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Budget 10-Day Japan Itinerary (Mar 1–10, 2026) — Tokyo, Kanagawa, Tochigi, Yamanashi (Fuji), Shizuoka, Nagano, Gifu, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka

Viewed by 310 travelers

Day 1: Tokyo arrival

Tokyo, Japan on March 1, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast — konbini & onigiri

Quick, cheap breakfast from a convenience store (7-Eleven/FamilyMart/Lawson) — high quality onigiri and coffee to save time and money.
JPY500, 0h20m

9:30am

Senso-ji (Asakusa)

Historic temple and bustling Nakamise shopping street offering inexpensive souvenirs and street snacks; great introduction to Tokyo. Senso-ji area is typically open from early morning through evening (temple grounds free).
JPY0, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — Ameyoko street

Casual lunch at Ameya-Yokocho market (yakitori, tempura, skewers) for budget-friendly, filling options.
JPY1000, 1h

2:00pm

Ueno Park & Museums (optional)

Walk Ueno Park (free) and pick one affordable museum (Tokyo National Museum or National Science Museum) if interested — check museum hours (usually 9:30–17:00).
JPY620, 2h0m

5:30pm

Shinjuku — budget dinner

Explore Omoide Yokocho or small izakayas for cheap grilled dishes and atmosphere; open evenings and lively at night.
JPY1500, 1h30m
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Day 2: Tokyo highlights + Kanagawa

Tokyo → Yokohama (Kanagawa), Japan on March 2, 2026

7:00am

Breakfast — Tsukiji Outer Market

Early sushi bowl or tamago sandwich at Tsukiji Outer Market (many stalls open roughly 5:00–14:00); great cheap seafood breakfast.
JPY1200, 1h0m

9:30am

Meiji Shrine & Harajuku

Stroll the Meiji Shrine (open 24/7 grounds; shrine offices 9:00–16:30) and take in Harajuku’s quirky Takeshita Street for window shopping and snacks.
JPY0, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — Shibuya conveyor sushi

Budget conveyor-belt sushi (e.g., Uobei or Kappa Sushi) near Shibuya for quick, inexpensive lunch.
JPY1000, 1h

2:00pm

Train to Yokohama (Kanagawa)

Short train ride (~30–45 min) to Yokohama to see Minato Mirai and the waterfront; travel efficient and cheap on local lines.
JPY480, 0h45m

3:00pm

Cup Noodles Museum or Minato Mirai stroll

Interactive, affordable museum (Cup Noodles Museum, usually 10:00–18:00) or a free walk along the Minato Mirai promenade and Cosmo Clock.
JPY500, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner — Yokohama Chinatown

Large Chinatown with many inexpensive stalls and restaurants for ramen/gyoza and atmospheric evening dining.
JPY1500, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Tokyo → Yokohama (Kanagawa)

Day 3: Day trip to Nikko

Nikko, Tochigi, Japan on March 3, 2026

7:00am

Depart Tokyo for Nikko

Take the Tobu or JR route to Nikko (approx 2 hours); depart early to maximize daylight for shrines and waterfalls.
JPY2000, 2h0m

9:30am

Toshogu Shrine

Ornate UNESCO-listed shrine complex dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu; open typically 8:00–17:00 — a highlight of Nikko.
JPY1300, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — local yuba set

Try yuba (tofu-skin) specialties around the shrine area for an affordable local meal.
JPY1200, 1h

2:00pm

Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls

Bus to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls for scenic views; Kegon Falls elevator has limited hours (approx 9:00–16:30) so plan accordingly.
JPY570, 2h0m

5:00pm

Return to Tokyo

Evening train back to Tokyo; dinner near your station or small izakaya for budget meal.
JPY2000, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Nikko

Day 4: Mt. Fuji region

Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi (Fuji area), Japan on March 4, 2026

7:30am

Travel to Kawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes)

Take highway bus or train connections from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (approx 2–2.5 hours); depart early for best views of Mt. Fuji.
JPY2000, 2h30m

10:30am

Chureito Pagoda viewpoint

Iconic panoramic view of Mt. Fuji with pagoda; access via stairs—open any time but best in daylight for photos.
JPY0, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch — hoto noodles

Local hearty noodle dish Hoto, cheap and warming (perfect in early March).
JPY1000, 1h

1:30pm

Mt. Tenjo Ropeway & Lake Kawaguchi walk

Ropeway (typically ~9:00–16:30) to view Fuji and a lakeside stroll; small ropeway fee for a fast panoramic view.
JPY900, 1h30m

4:30pm

Oishi Park or Kawaguchiko Onsen

Relax at lakeside Oishi Park or soak in a budget public onsen (if open) — great way to end a day around Fuji.
JPY800, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — small izakaya or ryokan meal

Enjoy an affordable izakaya or a simple ryokan dinner; book budget lodging near station to save transport costs.
JPY2500, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Kawaguchiko

Day 5: Shizuoka coastline

Shizuoka, Japan on March 5, 2026

8:00am

Travel Kawaguchiko → Shizuoka

Take highway bus then shinkansen/local trains toward Shizuoka city (~2.5–3 hours); morning travel with simple train breakfast.
JPY4000, 3h0m

11:30am

Nihondaira viewpoint & Kunozan Toshogu

Cable car or bus to Nihondaira for views toward Mt. Fuji; Kunozan Toshogu shrine open roughly 9:00–16:30 with moderate entry fee.
JPY400, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — fresh seafood or sushi

Shizuoka is famous for seafood; pick a market stall or small sushi shop for reasonably priced lunch.
JPY1200, 1h

3:30pm

Miho no Matsubara coastal walk

Scenic pine-lined beach with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days; free and relaxing for late afternoon.
JPY0, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner — local izakaya

Casual izakaya near Shizuoka station offering low-cost set meals and drinks.
JPY1800, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Shizuoka

Day 6: Nagano & Snow Monkeys

Nagano, Japan on March 6, 2026

7:00am

Travel Shizuoka → Nagano

Take shinkansen + local line to Nagano (approx 3–4 hours); leave early to reach Snow Monkey area with daylight.
JPY7000, 4h0m

11:30am

Zenko-ji Temple

Historic Zenko-ji Temple in central Nagano, open early to late afternoon; visit before heading to Jigokudani.
JPY0, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — soba noodles

Nagano is known for soba; budget soba shop offers authentic, inexpensive meals.
JPY1000, 1h

2:00pm

Jigokudani Monkey Park (Snow Monkeys)

Bus to Yudanaka then 30–40 min walk to the park to see wild macaques bathing in hot springs; park generally accessible 8:30–17:00 — plan for cold, snowy conditions and a moderate walk.
JPY800, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Nagano izakaya

Warm up with a hearty, budget-friendly izakaya meal back in Nagano city.
JPY1800, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Nagano

Day 7: Gifu — Takayama

Takayama, Gifu, Japan on March 7, 2026

7:30am

Travel Nagano → Takayama (Gifu)

Train via Matsumoto or limited express routes (approx 3–4 hours); scenic countryside en route — depart early to maximize time in Takayama.
JPY4000, 4h0m

11:30am

Takayama Morning Market (Miyagawa)

Browse the morning market for local crafts and snacks; markets typically run from early morning until midday.
JPY0, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Hida beef bowl

Try affordable Hida beef options at small restaurants — pricier than usual but reasonable in small bowls.
JPY1500, 1h

2:00pm

Sanmachi Suji historic district & Hida Folk Village

Stroll the preserved samurai/merchant streets and visit the open-air Hida Folk Village (open usually 8:30–17:00) to learn local architecture.
JPY700, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — small local izakaya

End the day with simple local eats (ramen or small izakaya plates) to keep costs down.
JPY1500, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Takayama

Day 8: Kyoto — temples

Kyoto, Japan on March 8, 2026

8:00am

Travel Takayama → Kyoto

Train journey to Kyoto (approx 3.5–4 hours via Nagoya); depart early to arrive mid-morning in Kyoto.
JPY6000, 4h0m

12:30pm

Fushimi Inari

Iconic thousand- torii shrine gates; open 24 hours so schedule visits to avoid crowds and enjoy a walking route up the hill.
JPY0, 1h30m

2:30pm

Lunch — cheap udon/soba near Fushimi

Affordable noodle shops around the station offer quick local meals.
JPY900, 1h

4:00pm

Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama stroll

Historic hilltop temple (typically open 6:00–18:00) with scenic city views and charming Higashiyama streets for inexpensive snacks and souvenirs.
JPY400, 1h30m

7:00pm

Gion evening walk & dinner

Walk through Gion to spot traditional streets; eat at an affordable set-menu restaurant or izakaya to keep to budget.
JPY2000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Kyoto

Day 9: Nara day trip, then Osaka

Nara → Osaka, Japan on March 9, 2026

8:00am

Train Kyoto → Nara

Short, cheap train ride (approx 45 min) to Nara to see historic temples and friendly deer.
JPY720, 0h45m

9:30am

Todai-ji & Nara Park

Massive Great Buddha hall (Todai-ji, typically 8:00–17:00) and roaming deer in the park; buy deer crackers if you want interaction.
JPY600, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — local udon or kakinoha-zushi

Affordable local specialties near Nara Park to refuel before heading to Osaka.
JPY1000, 1h

2:00pm

Travel Nara → Osaka

Train to Osaka (approx 30–45 min) for an afternoon of castles and vibrant food districts.
JPY560, 0h45m

4:00pm

Osaka Castle

Historic castle with museum (grounds free; castle tower usually open 9:00–17:00 with a small fee); easy stroll and photos.
JPY600, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dotonbori — dinner

Famous neon-lit food area; try takoyaki and okonomiyaki from affordable stalls and casual restaurants for a budget-friendly feast.
JPY1500, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Nara → Osaka

Day 10: Osaka — depart

Osaka, Japan on March 10, 2026

9:00am

Kuromon Ichiba Market — breakfast

Fresh seafood and street-food breakfast at Kuromon Ichiba; sample small plates affordably to enjoy Osaka’s culinary scene one last time.
JPY1200, 1h0m

11:00am

Last-minute shopping in Namba / Shinsaibashi

Window-shop and pick up inexpensive souvenirs and snacks in Osaka’s central shopping areas before heading to the airport.
JPY0, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — quick curry or ramen

Have a filling, affordable lunch near the station en route to your departure; convenient and budget-friendly options abound.
JPY1000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Travel to Kansai Airport or onward destination

Allow ample time for train/airport-liner travel (approx 45–70 minutes depending on airport) and check-in; this completes your 10-day loop.
JPY1000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Osaka
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