Are you a traveler planning to visit Japan one of the beautiful countries in the world? That is why I present to you this perfect 10-day itinerary for this amazing country. Japan is a country that has the ability to combine old Oriental world and the modern technology for tourism. Whether you are new to traveling to Japan or have traveled to Japan multiple times, this itinerary will take you through all of the highlights and off the beaten path making sure you get a good feel of the Japanese culture.
The journey begins in the pulsing capital of Japan where towering up to skyscrapers and meditating in quiet temples are both possible. It progresses further in historical and cultural places such as Kyoto, Osaka and in the natural beauty like Nara and Mount Fuji. This schedule allows the client to explore both the cities and the countryside, thus getting acquainted with both the tourist attractions and the local Japanese people.
1st of the day: Tokyo – the Electric City
Tokyo is the starting point of your journey and it is a city that has embarked on the journey of modernization but at the same time does not shy off from preserving its traditional touch. Tokyo’s myriad districts all feel different, which is why it remains a place that can never really be surprising. The first place you could recommend visiting is Asakusa and the Senso-ji Temple that tourists often visit. It is historically evolved with beautiful local sites and typical shops to look and buy from. It would be sad not to take a free walking tour to get more acquainted with the history and the everyday life of the city.
To meet the present day Tokyo, visit electronics and anime quarter Akihabara. Technology lovers and lovers of anime will surely find themselves at home. Another area that cannot be omitted is Shibuya- the most popular intersection, and fashionable shops. Shibuya as the focus of youth popular culture, and thus people of Shibuya can be viewed as a showcase of today’s youth fashions and entertainment.
This is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and observe the aerial view of the city from here. It is useful for the orientation and for familiarization with the city from the height, in particular Tokyo. On the observation deck the visitors have the best views, preferably at sunset. On the same day should also spare some time and go visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace and the palace gardens. It has a calming effect detaching the patients from the busy urban centre that most of them live in.
Other attraction includes; Tokyo’s culinary scene. The city provides the visitors with everything which might be connected with eating: from the bog standard market stall to the sophisticated gourmet restaurant. You should taste such Japanese dishes as sushi, ramen, tempura, and other traditional foods that are worth to taste. Every meal is a discovery of the many delicious pleasures that Japan has to offer in terms of food.
Hakone and Mount Fuji – Nature’s Majesty Day 4
On the fourth day, make a day trip to Hakone which forms a picturesque landscape over hot springs and Mount Fuji. The distance between Tokyo and Hakone is reasonable, and the travel is refreshing, owing to the fact that it is away from the city pride. Hakone gives the best of both scenery and historical sightseeing.
Tourist attractions to visit include: Getting your day off to a great start, take a boat tour of Lake Ashinoko, Lake Ashinoko offer a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. The area to contemplate on is the clear water of Lake Powell with the nurturing mountains around the area. Subsequently, head to the top of Mount Komagatake using the Hakone Ropeway. What make the ride exciting is that it carries visitors up to the Alps and on the way one gets to have a clear view of the Fuji Mountain if the weather is clear.
Hakone is also famous for hot baths and hot spring; it almost feels correct to bathe in hot water at Hakone. Taking a hot spring bath is therefore common during their Travel as it is one of the cultural aspects of the Japanese. This warm water baths are offered in many public baths and in most ryokan (traditional hotels) you can give this a try.
If you do not have much time, or you prefer organized actions, you can get a one-day tour from Tokyo. This type of tours usually covers transportation, lunch and attractions’ visits; it is an ideal and leisurely way to stumble upon Hakone and the area.
Day 5-6 Kyoto – The heart of the traditional Japan.
After that, go to Kyoto – one of the most recognized cities in Japan best described as the home of culture where one can find remainders of temples, tea ceremonies as well as beautiful gardens. Kyoto is a city that can be termed as a cultural hub of Japan and here you can feel and breathe Japan. It is recommended to begin from Fushimi Inari Taisha where you are to see the gallery of thousands of red torii gates painting a symbolic picture of mountain trek. Calm and the center of attraction; this is a sight worth seeing when in Japan and a good place to find some quiet time away from the busy city life.
Another must visit is Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion. This is a Zen temple painted gold with a serene backdrop of a pond, which gives the temple a reflecting sort of mirror effect on water. The surrounding garden areas are securely well-maintained thus providing the visitors with an avenue for conducting their stROLLS.
Do not fail to visit Kiyomizu-Dera, that wooden suspend over the cliff temple where one can even see all over Kyoto from themiddle of the hill. Cherry blossom season and during the autumn period as the foliage brightens up the view around the temple.
To get a glimpse of the cultural performance of Kyoto, tourists should go to Gion area associated with Geisha. Wandering around the territories of wooden machiya houses, it is possible to see geisha and maiko going to their meetings. However, it becomes even more beautiful during the night by the time the streets are lit with the lanterns.
If you want to feel Kyoto even closer you can rent kimono and walk around Kyoto in this beautiful clothes. It is also possible to rent the kimono and even get your hair styled like a Japanese woman and wear other items of oriental fashion.
Day 7. The city of Nara and is called ‘A Day with Sacred Deer’.
Only 30 minutes by train from Kyoto is situated Nara – the first ancient capital of Japan. Nara particularly enjoys fame for free ranging sika deer of Nara Park. These deer are considered as holy and the city temporarily takes pride in its local treasure. There are crackers that can be purchased to attract them and they will surely bow for a cracker.
Nara is also endowed with venerable cultural attractions such as the great Todai-ji temple, Saidai-ji temple, Kasuga-taisha shrine, and the country’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha. The temple complex occupies the territory of a historical park and is an amazing example of architecture from Japan’s classic period. One of the largest wooden structures globally and definitely worth to be seen is the Great Buddha Hall or Daibutsuden.
The second remarkable shrine is Kasuga Taisha with hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns when they are illuminated during the festivals. Picturesque is the appearance of the shrine as the buildings’ exteriors are painted vermilion while the surrounding foliage is mostly green.
Nara can be visited as a day trip from Kyoto because the town is indeed calm and has numerous shrines and temples for spiritualism. Thus, Nama is an important tourist destination since it had nature, historical significance, and tame deer.
Day 8-9: Osaka ÓÇÔ The Food Haven of Japan
Osaka is the next place to visit, an energetic city that offers the visiter fresh modern architecture, night life and good food. Osaka is actually called the ‘kitchen of Japan,’ and this title can easily be explained. The food in relation to eating out is also very varied and this city has what can be regarded as every type of eatery.
First, it is recommended to go to the symbol of the city and one of the most famous castles in Japan, Osaka Castle. Next to the castle, there is a huge park with some sights that attract many visitors in spring to see cherry trees again. The castle itself is a museum showing a brief history of Osaka with related artifacts and cultures.
Move to the Dotombori area after sunset as it is very active, famously known for its neon signs and tasty street foods. This area is great for the gourmet; takoyaki (octopus ball), okonomiyaki (savory pan), and kushikatsu (deep fried skewered meat/dish). You should see to it that you consume these foods while you are exercising your legs in the active streets.
Osaka’s entertainment may be viewed as energetic and lively; the Shinsekai district must be visited. This area is quite nostalgic because it has stores and eateries that have something of the old world charm to them. It is also a nice venue where one can consider visiting to get to see the raw side of the city while also getting to taste some local cuisine.
Any theme park lover should certainly visit the Universal Studios Japan. It is one of the most visited cultural and entertainment centers that includes such attractions as cinema rides and shows based on movies and cartoons, districts and zones dedicated to celebrated TV shows and movies. The is a perfect day packed with fun for the people of all ages and is always a blast for the last day in Osaka.
Final Day of the Trip: Tokyo
On the last day of your trip suggested to go back to Tokyo for the last visits and shopping. This is the opportunity to visit again the places that impressed you most or to see something that for some reason you could not visit earlier during the tour. The tourism marketing communications may entail going to places such as the famous Harajuku that is associated with unusual fashion and young people or the costly Ginza area that is associated with brands and mega shops.
For the tourism adventurers, you could get to Tsukiji’s Outer Market to get raw seafood and experience the Japanese food. It is good for shopping or for meals before departing as it is recommended as a stopping point.
They also get to learn a more about Tokyo as it is also a shoppers paradise with everything ranging from the traditional souvenirs to modern gadgets. Regardless of the type of goods, be it clothing or electronics, or accessories and souvenirs, there will surely be something that can be bought and taken home.
It is always a good idea to look back and cherish yourself at the end of your trip and the experiences you have made. Japan is a country of contrasts and constantly new impulses; wherever you turn something new will be waiting for you. From the centers of the modern and cutting edge metropolis of Tokyo to the ancient temples and silent beauty of Kyoto, this 10-day itinerary has offered you a glimpse of what makes Japan a magical country to visit.
Useful tips to help make the most of your 10 days Japan trip.
Now that you have a detailed itinerary, here are some practical tips to ensure your trip goes smoothly:Now that you have a detailed itinerary, here are some practical tips to ensure your trip goes smoothly:
Transportation: Japan railways Pass generally known as JR Pass is good to travel between cities in Japan. It entitles the holder to free travel on the JR trains such as the express trains or what is known as the bullet trains. However, for some routes, it is preferred to use buses, although this will take more money.
Multi-Destination Flights: For instance, you should secure a ticket that would take you to Tokyo and from Osaka to ensure that you use most of the time you are going to spend in Japan. It will help in avoiding having to go round in circles and also is more efficient way of going around.
Accommodation: Japan receives many tourists, which means that one is advised to make his or her bookings early enough. Places like Kyoto and Tokyo have high demands, moreso during rush hours or seasons of high call for such services. Booking. It is strongly recommended to use com for the selection of hotels and guesthouses.
Cultural Etiquette: Japan is well known for a rich culture that developed a proper manner or conduct general to the community. Understand the novice taboos like refraining from taking shoes or slippers into a Local Kenyan home or some traditional places and minimize noise on public transport.
Language: English is not as spoken, but many signs, menus especially in the areas that are likely to be occupied by foreigners are in English. It will not be out of place if an occasional incidental traveler could take time to learn some few basic Japanese phrases in order to improve on his/her experience while in Japan and while interacting with the Japanese.
Cash and Payment: Japan remains largely a cash society and this is more so the case with the small businesses such as food joints and small retail shops. Though credit cards are widely used, it is advisable to have cash while eating out. It could be a good idea to have a money card such as Revolut to avoid currency exchange charges.
Safety and Cleanliness: It should also be noted that Japan is one of the safest and the cleanest countries globally. It must also be mentioned that the sanitary facilities for the public are abundant, clean and very safe. However, one must always act and think wisely and bear in mind that personal belongings to some extent are precious.
Conclusion: To be more precise, the aim of the post is to provide a personal journey through the Japan, and thus, the post focuses on exploring the following questions:
Japan is a country which always attracts more and more tourists because there is a mixture of practices both from the past and the presence. Here are the proposed days detailing the major attractions of the type of the country, including the cities, temples, and beautiful nature. From the visions of the great Tokyo city lights to traditional temples of Kyoto, or from the delicious lessons with local cuisine that Osaka provides, every day is filled with marvelous stories.
As you plan on going on your adventure, it is crucial to note that this guideline is a baseline that you can follow. Le Japon est un pays où l’on récompense la recherche et l’exploration et il y a toujours quelque chose à expliquer. This will be your entice whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time or the second, third or fourth time you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery, culture and friendly reception of this Land of the Rising Sun. Have a good trip and have fun all throughout your journey in Japan!