10 days in Japan...what is a 'must do'?

I will be travelling to Japan in May for roughly 10 days. Given that it is such a short amount of time what cities or attractions would you recommend are a 'must'? I've travelled Europe and South East Asia but this will be my first time in Japan so need a little help navigating.

Nothing is a "must see"...or at least it varies from person to person...but the vast majority of first timers with that timeframe probably go to Tokyo and Kyoto.

As lucapal says, there is nothing in Japan that is 'must see.' No particular temple, mountain, museum or sight that you have to visit to say you have been to Japan.

With 10 days most people would split time between Kanto(Tokyo) and Kansai(Kyoto) or focus on one with a slew of day trips, jaunts to the surrounding areas.

Where are you flying in and out of?
What are your interests generally?
What led you to book a trip to Japan?
Are you traveling during the large national holiday in early May?

What is 'roughly 10 day?' Is that 8 nights? 12 days? exactly 240 hours? Flying from Toronto with the associated jet lag?

I will be flying from Toronto and it will most likely be 10-12 days including jetlag. I haven't checked booked the ticket yet as I wasn't sure what would be the best airport to fly into.
Japan is on the bucket list so its mainly just to sight see. and vacation.

If you want to do the typical Tokyo and Kyoto trip,then fly into Narita and out of Kansai.

You should be able to get an open jaw ticket for roughly same price as a straight return.

That will save you time and money backtracking...

Thanks...this is very helpful. What sites would you recommend for booking the ticket?

Have a look at a consolidator,like Skyscanner.

That will show you most possibilities and give you links to the airlines and online travel agents which offer the flights.

I agree, fly into Tokyo and out of Kansai or the other way around.

Also best to search for TYO rather than Narita(NRT). Haneda(HND) airport has a ever increasing number of cheap international flights and is much closer to Tokyo than Narita.

Yes,good point....Tokyo rather than Narita will give you both airports.

Bucket list or no, you can't really get much help from anyone with a general question like yours. Please tell us why Japan is on your bucket list, and be sure to explain what interests you about the country. THEN, we can give advice on how to best spend your time.

Using One World air miles is also a very cheap way to get to Japan on JAL as taxes are very small...

I've lived in Japan for going on two years now and have been as far south as Osaka and as north as Tokyo. There is so much to do here that it would be hard to narrow down sights without knowing exactly what you're interested in.

There are museums in Ueno, bars in Shinjuku, the Fuji Safari Park by Mount Fuji and the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. The sights and activities are endless!

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