JAPAN : An Autumn Story by Suitcase Stories
1st October – 10th October 2026
Women Only Excursion
We don’t just visit Japan.
We experience it in silence, in ceremony, in stories.
Let’s Secure the Best Fare
For travellers flying from Mumbai, we recommend the direct ANA overnight flight on 1st October, arriving into Tokyo on 2nd October morning.
October is a popular travel month for Japan, and airfares increase quickly.
We strongly recommend:
- Blocking seats early
- Booking as a group for better pricing
- Locking this departure at the earliest
The earlier we confirm, the better the fare and the smoother the journey.
This journey is fully curated and managed end-to-end.
✔️ Private airport pick-up and drop-off
✔️ Private driver and 10-seater van for Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Nikko, Kyoto & Nara touring
✔️ English-speaking guide in Hiroshima (with public transport access)
✔️ Bullet train tickets:
- Tokyo → Kyoto
- Kyoto ↔ Hiroshima (round trip)
- Osaka → Tokyo
✔️ Traditional Tea Ceremony experience (Kyoto)
✔️ All attraction entrance fees as per itinerary
✔️ Station transfers as mentioned
✔️ 3-star hotel stays with daily breakfast
✔️ All taxes related to included services
To maintain flexibility and personal choice:
✖️ International airfare
✖️ Visa fees
✖️ Lunches & dinners (we like keeping this flexible since Japan is a food adventure)
✖️ City tax (if applicable, payable locally)
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Personal expenses (shopping, snacks, beverages, tips, etc.)
✖️ Bank transfer / payment processing fees
INR 270270 per person on twin sharing
INR 345000 per person on single occupancy
Day wise Itinerary
Day 1 - 2nd October
Tokyo: Where Stillness Meets Speed
We land in Tokyo early morning rested, curious, ready.
Our first steps are not into neon chaos but into calm.
At the Imperial Palace East Gardens, we walk where Edo Castle once stood. Stone walls. Moss. Quiet water. A gentle introduction to Japan’s discipline and grace.
And then the contrast.
The organised rhythm of Shibuya Crossing. Thousands move. Nobody collides. Japan, in one frame.
Later, in Nihonbashi, we sit for a private Ikebana session learning the Japanese art of flower arrangement from a national award-winning master.
Balance. Space. Intention.
Welcome to Japan.
Overnight Stay: Rembrandt Style Tokyo Nishikasai Grande or similar (3 star)
Meals: At leisure (Ichiran ramen recommended, always optional)
Day 2 — 3rd October
Mount Fuji: The Sacred Presence
Today, we drive towards a symbol.
Mount Fuji doesn’t announce itself.
It appears slowly reflected in the waters of Lake Kawaguchi.
We climb up to Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine where the pagoda frames Fuji like a painting.
At Oshino Hakkai, we see water so clear it feels unreal fed by snowmelt from the sacred mountain.
This isn’t sightseeing.
It’s perspective.
We return to Tokyo by evening with Fuji still lingering in our thoughts.
Overnight stay : Rembrandt Style Tokyo Nishikasai Grande or similar (3 star)
Day 3 — 4th October
Nikko: Shrines in the Forest
A day where nature and devotion coexist.
The ornate beauty of Nikkō Tōshō-gū surprises us with intricate carvings, gold leaf, sacred symbolism.
We drive up into the mountains to Lake Chūzenji, where the air feels cooler, lighter.
And then the drama of Kegon Falls powerful, vertical, humbling.
Japan constantly balances softness and strength.
So do we.
Return to Tokyo for the night.
Overnight stay in Tokyo : Rembrandt Hotel
Day 4 — 5th October
Tokyo Icons → Kyoto Calm
Our last morning in Tokyo is iconic.
We walk through Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, incense smoke rising gently through the morning air.
We pause at Meiji Shrine, where towering torii gates mark sacred ground and the forest hushes the city noise.
And then, the Shinkansen.
Two hours of seamless speed.
Tokyo dissolves. Kyoto awaits.
Arrival in Kyoto by evening.
Overnight Stay : APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekimae or similar (3 star)
Day 5 — 6th October
Kyoto: The Soul of Japan
Kyoto feels different. Slower. Softer.
The golden reflection of Kinkaku-ji feels almost unreal.
From the wooden terrace of Kiyomizu-dera, we look out over tiled rooftops and autumn trees.
We walk through the whispering Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
And then, in a traditional tatami room, we participate in a tea ceremony, learning that every movement in Japan has meaning.
If time permits, we wander through Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district.
Kyoto is not loud.
It stays with you quietly.
Overnight Stay : APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekimae or similar (3 star)
Day 6 — 7th October
Hiroshima & Miyajima: Reflection and Resilience
Today we travel to Hiroshima by bullet train.
The floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine rises from the sea, elegant, serene, unforgettable.
At Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, we walk slowly. Thoughtfully.
The Atomic Bomb Dome stands as memory and reminder.
Japan teaches resilience without bitterness.
We return to Kyoto quieter than we left.
Overnight Stay : APA Hotel Kyoto
Day 7 — 8th October
Fushimi → Uji → Nara → Osaka
Thousands of vermilion torii gates guide us through Fushimi Inari Taisha.
In Uji, we admire the symmetry of Byōdō-in, so perfect it appears on the 10-yen coin.
In Nara Park, deer roam freely, bowing gently for treats.
By evening, we arrive in Osaka, modern, energetic, delicious.
Overnight Stay in Osaka : Sarasa Hotel Shinsaibashi or similar (3 star)
Day 8 — 9th October
Back to Tokyo — The Circle Completes
We take the bullet train back to Tokyo.
Free evening for shopping, a stroll in Asakusa, or a farewell sushi dinner.
From Fuji’s silence to Hiroshima’s strength Japan has unfolded gently.
Overnight stay : The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa or similar (3 star)
Day 9 — 10th October
Departure
Private transfer to Narita Airport.
We leave with more than photographs.
We leave with rhythm.
Weather in Early October
Early October in Japan is one of the most beautiful times to visit.
What to Expect:
- Pleasant daytime temperatures (approx. 18°C–24°C)
- Cooler evenings (around 12°C–16°C)
- Light autumn breeze
- Occasional short showers (especially toward mid-October)
- Comfortable walking weather ideal for temples, shrines, and city strolls
This is pre-peak autumn, so you may see hints of fall colour in Nikko and the mountains, while cities remain lush and green.
What to Pack
- Light layers (cotton tops, breathable dresses, shirts)
- A light jacket or cardigan for evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll walk a lot)
- Compact umbrella or light rain jacket
- Scarf (great for layering + temple visits)
- Universal travel adapter
- Small day backpack
Japan in October is elegant pack smart, minimal, and functional.