Japan on a budget · 10 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Tokyo

• Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky · 2 h. Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
• teamLab Planets / Borderless digital art · 2 h. Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.

Local tip: Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Tokyo

Tokyo

• Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
• Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
• Tsukiji outer market food walk · 2 h. Go 8–10am; many stalls close by early afternoon and on Sundays/Wednesdays. Tamagoyaki and fruit work for vegetarians.
• Imperial Palace East Gardens & Marunouchi · 2 h. Free; closed Mondays and Fridays.
• Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.

Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Tokyo

Tokyo

• Akihabara electronics & anime district · 2.5 h. Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.
• Shinjuku evening: Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai · 2.5 h. Tiny bars often add a seat charge; mostly yakitori, so vegetarians should eat elsewhere first.
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden · 2 h. One of Tokyo's best cherry blossom spots (late Mar–early Apr); closed Mondays. No alcohol allowed.
• Ghibli Museum, Mitaka · 2.5 h. Book a month ahead: tickets go on sale on the 10th for the following month and sell out fast. No photos inside.

Local tip: Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Tokyo → Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji)

Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji) · Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Highway bus from Shinjuku ~2h

• Chureito Pagoda view (Arakurayama Sengen Park) · 2 h. About 400 steps; go at sunrise for a clear Fuji. Cherry blossoms mid-April, leaves early November.
• Lake Kawaguchi cruise & shore walk · 2 h. The north shore gives the classic Fuji-over-water view; hire a bicycle to cover it.

Local tip: About 400 steps; go at sunrise for a clear Fuji. Cherry blossoms mid-April, leaves early November.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji) → Kyoto

Kyoto · Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji) to Kyoto, Bus to Mishima + Shinkansen ~4.5h

• Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.

Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Kyoto

Kyoto

• Kiyomizu-dera & Sannenzaka lanes · 2.5 h. Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
• Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
• Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) · 1.5 h. Opens at 9am; it is a short loop, so pair with Ryoan-ji nearby.
• Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.

Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Nara deer park & Todai-ji day trip

Kyoto

• Nara deer park & Todai-ji day trip · 6 h. Deer bow for crackers but nip and headbutt — keep food out of sight with small kids. Todai-ji opens at 7:30am.

Local tip: Deer bow for crackers but nip and headbutt — keep food out of sight with small kids. Todai-ji opens at 7:30am.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Kyoto → Hiroshima

Hiroshima · Kyoto to Hiroshima, Shinkansen ~1h45

• Peace Memorial Park & Museum · 3 h. The museum is graphic in parts — preview before taking young kids. Arrive at opening to avoid school groups.
• Hiroshima okonomiyaki at Okonomimura · 1 h. Layered with noodles and cabbage; many counters will make it without meat, ask for no dashi powder.

Local tip: The museum is graphic in parts — preview before taking young kids. Arrive at opening to avoid school groups.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Hiroshima → Osaka

Osaka · Hiroshima to Osaka, Shinkansen Shin-Osaka–Hiroshima ~1.5h

• Dotonbori street food evening · 2.5 h. Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
• Osaka Castle & park · 2 h. The park is a major cherry blossom spot; the tower interior is a modern museum.

Local tip: Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Osaka

Osaka

• Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku & kushikatsu · 2 h. Retro district; kushikatsu menus include vegetable skewers. No double-dipping in the shared sauce.
• Shinsaibashi & Amerikamura shopping · 2 h
• Kuromon market · 1.5 h. Seafood-heavy and tourist-priced; go before noon.
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan · 2.5 h. Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.
• Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine · 1.5 h

Local tip: Retro district; kushikatsu menus include vegetable skewers. No double-dipping in the shared sauce.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Depart from Osaka

Osaka

• Takoyaki & okonomiyaki cooking class · 2 h. Several classes offer vegetarian or Halal versions on request.

Local tip: Several classes offer vegetarian or Halal versions on request.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps