Before You Go
Suica Card
Get one at the airport on arrival. Load ¥5,000–10,000 each. Works on trains, convenience stores, and vending machines everywhere.
eSIM / Data
Buy an eSIM before departure — Airalo is reliable. Activate on the plane so you have data the moment you land.
Cash
Many restaurants are cash only. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 at all times. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards reliably.
Shinkansen
Book Tokyo→Osaka (Apr 17, ~10am) and Osaka→Tokyo (Apr 20, ~8am) now via Hyperdia or JR Pass. ~2.5 hrs each way.
Book Now
Omakase dinner (use Tableall), Shibuya Sky observation deck. These sell out weeks in advance — book before you fly.
Daily Budget
~¥15,000–20,000/person/day for food and drinks. More on omakase and Wagyu nights. Golf is a separate cost.
東京
Tokyo
April 14–17 · Airbnb, Shinjuku
🏠 Airbnb, Shinjuku
Check-in 4pm Apr 14
Check-in 4pm Apr 14
01
Monday, Apr 14
Tokyo
Arrival Day — Full Group Lands
arrival
Land + Suica + eSIMPick up Suica cards at the airport immediately. Narita Express or Keikyu line into Shinjuku — roughly 60–90 min. Grab yen from a 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATM before leaving the airport.
afternoon
Stow bags + wander ShinjukuIf you arrive before 4pm, coin lockers at Shinjuku Station fit full suitcases. Walk off the flight, grab a convenience store snack, get oriented.
4:00 PM
Airbnb Check-In Anchor
Drop everything, freshen up. Fight the urge to nap — staying awake now saves you days of jet lag.
Drop everything, freshen up. Fight the urge to nap — staying awake now saves you days of jet lag.
evening
First group dinner — Izakaya Food
Torikizoku (cheap and lively) or Uotami (mid-range) in Shinjuku. Order everything — yakitori, karaage, gyoza, edamame, highballs. Welcome to Japan.
Torikizoku (cheap and lively) or Uotami (mid-range) in Shinjuku. Order everything — yakitori, karaage, gyoza, edamame, highballs. Welcome to Japan.
late
Omoide Yokocho + Golden Gai Nightlife
Memory Lane for yakitori and cold beer under a smoky canopy, then Golden Gai's tiny atmospheric bars — each seats maybe 8 people. Both a short walk from the Airbnb. Keep it easy tonight.
Memory Lane for yakitori and cold beer under a smoky canopy, then Golden Gai's tiny atmospheric bars — each seats maybe 8 people. Both a short walk from the Airbnb. Keep it easy tonight.
Jet lag strategy: Stay awake until at least 10pm local time tonight. The group that powers through day one sleeps great and hits the ground running on day two.
02
Tuesday, Apr 15
Tokyo
Tsukiji + Shibuya + Omakase + Round1
early AM
Tsukiji Outer Market Food
Jet lag will have you up early anyway — use it. Best breakfast in Japan: fresh uni on rice, tamagoyaki, oysters, tuna sashimi at 8am. Go hungry.
Jet lag will have you up early anyway — use it. Best breakfast in Japan: fresh uni on rice, tamagoyaki, oysters, tuna sashimi at 8am. Go hungry.
morning
Meiji Shrine → Harajuku
Forested shrine in the middle of the city, then Omotesando and Harajuku for shopping — Dover Street Market, brand flagships, Takeshita Street.
Forested shrine in the middle of the city, then Omotesando and Harajuku for shopping — Dover Street Market, brand flagships, Takeshita Street.
afternoon
Shibuya Shop
The scramble crossing, Shibuya 109, and the side streets. Shibuya Sky observation deck at sunset — book in advance, worth it.
The scramble crossing, Shibuya 109, and the side streets. Shibuya Sky observation deck at sunset — book in advance, worth it.
dinner
Omakase Splurge Book Now
Your big sushi night. ¥20,000–40,000/person. Book via Tableall — top spots fill weeks out. A Shinjuku or Shibuya location works well with the day.
Your big sushi night. ¥20,000–40,000/person. Book via Tableall — top spots fill weeks out. A Shinjuku or Shibuya location works well with the day.
late
Round1 — Ikebukuro Group Anchor
Bowling, multi-floor arcade, karaoke, billiards, darts. All-you-can-play pass after 9pm. Easy to lose 3–4 hours. Exit Ikebukuro Station #23 — under a minute from the door.
Bowling, multi-floor arcade, karaoke, billiards, darts. All-you-can-play pass after 9pm. Easy to lose 3–4 hours. Exit Ikebukuro Station #23 — under a minute from the door.
Round1 tips: Get a membership card for better bowling rates. Tokens are non-refundable — don't over-exchange. Arcade runs 24/7; bowling and karaoke close earlier.
03
Wednesday, Apr 16
Tokyo
Asakusa + Ginza + Baseball + Big Night Out
morning
Asakusa + Senso-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple district. Nakamise shopping street for snacks and souvenirs. Explore the backstreets behind the temple — less touristy and more interesting.
Tokyo's oldest temple district. Nakamise shopping street for snacks and souvenirs. Explore the backstreets behind the temple — less touristy and more interesting.
midday
Ginza Shop
Uniqlo flagship — 12 floors, best selection in Japan. Window shopping, coffee. Last serious shopping opportunity before Osaka.
Uniqlo flagship — 12 floors, best selection in Japan. Window shopping, coffee. Last serious shopping opportunity before Osaka.
afternoon
Rest + pregame
Tonight's a big one. Optional: Akihabara if anyone wants to see it — one stop from central Tokyo.
Tonight's a big one. Optional: Akihabara if anyone wants to see it — one stop from central Tokyo.
6:00 PM
Tokyo Yakult Swallows vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars Group Anchor
NPB baseball for a group is a blast — excellent stadium food, roving beer vendors, incredibly loud and coordinated fan sections. Swallows games at Jingu Stadium are legendary for atmosphere. Arrive early and soak it in.
NPB baseball for a group is a blast — excellent stadium food, roving beer vendors, incredibly loud and coordinated fan sections. Swallows games at Jingu Stadium are legendary for atmosphere. Arrive early and soak it in.
late night
Izakaya → Karaoke, Shinjuku Nightlife
The biggest night in Tokyo. Full spread at an izakaya — yakitori, karaage, gyoza, highballs — then a private karaoke room at Joysound or Big Echo. Last big Tokyo night.
The biggest night in Tokyo. Full spread at an izakaya — yakitori, karaage, gyoza, highballs — then a private karaoke room at Joysound or Big Echo. Last big Tokyo night.
Pack for Osaka tonight. The Shinkansen is at 10am tomorrow — there is no time to pack in the morning.
04
Thursday, Apr 17
Travel
Shinkansen to Osaka — 10am Departure
early AM
Checkout + convenience store breakfast
7-Eleven or Lawson — onigiri, egg salad sandwiches, canned coffee. Leave with enough time to walk to Tokyo Station without rushing.
7-Eleven or Lawson — onigiri, egg salad sandwiches, canned coffee. Leave with enough time to walk to Tokyo Station without rushing.
10:00 AM
Shinkansen departs Tokyo Station Book Now
~2.5 hrs to Shin-Osaka. Grab ekiben (train bento boxes) on the platform — a proper Shinkansen tradition. Window seat for Mt. Fuji views if skies are clear.
~2.5 hrs to Shin-Osaka. Grab ekiben (train bento boxes) on the platform — a proper Shinkansen tradition. Window seat for Mt. Fuji views if skies are clear.
~12:30 PM
Arrive Osaka · Check into Citadines Namba
Drop bags, freshen up. Hotel is in Namba — Dotonbori is steps from the front door.
Drop bags, freshen up. Hotel is in Namba — Dotonbori is steps from the front door.
afternoon
Shinsaibashi shopping Shop
Amerika-Mura for vintage and streetwear, Shinsaibashi-suji covered arcade for everything else. Great for sneakers.
Amerika-Mura for vintage and streetwear, Shinsaibashi-suji covered arcade for everything else. Great for sneakers.
evening
Dotonbori street food crawl Food Nightlife
Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu — eat standing on the street, not sitting down. Neon, noise, crowds. The perfect Osaka welcome.
Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu — eat standing on the street, not sitting down. Neon, noise, crowds. The perfect Osaka welcome.
大阪
Osaka
April 17–19 · Citadines Namba Osaka
🏨 Citadines Namba Osaka
Check-in Apr 17 afternoon
Check-in Apr 17 afternoon
05
Friday, Apr 18
Osaka
Golf — Nankai Osaka + Wagyu Night
all day
Golf — Nankai Osaka Group Anchor
Budget the full day — Japanese golf is an event, not just a round. 6–7 hours including the mandatory meal break at the turn. Caddies are standard and often required. Collared shirt, no denim, soft spikes only.
Budget the full day — Japanese golf is an event, not just a round. 6–7 hours including the mandatory meal break at the turn. Caddies are standard and often required. Collared shirt, no denim, soft spikes only.
evening
Post-round wander Shop
Shinsaibashi and Namba are right around the hotel. Easy browse if anyone has energy after the round.
Shinsaibashi and Namba are right around the hotel. Easy browse if anyone has energy after the round.
dinner
Wagyu Yakiniku Splurge
Grill-your-own A5 Kobe/Wagyu — perfect for a large group at one table. Osaka has noticeably better Wagyu prices than Tokyo. Order the A5, don't look at the bill until after.
Grill-your-own A5 Kobe/Wagyu — perfect for a large group at one table. Osaka has noticeably better Wagyu prices than Tokyo. Order the A5, don't look at the bill until after.
late
Namba nightlife Nightlife
More local and relaxed than Tokyo. Bar hop through Namba to close out the night.
More local and relaxed than Tokyo. Bar hop through Namba to close out the night.
06
Saturday, Apr 19
Osaka
Kuromon Market + Last Night in Japan
morning
Kuromon Ichiba Market Food
"Osaka's Kitchen" — fresh seafood stalls, live scallops, uni, wagyu skewers, street food of every kind. The best farewell meal in Japan. Go hungry and graze your way through.
"Osaka's Kitchen" — fresh seafood stalls, live scallops, uni, wagyu skewers, street food of every kind. The best farewell meal in Japan. Go hungry and graze your way through.
afternoon
Shinsaibashi + Osaka Castle
Last shopping run. Osaka Castle is worth the walk even if you skip the interior — beautiful grounds, great group photo spot.
Last shopping run. Osaka Castle is worth the walk even if you skip the interior — beautiful grounds, great group photo spot.
evening
Last night in Japan Nightlife
Revisit a favourite spot, find a rooftop bar, or wander Dotonbori one last time. Make it count. Bags packed before you go out.
Revisit a favourite spot, find a rooftop bar, or wander Dotonbori one last time. Make it count. Bags packed before you go out.
Pack everything tonight. The Apr 20 Shinkansen is at ~8am — you will not want to be doing this at 7am with a headache.
07
Sunday, Apr 20
Travel
Osaka → Tokyo → Fly to Orlando (4:30pm)
⚠ ~8:00 AM
Depart Osaka on Shinkansen Book Now
Convenience store breakfast on the way to the station. Two group members are traveling this leg together — book on the same train.
Convenience store breakfast on the way to the station. Two group members are traveling this leg together — book on the same train.
~10:30 AM
Arrive Tokyo Station
Transfer directly to the airport. No detours.
Transfer directly to the airport. No detours.
by 1:00 PM
At the airport
Narita Express from Tokyo Station: ~60 min. Haneda: ~30–40 min. International check-in closes 3 hours before departure — Haneda is significantly more forgiving if you have the option.
Narita Express from Tokyo Station: ~60 min. Haneda: ~30–40 min. International check-in closes 3 hours before departure — Haneda is significantly more forgiving if you have the option.
4:30 PM
Flight departs Tokyo → Orlando
Long haul. Noise-canceling headphones, neck pillow, accept the day is gone. Disney is on the other side.
Long haul. Noise-canceling headphones, neck pillow, accept the day is gone. Disney is on the other side.
Two group members on this leg together. Coordinate the ~8am Shinkansen so you're on the same train. Book this before you leave Seattle.
⏱️
April 20 — plan this now, not in Osaka
The 4:30pm Tokyo departure with an Osaka morning is doable but has zero margin for error. Book the ~8am Shinkansen before you leave home. Confirm your airport — Narita vs. Haneda makes a 30-minute difference. Calculate backward from your gate and don't improvise this day.