Grand Sumo
The final major tournament of 2026 is active during the requested dates. November 19 gives you a full arena day late enough in the tournament for the standings to matter.
Official schedule ↗Japan for Two • November 2026
Houston → Fukuoka → Tokyo
A first trip to Japan, timed to the moment.
Two adults. Eight nights. Grand Sumo in Fukuoka, Hiroshima and Miyajima, Kyoto at peak autumn color, and a final Tokyo chapter.
8 nights
2 adults
Nov 17–26
2 adults
Nov 17–26
Use the domestic leg as a connection, not a coupon.
Book one ANA multi-city ticket: IAH → FUK on November 17, then HND → IAH on November 26. The Tokyo-to-Fukuoka flight is part of the international outbound itinerary, with a connection under 24 hours.
The “free domestic flight” headline needs a correction.
ANA’s North America page says domestic connections can be combined with the international ticket, but a Japan stopover longer than 24 hours must be purchased separately. JAL explicitly says it does not generally offer free domestic flights; its Explorer Pass is a discounted paid fare. Treat “free” as potentially no extra base fare when correctly ticketed—taxes, fees, fare rules and availability still apply. See official sources.
Current best international fareANA via HanedaGoogle Flights baseline checked Sep 16, 2026 at 18:48 UTC
$3,534 total$1,767 per adult • economy • taxes + required fees included
Outbound • Tue, Nov 1710:20 AM IAH → 7:05 PM+1 FUK
17h 45m • 1 stop • 1h 40m at HND • ANA
17h 45m • 1 stop • 1h 40m at HND • ANA
Return • Thu, Nov 2610:50 AM HND → 7:45 AM IAH
11h 55m • nonstop • ANA / United
11h 55m • nonstop • ANA / United
$4,001 total • ANA + Star Flyer • 19h 10m outbound
$5,348 total • United + ANA • airport change; avoid
Nov 17 — Houston to FukuokaIAH → HND → FUK, ticketed as one destination with a same-day connection.
ANA ticketNov 20–24 — Travel east by railFukuoka → Hiroshima → Kyoto → Tokyo. Buy point-to-point or compare a regional JR pass.
Rail spineNov 26 — Tokyo to HoustonHND → IAH nonstop is the clean finish; avoid returning to Narita if possible.
ANA ticketWest to east, with no backtracking.
Fly straight to Kyushu for Grand Sumo, then move through Hiroshima and peak-foliage Kyoto toward Tokyo without backtracking.
air connectionrail routeevent city
November 17–26, 2026
Day-by-day itinerary
A compact eight-night route. Open any row for the practical plan, or filter to isolate events, transfers, and easier days.
NOV 17TuesdayHoustonIAHDepart for FukuokaBook IAH → HND → FUK as one ANA itinerary.Flight
- Ticket Fukuoka as the international outbound destination, not Tokyo plus a separate domestic ticket.
- Choose a Haneda connection under 24 hours.
- Keep one change of clothes and essentials in carry-on.
This booking shape is the legitimate way to pursue the domestic-flight value: the HND→FUK sector is a connection inside the international journey.
NOV 18WednesdayFukuokaHakata baseArrive via HanedaCheck in, eat well, and protect the first night.Arrival
- Continue HND→FUK on the same ticket.
- Stay near Hakata Station for the arena and next Shinkansen leg.
- Use the evening for a short yatai dinner, not a full sightseeing sprint.
Jet lag is real. The memorable event is tomorrow, so tonight stays deliberately light.
NOV 19ThursdayFukuokaKokusai CenterA full day at Grand SumoThe November tournament runs through the 22nd.Ticketed
- Buy through the official Japan Sumo Association route when inventory is available.
- Arrive around midday for lower divisions, food, and the arena atmosphere.
- Top-division bouts build through late afternoon.
Official dates: November 8–22, 2026. November 19 lands late enough in the tournament for meaningful standings, while still fitting the requested window.
NOV 20FridayHiroshima1 nightShinkansen east, then Peace Memorial ParkA focused city afternoon and evening.Rail
- Take a morning Shinkansen from Hakata.
- Visit Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the museum without rushing.
- Finish with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.
Forward the large suitcase to Kyoto and carry one overnight bag to make tomorrow’s Miyajima transfer easier.
NOV 21SaturdayMiyajima → Kyoto3 nightsIsland morning, Kyoto eveningTorii, temples, then a late train east.Rail + ferry
- Reach Miyajima early for Itsukushima Shrine and Daisho-in.
- Skip Mt. Misen unless weather and timing are excellent.
- Continue to Kyoto in the late afternoon and check in near Kyoto Station or Gion.
This is the busiest transfer day. Keeping Miyajima focused preserves enough daylight and avoids arriving in Kyoto after midnight.
NOV 22SundayKyotoEastern templesFushimi Inari at dawn, Higashiyama laterKiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, and Gion.Foliage
- Reach Fushimi Inari near sunrise.
- Rest, then walk Kiyomizu-dera through preserved Higashiyama streets.
- Use an evening temple light-up only if the 2026 schedule is confirmed.
JNTO says Kyoto color starts in mid-November and the city can be especially busy near the end of the month. Expect peak-season crowds.
NOV 23MondayKyotoLabor Thanksgiving DayArashiyama in peak-season colorTenryu-ji, river views, and quieter northern lanes.Holiday
- Arrive before 8:00 for the bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji garden.
- Continue beyond the central bridge toward quieter temples.
- Reserve intercity seats because November 23 is a national holiday.
This is likely the trip’s strongest foliage day, but also one of its busiest. The early start is essential, not optional.
NOV 24TuesdayKyoto → Tokyo2 nightsOne last Kyoto morning, then ShinkansenChoose Fuji-side seats and travel in daylight.Rail
- Use the morning for Nishiki Market, Nanzen-ji, or a missed temple.
- Reserve seats together and choose the Mt. Fuji side when available.
- Spend the evening in Shibuya or Shinjuku.
The holiday rush eases after November 23, making this a better intercity travel day than the day before.
NOV 25WednesdayTokyoOld + newSenso-ji to the modern skylineA full Tokyo day with one neighborhood path.City day
- Start at Senso-ji before peak crowds.
- Choose one middle chapter: Ueno museums, Akihabara, Yanaka, or Ginza.
- Finish at Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue or a night observation deck.
JNTO identifies mid-November to early December as Tokyo’s ginkgo window. Exact 2026 color remains weather-dependent.
NOV 26ThursdayTokyo → HoustonHND → IAHA calm final morning, then nonstop homeEnd at Haneda for the simplest departure.Flight
- Confirm airport terminal and baggage cutoff the night before.
- Use Haneda rather than Narita when fares are comparable.
- Leave a comfortable rail buffer from central Tokyo.
The open-jaw structure avoids returning to Fukuoka and lets every transfer move toward the flight home.
The dates now favor sumo and peak foliage.
The early-November Saga festivals fall outside November 17–26, so this version prioritizes the active Fukuoka tournament and late-November Kyoto color.
Autumn foliage
JNTO says Kyoto color begins in mid-November and warns the city can be especially busy near the end of the month. November 22–23 is the visual centerpiece of this itinerary.
JNTO November guide ↗What to reserve first.
1. Price the whole ANA itinerary
Compare IAH→FUK / HND→IAH against a simple IAH↔Tokyo ticket. Do not assume the domestic connector costs zero until the total-price screen confirms it.
2. Lock the sumo day
Reserve Fukuoka lodging for Nov 18–20 and buy November 19 tournament tickets through the official channel as soon as inventory is available.
3. Book Kyoto early
November 21–24 overlaps a national-holiday weekend and peak foliage demand. Use refundable lodging if the trip is not ticketed yet.
4. Compare rail math
Price individual segments against regional JR products. A nationwide pass is not automatically the best value for this one-direction route.
5. Use luggage forwarding
Forward large bags from Fukuoka to Kyoto and carry one overnight bag through Hiroshima and Miyajima.
6. Recheck autumn color
Kyoto’s urban foliage timing varies annually. Use the live forecast close to departure and switch one day to Ohara or Kawaguchiko if color is earlier there.
Rules and dates behind the plan.
The displayed fare is a dated Google Flights snapshot for the exact two-adult multi-city itinerary. Prices and availability can change; use the live-results link to recheck before purchase.