Shibuya Crossing

October 1–15, 2026

Time Traveler’s Itinerary

A 15-Day Journey Through Time in Japan

Düsseldorf → Tokyo → Alps → Kyoto → Osaka → Home

The Premise

Time Travel With Good Food

What if you could walk through a living museum where every street corner tells a different century's story?

In 15 days, we travel from neon-drenched robot restaurants to samurai districts preserved since 1600. We wake in 200-year-old wooden inns. We stand on bridges where mountain water is so clear it looks digital.

This isn't tourism. This is time travel with good food.

The Journey

Four Acts

Act I

The Neon Future

Oct 1–6 · Tokyo

5 days exploring the city that rebuilt itself from ashes and became the future.

Act II

The Samurai Highlands

Oct 6–10 · Alps

Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama Festival, Kamikochi.

Act III

Ancient Capitals

Oct 11–14 · Kyoto & Nara

Temples at dawn, geisha districts, sacred deer.

Act IV

Cyberpunk Kitchen

Oct 14–15 · Osaka

Street food paradise, neon overload, final feast.

Day by Day

The Full Story

1

Arrival

Tokyo Haneda (HND)

Land, check into hotel, evening orientation walk. First ramen.

2

Edo Tokyo

Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple at dawn (before crowds). Yanaka—the neighborhood that survived WWII firebombing. Sumo district.

🎂

October 7 — Nikita's Birthday

Kanazawa

Kenroku-en Garden (one of Japan's "three most beautiful"). Nagamachi Samurai District—walk the stone-paved lanes where warriors once lived.

Birthday Dinner

Otome Sushi — 8-seat counter, 2 Michelin stars. A 75-year-old master with 50+ years experience serves Kanazawa's legendary seafood.

🎂

October 9 — Katya's Birthday

Takayama

Morning: Takayama's old town. Afternoon: Festival floats unveiled—towering structures of lacquer and gold.

The Evening — Takayama Festival

11 massive floats lit by hundreds of paper lanterns parade through ancient streets. No electricity—just fire, paper, and wood. Return to ryokan for private Hida Beef kaiseki dinner.

10

The Cathedral of Nature

Kamikochi → Nagoya

Early bus to Kamikochi—Japan's Yosemite. Hike from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge through peak autumn colors. Water so clear you can count pebbles meters down. Evening train to Nagoya.

15

Departure

Tokyo or Osaka → Düsseldorf

Final morning. Flight home. Sleep on the plane. Dream of ramen.

Accommodation

Where We'll Stay

Takayama

TBD — Traditional Ryokan

Oct 8–9 · 1–2 nights

~€400–600/night with meals

CRITICAL: Festival dates sell out 6 months ahead. Options: Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan, Hidatei Hanaougi.

Priority Booking

Tokyo

TBD — Boutique Hotel

Oct 1–6 · 5 nights

Researching options...

Near Yamanote line. Options: Hotel K5, Gate Hotel Asakusa, Kimpton Shinjuku.

Pending

Getting There

Flight Options

Option A: Round Trip

DUS
Düsseldorf
✈ ⟷ ✈
HND
Tokyo

~€1,700 for 2

Emirates via Dubai. Requires Shinkansen back from Osaka.

Option B: Open Jaw

DUS
Düsseldorf
→ HND → KIX →
DUS
Düsseldorf

~€1,900 for 2

Fly into Tokyo, out of Osaka. Saves 5 hours travel.

The Numbers

What It Costs

Per Person Estimate

Flights (roundtrip) €850–1,100
Accommodation (14 nights) €1,300–2,000
JR Pass & Transport €200–300
Birthday dinners €200–350
Base Total €2,550–3,750

+ €100–150/day for meals, attractions, shopping

Choose Your Level

🎒 Backpacker Deluxe
€3,500–4,500
Budget hotels, street food focus
🏨 Comfortable Explorer ★
€4,500–5,500
Boutique hotels, great restaurants
🏯 Treat Yourself
€5,500–7,000
Luxury ryokans, top-tier dining

Are you in?

In 15 days, we'll watch sunrises over ancient temples, eat sushi from masters, walk through villages unchanged for centuries, and fill our memories with moments that belong in movies.

Deadline: Let us know by January 31, 2026

Festival ryokans book out 6 months in advance