10-Day Japan Couple Itinerary Destination: Japan (Tokyo base with trips to Kyoto and Mount Fuji) Style: Mid-range • Culture • History • Food • Modern Japan Budget: US$200 per person/day --- 1. Destination Overview Best Time to Visit Spring (March–May): Cherry blossoms and mild weather. Autumn (October–November): Cool temperatures and colorful foliage. Summer: Festivals but hot and humid. Winter: Crisp weather, fewer crowds. Entry Requirements Most visitors can enter Japan visa-free for short stays, depending on nationality. Ensure your passport is valid for your stay and check current visa rules before departure. Currency & Language Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY) Language: Japanese Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small shops. Cultural Tips Queue patiently. Speak quietly on trains. Don't tip. Remove shoes when required. Carry a small bag for trash, as public bins are limited. Safety Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Watch for: Rush-hour crowds Late-night entertainment districts Earthquake emergency instructions Transportation Buy a rechargeable Suica or Pasmo IC card. Use the extensive metro and JR train network. --- 2. Day-by-Day Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival & Shinjuku Morning Hotel check-in Explore Shinjuku Lunch Tonkatsu Ramen Afternoon Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Evening Omoide Yokocho Observatory views Budget: ~$180 --- Day 2 – Historic Tokyo Morning Sensō-ji Nakamise Street Lunch Tempura Afternoon Ueno Park Museums Evening Akihabara Budget: ~$190 --- Day 3 – Modern Tokyo Morning Shibuya Scramble Crossing Lunch Conveyor belt sushi Afternoon Meiji Shrine Harajuku Evening Rooftop cocktails Budget: ~$200 --- Day 4 – Mount Fuji Day Trip Morning Early train Visit: Lake Kawaguchi Chureito Pagoda Lunch Hoto noodles Afternoon Fuji viewpoints Evening Return to Tokyo Budget: ~$220 --- Day 5 – Kyoto Day Trip Very early Shinkansen Morning Fushimi Inari Taisha Lunch Kyoto kaiseki or soba Afternoon Kiyomizu-dera Gion Evening Return to Tokyo Budget: ~$240 (Shinkansen makes this the most expensive day) --- Day 6 – Imperial Tokyo Morning Tokyo Imperial Palace Lunch Curry rice Afternoon Ginza Evening Fine dining Budget: ~$190 --- Day 7 – Odaiba Morning Odaiba Visit Digital art museum Waterfront Lunch Seafood Afternoon Shopping Evening Rainbow Bridge views Budget: ~$210 --- Day 8 – Local Neighborhoods Morning Yanaka Lunch Local café Afternoon Kagurazaka Evening Izakaya Budget: ~$170 --- Day 9 – Free Exploration Options: Shopping Anime Tea ceremony Cooking class Spa Budget: ~$180 --- Day 10 – Departure Morning Last-minute shopping Lunch Sushi Airport transfer Budget: ~$120 --- 3. Accommodation Guide Budget Hotel Mystays Asakusabashi Sakura Hotel Jimbocho APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower Mid-range Hotel Gracery Shinjuku Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon Luxury Park Hyatt Tokyo The Peninsula Tokyo Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Best Areas Shinjuku Shibuya Ginza Ueno Asakusa --- 4. Food Guide Must-Try Foods 1. Sushi 2. Ramen 3. Tempura 4. Yakitori 5. Okonomiyaki 6. Takoyaki 7. Tonkatsu 8. Soba 9. Udon 10. Wagyu beef Recommended Restaurants Ichiran Shibuya Sushi Dai Gyukatsu Motomura Afuri Ramen Harajuku Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Street Food Nakamise Street Ameya-Yokocho Tsukiji Outer Market Vegetarian Options Shojin cuisine Vegetarian ramen Tofu specialties --- 5. Practical Travel Toolkit Packing Comfortable walking shoes Portable charger Universal adapter Umbrella Light jacket Reusable water bottle Coin purse Transport Cards Suica Pasmo Useful Apps Google Maps Google Translate Japan Travel by NAVITIME Uber (limited) Tabelog Emergency Police: 110 Ambulance/Fire: 119 Money Saving Tips Eat lunch specials. Use convenience stores for breakfast. Visit free temples and parks. Buy attraction combo tickets. Reserve Shinkansen seats early. --- 6. Budget Breakdown (Per Person) Category Estimate Flights US$700–1,200 Accommodation (9 nights) US$700–900 Food US$35–60/day Activities US$250–400 Local Transportation US$150–220 Kyoto Shinkansen US$180–220 round trip Mount Fuji Day Trip US$70–120 Emergency Fund US$300 Estimated Total Trip Cost Daily budget: ~US$200 per person (excluding international flights) 10-day land cost: US$1,900–2,100 Including flights: US$2,600–3,300 per person This itinerary balances Tokyo's vibrant neighborhoods, historic temples, world-class dining, and modern attractions with memorable day trips to Kyoto and Mount Fuji while staying close to your target mid-range budget. One note: a same-day return trip to Kyoto is long (around 5 hours on the train in total). If your schedule allows, spending one night in Kyoto instead of returning to Tokyo would provide a more relaxed experience.