Japan 10 Day Itinerary: Tokyo to Osaka by Train
Contents
A good Japan 10 day itinerary follows one line on the map: Tokyo for 3 days, then Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto for 3 days, Nara, and Osaka. This is the 10-day route from JNTO, Japan's official tourism organization ⓘ JNTO. Many travel legs are short, such as about 45 minutes from Kyoto to Nara or about 2 hours 20 minutes from Tokyo to Kyoto by train.
1The 10-day route at a glance
JNTO's 10-day model route visits six places ⓘ JNTO. It moves west in one line, so you never go back. This keeps travel time low.
Here is the day plan from JNTO. JNTO does not say where to sleep each night ⓘ JNTO. We give simple ideas below, but you can change them.
| Day | Place | Main idea | Train time to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Tokyo | Asakusa, Shibuya, Ginza, Shinjuku | Narita to Tokyo Station: about 60 min ⓘ JNTO |
| 4 | Kamakura | Seaside town with many temples | From Tokyo: about 1 hour ⓘ JNTO |
| 5 | Hakone | Mountains, lake, art, hot springs | Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto: 75 min fastest (Odakyu) |
| 6–8 | Kyoto | Old capital, temples, shrines | Tokyo to Kyoto: about 2 h 20 min ⓘ JNTO |
| 9 | Nara | Deer park, Great Buddha | Kyoto to Nara: about 45 min ⓘ JR West |
| 10 | Osaka | Castle, street food | Nara to Osaka Castle area: 1 h 3 min ⓘ JNTO |
Many video creators use this same Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka shape for a first trip. One popular planning video walks first-timers through a full 10-day route step by step.
2Days 1–3: Tokyo
On Day 1, you land and travel into the city. From Narita Airport, the Narita Express train takes about 60 minutes to Tokyo Station ⓘ JNTO. Check in, then rest.
In another JNTO plan, the first Tokyo day pairs hotel check-in with Asakusa ⓘ JNTO. There you can see Senso-ji, an old Buddhist temple, and Kaminarimon, its gate. This is a gentle start after a long flight.
On Day 2, see modern Tokyo. JNTO lists Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Ginza and Shinjuku ⓘ JNTO. Shibuya Crossing is a famous street crossing in the city.
On Day 3, explore more of the city at your own speed. JNTO's two-week plan uses this day for a trip to Yokohama and Kamakura ⓘ JNTO. In the 10-day plan, Kamakura gets its own day next, so you can keep Day 3 for Tokyo.
Budget travelers also share Tokyo plans. One video shows Tokyo places to visit, an itinerary and expenses.
3Day 4: Kamakura
Kamakura is a seaside town with many temples ⓘ JNTO. It is about 1 hour from Tokyo by train ⓘ JNTO. This makes it an easy day trip.
You can sleep in Tokyo again after Kamakura. Then go to Hakone the next morning. This way, you do not move hotels every day.
One 7-day first-timer video also adds Kamakura and Yokohama to a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip.
4Day 5: Hakone
Hakone is known for hot spring resorts. JNTO says it is a good stop between Tokyo and Kyoto ⓘ JNTO. Another JNTO plan sleeps one night here ⓘ JNTO.
There are two easy ways in:
- Romancecar from Shinjuku: to Hakone-Yumoto, no change, fastest 75 minutes (Odakyu). JNTO's 10-day plan says 1 hour 30 minutes ⓘ JNTO. The time depends on the train.
- Shinkansen from Tokyo Station: to Odawara in 35 minutes. Then Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto in 15 minutes, or a local train ⓘ JNTO.
The Romancecar limited express fee is 1,150 yen one way (Odakyu). You also need a normal base ticket. All seats are reserved, so book a seat (Odakyu).
In Hakone, the Hakone Tozan Line train climbs slopes and runs along river valleys ⓘ JNTO. The Hakone Open-Air Museum has outdoor art and a Picasso hall ⓘ JNTO. From Gora, the bus to the Pola Museum of Art takes 15 minutes ⓘ JNTO.
From Gora, you can also take a cable car and then a ropeway (a hanging cable car). The route passes the Owakudani area and goes toward Lake Ashi ⓘ JNTO. JNTO's other plan includes Hakone Shrine and a sightseeing boat on Lake Ashi ⓘ JNTO.
Some travelers look for quieter, scenic places. One video shows a route beyond Tokyo and Kyoto with fewer crowds.
5Day 6: Getting from Hakone to Kyoto (step by step)
This is the longest travel day. Here is a simple plan.
- Check out early in Hakone. Go down to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
- Ride to Odawara. JNTO gives 15 minutes by Romancecar from Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto, and local trains also run ⓘ JNTO. Check the time in your direction.
- Find a shinkansen to Kyoto. As an example, the March 2026 timetable shows Hikari 631 leaving Odawara at 6:56 and arriving in Kyoto at 9:08 ⓘ JR Central.
- Check today's times. We did not confirm the connection from Hakone-Yumoto to this train, or the total time. Look at the official timetable.
- Pick a seat type. In very busy periods, Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are all reserved seats ⓘ JR Central.
- Arrive in Kyoto and drop your bags. Then start sightseeing.
If you go straight from Tokyo instead, the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto takes 2 hours 20 minutes ⓘ JNTO.
6Days 6–8: Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan's capital for more than 1,000 years ⓘ JNTO. Three days give you time for its temples and shrines. Plan one area per half day.
From Kyoto Station to Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple, is 30 minutes by train and walking ⓘ JNTO. From Kiyomizu-dera to Fushimi Inari Taisha, a large shrine, is another 30 minutes on foot and by train ⓘ JNTO.
You can also visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. JNTO describes the building reflected in its pond and the gardens around it ⓘ JNTO.
Families travel Japan too. One video shows a 10-day summer trip with parents.
7Day 9: Nara
Nara is close to Kyoto. The Miyakoji Rapid train reaches JR Nara Station in about 45 minutes ⓘ JR West, JNTO. From the station, the main sights are about a 30-minute walk ⓘ JNTO.
JNTO's plan visits Kofuku-ji temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha shrine and Todai-ji temple ⓘ JNTO. In Nara Park, you can see deer. You can buy shika senbei, special deer crackers, from local shops ⓘ JNTO.
At Todai-ji, you can see the Daibutsu, a giant Buddha statue ⓘ JNTO. Opening times change by season at some places, like Todai-ji ⓘ JNTO.
One video adds Uji and Hiroshima to a 10-day route that starts in Osaka and ends in Tokyo.
8Day 10: Osaka and going home
JNTO's Kansai plan goes from Nara to Osaka. It walks 15 minutes to Nara Station, then takes the JR Yamatoji Line. The total time to the Osaka Castle area is 1 hour 3 minutes ⓘ JNTO.
Inside Osaka Castle's main tower is a museum. From the 8th-floor lookout, you can see the city ⓘ JNTO. From Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Castle is 20 minutes by train ⓘ JNTO.
Next, try Dotonbori, a busy food area. It has shops selling takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) ⓘ JNTO. From Shinsekai, another area of Osaka, Dotonbori is a 30-minute walk ⓘ JNTO.
For your flight, JNTO says the Haruka limited express runs from Kansai Airport to JR Shin-Osaka in about 45 minutes ⓘ JNTO. The Rapi:t train runs from the airport to Nankai Namba Station in about 30 minutes ⓘ JNTO. We did not confirm times in the airport direction or flight connections. Leave extra time.
Another 10-day route video covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and more for a first trip.
9Mistakes first-timers make
- Moving hotels every night -> Sleep in Tokyo for Kamakura, so you change hotels less often.
- Thinking Romancecar seats are open -> All seats are reserved, so book a seat (Odakyu).
- Forgetting the base ticket -> The 1,150 yen Romancecar fee is not enough. You need a normal ticket too (Odakyu).
- Trusting an old timetable -> Timetables change, and extra trains run some days. Check JR Central for your date ⓘ JR Central.
- Arriving at Todai-ji too late -> Opening hours change by season. Check last entry online ⓘ JNTO.
10FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Japan? It is enough for this route. JNTO's 10-day plan covers six places ⓘ JNTO.
How long is the train from Tokyo to Kyoto? About 2 hours 20 minutes by Tokaido Shinkansen ⓘ JNTO.
How much is the Romancecar to Hakone? The limited express fee is 1,150 yen one way from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. The base ticket costs extra (Odakyu).
Should I sleep in Hakone? It helps. One JNTO plan stays one night there ⓘ JNTO. Hakone also sits between Tokyo and Kyoto ⓘ JNTO.
How do I get from Kyoto to Nara? Take the JR Miyakoji Rapid train. It takes about 45 minutes ⓘ JR West.
Which airport should I fly in and out of? This route works well in to Narita and out of Kansai Airport. Narita to Tokyo is about 60 minutes ⓘ JNTO. Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka is about 45 minutes, but the time toward the airport was not confirmed ⓘ JNTO.
11Related guides
- Tokyo to Kyoto
- Hakone travel guide
- Kyoto to Nara
- Japan Shinkansen tickets
- Narita Airport to Tokyo
- Kansai Airport to Osaka
Sources
- S1 JNTO – Golden Route 10 días: [1]
- S2 JNTO – Golden Route: Tokyo, Kansai & Hiroshima: [2]
- S3 Odakyu Electric Railway – Romancecar Navi: [3]
- S4 JNTO – Hakone: An Easy Excursion From Tokyo: [4]
- S5 JR Central – Shinkansen westbound timetable: [5]
- S6 JNTO – The Kansai Trio: Kyoto, Nara and Osaka: [6]
- S7 JR West – Nara Line area feature: [7]
- S8 JNTO – Kansai Model Route: [8]
- S9 JNTO – FAQ: [9]
- S10 JNTO – How to Nara: [10]
- S11 JR Central – Timetable: [11]
Last checked: 2026-11-03
Sources referenced in this article
Related guides
Akihabara Guide: Anime, Electronics and Planning Your Visit
Aomori Nebuta Festival: Dates, Seats and Haneto Guide
Arashiyama Guide: Bamboo Grove, Bridge, Temple and Trains
Asakusa Guide: Senso-ji, Station Exits and Local Walks
Atsuta Jingu: Shrine Access, Museums and Prices
Awa Odori Festival: Tokushima Dates and Tickets
Experiences and questions about this trip
Share your experience of this place or ask a question.
