City | Distance from Haneda Airport | Popularity | Vibe | Things to Do |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tokyo | 15 km | Very popular | Bustling metropolis | Tokyo Skytree, Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market |
Kyoto | 70 km | Very popular | Serene, traditional | Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove |
Osaka | 50 km | Popular | Foodie paradise | Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan |
Hiroshima | 800 km | Popular | Historical | Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima Island |
Nara | 70 km | Popular | Ancient capital | Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga-taisha Shrine |
Kanazawa | 380 km | Popular | Cultural gem | Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya District |
Nagasaki | 1300 km | Popular | Melting pot of cultures | Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, Glover Garden, Mount Inasa |
Sapporo | 900 km | Popular | Winter wonderland | Sapporo Snow Festival, Odori Park, Sapporo Beer Museum |
Sendai | 350 km | Popular | Green city | Matsushima Bay, Sendai Castle, Zuihoden Mausoleum |
Fukuoka | 1000 km | Popular | Coastal city | Fukuoka Tower, Ohori Park, Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival |
Takayama | 400 km | Popular | Traditional village | Old Town, Takayama Jinya, Hida Folk Village |
Kanagawa | 30 km | Popular | Seaside escape | Enoshima Island, Kamakura Great Buddha, Yokohama Chinatown |
Nikko | 140 km | Popular | Shrine and temple town | Toshogu Shrine, Nikko National Park, Lake Chuzenji |
Hakone | 80 km | Popular | Hot spring retreat | Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley |
Matsumoto | 200 km | Popular | Castle town | Matsumoto Castle, Nawate-dori, Kamikochi |
Kobe | 45 km | Popular | Cosmopolitan port city | Kobe Harborland, Nunobiki Herb Garden, Kobe Beef |
Okayama | 800 km | Popular | Castle city | Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden, Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter |
Aomori | 700 km | Popular | Northern gateway | Hirosaki Castle, Nebuta Museum, Mount Hakkoda |
Nagoya | 350 km | Popular | Industrial hub | Nagoya Castle, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, Atsuta Shrine |
Yokohama | 20 km | Popular | Harbor city | Minato Mirai 21, Sankeien Garden, Yokohama Landmark Tower |
If you're spending 10 days in Japan, you should definitely spend at least 3 days in Tokyo. This will give you enough time to see some of the main sights, such as the Tokyo Skytree, the Imperial Palace, and the Tsukiji Fish Market. From there, you could consider visiting other popular cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima. Kyoto is known for its traditional temples and gardens, while Osaka is famous for its food culture. Hiroshima is home to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which is a must-visit if you're interested in learning about the history of World War II. Depending on your interests, you could also consider visiting smaller cities such as Nara or Kanazawa. Just be sure to leave enough time to travel between cities, as Japan's transportation system can be quite busy, especially during peak travel seasons.