The best 10-day Japan itinerary for Indian first-timers is Tokyo (4 nights), Hakone (1 night), Kyoto (3 nights) with a Nara day trip, and Osaka (1 night) before flying home. Budget Rs 1,60,000 to Rs 2,10,000 per person including flights. Do not add Hiroshima on a 10-day trip — it costs you a full day of Shinkansen time for a half day of sightseeing.
The 10-Day Japan Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1 — India to Tokyo
Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Tokyo run 7.5 to 9 hours. Land at Narita or Haneda. Haneda is significantly closer to the city — 30 minutes versus 60-75 minutes from Narita. Pick up your pocket WiFi or activate your eSIM at the airport, get cash from a 7-Bank ATM, and get to the hotel. Sleep.
Day 2 — Tokyo: Traditional Side
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (arrive before 9am to beat the crowds), Nakamise shopping street, Tokyo Skytree, then Ueno Park. Evening in Akihabara for electronics and anime culture.
Day 3 — Tokyo: Modern Side
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku at night. The Shibuya Sky observation deck at sunset is one of the best-value experiences in Tokyo at around 2,500 yen.
Day 4 — Mount Fuji Day Trip or DisneySea
Fuji options: the Hakone loop, or Kawaguchiko for the classic Fuji-with-lake photograph. Cloud cover blocks Fuji on a large share of days year-round — November to February give you the clearest views. Families with children often swap this for Tokyo DisneySea instead.
Day 5 — Tokyo to Hakone
Hakone is the onsen (hot spring) and Fuji-view stop. Ropeway over the volcanic Owakudani valley, pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi, and an evening in a ryokan. Note that many public onsen refuse entry to guests with tattoos — book a ryokan with a private family bath if this applies to you.
Day 6 — Hakone to Kyoto
Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes. Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Shrine and its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Go late afternoon — the crowds thin considerably after 4pm and the light is better.
Day 7 — Kyoto: Eastern Districts
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lanes, Gion geisha district, Philosopher Path. Rent a kimono for the day if you want the photographs — around 4,000-6,000 yen including dressing.
Day 8 — Kyoto: Arashiyama and Golden Pavilion
Arashiyama bamboo grove first thing in the morning (by 8am it is genuinely peaceful; by 10am it is a queue), Tenryu-ji Temple, then Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Evening at Nishiki Market.
Day 9 — Nara Day Trip, then Osaka
Nara is 45 minutes from Kyoto. Todai-ji Temple with the Great Buddha, and the free-roaming deer in Nara Park. Afternoon transfer to Osaka. Evening at Dotonbori — the neon, the Glico sign, the street food.
Day 10 — Osaka to India
Depart from Kansai International. Allow 90 minutes to reach the airport from central Osaka, plus 3 hours for check-in.
What a 10-Day Japan Trip Costs from India
| Component | Per Person (INR) |
|---|---|
| Return flights India to Japan | 50,000 - 85,000 |
| Hotels, 9 nights twin sharing | 45,000 - 70,000 |
| Rail travel (see JR Pass note below) | 15,000 - 30,000 |
| Attractions and entries | 12,000 - 20,000 |
| Food (10 days) | 25,000 - 40,000 |
| Visa, insurance, eSIM, misc | 8,000 - 12,000 |
| Total | 1,60,000 - 2,10,000 |
Do You Need a JR Pass for This Itinerary?
For this specific 10-day route — probably not. The nationwide JR Pass was repriced sharply upward in October 2023, and a Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Osaka route does not generate enough Shinkansen mileage to recover the cost. Individual tickets plus a regional pass usually work out cheaper.
StreetRomeo runs the pass-versus-point-to-point calculation for every Japan client before booking, because on a compact Tokyo-Kansai itinerary the nationwide pass loses money more often than it saves it. It becomes worthwhile once you add Hiroshima, Kanazawa or Hokkaido.
Vegetarian and Jain Travellers on This Route
- Tokyo: Strong Indian restaurant presence in Nishi-Kasai, sometimes called Little India. Also good vegan ramen shops in Shinjuku.
- Kyoto: Shojin ryori — Buddhist temple cuisine — is fully vegetarian and often onion-and-garlic-free, making it naturally Jain-compatible.
- Everywhere: Dashi (fish stock) hides in many seemingly vegetarian dishes including miso soup and most noodle broths. Learn to ask, or travel with a pre-mapped restaurant list.
- Convenience stores: 7-Eleven and Lawson carry onigiri, egg sandwiches, fruit and salads — a reliable fallback.
Best Time to Do This Itinerary
- Late March to mid-April: Cherry blossom. Spectacular, and the most expensive and crowded time of year. Book 6+ months ahead.
- Late October to early December: Autumn colours. Nearly as beautiful, noticeably cheaper, fewer crowds. The best value window.
- June to mid-July: Rainy season. Cheapest, but plan indoor alternatives.
- August: Hot and very humid — 35 degrees with high humidity. Difficult for temple walking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough for Japan?
Yes, for the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka golden route with a Fuji or Hakone stop. It is not enough to add Hiroshima, Hokkaido or Okinawa. If you want those, plan 14 days.
How much does a 10-day Japan trip cost from India?
Approximately Rs 1,60,000 to Rs 2,10,000 per person including flights, hotels, rail, food and attractions. Japan costs more than Southeast Asia but is comparable to Western Europe. StreetRomeo provides itemised Japan quotes so you can see where the money is going.
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa before travel. A short-term tourist eVisa is available for Indian nationals, and processing typically takes about a week. Applying 4-6 weeks before travel is comfortable.
Should I stay in Tokyo or Osaka for more nights?
Tokyo. It is far larger and has more to see. Osaka works best as a 1-night stop before flying out of Kansai, or as a base for Nara and Kobe day trips.
Is Japan difficult without knowing Japanese?
Less difficult than most people expect. All major stations, trains and tourist sites have English signage. Restaurants often have picture menus or plastic food displays. Translation apps handle the rest. Rural areas are harder, but this itinerary stays on well-marked tourist routes.
Japan trip plan karna hai apne dates pe? StreetRomeo ke Japan specialist se baat karo — veg food mapping, JR Pass calculation, sab included.