Japan, Korea and Singapore Itinerary advice
Our take
This itinerary is absolutely epic, and honestly, it makes us want to pack our bags right now! Two Australian brothers, 30 days, three incredible countries, and a budget of $15-20k AUD combined — now that's what we call living your best life. The level of detail here is seriously impressive, from timing Disneyland for a weekday rope drop to pre-booking the Sagano Scenic Railway. These guys have done their homework, and it shows.
What really stands out is the adventurous spirit woven through every day of this trip. We're talking sunrise at Meiji Shrine, hiking Mt. Misen in Miyajima, a full Fushimi Inari sunrise hike, and then capping it off with a private onsen and 9-course kaiseki at Gora Kadan. That's not just travel — that's a series of main character moments! The brothers clearly aren't afraid to wake up early to catch that golden hour magic, and we love that energy. For fellow travelers mapping out their own Japan adventures, the key is balancing those iconic experiences with hidden gems — something this itinerary nails by including the Fukui Dinosaur Museum and Mandai Wildlife's five parks in Singapore. If you're planning your own route, check out how other first-timers approach similar multi-country itineraries in our archives: First-time Solo Trip (Oct) - 13 Days Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo - Is it too ambitious? and Tokyo family itinerary check (3 kids, food focus and key landmarks) for comparison.
Now, let's talk logistics because this is a ambitious route. The pacing is generally solid, but a few spots deserve a second look. The Fukui Dinosaur Museum is a brilliant curveball inclusion — it's genuinely one of Japan's most underrated museums — but the Toyama leg in late November is where things get tricky. The Tateyama Alpine Route in late November can be stunning, but it's also when weather becomes unpredictable, and closures are real possibilities. Our take? Have a backup plan ready, but don't let uncertainty stop you from trying — that alpine morning would be absolutely magical if the weather cooperates! As for skipping Kanazawa, it's a small compromise for the dino museum, and honestly, with only one night in Toyama, you're making the right call to keep things manageable.
The Gora Kadan splurge? Absolutely worth it. Two young guys experiencing a traditional ryokan with a private onsen and kaiseki dinner? That's the kind of story you'll be telling for years. And the DisneySea versus Disneyland debate — look, doing both is the move, but if we had to choose, DisneySea's Fantasy Springs is next-level incredible, so you're making the right call keeping that one.
One thing we'd flag: the Seoul portion feels slightly tight at 2.5 days, especially after such a massive Japan leg. The DMZ tour alone is a full day, and Hongdae nightlife, palaces, and Gwangjang Market deserve more than leftover hours. Consider trimming one Japan activity to give yourself breathing room in Korea — your future self will thank you. For more inspiration on balancing multiple destinations, see First time travel to Japan/Korea : 20 nights 6 cities.
The bottom line? This is a bold, well-planned adventure that perfectly captures the spirit of going for it. Two brothers, three countries, 30 days of non-stop exploration — that's what travel is all about. Trust your prep, stay flexible, and most importantly, soak up every single moment. The adventure of a lifetime is waiting, and you two are ready to seize it!
Hey everyone, me and my brother are planning a big trip to japan korea and singapore was looking for any advice on the itinerary Thanks everyone!
Two brothers (early 20s) from Australia. Late November trip. Budget ~$15-20k AUD combined after flights. Sharing twin rooms. Adventurous eaters, happy with early mornings. Looking for feedback on the plan!
Flights already booked: Sydney > Tokyo (evening arrival) > Seoul (red-eye) > Singapore > Sydney. Individual shinkansen tickets, no JR Pass.
THE ROUTE
Tokyo (5 nights) > Hiroshima + Miyajima (2 nights) > Osaka + Nara day trip (4 nights) > Kyoto (3 nights) > Fukui Dinosaur Museum > Toyama (1 night, Alps weather-dependent) > Tokyo (5 nights, includes Gora Kadan ryokan 1 night) > Seoul (3 nights) > Singapore (4 nights)
DAY-BY-DAY
Tokyo Part 1 (5 nights)
Day 1 | ARRIVAL
Evening arrival (~20:15). Check in Shinjuku. Late-night ramen. Sleep.
Day 2 | TOKYO DISNEYLAND
Full day. Weekday for lower crowds. Rope drop.
Day 3 | SHIBUYA
Yoyogi Park + Meiji Shrine sunrise. Shibuya Parco (Pokemon Center, Nintendo, Capcom). Mag's Park rooftop. Shibuya Sky sunset slot.
Day 4 | TEAMLAB + TOKYO TOWER + GINZA
teamLab Borderless (3 hrs). Tokyo Tower. Art Aquarium Museum Ginza. Nissan Crossing.
Day 5 | TOYOSU + TEAMLAB PLANETS + CAR STUFF
Toyosu sushi breakfast. teamLab Planets. A-Pit Super Autobacs. Monster Hunter Bar evening.
Hiroshima + Miyajima (2 nights)
Day 6 | HIROSHIMA
Shinkansen from Tokyo (~4 hrs). Peace Memorial Museum + A-Bomb Dome. Hiroshima okonomiyaki. Early bed.
Day 7 | MIYAJIMA SUNRISE
Wake 04:45. First ferry for sunrise at floating torii. Itsukushima Shrine. Mt Misen hike/ropeway. Grilled oysters.
Osaka (4 nights)
Day 8 | ARRIVE OSAKA
Shinkansen from Hiroshima. Osaka Castle. Shinsekai. Den Den Town. Kushikatsu Daruma. Dotonbori at night.
Day 9 | AQUARIUM + NAMBA + UMEDA
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Namba Yasaka Shrine. Umeda Pokemon Center. Street food crawl.
Day 10 | NARA DAY TRIP + TEAMLAB
Nara Park deer + Todai-ji. Evening: teamLab Botanical Garden Nagai.
Day 11 | UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
Full day with Express Pass 7. Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Harry Potter, Flying Dinosaur.
Kyoto (3 nights) — Peak Autumn Foliage
Day 12 | ARRIVE KYOTO
Toji Temple. Fushimi Inari lower gates at sunset. Nishiki Market.
Day 13 | ARASHIYAMA
Bamboo Grove at dawn. Monkey Park. Sagano Scenic Railway (pre-booked). Hozugawa River boat. Tofu kaiseki.
Day 14 | FUSHIMI INARI SUNRISE + TEMPLES
Full Fushimi Inari sunrise hike. Byodo-in Uji + matcha. Kinkaku-ji. Kiyomizu-dera (Benkei spear test!). Sannenzaka.
Fukui + Toyama (1 night Toyama)
Day 15 | FUKUI DINOSAUR MUSEUM + TOYAMA
Train from Kyoto. Dino museum (3-4 hrs). Train to Toyama. Optional Echizen crab dinner.
Day 16 | TOYAMA > TOKYO (ALPS FLEX)
Good weather = Tateyama Alpine Route morning, train to Tokyo afternoon. Bad weather = direct train to Tokyo, arrive by lunch.
Tokyo Part 2 (5 nights + 1 at Gora Kadan)
Day 17 | ARRIVE TOKYO + SHIBUYA SKY
Shibuya Sky primary sunset slot.
Day 18 | MT FUJI SUNRISE + GOLF + GORA KADAN
Private driver or Taxi or Uber. Chureito Pagoda sunrise. Golf near Fuji. Drop at Gora Kadan ryokan. 9-course kaiseki dinner. Private onsen. Bucket-list night.
Day 19 | HAKONE LOOP + BACK TO TOKYO
Hakone morning: Owakudani, pirate ship, Hakone Shrine torii. Romancecar back to Tokyo.
Day 20 | DISNEYSEA
Fantasy Springs (Frozen Journey), Tower of Terror, Soaring. Night show.
Day 21 | ASAKUSA + SKYTREE + AKIHABARA + KNIFE SHOPPING
Senso-ji. Skytree. Kappabashi Kitchen Street for a proper Japanese chef knife. Akihabara: Five Star Camera, TamTam Hobby, Super Potato.
Day 22 | LAST TOKYO DAY + RED-EYE TO SEOUL
Final shopping. Last dinner. Haneda for 02:00 red-eye.
Seoul (3 nights)
Day 23 | ARRIVE SEOUL + RECOVERY
Land 04:50am.
Morning: Walk the Cheonggyecheon Stream, Yongsan Electronics Market, Explore area Afternoon: Dragon Hill Spa jjimjilbang
Evening: light dinner, samgyetang. Early bed.
Day 24 | DMZ FULL DAY
Full-day DMZ tour. Evening: Namsan Tower sunset. KBBQ dinner (8-colour pork belly).
Day 25 | PALACES + MARKETS + KBBQ
Hanbok rental. Gyeongbokgung + Changing of Guards. Changdeokgung Secret Garden. Gwangjang Market (bindaetteok, sannakji live octopus, yukhoe raw beef). KBBQ blowout. Hongdae nightlife.
Singapore (4 nights)
Day 26 | ARRIVE SINGAPORE
Land 14:25. Jewel Changi. Marina Bay + Merlion at sunset. Spectra + Garden Rhapsody light shows. Satay street.
Day 27 | MANDAI WILDLIFE FULL DAY
All 5 Mandai parks in one day with the 5 Attractions Destination Pass. Bird Paradise, Zoo, River Wonders, Rainforest Wild Asia, Night Safari. About 12 hours of park time plus breaks. Massive day but incredible value and all in the same precinct.
Day 28 | SENTOSA
Cable car to Sentosa. USS or Aquarium + beach + Luge.
Day 29 | CULTURE + FOOD FINALE
Chinatown. Little India. Kampong Glam. Gardens by the Bay. Orchard Road Christmas lights. Chilli crab dinner.
Day 30 | FLY HOME
Morning at Changi. Fly out 11:30.
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY
- Does this route/pacing look reasonable? Too rushed anywhere?
- The Fukui > Toyama > Tokyo section, is skipping Kanazawa a mistake?
- Tateyama Alpine Route in late November, worth attempting or too risky with snow/closures?
- Gora Kadan for 1 night worth the splurge for two young guys, or would you recommend a different ryokan experience?
- DisneySea vs Disneyland, we're doing both, but if we had to cut one?
- Best golf course near Fuji/Hakone open to non-members?
- Kappabashi for chef knives, is this still the go-to or are there better spots?
- Seoul in 2.5 days, are we missing anything critical?
- Any hidden gems along this route we should know about?
Thanks in advance! Happy to share more details if needed.
Budget: ~$15-20k AUD combined after flights for 30 days. Mid-range accommodation, selective splurges.
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