, eaten a simple, soul-warming dinner of udon, seasonal vegetables, and koya dofu, and was fully ready to collapse into bed.

Instead, my guesthouse host insisted I join her for a local festival at a nearby Shinto shrine. Ten minutes later, I was standing in the dark, swinging a flaming bundle of hay around my body alongside strangers who quickly felt like friends. My heart was pounding, my arms were sore, and I had no idea what was going on—but that moment is one of my strongest memories of Japan.

That’s the Japan I want first-time visitors to experience. Not just the highlights you’ve seen on Instagram, but the quieter moments, the local invitations, and the places where things feel unexpectedly human.

I spent about a month traveling through Japan, moving slowly, making mistakes, adjusting plans, and paying close attention to what actually worked. This 10-day itinerary is what I wish I’d followed if I’d had less time.

Before You Go: Practical Stuff I Wish I’d Known

Tourist Visa Basics (Quick Reality Check)

If you’re traveling on a US, Canadian, European, or many Asian passports, Japan is refreshingly easy—no visa required for stays up to 90 days.

If you’re traveling with an Indian passport, it’s a bit more involved. In my experience, the 2025 “e-visa” system is slightly misleading. You still submit documents in person at the embassy, but receive the visa digitally instead of in your passport. It’s manageable, just not as online as it sounds.

Pro tip: Start this process at least 3–4 weeks early. I’ve seen friends stress unnecessarily by leaving it late.

Flights: What Actually Makes Sense

Japan is far, and flight fatigue is real. I’ve found that direct flights are worth prioritizing whenever possible—not just for comfort, but also because most flight emissions happen during takeoff and landing.

From India: Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Tokyo (often with ANA or Japan Airlines)
From Southeast Asia: Easy direct options from Bangkok and Singapore
From Europe & the US: Frequent non-stop flights to Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda airports

Direct flights usually cost slightly more, but I’ve found the savings in time, energy, and sanity are worth it.

Staying Connected (Without Losing Your Mind)

I now use an eSIM on almost every international trip. It lets me keep my primary SIM active (useful for banking alerts) while using local data immediately after landing.

For Japan, I used a 30-day eSIM with 10 GB of data for about $19 USD. That was more than enough for Google Maps, train apps, and the occasional café Wi-Fi backup.

If you’re a heavy data user, 20 GB for ~$29 or 50 GB for ~$49 is a safer bet.

Japan in 10 Days: The Big Picture

This itinerary balances cities with countryside, cultural immersion with rest, and iconic sights with places that surprised me the most.

Days 1–2: Tokyo
Days 3–4: Nara
Days 5–7: Kyushu (Kurokawa Onsen area)
Day 8: Hiroshima
Days 9–10: Hakone (Mt. Fuji region)
Day 11: Fly out of Tokyo

Yes, it’s a full itinerary—but I’ve built in enough breathing room that it doesn’t feel rushed.

Days 1–2: Tokyo (More Than Just Neon Lights)

Tokyo overwhelmed me at first. Skyscrapers, endless metro lines, crowds flowing like clockwork. But once I slowed down, I saw the layers—tiny tea rooms, old temples tucked between buildings, and peaceful gardens hiding behind busy streets.

Two nights is the minimum I’d recommend, even if you think you’re “not a city person.”

Where I’d Stay (By Budget)

Luxury: Tokyo Station Hotel – unbeatable location and a real sense of history
Mid-range: Hotel Chinzanso – a hidden garden oasis with 10,000+ trees
Budget: Other Space Asakusa – simple, affordable, and in my favorite neighborhood

Where I Ate (And Would Go Back To)

Tokyo spoiled me for food. Even as someone who seeks mostly plant-based meals, I never struggled.

The Bento Shop near Tokyo Station (vegetable bento perfection)
Saido (book ahead—worth it)
Vegan Cafe PQ’s for creative seasonal lunches

Tip: Download HappyCow. I used it daily.

Things I Loved Doing

Joining a traditional tea ceremony (years of training go into this craft)
Walking through Shinjuku Gyoen (20,000+ trees, especially beautiful in spring and autumn)
Getting lost in Asakusa at night

Days 3–4: Nara (Why I Skipped Kyoto)

This might be controversial, but I’ll say it anyway: Kyoto didn’t work for me. Overtourism stripped away much of the tranquility I was seeking.

Nara, on the other hand, felt spacious, historic, and deeply calming. It has UNESCO-listed sites, ancient forests, and far fewer crowds.

Getting There

Tokyo → Kyoto by shinkansen (2.5 hours), then Kyoto → Nara by local train (45 minutes).

Where I Stayed

Unique: Houjuji Temple – staying inside a former Buddhist residence
Budget: Haruya Naramachi – 100-year-old wooden townhouse
Splurge: Tsukihitei – inside a sacred forest (worth it if your budget allows)

Unforgettable Experiences

Morning Shinto prayers at Kasuga Taisha
Hiking 11.5 km through Kasuga Primeval Forest (protected since 841 AD)
Trying Akahada-yaki pottery with an 8th-generation potter

Days 5–7: Kyushu & Kurokawa Onsen (Slow Down Properly)

By day five, I was ready to leave the main tourist trail—and Kyushu delivered.

Kurokawa Onsen is one of the most atmospheric places I’ve ever visited. Wooden ryokans, misty rivers, stone bridges, and outdoor hot springs surrounded by forest.

Getting There (Yes, It’s a Bit Complicated)

Nara → Kyoto → Hakata (shinkansen, ~2.5 hours) → local train to Kurokawa (~1.5 hours).

It’s a long day, but this was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Onsen Reality Check

Onsens involve full nudity and thorough washing beforehand. I was nervous at first, but it quickly became one of the most freeing experiences of my life.

Buy a Tegata Pass to access three different onsens in town—it’s much cheaper than paying individually.

Day 8: Hiroshima (A Day That Stayed With Me)

Hiroshima hit me harder than I expected. Walking past the Genbaku Dome, the only structure left standing after the atomic bombing, was deeply sobering.

Spend a slow afternoon at the Peace Memorial Museum. Don’t rush it.

Where I Stayed

Daiwa Roynet Hotel – clean, affordable, and a 10-minute walk from the memorial park.

Days 9–10: Hakone & Mount Fuji

Hakone is only about 100 km from Tokyo, making it a perfect final stop.

On a clear day, seeing Mount Fuji reflected in Lake Ashi feels surreal. Avoid weekends if you can—it gets busy with Tokyo locals.

Don’t Miss

A 400-year-old teahouse serving amasake
Hiking sections of the ancient Hakone Hachiri trail
Soaking in one last onsen before flying home

Best Time to Visit Japan (From Experience)

Spring: Cherry blossoms (late March–mid April), beautiful but crowded
Autumn: September–November, fewer crowds and stunning foliage
Winter: Cold, quiet, atmospheric (December–mid March)

I visited in early March and got lucky with early cherry blossoms—proof that timing is never guaranteed.

Getting Around: Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It?

Japan’s trains are efficient but expensive. If you’re covering long distances, a Japan Rail Pass can save money.

I ran the numbers: for this itinerary, a 14-day pass made sense. For shorter or slower trips, it might not.

In Hakone, the Hakone Free Pass is useful unless you already have unlimited rail access.

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