Andersons in Japan! 🇯🇵 2026

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Full Itinerary

15 days · 19 Sep – 3 Oct

Tap any day to expand. Today's plan auto-highlights. All times are Japan time (JST). 🗺️ Open all itinerary pins ↗

Day 1 Sat 19 Sep

🟢 Arrive Tokyo ✈️

Long haul

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Arriving in Tokyo at Narita and Haneda airports

Tim's and Nick's families arrive at Narita T2 and use separate direct Airport Limousine Buses to Keio Plaza. Lou and Maggie arrive at Haneda T3; their primary plan is the prepaid Transfeero car once its airport pickup, JL52 tracking and waiting time are confirmed. The direct HND limousine bus is the fallback.

Arrivals & Transfer

Time	What	Notes
16:20	✈️ Tim family arrives NRT T2 (JL774 from MEL)	Likely arrival lobby ~16:55–17:10 in a clean run
17:45	✈️ Lou + Maggie arrive HND T3 (JL52 from SYD)	Primary: prepaid Transfeero car after confirmation. Fallback: 19:00 direct bus → hotel 20:05
18:00	🚌 Tim family — Bus #37 T2 → Keio Plaza	19:55 published; ~19:25–19:40 likely. ¥3,600/adult
19:00	✈️ Nick family arrives NRT T2 (QF79 from MEL)	Likely arrival lobby ~19:35–19:50
20:05	🚌 Nick family — Bus #45 T2 → Keio Plaza	21:50 published; ~21:20–21:35 likely. ¥3,600/adult
Plan A · ~20:15	🍜 Fumotoya at Keio Plaza — preferred arrival toast and Japanese dinner for the six early arrivals	Ask concierge after check-in · L.O. 21:00
Plan B · ~20:45	🐟 Andy's Shin Hinomoto — same-night option only if all six still have energy and the restaurant accepts them	2 taxis · ~20–30 min · cash only
Plan C	🏪 Deliberately excellent konbini feast — snacks, proper food and arrival drinks	No shame; early night remains strategic

Official 19 Sep bus timetable is published; reservations open one month ahead. Re-check/book from 19 Aug. Lou's HND bus alternative: 19:00 → Keio Plaza 20:05 (¥1,400 each), with 19:30 → 20:35 as fallback. Arrival dinner is deliberately unbooked: Fumotoya first; Andy's only as a same-night high-energy upgrade; konbini if energy or availability says no. Nick's family should not be held to dinner. Official HND timetable ↗

Day 2 Sun 20 Sep

🟢 Tokyo: West Tokyo Day 🌿

👟 Walking dayDinner booked

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Meiji Jingu → Yoyogi Park → Takeshita-dori/Omotesando split → afternoon breakouts → Shibuya Sky sunset → MO-MO-PARADISE dinner.

Time	What	Transit
8:00	Leave Keio Plaza	15-min walk
8:15–9:30	⛩️ Meiji Jingu — forested shrine, morning calm	—
9:30–10:15	🌳 Yoyogi Park — Sunday performers, cosplayers, dance troupes	Adjacent
10:15	SPLIT: Teens → Takeshita-dori (kawaii chaos) \| Adults → Omotesando (architecture, cafés)	2–5 min walk
~12:00	Reconvene. Lunch — Afuri (yuzu-shio ramen) or Maisen (tonkatsu)	—
13:00	🟡 BREAKOUTS: Monty → Nakano Broadway (figures) \| Honey → Shimokitazawa (vintage/jazz) \| Rest → Shinjuku Gyoen	10–12 min by train
15:00	Breakouts wrap, reconvene at hotel	—
16:30	🌆 Shibuya Sky — rooftop observation deck. ⚠️ Pre-book sunset slot	Taxi ~15 min
~17:30	Shibuya Crossing — dusk photo	—
18:30–20:10	🍲 MO-MO-PARADISE Shinjuku Higashi-guchi — ✅ confirmed for all 10. Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki; 100-minute table limit. Be on time.	Shibuya → Shinjuku East ~25 min

Day 3 Mon 21 Sep

🟢 Tokyo: East → Central 🗼

HolidayteamLab booked

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⚠️ Respect for the Aged Day (national holiday). teamLab and Gonpachi are confirmed for all 10. Tsukiji → Senso-ji → Akihabara breakout → teamLab → Gonpachi → karaoke.

Time	What	Transit
8:45	Leave Keio Plaza	Oedo Line ~20 min
9:05–10:30	🐟 Tsukiji Outer Market — brunch grazing: tamagoyaki, wagyu skewers, uni hand rolls, melon pan	—
11:00–12:30	🏯 Senso-ji & Nakamise-dori — Thunder Gate, incense, temple hall, shopping lane	Oedo Line + walk ~20 min
13:00	SPLIT: Monty → Akihabara (models/figures) \| Others → free afternoon (Ueno, Yanaka, or rest)	—
15:00–15:30 entry	🎨 teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) — ✅ all 10 tickets confirmed. Tim has the two private live entry links.	Leave Akihabara ~14:30 · Hibiya Line + walk ~28 min
18:00–20:00	🍽️ Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu — Kill Bill restaurant. ✅ Enkai course confirmed for all 10	Walk ~30 min or taxi ~6 min
~20:15	🎤 Karaoke — Big Echo Nishishinjuku. Private booth, all-you-can-drink	Taxi ~15 min to Shinjuku

Day 4 Tue 22 Sep

🏯 Tokyo → Kanazawa 🚄

ShinkansenWorkshop booked

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⚠️ Citizens' Holiday (Silver Week). Omicho Market may have reduced stalls. Gold Leaf Sakuda Workshop ✅ CONFIRMED 15:00 for 7 participants. Main luggage stays with us today; forwarding to Osaka happens from Takitei on Day 6.

Time	What	Transit
~8:30	Check out Keio Plaza	—
8:45	3 taxis → Tokyo Station	~20 min
9:32	🚄 Hakutaka 557 departs Tokyo (Platform 21)	2h55m Hokuriku Shinkansen
~12:27	Arrive Kanazawa Station. Stash bags in coin lockers (¥700)	—
12:30–13:30	🍽️ Omicho Market — late lunch grazing	15-min walk
13:45–14:45	🏯 Higashi Chaya District — geisha district, wooden machiya, gold leaf soft serve	15-min walk
15:00–16:00	✨ Gold Leaf Sakuda Workshop — ✅ 7 places confirmed. Maggie included; final adult participant list to settle. ~¥2,000–2,750/pp	Heart of Higashi Chaya
~16:05	⛩️ Oyama Shrine — Dutch stained glass in a Shinto shrine. Free, quick	5-min walk
~16:45	3 taxis (or 2 reserved vans) → Takitei ryokan	~25 min
~17:15	Arrive Takitei. Check in. First onsen ♨️	—
Evening	🍽️ Kaga kaiseki dinner at Takitei (included)	—

Day 5 Wed 23 Sep

👘 Kanazawa Day 🏯

Holiday👘 Kimono day♨️ Onsen

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⚠️ Autumnal Equinox Day. Still at Takitei until tomorrow, so there are no luggage logistics today. Kimono + Kenroku-en + Ninja Temple + contemporary art; dawn onsen is non-negotiable.

Time	What	Transit
7:00	🔒 Dawn onsen ♨️ — rotenburo to yourself	—
8:00	🍽️ Breakfast at Takitei (mixed Western/Japanese)	—
~8:30	Taxis from Takitei to Kokoyui near Kanazawa Station	~25 min + arrival buffer
9:00–10:00	👘 Kokoyui (心結) — ✅ all 10 confirmed: six women and four men. Kokoyui explicitly says plan changes can be handled on the day; choose plans and any hair styling after seeing the garments.	All ready by 10:00 without hair styling; published men's sizing reaches 210–220 cm
~10:00	Taxis to Kenroku-en	~15 min
~10:20–11:15	🌸 Kenroku-en garden in kimono. ¥320/pp	Holiday crowds
~11:15–11:45	🏯 Kanazawa Castle Park — adjacent, free, no-nails joinery	Focused walk-through
~11:45–12:45	🍽️ Lunch nearby — keep it quick and geographically close	Protect the 14:00 Ninja Temple tour
~12:45–13:35	Flexible buffer: compact Nagamachi/Nomachi stop, or go directly toward Myouryuji and rest	Follow the group's pace
13:50 / 14:00	🥷 Myouryuji Ninja Temple — arrive for 14:00 tour (40 min)	Request for 10 from 23 Aug; don't wait until check-in
~15:00	🥷 Ninja Weapon Museum — throw shuriken (~45 min)	5-min walk
~15:45	Taxis back to Kokoyui	~15 min
~16:00–16:30	Return kimono and change before Kokoyui's 17:00 closing time	Do not cut this fine
~16:40 optional	🎨 21st Century Museum if energy and opening hours allow; exhibition admission ahead, Swimming Pool via same-day web queue only	No advance pool reservation exists
~17:30–18:00	Back to Takitei — onsen ♨️	—
Evening	🍽️ Takitei kaiseki dinner	—

Day 6 Thu 24 Sep

🚗 Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go → Takayama ♨️

🚗 Road trip♨️ OnsenDinner booked

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Forward the bulk luggage from Takitei for collection at Yamato Namba Office (Dotonbori) at its Sakuragawa location, then travel with two-night bags. Pick up 2 × confirmed Toyota W2 cars and drive via Shirakawa-go to Takayama. Kyo Ya dinner is confirmed for all 10 at 18:00. 🗺️ Road-trip pins ↗

Time	What	Notes
Before 8:30	🎒 Send bulk suitcases from Takitei via Yamato for collection at Namba Office (Dotonbori), Sakuragawa location; carry two-night bags	Sales-office code 060302
9:00	Pick up 2 × confirmed Toyota W2 cars at Kanazawa Sta. West Ext.	5 people + overnight bags per car
~10:30	Arrive Shirakawa-go (Ogimachi). Park near village centre (¥500–1,000)	Leave promptly after 09:00 car pickup
~10:40	📸 Shiroyama Viewpoint — shuttle bus (¥300) or 15-min walk. The postcard shot	Non-negotiable
~11:05	🏠 Wada-ke House — largest farmhouse, 250+ years. ¥400	Leave by ~11:40
11:50	Arrive and check in at Soba Wakimoto as Anderson	Strict reservation
12:00	🍽️ Soba Wakimoto — confirmed for all 10; zashiki at two tables of five; choose individually on arrival	Staff direct both cars · be on time
~13:00	🌾 Village wander — suspension bridge, paths between farmhouses, rice fields	30–45 min
~14:30	Depart → Takayama	~50 min drive
~15:20	Arrive Takayama. Parallel check-in at Oyado Koto No Yume and Ryokan Asunaro	Flexible after the noon booking
~15:40	🏮 Sanmachi Suji — Edo merchant houses and sake breweries	Keep flexible after check-in
~16:20	🟡 Yatai Kaikan — festival floats, 3–4 storeys tall, gold leaf, karakuri dolls. ¥1,000	Before 17:00 close
~17:15	Return to the ryokan for a short reset	Road-trip buffer
18:00	🔥 Hida Takayama Kyo Ya — ✅ dinner confirmed for all 10; order individually	Arrive on time
~20:00	♨️ Back to Oyado Koto No Yume / Ryokan Asunaro — onsen	—

Day 7 Fri 25 Sep

⛰️ Takayama Day ♨️

Flexible paceDinner booked♨️ Onsen

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All attractions are walk-up. Lou and Maggie walk over from Ryokan Asunaro after breakfast. Ajikura Tengoku is confirmed for all 10 at 18:30; arrive before the booking time because lateness may mean cancellation. Flow by location, not clock. 🗺️ Takayama pins ↗

Oyado Koto No Yume + Ryokan Asunaro (bases, ~5 min apart) │ ├─ 8–10 min walk to: │ ├─ Jinya-mae Morning Market (produce, apples, miso) │ ├─ Miyagawa Morning Market (crafts, pickles, river stalls) │ └─ Takayama Jinya 🟡 — Edo government office (¥440) │ ├─ 2–3 min south: │ ├─ Sanmachi Suji — Edo streets, sake breweries │ └─ Yatai Kaikan — festival floats (if missed Day 6) │ ├─ 5–7 min walk south: │ └─ Showa-kan Museum 🔥 — retro interactive 1926–1989 │ ├─ 10-min bus/taxi west: │ └─ Hida Folk Village — 30+ farmhouses (¥700) │ └─ 10–15 min walk east: └─ Higashiyama Walking Course — 3.5km temple walk

Order	What	Why
1	🍽️ Breakfast at respective ryokan (included)	Start whenever
2	🌿 Morning Markets (both) — best 8–9am	5 min apart
3	🏯 Takayama Jinya 🟡 — gauge interest on the spot	Next to markets
4	🏮 Sanmachi Suji + Yatai Kaikan	2-min walk
5	🍽️ Lunch — Hida beef buns or sit-down in Sanmachi	—
6	🏠 Hida Folk Village — 30+ relocated farmhouses	10-min bus/taxi
7	SPLIT: 🔥 Showa-kan (teens/arcade) \| 🔒 Higashiyama temples (Tom/Beck)	Central vs east edge
8	🥩 Ajikura Tengoku — ✅ confirmed for all 10 at 18:30 under Timothy Anderson	Arrive before 18:30; a late party may lose the booking
9	♨️ Onsen — last soak before Osaka. Until 23:00	—

Day 8 Sat 26 Sep

🚃 Takayama → Osaka 🎢

Scenic trainDinner booked

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Return rental cars at Toyota Takayama Station. Hida Express (scenic mountain train) → Nagoya → Nozomi Shinkansen → Shin-Osaka → Namba. ~3h30m door-to-door.

Time	What	Notes
~7:30	🍽️ Breakfast at Oyado Koto No Yume / Ryokan Asunaro. Last ryokan breakfast	—
~8:15	Check out. Load cars. Drive to Toyota Takayama Station	3–5 min
~8:25	Return 2 × Toyota cars early for inspection (reservation return time 09:00)	Shop opens 08:00
9:36	🚃 Hida 6 (Wide View Hida) departs Takayama — scenic mountain railway	~2h25m, ¥6,140/pp
~12:01	Arrive Nagoya Station. Transfer to Shinkansen gates	~10 min walk
~12:30	🚄 Direct Hikari/Kodama → Shin-Osaka if the Hida connection works; otherwise next Nozomi	Preferred Hayatoku 7 ¥4,970 pp; Nozomi fallback ~¥6,480
~13:25	Arrive Shin-Osaka → 🚇 Midosuji Line → Namba	~15 min, ¥280
~13:40	Arrive Namba. Luggage crew collects forwarded suitcases from Yamato Namba Office (Dotonbori) at its Sakuragawa location	Taxis; center open Sat until 21:00
14:00–15:30	🌆 Optional Dotonbori first hit — one takoyaki stop, Glico Man photo, canal wander	Keep it light
16:00	Check in at Airbnb (key safe, self-check-in)	—
19:00	🍳 Sennichimae Hatsuse — ✅ private room confirmed for all 10. Seat-only; order cook-your-own okonomiyaki individually	Walk ~5–10 min
After	🌃 Dotonbori neon walk — Glico Man lit, Kuidaore Taro, giant crab sign	—

Day 9 Sun 27 Sep

🕊️ Hiroshima Day Trip

Day tripDinner booked

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Peace Museum + Park only. Indoor, somber — Sunday works. Nozomi each way (~1h21m). Tanuki Chaya is confirmed for all 10 at 19:00.

Time	What	Notes
~8:00	Wake, konbini breakfast at Airbnb	—
~9:15	🚇 Namba → Shin-Osaka	Midosuji Line ~15 min
~9:50	🚄 Nozomi → Hiroshima	~1h21m
~11:30	🚋 Hiroden streetcar → Genbaku Dome-mae	~15 min
11:45–12:15	🕊️ A-Bomb Dome + Peace Memorial Park grounds	Outside first
12:15–14:00	🏛️ Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum — ~2 hrs. Don't rush it	—
14:00	🍽️ Nagata-ya only if the quoted wait is ≤30 min; otherwise switch immediately to Mitchan Sohonten at Orizuru Tower	Both walk-in; adjacent tables acceptable
~15:30	🚋 Hiroden → Hiroshima Station	—
~16:00	🚄 Nozomi → Shin-Osaka	—
~17:50	Rest at Airbnb — shower, decompress	—
19:00	🔥 Rikimaru Robatayaki Tanuki Chaya — ✅ private non-smoking room confirmed for all 10. Seat-only; order grilled seafood, yakitori and vegetables individually	~8 min walk

Day 10 Mon 28 Sep

⛩️ Kyoto Day Trip 🍜

Day trip👟 WalkingTerrace dinner booked

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Monday = meaningfully fewer crowds. Fushimi Inari → Kiyomizu-dera → Philosopher's Path → Nishiki Market → Gion at dusk → Pontocho. ~1h each way. 🗺️ Kyoto day pins ↗

Time	What	Notes
7:30	Wake, quick konbini breakfast (slightly earlier today)	—
~8:45	🚃 JR Special Rapid → Kyoto (~28 min from Osaka)	—
~9:25	🛩️ Fushimi Inari — hike to Yotsutsuji viewpoint (~30–40 min up). Monday sweet spot	JR Nara Line, 2 stops
~11:20	⛩️ Kiyomizu-dera + Ninen-zaka/Sannen-zaka — wooden terrace, historic slopes	15-min uphill walk
13:15	🍽️ Omen Ginkaku-ji — confirmed for all 10 under Timothy Anderson	Arrive early · late arrival may forfeit booking
~14:00	🌿 Philosopher's Path — 2km canal-side walk. Late Sept = early autumn light	60–75 min leisurely
~15:45	🛍️ Nishiki Market — light grazing before dinner	Stalls thin after 17:00
~16:30	🏮 Gion at dusk — Hanami-koji, Shirakawa canal, lanterns	35–40 min stroll
~17:15	🏮 Pontocho alley — lantern-lit approach along the Kamogawa	—
17:30	🍽️ Soufuudo Ushinohone — Noryu Yuka terrace dinner ✅ confirmed for all 10; indoor seating prepared if it rains	Pontocho · early sitting ends ~19:45
~19:45	🚃 Return to Namba after dinner	~1–1¼ hr

Day 11 Tue 29 Sep

🎢 USJ Day 🍄

All 10 tickets confirmedExpress Pass 7

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Tuesday = quietest day at USJ. All ten Studio Passes and all ten Express Pass 7 tickets are confirmed. Bring each guest's printed entry QR; no park re-entry after exit.

Time	What	Notes
7:45	Wake, grab-and-go konbini. Eat on the train	—
~8:35	🚇 Namba → Universal City Station	~20–25 min
~9:00	🎢 USJ gates open — each guest scans their individual Studio Pass QR	No park re-entry after exit
Morning–afternoon	🎢 Free-flow rides using the untimed Express choices	Keep every Express QR available offline
~11:30	🍽️ Early lunch — Three Broomsticks; mobile order, no reservation	Beat the lunch rush; Great Feast, British meals + Butterbeer
~15:45	🍽️ Substantial early meal — Discovery Restaurant in Jurassic Park	Mobile order; reach Super Nintendo World by ~17:10
17:20–17:50	🍄 Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge	SNW entry 17:20–18:20
17:50–18:20	🍄 Yoshi's Adventure	Stay inside SNW
18:20–18:50	⛏️ Mine Cart Madness	Immediately after Yoshi
18:50–~20:05	🍄 Explore Nintendo World; optional snack or dessert	Leave in time to cross to Harry Potter
20:30–21:00	🪄 Flight of the Hippogriff	Harry Potter area
~21:10	Depart USJ → Namba; late snack if wanted	~25 min

Day 12 Wed 30 Sep

🏯 Himeji + Osaka 🦌

Day tripFinal Osaka nightDinner booked

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Himeji Castle — Japan's finest original castle, never bombed. Six floors of steep wooden stairs, defensive chutes, samurai-era joinery. Then back to Osaka for Shinsekai and final Dotonbori night.

Time	What	Notes
8:00	Wake, relaxed konbini breakfast. No rush today	—
~9:45	🚄 Hikari/Kodama → Himeji (~30 min from Shin-Osaka)	—
~10:35	🏯 Himeji Castle — ¥2,500 for ages 18+; under-18 castle entry free. Six adult admissions = ¥15,000	Buy digital tickets ahead; walk-up possible
~12:10	🍱 Kassui-ken inside Koko-en — garden-view Himeji anago lunch. Walk-in; adjacent tables may be needed	~¥1,680–2,880/pp
~13:00	🌸 Koko-en Garden — short circuit through 9 Edo-period gardens	Adjacent
~14:10	🚄 Shinkansen → Shin-Osaka → Namba	—
~15:00	🏙️ Free afternoon — Shinsekai (retro 1950s), Shinsaibashi shopping, or wander	—
18:00	🍢 Kushikatsu Daruma Dobutsuen-mae — ✅ confirmed for all 10 with the Shinsekai Set	90-minute sitting; arrive together
~19:30	🌃 Final Dotonbori wander — one last Glico Man photo	—

Day 13 Thu 1 Oct

♨️ Osaka → Hakone 🌋

Shinkansen♨️ Ryokan

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Travel day—the ryokan is the activity. Take a direct Hikari to Odawara (Nozomi does not stop), buy the two-day Hakone Freepass locally, then taxi to Tenyu.

Time	What	Notes
~8:00	Wake, last Airbnb konbini breakfast	—
10:00	Check out Airbnb	—
~10:50	Arrive Shin-Osaka. Grab ekiben for train lunch	—
~11:15	🚄 Direct Hikari departs → Odawara	Final train at 1 Sep sales point; Nozomi does not stop
~13:30	Arrive Odawara. Buy Hakone Freepass (2-day, ¥6,000/pp)	At ticket office
~13:50	3 standard taxis (or 2 pre-booked larger vehicles) → Tenyu	~25–35 min
~14:25	Arrive Kowakien Tenyu. Check in from 15:00	—
15:00–	♨️ Rotenburo, yukata, explore grounds	Private onsen on each balcony!
19:30	🍽️ Dinner buffet + free-flow drinks (beer, wine, sake, cocktails)	Included

Day 14 Fri 2 Oct

🌋 Hakone Loop Day 🏴‍☠️

Freepass day5 transport modes

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Hakone sightseeing loop — pirate ship on Lake Ashi

Classic Hakone Round Course — counter-clockwise. One connected arc, five transport modes. Freepass covers everything. Cablecar → Ropeway → Pirate Ship → Bus. Home by 14:45. 🗺️ Hakone loop pins ↗

Time	What	Transit
~7:30	🍽️ Breakfast buffet	—
~9:15	Leave Tenyu → Gora Station	5-min bus / 12-min walk
~9:25	🚃 Cablecar Gora → Sounzan	10 min
~9:40	🚡 Ropeway Sounzan → Owakudani	15 min
9:55–10:35	🌋 Owakudani — sulfur vents, black eggs (¥500/5), Mt Fuji from gondola	—
~10:40	🚡 Ropeway Owakudani → Togendai. Lake Ashi appears	15 min
~11:30	🏴‍☠️ Pirate Ship Togendai → Hakone-machi	30 min
12:00–13:00	🍽️ café KOMON at HOTORIYA — lake-view curry, hamburg steak, rice bowls, pancakes and grill-your-own dango	At the dock · 106 seats · walk-in only
~13:00	Walk Hakone-machi → Moto-Hakone. Cedar Avenue, Hakone Checkpoint	20-min walk
~13:30	⛩️ Hakone Shrine + floating torii	30–45 min, free
~14:15	🚌 Bus Moto-Hakone → Kowakien	~30 min
~14:45	Back at Tenyu — ♨️ onsen, nothing, everything	—
19:30	🍽️ Dinner buffet + free-flow drinks	—

Day 15 Sat 3 Oct

✈️ Museum & Depart

Departure day

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Final onsen, Open-Air Museum, lunch, then Kodama/stopping Hikari to Shinagawa/Tokyo. Tim's family and Lou/Maggie travel together to HND for their shared JL051; Nick's family continues to Tokyo for NRT.

Time	What	Notes
Dawn	♨️ Final rotenburo 🌅	—
~8:00	🍽️ Breakfast buffet (7:00–10:00)	—
11:00	Check out. Store bags at front desk	—
11:15–12:45	🎨 Hakone Open Air Museum — sculpture garden, Picasso Pavilion, stained glass	Buy online: adults ¥1,800; student tiers lower. The 2-day Freepass has expired
12:45–13:45	🍽️ Bella Foresta — 60-minute museum buffet with soft drinks. Walk-in; adjacent tables may be needed	¥2,600/pp · fallback: CHOKOKU-NO-MORI Dining
~15:15	3 taxis → Odawara Station	~25–35 min; ask Tenyu to arrange at check-in
~16:10	🚄 Kodama departs Odawara → Shinagawa/Tokyo	Scenic last ride

Families split at Shinagawa/Tokyo ~16:50

Family	Route	Arrive Airport
Tim + Lou/Maggie (6)	Shinagawa → Keikyu Line → HND T3	~17:05 (2h35m before shared JL051 19:40)
Nick	Tokyo Station → Narita Express → NRT	~17:45 (2h40m before QF80 20:25)

Tim family + Lou/Maggie: JL051 HND→SYD dep 19:40. Tim's four continue on VA826 SYD→MEL 09:30; Lou/Maggie finish in Sydney. Nick: QF80 NRT→MEL dep 20:25.

🚆

Transport

Trains, cars & city transit

The shared map includes every airport, major station, rental-car branch and Hakone transport point. 🗺️ Transport pins ↗

🚄 Shinkansen & Long-Distance Trains

🚄 Tokyo → Kanazawa Day 4

Hakutaka 557 · Dep 09:32 Tokyo Station, Platform 21 · Arr ~12:27 Kanazawa · ~2h55m · ¥14,380/pp · Book via Eki-net

🚃 Takayama → Nagoya Day 8

Hida 6 (Wide View Hida) · Dep 09:36 Takayama · Arr ~12:01 Nagoya · ~2h25m scenic mountain railway · ¥6,140/pp · Fallback: Hida 8 (11:35)

🚄 Nagoya → Shin-Osaka Day 8

Preferred: direct Hikari/Kodama with EX Family Hayatoku 7, ¥4,970 pp, if it connects cleanly after Hida 6. Fallback: next Nozomi, ~¥6,480 pp.

🚄 Osaka ↔ Hiroshima Day 9

Reserved Sanyo Shinkansen seats covered by the ¥17,000 Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass; reserve outbound/return trains from 27 Aug.

🚄 Osaka → Odawara (Hakone) Day 13

Direct Hikari · target ~11:15 Shin-Osaka → ~13:30 Odawara · finalize 1 Sep at 10:00 JST via SmartEX. Nozomi does not stop at Odawara.

🚄 Odawara → Shinagawa/Tokyo Day 15

Kodama/stopping Hikari · target ~16:10 · book 6 to Shinagawa (Tim family + Lou/Maggie → HND) and 4 to Tokyo (Nick family → NRT) on 3 Sep.

🚗 Car Rental (Day 6–8)

Toyota Rental — 2 cars

PickupKanazawa Sta. West Ext. · Thu 24 Sep, 09:00

Drop-offToyota Takayama Station · Sat 26 Sep, 09:00

Car 1W2 Class — Voxy/Noah, 7 seats · 5 people + overnight bags

Car 2W2 Class — Voxy/Noah, 7 seats · 5 people + overnight bags

Status✅ Both cars confirmed and paid · Full Package included

DriversTim + Nick · both IDPs completed

✅ Booked ✅ IDPs done

📍 Route Overview

Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go ~1h15m
Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway + Route 156. Scenic Shogawa River Valley drive.

Shirakawa-go → Takayama ~50 min
Mountain road through the Hida region.

🎒 Bulk luggage travels separately by Yamato to Namba · 🅿️ Shirakawa-go parking ¥500–1,000

🎒 Yamato luggage forwarding — Kanazawa to Osaka

Send the bulk suitcases from Takitei on 24 Sep for Yamato Sales Office Pickup at Namba Office (Dotonbori), Sakuragawa location, code 060302; carry two-night bags through Shirakawa-go and Takayama, then collect on 26 Sep. Do not use Namba Station Center or address bags to the self-check-in Airbnb. Takitei/Yamato must verify the exact Japanese branch-pickup waybill format.

🚇 City Transport

📱 Suica on iPhone

Every traveller needs their own IC card. iPhone users should add Suica to Apple Wallet before departure and test-load it. Confirm Lou and Maggie's setup separately.

⚠️ Some foreign Visa cards fail for Suica recharge. Mastercard/Amex more reliable.

🎟️ Hakone Freepass

2-day pass ¥6,000/pp. Buy at Odawara Station on arrival; advance purchase is unnecessary. Valid 1–2 Oct only; it is expired on museum/departure day.

🚌 Airport Transfers

Arrival: Tim #37 NRT T2 18:00→Keio 19:55; Nick #45 20:05→21:50. Reserve from 19 Aug. Lou/Maggie: prepaid Transfeero car after validation; fallback HND T3 bus 19:00→20:05 or 19:30→20:35 (¥1,400 each).

Departure: Tim family + Lou/Maggie travel together via Shinagawa/Keikyu to HND for shared JL051. Nick continues to Tokyo, then N'EX to NRT.

🏨

Where We Stay

6 properties · 14 nights

Tap-to-call phone numbers, addresses for taxi drivers, check-in/out times. 🗺️ Stay pins ↗

🟢 Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

Sat 19 – Tue 22 Sep · 3 nights · South Wing

Address2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Phone03-5322-8000

Check-in15:00 (19 Sep)

Check-out11:00 (22 Sep)

Rooms5 rooms — original 4 rooms + Plaza Deluxe Twin for Lou and Maggie

WiFiFree in all areas

Parking¥1,000/day on site

Breakfast not included Shinjuku 📍 Google Maps

🏯 Takitei (滝亭)

Tue 22 – Thu 24 Sep · 2 nights · Saigawa Onsen, Kanazawa

Address23-10 Sue-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Phone076-229-1122

Check-in~17:15 (22 Sep)

Check-outMorning (24 Sep)

Rooms✅ 5 rooms confirmed: 4× Hanare Saigawa + 1× Japanese/Japanese-Western room

MealsKaiseki dinner + breakfast included for all 10 guests

OnsenRotenburo + shower + communal onsen (no indoor bath)

Kaiseki dinner included ✅ 5 rooms / 10 guests ♨️ Onsen Free shuttle from Sue bus stop 📍 Google Maps

⛰️ Oyado Koto No Yume

Thu 24 – Sat 26 Sep · 2 nights · Takayama

AddressHanasato machi 6-11, Takayama 506-0026

Phone0577-32-0427

Check-in15:00–19:00 (24 Sep)

Check-out07:30–10:00 (26 Sep)

RoomsSuite + Junior Suite 201

MealsBreakfast included (no dinner)

OnsenCommunal indoor + outdoor · Open 15:00–23:00

Breakfast included ♨️ Onsen ¥1,000/day parking 📍 Google Maps

🌿 Ryokan Asunaro

Thu 24 – Sat 26 Sep · 2 nights · Takayama · Lou + Maggie

Address2-96-2 Hatsudamachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0008

Phone0577-33-5551

Check-in14:00–19:00 (24 Sep) · expected ~15:20

Check-out06:30–10:00 (26 Sep)

RoomJapanese Style Deluxe Room · futons · private bathroom

MealsBreakfast included (no dinner)

Breakfast included ♨️ Onsen ~5 min from Oyado 📍 Google Maps

🎢 Osaka Airbnb Villa

Sat 26 Sep – Thu 1 Oct · 5 nights · Namba

LocationNihonbashi / Namba — use the Airbnb app for the exact private address

HostContact Summer through the Airbnb app

Check-in16:00 (26 Sep) — self check-in, key safe

Check-out10:00 (1 Oct)

Rooms5 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms · booking amended to 10 guests

MealsNo breakfast — konbini runs each morning 🍙

Self check-in 8 min walk to Namba Station Quiet hours 9pm–8am 📍 Area map

♨️ Hakone Kowakien Tenyu

Thu 1 – Sat 3 Oct · 2 nights · Hakone

AddressNinotaira 1297, Hakone 250-0407

Phone0465-20-0260

Check-in15:00–19:00 (1 Oct) — must check in by 20:00 for dinner

Check-out09:00–11:00 (3 Oct)

Rooms5 rooms, each with private open-air bath

MealsDinner buffet included; breakfast explicit on original four rooms, fifth-room breakfast to reconfirm

OnsenPrivate rotenburo on each balcony + communal baths

Dinner included ♨️ Private onsen Free-flow drinks at dinner Free parking 📍 Google Maps

🎟️

Activities & Tickets

Confirmed and upcoming bookings

Activities and tickets that are confirmed or need pre-booking. More will be added as bookings are made.

🌆 Shibuya Sky — Sunset Slot

Day 2 · Sun 20 Sep · ~16:30 · Tokyo · ⚠️ Book 6 Sep, 01:00 AEST

Official sales open exactly two weeks ahead at 00:00 JST. Target 16:30 for all 10; nearby 16:20/16:40 slots are acceptable.

🎨 teamLab Borderless

Day 3 · Mon 21 Sep · 15:00–15:30 entry · Tokyo (Azabudai Hills) · ✅ ALL 10 CONFIRMED

Immersive digital art exhibition. Six adult and four teenage tickets are confirmed for the same slot. The live entry links are kept privately with Tim rather than exposed on this public site. Open the exhibition guide app ↗

✨ Gold Leaf Sakuda Workshop

Day 4 · Tue 22 Sep · 15:00–16:00 · Kanazawa · ✅ CONFIRMED

Seven places confirmed and the workshop is full. Maggie is included; the final adult participant list can be settled later. ~¥2,000–2,750/pp. Main Store, Higashi Chaya District.

👘 Kokoyui (心結) Kimono Rental

Day 5 · Wed 23 Sep · 09:00 · Kanazawa · ✅ ALL 10 CONFIRMED

Confirmed for six women and four men together. Everyone can be dressed by 10:00 without hair styling; Kokoyui explicitly says plan changes can be handled on the day. Kokoyui publishes tall men's sizing to 210–220 cm. Return and change around 16:00–16:30 before the shop's 17:00 closing time. Official plans ↗ · Map ↗

🥷 Myouryuji Ninja Temple

Day 5 · Wed 23 Sep · 14:00 tour · Kanazawa · ⚠️ Window opens 23 Aug

Ask Takitei during the August reconfirmation to call for ten when the one-month phone window opens. Do not wait until Day 4 check-in.

🏊 21st Century Museum + Swimming Pool

Day 5 · Wed 23 Sep · ~16:00 · Kanazawa · Admission ahead / pool same-day

Buy Collection Exhibition admission online before the national holiday. The underground Swimming Pool accepts no advance reservation: join its official same-day web waiting list as the group approaches; capacity is not guaranteed.

🎢 USJ Tickets + Express Pass 7

Day 11 · Tue 29 Sep · All day · Osaka · ✅ All 10 confirmed

All ten 1-Day Studio Passes and matching Express Pass 7 — Minecart & Selection tickets are secured. Super Nintendo World entry is 17:20–18:20, followed by the locked evening ride sequence. Tuesday = quietest day (B-level crowds).

🕊️ Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Day 9 · Sun 27 Sep · 12:15–14:00 · Buy individual admission online ahead

Ordinary daytime entry for ten is not a timed group reservation, but buying online avoids the Sunday ticket line. The museum's formal group process begins at 30 adults.

♨️ Hakone Freepass

Day 13–14 · Thu 1 – Fri 2 Oct · Hakone · Buy on arrival

2-day pass ¥6,000/pp. Buy at Odawara Station on arrival. Covers cablecar, ropeway, pirate ship, buses — all Hakone transport.

🎨 Hakone Open Air Museum

Day 15 · Sat 3 Oct · 11:15–12:45 · Hakone · Buy online by 2 Oct

Online admission is ¥1,800 adults, ¥1,400 students and ¥600 primary/middle students. It saves ¥200 and avoids the Saturday ticket line; the two-day Freepass has expired.

📌 Booking Windows Still Open

These are the remaining current and future booking actions. Completed tickets remain clearly marked above; same-day-only items are not presented as reservations.

Ninja Temple — 23 Aug Shibuya Sky — 6 Sep 21st Museum admission — ahead; pool same day

🍜

Dining

Planned meals & grazing spots

Bookings, walk-ins and backup options are all marked together. 🗺️ Food pins ↗

✅ Confirmed / Pre-Booked Meals

🍳 Sennichimae Hatsuse

Day 8 · Sat 26 Sep · 19:00 · Osaka · ✅ Private room confirmed for all 10

First Osaka-night dinner: a long-running all-private-room okonomiyaki restaurant. Seat-only booking, so everyone can order individually and cook at the table. Restaurant phone: 06-6632-2267.

🍲 MO-MO-PARADISE Shinjuku Higashi-guchi

Day 2 · Sun 20 Sep · 18:30–20:10 · Tokyo · ✅ Confirmed for all 10

Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki in Shinjuku East. Table booking with a strict 100-minute limit; everyone must arrive by 18:30. HUMAX Pavilion 3F/4F — check the branch name because Shinjuku has four locations.

🍽️ Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu

Day 3 · Mon 21 Sep · 18:00–20:00 · Tokyo · ✅ Confirmed for 10

The "Kill Bill" restaurant. Enkai course reservation is confirmed for all 10. Cashless, single payment. Reconfirm Sept 19 or 20.

♨️ Takitei Kaiseki Dinners

Days 4–5 · Tue 22 – Wed 23 Sep · Evening · Kanazawa · ✅ Included for 10

Kaga kaiseki dinner and breakfast are confirmed for all five rooms and all ten guests.

🍜 Soba Wakimoto

Day 6 · Thu 24 Sep · 12:00 · Shirakawa-go · ✅ Confirmed for all 10

Strict punctuality. Zashiki seating at two tables of five; choose individually from the menu on arrival. Staff will guide both cars in the parking area.

🔥 Hida Takayama Kyo Ya

Day 6 · Thu 24 Sep · 18:00 · Takayama · ✅ Confirmed for all 10

Atmospheric regional Hida dinner in a traditional house after Shirakawa-go. Order individually on arrival; no deposit or cancellation fee, but the restaurant asks to be contacted if plans change.

🥩 Ajikura Tengoku

Day 7 · Fri 25 Sep · 18:30 · Takayama · ✅ Confirmed for all 10

Hida-beef yakiniku near Takayama Station, booked under Timothy Anderson. Arrive before 18:30: the restaurant may cancel if the party is late.

🍽️ Tanuki Chaya

Day 9 · Sun 27 Sep · 19:00 · Osaka · ✅ Private room confirmed for all 10

Robatayaki after Hiroshima: grilled scallops, prawns, yakitori and vegetables. Seat-only private non-smoking room; busy periods may have a two-hour limit. Restaurant phone: 06-6647-0009.

🍜 Omen Ginkaku-ji

Day 10 · Mon 28 Sep · 13:15 · Kyoto · ✅ Confirmed for 10

Summer reserved directly by telephone under Timothy Anderson's name and phone number. Arrive early—the restaurant may cancel the reservation if the group is late.

🍽️ Soufuudo Ushinohone

Day 10 · Mon 28 Sep · 17:30 · Kyoto · ✅ Confirmed for 10

Noryu Yuka terrace on the Kamogawa. Eight-course seasonal dinner with duck, seafood, tempura, gyoza, wagyu, donabe rice and warabi mochi.

🍢 Kushikatsu Daruma Dobutsuen-mae

Day 12 · Wed 30 Sep · 18:00 · Osaka · ✅ Confirmed for all 10

Ten Shinsekai Sets, 90-minute sitting and one drink per guest. One table or adjacent tables were requested.

🍽️ Hakone Kowakien Tenyu Dinners

Days 13–14 · Thu 1 – Fri 2 Oct · 19:30 · Hakone · Included

Dinner buffet with free-flow drinks is included for all five rooms. Breakfast is explicit on the original four-room confirmation; the fifth-room breakfast wording still needs confirmation.

🚶 Walk-In / Street Food

🍢 Omoide Yokocho — Optional

Day 2 · Sun 20 Sep · After dinner · Tokyo · Walk-through

Optional post-dinner lantern-alley wander after MO-MO-PARADISE. About 15 minutes on foot across Shinjuku; no need to make this another meal.

🐟 Tsukiji Outer Market

Day 3 · Mon 21 Sep · 9:05–10:30 · Tokyo · Grazing

Brunch grazing: tamagoyaki, wagyu skewers, fresh oysters, uni hand rolls, melon pan. The fish supply chain in action.

🐟 Omicho Market

Day 4 · Tue 22 Sep · 12:30–13:30 · Kanazawa · Grazing

Late lunch grazing. Fresh seafood counters, crab rice, Kaga vegetables. Note: holiday = some stalls closed.

🍲 Nagata-ya

Day 9 · Sun 27 Sep · 14:00 · Hiroshima · Walk-in

Join only if the quoted wait is 30 minutes or less and accept adjacent tables. Otherwise switch immediately to Mitchan Sohonten at Orizuru Tower, about one minute away.

🛍️ Nishiki Market

Day 10 · Mon 28 Sep · ~16:00 · Kyoto · Grazing

Pickles, tamagoyaki, fresh mochi, soy donuts. Stalls thin out after 17:00 — go now.

🧙 Three Broomsticks + Discovery Restaurant

Day 11 · Tue 29 Sep · 11:30 + 15:45 · USJ · Mobile order

Early themed lunch, then a substantial Jurassic Park-area meal before the 17:20 Nintendo World sequence. No advance table booking.

🍱 Kassui-ken

Day 12 · Wed 30 Sep · ~12:10 · Himeji · Walk-in

Garden-view lunch inside Koko-en: Himeji anago rice bowls and seasonal Japanese sets. Reservations currently suspended; adjacent tables are fine.

🍛 café KOMON at HOTORIYA

Day 14 · Fri 2 Oct · 12:00–13:00 · Hakone · Walk-in only

Directly opposite the pirate-ship dock: lake-view curry, hamburg steak, rice bowls, pancakes and grill-your-own dango. 106 seats; no reservations accepted.

🍽️ Bella Foresta

Day 15 · Sat 3 Oct · 12:45 · Open-Air Museum · Walk-in

60-minute buffet with soft drinks, ¥2,600 pp. Reservations begin at 20 people, so ask for adjacent tables; on-site fallback is CHOKOKU-NO-MORI Dining.

🇯🇵

Japan Survival Guide

Quick reference

🚨 Emergency

📞110 — Police
📞119 — Fire / Ambulance
💊Pharmacies: look for the ⚕️ sign. Many common meds need a Japanese prescription.
🏥Hospitals: your hotel front desk can direct you. Travel insurance is essential.

♨️ Onsen Etiquette

🚿Wash thoroughly BEFORE entering the bath. Showers and stools are provided.
🙈Nude only. No swimsuits. Small towel modesty cover is okay — but don't put it in the water.
🚫No soap in the bath. Rinse off before re-entering.
📿Tattoo policy varies. Ryokan with private baths (like Tenyu) are fine.
💧Tie long hair up. Keep your head above water.

🚃 Train Manners

🤫Quiet carriages. No phone calls. Silent mode.
🎒Backpacks off on crowded trains. Put them on the rack or carry in front.
🍱No eating on local/metro trains. Eating on Shinkansen is encouraged (ekiben!).
🚪Let people exit before boarding. Queue on the platform markings.
♿Priority seats: give them up for elderly, pregnant, disabled passengers.

🍙 Konbini Guide

7️⃣7-Eleven: Best ATMs (international cards), strong egg sandwich, Famichiki rival.
🔵FamilyMart: Best coffee (famiMA COFFEE), good pasta salads.
🍓Lawson: Best fried chicken (Kara-age-kun), famous baked goods.
💳All accept Suica/IC cards. Most have free WiFi and clean toilets.
⏰Open 24/7. Your breakfast, snack, and water source for the whole trip.

💴 Money & Tipping

🚫NEVER tip. It's considered rude. Good service is included.
💵Cash is still common. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 each.
🏧ATMs: 7-Eleven and Japan Post accept international cards.
📱Suica works at most shops, konbini, vending machines.
🧾Keep receipts — some stores offer tax-free for tourists (¥5,000+).

🗑️ Trash & Recycling

🔥Burnable (food, paper) — usually collected twice a week.
♻️PET bottles — separate, remove caps, crush flat.
📦Non-burnable (plastic, metal) — collected monthly.
🚯Public bins are rare. Carry your trash until you find a konbini or station bin.

👟 Shoes

🥿Easy slip-on shoes — you'll be taking them off constantly (ryokan, temples, restaurants).
🚫No shoes on tatami. Ever.
🧦Clean socks daily — you'll be in them a lot indoors.
🪝Toilets have separate slippers — don't wear them outside the toilet room!

🗣️ Useful Phrases

✋Sumimasen — Excuse me / Sorry (the most useful word)
🙏Arigatou gozaimasu — Thank you very much
😋Oishii! — Delicious!
❓Eigo ga wakarimasu ka? — Do you understand English?
🚻Toire wa doko desu ka? — Where is the toilet?
💳Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? — Can I use a card?
🍺Biru o kudasai — One beer please

✅

Before You Go

Pre-trip checklist

📋 Everyone

Add Suica to Apple Wallet

Before departure. Load ¥1,000 to test your card works. Mastercard/Amex more reliable than Visa.
Passport validity — 8 checked, Lou/Maggie outstanding

The original eight passports are verified. Confirm Lou and Maggie before Visit Japan Web. Australians do not need a visa for stays under 90 days.
Travel insurance

Essential. Medical care in Japan is excellent but expensive without insurance.
eSIM or pocket WiFi

Book before departure. Ubigi eSIM (~$39/15 days) or NINJA WiFi (~¥396/day).
Notify bank of overseas travel

So your card doesn't get blocked in Japan. Bring a backup card.
Download offline maps

Google Maps offline area for Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Osaka, Hakone. Also: NAVITIME app.
Pack slip-on shoes

You'll take shoes off constantly. Easy slip-ons save time and frustration.
Complete Visit Japan Web

Around 12 Sep. Three family accounts: Tim + family, Nick + family, Lou + Maggie. Every traveller needs completed immigration/customs details and their own 2D code. Use only vjw.digital.go.jp ↗.
Install the official USJ app

Everyone with a phone should install it before 29 Sep for the live map, ride waits, mobile food ordering and Super Nintendo World features. Tim already has it. Use only the official USJ download page ↗.

🚗 Tim & Nick — Completed

✅ International Driving Permits

Completed for both Tim and Nick.
✅ Toyota rental cars

Two W2 cars confirmed and paid. Kanazawa pickup 24 Sep at 09:00 → Takayama return 26 Sep at 09:00.

🎫 Tim Only

Book intercity trains on their exact dates

22 Aug: Hakutaka 557. 26 Aug: Hida 6, Nagoya–Osaka and pass purchase. 27/30 Aug: Hiroshima/Himeji seats. 1 Sep: Hikari to Odawara. 3 Sep: six seats to Shinagawa + four to Tokyo.
19 Aug — airport transfers

Reserve NRT buses #37 and #45 after the final recheck. Validate Lou/Maggie's Transfeero pickup; use the 19:00 HND bus only if the car plan fails validation.
✅ teamLab Borderless — completed

All ten confirmed for 15:00 on 21 Sep. Keep the ticket PDF available offline.
✅ USJ Studio + Express Passes — completed

All ten matching tickets secured. Print every guest's individual Studio and Express QR tickets before departure.
✅ Kokoyui kimono for all 10 — confirmed

09:00 on 23 Sep for six women and four men. Plans and optional hair can be chosen at the shop; return by about 16:30 before the 17:00 close.
6 Sep — book Shibuya Sky

Sales open 00:00 JST / 01:00 AEST exactly two weeks ahead. Target about 16:30 for ten.
23 Aug — book Myouryuji

Ask Takitei to call for the 14:00 tour for ten when the one-month window opens. Do not wait until check-in.
Buy museum tickets ahead

21st Century Museum exhibition before 23 Sep (pool same-day only); Hiroshima before 27 Sep; Himeji digital admission before 30 Sep; Hakone Open-Air Museum by 2 Oct.
Restaurant reconfirmations

Ajikura Tengoku is confirmed for all 10 at 18:30 on 25 Sep. Reconfirm Gonpachi on 19 or 20 Sep; reconfirm the confirmed Wakimoto booking with Takitei at check-in.
Confirm Yamato branch-pickup waybill

Takitei → Namba Office (Dotonbori), Sakuragawa location (code 060302) on 24 Sep; collect 26 Sep. Do not use Namba Station Center or the Airbnb address.

🛂 Visit Japan Web — Immigration & Customs

Complete around 12 September. Because we arrive in three separate groups, use three lead-adult accounts rather than one account for all ten:

Tim account: Tim, Beck, Honey, Monty — JL774 into NRT T2
Nick account: Nick, Emily, Tom, Annabel — QF79 into NRT T2
Lou account: Lou and Maggie — JL52 into HND T3

Have ready: every passport, lead-adult email address, flight details, home address/occupation details, and customs answers. Register each person individually—even teenagers—and verify that every traveller's immigration/customs 2D code opens on the lead phone.

First stay: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8330 · +81 3 5322 8000 · stay 19–22 Sep.

Open official Visit Japan Web ↗ · Official step-by-step guide ↗

Privacy: don't post passport numbers or VJW login credentials in the group. Before flying, log in online, confirm every code loads, and add the VJW offline service to the lead phone's home screen.

🎒 Packing Suggestions

Essentials

Passport + travel insurance card
iPhone (with Suica loaded)
Cash ¥20,000+ (7-Eleven ATMs as backup)
2x credit cards (different banks)
Universal adapter (Japan is Type A/B, 100V)
Portable battery pack

Clothing

Slip-on shoes (you'll take them off a LOT)
Light rain jacket
Layers — warm days, cool evenings
Smart-casual outfit for nice restaurants
Clean socks (daily — you'll be in them indoors)
Small daypack or crossbody bag

Nice to Have

eSIM activated before landing
NAVITIME app (Japanese transit)
Google Translate app (camera mode)
Small towel (onsen use)
Reusable water bottle
Thermos for hot drinks (vending machines!)

Andersons in Japan!

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お帰りなさい！ 🎌

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