Japan Trip 2026
🇯🇵 Japan Trip 2026
✈️ Trip Overview
Nov 24 – Dec 9 (16 days)
Melbourne → Osaka (Nov 24–30, Kyoto day trips) → Tokyo (Dec 1–9) → Melbourne
Budget: ~$2,713 + accommodation · Flights: Cathay Pacific · Accommodation: Airbnb
✈️ Flights — Cathay Pacific
💰 Total: ~$1,251 AUD per person × 5 adults = ~$6,255 AUD
Outbound: Melbourne → Osaka (Tue 24 Nov)
| Leg | Flight | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CX134 | MEL → HKG | 8:40 AM | 2:55 PM | 9h 15m |
| Layover | — | HKG | — | — | 1h 45m |
| 2 | CX502 | HKG → KIX | 4:40 PM | 9:05 PM | 3h 25m |
Total journey: 14h 25m · 1 stop (HKG) · Meals, IFE, Wi-Fi, power
Return: Tokyo → Melbourne (Wed 9 Dec → Thu 10 Dec)
| Leg | Flight | Route | Depart | Arrive | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CX549 | HND → HKG | 4:00 PM | 8:15 PM | 5h 15m |
| Layover | — | HKG | — | — | 4h 15m |
| 2 | CX105 | HKG → MEL | 12:30 AM (+1) | 12:30 PM | 9h 0m |
Total journey: 18h 30m · 1 stop (HKG, long layover) · Meals, IFE, Wi-Fi, power
🏠 Accommodation
| City | Area | Dates | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Osaka | Namba/Dotonbori | Nov 24–30 | Planning/Accommodation – Osaka |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | Shinjuku | Nov 30–Dec 9 | Planning/Accommodation – Tokyo |
🚃 Transport Passes
| Pass | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 🎟️ Osaka Amazing Pass (2-day) | $45 | Museums, castles, cruises, metro |
| 🚄 Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka → Tokyo) | ~$120 | Individual ticket |
| ♨️ Hakone Free Pass | $65 | All Hakone transport from Shinjuku |
| 💳 IC Card (Suica/ICOCA) | Top up | Trains, buses, konbini |
📅 Day-by-Day
🏯 Osaka (Nov 24–30 — includes Kyoto day trips)
| Day | Date | Highlights | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 24 | ✈️ Arrive KIX 9:05 PM, settle in | ~$15 |
| 2 | Nov 25 | 🏯 Osaka Amazing Pass — Castle, Museum, Cruise | ~$45 |
| 3 | Nov 26 | 🎢 Osaka Amazing Pass — Tsutenkaku, Tempozan, Santa Maria | ~$0 |
| 4 | Nov 27 | ⛩️ Kyoto — Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Gion | ~$19 |
| 5 | Nov 28 | 🎋 Kyoto — Arashiyama, Monkey Park, Philosopher's Path | ~$24 |
| 6 | Nov 29 | 🎢 Universal Studios Japan (Express Pass) | ~$535–549 |
| 7 | Nov 30 | 🚄 Shinkansen to Tokyo, check in Shinjuku | ~$120 |
🗼 Tokyo (Dec 1–9)
| Day | Date | Highlights | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Dec 1 | 🌆 Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Sky | ~$18 |
| 9 | Dec 2 | 🎨 Tsukiji, teamLab Planets, Asakusa | ~$38 |
| 10 | Dec 3 | 🏰 DisneySea | ~$75–100 |
| 11 | Dec 4 | 🎮 Akihabara, Imperial Palace, Golden Gai | ~$0 |
| 12 | Dec 5 | ♨️ Hakone day trip — onsen, Mt. Fuji views | ~$65 |
| 13 | Dec 6 | 🤖 Shinjuku Gyoen, Shimokitazawa, Robot Restaurant | ~$65 |
| 14 | Dec 7 | 🍃 Nakameguro, Daikanyama, farewell dinner | ~$0 |
| 15 | Dec 8 | 🛍️ Last shopping, pack | ~$0 |
| 16 | Dec 9 | ✈️ Depart HND 4:00 PM → MEL 12:30 PM (+1) | ~$0 |
💰 Budget Summary
See Planning/Budget for full breakdown.