Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. Pick up your JR Pass and Pocket Wi-Fi. Check into your hotel in the central Ueno or Asakusa district.
Day 2: East Tokyo (Tradition & Tech)
Spend the morning at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park to understand Japanese history. Then head to Akihabara (Electric Town) to experience the neon-lit hub of anime, manga, and retro video games.
Day 3: Hakone (Mt. Fuji & Hot Springs)
Take the Romancecar train from Shinjuku to Hakone. Check into a traditional Ryokan (Japanese inn).
The Experience: Change into your Yukata (cotton kimono), relax in the thermal Onsen waters, and enjoy a meticulously prepared multi-course Kaiseki dinner served in your room.
Day 4: Hakone Circuit & Train to Kyoto
Use your Hakone Free Pass to ride the pirate ship across Lake Ashi and take the ropeway over the volcanic Owakudani valley. If the weather is clear, you will have stunning views of Mt. Fuji.
Afternoon: Take the Shinkansen down to Kyoto.
Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Head to the western outskirts of Kyoto early in the morning to walk through the towering, serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Visit the nearby Tenryu-ji Temple and its incredible Zen garden.
Evening: Explore the Higashiyama district, walking past traditional wooden houses up to the Kiyomizu-dera temple overlooking the city.
Day 6: Fushimi Inari & Bullet Train to Hiroshima
Hike the Fushimi Inari Shrine and its thousands of vermilion Torii gates. In the afternoon, board the Shinkansen and travel further west to Hiroshima.
Day 7: Hiroshima Peace Park & Miyajima Island
Spend a sobering, reflective morning at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. View the A-Bomb Dome, a stark reminder of history.
Afternoon: Take a short ferry to Miyajima Island to see the famous "floating" Torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Watch out for the friendly deer! Try Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki for dinner.
Day 8: Train to Osaka & Street Food
Take the Shinkansen back to Osaka. Spend the evening in the sensory overload of Dotonbori. Eat everything: Takoyaki, Kushikatsu, and melon pan.
Day 9: Free Day in Osaka (or Universal Studios)
Spend your final full day exploring Osaka Castle, shopping in Shinsaibashi, or (optionally) visiting Universal Studios Japan to see Super Nintendo World.
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for your flight home.