Waynotes

⛩️🍣Japan🎎🌸

10 days · Japan

Trip planning: 10-day Japan itinerary with 4 stops. Real route, nights, and traveller tips you can use when planning your own multi-stop trip.

Spent 8 nights in Japan, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka before heading back to Tokyo. We managed to fit in quite a lot, from sightseeing and trying different foods to shopping and a few fun experiences. It was our first time in Japan, so we wanted to see as much as possible while still having time to explore each city.

Itinerary

1. Tokyo

   2 nights · hotel

   Tokyo is huge, so I'd recommend planning your days around areas rather than travelling back and forth across the city. The trains are really easy to use, and staying in Akasaka made it convenient to get around. Try and stay near a train station as you end up doing a lot of walking in the day, it makes a difference. Definitely book popular activities in advance!

   Tokyo is huge, so I'd recommend planning your days around areas rather than trav

2. Kyoto

   3 nights · hotel

   We took the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, which was really easy and took just over 2 hours. I'd recommend booking seats in advance, especially if you have luggage. Kyoto was honestly so pretty, with beautiful temples, traditional streets and so many lovely spots to wander around. Getting around isn't quite as straightforward as Tokyo, as the train network isn't as extensive, so you'll find yourself relying more on buses and walking. Definitely bring comfortable shoes and start your days early to avoid the crowds at the popular spots!

   We took the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, which was really easy and took jus

3. Osaka

   2 nights · hotel

   Osaka is really close to Kyoto, only about 15 minutes by bullet train or 30–45 minutes on a regular train, so it's really easy to fit into your itinerary. We mainly went for the vintage shopping, which was definitely worth the trip! There are so many vintage and second-hand shops to explore, so I'd recommend setting aside a good few hours if that's your thing. We only stayed for two nights and didn't get to see much else, but it's a great city to add to your route, even if you're short on time.

   Osaka is really close to Kyoto, only about 15 minutes by bullet train or 30–45 m

4. Tokyo

   2 nights · hotel

   We headed back to Tokyo for our final two nights, which I'd definitely recommend if you're flying home from there. It gave us some extra time to explore, do some last-minute shopping and visit any places we didn't manage to fit in the first time around. Tokyo is so big that even after a few days, there's still loads left to see and do. I'd recommend leaving some free time in your itinerary rather than planning every hour, as you'll always come across something interesting!

   We headed back to Tokyo for our final two nights, which I'd definitely recommend