Japan

Spring 2026 - 10 Day Itinerary

Tokyo · Hakone · Kyoto · Nara · Osaka

10 Days
4 Cities
Apr 5-14 Dates
10-20°C Temperature
Tokyo 3 nights
→
Hakone day trip
→
Kyoto 3 nights
→
Nara day trip
→
Osaka 2 nights
Itinerary

Day by Day

Cherry blossoms, temples, street food, and bullet trains across four unforgettable cities.

Tokyo Tower at night
01
Tokyo Sunday, April 5

Arrival & First Night

  • Land at Narita Airport, pick up your JR Pass and Suica card
  • Narita Express to Shinjuku (90 minutes, covered by JR Pass)
  • Check into hotel, freshen up, take a walk around Shinjuku at dusk
  • Evening stroll through Kabukicho and Golden Gai's neon-lit alleys
Eat: Yakitori at Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) - tiny open-air grills tucked under the train tracks near Shinjuku Station.
Tip: Grab a Suica IC card at the airport. It works on all trains, buses, and even convenience stores and vending machines.
Senso-ji Temple
02
Tokyo Monday, April 6

Classic Highlights

  • Morning at Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori shopping street in Asakusa
  • Grab fresh melon pan and ningyo-yaki (custard-filled cakes) from street stalls
  • Afternoon at teamLab Borderless for immersive digital art
  • Shibuya Crossing at sunset, then up to Shibuya Sky for panoramic city views
Eat: Ichiran Ramen in Shibuya - order from a vending machine, customize your broth, eat in your own private booth. The ritual is half the fun.
Shibuya crossing
03
Tokyo Tuesday, April 7

Shrines, Style & Side Streets

  • Morning walk through Meiji Shrine's forested path in the heart of Harajuku
  • Browse Omotesando's architect-designed boutiques and Takeshita Street's wild fashion
  • Afternoon in Shimokitazawa for vintage shops, vinyl, and independent cafes
  • Evening drinks at a tiny standing bar in Golden Gai (5-seat maximum)
Eat: Conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) at Genki Sushi or Sushiro. Plates start at 100 yen and the quality is surprisingly excellent.
Tip: Tokyo's trains stop around midnight. Plan your last bar accordingly, or be ready for a taxi or manga cafe overnight stay.
Mount Fuji reflected in lake
04
Hakone Wednesday, April 8

Mountains, Lakes & Hot Springs

  • Take the Romancecar express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (85 min)
  • Hakone Open-Air Museum - sculpture gardens with mountain backdrop
  • Cruise across Lake Ashi on a pirate ship with views of Mt. Fuji
  • Ride the ropeway over Owakudani volcanic valley, try black eggs (said to add 7 years to your life)
  • Soak in a traditional onsen before heading back to Tokyo
Eat: Hakone tofu cuisine at a mountainside restaurant, or grab the famous kuro-tamago (volcanic black eggs) at Owakudani.
Tip: Buy the Hakone Free Pass - it covers the train, buses, ropeway, boat, and more for 2 days. Worth it even for a day trip.
Fushimi Inari torii gates
05
Kyoto Thursday, April 9

Bullet Train & Thousand Gates

  • Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (2h15 on the Nozomi, watch Fuji fly past)
  • Drop bags at hotel, head straight to Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • Walk the tunnel of 10,000 vermillion torii gates up the mountain (1-2 hours)
  • Evening walk through Gion district - spot geiko (Kyoto geisha) on Hanamikoji-dori
Eat: Kaiseki dinner - Kyoto's refined multi-course cuisine. Try Gion Karyo or similar for a memorable first night in the old capital.
Tip: Visit Fushimi Inari in the late afternoon. Most tour groups leave by 4pm, and the light filtering through the gates at golden hour is magical.
Arashiyama bamboo grove
06
Kyoto Friday, April 10

Temples, Bamboo & Market Bites

  • Early morning at Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) before the crowds arrive
  • Walk the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - towering green stalks as far as you can see
  • Visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park for wild macaques and city panorama views
  • Afternoon at Nishiki Market - five blocks of food stalls, pickles, knives, and matcha everything
Eat: Graze through Nishiki Market: try tamagoyaki (sweet rolled omelette), mochi on a stick, fresh yuba (tofu skin), and matcha soft serve.
Nara deer park
07
Nara Saturday, April 11

Friendly Deer & Giant Buddha

  • Train from Kyoto to Nara (45 min) - greeted by over 1,000 free-roaming deer
  • Todai-ji Temple - the world's largest wooden building, housing a 15-meter bronze Buddha
  • Stroll through Kasuga Taisha Shrine and its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns
  • Buy shika-senbei (deer crackers) - the deer will bow to you before eating. Yes, really
  • Return to Kyoto for a quiet evening at a riverside cafe along the Kamogawa
Eat: Kakinoha-zushi - pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves. A Nara specialty you won't find easily elsewhere.
Dotonbori neon lights
08
Osaka Sunday, April 12

Neon Streets & Street Food Capital

  • Train from Kyoto to Osaka (15 min on the shinkansen, 30 min on local JR)
  • Visit Osaka Castle and its surrounding park - likely still in cherry blossom bloom
  • Afternoon in Shinsekai district - retro arcade vibes, Tsutenkaku Tower, and kushikatsu alleys
  • Evening in Dotonbori - neon chaos, the Glico running man sign, and the best street food in Japan
Eat: Takoyaki (crispy octopus balls) from a Dotonbori street stall, then okonomiyaki (savory pancake) at Mizuno or Kiji. Osaka's motto: kuidaore - eat until you drop.
Tip: Osaka escalator etiquette is the opposite of Tokyo: stand on the right, walk on the left. Old habits die hard here.
09
Osaka Monday, April 13

Markets, Skylines & Last Big Night

  • Morning at Kuromon Market ("Osaka's Kitchen") - tuna sashimi, grilled scallops, tamagoyaki
  • Browse Den Den Town for retro games, anime, and electronics (Osaka's Akihabara)
  • Late afternoon at Umeda Sky Building - open-air floating garden for sunset over the city
  • Final night out in Namba or Shinsaibashi for shopping and one last round of street food
Eat: Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) at Daruma in Shinsekai. Golden rule: never double-dip in the communal sauce.
Tip: Use today for any last souvenir shopping. Don Quijote (Donki) is open 24 hours and has everything from Kit Kats to electronics at tax-free prices.
10
Osaka Tuesday, April 14

Departure

  • Sleep in, enjoy a slow Japanese breakfast at the hotel or a nearby kissaten (old-school cafe)
  • Last-minute pickup: Japanese Kit Kats, hand towels, chopsticks, or wagashi sweets make great gifts
  • Haruka Express from Osaka to Kansai International Airport (50 min, JR Pass covered)
  • Grab an ekiben (train station bento) for the ride - a perfect farewell meal
Eat: One final konbini run. 7-Eleven onigiri (salmon or tuna mayo), an egg sandwich, and a Boss coffee. Trust the process.
Food Guide

Must-Try Dishes

Japan's food alone is worth the trip. Here are six you cannot skip.

Ramen
Rich tonkotsu or shoyu broth with springy noodles. Every region has its own style. Slurping is encouraged.
Sushi
Fresh nigiri at a conveyor belt joint or a standing counter. Even budget spots in Japan outclass most restaurants abroad.
Takoyaki
Crispy octopus balls topped with bonito flakes, mayo, and sweet sauce. Osaka's signature street snack.
Matcha
From ceremonial bowls in Kyoto to soft serve cones in Nishiki Market. Japan takes green tea to another level.
Okonomiyaki
Savory cabbage pancake loaded with pork, shrimp, and toppings, griddled in front of you. Osaka-style is the original.
Onigiri
Rice balls from any konbini for 100-150 yen. Salmon, tuna mayo, or umeboshi. The ultimate trail snack, breakfast, or midnight fuel.
Packing

Checklist

April in Japan means mild days, cool evenings, and the occasional rain shower. Pack light and layer up.

0 of 24 items packed
Clothing
Tech & Gear
Documents
Essentials
Essentials

Know Before You Go

Useful phrases, transport tips, and a rough budget breakdown.

Japanese Phrases

KonnichiwaHello
Arigatou gozaimasuThank you
SumimasenExcuse me / Sorry
Ikura desu ka?How much?
Oishii!Delicious!
Toire wa doko desu ka?Where's the restroom?
Eigo hanasemasu ka?Do you speak English?

Budget (Per Person)

Flights (roundtrip)$800 - $1,200
JR Pass (7-day)~$200
Hotels (10 nights)$800 - $1,500
Food (10 days)$400 - $600
Activities & transport$200 - $350
Estimated total$2,400 - $3,850

Getting Around

  • Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card - works on all local trains, buses, and konbini
  • JR Pass covers shinkansen (bullet trains) and most JR lines between cities
  • Google Maps is highly accurate for Japanese transit, including walking directions
  • Last trains are around midnight. Check schedules to avoid being stranded
  • Taxis are clean and reliable but expensive. Use them as a last resort
  • In Tokyo, stand left on escalators. In Osaka, stand right. Yes, it's confusing

Practical Tips

  • Japan is extremely cash-heavy. Carry yen for small shops, temples, and markets
  • 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards and are everywhere
  • Convenience stores (konbini) are incredible. Fresh food, good coffee, ATMs, printing, tickets
  • Many restrooms lack hand towels - carry a small tenugui cloth
  • Public trash cans are rare. Carry a small bag for your waste
  • Tipping is not practiced and can be considered rude. Just say thank you
  • Tattoos may bar entry to some onsen (hot springs). Look for tattoo-friendly ones