Sydney → Tokyo & Kansai Adventure: 27 Nov – 7 Dec 2025

Day 1: Arrival & Shibuya Nightlife

Morning: Depart Sydney on an overnight flight and arrive at Narita/Haneda Airport. Transfer to your hotel in central Tokyo and settle in.

Afternoon: Take a relaxed walk around the Meiji Jingu Gaien to stretch your legs and enjoy the early‑season atmosphere.

Evening: Dive into the neon buzz of Miyashita Park – Shibuya, where rooftop gardens, shops and a lively food court set the tone for the trip.

Day 2: Ginkgo Avenue & Harajuku

Morning: Stroll down the famous Ginkgo Avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien, where golden leaves begin to turn.

Afternoon: Explore Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, then return to Miyashita Park for a quick lunch and rooftop views.

Evening: Enjoy a casual dinner in Shibuya and watch the famous scramble crossing illuminated at night.

Day 3: Kamakura Day Trip

Morning: Take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura and visit the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) and Hachimangu Shrine.

Afternoon: Wander the historic streets, sample local sweets, and relax at a seaside café.

Evening: Return to Tokyo; optional night walk in Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho for street‑food bites.

Day 4: Mount Fuji Lakes Tour

Morning: Depart early for the Mount Fuji Lakes Tour, stopping at Lake Kawaguchi for stunning views.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Chureito Pagoda and continue to the serene Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba Village.

Evening: Check into a ryokan near the Fuji area and soak in an onsen under the stars.

Day 5: Eastern Tokyo Parks & Temples

Morning: Travel to Mizumoto Park – Katsushika for a leisurely walk among ponds and cherry‑blossom trees.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Ichikawa Ekoin Temple, then head back toward central Tokyo.

Evening: Return to your Tokyo base; enjoy a river‑front dinner in the Odaiba area.

Day 6: Nikko Heritage

Morning: Take a limited‑express train to Nikko and explore the lavish Toshogu Shrine.

Afternoon: Walk the forested paths to Rurikoin and the nearby waterfalls.

Evening: Return to Tokyo; unwind with a late‑night onsen experience at an Odaiba spa.

Morning: Shinkansen ride to Kyoto; check in and drop luggage.

Afternoon: Visit the tranquil Heirin‑ji Temple in the western outskirts, known for its bamboo garden.

Evening: Stroll through Gion’s historic streets and perhaps spot a geisha.

Day 8: Kyoto Temples & Fushimi Inari

Morning: Arrive at Fushimi Inari for the famed 6 am sunrise hike through endless torii gates.

Afternoon: Tour Kinkaku‑ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) then head to Kiyomizu‑dera for panoramic city views.

Evening: Visit Nishi Hongan‑ji Temple and enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner near Pontocho.

Day 9: Northern Kyoto – Arashiyama & Kurama

Morning: Ride the Sagano Romantic Train to the scenic Arashiyama district.

Afternoon: Explore Eikando Temple and Tofukuji Temple, then take the Eizan Railway up to Kurama Dera and Kifune Shrine.

Evening: Hike to Mount Kurama for sunset, then unwind at Yusae‑tei tea house.

Day 10: Nara, Uji & Osaka

Morning: Quick train to Yoshinoyama, Nara for a scenic rope‑way ride and forest walk.

Afternoon: Head to Uji for authentic Matcha tasting and visit the exquisite Byodoin Temple. Continue to Osaka and explore Osaka Castle Museum.

Evening: Wander the retro streets of Nakazakicho and dine in a local izakaya.

Day 11: Koyasan, Kyushu & Departure

Morning: Early train to Koyasan and visit the solemn Okuno‑in Temple and cemetery.

Afternoon: Fly from Kansai Airport to Fukuoka (Kyushu) for a brief city tour, including Choen‑ji Temple and a stroll along the Kappa Bridge.

Evening: Return to Osaka, collect luggage, and catch the overnight flight back to Sydney.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Mount Fuji Lakes Tour – 5 hrs – ¥4,500 (tour fee)
• Ginkgo Avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien – 1 hr – Free
• Kamakura (Daibutsu & Hachimangu) – 4 hrs – ¥300 (transport)
• Miyashita Park – Shibuya – 2 hrs – Free
• Mizumoto Park – Katsushika – 2 hrs – Free
• Ichikawa Ekoin Temple – 1 hr – ¥200
• Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba Village – 3 hrs – ¥1,000
• Nikko (Toshogu & Rurikoin) – 6 hrs – ¥2,600 (entry + transport)
• Heirin‑ji Temple – 1.5 hrs – ¥300
• Kawaguchiko – 2 hrs – Free (transport included above)
• Kyushu (Fukuoka city tour) – 4 hrs – ¥2,000 (flight + transport)
• Chureito Pagoda – 1 hr – Free
• Eizan Railway – 2 hrs – ¥620
• Eikando Temple – 1 hr – ¥500
• Tofukuji Temple – 1 hr – ¥400
• Rurikoin – 1 hr – ¥300
• Yoshinoyama, Nara – 3 hrs – ¥800 (rope‑way)
• Uji – Matcha & Byodoin Temple – 2 hrs – ¥600
• Kurama Dera & Mount Kurama – 3 hrs – ¥500
• Kifune Shrine – 1 hr – Free
• Yusae‑tei Tea House – 1 hr – ¥1,200
• Kinkaku‑ji Temple – 1 hr – ¥400
• Kiyomizu‑dera – 1.5 hrs – ¥400
• Nishi Hongan‑ji Temple – 1 hr – Free
• Sagano Romantic Train – 2 hrs – ¥620
• Osaka Castle Museum – 2 hrs – ¥600
• Koyasan – Okuno‑in Temple – 3 hrs – ¥1,200
• Nakazakicho – 2 hrs – Free
• Choen‑ji Temple – 1 hr – Free
• Kappa Bridge – 30 min – Free
• Kamikochi (Nagano) – 4 hrs – ¥2,500 (transport + entry)
• Total Estimated Cost: ¥27,546

Tips

To extend the trip, add a full day in the Fuji‑Kamakochi region for hiking and an extra night in Kyoto to explore the Philosopher’s Path and nearby tea houses. If you need to shorten the itinerary, combine Day 9 and Day 10 by skipping the Kamakura side‑trip and focusing only on Kyoto’s northern temples and Nara, then fly out directly from Osaka, omitting the Kyushu stop.