Days 1–3 · Tokyo
Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya crossing and a Sumida river cruise, with a free day for teamLab, Disney Resort or a food walk.
Japan travel guide
Japan Holiday Packages from Australia
Japan is one of the easiest long-haul holidays to take from Australia: direct overnight flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, superb rail connections and a season for every kind of traveller. This guide covers a proven itinerary, what a trip actually costs, entry requirements for Australian passport holders and when to travel. Our Sydney consultants then tailor it around your dates, pace and budget.
A classic 8-day Japan itinerary
Tokyo, Hakone beneath Mount Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka, connected by shinkansen. It runs as an escorted group departure or as a private trip on your own dates.
Day 4 · Hakone & Mount Fuji
Lake Ashi cruise and ropeway, then an onsen ryokan with a kaiseki dinner.
Day 5 · Shinkansen to Kyoto
Bullet train south, Fushimi Inari and an evening in Gion.
Day 6 · Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji, the Arashiyama bamboo grove and a tea ceremony.
Day 7 · Nara & Osaka
Todai-ji and the deer park, then Dotonbori for dinner.
Day 8 · Departure
Private transfer to Kansai International Airport.
More ideas on the Japan destination page.
What this holiday costs
Return flights Sydney–Tokyo
From around $900 economy, $1,300 in peak seasons
8-day escorted package (land only)
From $2,999 per person, twin share
Hotels, 4-star city
Roughly $200–$320 per room per night
Japan Rail Pass, 7 days
Around $480 per adult — worth it on multi-city routes
Meals and daily spending
Allow $80–$150 per person per day
All figures are indicative guides in Australian dollars for planning only. Final pricing depends on your travel dates, airline, hotel category, group size, exchange rates and availability at the time of booking, and is confirmed in writing before you pay.
Best time to travel
Spring · March to May
Cherry blossom season, typically late March in Tokyo and early April in Kyoto. Mild days, the busiest and most expensive period — we book 9 to 12 months ahead.
Summer · June to August
Warm and humid with a rainy spell in June. Best for Hokkaido, the Japanese Alps and summer festivals. Lower hotel rates in the big cities outside Obon week.
Autumn · September to November
Autumn foliage moves south from late October to early December. Comfortable walking weather and the strongest value-to-scenery balance of the year.
Winter · December to February
Ski season in Niseko, Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen, illuminations in the cities and quiet temples in Kyoto. Cheapest city hotels outside New Year.
Seasonal dates shift each year with the weather; we track the forecasts and advise on departure dates before you commit.
Visa and entry tips
- Australian passport holders travelling for tourism currently enter Japan without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
- Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, and you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket.
- Arrivals are processed through Japan's online immigration and customs system — we send you the link and instructions before departure.
- Other passports, longer stays, work or study all have different rules; our consultants check your specific nationality before you book.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate and with Smartraveller before you travel. We assist with documentation but cannot guarantee entry decisions.
Ready to plan your Japan holiday?
Tell us your dates, travellers and the pace you want. Our Sydney consultants build the itinerary, price the flights and rail, and hold the best-value departures for cherry blossom and autumn.