10 day Japan Travel Itinerary For Foodies
A 10 day Japan travel itinerary based on the best Japanese food found in each city along the Shinkansen train line, starting in Tokyo and ending in Kumamoto.
Japanese food is world famous for its taste, presentation, and demonstration of mastery. Each city and region in Japan has its own culinary traditions, local ingredients, and unique takes on national dishes. Eating ramen in Tokyo will not be the same experience as eating ramen in Fukuoka or even Kyoto.
The best way to travel in Japan is to use the train. The Shinkansen is a high-speed train also known as the bullet train.
This itinerary utilizes the Japan Rail Sanyo San’in Northern Kyushu Pass, with the Tokyo leg of the trip purchased separately.
Check out my full guide on the destinations you can visit with the JR Sanyo San’in Northern Kyushu Pass and how to order it.
Now let’s eat our way through Japan on a culinary train journey from Tokyo to Kumamoto.
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Japan Travel Itinerary 1st Stop: Tokyo
Recommended time: 3 days
Regional specialties to try in Tokyo:
- Tsukemen Ramen
- Nigiri Sushi
- Tempura
Being a megacity, Tokyo has every type of Japanese food available and most international foods too. The variety of restaurants will astonish you, but we are going to narrow it down to a few regional specialties that won’t be the same anywhere else.
Tsukemen Ramen was developed in Tokyo and is different from other types of ramen. The noodles are served separately, and then you dip them into a bowl of seasoning and broth.
Nigiri Sushi is often just referred to as sushi or zushi on Japanese menus. Small balls of seasoned rice are stuck under a topping with a dollop of wasabi. The topping is most often raw fish sashimi, but it can be almost anything. Wagyu beef, cooked shrimp, and tamago (seasoned egg) are popular Nigiri Sushi types.
One of the best places to try Nigiri Sushi in Tokyo is the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, where it is made fresh daily.
Tempura is the Japanese method of battering and frying vegetables, seafood, and meat. The batter is light and crispy. Tempura shrimp is my favourite type and is famous worldwide. In Tokyo, you can visit restaurants dedicated only to Tempura dishes or grab it as street food.
Top things to do in Tokyo
- Visit the Senso-ji temple. Klook has a free audio guide you can listen to while exploring Senso-ji Temple. Get it here.
- Explore neighbourhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Akihabara.
- Go to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
- Visit teamLab Borderless or teamLab Planets
- Go izakaya hopping on Golden Gai.
Japan Travel Itinerary 2nd Stop: Yokohama
Recommended time: stopover for the afternoon on your way to Kyoto.
Japanese food to try in Yokohama: Yaki Shoronpo
Yaki Shoronpo are fried soup dumplings served as street food in Yokohama’s Chinatown. They have a thick fried bottom, a soft top, and are filled with pork bone broth and meat and/or seafood. These are tied with xiao long bao as my favourite types of dumplings of all time.
Top things to do in Yokohama
- Eat everything else in Chinatown! Yokohama has the largest Chinatown in Japan, and it’s full of street food.
- Enjoy the coastline from Yamashita Park.
- Go to the Cup Noodles Museum.
Japan Travel Itinerary 3rd Stop: Kyoto
Recommended time: 2 days and nights
Kyoto is where you will activate your JR Sanyo San’in Northern Kyushu Train Pass and then use it to travel the rest of the itinerary.
Japanese food to try in Kyoto: Kaiseki and Shojin Ryori
Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course dinner served at ryokans and high-end restaurants. The meal focuses on seasonal ingredients and a mastery of cooking techniques.
Kyoto is the perfect city to experience Kaiseki because it has plenty of ryokans to choose from. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. Visit my guide to Japanese accommodations to learn about ryokans and other types of accommodations found in Japan.
Shojin Ryori is a traditional vegetarian multi-course meal served at Buddhist temples. The ingredients represent what is seasonal and healthy for your body and spirit.
Top things to do in Kyoto
- Hike through the Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari. You can do this hike on your own, but if you would prefer a guide, this one is highly recommended.
- Stroll through the Gion district.
- Visit Kinkakuji, the golden temple. One of many famous Kyoto temples you could visit.
- Visit teamLab Biovortex.
- Go to Nishiki Market. Ok, so this is another foodie thing to do, but the stalls lure you in with cheap sake shots!
Japan Travel Itinerary 4th Stop: Osaka
Recommended time: 2 days and nights
Japanese food to try in Osaka: Osaka Okinomiyaki and Takoyaki
Next, we are heading to Osaka, which is lovingly known as Japan’s kitchen. Street food in Osaka is abundant, but it is most known for its take on Okinomiyaki and Takoyaki. Find them at street food vendors and restaurants throughout Osaka.
Osaka Okinomiyaki, sometimes called Kansai Okinomiyaki, is a savoury pancake made up of cabbage, meat or seafood, and egg. The ingredients are all thrown into a batter, and the final giant pancake is drizzled with sauces.
Takoyaki are fried, battered octopus balls, topped with bonito flakes, sauces, and seaweed. Since takotaki is street food, there are dozens of variations on the toppings.
Top things to do in Osaka
- Stroll Dotonbori Street and Tonbori River Walk.
- Visit Universal Studios. Read my full guide on visiting Universal Studios Japan and getting into Super Mario World before you visit.
- Take a night cruise on the Dotonbori River.
- Ride Go Karts through the streets of Osaka.
- Visit Osaka Castle. Skip the line with this ticket from Klook.
- Visit the Osaka Aquarium.
If you are planning on exploring Osaka, consider the Osaka Amazing Pass! It gets you into over 40 Osaka attractions, including Osaka Castle, and some of the river cruises. The value is outstanding if you have the time to explore. Note that when you use the Osaka Amazing Pass, you may be restricted to certain entrance times for some activities.
Japan Travel Itinerary 5th Stop: Kobe
Recommended time: stopover between Osaka and Hiroshima
Japanese food to try in Kobe: Kobe Beef
Kobe beef is a type of wagyu beef from Tajima cattle. This special breed of cows has a high concentration of fat marbling, producing the melt-in-your-mouth feel that Kobe beef is so famous for.
Beef standards are high in Japan. To be certified Kobe beef, the meat must have an A4 or A5 rating. (the highest available rating) . This high quality results in a high price, but the experience is 100% worth the cost. Japanese A5 wagyu is the best beef I have ever eaten in my life!
A great way to try Kobe Beef is to visit a Shabu – Shabu or Sukiyaki restaurant. Shabu – Shabu is like hot pot, and Sukiyaki is similar but involves dipping your meat into raw egg.
Things to do in Kobe
- Visit Nunobiki Falls
- Explore Kobe’s Chinatown (and do more eating).
Japan Travel Itinerary 6th Stop: Hiroshima
Recommended time: 1 day and night
Japanese foods to try: Hiroshima Okinomiyaki and Hiroshima Tsukemen
Hiroshima Okinomiyaki is then the type found in Osaka. Hiroshima Okinomiyaki has its ingredients layered like you are building a sandwich instead of mixed altogether, and includes noodles. There is some friendly competition between Osaka and Hiroshima about who has the better version.
Hiroshima Tsukemen is a dish made of ramen noodles and dipping sauce. Hiroshima-style Tsukemen is different from the version found in Tokyo. The noodles are served cold with toppings, and the dipping sauce contains sesame.
Top things to do in Hiroshima
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum
- Take the ferry to Miyajima Island to see the floating Torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
Japan Travel Itinerary 7th Stop: Fukuoka
Recommended time: 1 day and night
Japanese food to try in Fukuoka: Hakata Tonkatsu
Fukuoka and Hakata used to be different cities. When they merged into one, Hakata brought their ramen with them. Hakata Tonkatsu is a creamy pork bone broth ramen served with thin noodles that has become famous worldwide.
Top things to do in Fukuoka
- Eat at yatai stalls, which are street food stands with limited seating.
- Visit Fukuoka Tower for a bird ‘s-eye view of the city.
- Visit teamLab Forest.
- Explore famous temples such as Dazaifu Tenman-gū and Tochoji as a day trip.
Japan Travel Itinerary 8th Stop: Kumamoto
Recommended time: 1 day and night
Japanese food to try in Kumamoto: Babashi
Babashi is horse sashimi and a specialty of Kumamoto. It’s eaten thinly sliced and raw with a ginger soy dipping sauce. I found it to taste very similar to eating raw beef.
Bonus Japanese delicacies near Kumamoto
Kurobuta is Black Pork from the neighbouring prefecture of Kagoshima. It’s the pork version of wagyu beef and melts on your tongue.
Torisashi is raw chicken sashimi from the neighbouring prefecture of Kagoshima. The region has strict food handling laws to ensure safe consumption of Torisashi, but eating raw chicken can still be dangerous. I was still sick while in Kagoshima, so I didn’t dare try it. If you do, please let me know how it is.
Top things to do in Kumamoto
- Day trip to Takachiho Gorge
- Visit Kumamoto Castle
- Day trip to the Mount Aso Volcanic Crater.
- Visit and walk behind Nabegataki Falls
This tour combines Takochiho Gorge and Mount Aso in one day trip.
Tips to get the most out of this 10 day Japan travel Itinerary
- Japan Rail passes can only be purchased by foreigners, and the purchase must happen before your trip.
- This itinerary takes advantage of a Regional Japan Rail Pass, the Sanyo San’in Northern Kyushu Pass.
- Restaurants, shops, and stores close much earlier in small cities like Kumamoto than they do in Tokyo and Osaka.
- The most highly rated restaurants in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto will either require a reservation or you will have to be prepared to wait in line. An alternative is to search out hidden gems. Selecting restaurants rated 4.0 – 4.5 usually worked for me when I didn’t have the patience to wait.
- You can find all these dishes and more in Tokyo alone, but you will have to decide if they are as good in the capital as they are in the region they originated from.
- At train stations, you can find special bento box meals called ekiben. They are inexpensive and let you sample a variety of Japanese dishes. Eating on the Shinkansen is expected and not frowned upon.
- Train stations have pay lockers, which you can use to store your bag when you make stopovers. This way, you don’t need to lug your backpack with you to try out Kobe Beef.
- Riding the metro train line (city subway system) in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto with large luggage is discouraged. In rush hour, it may be impossible. Consider using a luggage delivery service or carrying only a backpack
- Kyoto and Osaka are very close by train. Many travellers choose to make one city their home base to explore the region from. I have recommended two days in each because they both have so much to offer, but you could easily choose to explore one as a day trip.
- This 10-day Japan itinerary can easily be changed into 7 days by removing Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto from the list. Or removing Tokyo. Note that if you alter the itinerary, you might want to select a different Japan Rail regional train pass.
- The recommended time to stay in each city is only a suggestion. Tailor this trip to your tastes.
This 10-day Japan travel itinerary for foodies will be delicious! It allows time to savour the tastes and do activities in Japan’s biggest cities, plus see a little bit more of Honshu and Kyushu.
Utilizing the Shinkansen train line is an awesome way to see Japan. It’s comfortable and quick. There are washrooms on board, and you can eat and drink in your seat.
In Kyoto, I recommend you stop by Sushizen. This small Michelin Guide recommended sushi restaurant stole my heart with its affordable sushi crafted in front of you by a master.
Check out my full Sushizen review.
If you are considering visiting Universal Studios and Super Nintendo World, I have a full guide. You will need a solid plan to get on all the rides you want and see the sights you want to see,
There is so much more than these regional specialties to eat in Japan. Your trip won’t feel complete unless you also eat sashimi, yakitori, all the different types of ramen and udon soups too. Check out 15 famous foods in Japan you must try to help prepare you for your trip.
I hope this Japan travel itinerary helps you map out your trip across Japan and taste some regional specialties at the same time.
Have a fantastic trip and Live Self Happy!
Japan Trip Planning Resources
My most used and favourite resources while I was in Japan
Accommodation
Check out my guide to booking accommodations in Japan
- Booking.com is my favourite platform for booking stays in Japan, and anywhere else I travel. Safe, reliable, and pay in your currency. Love them!
- Rakuten Travel is the local favourite travel site and is worth checking out.
- Vrbo rents whole homes and is great for group travel to Japan
- Airbnb offers rooms and homes for rent with local hosts.
Flights
- Skyscanner to find the best deals and then book directly through the airline,
Japanese Rail Passes
- Klook has partnered with JR Rail to provide Japan-wide and regional train passes.
Tours and Excursions
- Klook dominates the tour and excursion scene in Japan, offering the best prices and reliability.
Reservations
- Tabelog is the most popular restaurant reservation system in Japan. Requires a Japanese phone number to use, but many of the listed restaurants will also accept reservations by email or phone if you contact them directly.
