Tokyo, Naoshima, Beijing & Hong Kong Adventure – 12 Sep – 28 Sep

Day 1 (12 Sep): Arrival & First Taste of Tokyo

Morning: Arrive at Haneda Airport and take the train to the hip Shim Shim district for a quick ramen bowl at a hidden alleyway.

Afternoon: Wander through the vintage‑laden streets of Shimokitazawa, popping into indie boutiques and a tiny jazz café.

Evening: Dine at Omoide Yokocho where tiny yakitori stalls offer a lively, local atmosphere.

Day 2 (13 Sep): Art & Architecture in Tokyo

Morning: Visit the avant‑garde Kagurazaka district, exploring its narrow lanes and hidden galleries.

Afternoon: Stop at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum for a quiet exhibition on contemporary Japanese art.

Evening: Enjoy an izakaya dinner in Shinbashi, sampling small plates paired with craft sake.

Day 3 (14 Sep): Culinary Exploration

Morning: Dive into the local food market at Tsukishima Monja Street for a classic monjayaki experience.

Afternoon: Visit the Tokyo National Museum for a deep dive into cultural history.

Evening: Dine at a hidden Ginza speakeasy offering innovative Japanese‑French fusion.

Day 4 (15 Sep): Architectural Gems

Morning: Walk through the modernist National Art Center and its serene garden.

Afternoon: Explore Todoroki Valley, a tranquil oasis with rustic wooden architecture.

Evening: Enjoy a rooftop dinner at Daikanyama with city views and craft cocktails.

Day 5 (16 Sep): Culture & Nightlife

Morning: Wander the retro streets of Koenji, browsing vintage shops and street art.

Afternoon: Visit Ghibli Museum (by reservation) for a whimsical cultural experience.

Evening: Taste the best of Tokyo's underground music scene at Koenji Junjo with live jazz.

Day 6 (17 Sep): Transition to Naoshima

Morning: Early flight to Osaka, then a ferry to Naoshima island.

Afternoon: Settle into a boutique Benesse House for a night of art and sea views.

Evening: Enjoy a private dinner of locally sourced seafood at the hotel's restaurant.

Day 7 (18 Sep): Art Island

Morning: Explore the iconic Chichu Art Museum and its integration with the landscape.

Afternoon: Wander the Benesse Art Site outdoor installations, including the striking Art House Project on Inujima.

Evening: Dine at the island’s tiny café offering regional cuisine and sake.

Day 8 (19 Sep): Naoshima & Return

Morning: Take a bike ride to Lee Ufan Museum for minimalist art.

Afternoon: Visit the Naoshima Bath House designed by Tadao Ando, an architectural masterpiece.

Evening: Ferry back to Osaka, then a night train to Tokyo.

Day 9 (20 Sep): Tokyo – Hidden Gems

Morning: Stroll through the quiet Higashiyama district and visit a traditional tea house.

Afternoon: Discover the secret garden of Harmonica Yokocho with local snacks.

Evening: Experience a dinner at a hidden shochu bar in Nakameguro.

Day 10 (21 Sep): Cultural Immersion

Morning: Explore the Meiji Shrine early before the crowds.

Afternoon: Wander the backstreets of Daikanyama for boutique art galleries.

Evening: Enjoy an intimate kaiseki dinner at a hidden ryokan in Shinagawa.

Day 11 (22 Sep): Departure to Beijing

Morning: Pack and enjoy a final brunch at Harmonica Yokocho.

Afternoon: Take a flight to Beijing.

Evening: Settle into a boutique hotel in the historic Hutong area.

Day 12 (23 Sep): Beijing Art & History

Morning: Explore the 798 Art District, a former factory turned contemporary art hub.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Wangfujing street market for street food.

Evening: Dine at a hidden speakeasy in Gulou serving modern Chinese cuisine.

Day 13 (24 Sep): Architecture & Culture

Morning: Walk through the historic Forbidden City, focusing on lesser‑known halls.

Afternoon: Explore the Temple of Heaven and its surrounding park.

Evening: Savor a traditional Peking duck dinner at a family‑run restaurant in Nanluoguxiang.

Day 14 (25 Sep): Modern Beijing

Morning: Visit the sleek CCTV Tower for a glimpse of modern architecture.

Afternoon: Explore the National Centre for the Performing Arts (the “Egg”).

Evening: Enjoy a cocktail at a rooftop bar overlooking the city.

Day 15 (26 Sep): Hong Kong Arrival

Morning: Arrive in Hong Kong and check into a boutique hotel in Sheung Wan.

Afternoon: Explore the creative hub of PMQ for local design and craft.

Evening: Dine at a hidden dim‑sum shop in Sham Shui Po with local flavors.

Day 16 (27 Sep): Art & Architecture

Morning: Visit the historic Man Mo Temple and its atmospheric architecture.

Afternoon: Wander the industrial Tai Kwun complex, now a vibrant art and heritage space.

Evening: Enjoy a rooftop dinner at Ozone, with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour.

Day 17 (28 Sep): Final Day & Return

Morning: Explore the eclectic street art of Shek Kip Mei and have a brunch of local pastries.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Causeway Bay for unique souvenirs.

Evening: Fly from Hong Kong International Airport back to Melbourne.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Shim Shim – 2 hrs – $15
• Shimokitazawa – 3 hrs – $20
• Omoide Yokocho – 2 hrs – $30
• Kagurazaka – 3 hrs – $20
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum – 2 hrs – $12
• Shinbashi Izakaya – 2 hrs – $35
• Tsukishima Monja Street – 2 hrs – $25
• Tokyo National Museum – 3 hrs – $10
• Ginza speakeasy – 2 hrs – $50
• National Art Center – 2 hrs – $12
• Todoroki Valley – 3 hrs – $0
• Daikanyama – 2 hrs – $40
• Koenji – 3 hrs – $15
• Ghibli Museum – 2 hrs – $15
• Koenji Junjo – 2 hrs – $30
• Benesse House (Naoshima) – 2 nights – $300
• Chichu Art Museum – 2 hrs – $20
• Benesse Art Site – 3 hrs – $15
• Inujima Art House – 2 hrs – $12
• Lee Ufan Museum – 2 hrs – $10
• Naoshima Bath House – 2 hrs – $15
• Higashiyama – 2 hrs – $10
• Harmonica Yokocho – 2 hrs – $25
• Nakameguro shochu bar – 2 hrs – $40
• Meiji Shrine – 2 hrs – $0
• Daikanyama galleries – 3 hrs – $15
• Ryakō dinner – 2 hrs – $80
• Hutong hotel – 3 nights – $250
• 798 Art District – 3 hrs – $10
• Wangfujing – 2 hrs – $15
• Gulou speakeasy – 2 hrs – $45
• Forbidden City – 3 hrs – $8
• Temple of Heaven – 2 hrs – $5
• Peking Duck dinner – 2 hrs – $60
• CCTV Tower – 1 hr – $5
• National Centre for the Performing Arts – 2 hrs – $10
• Rooftop cocktail – 2 hrs – $50
• PMQ – 2 hrs – $0
• Man Mo Temple – 1 hr – $0
• Tai Kwun – 3 hrs – $12
• Ozone rooftop – 2 hrs – $55
• Shek Kip Mei street art – 2 hrs – $0
• Causeway Bay – 2 hrs – $30
• Flight & Transport – – – $1,200

Total Estimated Cost: $4,850

Tips

If you wish to extend your trip, consider adding a day in Naoshima for a sunrise meditation at the Inujima Seaside Art House or a night‑time exhibition at Benesse House. To reduce the itinerary, you could skip the Tokyo nightlife day and combine the Beijing art district with the 798 visit, or replace the Hong Kong rooftop dinner with a street‑food dinner in Shek Kip Mei to cut costs and time.