Itinerary Ideas for a Honeymoon in Japan and Thailand

Destination: Tokyo, Japan

From New York City, Marina and Dan flew to another one of the world’s most exciting cities: Tokyo. Though they worked with a travel agency to book their entire trip, the first hotel selected was Dan’s pick, as he was intrigued by the traditional yet modern atmosphere of the luxury property. “This hotel was traditional in the sense that they collect your shoes in the lobby and you recollect them when you’re ready to go out,” describes Marina of their five nights at HOSHINOYA Tokyo, a 17-floor high-rise hotel known for incredible hospitality and classic ryokan finishes, such as bamboo furniture, shoji paper screens, and tatami-mat floors, that immerse guests into a truly Japanese experience. 

To ensure they had an opportunity to discover all of Tokyo’s highlights, their travel agency Scenset booked daily private tour experiences to see everything from the famous Sensoji Temple and Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, which provides an “old-school Tokyo” feel, to the modern Akihabara district with its vibrant neon lights and vast electronics stores, to a lively food tour in the Shinjuku neighborhood to sample Japanese favorites such as yakitori, sashimi, monjayaki, and more. 

Other highlights included visiting the Meiji Shrine, taking the city’s Water Bus along the Sumida River, a private samurai sword-wielding experience, and a reservation at the famed Il Ristorante Luca Fantin in the glamorous Ginza shopping district.

Highlights of Tokyo, Japan

Wielding samurai swords. “This was the one request of my husband, and we both had such a fun experience. We really wanted to embrace and fully immerse ourselves in the culture.” 

Dining at Luca Fantin. “It’s a Michelin-rated restaurant and for good reason. It’s at the top of the BVLGARI building and the views and service are unmatched.” 

Exploring Akihabara. “This is where all the lights and video games and fun pop culture lives. It was incredible!”

Destination: Bangkok, Thailand

The next leg of their journey started the pair’s exploration of Thailand, beginning with its capital Bangkok. They spent three nights at The Sukhothai Bangkok, a calming escape in the heart of the city. “We had the breakfast buffet every single day, and it’s the best breakfast buffet that my husband and I have ever experienced,” confirms Marina, noting the tremendous selection of tasty fare. 

They enjoyed private tours to experience “One Night in Bangkok” complete with authentic Thai food at Thipsamai, as well as a multi-transport tour to the Erawan Shrine, Wat Pho temple, the Grand Palace, and more sites by foot, boat, tuk tuk, and Skytrain. “Our tour guide Kie was able to readjust our plans on certain days to show us all the beautiful city had to offer,” Marina affirms. “She knew all the secrets.”

Highlights of Bangkok, Thailand

Riding a tuk tuk. “A hectic, exhilarating way to experience an incredibly busy and vibrant city. It’s one of the main modes of transport – and one of the most budget friendly!” 

Savoring street food. “We experienced all different types, from the crazy kinds like scorpions (Dan was alone in this venture) to the traditional Pad Thai and Thai desserts.” 

Shopping at local markets. “From what our tour guide told us, the locals enjoy negotiating, so always negotiate prices at the markets.”

Destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand

After a quick flight to Chiang Mai, the newlyweds checked into Tamarind Village for three nights. “We loved this hotel,” Marina smiles, noting the “perfect” location. “We were near all of the action but also felt like we were secluded,” she adds. They began exploring right away, with a private tour to Doi Suthep mountain and the 700-year-old Wat Umong temple. 

Among their most memorable experiences were visiting Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for over 100 rescued and orphaned elephants in the scenic Mae Taeng river valley, savoring authentic Northern Thai cuisine at Kiti Panit, and a Cooking@home Thai Culinary School lesson, which included a trip to the local market to source ingredients.

Highlights of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Visiting an elephant sanctuary. “I felt elated to be around these majestic creatures and learn the stories behind these animals that have historically been abused for entertainment purposes.” 

Cooking with locals. “A husband and wife that live in Chiang Mai brought us to the local market before going to their house to cook some amazing signature Thai dishes!” 

Dining at Kiti Panit. “We absolutely loved it! We would recommend this 100 times over.”

Destination: Southern Thailand Islands (Phuket & Yao Noi, Thailand)

After two weeks of exploring some of the most famous cities in Asia, Marina and Dan traveled to Southern Thailand’s stunning islands to unwind and relax for the last week of their honeymoon. 

First up was a stay at the luxurious Andara Resort & Villas in Phuket, followed by a quick private speedboat transfer to Koh Yao Noi, calling a gorgeous pool villa at Six Senses Yao Noi their home away from home on Phang Nga Bay – famous for its majestic limestone cliffs and rock formations. With relaxation at the forefront of this leg of their honeymoon journey, the newlyweds’ days were spent lounging poolside, savoring alfresco Thai meals at each resort, and taking time for Dan to enjoy golf and Marina to indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments before heading home. 

Highlights of Phuket & Yao Noi, Thailand

Golfing in Phuket. “I was blown away. The course was in great condition, the weather was beautiful, and I had fun meeting other golfers from around the world.” 

Exploring Koh Yao Noi. “The hiking around Six Senses was amazing! They also provide bikes for guests to use, which encouraged exploration across the resort and island.” 

Enjoying the amenities. “We highly recommend splurging on this part of the trip. It felt like we were in our own little oasis, and our private pool made it that much more relaxing.”

The honeymooners were thrilled with their itinerary put together by their travel agency, which was further elevated with private tours at each of the city stops. “Our tour guides were amazing – they knew the ins and outs of every city,” confirms Marina, adding that their local guides maximized their trip by timing the stops to have minimal crowds and curating the best possible experiences based on their interests, culinary preferences, and must-visit sites. “We had both never been to Asia before, so every day was unique and a new adventure,” smiles Marina. “The excitement lasted the entire trip!”

Japan & Thailand Honeymoon Tips from Marina & Dan:

“We were surprised by how much Michelin-recommended street food there is in Thailand. Coming from New York, we’re so used to expensive meals, but you can really eat like a king and queen in Thailand and still have plenty left to spend on other things!” 

“It was ideal timing to visit both Japan and Thailand in the month of February. Thailand gets very hot and the further into the year, the hotter it gets.” 

“Make sure you check the weather when you’re packing – Japan and Thailand have very different climates, so we had to consider that we would need to pack for cold and warm weather.” 

“If you plan on doing a lot of tours – especially in Thailand – pack warm-weather athleisure. It’s essentially all that we wore in Thailand other than swimsuits and an outfit here or there for dinners.” 

“Don’t forget to pack a portable charger if you’ll be relying on using your phone for pictures – it would be disappointing to go on low battery at one of these incredible sites!” 

“We purchased AirTags to put in our checked baggage so we wouldn’t be worried about losing luggage… they brought peace of mind, but everything made it to its expected destination!” 

“When hiring a travel-agency service, what was most important to us was not being trapped by a very high per-day limit, which is something a lot of luxury agencies require. We spoke to four to five different agencies before we stumbled upon Scenset, and we are so grateful that we chose to work with them. Everything was done through their app, so we always had a line of communication with their travel team.”

This story was originally published as a Travel Diaries feature in the Spring 2024 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. To order a copy of the Spring 2024 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase.