15‑Day East Asia Adventure: Melbourne → Taiwan & Japan (Oct 20 – Nov 3, 2025)

Day 1: Melbourne → Taipei

Morning: Depart Melbourne on an overnight flight, enjoy in‑flight meals and relax before arrival. Afternoon: Arrive at Taoyuan International Airport, transfer to a central hotel and freshen up. Evening: Stroll through Shilin Night Market, sampling local street food like stinky tofu and bubble tea.

Day 2: Taipei Exploration

Morning: Visit the iconic Taipei 101 observatory for panoramic city views; explore the nearby Elephant Mountain trail for a scenic hike. Afternoon: Discover Taiwan’s heritage at the National Palace Museum, home to priceless Chinese artifacts. Evening: Dine in Dadaocheng while strolling the historic Dihua Street lantern market.

Day 3: Taipei → Osaka

Morning: Early flight to Osaka; check in at a hotel near Namba and drop off luggage. Afternoon: Explore Dotonbori and its neon signage, tasting takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Evening: Visit Osaka Castle for a sunset view of its moat and the surrounding park.

Day 4: Osaka Highlights

Morning: Wander the historic Shitenno-ji Temple, Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple. Afternoon: Shop in the bustling Shinsaibashi shopping arcade, discovering local fashion.

Evening:

Day 5: Day‑Trip to Tottori

Morning: Take a fast train to Tottori (2 h), arriving at the famous Tottori Sand Dunes for a desert‑like walk. Afternoon: Try sandboarding or explore the Sand Museum for artistic sand sculptures. Evening: Return to Osaka for a relaxed dinner at Namba and a stroll along the canal.

Day 6: Osaka → Sapporo → Furano

Morning: Fly to Sapporo, then take a scenic train ride to Furano. Afternoon: Check in to a countryside inn and visit Farm Tomita for stunning autumn foliage and early‑season flowers. Evening: Enjoy a traditional Hokkaido hot‑pot dinner, tasting fresh local seafood.

Day 7: Furano Exploration

Morning: Bike through the rolling hills of Furano’s countryside, stopping at panoramic viewpoints. Afternoon: Explore the charming town of Biei, known for its patchwork fields and the famed Blue Pond. Evening: Return to the inn, soaking in an onsen (hot spring) with views of the snow‑capped mountains.

Day 8: Furano → Sapporo

Morning: Travel back to Sapporo; check in to a city‑center hotel. Afternoon: Tour the historic Sapporo Clock Tower and wander the Odori Park garden. Evening: Dine in Susukino district, sampling fresh crab and Hokkaido cheese.

Day 9: Sapporo – Otaru Day Trip

Morning: Take a short train ride to Otaru and walk the romantic Otaru Canal with its historic warehouses. Afternoon: Visit the Otaru Music Box Museum and sample the region’s famous fresh sushi. Evening: Return to Sapporo for an evening stroll in the illuminated Sapporo TV Tower area.

Day 10: Sapporo → Tokyo

Morning: Fly to Tokyo; check in to a Shinjuku hotel. Afternoon: Explore the bustling Shibuya Crossing and the vibrant Harajuku streets. Evening: Enjoy a rooftop dinner overlooking the city from the Tokyo Skytree observation deck.

Day 11: Tokyo Cultural Day

Morning: Visit Meiji Shrine and its peaceful forested grounds. Afternoon: Wander the historic Asakusa district, visiting the Senso‑ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. Evening: Experience the neon‑lit Akihabara district, exploring electronics and anime shops.

Day 12: Day‑Trip to Nikko

Morning: Travel to Nikko (2 h) and explore the ornate Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afternoon: Hike the scenic Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji for beautiful autumn colors. Evening: Return to Tokyo, relaxing in a local izakaya for dinner.

Day 13: Tokyo Free Day

Morning: Choose optional activities: shopping in Ginza, museum visit at Team Lab Borderless, or a river cruise on the Sumida River. Afternoon: Explore the upscale district of Roppongi and its Mori Art Museum. Evening: Enjoy a final dinner in Roppongi Hills with skyline views.

Day 14: Tokyo → Melbourne

Morning: Pack and check‑out of the hotel, making a quick stop at the Tokyo National Museum for any last‑minute cultural immersion. Afternoon: Transfer to Narita International Airport for the departure flight. Evening: In‑flight rest and reflection on the adventure.

Day 15: Arrival in Melbourne

Morning: Arrive at Melbourne Airport, completed the 15‑day journey. Afternoon: Clear customs, then head home or to a local rest area. Evening: Unpack and share memories with family and friends.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Shilin Night Market – 2 hrs – A$15
• Taipei 101 – 1.5 hrs – A$25
• National Palace Museum – 2 hrs – A$20
• Dotonbori – 2 hrs – A$10
• Osaka Castle – 2 hrs – A$15
• Shitenno‑ji Temple – 1 hr – A$5
• Umeda Sky Building – 1.5 hrs – A$12
• Tottori Sand Dunes – 3 hrs – A$30
• Farm Tomita – 2 hrs – A$10
• Blue Pond (Biei) – 1.5 hrs – A$8
• Sapporo Clock Tower – 1 hr – A$5
• Odori Park – 1 hr – A$0
• Otaru Canal – 2 hrs – A$0
• Tokyo Skytree – 2 hrs – A$30
• Meiji Shrine – 1 hr – A$0
• Asakusa / Senso‑ji – 2 hrs – A$0
• Akihabara – 2 hrs – A$0
• Toshogu Shrine (Nikko) – 2 hrs – A$20
• Kegon Falls – 2 hrs – A$15
• Tokyo National Museum – 2 hrs – A$12
• Flight: Melbourne–Taipei (Round‑Trip) – 12 hrs – A$1,200
• Flight: Taipei–Osaka (Round‑Trip) – 6 hrs – A$250
• Flight: Osaka–Sapporo (Round‑Trip) – 4 hrs – A$180
• Flight: Sapporo–Tokyo (Round‑Trip) – 2 hrs – A$150
• Accommodation (14 nights) – – A$2,100
• Food & Misc. – – A$900
• Total Estimated Cost: A$5,250

Tips

To extend the trip, add a day in Kyoto from Osaka for its historic temples and the famous bamboo forest, or spend extra time in Hokkaido to explore the hot springs of Noboribetsu. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Osaka and Tottori in a single day and omit the Tokyo‑Nikko day, reducing travel time while still enjoying the main highlights.