My 10 Days in Japan: The Itinerary I Wish Someone Had Handed Me

I'm a planner. Spreadsheets, backup plans, the works. So when I started putting together our Japan trip, I fell down the research rabbit hole for weeks. Here's the itinerary that came out the other side — tested, tweaked, and ready for you to steal.

Day 1: Land, breathe, don't overdo it

Long flight in, jet lag setting in fast. My best advice: keep day one small. Check into your hotel, grab dinner from a convenience store (yes, really — Japanese 7-Elevens are a legitimate meal, fresh sushi and all), and go to bed early.

One thing I did before I even left home: activated my Travoyer eSIM. It was live the second we landed at Haneda, so I could pull up train routes and translate signs without hunting for airport wifi. Small thing, but it made the first groggy hour so much easier.

Day 2: Asakusa and your first real taste of Tokyo

This is where the trip starts to feel real. Wander Nakamise Shopping Street toward Senso-ji Temple — go early, before the crowds roll in. The giant Kaminarimon lantern is one of those photos you'll actually want printed and framed.

Leave room in the afternoon for something playful. A cat café, an arcade, a quiet side street you weren't planning to explore. Tokyo rewards wandering as much as it rewards planning.

Planner's tip: book anything popular (sumo shows, themed cafés, specialty experiences) a few weeks out. The good ones fill up fast, and some don't take cash — worth checking payment methods before you go.

Day 3: A day trip to Mt. Fuji

This was, hands down, one of my favorite days. Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda give you that iconic postcard shot — Fuji in the background, pagoda in the foreground, worth the short, steep climb to get there. Then loop over to Lake Kawaguchi for a slower afternoon: flowers, water, the mountain always in view.

If you're renting a private driver or car for the day, this is exactly where a working eSIM earns its keep — you're moving between small towns, and you don't want to be the person squinting at a paper map on the side of the road. I kept mine running the whole day for maps and quick translations at local shops.

Day 4: Culture, crafts, and a proper wander

Slow down for a day. Try a hands-on experience — chopstick making, a tea ceremony, a craft class — something that gets you out of tourist mode and into an actual local studio. Then walk Meiji Jingu's forest paths for quiet, and Takeshita Street in Harajuku for the exact opposite: noise, color, snacks, and shopping.

Wear your most comfortable shoes on this day. You will not regret it.

Day 5: Theme park magic (if that's your thing)

If a Disney park is on your list, give it a full day and arrive before opening. Download the park app in advance and check it constantly — ride passes and skip-the-line access often open on a rolling schedule throughout the day, and missing the window means missing your shot.

This is another spot where I was glad to already be connected before I even reached the gate. No fumbling for airport wifi, no waiting to get a local SIM sorted — just scan, land, and go.

What I'd pack (and download) again

A few essentials that made the trip smoother:

Comfortable shoes, a portable charger, a small trash bag (public bins are surprisingly rare), and cash — some smaller shops and experiences still don't take cards. On the tech side: a translation app, a transit app for navigating the trains, and your eSIM set up before departure so you land already connected.

That last one matters more than it sounds. Between train transfers, reservation deadlines, and just wanting to look up "is this restaurant open," staying online from the moment you land changes how relaxed the whole trip feels. I bought my Japan eSIM through Travoyer before the flight — instant QR code, activated the second we touched down, no roaming fees, and it ran alongside my regular SIM so I kept my own number the whole time.

The one piece of advice I'd give twice

Don't overpack the schedule. The days above are full, but I left gaps on purpose — for the wrong turn that leads somewhere great, the extra hour at a temple because it was quiet and peaceful, the nap when jet lag wins. Japan gives you a lot to see. Let yourself actually see it.

If you're planning your own trip and want a hand thinking through logistics, connectivity, or where to splurge versus save, drop a comment — I read every one, and I genuinely love talking through other people's itineraries almost as much as planning my own.