10 Days in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima & Miyajima

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Ten days let you add western Japan to the classic route: the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima and the sacred island of Miyajima, without rushing Kyoto. Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka Kansai.

The floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima
  • Length10 days, 9 nights
  • RouteTokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Hiroshima → Miyajima → Osaka
  • Best forFirst-time visitors who want more than the basics
  • When to goSpring and autumn; also good in winter
  • Rail passA 7-day JR Pass activated on day 4 usually pays off on Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima–Osaka.

Make it yours: open this route in the trip planner, add your dates and get travel times, seasonal alerts and links to flights and hotels.

Open in the trip planner →

The route at a glance

  1. Day 1 · Tokyo: Arrival in Tokyo
  2. Day 2 · Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
  3. Day 3 · Tokyo: Shrines, gardens and views
  4. Day 4 · Kyoto: Shinkansen to Kyoto
  5. Day 5 · Kyoto: Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama
  6. Day 6 · Nara: Day trip to Nara
  7. Day 7 · Hiroshima: Hiroshima, city of peace
  8. Day 8 · Miyajima: Miyajima island
  9. Day 9 · Osaka: On to Osaka
  10. Day 10 · Osaka: Departure

Day 1 · Tokyo

Arrival in Tokyo

Settle in and take an easy evening walk around Shinjuku or Shibuya. Jet lag is real: keep the first day light.

Shibuya Crossing
  • Shinjuku
  • Shibuya Crossing

Day 2 · Tokyo

Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara

Senso-ji early in the morning, then the museums and park of Ueno, and the electric streets of Akihabara in the afternoon.

Senso-ji, Asakusa
  • Senso-ji
  • Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum
  • Akihabara

Day 3 · Tokyo

Shrines, gardens and views

Meiji Jingu and Harajuku in the morning, the garden of Shinjuku Gyoen after lunch, and the view from Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree at sunset.

Meiji Jingu
  • Meiji Jingu
  • Harajuku
  • Shinjuku Gyoen
  • Shibuya Sky

Tip: Museums and gardens in Tokyo often close on Mondays: check before you go.

Day 4 · Kyoto

Shinkansen to Kyoto

About 2 hours 15 minutes on the Nozomi. Spend the afternoon in Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera, the old slopes of Sannenzaka and Gion at dusk.

Yasaka Pagoda, Higashiyama
  • Kiyomizu-dera
  • Sannenzaka
  • Gion

Day 5 · Kyoto

Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama

Fushimi Inari at dawn, then cross the city to Arashiyama: the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji's garden and the Togetsukyo bridge.

Arashiyama bamboo grove
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • Arashiyama bamboo grove
  • Tenryu-ji

Tip: The bamboo grove is quietest before 8 am.

Day 6 · Nara

Day trip to Nara

Todai-ji's Great Buddha, the deer of Nara Park and the lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Taisha, about 45 minutes from Kyoto. Back in Kyoto, dinner in Pontocho.

Deer in Nara Park
  • Todai-ji
  • Nara Park
  • Kasuga Taisha
  • Naramachi

Day 7 · Hiroshima

Hiroshima, city of peace

The Shinkansen takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at Okonomimura.

The Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
  • Atomic Bomb Dome
  • Peace Memorial Museum
  • Okonomimura

Day 8 · Miyajima

Miyajima island

Train to Miyajimaguchi and ferry (about 10 minutes) to the island. See the floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine, ride the ropeway up Mount Misen and try grilled oysters on Omotesando street.

Itsukushima Shrine at high tide
  • Itsukushima Shrine
  • Mount Misen
  • Daisho-in

Tip: Check the tide table: the torii looks like it floats at high tide, while at low tide you can walk to it. Visitors pay a small island entry tax.

Day 9 · Osaka

On to Osaka

Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka (about 1 hour 20 minutes). Visit Osaka Castle, then spend the evening eating your way through Dotonbori: takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu.

Dotonbori, Osaka
  • Osaka Castle
  • Dotonbori
  • Shinsekai

Day 10 · Osaka

Departure

A last breakfast at Kuromon Market, then the train to Kansai Airport.

Kuromon Market
  • Kuromon Market

Getting around

Shinkansen for Tokyo–Kyoto, Kyoto–Hiroshima and Hiroshima–Osaka; JR and ferry to Miyajima; Kintetsu or JR to Nara.

When to go

Spring and autumn; also good in winter. Add your dates in the trip planner to see cherry blossom and autumn leaf timing, the rainy season, typhoons and holidays for this route.

Where to stay

  • Tokyo (3 nights): Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ueno.
  • Kyoto (3 nights): near Kyoto Station, best for the day trip.
  • Hiroshima (2 nights): near Hiroshima Station or Hondori; or one night on Miyajima.
  • Osaka (1 night): Namba.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Miyajima on the same day as Hiroshima?

Yes, but it is rushed. A full day for Miyajima lets you climb Mount Misen and see the torii at different tides.

Is the JR Pass worth it for 10 days?

A 7-day pass from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka is usually worth it; spend the first three days in Tokyo on an IC card.

Where should I fly out from?

Osaka Kansai, so you do not have to go back to Tokyo.

Prefecture guides for this trip

Want a different pace or more stops? The planner rebuilds the itinerary around your dates and choices.

Customise this itinerary →

Last updated: 19 October 2026 · Japan47.org, by Francesco Consalvo. Travel times are approximate; check timetables and opening days before you go. Photos: Wikimedia Commons.

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