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Tokyo, Japan
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Kusatsu Onsen, Japan
📍 1 Oct – Tokyo → Kusatsu Onsen
• Depart Tokyo: 09:00
• Drive time: ~3.5 hours (via Kan-Etsu Expressway & Route 292)
• Arrive Kusatsu: ~12:30–13:00
• Afternoon:
• Visit Yubatake (central hot spring field)
• Optional walk to Sainokawara Park
• Enjoy a public bath or ryokan onsen
• Evening: Kaiseki dinner at ryokan, onsen soak
Stay: Traditional ryokan in Kusatsu
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Narai-juku, Japan
📍 2 Oct – Kusatsu → Jigokudani → Narai-juku (via Matsumoto)
• Depart Kusatsu: 08:00
• Drive to Jigokudani Yaen-Koen: ~1.5 hrs
• Park & hike to monkeys: ~45 min round trip + time at the park (~1.5h total)
• Depart Jigokudani: ~11:30
• Drive to Matsumoto: ~1.5–2 hrs
• Lunch + explore Matsumoto Castle: 13:30–15:00
• Drive to Narai-juku: ~45 min
• Arrive Narai: ~16:00
• Evening: Check into a minshuku, stroll the post town (quiet after day tourists leave)
Stay: Narai-juku
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Kawaguchiko Onsen, Japan
📍 3 Oct – Narai-juku → Kawaguchiko
• Depart Narai-juku: 09:00
• Drive time: ~3–3.5 hrs (via Chino or Suwa → Yamanashi roads)
• Arrive Kawaguchiko: ~12:30–13:30
• Afternoon:
• Visit Lake Kawaguchi, walk along the northern shore
• Optional: Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway or Chureito Pagoda
• Evening: Sunset over Fuji, onsen soak
Stay: Ryokan or hotel in Kawaguchiko with Fuji view
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Hakone, Japan
📍 4 Oct – Kawaguchiko → Hakone
• Depart Kawaguchiko: 09:00
• Drive time: ~1.5 hrs (via Gotemba or Ashinoko Skyline)
• Arrive Hakone: ~10:30
• Day Activities:
• Ōwakudani volcanic valley & black eggs
• Hakone Ropeway or Lake Ashi pirate ship cruise
• Optional: Hakone Open Air Museum
• Evening:
• Check into ryokan
• Early dinner and onsen soak
• Sleep early for next day’s early start
Stay: Hakone
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Shimoda, Japan
📍 5 Oct – Hakone → Shimoda (Early Departure)
• Depart Hakone: 05:30–06:00
• Drive time: ~2.5–3 hrs (via Izu Skyline or Route 135)
• Arrive Shimoda: ~08:30–09:00
• Morning: Mikimoto Hammers event
• Afternoon options:
• Relax at beach or visit Ryosenji Temple
• Cafe by the sea, or rest at hotel
Stay: Shimoda (optional 2nd night if desired)
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Okinawa, Japan
📍 6 Oct – Shimoda → Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport → Fly to Okinawa
• 05:30: Wake up, check out of hotel in Shimoda
• 06:00: Depart Shimoda
• Drive via Route 136 → Shin-Tomei Expressway
• Estimated time: ~2.5h (with margin for fuel/rental return)
• 08:30–09:00: Arrive at FSZ (Shizuoka Airport)
• 09:00–09:30: Return rental car
• 10:30: Domestic check-in (ANA domestic closes ~30–45 min prior)
• 12:45: ✈️ Flight departs
• 15:15: Arrive in Okinawa (OKA – Naha)
Afternoon / Evening in Naha:
• Pick up rental car
• Drive to hotel (15–30 min)
• Stroll Kokusai-dori, grab snacks, shop local crafts
• Dinner: Try rafute, taco rice, or Okinawa soba at a local izakaya
Stay: Hotel in Naha city (e.g., Hotel Locus, Almont, or near Kokusai-dori)
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Zamami Island, Japan
📍 7 Oct – Naha → Zamami Island (Kerama Islands)
• 07:30: Arrive at Tomari Port for check-in
• 08:30: Board Queen Zamami (fast ferry) (~1h)
• 09:30: Arrive Zamami Port, check in or drop luggage
• Day:
• Relax at Furuzamami Beach or snorkel at Ama Beach
• Optional: kayak, SUP, or island walk
• Evening: Sunset from Unajinosachi Observatory
• Dinner at a local izakaya (e.g., Marumiya or La Toquee)
Stay: Zamami Island (e.g., Zamamia, Kerama Terrace, or guesthouse)
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📍 8 Oct – Zamami Island (Beach + Snorkelling)
• Morning:
• Early snorkelling tour (can book from beach huts or hotels)
• Visit Gahi or Agenashiku by local boat if weather permits
• Afternoon:
• Rent e-bike or walk the island
• Chill at beach café or enjoy a nap in a hammock
• Evening: Second night dinner on island — more sashimi, taco rice, or Okinawan pork dishes
Stay: Zamami Island
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Okinawa, Japan
📍 9 Oct – Zamami → Naha
• 08:00–08:30: Breakfast and check out
• 10:00: Ferry: Queen Zamami or Ferry Zamami (book ahead)
• Queen returns to Naha ~11:00
• 11:30–12:00: Back at Tomari Port
• Afternoon:
• Optional visit to Shurijo Castle or Tsuboya Pottery Street
• Last-minute shopping at DFS Okinawa or Umikaji Terrace
• Evening: Relaxing dinner near airport, pack bags
Stay: Naha (choose hotel near airport for easy transfer)
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Tokyo, Japan
📍 10 Oct – Fly to Tokyo (Naha → Haneda)
• 07:30: Check out, transfer to airport
• 08:00: Arrive at Naha Airport (OKA), ANA domestic check-in
• 10:05: ✈️ Flight: ANA NH994 to Tokyo Haneda (HND)
• 12:30: Land in Tokyo, continue with onward plans
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Shanghai, China
📍 11 Oct – Fly from Tokyo (Haneda) → Shanghai (Pudong)
• 05:45: Wake up, check out of Tokyo hotel
• 06:15: Taxi or monorail to Haneda Airport (HND) – ~20–30 min
• 06:45: Arrive at Haneda Terminal 3, check in for international flight
• 08:40: ✈️ Flight: China Eastern MU576
• Tokyo Haneda (HND) → Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
• Duration: 3h 05m
• Aircraft: Boeing 777
• Arrive: 10:45 AM China time (1 hr behind Japan)
• 11:15–12:00: Immigration + baggage claim
• Transfer: Taxi or Maglev to Shanghai hotel (assume Pudong stay)
Afternoon / Evening in Shanghai:
• Optional half-day outing:
• The Bund: waterfront skyline + historic architecture
• Yu Garden + nearby tea houses
• Nanjing Road: for shopping and food
• Dinner recommendation:
• Jesse Restaurant (local Shanghainese food)
• Or rooftop dinner at POP American Brasserie (Bund views)
Stay: Hotel near The Bund or Pudong Airport (if prioritizing rest)
📍 12 Oct – Fly from Shanghai → London Gatwick
• 06:45–07:00: Wake up + hotel checkout
• 07:00–07:30: Transfer to Pudong Airport (PVG) (30–45 min depending on location)
• 08:00: Arrive at Terminal 1, check in for long-haul flight
• 10:45: ✈️ Flight: China Eastern MU213
• Shanghai (PVG) → London Gatwick (LGW)
• Duration: 12h 15m
• Aircraft: Boeing 777
• 16:00 (UK time): Arrive at London Gatwick (LGW Terminal N)
• End of trip!