one less day

Nationwide from TokyoNationwide from OsakaKanto RegionKansai RegionKyushu 6D5N7D6N8D7N9D8N10D9N11D10N12D11N13D12N14D13N15D14N16D15N17D16N18D17N19D18N20D19N21D20N

one more day

The following is a suggested itinerary for first time travelers to Japan who spend 10 days and 9 nights in Japan, and arrive/depart from Osaka's Kansai Airport. (Click here if you use Narita Airport). For this itinerary, we suggest that you purchase a 7-day Japan Rail Pass and an Icoca & Haruka package.

Day 1 - Arrive at Kansai Airport

Arrive at Kansai Airport and spend the rest of the day in Kyoto.

Day 2-4 - Kyoto with sidetrips

Spend three full days in Kyoto with one of those days spent on a daytrip to nearby Nara and half a day spent on a daytrip to Himeji to check out Himeji Castle. Also consider one of our suggested Kyoto itineraries.

Day 5 - Kyoto to Tokyo

By shinkansen, travel from Kyoto to Tokyo (3 hours) and spend the afternoon and evening there.

Day 6-8 - Tokyo with sidetrip

Spend three full days in Tokyo with one of those days spent on a daytrip to nearby Nikko. Also consider one of our suggested Tokyo itineraries.

Day 9 - Tokyo to Kyoto

By shinkansen, return from Tokyo to Kyoto (3 hours) and spend the remaining day there.

Day 10 - Depart from Kansai Airport

Depart Japan from Kansai Airport.

For the above itinerary, we suggest that you purchase a 7-day Japan Rail Pass and use it from day 4 to 10. We also recommend to purchase an Icoca & Haruka package for transportation on days 1 to 3 and for non-JR transportation around Kyoto and Tokyo during the remainder of your stay. Below are some sample budgets for the itinerary, excluding airfare. Click here for more details on the sample budgets.

Click here for the current yen exchange rates.