Japan in 9 Days: A Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka Itinerary
Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara in nine days: the route, the timing and what to know before you book.
Japan rewards a plan. The cities are close enough to link by train in a single trip, but each one is so different that you can easily spend your whole week deciding where to go next.
This is the nine-day route we are running as a group Loop from March 22 to 30, 2027, written up so you can follow it on your own too: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, with bullet trains in between.
Spend three days in Tokyo and Fuji, two in Kyoto, one in Osaka and a day trip to Nara, then ride the Shinkansen back to Tokyo for your flight. Late March is the start of cherry blossom season, but bloom timing changes every year.
Why this route works
It moves from modern to traditional and back. You open with Tokyo's neon, step out to Mt. Fuji for a quiet night in a ryokan, slow down in Kyoto's temples, then eat your way through Osaka. Nara is an easy day trip from there, and one bullet train brings you home.
Day by day
- Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo. Land, check in and take a night walk through Shinjuku, where the neon starts early and the side streets are packed with tiny bars and food stalls.
- Day 2: Historic and modern Tokyo. Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, in the morning. Meiji Shrine's forested grounds next, then the view from Shibuya Sky as the light goes.
- Day 3: Tokyo to Mt. Fuji. Chureito Pagoda and Oishi Park for the classic Fuji views, then a night at a ryokan, a traditional inn, with an onsen soak.
- Day 4: Oshino Hakkai, then Kyoto. Start at the spring-fed ponds of Oshino Hakkai, then take the bullet train to Kyoto.
- Day 5: Highlights of Kyoto. Fushimi Inari's endless red torii gates, the hillside temple of Kiyomizu-dera and the bamboo and riverside paths of Arashiyama.
- Day 6: Kyoto to Osaka. Osaka Castle by day, then a street food tour along Dotonbori, where the canal glows after dark.
- Day 7: Day trip to Nara. Todai-ji and its giant bronze Buddha, then the deer in Nara Park.
- Day 8: Back to Tokyo. The Shinkansen returns you to Tokyo for a farewell dinner together.
- Day 9: Departure. Checkout, goodbyes and flights home.
Many onsen have rules about tattoos, so check with your ryokan before you go. Deer in Nara will nibble at anything that looks like food, so hold deer crackers firmly.
When to go: late March
Late March is when cherry blossom season usually begins in Tokyo and Kyoto. It is a beautiful time to go, and a popular one, so book early. Bloom dates shift every year with the weather, so treat the blossoms as a bonus rather than a promise. Even without them, the shrines, food and city lights are the reason to go.
Getting around
The Shinkansen links Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and you will use it twice on this route. In the cities, a rechargeable transit card makes trains and buses simple. Expect a lot of walking, so bring comfortable shoes.
The visa
Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan, and there is no visa on arrival. The process and fees have changed more than once recently, so confirm the current steps with the Embassy of Japan in India or the official VFS Japan portal before you apply or pay anyone. Apply well ahead of your travel date.
The details
Our Japan Loop follows this exact route. The trip itself is below.
International flights are not included.
Related Loop: Mar 22-30 · ₹1,71,000JapanQuestions
Quick answers to common questions about this guide.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan?
Yes. There is no visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. The application process and fees have changed more than once recently, so check the Embassy of Japan in India or the official VFS Japan portal before you apply.
Will the cherry blossoms be in bloom in late March?
Often the season is just starting in Tokyo and Kyoto, but the timing moves every year with the weather. Nobody can promise peak bloom on a fixed date.
Is 9 days enough for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?
It is enough for a first taste of five places: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. You will move quickly, which is why bullet trains and a fixed plan help.
Can I do this trip solo?
Yes. Most people on our Loops come solo, and Japan is easy to move around in, with a group to share the plan.
Abhishek Doashii is a seasoned traveller and the founder of WanderLOOPS. Follow his trips on Instagram: @abhishekdoashii.
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