Why Japan is worth the budget

Japan is the trip most Indian travellers put off for "someday" because it feels expensive and complicated. It's neither, once you plan around it properly. The trains run to the minute, the food is extraordinary at every price point, and the culture is unlike anywhere else you'll visit. This 10-day route covers the three cities that matter most on a first trip: Tokyo (modern, huge, electric), Kyoto (temples, gardens, old Japan) and Osaka (food, nightlife, day trips to Nara).

Route: Tokyo (4 days) → Kyoto (3 days, with a Nara day trip) → Osaka (3 days). Move by Shinkansen (bullet train) between cities — it's fast, scenic, and genuinely one of the trip's highlights.

💡 Visa tip for Indians (2026)

Indian passport holders need a short-term tourist visa for Japan — issued as an eVISA for most applicants living in India. Apply through the Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) 3–4 weeks before you fly, with your return ticket and hotel bookings ready, and check the Embassy of Japan in India's website for the latest document list.

Day-by-day itinerary

1–4
Tokyo — Neon, Temples, Mt Fuji
Asakusa, Shibuya, Akihabara, Hakone day trip
Day 1
Arrive, settle into Shinjuku or ShibuyaPick up an IC card at the airport (Suica, Pasmo or the tourist Welcome Suica) — or add Suica to Apple Wallet on an iPhone. It works on trains, buses and at convenience stores. Early evening walk through Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho alley for yakitori.
Day 2
Senso-ji Temple, AsakusaTokyo's oldest temple, with the Nakamise shopping street leading up to it. Go early (before 9 AM) to see it without crowds. Free entry.
Day 2
Akihabara — anime, electronics, arcadesMulti-storey arcades, retro game shops, and themed cafes. Even non-otaku will find it fascinating. Budget ₹1,500 for an arcade afternoon.
Day 3
Shibuya Crossing & HarajukuOften called the world's busiest pedestrian crossing — best viewed from the Shibuya Sky observation deck or a café above it. Walk Takeshita Street in Harajuku for crepes and youth fashion.
Day 3
teamLab Planets or Tokyo Tower at nightteamLab's immersive digital art museum (tickets from about ¥3,600; book online a week or two ahead) is one of the most talked-about things to do in Tokyo. Tokyo Tower lit up at night is the budget alternative.
Day 4
Hakone day trip — Mt Fuji views90 minutes from Tokyo by train. Lake Ashi cruise, the Hakone Ropeway over volcanic Owakudani valley, and (on a clear day) a direct view of Mt Fuji. The Hakone Open-Air Museum is also excellent.
5–7
Kyoto — Shrines, Bamboo, Geisha Streets
Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Nara day trip
Day 5
Shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2 hrs 15 min)Reserve seats in advance during cherry blossom or autumn season — trains sell out. Check into a ryokan (traditional inn) for at least one night if your budget allows.
Day 5 Eve
Gion district at duskKyoto's historic geisha district — wooden teahouses, lantern-lit streets. You may spot a geiko or maiko heading to an appointment. Be respectful: no touching, no blocking their path for photos — and some private lanes off Hanamikoji are now closed to tourists, so follow the signs.
Day 6
Fushimi Inari ShrineThousands of vermillion torii gates climbing a mountain. Free entry, open 24 hours — arrive at sunrise to get the famous gate tunnel without crowds. Allow 2–3 hrs for the full hike.
Day 6
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) & Arashiyama Bamboo GroveThe gold-leaf pavilion reflected in its pond is one of Japan's most photographed sights. Entry ¥500. Combine with the Arashiyama bamboo grove in the afternoon — go before 8 AM or after 5 PM to avoid the worst crowds.
Day 7
Nara day trip — deer park & Todai-ji45 minutes from Kyoto by train. Nara Park has more than a thousand free-roaming deer that bow for shika senbei crackers (about ¥200 a pack). Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall — one of the largest wooden buildings in the world — houses a 15 m bronze Buddha.
8–10
Osaka — Street Food & Neon
Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, departure
Day 8
Shinkansen to Osaka (15 min from Kyoto)The shortest bullet train leg of the trip. Check in, then head straight to Dotonbori for dinner — this is Japan's street food capital.
Day 8 Eve
Dotonbori — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, the Glico signOsaka's neon canal district. Eat takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) standing at a street stall — that's how it's meant to be eaten. Budget ₹1,500–₹2,000 for a proper food crawl.
Day 9
Osaka CastleThe main tower is a 1931 concrete reconstruction with a museum inside (small entry fee), but the grounds, moats and huge stone walls are genuinely beautiful — especially under cherry blossoms.
Day 9
Universal Studios Japan (optional, full day)Home to the original Super Nintendo World — buy tickets online and consider an Express Pass in peak season. If you're not a theme park person, swap this for a second day in Kyoto or Nara instead — it's the one flexible day in this itinerary.
Day 10
Last shopping, fly home from Kansai (KIX)Den Den Town for electronics, or Shinsaibashi for fashion. Be at Kansai Airport about 3 hours before an international flight — it sits on an artificial island 40–60 minutes from central Osaka, and peak-season queues are long.

Budget breakdown

CategoryPer person estimate
✈️ Flights (India return)₹55,000–₹75,000
🏠 Accommodation (9 nights, twin-share)₹25,000–₹40,000
🚄 Shinkansen tickets & local transport₹16,000–₹22,000
🍜 Food & drinks₹15,000–₹22,000
🎫 Activities & entry fees₹8,000–₹14,000
🛍️ Shopping₹5,000–₹10,000
Total₹1,24,000–₹1,83,000
💡 Do you need a JR Pass? Probably not.

Since the October 2023 price rise, a 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs ¥50,000 — more than the tickets this route needs. Tokyo→Kyoto by Shinkansen is about ¥14,000 one way, and Kyoto→Osaka is a short, cheap hop. Buy point-to-point Shinkansen tickets (station machines or the smartEX app) and use your IC card for everything else. The pass only pays off if you add long legs like Hiroshima.

Practical tips

Japan trip FAQs

How much does a 10-day Japan trip cost from India?

About ₹1.2–1.8 lakh per person, including return flights (₹55,000–₹75,000), mid-range hotels, Shinkansen tickets, food and entry fees. Cherry blossom season and late bookings push you toward the top of that range.

Do Indians need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Indian passport holders need a short-term tourist visa, issued as an eVISA for most applicants living in India. Apply through the Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) 3–4 weeks before you fly, and check the Embassy of Japan in India's website for the current document list.

Is the JR Pass worth it for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?

Usually not. Since the October 2023 price rise, a 7-day JR Pass costs ¥50,000, while a one-way Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen ticket is about ¥14,000 and Kyoto–Osaka is a short, cheap hop. Buy individual tickets unless you add long legs such as Hiroshima.

What is the best time to visit Japan?

Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, or October to November for autumn colours and mild weather. Both are peak seasons, so book hotels and Shinkansen seats early. Avoid Golden Week (late April to early May) if you can, and expect rain and humidity in June and July.