10 Days in Japan: Unveiling the Magic of Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo (including Mt.Fuji)

There are some vacations, trips, and adventures—whatever you wanna call them—that change your life, alter your brain chemistry, and become simply unforgettable. Japan is one of those places.

This is a country that captivates the soul—where ancient traditions intertwine with futuristic innovation, and every moment feels like a new discovery. Over 10 days, you’ll wander through the neon-lit energy of Tokyo, soak in the timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, and savor the vibrant street food of Osaka and hopefully see the stunning Mt. Fuji. From hidden alleyways to breathtaking cultural landmarks, this journey through Japan’s most iconic cities promises to be unforgettable. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to a place that already holds your heart, get ready for an adventure filled with wonder, flavor, and moments that will stay with you forever.

I had never been so excited to explore a country and tell EVERYONE I know about it. I had heard so many wonderful things about Japan, but also didn’t know what to expect as this was my first trip to Asia. I did hours and hours of research and scrolling so that you don’t have to. Over 10 days you will experience some of the best that Japan has to offer and I can’t wait to walk you through it.

Tokyo (Day 1-3)

Your journey will likely begin in Tokyo and what a great place to start. I was so captivated by this city! So much to do, so much to see. Tokyo is enormous so splitting your time in a strategic way is a must. I highly recommend staying the Shibuya/Shinjuku, or Harajuku neighborhoods as this is where most of the site seeing is and great transportation options. I lay it out for you down below:

Where to Stay in Tokyo

To maximize your time in Tokyo, I highly recommend staying in well-connected neighborhoods such as Shibuya or Shinjuku that give you easy access to major attractions and public transit. Below are my top hotel picks, perfect for any budget:

Tokyo Hotels

• Luxury: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel – We stayed here, and it was phenomenal. We were absolutely blown away by the spacious rooms, stunning skyline views (Tokyo Tower views too!), and just a 10-minute walk to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. 100% recommend staying here your first time in Tokyo.
• Mid-Range: Shinjuku Granbell Hotel – A stylish hotel in the heart of Shinjuku, close to Golden Gai.

Day 1 (Shibuya, Shinjuku & HARAJUKU)

Most of what you’ve seen of Tokyo are probably within these 3 neighborhoods and for a good reason! You can spend weeks exploring just these 3 places and continue to find amazing food and hidden gems. This is perfect for day 1, especially if your hotel is in one of these areas.

Must visit places

• Shibuya Scramble Crossing: The world’s busiest crosswalk. So surreal to walk this madness!
• Shibuya Sky: Insane 360° city views. Try to get tickets for sunset with the most beautiful golden hour views of Tokyo. Also tickets drop at midnight (local time) so be sure to book on time and 30 days in advance! Book tickets here.
• Shibuya Center-Gai: Super bright and brilliant street in Shibuya
• Shibuya – Hachiko Statue: Honoring the most loyal pup in Japan
• Shibuya – Mega Donki: No trip to Japan is complete without going to Don Quijote especially the MEGA one in Shibuya
• Shinjuku – 3D Cat Billboard: So cute to see in person!
• Shinjuku – Golden Gai: A historic nightlife area filled with tiny bars perfect for a night out on the town
• Shinjuku – Omoide Yokocho: Omg I loved walking down Omide Yokocho! All the izakayas (tiny bars) that literally fit 4-5 people. MUST VISIT
• Shinjuku – Kabukicho: Tokyo’s entertainment & nightlife hub. More pretty lights and more shopping!
• Harajuku – Meji Shrine: A peaceful escape inside Yoyogi Park. I would recommend going in the morning for a peaceful walk while you wait for your fav coffee shop to open (Tip: oh yeah.. things in Japan don’t typically open until later think after 10am)
• Harajuku – Takeshita Street: The ultimate spot for quirky fashion, crepes and gaming places! We spent a great afternoon eating street good and playing Mario Kart.

Food Recs

• Ichiran Ramen (Shibuya): Must-try tonkotsu ramen. We actually had this on Ubereats our second night (I got food poisoning, a story for another time, follow me on Tik Tok to catch up)
• Gyukatsu Motomura: Crispy wagyu beef cutlets. Super popular but so worth it, there are many places like this in Japan but this one is said to be one of the best
• Afuri Ramen: Their yuzu shio ramen is elite.

Day 2 (Asakusa, AKIHABARA & UENO)

This was actually my favorite day in Tokyo. It was the perfect combination of historical, traditional and bright lights, anime and gaming. A LOT of walking today so get on your fav pair of shoes and let’s go!

MUST VISIT PLACES

• Senso-ji Temple: Tokyo’s oldest temple. Get here in the morning to beat the crowd!
• Nakamise Shopping Street: Perfect for souvenirs & street food (get the melonpan!)
• Tokyo Skytree: Another great view point to get stunning landscapes of Tokyo
• Electric Town: An area of Akihabara with sooo many stores with old electronics, gaming and more!
• Tokyo National Museum: check out to see what pop ups they have going on. When we went there was the Hello Kitty 50th anniversary pop up!
• Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street
• Ueno Park

Day 3 (Ginza, Roppongi & Minato)

This day is about luxury, art, and iconic views. Ginza, know for luxury shopping (think 5th ave NYC), Roppongi for the art, and Minato for the most stunning views of Tokyo tower. Perfect way to enjoy your last full day in Tokyo.

MUST VISIT PLACES

• TeamLab Planets: Everyone on the internet says to visit Teamlab Planets. I will leave it here as a recommendation but to be honest it wasn’t really my thing. We ended up visiting last minute (hard to get tickets but made it happen) and I have to say it’s a little hyped. If you have time cool, if not you can definitely skip
• Ginza Shopping District: Including the Ginza six, all things High-end boutiques & Michelin-star dining
• Ginza Uniqlo: Visit the biggest Uniqlo in the world! With 12 distinct floor, you will definitely need to grab a shopping basket
• Vintage Designer Shopping: If you are into finding vintage designer, Ginza is the place for you! (2nd st, Brand off, Kindal, Okura, and many many more)
• Tokyo Tower: One of the most iconic Tokyo landmarks. You can’t miss taking in Tokyo tower, I wouldn’t necessarily go up but there are a couple of places to view from afar
• Zojoji Temple : A stunning old-meets-new contrast, temple with Tokyo tower in the backdrop
• Roppongi Hills Sky Deck: Breathtaking views at sunset.

Osaka (Day 4-5)

On Day 4, you’ll take the Shinkansen bullet train to Osaka. The ride takes under 3 hours, and you can even see Mt. Fuji if you’re lucky (sit on the right side of the train from Tokyo to Osaka). I highly recommend downloading the SmartEx app and booking your tickets. You can definitely book them at the station but if you want to pick your seats I would book ahead directly on the app.

Osaka Hotels

• Luxury: Conrad Osaka – Skyline views & insane hospitality.
• Mid Range: Candeo Shinsaibashi – We stayed here for our 2 nights in Osaka. It was pretty standard, we had great views from our room. We weren’t crazy about the breakfast, they mostly catered Japanese breakfast (what can I say, I like traditional American/English breakfast). But would recommend if you don’t want to break the bank and still want to be in a great location.

Day 4 (Iconic landmarks & food)

Must Visit Places

• Dotonbori: This is the pictures you’ve probably seen of Osaka (Glico Sign, neon streets, and street food). If we had more time and it was if it was a little warmer I would’ve loved to take the boat ride down the river
• Osaka Castle: Take a nice morning walk to Osaka castle (deff try to get here early). We didn’t go inside because the line was super long but if you want to go in, arrive at opening.
• Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine: A super unique shrine. We actually go lost coming here as the map lead us to the wrong shrine, pay attention to this when visiting
• Kuromon Ichiba Market: One of Osakas main markets with so many good food and shopping. Of course you need to try Takoyaki (Fried Octopus balls)
• Hozenji Temple & Hozenji Yokocho Alley: Close to the Kuromon Ichiba Market, the Hozenji Yokocho Alley has more shops and restaurants to explore, in it you can see the Hozenji Temple

Day 5 (more landmarks or universal studios)

On your second day in Osaka you can take you one of two routes. The first route which most people recommend is going to Universal Studios. While this may be the move for some people, as someone who lives in the US we skipped universal studios to dive deeper into the culture of Osaka. As a first timer in Osaka we opted out of Universal but would love to come back and go!

Must visit places

• Universal Studios: As mentioned above you can use your day 2 in Osaka to visit universal studios which will pretty much take up your entire day. As most places in Japan, book tour tickets early! Especially for Mario World. For those not going to Universal Studios, keep scrolling
• Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade: A super unique shopping area. It feels like you have been transported back in time a little. Cute souvenir shopping and arcade games, and food of course duh
• JanJan Yokocho Alley: In the area of Shinsaibashi, go down JanJan Yokocho Alley more food options
• Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: Beautiful traditional shrine
• Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street: Longest shopping street in Japan
• Umeda Sky Building: For skyline views of Osaka and surrounding area

Kyoto (Day 6-8)

From Osaka you will take about a 30 minute Shinkansen Train (bullet train) to Kyoto. If Tokyo is Japan’s modern pulse, Kyoto is its historic heart. I truly felt the history,

Kyoto Hotels

• Luxury: Park Hyatt – We stayed at the Park Hyatt hotel in the heart of Higashiyama, this hotel blends modern elegance with traditional Kyoto charm. Although it was definitely a splurge, being in this area in the early mornings before the crowds was special. I will say if you are looking for night life this may not be the hotel for you. Everything in this area closes around 6-7pm which meant venturing to other parts of Kyoto in the evening.
• Luxury: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO – This was my second choice for hotels in Kyoto. Steps away from Nijo Castle and close to Kyoto’s top temples, it is one of the only hotels in Kyoto with natural baths.
• Mid-Range: Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion – A stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Gion with a beautiful onsen, modern rooms, and a peaceful atmospher

Day 6 (Temples, Shrines & Traditional Streets)

Must VISIT PLACES

• Fushimi Inari Taisha: The famous red torii gates. Ive seen some people recommend getting here at 7am which is a little crazy. We were here in February and getting here at 8:30am-9am there is still little to no-one here. Plus there is plenty of room and red gates to get your pictures in. Sleep in a little lol
• Tofuku-ji Temple: Stunning Zen gardens
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple: Panoramic kyoto views with some beautiful temples
• Higashiyama District & Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka Streets: When you think of Kyoto this is probably what you are picturing. The beautiful historic streets feel like stepping back in time, you will love it.
• Yasaka Pagoda: Walking through the Higashiyama district you will find the iconic Yasaka Pogoda, one of my favs.
• Yasaka Shrine: Within the Gion District you will find the Yasaka Shrine, beautiful at night when lit
• Gion District: Head to Gion in the evening for dinner and a chance to see a real maiko or geisha.

Day 7 (Arashiyama & Northern Kyoto)

Must See places

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: One of Kyotos most popular sights. The Bamboo forest is a unique experience and deff worth the trip
• Kimono Forest: A collection of cylinder shaped Kimonos of all different prints and colors. Cute detour to or from the bamboo forest
• Tenryu-ji Temple & Gardens:
• Monkey Park Iwatayama
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Dinner in Pontocho Alley: Traditional kaiseki dining or an izakaya experience.

Day 8 (Hidden Gems & Day Trips)

On day 8 I would continue to explore Kyoto. However, if you would like to do a day trip this would be a good time to visit Nara, home of the bowing deer. You can get there in about 45 minutes by car otherwise a little over an hour by train (with transfers). Day 3 below is the continuation of exploring Kyoto

• Nishiki Market: best for local snacks, pickles, and tea
• Nijo Castle: A beautifully preserved samurai-era castle with “nightingale floors” and gold-painted interiors.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace & Park:
• Shijo-Kawaramachi area: One of Kyoto’s main shopping districts. It sits along Shijo Street with lots of shopping and goodies
• Takashimaya Kyoto: One of the department stores on Shijo Street. They have the Nintendo Store here (fun fact: Nintendo was founded in Kyoto) if you would like to pick up some of your favorite games!

Mt Fuji (Day 9-10)

When we first arrived at Kawaguchiko station I was hesitant about staying near Mt. Fuji for 2 nights. Did I make a mistake? Should we have gone back to explore more of Tokyo instead of the small towns and areas near Mt. Fuji? Should we have day tripped instead? Long story short is… I have no regrets and absolutely loved our time in Fujiyoshida. We visited in February and the views of Mt Fuji on a sunny day will be a core memory forever. However, there are definitely somethings I wish someone would have told me:

Tips for staying near Mt. Fuji

• I highly recommend renting a car. There are so many little towns and areas to explore near Mt. Fuji all within 10-30 minute drives of each other. Exploring those areas would be nearly impossible without transportation.
• If I could go back I would stay near Kawaguchiko station
• There are little to no taxis in the area, hence my comment above 🙂
• The English is definitely not as great in this area as in Tokyo or some of the other bigger cities in Japan, be prepared to whip out your google translate
• Cash is king, be prepared to have some on you in this area

Mt fuji Hotels

• Bessho Sasa: We stayed at this traditional Japanese Roykan with a Private Open-Air Onsen in Every Suite facing Mt Fuji. I will say the service here was not the greatest but the rooms were huge and you truly can’t beat a private onsen with Fuji views.
• Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen Konanso: A traditional ryokan with private open-air onsen rooms and incredible Mt. Fuji views from the baths.
• Shuhokaku Kogetsu: A lakefront ryokan with stunning views of Mt. Fuji over Lake Kawaguchi. All rooms face the mountain! 
• Ubuya: A stylish ryokan offering Mt. Fuji views from every room 

MUST SEE PLACES

• Chureito Pagoda: One of the most iconic Fuji photo spots, especially stunning during cherry blossom season. Get there early if possible!
• Lake Kawaguchi: The best lake for clear reflections of Mt. Fuji, with boat rides & walking trails.
• Oishi Park: A beautiful park with stunning views of Mt. Fuji
• Shimo-Yoshida Honcho Street: A super famous street to take picture of Mt. Fuji. I actually recommend just going a street or two over to get the same effect without the crowds.
• Oshino Hakkai Village: The cutest little village with lots of shops and food. And of course Mt. Fuji views.
• Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine: One of my favorite shrines in Japan. It was very quiet and secluded, not many people. It was a bit older giving it a charm surrounded by trees and greenery.

Conclusion

Japan was truly life changing. The second I got home I KNEW I had to make plans to go back. From the buzzing streets of Tokyo to the timeless beauty of Kyoto, the flavors of Osaka, and the awe-inspiring views of Mt. Fuji, this 10-day journey is packed with unforgettable moments.

No matter how many times you visit Japan, there’s always more to explore, more to taste, and more to fall in love with. So pack your bags, embrace the adventure, and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

If found this helpful, check out my many many more itineraries ranging from chasing Northern Lights in Iceland to Summer getaways in Greece ❤️