Japan Foodie Tour

Karl & Nah Β· 15 days Β· eat everything
QF25 Β· 9 Apr SYDβ†’HND 10–24 April 2026 QF60 Β· 24 Apr HNDβ†’SYD
15
Days
7
Cities
5
Drive Days
650
KM
4
Markets
2
Kaiseki
4
Cool Trains

To-do before you fly

Book now (time-sensitive)
Car rental β€” 5 days Kawaguchiko β†’ Kanazawa + ETC card + CEP pass
teamLab Planets tickets (3-4pm slot, book 2-4 weeks ahead)
teamLab Borderless tickets (morning slot, book 1-2 weeks ahead)
Omakase sushi reservation (Day 3 lunch)
Kyoto kaiseki dinner (Day 9) β€” Giro Giro Hitoshina or Kikunoi Roan
SmartEX app — book Kanazawa→Osaka Thunderbird reserved seats
Admin (this week)
IDPs from NRMA (~$53 each, same-day in-store)
Travel insurance
eSIM β€” Ubigi, install before flight
Visit Japan Web β€” register + get QR code
Passports valid (Karl AU, Nah DE)
Before you fly
Google Maps offline for Japan
Google Translate β€” Japanese offline pack
Pack: walking shoes, layers, rain jacket, small towel
Pack: AU licences (physical) + IDPs
At Haneda
Suica IC card from airport machine
Activate eSIM
7-Bank ATM β€” Β₯50,000-100,000 cash
Your trip β€” tap to expand
東
Tokyo
3 nights Β· 10-12 Apr Β· Richmond Asakusa βœ“
Tsukiji Β· Omakase Β· Izakaya β–Ύ
Day 1 β€” Fri 10 Apr Β· Arrive
5:25a
Land Haneda T3 β€” QF25 from Sydney
6:15
Immigration, Suica card, eSIM, 7-Bank ATM
6:45
Keikyu line β†’ Asakusa (~30 min)
7:30
Konbini breakfast β€” first 7-Eleven onigiri + egg sandwich
8:00
Richmond Asakusa β€” drop bags (check-in 3pm)
8:30
Senso-ji temple β€” almost empty this early
11:00
Tsukiji Outer Market β€” sashimi, scallops, tamagoyaki, oysters Map
1:00p
Check in, shower, nap if needed
4:00
Nakamise Street snacks β€” melon pan, daifuku
6:30
Omoide Yokocho β€” yakitori, smoke, beers Map
8:30
Back to Asakusa. Crash β€” jet lag
Day 2 β€” Sat 11 Apr Β· Market to Market
7:00a
Senso-ji again (empty before 9am)
8:30
Asakusa west-side β€” beef tendon stew street
11:00
teamLab Planets (Toyosu) β€” 1.5-2 hrs
1:00p
Lunch β€” seafood bowl near Toyosu
4:30
Shibuya Sky β€” sunset views
6:30
Yurakucho under-the-tracks β€” izakaya under train tracks Map
"Yurakucho β€” yakitori smoke, clinking glasses, trains rumbling overhead." β€” r/JapanTravel
Day 3 β€” Sun 12 Apr Β· Omakase + Pack
9:00a
Meiji Shrine + Harajuku
12:00
OMAKASE SUSHI β€” Sushi Arakawa (Β₯3,500) or Issekisancho (Β₯8,800). Book ahead
2:00p
teamLab Borderless β€” 2-3 hrs
5:00
Isetan depachika β€” discounts from 6pm Map
6:30
Send bags to Osaka via Takkyubin (~Β₯2,000/bag)
8:00
Golden Gai β€” tiny bars, snack hop Map
βœ“ Richmond Premier Asakusa β€” BOOKED Β· $1,071 AUD
富
Kawaguchiko
1 night Β· 13 Apr Β· Kawaguchiko Hotel βœ“
Hoto Β· Kaiseki β–Ύ
Day 4 β€” Mon 13 Apr Β· Start driving πŸš—
8:00a
Check out Richmond Asakusa
8:30
πŸš‚ FUJI EXCURSION limited express (Shinjuku β†’ Kawaguchiko direct, ~2 hrs). Panoramic windows, Mt Fuji views as you approach. Way cooler than regular JR Chuo line β€” same price tier, no transfer at Otsuki
10:30
Pick up rental car at Kawaguchiko station depot
"Don't start driving in Tokyo. Take the train and pick up a car where there's less traffic." β€” r/JapanTravel (Japanese local, 30 yrs driving)
"There is an excursion train to the Five Lakes Area β€” direct, scenic, and no transfer needed." β€” r/JapanTravel
11:30
Hoto Fudo (Higashikoiji branch) β€” thick noodles in miso w/ pumpkin Map
1:00p
Lake north shore β€” Fuji views
3:00
Check in ryokan β€” change into yukata
4:00
Chureito Pagoda β€” Fuji shot, late afternoon light
5:30
Private onsen β€” soak overlooking Fuji at sunset
6:30
KAISEKI DINNER β€” 6-15 courses at ryokan. Don't snack after hoto
βœ“ Kawaguchiko Hotel β€” BOOKED Β· $365.68 AUD
πŸš„ Train: Asakusa β†’ Otsuki/Kawaguchiko, ~2 hrs Β· πŸš— Pick up car at station, avoid Tokyo driving
θ•Ž
Matsumoto
1 night Β· 14 Apr Β· Dormy Inn Β· $200 AUD BOOKED
Soba Β· Free Ramen β–Ύ
Day 5 β€” Tue 14 Apr πŸš—
9:00a
Check out ryokan. Drive south (~2.5 hrs)
10:00
Michi-no-Eki β€” roadside station. Fresh mochi, skewers, regional snacks
11:00
Takato Castle Ruins β€” mountain views (car-only)
12:30
SOBA β€” Nomugi (owner teaches technique) or Kobayashi (est. 1889) Map
2:00p
Matsumoto Castle β€” black Crow Castle
3:30
Check in Dormy Inn
7:00
Dinner β€” oyaki dumplings or local izakaya
9:30
FREE RAMEN at Dormy Inn 🍜
βœ“ Dormy Inn Matsumoto β€” BOOKED Β· $200 AUD Β· Booking ID 1998552280 Β· Free onsen + 9:30pm ramen
πŸš— Kawaguchiko β†’ Matsumoto, ~2.5 hrs
ι£›
Takayama
1 night Β· 15 Apr Β· Oyado Koto no Yume Β· Β₯71,280 BOOKED
Hida Beef Β· Sake β–Ύ
Day 6 β€” Wed 15 Apr Β· Alps drive πŸš—
8:30a
Check out. Drive Route 158 through Alps
9:30
Narai-juku β€” Edo-era post town, almost no tourists
11:00
Lunch at Narai-juku soba shops
12:00
Route 158 β€” THE drive. Tunnels, dams, alpine scenery
3:30
Arrive Takayama. Check in Oyado Koto no Yume
4:30
HIDA BEEF SUSHI β€” seared wagyu from street vendors Map
5:30
Sake brewery crawl β€” sugidama = fresh sake
7:00
Kaiseki at ryokan or grilled Hida beef dinner
"Hida beef β€” same quality as Kobe but cheaper and less touristy. Worth the hype." β€” r/JapanTravel
βœ“ Oyado Koto no Yume β€” BOOKED Β· Β₯71,280 Β· Japanican Booking ID 6195323133 Β· Kaiseki dinner + breakfast plan
πŸš— Matsumoto β†’ Takayama, ~2.5 hrs via Route 158
魚
Kanazawa
1 night Β· 16 Apr Β· Onyado Nono Β· $218 AUD BOOKED
THE Sashimi Stop β–Ύ
Day 7 β€” Thu 16 Apr Β· Last drive πŸš—
7:00a
Miyagawa Morning Market β€” dango, beef nigiri, pickles
8:30
Sanmachi Suji old town, brewery district
9:30
Check out. Drive to Shirakawa-go (~50 min)
10:30
Shirakawa-go β€” UNESCO village. Arrive before tour buses
12:00
Lunch at village restaurants
1:00p
Drive to Kanazawa (~1 hr). Drop off car β€” driving done!
3:00
Check in Onyado Nono Kanazawa
6:00
OMICHO MARKET β€” kaisendon w/ 15 varieties. Mori Mori Sushi. Reddit rates ABOVE Tokyo Map
"Omicho Market β€” 15 varieties of sashimi. Reddit consistently rates Kanazawa above Tokyo for seafood." β€” r/JapanTravel
"Make sure the rental has an ETC toll card β€” many exits are ETC only now. Google Maps will take you on narrow roads β€” the car's built-in nav avoids them." β€” r/JapanTravel (Japanese local)
βœ“ Onyado Nono Kanazawa β€” BOOKED Β· $218 AUD Β· Booking ID 1998560448 Β· Natural onsen + free ramen Β· 2 min to Omicho
πŸš— Takayama β†’ Shirakawa-go β†’ Kanazawa, ~2.5 hrs. Drop car. One-way rental: pickup Kawaguchiko β†’ drop Kanazawa (5 days)
倧
Osaka
5 nights Β· 17-21 Apr Β· Swissotel Nankai Β· $2,428 AUD BOOKED
Dotonbori Β· Kuromon Β· Nishiki β–Ύ
Day 8 β€” Fri 17 Apr Β· Kanazawa β†’ Osaka
7:30a
Omicho Market round 2 β€” breakfast sashimi. Crab legs, uni. Yes, go back
9:00
Kenroku-en Garden β€” top 3 in Japan
10:30
Higashi Chaya geisha district
12:00
Check out. Grab Kanazawa ekiben at station
12:30
Train to Osaka (~3 hrs via Tsuruga). Eat ekiben
3:30p
Check in Swissotel Nankai β€” on top of Namba Station. Takkyubin bags from Day 3 here
6:00
DOTONBORI β€” first night, dive in. Takoyaki Wanaka, kushikatsu, gyoza Map
Day 9 β€” Sat 18 Apr Β· Kyoto Day Trip #1
6:00a
Train to Kyoto (30 min from Namba)
6:30
Fushimi Inari β€” red torii gates at sunrise Map
9:30
NISHIKI MARKET β€” 400-yr-old covered market. Seafood, oysters, octopus, tofu, matcha mochi Map
11:30
Kiyomizu-dera β†’ Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka streets
1:00p
Kyoto ramen β€” kotteri broth. Sen No Kaze or Toritani
3:00
Matcha everything β€” lattes, ice cream, soba
6:00
Option A: Pontocho riverside dinner before heading back
Option B: Train back, Dotonbori round 2
Day 10 β€” Sun 19 Apr Β· Kyoto Day Trip #2
8:00a
Train to Kyoto (30 min)
8:30
Arashiyama β€” bamboo grove + Tenryu-ji (early) Map
10:00
πŸš‚ SAGANO SCENIC RAILWAY β€” open-sided trolley through the Hozugawa river gorge. Stunning mountain scenery, wind in your face. ~25 min ride
10:30
πŸ›Ά HOZUGAWA RIVER BOAT β€” drift back downstream through the gorge you just trained through. ~2 hrs, light rapids, incredible views. Drops you back in Arashiyama
"Sagano Romantic Train + Hozugawa River boat ride β€” do the trolley one way, boat the other." β€” r/JapanTravel (multiple recommendations)
12:30
Tofu restaurant in Arashiyama β€” yudofu with garden views
2:00p
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
3:30
Wagashi β€” seasonal sweets with matcha at a tea house
5:00
Optional: Uji side trip (30 min) β€” matcha farms
7:00
Back in Osaka β€” Shinsekai for kushikatsu + beers Map
Day 11 β€” Mon 20 Apr Β· Nara + Kuromon
8:30a
πŸš‚ AONIYOSHI sightseeing train (Osaka β†’ Nara, ~40 min). Retro-luxury interior, deep purple/gold livery, panoramic lounge seats. Minimal extra cost on Kintetsu line. Book at station
"Consider the Aoniyoshi train to get to Nara β€” a unique and elevated experience for not much extra cost. The train rides don't have to just be 'travel from A to B' β€” they can be part of the experience!" β€” r/JapanTravel
9:30
Nara deer park + Todai-ji Buddha
11:30
Kakinoha sushi + mochi at Nakatanidou
1:00p
Train back to Osaka
2:00
KUROMON MARKET β€” sashimi, crab legs, oysters, uni, grilled squid Map
5:00
Nakazakicho β€” hipster Osaka, tiny cafes
8:00
Optional: teamLab Botanical Garden (night)
Day 12 β€” Tue 21 Apr Β· Osaka Deep Day
9:00a
Revisit Kuromon or Dotonbori β€” things you missed
12:00
Budget omakase in Osaka β€” cheaper than Tokyo
2:00p
Shinsaibashi arcade / Amerikamura shopping
4:00
Hanshin Umeda depachika β€” locals' favourite food basement
7:00
Last Osaka night β€” Tenma izakaya hop (Reddit's local pick for non-touristy Osaka)
"Osaka calls itself 'Japan's Kitchen' β€” kuidaore = eat until you drop." β€” r/JapanTravel
"Kuromon Market β€” look for stalls with locals eating, skip the flashiest tourist ones." β€” r/JapanTravel
βœ“ Swissotel Nankai Osaka β€” BOOKED Β· $2,428 AUD Β· Booking ID 1998590922 Β· 5-star Β· On top of Namba Station
πŸš„ Kanazawa β†’ Osaka ~3 hrs Β· Kyoto day trip 30 min each way
εΈ°
Tokyo (return)
2 nights Β· 22-23 Apr Β· Royal Park Canvas Ginza 8 Β· $823 AUD BOOKED
Final Sushi Β· Depachika β–Ύ
Day 13 β€” Wed 22 Apr Β· Osaka β†’ Tokyo
9:00a
Last Osaka food run
11:00
Check out. Grab an ekiben (station bento) at Daimaru Umeda β€” Osaka's are packed with local specialties
12:00
πŸš‚ SHINKANSEN to Tokyo (~2.5 hrs at 300km/h). Sit RIGHT SIDE (seats A/B) for Mt Fuji views. Eat ekiben while Japan blurs past
"Check out some ekiben at the station! Sit right side for Fuji." β€” r/JapanTravel
3:00p
Check in Royal Park Canvas Ginza Corridor
6:00
Ginza sushi splurge or depachika discount after 6pm
Day 14 β€” Thu 23 Apr Β· Free Day
flex
Toyosu Market tuna auction (5:30am) + breakfast sushi
flex
Nemuro Hanamaru conveyor sushi, Tokyo Station
flex
Nakiryu β€” Michelin-starred ramen
flex
Kappabashi β€” kitchen knives (near Asakusa)
flex
Kamakura day trip β€” Buddha + shirasu bowls
Day 15 β€” Fri 24 Apr Β· Fly Home
9:00a
Last konbini β€” Kit-Kats, matcha sweets for home
12:30
Final omakase β€” go out on a high note
4:00p
Check out. Head to Haneda
6:00
Haneda airport food β€” don't rush
10:00p
QF 60 HND β†’ SYD 8:55am 25 Apr
βœ“ Royal Park Canvas - Ginza 8 β€” BOOKED Β· $823 AUD Β· Booking ID 1998595041 Β· Non-smoking Standard Twin Β· Near Yurakucho izakayas

Hotels β€” 7 of 7 booked

Tokyo (arrive)3n Β· 10-12 Apr Β· Richmond Asakusaβœ“ BOOKED$1,071
Kawaguchiko1n Β· 13 Apr Β· Kawaguchiko Hotelβœ“ BOOKED$366
Matsumoto1n Β· 14 Apr Β· Dormy Innβœ“ BOOKED$200
Takayama1n Β· 15 Apr Β· Oyado Koto no Yumeβœ“ BOOKEDΒ₯71,280
Kanazawa1n Β· 16 Apr Β· Onyado Nonoβœ“ BOOKED$218
Osaka5n Β· 17-21 Apr Β· Swissotel Nankaiβœ“ BOOKED$2,428
Tokyo (return)2n Β· 22-23 Apr Β· Royal Park Canvas Ginza 8βœ“ BOOKED$823

Cost split

Accom$70/night Γ— 14 nights$980
Food$30/day Γ— 15 days$450
CarFlat contribution$100
TrainsFlat contribution$80
Nah totalKarl books everything, both guilt-free$1,610 AUD