Days 1–4: Tokyo
Land at Haneda or Narita on the overnight flight from Delhi and rest. Then: Asakusa and Senso-ji early, Meiji Jingu and Omotesando, the Shibuya crossing at dusk, and a day for teamLab, a museum or shopping in Ginza. A private guide for one day makes the city easy to read.
Day 5: Hakone
Two hours from Tokyo: the ropeway over Owakudani, a boat across Lake Ashi with Fuji in view on clear days, and a night in a ryokan with hot springs. Send your big bags ahead to Kyoto and take only an overnight bag.
Days 6–9: Kyoto and Nara
Bullet train to Kyoto. Fushimi Inari at dawn, Kiyomizu-dera and the lanes of Higashiyama, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, a tea ceremony, Gion at dusk — and a day in Nara with Todai-ji's great Buddha and the deer.
Day 10: Home
Train or private car to Osaka's Kansai airport or back to Tokyo for the flight home. With two more days, add Osaka's food streets or Hiroshima and Miyajima.
When to go
Late March to early April for cherry blossom, mid-November to early December for autumn colour, and May or October for pleasant weather with fewer crowds. Book blossom and autumn trips four to six months ahead.
