Japan had been on my bucket list for years, but I kept putting the trip off. Living on the East Coast of the United States, I always felt like I needed at least two full weeks to make the long journey worthwhile. A few months ago, I finally decided to go for it, even though I only had ten days off from work. To my surprise, ten days turned out to be the perfect amount of time! I had a wonderful first taste of the country and left already dreaming about my next trip back.
Contents:
- First Stop: Osaka (1 Night)
- Second Stop: Tokyo (5 nights)
- Third Stop: Kyoto (3 nights)
- Important Links
First Stop: Osaka (1 Night)
Day 1: Land in Osaka
I arrived in Osaka around 5 PM after a long travel day, but the excitement of being in a new country was enough to keep me going for a few hours before bed! I spent the evening wandering Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s iconic covered shopping street. Towards the end of the street, I reached Dontobori, which is home to the famous neon billboards. It was great to walk around at night, and I felt completely safe as a solo female traveler. If you are also heading to Japan solo, check out my post, “How to Prepare for Your First International Solo Trip!”
Day 2: Visit Osaka’s Famous Landmarks
Despite being exhausted, I only slept 3 hours thanks to the 14-hour time difference. By the time 5 AM rolled around, I gave up on sleep and decided to explore some of Osaka’s landmarks before the summer heat kicked in.
Luckily, many 7-Eleven stores are open 24/7, so I was able to grab some breakfast before my early morning adventures. Not only was it convenient, but it was one of the things I was most excited about experiencing in Japan! There is so much hype around the Japanese 7-Elevens, and I was thrilled to get my hands on one of the viral fruit sandos.
My first stop was Osaka Castle, which was a lovely area to walk around and hang out. The grounds were peaceful in the early morning, and wandering around the gardens was the perfect way to start the day. I even ran into a group exercise class, which was fun to observe.
Next, I headed to Tsutenkaku, an observation deck. It was still early when I arrived, so the tower was closed, but it was still great to see from the ground! This tower is open from 10 AM – 8 PM, and tickets are only 1200 yen, so I would definitely go to the top next time! You can buy tickets from the official site HERE. My final stop of the day was the Namba Yasaka Shrine. This is one of the coolest temples I’ve ever visited, as the shrine resembles a roaring lion.
After a few hours of exploring, I grabbed my backpack from the hostel and headed to the train station for my next destination, Tokyo. Once I got to Tokyo, I tried to walk around, but I honestly felt horrible. The combination of heat and sleep deprivation caught up with me fast. I ducked into the first restaurant I saw that was blasting AC before calling it a night at 5 PM.
I felt like I had the perfect amount of time in Osaka, but if you love to shop or are a big foodie, I would recommend adding an additional day to your itinerary, as there is so much to try! Osaka is also home to Universal Studios Japan, so definitely do some research and see if that is something you’d like to add to your itinerary! I love Universal, but since I have access to one in the United States, I wanted to focus my limited time in Japan on more cultural and unique experiences that I couldn’t get at home.
Second Stop: Tokyo (5 Nights)
Day 3: Complete the Hakone Loop
When I travel, I like to pick a home base to spend multiple nights that has many day trips nearby, and I found Tokyo to be a perfect spot for this! On my first full day, I decided to head over to Hakone. This is one of the most unique places in the world, as you can visit a lakeside shrine, ride a pirate ship, and soar over a volcanic steam vent all in one day. It’s wild.
Hakone is famous for its loop, which is a popular sightseeing circuit that covers all of the crazy things I just mentioned. I highly recommend buying the Hakone Freepass in advance, which covers all of the transportation you’ll need. I purchased mine on Klook, and had a seamless experience picking it up in person! Once you have the pass, you can follow the loop at your own pace, spending as little or as much time in each area. You can also decide if you want to go clockwise or counterclockwise.
After completing the loop, I headed over to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which was a huge highlight of my trip. This is a massive outdoor art space filled with sculptures set against mountain scenery. It is such a lovely experience with gorgeous views everywhere you look! The scenery honestly reminded me of Switzerland, with rolling green hills.
Day 4: Explore Senso-ji and the Tokyo Tower
On Day 4 of my trip, I spent time exploring some of Tokyo’s biggest tourist attractions, the Senso-ji and the Tokyo Tower. Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. It is stunning to walk around, but it is very crowded! There are a ton of food stalls and souvenir shops in the streets surrounding this temple, so there is plenty to keep you entertained for a while.
After spending some time at the temple and in the surrounding areas, I headed over to the Tokyo Tower. Honestly, there is not much in this area. I think it’s cool to see from a distance, but otherwise, I think you can skip this, unless you plan to go to the top. I already had tickets to Shibuya Sky later in the week, so I did not go to the observation deck.
One of the highlights of this day was my lunch at T’s TanTan, a vegan restaurant inside the Tokyo Station. I had delicious ramen and vegan dumplings, which were AMAZING. I don’t eat much meat, so finding a good vegan spot with authentic food was perfect.
Day 5: Embark on a Mt. Fuji Lake Tour
Day 5 started with another day trip, and this one was a guided tour with GetYourGuide! I went on the Mt. Fuji Full Day Sightseeing Tour, and I highly recommend it.
As someone who loves nature, getting to visit the lakes surrounding Mt. Fuji was at the top of my list! Each stop offered a different perspective of the mountain: reflections on the water, views from flower fields, and quiet moments in small lakeside towns. Even if the weather is unpredictable, the area is stunning and absolutely worth the trip. My tour group was very lucky with a clear day, and we were able to see Fuji in the distance.
Day 6: Explore Shibuya and Shinjuku
No trip to Tokyo is complete without experiencing Shibuya. I started my morning at Shibuya Sky, an observation deck with one of the best panoramic views of the city. From there, I walked down to the famous Shibuya Crossing—the busiest pedestrian scramble in the world. Watching hundreds of people cross at once is mesmerizing.
I spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and exploring the neighborhood. Even if you’re not a big shopper, Shibuya’s energy is worth soaking in.
After that, the next stop was Shinjuku to see the giant cat billboard and Godzilla statue. It was a great way to spend my last night in Tokyo!
Final Stop: Kyoto (3 Nights)
Day 7: Travel to Kyoto
On day 7, I took the bullet train to Kyoto in the morning, which is an experience in itself. The trains are fast, clean, and incredibly efficient. After checking into my accommodation, I spent the evening exploring Shijo-Kawaramachi, one of Kyoto’s main shopping and dining streets. Compared to Tokyo, Kyoto felt calmer and more traditional, which was a refreshing change of pace.
Day 8: Day Trip to Senbon Torii and Nara
Kyoto was another great home base for day trips, and day 8 was full of them! I started the morning at Fushimi Inari Taisha, home to the famous Senbon Torii. This is a temple with thousands of red gates that line the mountain path. I did not realize that this is a full-on hike, so definitely bring some water and your handheld fan. The hike is beautiful, especially if you go early before the crowds.
In the afternoon, I took a short train ride to Nara, where you can find hundreds of deer! The deer park is adorable (and chaotic), and the street food stalls nearby are perfect for a quick bite. Nara has a peaceful charm that makes it a great half‑day trip.
Day 9: Day Trip to Uji
On my final full day, I visited Uji, a small town known for producing some of the best matcha in Japan. I participated in a traditional tea ceremony where they prepared small bites and, of course, matcha. If you are a matcha fan, this is the place to buy souvenirs! I bought a stunning matcha set that I can use at home to always remember my trip. I also stopped by Tobi-En to buy some matcha to bring home. The owner, Tobias, was so knowledgeable! He taught me about the harvesting process and helped me pick out the best tea.
Back in Kyoto, I spent the evening wandering through the Gion district. The lantern-lit streets and traditional wooden buildings made it feel like stepping back in time. I absolutely adored Kyoto and definitely want to go back; there is so much left to explore!
Day 10: Travel Home
I took the train back to the Osaka Airport for my flight home, already dreaming about my next trip to Japan. Ten days flew by, but this itinerary gave me a perfect mix of cities, culture, nature, and adventure.
The last thing I didn’t get to see was the bamboo forest near Kyoto. I had planned to go in the evening after Uji or the early morning before my flight, but I was honestly exhausted, from both the time difference and the heat. There is definitely time to fit this in, but just remember to also take it easy and adjust the itinerary to your interests! This is a packed itinerary, and I walked thousands of steps every day in the heat. Japanese summers are no joke!
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