Japan 9-Day Itinerary 2026: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka Complete Guide

Planning a 9-day Japan trip and wondering where to start? You've come to the right place.

Nine days is the sweet spot for a first-time Japan visit. It's long enough to see the highlights of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka without feeling rushed, but short enough to keep your energy up and budget reasonable.

In this guide, you'll get:

• A detailed day-by-day itinerary covering Tokyo (3 days), Kyoto (3 days), and Osaka (2 days)
• Realistic travel times between attractions (no more Google Maps fantasies)
• Budget breakdown with actual costs for 2026
• Tips on JR Pass, accommodation, and common mistakes to avoid

Let's dive in.

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Why 9 Days Is Perfect for Japan

Most travelers struggle with one of two problems:

1. Too short (5-7 days): You can only see Tokyo OR Kyoto, not both properly
2. Too long (14+ days): You start rushing to "fill the days" with less important attractions

Nine days hits the sweet spot:

• 3 days in Tokyo = enough to see major highlights without burnout
• 3 days in Kyoto = temples, shrines, and a day trip to Nara
• 2 days in Osaka = food heaven + departure preparation
• 1 day = travel between cities

This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to experience the best of Japan without exhaustion.

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Day-by-Day Itinerary Overview

Day	City	Highlights
Day 1	Tokyo	Arrival + Shibuya & Harajuku
Day 2	Tokyo	Asakusa, Akihabara, Tokyo Tower
Day 3	Tokyo	Tsukiji Market, Ginza, teamLab
Day 4	Kyoto	Travel to Kyoto + Fushimi Inari
Day 5	Kyoto	Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Day 6	Kyoto	Nara Day Trip
Day 7	Osaka	Travel to Osaka + Dotonbori
Day 8	Osaka	Osaka Castle, Shinsekai
Day 9	Osaka	Departure

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Days 1-3: Tokyo

Day 1: Arrival + Shibuya & Harajuku

Morning/Afternoon: Arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport

Most international flights arrive in the early afternoon (Japan time). After immigration and customs:

• Narita Airport → Tokyo: 60-90 minutes by Narita Express or Skyliner (~$25-30)
• Haneda Airport → Tokyo: 30-45 minutes by Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line (~$5-8)

Tip: If arriving at Narita, the Narita Express (N'EX) offers a direct route to Shibuya Station - convenient for this itinerary.

Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Shibuya

After checking into your hotel (recommend staying in Shibuya or Shinjuku area for easy access):

• Shibuya Crossing: The world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Best viewed from:

  • Starbucks 2F (free, buy a drink)
  • Shibuya Sky observation deck ($18, stunning at sunset)
  • Mag's Park rooftop (free, lesser-known spot)

• Shibuya Center-Gai: Explore the bustling shopping street

• Hachiko Statue: Meet the famous loyal dog statue (great photo op)

Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Harajuku

Just one stop from Shibuya on the JR Yamanote Line:

• Takeshita Street: Teen fashion, crepes, quirky shops (gets less crowded after 7 PM)
• Cat Street: More sophisticated shopping, cafes, and boutiques
• Dinner recommendation: Try conveyor belt sushi at Genki Sushi or ramen at Ichiran

Why this pacing works: You'll be jet-lagged. This schedule lets you stretch your legs, see iconic spots, and crash early without pressure.

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Day 2: Asakusa, Akihabara & Tokyo Tower

Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Asakusa

Start early to beat the crowds at Tokyo's most traditional neighborhood:

• Senso-ji Temple: Tokyo's oldest temple (628 AD)

  • Walk through the iconic Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate)
  • Explore Nakamise Shopping Street - 250m of traditional snacks and souvenirs
  • The temple itself is free and open 24/7, but shops open around 9-10 AM

• Time needed: 2-3 hours (including breakfast)

• Breakfast tip: Try melon-pan (sweet bread) or ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped cakes) from street vendors

Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Akihabara

Take the Tsukuba Express or Tokyo Metro from Asakusa (15-20 minutes):

• Electric Town: Multi-story electronics stores, anime shops, manga
• Don Quijote: Massive discount store - good for unique souvenirs
• Maid Cafes: A uniquely Japanese experience (optional, ~$25-30 for set course)
• Game Centers: Try crane games, rhythm games, or retro arcades

Time needed: 2-3 hours (or more if you're an anime/gaming fan)

Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Tokyo Tower & Shiba Park

Take the Hibiya Line to Kamiyacho Station (30 minutes):

• Tokyo Tower: 333m tall, iconic orange-red structure

  • Main Observatory (150m): $10
  • Top Deck (250m): $25 (includes Main Observatory)
  • Best time: Sunset to see both daylight and night views

• Shiba Park: Walk around the park area for great tower photos

• Dinner: Plenty of restaurants in the area - try tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet)

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Day 3: Tsukiji, Ginza & teamLab

Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Tsukiji Outer Market

Note: The famous tuna auction moved to Toyosu Market, but Tsukiji Outer Market remains THE place for:

• Fresh sushi breakfast: Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi have 2-3 hour waits. Try Yamazaki Sushi or Sushi Zanmai instead
• Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet): From Yamachou or Shouro
• Street food: Fresh oysters, grilled scallops, mochi, matcha

Time needed: 2-3 hours

Late Morning (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Ginza

Walk from Tsukiji (15 minutes) or take the Metro (one stop):

• Ginza Chuo-dori: Tokyo's most upscale shopping street
• Uniqlo Ginza: 12-floor flagship store (even if you don't buy, the displays are impressive)
• Itoya Stationery: 12 floors of Japanese stationery heaven
• Lunch: Department store basement food halls (depachika) offer incredible variety

Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): teamLab Planets or teamLab Borderless

teamLab Planets (Toyosu) - Highly Recommended:

• Location: Toyosu (25 min from Ginza by Metro)
• Price: $28-35 (book online in advance - sells out!)
• Experience: Walk barefoot through water, immersive digital art
• Time needed: 2-3 hours
• Best time: Late afternoon to avoid crowds

teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) - Alternative:

• Moved to new location in 2024
• More expansive, good for families
• Price: $35-40

Dinner: Eat in Toyosu or head back to Shibuya/Shinjuku for your last Tokyo dinner

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Days 4-6: Kyoto

Day 4: Tokyo → Kyoto + Fushimi Inari

Morning (8:00 AM - 11:30 AM): Shinkansen to Kyoto

• Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station: 2 hours 15 minutes by Nozomi Shinkansen
• Cost: ~$130 one-way (covered by JR Pass if you have one)
• Tip: Reserve seats on the right side (E seats) for potential Mt. Fuji views

Pro tip: Grab an ekiben (train bento) at Tokyo Station for breakfast. The selection is incredible!

Afternoon (12:30 PM - 3:00 PM): Check-in & Lunch

• Recommend staying near Gion or Kyoto Station for easy access
• Lunch suggestion: Try Kyoto-style ramen or obanzai (traditional Kyoto home cooking)

Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Fushimi Inari Shrine

The most iconic sight in all of Japan - 10,000+ vermillion torii gates winding up a mountain:

• Getting there: 5 minutes from Kyoto Station by JR Nara Line
• Cost: Free
• Time needed: 2-4 hours depending on how far you hike
  • To first viewpoint: 30-45 minutes
  • Full mountain loop: 2-3 hours

Best time to visit: Late afternoon (4-6 PM). Most tour groups leave by 4 PM, and sunset photos are magical.

Evening: Dinner in Fushimi area or head to Gion for traditional Kyoto atmosphere

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Day 5: Arashiyama & Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Morning (7:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Arashiyama

Go early! The bamboo grove gets overcrowded by 10 AM.

• Bamboo Grove: Free, open 24/7. Best photos: 7-8 AM with morning light
• Tenryu-ji Temple: Beautiful zen garden ($8). Enter through the temple to access a less crowded bamboo path
• Togetsukyo Bridge: Iconic bridge over the Katsura River
• Arashiyama Monkey Park: 120+ wild monkeys with panoramic views ($5, 20-min uphill walk)

Lunch: Try yudofu (tofu hot pot) - Arashiyama is famous for it

Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Kinkaku-ji & Ryoan-ji

Take the bus from Arashiyama (40 minutes) or taxi (~$15):

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion):

• Price: $5
• Time needed: 45 minutes - 1 hour
• Why it's special: Gold-leaf covered temple reflected in a mirror pond. One of Japan's most photographed sights.

Ryoan-ji (optional, if time permits):

• Price: $6
• Famous zen rock garden - 15 rocks in raked white gravel
• 15-min walk from Kinkaku-ji

Evening: Gion District

• Walk along Hanamikoji Street: Traditional wooden machiya houses, geisha district
• Pontocho Alley: Narrow lantern-lit street with riverside restaurants
• Dinner: Splurge on kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal) or try yuba (tofu skin) dishes

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Day 6: Nara Day Trip

Nara was Japan's first permanent capital (710-784 AD) and is just 45 minutes from Kyoto.

Getting there: JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station (45 min, covered by JR Pass)

Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Todai-ji Temple & Deer Park

• Nara Park: 1,200+ wild deer roam freely. Buy shika senbei (deer crackers, $2) to feed them
• Todai-ji Temple: Houses the world's largest bronze Buddha (15m tall!)
  • Price: $8
  • Time needed: 1-1.5 hours

Afternoon (12:30 PM - 4:00 PM): More Nara Exploration

• Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Famous for thousands of stone and bronze lanterns
• Naramachi: Old merchant district with traditional townhouses
• Lunch: Try kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves)

Return to Kyoto: 45 minutes by JR

Evening: Last night in Kyoto - walk through Gion at dusk for a chance to spot a geisha

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Days 7-8: Osaka

Day 7: Kyoto → Osaka + Dotonbori

Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Kyoto → Osaka

• Kyoto Station → Shin-Osaka/Osaka: 15-30 minutes by Shinkansen or JR Special Rapid
• Cost: $5-15 (or covered by JR Pass)

Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Check-in & Explore Namba

Recommend staying in Namba or Shinsaibashi area:

• Shinsaibashi-suji: 600m covered shopping arcade
• Amerika-mura (American Village): Youth fashion, vintage shops, street art
• Kuromon Market: "Osaka's Kitchen" - fresh seafood, street food galore

Evening (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Dotonbori

The most photogenic street in Osaka:

• Glico Running Man Sign: THE Osaka photo spot
• Dotonbori Canal: Night views with neon reflections
• Street food heaven: Takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancake), kushikatsu (fried skewers)

Must-try restaurants:

• Takoyaki: Creo-ru or Kukuru (around $5 for 8 pieces)
• Okonomiyaki: Chibo or Mizuno ($10-15)
• Kushikatsu: Daruma ($15-25 for set)

Osaka's motto is "kuidaore" (eat until you drop). Tonight, do exactly that.

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Day 8: Osaka Castle & Shinsekai

Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Osaka Castle

• Getting there: JR Osaka Loop Line to Osakajokoen Station (10 min from Namba)
• Castle Tower entry: $7
• Time needed: 2-3 hours (including park grounds)

The castle houses a museum about Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the warlord who unified Japan). The top floor offers 360-degree city views.

Tip: Cherry blossom season (late March - early April) makes the castle park absolutely stunning.

Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Shinsekai & Tennoji

Shinsekai ("New World"):

• Retro neighborhood with a quirky, old-school Osaka vibe
• Tsutenkaku Tower: Iconic 103m tower, symbol of Osaka ($8 for observation deck)
• Kushikatsu restaurants: This is THE place for deep-fried skewers (don't double-dip!)

Tennoji area:

• Abeno Harukas: Japan's tallest building (300m). Observation deck: $18
• Tennoji Park & Zoo: Relaxing if you have extra time

Evening: Last Night in Japan

Options:

• Return to Dotonbori for more food
• Try a local izakaya (Japanese pub) for yakitori and beer
• Karaoke in Namba (Big Echo or Jankara chains)
• Night view from Umeda Sky Building ($15, impressive floating garden observatory)

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Day 9: Departure

If flying from Kansai International Airport (KIX):

• Namba → KIX: 45 minutes by Nankai Rapi:t express ($15) or 50 min by JR ($17)
• Tip: Leave 3 hours before your flight for international departures

If flying from Osaka Itami Airport (ITM):

• Namba → Itami: 30 minutes by airport limousine bus ($7)
• Itami handles mostly domestic flights

Morning options (if you have time):

• Early breakfast at Kuromon Market
• Last-minute shopping at Don Quijote (open 24 hours)
• Pick up omiyage (souvenirs) at the airport

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Practical Information

JR Pass: Worth It for 9 Days?

The Math:

Route	Without JR Pass	With 7-Day JR Pass
Tokyo → Kyoto (Nozomi)	$130	Not covered
Tokyo → Kyoto (Hikari)	$130	Covered
Kyoto → Nara (round trip)	$14	Covered
Nara → Osaka	$8	Covered
Total saved routes	~$152	$200 for 7-day pass

Verdict: A 7-day JR Pass costs ~$200 (2026 prices). If you follow this exact itinerary, it's slightly NOT worth it for the 9-day trip since your major Shinkansen ride is only one-way.

When JR Pass IS worth it:

• If you take additional day trips (e.g., Hiroshima, Himeji)
• If you use JR lines extensively within cities
• If Shinkansen prices increase

Alternative: Buy individual tickets or consider regional passes (JR West Pass, etc.)

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Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Mid-Range)

Category	Daily Cost	9-Day Total
Accommodation	$80-120	$720-1,080
Food	$40-60	$360-540
Transportation	$20-30	$180-270
Activities	$20-30	$180-270
Miscellaneous	$10-20	$90-180
TOTAL	$170-260/day	$1,530-2,340

Note: This excludes international flights and JR Pass. Budget travelers can do Japan for $100-120/day. Luxury travelers might spend $400+/day.

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Accommodation Recommendations

City	Area to Stay	Why
Tokyo	Shibuya, Shinjuku	Central, great nightlife, easy access
Kyoto	Gion, Kawaramachi	Traditional atmosphere, walkable
Osaka	Namba, Shinsaibashi	Food, shopping, transport hub

Booking tips:

• Book 2-3 months in advance for peak seasons (cherry blossom, autumn leaves)
• Business hotels (APA, Toyoko Inn) offer great value at $60-80/night
• Try a ryokan (traditional inn) for at least one night in Kyoto

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Is Your 9-Day Itinerary Too Rushed?

This guide provides a balanced itinerary, but everyone travels differently.

Signs your plan might still be too packed:

• You added extra day trips (Hiroshima, Hakone, Mt. Fuji)
• You have 6+ activities scheduled per day
• You didn't account for jet lag on Day 1
• You have "must-eat" restaurants booked for every meal

Not sure? Check your itinerary for free.

Our AI itinerary checker analyzes your specific plan and tells you:

• Which days are too packed
• Where you've underestimated travel time
• How to optimize your route

→ Check My Japan Itinerary (Free)

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Optional: Kamakura Day Trip (Replace Day 3)

If you've been to Tokyo before or prefer history over modern art, swap Day 3 for a Kamakura day trip:

• Tokyo → Kamakura: 60 min by JR Yokosuka Line ($12)
• Great Buddha (Kotoku-in): Iconic 13m outdoor bronze Buddha ($3)
• Hokoku-ji (Bamboo Temple): Stunning bamboo grove with matcha tea ($5)
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Kamakura's most important shrine (free)
• Komachi Street: Shopping and food street near the station

This adds a coastal, historical dimension to your trip — and it's much less crowded than central Tokyo.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Underestimating Walking

Japan involves A LOT of walking. Expect 15,000-25,000 steps per day.

• Solution: Bring comfortable shoes. Break in new shoes before the trip.

Mistake #2: Skipping Cash

Japan is still cash-heavy. Many small restaurants, shrines, and vending machines don't accept cards.

• Solution: Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven ATMs (no foreign card fees). Carry $100-150 equivalent daily.

Mistake #3: Not Downloading Offline Maps

Cell signal can be spotty in temples, mountains, and rural areas.

• Solution: Download Google Maps offline for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka before you go.

Mistake #4: Booking All Accommodation in Advance

You might want flexibility to extend your stay somewhere you love.

• Solution: Book first 3-4 nights. Keep the rest flexible (or easily cancellable).

Mistake #5: Over-planning Every Meal

Some of the best food experiences are spontaneous discoveries.

• Solution: Book 2-3 special restaurants max. Leave the rest to serendipity.

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Final Thoughts

Nine days in Japan isn't enough to see everything - but it IS enough to fall in love with the country.

This itinerary gives you:

• ✅ Tokyo's energy: Neon lights, anime culture, cutting-edge tech
• ✅ Kyoto's soul: Ancient temples, geisha districts, zen gardens
• ✅ Osaka's flavor: Street food, local charm, vibrant nightlife

The key is balance. Don't rush. Leave room for the unexpected - a conversation with a local, a hidden alley, a meal you stumbled upon.

Those unplanned moments? They'll be your favorite memories.

Ready to plan?

• → Check Your Itinerary (Free AI Tool)
• → More Japan Planning Guides

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Related Articles

• Is My Japan Itinerary Too Rushed? How to Know
• ChatGPT Travel Planning: Why 90% of AI Itineraries Are Wrong
• Free AI Itinerary Checker: Review Your Plan in Seconds

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About This Article: This 9-day Japan itinerary is based on real travel data, user feedback, and current 2026 information. We've personally verified travel times, costs, and recommendations.

First time in Japan? Start with our First-Timer Planning Guide — covers budget, JR Pass math, and the 10 mistakes everyone makes.

Last Updated: January 19, 2026 Word Count: 2,850 words Reading Time: 12 minutes