Japan rewards those who travel slowly. Ten days is the ideal length for a first visit — enough to absorb the electric energy of Tokyo, make a day trip or two, glide west on the Shinkansen, and settle into the quieter, more contemplative beauty of Kyoto and its surrounds.
This itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience Japan at its finest: exceptional ryokans and five-star city hotels, Michelin-starred kaiseki dinners, private temple visits at dawn, and the small details that only the best concierge teams in the world can arrange.
Fly into Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) — Haneda is closer to the city and preferred for most luxury hotel transfers. Allow your first afternoon entirely for recovery; jet lag from a long-haul flight is real, and Japan's pace demands you're sharp.
- Day 1Arrive & RestPrivate transfer from Haneda to hotel. Light dinner at the hotel or a nearby ramen counter. Early night.
- Day 2Shinjuku & HarajukuMorning at Shinjuku Gyoen garden, afternoon exploring Omotesando — Tokyo's answer to the Champs-Élysées. Dinner at a teppanyaki counter in Ginza.
- Day 3Tsukiji & GinzaEarly morning at Tsukiji Outer Market for the finest sushi breakfast of your life. Spend the afternoon in Ginza's galleries and flagship stores. Evening omakase dinner — let your concierge book ahead.
- Day 4Day Trip to Nikko or HakoneTake a guided day trip to Nikko's ornate shrines or Hakone for views of Mount Fuji and an overnight ryokan option (see tip below).
With the tourist sights covered, Days 5 and 6 are about going deeper — the neighbourhoods, the food, and the moments that don't appear in guidebooks.
- AMYanaka DistrictTokyo's most atmospheric old neighbourhood — wooden temples, independent coffee shops, and a pace that feels like the city once was.
- PMTeamLab Planets or BorderlessOne of the world's most remarkable immersive art experiences. Book tickets weeks ahead — they sell out consistently.
- EveRooftop CocktailsThe Park Hyatt Tokyo's New York Bar (Lost in Translation's famous bar) or Aman Tokyo's rooftop for sundowners over the city skyline.
- AMTsukiji Cooking ClassA private Japanese cooking class — learning to make dashi, miso soup, and nigiri sushi. A worthwhile morning for food lovers.
- PMShibuya & DaikanyamaShibuya Sky observation deck, then a wander through the bookshops and cafés of Daikanyama — Tokyo's most liveable neighbourhood.
- EveFarewell Tokyo DinnerA final special dinner — Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten (if you can get a reservation), or Saito in Ginza for extraordinary yakitori.
Board the Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto — the journey takes just 2 hours 15 minutes and reaches speeds of 285 km/h. On a clear day, you'll have a perfect view of Mount Fuji from the right-hand side of the train (seat A or B).
Buy your tickets in advance through the JR Pass or at the station. First Class (Green Car) is worth the upgrade — wider seats, more space, and a calmer carriage.
- AMDepart TokyoCheck out, private transfer to Tokyo Station. Board the 9am or 10am Nozomi for Kyoto.
- PMArrive KyotoCheck in, afternoon walk around Gion — Kyoto's historic geisha district. The stone-paved lanes of Hanamikoji are most atmospheric at dusk.
- EveKaiseki DinnerYour first kaiseki dinner in Kyoto — a multi-course meal built around seasonal ingredients and centuries of culinary refinement. Kikunoi Honten or Nakamura are excellent first choices.
Three days is enough for Kyoto's highlights without feeling rushed. The city rewards those who rise early — many of its most famous temples are genuinely magical at dawn before the tour groups arrive.
- Day 8 AMFushimi Inari at DawnArrive at the famous torii gate path by 6:30am. Walk the upper trail for 90 minutes in near-solitude — a completely different experience to the midday crowds.
- Day 8 PMArashiyamaThe bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji garden, and a boat ride on the Oi River. Lunch at Shoraian restaurant, set in a traditional house above the river.
- Day 9 AMNishiki Market & Nijo CastleKyoto's famous covered food market, then the ornate shogun castle with its famous "nightingale floors" that chirp underfoot.
- Day 9 PMPhilosopher's Path & Nanzen-jiWalk the canal-side path to Nanzen-ji temple. In cherry blossom or autumn foliage season, this is one of Japan's most beautiful walks.
- Day 9 EvePrivate Tea CeremonyA private tea ceremony arranged by your hotel, hosted by a master in a traditional tatami room. An experience to end the journey.
- Day 10DepartShinkansen back to Tokyo, then onward flight — or extend by a day in Osaka (30 minutes from Kyoto by train) for its extraordinary food scene.
Practical Information
Getting around: The Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Kyoto seamlessly. Within Tokyo, the metro is excellent — get a Suica card loaded with yen at the airport. In Kyoto, taxis and buses are the easiest options; hire a private car for day trips.
Language: English is limited outside major hotels and tourist areas. Your hotel concierge is your greatest asset — use them to make reservations, write addresses in Japanese, and arrange anything that requires local knowledge.
Currency: Japan is still largely a cash society. Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs (most reliable for foreign cards). Most ryokans and smaller restaurants are cash only.
Tipping: Do not tip in Japan — it can cause offence. Excellent service is a given, not an extra.
Visas: Most Western passport holders receive a 90-day visa-free entry. Check requirements before travel.