10 Days in Japan — Couple's Trip (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo)

Check in & freshen up

Drop bags at hotel near Namba; rest briefly before evening.

Dotonbori Canal Walk

Stroll the neon-lit canal; spot Glico Man and street food stalls.

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade

Japan's longest covered arcade; great for thrifting and souvenir browsing.

Amerika-Mura (Amemura)

Compact vintage and streetwear thrift district; best secondhand finds in Osaka.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Osaka's 'kitchen'; graze on fresh seafood, tamagoyaki, and fruit skewers.

Osaka Castle & Park

Walk castle grounds; November foliage around the moat is stunning.

Shinsekai Neighborhood

Retro 1950s district with Tsutenkaku Tower and kushikatsu restaurants.

Den Den Town

Osaka's anime and electronics district; great for figures, manga, and retro games.

Travel to Nara

Kintetsu Limited Express from Osaka Namba to Kintetsu-Nara Station.

Nara Park & Tōdai-ji Temple

Feed the bowing deer; enter Tōdai-ji housing Japan's largest bronze Buddha.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Forest path lined with stone lanterns; genuinely atmospheric and un-crowded.

Travel to Uji

Train from Nara to Uji via JR Nara Line; about 45 minutes.

Uji Matcha Street & Byodoin Temple

Walk the matcha-shop-lined main street; visit Byodoin (on the ¥10 coin).

Matcha Tasting at Nakamura Tokichi

Oldest matcha café in Uji; order matcha parfait or cold brew matcha.

Return to Osaka

JR Nara Line from Uji to Osaka via Kyoto; about 75 minutes total.

Shinkansen to Kyoto

Osaka to Kyoto takes 14 minutes on the Shinkansen or 30 min by Hankyu train.

Check in & Store Luggage

Drop bags at Kyoto hotel; most allow early bag drop.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Walk the bamboo path early afternoon before evening crowds; genuinely striking.

Tenryu-ji Garden

UNESCO garden with autumn maple reflections in the pond — peak November beauty.

Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street

Walk the quiet thatched-roof street beyond Adashino Nembutsu-ji temple.

Monkey Park Iwatayama (Optional Hike)

20-min uphill hike; free-roaming Japanese macaques with Kyoto city views.

Togetsukyo Bridge at Dusk

Iconic bridge framed by autumn foliage hillside; best light at golden hour.

Fushimi Inari Taisha — Hike

Start early; hike the full 4-hour mountain trail past thousands of torii gates.

Nishiki Market

Kyoto's narrow covered food market; try pickles, grilled skewers, and dashi tamagoyaki.

Philosopher's Path Walk

2km canal-side path lined with maple trees at full peak November color.

Nanzen-ji Temple

Vast Zen complex with a striking brick aqueduct cutting through the grounds.

Gion Hanamachi Evening Stroll

Walk Hanamikoji and Shirakawa canal streets at dusk for lantern-lit atmosphere.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Arrive before 9 AM to beat groups; reflection in the mirror pond is unmissable.

Ryoan-ji Rock Garden

15 minutes walk from Kinkaku-ji; Japan's most famous Zen dry garden.

Nineizaka & Sannenzaka Cobblestone Lanes

Historic preserved stone lanes lined with craft shops and matcha vendors.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Hillside wooden stage temple with sweeping autumn valley views; genuinely impressive.

Kyoto Vintage Thrifting — Shimokamo Area

Check Kinji Kyoto and small secondhand shops near Teramachi shopping street.

Shinkansen Kyoto to Tokyo

Nozomi takes 2h15m; book reserved seats and store luggage in overhead rack.

Check in & Drop Bags

Hotel near Shinjuku or Shibuya recommended for central access.

Akihabara Electric Town

Anime, retro gaming, figures, and manga across multiple floors of specialist shops.

Shibuya Scramble & Shibuya Sky

Watch the famous crossing, then ascend Shibuya Sky rooftop for Tokyo panoramas.

Takeshita Street, Harajuku

10-minute walk from Shibuya; quirky fashion, crepes, and youth culture street.

Train to Kamakura

JR Yokosuka Line from Shinjuku; about 60 minutes to Kamakura Station.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Grand Shinto shrine at city center; walk the ginkgo-lined approach avenue.

Kotoku-in Great Buddha

13.4m outdoor bronze Buddha; you can enter the hollow statue for ¥20 extra.

Hase-dera Temple

Hilltop temple with sea views; beautiful hydrangea season (different in Nov but still lovely).

Enoshima Day Extension (Optional)

25-min Enoden train ride; island caves, sea views, and fried shirasu don.

Return to Tokyo

JR from Kamakura back to Shinjuku; 60 minutes.

Meiji Jingu Shrine & Forest Walk

70-hectare urban forest; 15-min walk through towering cedar trees to the shrine.

Omotesando Hills & Ura-Harajuku

Boutique shopping and hidden backstreet fashion lanes behind Omotesando Blvd.

Shimokitazawa Thrift District

Tokyo's best vintage neighborhood; dozens of independent thrift shops on narrow streets.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Massive park with French, English, and Japanese gardens; stunning November maple foliage.

Kabukicho & Shinjuku East

Walk Tokyo's buzzing entertainment district; Robot Restaurant skip-able but Shinjuku Golden Gai isn't.

Senso-ji Temple at Dawn

Arrive early before crowds; Nakamise market vendors open by 9 AM.

Nakamise Shopping Street

Best spot for traditional souvenirs — fans, ningyo dolls, snacks, and ceramics.

Kappabashi 'Kitchen Town'

15-min walk; wholesale kitchen goods street — knives, ceramics, matcha ware to take home.

Ueno Ameyoko Market

Discount open-air market with food, clothing, and last-minute cheap gift shopping.

Return to Hotel & Pack

Allow 2 hours to repack; ship extra bags home via Yamato kuroneko from hotel.

Travel to Narita Area Hotel

Narita Express from Shinjuku to airport takes 80 min; stay near airport for 8 AM flight.