A fast-paced itinerary that blends Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and more
When we first started planning our trip to Japan, we had two options: slow down and focus on one region, or go all in and try to experience as much as possible. We chose the second option, and looking back, it was the right call for us.
I’ll be honest, this was the hardest trip I have ever planned. I’m used to fast-paced, go-go vacations, but Japan was a different challenge. I was overwhelmed by all the “must-do” lists I saw on Instagram. I had a huge list for each day, with the best intentions of hitting them all, but I quickly realized it wasn’t possible—even with a well-planned map and a timed schedule. If you want to see how I plan a trip a go-go trip or any trip tips check out “how I plan our trips for two”.
The other thing was the distance. A 14-hour flight is far, so I wanted to pack in as much as I could. But I also found myself getting fixed on all the things I read we couldn’t do. I had to let go of that mindset.
So, let me break down a realistic go-go itinerary for Japan. It’s fast-paced, and you will get your 20,000+ steps in each day. Take what you want from this, learn what you want to do, and then just go. Have fun, and don’t pick everything because they seem like everyone is doing them, do the things that the both of you would want to do. You’ll be making a new list of the food and places you loved when you get home anyway to share with others.
The first part of any journey can be the most daunting, and planning a trip to Japan was no exception. What I’m sharing here is what I wish I had found from the start—a straightforward guide to the things that truly had me stuck for weeks. I took in every bit of advice I could find, and it only made things more confusing. This is a breakdown of what to focus on so you can make your decisions and just get things booked.
Our Fast-Paced Japan Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Day 2: Tokyo Tours & Shopping
- Day 3: Tokyo Adventures
- Day 4: Tokyo DisneySea
- Day 5: Hiroshima
- Day 6: Kyoto
- Day 7: Osaka
- Day 8: Nara & Kyoto
- Day 9: Yokohama & Yokosuka
- Day 10: Mt. Fuji Pivot to Tokyo Disneyland
Getting Around: Pro Tips
I spent days debating the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) versus buying individual tickets. Everyone online had an opinion, and I was going back and forth, worrying about things like missing a train, luggage space, and getting a window seat to see Mt. Fuji. The whole thing was exhausting. In the end, I found the difference was only about $100. So I did what I do best: I just picked one and hoped for the best.
What I Did: Individual Train Tickets
I decided to buy individual train tickets for each leg of our journey.
Why I Liked It
It gave me total control. I could book the specific seat I wanted (including a window seat), pick the extra luggage if needed and didn’t have to worry about the train being full. It also let me choose the fastest “Nozomi” bullet trains, which aren’t covered by the standard JR Pass. I just booked ahead online, kept the tickets on my phone, and we were set. No stress about a pass paying off or not.
Local Transit: Suica Card
Navigating the local trains, subways and busses can be confusing with all the different tickets and lines. I didn’t want to worry about that also.
What I Did: Downloaded the Suica card
I downloaded the Suica card to my Apple phone.
Why I Liked It
This was a game-changer. I simply added money to the card every couple of days and used my phone to tap in and out. It worked for almost everything—trains, subways, and even many vending machines and 7 eleven. It’s a must-have.
Airport Travel & Luggage
Getting to and from the airport with bags seemed complicated online, with all the different options. I just needed a simple, reliable way to get to our hotel without a lot of fuss.
What I Did: Airport Limousine Bus & Taxi
For our arrival at Narita, we took the Airport Limousine Bus. For the return to Haneda, we used a taxi.
Why I Liked It
The bus was cheaper than a taxi, but way more convenient than the subway, especially with bags. Easy to find outside the airport doors, and they put our luggage underneath, and we just rode comfortably. My wife even gets car sick and she did great. On the way back, we had more stuff, so a taxi was worth the extra cost to get us directly to the Haneda Airport without any stress.
Staying Connected: Wi-Fi
Everyone online had a different opinion on Wi-Fi, from Pocket Wi-Fi to eSIMs. I didn’t want to dive into the technical details of an eSIM or the fact that everyone was getting a kick back from the e-sims.
What I Did: Pocket Wi-Fi
I ordered a Pocket Wi-Fi device online and had it shipped to our first hotel. My wife used her regular cell carrier’s international plan.
Why I Liked It
The Pocket Wi-Fi was $7 a day and gave me a great, reliable connection. I did have to carry the pocket device and battery pack, but it worked perfectly. And returning was simply dropping it off at the airport into the mail box. My wife’s carrier plan was about $10 a day, which was also great and even simpler for her since she didn’t have to carry an extra device.
Shipping Luggage
I was fascinated by the idea of shipping our luggage, but I wanted to keep it simple. We used the service and it was simple.
What I Did: Shipping & Lockers
We shipped our bags from short distances like Osaka to Tokyo. Most of the time we just stored our bags in train station lockers.
Why I Liked It
Shipping from Osaka to Tokyo and other more local areas it was easy we left our bags in our hotel lobby and they were at the next hotel the following day. But when we looked into shipping from Tokyo to Hiroshima for example, it was going to take two days, which meant more planning and packing an overnight bag. Storing our bags in the station lockers was often a better option. It was cheap and simple, perfect for a day trip. The only tricky part was remembering where we put them in those massive stations!
Now that you’ve got the logistics figured out, you can focus on the fun part: what to do in each city!
Our 10-Day Japan Itinerary
Inside the cities, we mixed in buses, subways, bikes, and even a go-kart tour. We never rented a car, and honestly, I’d say you don’t need one if you’re sticking to major cities. Comfortable shoes and a light day bag were non-negotiable we easily logged 20,000 steps or more every day.
We didn’t want a “sit back and relax” trip we wanted shrines, temples, city lights, local food, bike rides, and even Disney. It was a trip where every day looked different but still gave us moments to stop, breathe, and take it all in. If you’re trying to figure out how much you can realistically see in 10 days in Japan, here’s the fast-paced itinerary that worked for us.
Use this as a menu. If a certain activity doesn’t sound like a “must-do” for you, swap it out for something else. For example, the Bamboo Forest is cool, but it’s also incredibly crowded. If that sounds just “okay” to you, feel free to skip it and make something else your priority.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
We landed late in Tokyo, and our bus ride into the city was an amazing introduction to the neon-soaked skyline. We checked into our hotel in the Shinjuku area, a great choice because we were steps away from all the lights and activities, with the subway right at our fingertips. Our first mission? A run to a 7-Eleven. This isn’t just a convenience store in Japan; it’s a genuine part of the Tokyo experience. I had to try the famous egg salad and strawberry cream sandwiches. These and other items from Lawson and Family Mart quickly became our go-to snacks, proving that a tourist thing can turn into a daily ritual.
Day 2: Tokyo Tours & Shopping
Tokyo by Area: An Overview
Tokyo is so vast that it can feel overwhelming, but it’s easy to explore if you tackle it by its distinct neighborhoods. Each one has a completely different vibe and focus. For instance, Shinjuku is the hub for skyscrapers and bustling nightlife, while Shibuya is the heart of youth culture and home to that iconic crossing. You’ll find historic temples and a traditional charm in Asakusa, while Akihabara is where you go for all things anime and electronics. Looking for luxury? Head to Ginza. Fashion and culture collide in Harajuku and the peaceful grounds of Meiji Jingu Shrine. Other great spots include Ueno for its museums and parks, Roppongi for art and nightlife, the entertainment island of Odaiba, and the more traditional atmosphere of the Yanaka district.
To make the most of our time, we tackled the city by “areas.” This is a great way to plan your days—pick a neighborhood and explore everything it has to offer.
We started at the Tokyo Tower. From the observation deck, the city view was endless. Tokyo Tower, built in 1958, was originally a communications and observation tower. At 333 meters (1,092 feet), it’s 13 meters (43 feet) taller than the Eiffel Tower. It’s painted a distinctive international orange and white and has become a symbol of Japan’s post-war rebirth.
A short walk from the tower was our meeting point for a three-hour bike tour. We chose a tour that focused on the Asakusa area and its temples and shrines. We visited over 10 different major sites, including Zojo-ji Temple, grabbed some street food, and took photos at the Imperial Palace. We also visited the Kanda Myoujin Shrine and the impressive Taito-Asakusa Shrine and Temple. We walked down a very busy path packed with tourists and vendors.
For our last few trips, I didn’t plan any shopping time, and we went from tour to tour. This time, I made sure to plan in some time for shopping each day. After the tour, we spent the afternoon exploring the upscale Ginzadistrict. We started at KITTE Marunouchi, a modern shopping mall located in the former Tokyo Central Post Office. We grabbed some incredible oyako-don at Honke Abeya on the ground floor, which was the perfect warm, savory dish after our tour.
We then walked to Chuo Dori Avenue and were amazed to find it was a “pedestrian paradise,” with the main street completely closed to cars. It felt so freeing to walk down the middle of the road as we browsed stores. We stopped at several places that are unique to Japan. We loved Muji for its minimalist and functional home goods, and Ginza Itoya, a multi-story stationery store that was a wonderland of pens, paper, and art supplies. We also made sure to visit the massive Uniqlo flagship store and stopped at Onitsuka Tiger for some new sneakers.
Of course, no shopping day is complete without a snack. We made it to Age.3 30 minutes before they closed, and there were about 30 people in line. We made it to the front just before the doors shut at 7 p.m., and oh, it was worth the wait! It’s an awesome Japanese snack: deep-fried bread filled with whipped cream and other toppings. I ordered the crème brûlée, a classic, and the pistachio. The hot, crispy outside with the cold, creamy filling was everything I hoped it would be.
We ended our day with a visit to the Tokyo Skytree. While Tokyo Tower is iconic, the Skytree is on another level. Standing at 634 meters (2,080 feet), it’s the tallest structure in Japan and the tallest tower in the world. Before you even get to the tower, there are tons of shops, food stalls, and more shopping areas in the Tokyo Solamachi complex. Seeing the city lights stretch and disappear into the distance was the perfect way to cap off the day.
Day 3: Tokyo Adventures
Our day started with a trip to 7-Eleven. I just couldn’t pass up another one of their egg salad sandwiches and a smoothie. It quickly became my go-to morning spot.
We took the subway and a short bus ride to our first stop: TeamLab Planets. I had planned for an hour here, but we ended up spending about two and a half. This digital art museum is an immersive, multisensory experience where you walk through knee-deep water and get lost in rooms filled with incredible light installations. My wife, MarKay, could not get enough of this place.
Afterward, we found Pizzeria de Peppe, which supposedly had the best pizza in the world. We were the only tourists in a room full of locals, which is always a good sign. It was worth the short wait and cramped seating for that amazing pizza.
I had heard all the pros and cons about go-kart tours online. Was it boring? Did the locals hate it? We went for it anyway, and it was one of the best decisions of the trip. Driving a go-kart through the streets of downtown Tokyo was surreal. We felt like celebrities! Everyone on the streets and in cars waved to us and took pictures. The tour companies were sued over the “Mario Kart” image, so we both dressed as Pikachu instead, which was just as much fun. You have to add this to your list. Just don’t forget the most important detail: you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for this.
After the go-kart tour, we grabbed some delicious fried doughnuts from Jack in the Donuts. Our next destination was Takeshita Street. No one could have prepared me for this. It was a sensory overload every food stand and tourist shop you can imagine packed into one street. It was crowded, but in a fun, exciting way.
After Takeshita Street, we headed to the only Fender flagship store in the world. We made it inside and bought some souvenirs. The store is located on Omotesando Avenue, the main shopping street that is often called “Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées.” This area is filled with high-end designer stores. We also explored the back streets to find smaller, local shops which had some of the coolest items we found.
This was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. We found a small meat and rice place called Hikiniku to Come. It was so hard to find; it looked like an apartment building. We knocked on what seemed to be a residential door, and it opened to this amazing, intimate restaurant with an open fire grill. I still dream about the smell and feeling of that little place. This popular spot in Shibuya specializes in charcoal-grilled hamburg steaks. A key thing to know: you have to book way ahead of time and put your money down when you book.
We had a photoshoot planned that was all about capturing the young and fun energy of Tokyo. We started at the famous Shibuya Crossing it was wild and a ton of fun. We also took several photos with the famous Hachiko dog statue, a symbol of loyalty and love in Japan. After getting our shots in Shibuya, we made our way to the Shinjuku area, where our hotel was. We took photos on a crowded alleyway that was just awesome, filled with tiny bars and restaurants. This area is known as Omoide Yokocho, or “Memory Lane.”
After the photoshoot, we explored the area, saw the massive 3D cat screen, and made a stop at Don Quijote, a popular discount store. After about five minutes, we both decided it was overrated. The prices were higher than at most pharmacies, the aisles were tiny, and it was just too crowded with massive lines. So, as much as you hear about it, it was not worth the hype for us. We ended the day with the best ramen I have ever had. We hiked up the stairs to this little hole-in-the-wall spot in Nishishinjuku.
Day 4: Tokyo DisneySea
Yes, we’re grown adults, and yes—we went to Disney. And it was absolutely worth it. In fact, we got 23,000 steps here, so it was definitely not a “less active” day! Tokyo DisneySea feels completely different from the U.S. parks, but also somewhat familiar in parts, with that same Disney magic and attention to detail. It gave us a much-needed break from temples, trains, and non-stop walking. If you’re even a little curious, I’d highly recommend it.
This park is known for its incredible themed areas, called “ports of call.” We spent our day exploring everything from the mysterious, steampunk-inspired Mysterious Island to the romantic canals of the Mediterranean Harbor. It’s the kind of place where you can just wander and get lost in the details.
And about that bear you heard about, you’re right! Duffy the Disney Bear is a huge star here, and he has a whole group of friends like ShellieMay and Gelatoni who are only found at Tokyo Disney. We saw them everywhere, and there was even one entire store made just for them. It’s a completely unique part of the Disney magic here.
Besides the rides, we spent a lot of time checking out the food and seeing the cool shops and even the popcorn buckets. Trust me, the popcorn buckets are an experience in themselves. They have unique flavors and special collectible buckets you can only get at certain stands, so do a little research beforehand! And good luck fitting them into your suitcase. We knew we could never make them fit.
Day 5: Hiroshima
This was one of the most moving and powerful days of our entire trip. We took the morning bullet train down to Hiroshima at 7:25 AM with all our bags. We made a quick stop in the train station to grab some awesome items to eat along the way. Of course, we sat on the right side of the train and had the most amazing, unobstructed view of Mt. Fuji. The bullet train, or Shinkansen, was smooth and traveled up to 320 km/h (200 mph), getting us to Hiroshima by 11 AM—a three-and-a-half-hour ride that would have taken 11 hours by car.
Next, we took the ferry back to the mainland to catch a local train and headed to the Peace Memorial Park. It’s a place that is heavy and emotional, something we’ll never forget. The city has a much slower, more peaceful pace. We met up with our guide, Shin, who gave us a tour of the city on e-bikes—my wife’s most favorite memory of the trip. Shin took us all over and taught us about the A-Bomb, taking us to the very epicenter of where it all started on August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m. He shared personal stories about his grandparents and how they feel about Americans even after all that happened. It was such an emotional tour as we saw each place that was left from the bombing. After our tour, my wife was in tears.
We also got to tour the rest of the park, seeing powerful monuments like the Children’s Peace Monument, which is covered in paper cranes to honor Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of children who died from the bombing. We saw the Peace Flame, which will burn continuously until all nuclear weapons are removed from the Earth, and the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims.
After the tour, we walked to the Peace Memorial Museum, which was just as powerful as the park itself. It hit home with how the bomb struck and the sheer devastation that followed. The museum does an incredible job of sharing the reality of that day through personal artifacts, survivor testimonies, and immersive displays that really drive home the importance of peace.
After the tour, we went on foot past the cherry blossoms which families were having picnics. We walked to the Shintenchi area to do some shopping. For dinner, we went to a place called Okonomimura. The famous dish is called Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake or crepe layered with batter, cabbage, pork, and often a layer of noodles. It’s one of Hiroshima’s most famous dishes, and it was incredible.
After a packed and emotionally draining day, we made our way back to the train station to grab our bags and head to the hotel. We had a packed day filled with so much history and beauty, from the peaceful tranquility of Miyajima Island to the powerful and unforgettable lessons of Hiroshima’s past.
Day 6: Kyoto – A Day of Temples & Tranquil Backstreets
Our morning started with an early train, leaving Hiroshima. We couldn’t leave without one last snack stop at the station, where we found something that perfectly captured the local flavor. This area is also very popular for lemons, just like the Amalfi Coast in Italy! We grabbed some lemon leaf pies, lemon stick cakes, and so many other goodies. By 9:45 AM, we were already at our next stop in Kyoto, ready for a whole new slower experience. We stored our bags in the train lockers—a huge lifesaver—and took the local train to our first stop.
We headed straight to the famous Tenryu-ji Temple and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. While we liked it, it was definitely crowded and just not as cool to me as I had imagined. It was a good reminder that some of the most famous sights can be overhyped. After the forest, we explored the area on foot, and it was such a different feeling from Tokyo. The pace was slower, and we loved wandering through the backstreets, getting a glimpse of local life and the traditional homes and shops.
Next, it was time for our bike tour on the other side of town. We visited Nijō Castle, the former home of a Shogun, and cycled through the massive Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, the old Imperial Palace grounds. We took some quick photos by the river under cherry blossom trees, which were everywhere. Our guide also took us to Shimogamo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we learned about the traditional ways people pray. We also saw the impressive red-brick aqueducts at Nanzen-ji Temple. This beautiful structure, the Suirokaku Aqueduct, was designed to blend in with the temple’s scenery and was massive. We also stopped at the largest torii gate we had ever seen at Heian Shrine.
But my absolute favorite stop was Honke Nishio Yatsuhashi, a well-known confectionery company that makes Yatsuhashi (八ツ橋), one of Kyoto’s most famous souvenirs. We tried the raw yatsuhashi, which are triangular-shaped parcels of soft mochi with a delicious sweet bean paste inside—absolutely incredible!
By 6 PM, we were on the hunt for food and wanted to see the busy part of the city. We headed to the main shopping district, centered around Kawaramachi Street and Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, which was full of energy. We found the best ramen we’ve ever had in a neighborhood called Narayacho, at a place packed with locals. It was so good! Of course, we also had to stop at Uniqlo. This is also where I started to get super sick with a fever and chills, which was a real bummer. I had to buy a sweatshirt to keep me warm and some medicine at the pharmacy. After a packed day, we took the train to Osaka, where we were staying for the night. We grabbed our bags from the lockers and headed to our hotel.
Day 7: Osaka
Our day in Osaka started early with my typical food exploration. We wanted to see Dotonbori before the crowds took over, and it was incredible to see all the famous food stalls and neon signs as the city was just waking up. Osaka’s motto is “kuidaore,” or “eat ’til you drop,” and we were ready to take it seriously.
After our early morning stroll, we were ready for our first official tour of the day: a bike tour. This was an amazing way to see the city. We started our adventure in Den Den Town, the heart of anime culture in Osaka, exploring colorful shops filled with unique memorabilia. Next, our guide took us to Shitennoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest temples, where we learned about the history of Japanese Buddhism. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. We then pedaled through Osaka Castle Park, soaking in the lush scenery. It was a surreal moment riding along the sidewalks with cherry blossoms overhead.
Our journey continued to Nakanoshima Park, Osaka’s first public park. Then we explored America Town, Osaka’s trendy district, where we got a taste of the latest local fashion trends and funky shops. It really felt like a little US area. We wrapped up the tour at Namba Yasaka Shrine, known for its giant lion head stage. Here, we learned about the role of Shinto in Japanese culture, which was an enlightening end to our journey.
Our three-hour bike tour ended just in time for us to dive headfirst into Osaka’s famous food scene. Back in Dotonbori, we tried crunchy cheese dumplings, succulent Kobe beef on a stick, and cheese coins. We spent hours exploring the Namba shopping area, finding all sorts of souvenirs and making a crucial stop at Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street, which is known as “Kitchen Street.” This is where I found the perfect knives for my cooking at home.
Our adventure continued as we visited a unique otter cafe, which was a whole new experience. We also made sure to try some trendy local treats like Dubai chocolate and strawberries. Then we headed to Nambasennichimae for more shopping and to hunt for some famous desserts. We found the famous Japanese cheesecake at Fukuro’s, which is known for its fluffy, jiggly texture and we devoured it. We also grabbed some Mitarashi Dango, a skewered mochi covered in a sweet soy sauce glaze.
The whole time, the neon signs of Dotonbori blazed to life, lighting up the packed streets. The energy was electric, with music and the sizzle of street food everywhere. We pushed through the crowds and finally saw the iconic Glico Running Man sign, and of course, we had to stop for a photo. We wrapped up our incredible day by finding a fantastic local Indian cafe for dinner and ordered a dish called march masala, a perfect meal to cap off our food-filled adventure in Osaka.
Day 8: Nara & Kyoto
Our day started early in Osaka with a mission: to see as much as possible. We dropped our suitcases off in the hotel lobby for the day a genius move and did some early morning food exploring before hopping on the train. We were so excited to see Nara, especially the famous Nara deer. You can buy crackers at stands nearby, and the deer are right there by the stations. A pro-tip: grab the crackers and walk a bit before you start handing them out, or they will absolutely swarm you!
Nara Park is an amazing place, with the deer as a huge draw, but it’s the stunning history that truly makes it special. We made our way to Tōdai-ji Temple, home to the world’s largest bronze statue of the Great Buddha. It was mind-blowing to see. At the temple’s main gate, the Nandaimon, we were in awe of the massive guardian statues, called Kongōrikishi.
After the park, we explored the surrounding areas, walking through neighborhoods like Nara Suimoncho and Higashimukinakamachi. It was so much fun to wander through the shops and find snacks. We even found a bakery called Chateau Dior and enjoyed some macarons and other treats.
Next, we hopped back on the train and headed to Kyoto. For lunch, we found an awesome spot in the Shimobentencho area for some famous street food. We tried Taiyaki, a fish-shaped bread with a sweet custard filling. We walked around the area, getting our fortunes at a nearby shrine, and explored the streets of Gojobashihigashi.
After lunch, it was time for a unique cultural experience. We headed to Tatsumicho for our kimono fitting. After an hour of getting dressed and styled, we both felt like celebrities. It was so cool to be walking through the bustling streets of Kyoto in kimonos. We explored the area around Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and then, after our amazing photoshoot, we changed back into our regular clothes. We then went back to the same area to do some more exploring and shopping. We stopped for more street food and browsed all the amazing little shops on the way to our next stop.
As the day turned to night, we made our way to the famous red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. We made a conscious decision to go at night to avoid the huge crowds, and it was the best decision we made all day. The shrine is located in the Fukakusainariommaecho area, and walking through the thousands of gates as they lit up in the evening was truly magical. It was quiet and peaceful. After a long, incredible day of exploring two different cities, we took the train back to Osaka. To top off the night, we grabbed some ice cream the perfect reward after a day filled with so much adventure, history, and fun.
Day 9: Yokohama & Yokosuka
Another early morning as we had another packed day today. We started at 5 AM and, with the usual 7-Eleven sandwich, made it to Yokohama by 8 a.m. A family friend had relocated to Yokosuka as he works for the Navy, and they have a large naval base here. We wanted to visit and spend some time with them today. But before we visited them, we had one of two places we really wanted to see: either Yokohama or Kamakura. I decided on Yokohama for the tour.
We ended up getting to Yokohama rather early, and once we switched trains and got closer to the city, the crowds changed and the trains changed. Once we arrived in the city, we walked to our Segway tour. It was exciting to see this city! To take a Segway tour in Japan, you need to have your international driver’s license.
Highlights of the tour:
- There are more than 1,000 Segway tours around the world, and they are attracting attention as a popular experience-type activity.
- It is a tour where the guide takes the lead in a line like the parents and children of the duck.
- The tour will take you to well-known spots such as the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the Train Path, and the Red Brick Warehouse, as well as hidden spots with historical anecdotes!
We visited the World Porters and stopped in at the KitKat Chocolatory. This is also the home of the Cupnoodles Museum.
Yokosuka felt even smaller as a train stop. We met up with the Kelly family and toured the area. The local life felt very authentic. We visited a large thrift store called “Livin,” had some amazing Japanese BBQ, and saw the Yokosuka sign and the Honcho area. A park we passed was lined with a huge festival, and there was even a Spiderman on the wall!
When we arrived at our hotel in Tokyo, our luggage was waiting for us—thanks to the shipping service we used!
Day 10: Magical Mt. Fuji Pivot to Tokyo Disneyland
Our final full day in Tokyo was supposed to be a scenic tour of Mt. Fuji. We had a great tour booked that would take us from the city to all the famous viewing spots. All week, we had enjoyed a clear view of the mountain from afar, and we found this incredible website called Fuji-San that gives a live visibility score from 0 to 10. The day before our tour, it showed a 0. Knowing a trip to Mt. Fuji is only worth it if you can actually see it, and having already caught a few glimpses of it from the train, we made the easy decision to change our plans. My wife said, “Why not see the other Disney park?” And so, our final day in Tokyo became a visit to Tokyo Disneyland.
We started out the day with our favorite breakfast ritual—7-Eleven smoothies and egg salad sandwiches. It was a cold and rainy day, which was perfect for us. We bought Disney ponchos at the park, and they were a game-changer. The rain kept the crowds way down, which meant we could do so much more.
Right away, we noticed how different (and also similar) this park was from DisneySea. Tokyo Disneyland is the classic Magic Kingdom experience, with the iconic Cinderella Castle and familiar lands like Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It felt like coming home, but with some fantastic Japanese twists. This is why for us, DisneySea was the better park it felt completely new and adventurous, whereas Disneyland gave us that comforting sense of familiarity.
Even on a rainy day, the lines for some of the most popular attractions were long. Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Tale, a ride unique to this park, had a 70-minute wait, so we used our Disney Premier Access (DPA) to skip the line. We quickly learned that buying DPA for anything over a 30-minute wait was a fantastic strategy. The payoff was huge we walked right on to Pirates of the Caribbean with only a five-minute wait!
For lunch, we found our way to Hungry Bear Restaurant, a popular spot known for its delicious curry dishes. It was the perfect warm meal to get us through the chilly day. We also made sure to try some of the famous popcorn, with unique flavors you can only find here, and we checked out all the cool shops.
Overall, our unplanned day at Tokyo Disneyland was an absolute blast. It was a perfect day to end our trip, a reminder that sometimes the best memories are the ones you don’t plan for. It cemented for us that Tokyo Disney Resort has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a classic fairytale adventure or a one-of-a-kind escapist fantasy.
After the park, we headed out to find some food and found a cool American-themed bar serving hamburgers that we were craving from home. The place, called The Burger Joint, was all decked out in American decor with music to match. Our flight was at 2 AM, so we made it to the airport thanks to a taxi and all our cool luggage we had stored. I could not fit even a pack of gum into any part of my bags or backpack. I had so much candy it was insane, and I grabbed a bunch more at the airport in a different bag to take home, too!
What We Loved (and What We’d Do Differently)
This trip showed us how much you can see in 10 days without feeling like you’re just checking boxes. The trains kept everything moving smoothly, and biking in different cities became one of our favorite ways to explore.
If we did it again, we might give Kyoto more time it deserves at least three days. And as much as we loved both Disney parks, you could easily swap one out if you prefer more traditional sightseeing.
Our advice? Decide what matters most to you, and build around that. Japan has something for everyone, but it’s easy to lose days if you don’t plan.
Final Thoughts
Ten days in Japan is just enough to give you a taste and just short enough that you’ll want to come back. For us, the mix of big cities, smaller cultural stops, and playful experiences made it the kind of trip we’ll keep talking about for years.
If you’re planning your own adventure, use this as a guide, but make it yours. Swap days, slow it down, or pack it even fuller it’s your trip.
