✦   H O N E Y M O O N   ✦

Josh & Shelby
in Japan

April 12 – 30, 2026  ·  Tokyo · Kyoto · Yufuin · Okinawa

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18 Days
4 Cities
4 Hotels
Memories
Scroll

18 Days Across Japan

Apr 12

Overnight flight

🛫 Departure

AUS → LAX → HND

Apr 29–30

Homeward bound

🏠 Home

1 night HND · then AUS

Start
Tokyo
Kyoto
Yufuin
Okinawa
Home
🚆 Keikyu · ~35min
🚄 Nozomi · 2h 15m
🚄 Nozomi → Hakata · 2h 20m
🌲 Yufuin no Mori · 2h 10m
🚌 Bus → FUK · 100min
🛫 Peach/ANA · 1h 40m
🛫 OKA → HND · ~2h 30m
🛫 HND → AUS

Apr 12

🛫 Departure

AUS → LAX → HND · Overnight flight

🚆  Keikyu Line · Haneda → Shinagawa · ~35min
🚄  Nozomi Shinkansen · ~2h 15min
🚄  Nozomi Shinkansen · Kyoto → Hakata · ~2h 20min
🌲  Yufuin no Mori · Hakata → Yufuin · ~2h 10min
🚌  Highway bus · Yufuin → Fukuoka Airport · ~100min
🛫  Peach/ANA · FUK → OKA · ~1h 40min
🛫  OKA → HND · return home

Apr 29–30

🏠 Home

1 night HND · then AUS

The Full Picture

🛫 Round-trip International Flights (2 tickets)

AUS → LAX → HND  ·  OKA → HND → DTW → AUS

$2,240 ✓ PAID
🚆 Keikyu Line Round Trip x2

Haneda ↔ Shinagawa · both ends of trip

~$67 ~ EST
🚄 Tokyo → Kyoto Shinkansen x2

Nozomi · Apr 17 · ~2h 15min

~$184 ~ EST
🚄 Kyoto → Hakata Shinkansen x2

Nozomi/Sakura · Apr 22 · ~2h 20min

~$254 ~ EST
🌲 Yufuin no Mori x2

Hakata → Yufuin · Apr 22 · ~2h 10min · Book Mar 22 at 10AM JST!

~$76 ~ EST
🚌 Yufuin → Fukuoka Airport bus x2

Direct highway bus · Apr 24 · ~100 min

~$47 ~ EST
🛫 Fukuoka → Okinawa x2

FUK → OKA · Apr 24 · ~1h 40min · Peach/ANA

~$200 ~ EST
🚗 Naha Airport → Halekulani

Private car · Apr 24 · ~60 min · Onna Village

~$100 ~ EST
🏨 Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaen, Tokyo

4 nights · Apr 13–17

$979 ✓ PAID
🏨 The General Kyoto

5 nights · Apr 17–22 · Breakfast included

$969 ✓ PAID
♨️ Ikkoten Ryokan, Yufuin

2 nights · Apr 22–24 · All meals included

~$1,333 ON ARRIVAL
🏨 Halekulani Okinawa

5 nights · Apr 24–29 · Ocean Front King

$3,128 ✓ PAID
🏨 HND Layover Hotel, Tokyo

1 night · Apr 29 · Near Haneda Airport

~$150 ~ EST
🛏 Nishikawa Custom Pillow Workshop

Daimaru Shinsaibashi · Osaka day trip from Kyoto · Reservation recommended

~$250 ~ EST

Confirmed & Paid

$7,316

Flights + 3 hotels locked in

Total Committed

~$8,649

Including Ikkoten pay-on-arrival

Transit & Experiences

~$1,178

All transit legs + Nishikawa workshop · book ahead

Full Trip Estimate

~$12,600

Includes ~$2,500 food, activities & spending money

🗼
April 13 – 17  ·  4 Nights

Tokyo

The electric city — neon, temples, and endless discovery

Your Hotel

Mitsui Garden Hotel
Jingugaen Tokyo Premier

🛏 Standard Queen with Balcony
No meals included
📍 11-3 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku
🔖 Booking #1658109324377674
📄 View Confirmation (Trip.com)

Activity Menu — Pick what feels right

🌅 Early Morning 2 ideas
⛩️

Senso-ji Temple

Arrive before 9 AM to walk the ancient grounds in peace. Nakamise-dori for snacks after.

🐟

Tsukiji Outer Market

Best breakfast in Tokyo — fresh uni, tuna on a stick, tamagoyaki. Go hungry.

☀️ Daytime 5 ideas
🎨

TeamLab Planets

Immersive digital art — borderless and beautiful. Book ahead, sells out fast.

🎭

TeamLab Borderless

The larger, more expansive TeamLab experience. Pick one of the two — both are extraordinary.

🌿

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Peaceful forested walk to a stunning Shinto shrine. Leads naturally into Harajuku after.

🛍️

Harajuku & Omotesando

Takeshita St for quirky culture, Omotesando for beautiful architecture and boutiques.

🌸

Ginza & Imperial Gardens

Upscale boulevard and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace — free entry.

🌆 Sunset & Evening 3 ideas
🔭

Shibuya Sky Observatory

Best 360° rooftop view in Tokyo. Pre-book fast-track tickets — sells out especially at sunset.

🗼

Tokyo Skytree

Iconic tower, 350m up. Stunning at dusk. Pre-book to skip the line.

🍻

Shinjuku Nightlife

Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) for yakitori smoke and sake, or Golden Gai for tiny intimate bars with personality.

🌙 Any Time 2 ideas
🎮

Akihabara

Electric town — anime, gaming, tech culture. Fun even if it's not your usual scene.

🌉

Odaiba & Rainbow Bridge

Tokyo Bay views, futuristic architecture, waterfront dining. Great for a relaxed afternoon.

✦  Tokyo Fun Facts

🚇 World's busiest rail networkTokyo's metro carries 8.7 million passengers every single day — more than the entire population of Switzerland. It runs on-time to the second.
Michelin star capitalTokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city on Earth — more than Paris, New York, and London combined. Even the ramen shops are legendary.
🏙️ 37 million peopleGreater Tokyo is the largest urban area in the world. Yet it's somehow spotlessly clean, nearly silent at night, and has virtually no litter.
🌸 Cherry blossom seasonThe Japanese Meteorological Corporation issues an annual "sakura forecast" — an official, nationally anticipated announcement each year. April is peak season for you.
🏪 Convenience store paradiseJapan's konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) are genuinely world-class. Fresh onigiri, hot food, ATMs, and somehow better coffee than most cafés.
⛩ Tokyo → Kyoto  ·  Shinkansen ~2h 15min ⛩
⛩️
April 17 – 22  ·  5 Nights

Kyoto

Ancient temples, lantern-lit alleys, and the soul of Japan

Your Hotel

The General Kyoto
Bukkouji Shinmachi

🛏 Superior King Room
🍳 Breakfast included daily
📍 Shimogyo-ku, Funeboko-cho 385
🔖 Conf. #5621.352.569 · PIN 9098
📄 View Confirmation (Booking.com)

Activity Menu — Pick what feels right

🌅 Early Morning 2 ideas
⛩️

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Go before 8 AM — thousands of torii gates in near silence. Full hike ~3 hours, or turn back whenever the mood takes you.

🎋

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arrive at sunrise for otherworldly light filtering through the bamboo. Follow the path to Okochi Sanso Villa garden.

☀️ Daytime 6 ideas
🥢

Nishiki Market

The "Kitchen of Kyoto" — five-block covered market, perfect for lunch and grazing on snacks.

🌿

Arashiyama: Tenryu-ji & Monkey Park

UNESCO garden with mountain reflections, plus macaques with panoramic Kyoto views above. A fantastic combo day.

🚶

Philosopher's Path + Nanzen-ji

2km canal walk → Zen temple with a brick Roman aqueduct. Climb the Sanmon gate for views over the city.

🏯

Higashiyama: Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka

Best-preserved Edo streetscape in Japan. Stone lanes, matcha cafes, pottery shops. Plan a full afternoon here.

🚂

Sagano Scenic Railway

One of Japan's most beautiful train rides through the Hozu River gorge. Book in advance — sells out.

🪨

Tofuku-ji Temple

Stunning Zen gardens — moss, stone, raked gravel. Quieter than the famous temples. A hidden gem.

🌆 Sunset & Evening 2 ideas
🏮

Gion & Hanamikoji Street

Golden hour in Gion is magical. Lantern-lit teahouses, possible geiko sightings after 6 PM. Walk slowly and soak it in.

🍶

Pontocho Alley for Dinner

Narrow riverside alley of intimate restaurants. Kaiseki, yakitori, sake — all excellent. Just wander and pick what looks good.

🌙 Any Time 1 idea
🍵

Tea Ceremony Experience

30–60 min traditional ceremony. Many options near Gion — reserve a day ahead. Quietly beautiful.

🚃 Day Trips 2 destinations
🏙️

Osaka — Nishikawa Pillow Workshop + Dotonbori

15 min on the Shinkansen from Kyoto. Head to Daimaru Shinsaibashi to build your custom Nishikawa pillow (~$200–300, reservation recommended). Then walk Dotonbori for street food, takoyaki, and the famous Glico sign. Easy full day.

🦌

Nara — Deer Park & Great Buddha

45 min on the Kintetsu Express from Kyoto Station. Freely roaming deer that bow for crackers. Todai-ji houses Japan's largest bronze Buddha. Wrap up with a stroll through Naramachi's old merchant quarter. No booking needed — just show up.

✦  Kyoto Fun Facts

⛩️ 10,000 torii gatesFushimi Inari's famous tunnel of gates was built over centuries by businesses — each gate is donated as a prayer for prosperity. The inscriptions show the donor's name and date.
🌸 Ancient capital for 1,100 yearsKyoto was Japan's imperial capital from 794 until 1869. It's home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — more than any other Japanese city.
🌙 Geiko vs GeishaIn Kyoto, the proper term is "geiko" (literally "woman of art"). Apprentices are called "maiko." Gion is one of the last active geiko districts in Japan — a chance sighting after 6 PM is very real.
🍵 Matcha capital of JapanThe Uji region just south of Kyoto produces Japan's finest matcha. The tea ceremony tradition dates back to the 9th century. The soft serve matcha ice cream here is not to be missed.
🏯 Spared from the bombKyoto was on the original atomic bomb target list in WWII. US Secretary of War Henry Stimson had it removed after visiting — he was struck by its irreplaceable cultural significance.
♨ Kyoto → Yufuin  ·  Shinkansen + Yufuin no Mori ♨
♨️
April 22 – 24  ·  2 Nights

Yufuin, Oita

Private onsen, wagyu kaiseki, and total surrender to stillness

Your Ryokan

Ikkoten Ryokan
湯富里の宿 一壷天

🛁 Japanese Room · Private Open-Air Bath
🥩 Wagyu dinner included both nights
🍱 Japanese breakfast both mornings
📍 302-7 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu-shi
🔖 Booking #6187465588 (JAPANiCAN)
⚠ Pay on Arrival — ¥200,000 (~$1,333) 📄 View Confirmation (JAPANiCAN)

Your Two Days

Apr 22
4:00 PM
Check In — Ikkoten Ryokan
Change into yukata robes. Private rotenburo (open-air bath) in your room. Take your time. This is the whole point. 📍 Open in Maps
Apr 22
~7 PM
Dinner Night 1 — Included
Multi-course kaiseki: Oita Wagyu beef + Bungo Channel seafood. An extraordinary meal.
Apr 23
Morning
Breakfast Included
Traditional Japanese breakfast served at the ryokan. Then the day is yours.
Apr 23
~7 PM
Dinner Night 2 — Included
Second kaiseki dinner. Settle your bill (¥200,000 / ~$1,333) tonight or before checkout tomorrow.
Apr 24
By 11 AM
Check Out → Okinawa
Taxi to Oita Airport (~40 min) + domestic flight to Okinawa Naha (~1h 20min).
✈ Book your OIT→OKA flight now — Peach Air is typically cheapest. Book a morning departure.
📍 Oita Airport in Maps

While You're There

🌅 Morning (the best time) 2 ideas
♨️

Private Rotenburo Soak

Your open-air bath is most magical in the morning mist. Stay as long as you want — this is exactly why you came here.

🌊

Kinrin Lake Walk

A short stroll from the ryokan. Steam rises off the lake at dawn — truly beautiful and very few tourists at that hour.

☀️ Daytime 2 ideas
🎨

Yufuin Town Stroll

Charming small town with art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Very walkable from the ryokan — no planning needed.

🏪

Yufuin Floral Village

Whimsical artisan market with galleries and craft shops. Great for unique souvenirs you won't find anywhere else.

🌆 Afternoon 1 idea
♨️

Second Onsen Soak

Back to the rotenburo in the late afternoon before dinner. This is the whole point — lean into it completely.

✦  Yufuin Fun Facts

♨️ Japan's onsen heartlandOita Prefecture produces more hot spring water than any other region in Japan — over 290,000 liters per minute. Yufuin alone has more than 800 individual hot spring sources.
🥩 Oita Wagyu is world-classWagyu from Oita Prefecture is rated among Japan's finest. The cattle are raised on clean mountain water and fed a carefully controlled diet — the marbling is extraordinary.
🌫️ The steam that rises from the lakeKinrin Lake (Kinrinko) is warmed by underground hot springs — so it steams in the cool morning air. The name means "golden scale fish lake," named for a carp seen glittering at dusk.
🎏 The ryokan pillow turndownAt a traditional ryokan, futons are not set out when you arrive — a staff member quietly lays them while you are at dinner, so returning to your room feels like magic.
🌲 Yufuin no Mori is a legendThe "Forest of Yufuin" scenic train runs through the mountains on one of Japan's most photographed rail routes. Its green retro design and mountain views have made it Japan Railways' most iconic limited express.
🌊 Yufuin → Okinawa  ·  Oita Airport → Naha 🌊
🌊
April 24 – 29  ·  5 Nights

Okinawa

Turquoise water, coral reefs, and the final chapter of an unforgettable trip

Your Resort

Halekulani Okinawa
ハレクラニ沖縄

🛏 Premier Ocean Front King · Balcony
🏊 Pool open April · Direct beach access
📍 Nakama 1967-1, Onna, 904-0401
🔖 Conf. #6453.871.415 · PIN 4166
📄 View Confirmation (Booking.com)

Activity Menu — Pick what feels right

🏖️ Beach & Resort 3 ideas
🌊

Full Beach & Pool Day

Halekulani has its own beach. Build in at least one pure resort day — drinks, sun, ocean. You've earned a do-nothing day.

Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Book through the hotel activity desk. Romantic and spectacular. ~$60–90pp. A perfect Okinawa evening.

🏄

Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Available from the hotel beach. Great morning activity before it gets too hot. No experience needed.

🤿 Full Day (Book Ahead) 2 ideas
🐢

Kerama Islands Snorkeling

Best water in Japan — coral, sea turtles, tropical fish in crystal clear turquoise. Ferry from Tomari Port ~1h. Worth every minute.

🐠

Scuba Diving

Okinawa has world-class dive sites. Many resorts offer guided dives for non-certified divers — no certification needed.

☀️ Day Trips 2 ideas
🦈

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Whale sharks, manta rays, the massive Kuroshio Sea tank. Plan 3–4 hours. Ocean Expo Park surrounds it — beautiful grounds.

🏯

Naha City: Shuri Castle + Kokusai Street

UNESCO Ryukyuan palace + Okinawa's main shopping street. Makishi Market for a fresh seafood lunch. A great day out.

🌆 Sunset & Evening 2 ideas
🌅

Cape Manzamo at Sunset

Iconic limestone cliff jutting over the sea. One of Okinawa's most photographed views — absolutely spectacular at golden hour.

🍺

Okinawan Dinner in Naha

Yunangi for traditional Okinawan home cooking — champuru stir-fry, rafute braised pork belly, and ice-cold Orion beer.

✦  Okinawa Fun Facts

🌊 Not Japan, not China — RyukyuOkinawa was an independent kingdom called the Ryukyu Kingdom until 1879. Its culture, language, cuisine, and architecture are distinctly its own — closer to Southeast Asia than mainland Japan.
🧓 The world's longest-living peopleOkinawa has more centenarians per capita than anywhere else on Earth. Scientists study the "Okinawa diet" — lots of tofu, sweet potatoes, seaweed, and bitter melon. They also practice "hara hachi bu" — eating until 80% full.
🐢 Sea turtles nest on the beachesThe Kerama Islands are a protected marine park and one of the best places in the world to swim with sea turtles in the wild. They're spotted on almost every snorkel trip.
🍺 Orion beer is locally brewedOkinawa's own Orion Beer was founded in 1957 and is brewed specifically for the subtropical climate. It's intentionally lighter — so you can drink it on the beach all day. As one should.
🌺 April is perfect timingOkinawa's cherry blossoms bloom in January — the first in Japan every year. By April the water temperature reaches 23°C+ and the rainy season hasn't started yet. You couldn't have picked a better time.