Master Checklist

Land at Haneda Airport.

After immigration, go to the JR East Travel Service Center (Terminal 3, Arrival Lobby 2F) — buy Welcome Suica cards (¥1,500 / ~$10 loaded balance each, works on all trains/buses nationwide)

Limousine Bus, 25-35 min, ¥1,000/person. Alternative: Keikyu Line → Shinagawa (15 min) → Rinkai Line → Kokusai-Tenjijo (18 min). ~45 min total, ~¥650.

5 min walk (~400m). Hotel is adjacent to the exhibition center.

Check in, drop luggage, freshen up. Grab your warm cookie 🍪

~2 min walk to Lawson at Ariake or 7-Eleven. Basque cheesecake (¥300), Karaage-kun (¥220), salmon onigiri (¥150), Melon Cream Soda.

10 min walk (~750m) from hotel. 20+ restaurants, easiest option.

In Ginza, not a 5-min walk from Ariake — takes ~30 min via Yurikamome → Shimbashi → walk. Only if energy allows. Tori Paitan ramen ¥1,200.

Early rest — jet lag is real and you have a big day tomorrow.

Rinkai Line from Kokusai-Tenjijo (3 min walk from hotel) → Osaki (~8 min train, ¥260) → JR Yamanote → Shibuya (~12 min train, ¥170). Total ~25 min, ¥430. Use Hachiko Exit.

8 min walk (~600m). Walk NW past Hachiko, through Shibuya Center-gai, right on Inokashira-dori. Shop-lined the whole way — easy to lose 20 min window shopping.

15-1 Udagawacho. Opens 10 AM. Take the escalator straight to 6F and work your way down. Free reusable shopping bag at info desk.

Allow 90+ min for this floor alone

HIT THIS FIRST (opened July 2025). Dedicated Project SEKAI / Colorful Stage section with Miku, KAITO, Rin, Len, Luka, MEIKO plushies, acrylic stands, stationery, and apparel. Also Sonic, Persona, Yakuza merch. Your daughter's #1 priority on this floor — Project SEKAI KAITO merch is hard to find anywhere else. Go at opening before summer crowds build. Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM.

Right next door on 6F. Zelda Tears of the Kingdom merch, Splatoon gear, Animal Crossing items, Mario exclusives, Switch accessories you can't get in the US. Something for everyone — daughter (Splatoon, Zelda, AC), wife (Mario, Yoshi), Carlos (classic Nintendo).

Same floor. Bleach, Naruto, Dragon Ball, JJK, My Hero Academia, Saint Seiya merch. For your daughter: MHA character goods (Deku, Bakugo, Todoroki), Naruto headbands (¥1,500-3,000 / $10-20), JJK Gojo blindfold. For Carlos: Ichigo Kurosaki figures, Bleach TYBW goods, Saint Seiya items. Cosplay corner: JJK Itadori hoodie replica (¥5,000-8,000 / $33-53), Gojo sweatshirts, Dragon Ball wearables.

Same floor. Shibuya-exclusive Pikachu plush (Graffiti Art series), Japanese Pokemon cards (boosters ¥165/pack / ~$1 vs $5+ in US), TCG accessories. Quick stop for everyone.

Same floor. Monster Hunter Wilds, Street Fighter 6, Mega Man, Resident Evil collectibles. Carlos territory.

End of 6F loop. 2-meter Godzilla statue photo op, exclusive figures, clothing. Quick browse.

Take escalator down

Evangelion-inspired fashion. Artistic, wearable everyday designs (NOT character-face shirts). Great t-shirts and hoodies. Worth 10 min.

If lunching inside PARCO

Multiple quick lunch options under ¥1,200 / ~$8. Shibuya Cheese Stand for fresh mozzarella burrata bowls (¥1,100 / ~$7). Or exit PARCO for ramen (see Lunch block).

2-14-3 Yoyogi, 7 min walk toward Shinjuku side — Tokyo's best tsukemen (dipping ramen). Thick pork/fish broth. Line moves fast (~20 min wait). Get the ajitama (egg) topping +¥100 / $0.67.

Head back to PARCO B1 food floor if you didn't eat there during the morning loop (see ⑧ above).

5 min walk back (~400m), retrace Inokashira-dori + Center-gai to the intersection.

Photo from Starbucks 2F (TSUTAYA building, NE corner). Hachiko statue at the station exit (~30m away). Daughter wants the photo from 2023 again.

JR Yamanote 1 stop (4 min train, ¥150). Use Takeshita Exit.

0 min — right there. Takeshita is a 360m pedestrian street.

TOTTI CANDY FACTORY on Takeshita (~150m in, right side) — Giant rainbow cotton candy (¥900). Marion Crêpes (300m further) for chocolate banana crêpe (¥600-800). Daughter photos.

3 min walk (~250m). Cross Meiji-dori at Omotesando intersection.

4F Tokyu Plaza Omotesando. World's first permanent Miku store. KAITO + all Piapro characters merch. Daughter's #1 Harajuku stop. 45+ min. Hours 11 AM – 9 PM.

Tokyu Plaza → Laforet Harajuku: 5 min walk (~400m) back up Omotesando toward Meiji-dori. World's only permanent Sailor Moon store. New 2026 Naoko Takeuchi art goods. Wife + daughter. 30 min. Skip if running tight on time — Shinjuku is non-negotiable.

Laforet → Kiddy Land: 6 min walk (~500m) south on Omotesando. 5 floors Sanrio / Disney / Snoopy. Cinnamoroll section (daughter's fav). 30 min. Skip if energy is low — Ikebukuro Day 4 has bigger Sanrio overlap at Pokemon Center MEGA area.

JR Yamanote 1 stop (4 min train, ¥150). Use Southeast Exit.

2 min walk (~150m). Don Quijote is literally at the SE exit.

Opened June 2025. Tax-free (¥5,000 min, bring passport). Snack haul + cosmetics + souvenirs. 45-60 min. Open until 1 AM.

7 min walk (~550m). Cross the station via the concourse (west side) then north into Kabukicho district.

Top of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. Best view from the Kabukicho intersection. Quick photo. 5 min.

7 min walk back (~550m).

JR Yamanote 1 stop (2 min train, ¥150).

3 min walk (~250m). 2D Café is at 1-7-5 Hyakunincho, on the main street north of the station.

Daughter's photo wet dream — Every surface painted to look 2D black-and-white sketch. Order the 2D Cake + bubble tea. ¥800-1,200/person. 45 min. Can't find this anywhere else in the world.

JR Yamanote 1 stop back (2 min train, ¥150).

1 min walk (~100m). Under the tracks immediately on the west side.

Yakitori alley. Smoky atmospheric. ¥2,000/person with beer.

Go back to Harajuku Station area (1 Yamanote stop, 4 min) if you didn't eat there earlier. Grilled/boiled gyoza ¥290-340/6.

Shinjuku → Osaki (JR Yamanote, 12 min, ¥200) → Rinkai Line → Kokusai-Tenjijo (8 min, ¥260). Total ~28 min, ¥460. Asleep by 11 PM — DisneySea early start tomorrow.

Rinkai Line from Kokusai-Tenjijo → Shin-Kiba (8 min) → JR Keiyo → Maihama (15 min). ¥420/person. Total ~30 min. Aim to be at Maihama Station by 7:30 AM.

Slow boat ride through "Let It Go" + "For the First Time in Forever" scenes. Book Premier Access.

Boat ride through the lantern release scene. Long line — get there before 10 AM or use Standby Pass via app.

Interactive shooting ride with motion seats. Premier Access available.

Kid-friendly tea-cup style ride.

Table service in Frozen castle. Hard to get but worth trying.

Counter service Frozen-themed food.

Table service American comfort food in American Waterfront. Easier alternative.

Counter service: lobster rolls + Duffy show.

Mediterranean Harbor. Daughter loved these in 2023.

Alien mochi at Mysterious Island.

Drop ride in haunted Hightower Hotel. American Waterfront. Often 60+ min wait — get Premier Access (¥2,000) or use Standby.

Mysterious Island. Jules Verne themed roller coaster. Scenic + thrilling.

Mediterranean Harbor. Flight simulator over world wonders. Wife + daughter favorite. Long line, get Premier Access.

Arabian Coast. Slow boat, AC break, beautiful animatronics. Underrated.

Mysterious Island. Slow submarine ride. Quirky, low wait.

DisneySea's nighttime water show in Mediterranean Harbor (~8:00 PM). Get a spot 45 min early. Best views from the harbor's south side.

Table service Italian in Mediterranean Harbor. Dinner before the show.

Quick pizza/pasta from Mediterranean Harbor.

Rinkai Line from Kokusai-Tenjijo (3 min walk from hotel) → Osaki (~8 min) → JR Yamanote → Ikebukuro (~25 min). Use East Exit.

1-20-7 Higashi-Ikebukuro (2 min from East Exit). World's largest anime store — 9 floors. Daughter's #1 stop. JJK, Bleach, Naruto, My Hero Academia, Frieren, Sailor Moon sections. Project SEKAI / Colorful Stage merch — keychains (¥660-3,960 / $4-26), coffee mugs (¥1,900 / ~$13), phone rings (¥1,300 / ~$9), plushies. Also Copic markers on upper floors (your daughter bought Copics here in 2023 — check if the selection is better than Tools Ochanomizu). 9F has Vocaloid costumes — full Miku set ¥8,000-15,000 / $53-100, KAITO costumes, wigs. Exclusive "Animate only" goods on 3F. Check the entry floor for current anime collaboration café schedule — cafés rotate every 2-3 weeks. Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM.

5 min walk east toward Sunshine City. The street running alongside Sunshine City. Fan goods, indie doujinshi, and character merch everywhere. Daughter territory — browse the small shops for hidden gems.

Multiple locations along Otome Road. Manga, doujinshi, rare anime goods, vintage figures. Prices are often better than Akihabara. Something for everyone.

1-17-1 Minami-Ikebukuro (3 min from station). Legendary Ikebukuro tonkotsu ramen. Rich, pork-bone broth with chashu. Expect a 15-20 min line — it moves fast. Get ajitama topping (+¥120 / $0.80).

Cheap and beloved chain. 6 gyoza for ¥290 / ~$2, rice set for ¥590 / ~$4. East Exit, 1 min walk.

Massive complex (5 min walk from Otome Road — you're already right there). Enter Alpa mall.

Largest Pokemon Center in Japan. Japanese-exclusive cards, plush, merch. Something for everyone.

6F Ikebukuro PARCO Main Building, East Exit of JR Ikebukuro (2 min walk, directly connected to the station). Moved from Harajuku in 2020 — this is now Tokyo's only official Evangelion store. EVA Unit-01 + Unit-02 figures, Nerv uniform apparel, Asuka/Rei/Mari goods, Longinus spear replicas, Ikebukuro-exclusive items, accessories. Small but deep (~200m²). Hours 11 AM – 9 PM. Carlos territory — budget ¥3,000-20,000 depending on depth.

Inside Sunshine City. Official Shonen Jump store — Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), JJK, My Hero Academia, One Piece, Chainsaw Man. Exclusive Jump Shop-only merch you can't find at Animate or online. Figures, keychains, apparel, acrylic stands. Wife + daughter territory — they'll find Demon Slayer Hashira goods, Nezuko plushies, Tanjiro figures. Also check for Infinity Castle movie merch (film was the #1 box office hit in Japan 2025, over ¥40 billion — merch is everywhere).

Sunshine City regularly hosts Demon Slayer pop-up events, collab cafés, and exhibitions timed to movie releases. Check the Sunshine City event calendar in June for any Infinity Castle-themed events running in July. In 2025 they had themed food, exclusive merch, and observatory tie-ins with acrylic diorama character gifts.

Gyoza/dessert theme parks inside Sunshine City. Fun food experiences — taste-test gyoza from different regions of Japan. Quick walk-through on your way to the gashapon floor.

Sunshine City World Import Mart 3F. Daughter will lose track of time. Over 3,000 capsule machines in one spot — the largest gashapon store in Japan. Organized by character/theme: Sanrio row (Cinnamoroll!), Vocaloid/Miku capsules, JJK, MHA, Ghibli, Pokemon, Nintendo, Sailor Moon. Capsules range ¥200-500 / ~$1-3 each. Bring a bag of ¥100 coins (change machines available). Budget ¥3,000-5,000 / ~$20-33 — it adds up fast but every capsule is a surprise. Also has maimai DX and CHUNITHM rhythm game cabinets nearby with Project SEKAI crossover songs. ¥100/play / $0.67.

Inside Seibu Ikebukuro department store, connected to the station (last stop on the way out). Check if the 39Culture 2026 Hatsune Miku pop-up is running during your visit (confirmed through spring 2026, may extend into summer). Acrylic stands, hologram badges, illustration blocks, coasters, desk mats. Spend ¥2,000+ / ~$13 = free random illustration card (18 designs). Verify in June — pop-up dates rotate. Daughter territory.

Solo/family yakiniku (grill at your seat). Sets from ¥780/person / ~$5. Fast, cheap, fun. Multiple Ikebukuro locations.

At Sunshine 60 observation deck (58F) — dinner with panoramic night views. Course meals from ¥5,000/person / ~$33.

Rinkai Line from Kokusai-Tenjijo (3 min walk from hotel) → Osaki (~8 min) → JR Yamanote → Akihabara (~30 min). But DON'T exit yet — continue 1 more stop to Ochanomizu.

2-1-30 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku (1 JR stop from Akihabara on Chuo Line, 3 min walk from station). Official Copic manufacturer store (Too Group) — 20% off ALL Copic markers. Daughter's #1 morning stop — she bought Copics at Animate in 2023, but this is the real source. Full range of Copic Sketch, Ciao, and Classic sets, plus refill inks, replacement nibs, Copic Clinic for nib swaps. Also carries Deleter manga supplies, Sakura pens, and pro illustration tools. Get a free membership card for additional discounts on future purchases. Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (weekends). Hit this first while Akihabara shops are still opening, then walk back (10 min walk through Kanda).

1 min from Electric Town Exit, left side. Bandai's premium figure showroom. Saint Seiya Myth Cloth EX, Gundam Metal Build, Dragon Ball S.H.Figuarts. Exclusive items only sold here. Display rooms with museum-quality setups. Free entry. Carlos territory. Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM.

Right next to station (literally 30 seconds from Tamashii Nations). 10 floors, 30+ specialty shops. Start at top floor, work down: Yellow Submarine 5F (card games, D&D, Pokemon TCG Japanese boosters), AmiAmi 4F (pre-owned figures at huge discounts), Card Kingdom 3F — Japanese-exclusive Pokemon cards, booster packs ¥165/pack / ~$1 (vs $5+ in US). Something for everyone.

Japanese curry rice, customize spice level (1-10) and toppings. Katsu curry. Fast, satisfying, air-conditioned.

Multiple locations, look for orange signs. Gyumeshi set. Japan's best fast-food beef bowls. Add raw egg (+¥70 / $0.47) for the authentic experience.

10 min walk toward Kanda — 140-year-old soba noodle shop. Hand-cut buckwheat soba. Historic, beautiful, and legit.

3-11-12 Sotokanda (5 min walk south from station). 8 floors of treasure. Start at top, work down: 7-8F — Gundam, mecha, model kits (Carlos). 5F — toys, Transformers, vintage robots (Carlos). 3F — rare manga, first editions (everyone). 2F — Sailor Moon, Ranma 1/2, vintage shojo (wife's territory). Opens 12 PM (get here right at noon if you care about rare stock). Cash preferred for rare items.

1-11-2 Sotokanda (3 min walk from Mandarake, same street heading back north). 5 floors of retro gaming heaven. 1F-4F: thousands of vintage games — Famicom, Super Famicom, N64, Sega Saturn, Game Boy, Neo Geo. Japanese-exclusive cartridges from ¥100 / $0.67. Retro consoles in working condition from ¥3,000 / ~$20. 5F — Retro Game Bar arcade: playable cabinets (Street Fighter II, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Mario Bros.) at ¥100/play / $0.67. Also sells retro controllers, posters, and game music CDs. Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM (weekends). Don't leave without checking the glass cases on 3F — rare boxed games, sealed Famicom carts, and limited editions. Something for everyone.

1-8-8 Sotokanda (3 min walk back toward station). Plastic models, bishoujo figures, Frame Arms Girls, gacha wall. 2F has a build-and-paint station. Weekend: 11 AM-8 PM. Carlos territory.

Renovated April 2026, 8 floors. Latest seasonal anime goods, CD/DVD, manga. More modern feel than Mandarake. Daughter + wife territory — check for seasonal JJK, Demon Slayer, Frieren, MHA goods. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle merch should still be heavily stocked (the movie crossed ¥40B in Japan).

2 min from station. Multiple floors of Nendoroids, Gunpla, scale figures. Pre-owned section has finds at 30-50% off retail.

COSPATIO — 3F GEE! STORE AKIBA, 3-15-5 Sotokanda — Itadori's hoodie, JJK uniforms, Bleach robes, Vocaloid accessories. Also ACOS — 5F Akiba Cultures Zone, 1-7-6 Sotokanda, 4 min from station — full costumes, wigs (from ¥2,000 / $13), props. Both let you try on items. Daughter territory.

Gashapon rows on the ground floors (anime, Vocaloid, Sanrio capsules — different stock from Ikebukuro). Walls of machines you won't find elsewhere. Upstairs: maimai DX and CHUNITHM cabinets with Project SEKAI crossover songs. ¥100/play / $0.67.

The studio behind Demon Slayer's anime runs a permanent café with rotating Kimetsu no Yaiba themed food and exclusive merch. Reservations required — book via their website. Open 9 AM – 9:40 PM, closed Mondays (you're going Sunday — perfect). Located in Nakano (JR Chuo Line from Akihabara, ~15 min). Also: ufotable Mocktail Bar Ginza (7F Arbore Ginza) — Demon Slayer themed drinks in a sleek bar setting. Reservations required. Great evening stop if you're passing through Ginza. Wife + daughter will love the character latte art and themed desserts.

Above the station. Established 1949. Premium gyukatsu (deep-fried beef cutlet). Cook it yourself on a hot stone at the table. Multiple floors including a beer hall.

Japan's answer to fast food. Try the Rice Burger (rice buns instead of bread, ¥460 / ~$3) or Teriyaki Chicken (¥420 / ~$3). There's one right outside the station.

9-floor electronics megastore (also has restaurants on 8F, clothing, toys). Tax-free. Open until 10 PM.

From Akihabara — JR Sobu Line to Nishi-Funabashi, then Keiyo to Kaihin-Makuhari (~40 min).

Harry Potter Café — Opens daily 10 AM (brunch 10 AM-5 PM, last entry 9 PM). Your 10 AM reservation starts the day perfectly.

Dragon Ball Official Store — 1F Tokyo Character Street / First Avenue (Yaesu North Exit). World's first permanent DB store (opened Nov 2025). Exclusive figures, history wall, animation cels, replica items. Carlos territory. Hours 10 AM – 8:30 PM. 30-45 min.

Tokyo Character Street (same B1 area) — 30+ character shops all connected: Donguri Republic (Ghibli), Ultraman World, Rilakkuma Store, Snoopy Town, Shonen Jump Store, Pokemon Store Tokyo Station. 30 min browse — don't over-spend here, you're hitting Odaiba flagship stores next.

teamLab Planets TOKYO — 6-1-16 Toyosu, Koto-ku. Daughter's #1 experience today. Barefoot walk-through immersive digital art — wade through water, flower rooms, infinity mirrors. Expanded Jan 2025, 1.5× bigger than your 2023 visit. NEW — Athletic Forest: Movement-based art installations. NEW — Future Park + Sketch Factory: Draw creatures, scan them, see them come alive + print on merch. Perfect for daughter's art interests. NEW — Catching and Collecting Forest: Smartphone-based digital creature catching. Original exhibits: Koi and People, Expanding Universe, Soft Black Hole.

Life-size Unicorn Gundam statue — outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. 19.7m tall. Transforms at scheduled times (check the board near the base for daily schedule — usually every 2 hours). Best photo angle: stand at the foot looking up or from the 2F terrace. Photo op for everyone.

Gundam Base Tokyo — 7F DiverCity. World's largest official Gunpla store. Tokyo-exclusive kits (clear/metallic variants you can't get anywhere else). Building stations where you can assemble purchases. Factory zone with demo builds. Free entry. Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM. Carlos territory.

Donguri Republic (Ghibli Store) — 5F DiverCity. Official Studio Ghibli shop — Totoro, Kiki, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle plushies, tote bags, stationery, figurines. Beautiful interior (ceiling designed like Totoro's forest turning to night sky). Quick 10-min browse for wife + daughter. Note: Ghibli Park (Day 16) has park-exclusive merch you can't get here — so don't go overboard, save the big buys for the real thing.

Sanrio Gift Gate Odaiba — in DiverCity or Aqua City (check both). Hello Kitty plush, accessories, Odaiba-exclusive goods. Daughter + wife territory.

Dinner at Odaiba — Aqua City Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan: 5 min walk from DiverCity. 6 top ramen shops in one food hall with Tokyo Bay views. ¥900-1,300/bowl.

Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) at front desk — ship main luggage to MIMARU Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo (arrives Jul 16). ~¥2,000-2,500/bag (~$13-17). Front desk handles the form.

Odakyu Romancecar — the iconic Hakone scenic mountain train. Reserved seats, 80 min direct. ¥2,470/person (~$17). Book on June 14 via e-Romancecar (opens 1 month ahead). Pick GSE (Roman Car 70000) if available — front observation deck, full panoramic windows. Window seats LEFT side for mountain views.

Lunch on the train: Grab ekiben from Odakyu Department Store B2 bento floor at Shinjuku before boarding. Maisen tonkatsu bento (¥1,200) or tamagoyaki + onigiri set for daughter.

Buy Hakone Free Pass at ticket window (¥7,100 from Shinjuku / ¥4,600 from Yumoto). Covers Tozan Railway, cable car, ropeway, buses.

12:55 PM — Naraya Café (Gora) ⭐ — Historic café in a 1948 converted ryokan. Naraya Manju (steamed bun) + free foot bath while you eat. ¥400-800/person. 20 min. Food stop 1.

1:15 PM — Watanabe Bakery (2 min from Naraya) — Famous beef stew bread (¥350) baked with real stew inside. Western-style bakery. Food stop 2.

1:30 PM — Gyoza Center (Gora) — 7 gyoza varieties, ¥800-1,200/person. Carlos's pick. 25 min. Food stop 3.

2:10 PM — Hakone Ropeway Sounzan → Owakudani ⭐ Sulfur valley appears below as the ropeway crests. 8 min.

2:20 PM — Owakudani Volcano Valley ⭐ MUST. Walk the sulfur vent path. Eat kuro-tamago (black eggs boiled in sulfur springs, ¥500 for 5 — adds 7 years to your life per legend). Sulfur ice cream (¥400). Handkerchief for sulfur smell. 40 min. Food stop 4 + 5.

3:35 PM — Hakone Shrine (Hakone Jinja) ⭐ MUST. 5 min walk from bus stop. Famous red torii gate standing in Lake Ashi — iconic photo (line up ~15 min). Walk cedar-lined path up to the shrine. 40 min.

4:15 PM — Hakone Cheese Terrace (Moto-Hakone lakeside) — Cheese tarts + cheese soft serve with Lake Ashi views. ¥500-800. Food stop 6.

4:30 PM — Bakery & Table (near Yumoto) — Curry donut (¥350) + second foot bath on the terrace. Western pastries. Food stop 7.

5:20 PM — Odawara Station ekiben: Kamameshi (beef + rice pot, ¥1,200) for the Shinkansen. Food stop 8.

5:30 PM — Shinkansen Hikari Odawara → Nagoya (~1h 10m, ¥9,250 non-reserved). Book on June 14 via smartEX. Right side seats for possible Mt. Fuji views.

6:40 PM — Arrive Nagoya Station. Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel is literally on top of the station — take elevators up from the JR Central Towers complex. Check in. ✅ BOOKED — Conf #96446837.

Misokatsu Yabaton ⭐ — Nagoya's famous miso katsu (breaded pork cutlet with thick red miso sauce). Nagoya Teishoku set (¥1,600) includes miso katsu + tebasaki wings + dote-ni. Perfect for your family — you ALL love katsu.

Furaibo — tebasaki (double-fried chicken wings with sesame), another Nagoya specialty. Share a plate alongside katsu.

Komeda's Coffee — Nagoya's famous Ogura toast (sweet red bean paste on thick toast) for dessert/snack.

10:00 AM — Grand Warehouse ⭐⭐ THE must-do zone. Indoor, air-conditioned — perfect escape from summer heat. Spirited Away bathhouse recreation, Howl's Moving Castle interiors, No-Face train scene (sit next to the animatronic No-Face), Whisper of the Heart antique shop, Mononoke Iron Town forge, Cinema Orion (short Ghibli films). 2.5-3 hours easily. Photo gold for your daughter.

1:15 PM — Hill of Youth — 8 min walk from Grand Warehouse. Whisper of the Heart antique shop interior + The Cat Returns Cat Bureau scenes. Charming, smaller zone. ~30-45 min.

2:00 PM — Mononoke Village — 15 min walk from Hill of Youth through parkland. Iron Town gates, Ashitaka's village recreation, Tatari Gami (Cursed God) photo op, forested walk-through paths. Carlos territory. 1-1.5 hours.

3:30 PM — Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop "Adventure Squadron" — Park-exclusive Ghibli merch (different from Donguri Republic stores). Totoro plush, Calcifer goods, No-Face items, park-only limited editions. Allow 30-45 min.

6:15 PM — Atsuta Shrine (Atsuta Jingu) (optional) — JR Tokaido Line → Atsuta Station (4 min, ¥190). 3rd most important Shinto shrine in Japan, houses the Kusanagi sword. 70-acre forested grounds. Free entry. Beautiful at dusk. 30 min.

7:00 PM — Hitsumabushi Dinner at Atsuta Horaiken Honten ⭐ NAGOYA SIGNATURE FOOD. 5 min walk from shrine. Founded 1873. Hitsumabushi = grilled eel over rice served three ways: (1) eat plain, (2) add scallions/wasabi/nori, (3) pour dashi broth for ochazuke. ¥4,500/person. Call ☎️ +81-52-671-8686. Plan B: Houraiken Matsuzakaya in Sakae — same dish, less wait.

Yamato luggage forwarding at hotel front desk → MIMARU Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo (arrives tonight or tomorrow). ~¥1,500/bag (Nagoya→Kyoto is short distance). Carry only daypacks for Ghibli + tonight in Kyoto.

10:00 AM — Valley of Witches ⭐ Newest zone (opened 2024). Howl's Moving Castle exterior (full-scale!), Kiki's Delivery Service Bakery Gütiokipänja (real working bakery — eat the bread). Daughter's photo dream. 1.5 hours.

11:30 AM — Dondoko Forest — My Neighbor Totoro's Satsuki and Mei's house — walk through the actual house replica from the film. Cat Bus play structure. Forested hillside trail — your daughter will love this. 45 min.

1:00 PM — Grand Warehouse revisit — Anything you missed yesterday. Re-ride the No-Face train scene, re-explore Spirited Away bathhouse, catch a different film at Cinema Orion. 1.5-2 hours.

6:30 PM — Shinkansen Nozomi or Hikari Nagoya → Kyoto (~35 min, ¥5,910). Book on June 16 via smartEX.

Check in at MIMARU Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo (Jul 16-18, 2 nights). ✅ BOOKED. Family Apartment 40 sqm, kitchen + washer. 3 min walk to Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo Station.

Yasaka Shrine — beautifully lit at night, free. 15 min stop.

Fushimi Inari Taisha — 10,000+ vermillion torii gates winding up Mt. Inari. Free entry, open 24/7. You went in 2023, but you said you wanted to repeat. Walk up at least to the Yotsutsuji intersection (~30 min, halfway up, photo viewpoint). Full summit hike = 2 hours. Buy a small kitsune (fox) charm (¥500). Allow 1.5-2 hours.

Kiyomizu-dera — 13m wooden stage cantilevered over the hillside. ¥400/adult, ¥200/child. You went in 2023 but it's worth the repeat — different season, possibly hydrangeas blooming. Otowa Waterfall at the base — 3 streams, drink from one for love/health/longevity (don't be greedy and drink all 3, considered bad luck). 1 hour.

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka slopes — preserved Edo-era pedestrian streets descending from Kiyomizu. Tea shops, kimono rentals, matcha ice cream at Starbucks Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya (the famous tatami-style Starbucks in a 100-year machiya house — Carlos went here in 2023, your daughter will love it). 45 min.

Yudofu (hot tofu) lunch at Okutan — 350-year-old tofu kaiseki restaurant near Nanzen-ji. ¥3,500/person. Set in a Japanese garden. Vegetarian-friendly.

Yasaka Shrine — Famous orange entrance gate. Day visit different from night. Free. 30 min.

Maruyama Park — behind Yasaka Shrine. Quiet stroll, ponds, traditional Japanese garden. Free. 30 min — heat break.

Gion daytime walk — Hanamikoji Street, Shirakawa stream, traditional teahouses. Different vibe than night. 1 hour.

Option A — teamLab Biovortex Kyoto first (book 6 PM slot via teamlab.art): subway Karasuma Line to Kyoto Station, walk 7 min. ¥2,400 adult / ¥800 child. 90 min. Different from Tokyo Planets — biological/ecosystem theme.

Then dinner — Pontocho Alley: narrow lantern-lit dining alley along Kamogawa River. Summer yuka (riverside terraces) over the river — quintessential Kyoto experience. Try Pontocho Izumoya — sukiyaki ¥3,960/person or shabu-shabu ¥4,400.

8:30 AM — Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) ⭐ The 2023 miss you've been wanting. From MIMARU: subway Karasuma Line to Kitaoji → Bus #205 → Kinkaku-ji-michi (~35 min total). ¥500/adult, ¥300/child. Opens 9 AM. Gold leaf reflecting in mirror pond. 45 min.

10:00 AM — Ryoan-ji — 15 min walk west of Kinkaku-ji. ¥600/adult. Japan's most famous Zen rock garden — 15 stones on white gravel, designed so you can never see all 15 at once from any angle. Sit on the veranda. 30 min.

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto — Opened Oct 2025. 10,000 sqm, 50+ interactive digital artworks. Completely different from teamLab Planets Tokyo (Day 6) — this one focuses on "biological" art / living ecosystems that react to your movement. Less water wading, more room-scale immersion.

Nishiki Market — "Kyoto's Kitchen." 100+ shops across 5 blocks of covered arcade. This is your lunch — eat your way through.

Check in at HOSHINOYA Kyoto — BOOKED (Jul 18-20, 2 nights). Your room: Yamanoha Tatami — 66-82m² suite, 2 full futons + tatami living room, riverside views. Change into yukata + slippers. Yamato luggage from MIMARU morning should already be in your room.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — Free, open 24/7. Arrive BEFORE 7 AM — the towering bamboo stalks create a green cathedral that's nearly empty at dawn. Light filters through the canopy. This is a "core memory" photo spot. Walk slowly, take it in — it takes about 15 min end to end.

Togetsukyo Bridge — 5 min walk from boat landing. Iconic bridge spanning the Oi River with mountains behind. Best photo from the south bank looking north.

Iwatayama Monkey Park — 📍 south side of Togetsukyo Bridge. ¥800 adults / ¥400 kids / ~$5 (cash only). 20-min uphill hike (shaded path). ~120 wild Japanese macaques roaming free at the summit. Buy food (¥100/bag / ~$0.70) and feed them from inside the shelter. Panoramic Kyoto view from the top. Your daughter will love it. Open 9 AM – 4:30 PM.

Lunch: Arashiyama Yoshimura — right on the river, window seats overlooking Togetsukyo Bridge and mountains. Zaru soba (cold buckwheat noodles, ¥1,100 / ~$7) or tempura soba set (¥1,650 / ~$11). Stunning setting. Expect 15-20 min wait.

🛶 Hisui Boat Ride with Matcha-Making — private yakata boat on the Oi River. Whisk your own matcha using Uji green tea while drifting through the gorge, paired with seasonal Japanese sweets from a 200-year-old Kyoto confectioner. This is the signature experience. Price: inquire when booking (estimated ¥5,000-10,000/person / ~$33-67).

🎆 Evening Cormorant Fishing Boat (夏限定 — Summer Only!) — private boat with sake and snacks to watch traditional ukai cormorant fishing by torchlight. Ancient Arashiyama tradition. Limited to one group per evening — book when you reserve your room. Price: inquire (estimated ¥8,000-15,000/person / ~$53-100).

🎨 Kneaded Incense Workshop (練香づくり) — create your own traditional Kyoto incense blend using the same methods Heian-era aristocrats used 1,000+ years ago. Natural aromatic ingredients. ~45-60 min. Take your creation home — a unique souvenir you literally made yourself. Price: ~¥5,000-8,000/person / ~$33-53.

🧘 Morning Outdoor Stretch + Riverside Meditation — guided stretching session and meditation on the riverside terraces. The sound of the Oi River is the soundtrack. ~40 min. Complimentary.

🌿 Morning Walk Through Greenery — 40-minute staff-guided walk along the Oi River, through the forested grounds. Learn about the native plants and the property's 400-year history. Complimentary.

🎋 Kimono Experience — HOSHINOYA offers in-house premium kimono wearing with dressing guidance. Your daughter and wife can dress up and take photos on the riverside terraces and gardens. Way more exclusive than a street-side rental. Price: inquire (standard Kyoto rental runs ¥3,500-5,500 / ~$23-37; HOSHINOYA's is likely higher for premium quality).

✍️ Calligraphy / Script Transcription (写経) — practice shakyo, the meditative art of hand-copying Buddhist sutras with brush and ink. Serene, focused, deeply Japanese. ~30-45 min. Complimentary or nominal fee.

🌸 Ikebana (Flower Arrangement) — traditional Japanese floral art workshop. Seasonal summer flowers and branches. ~45 min. Price: inquire.

🃏 Monkō (Incense Guessing Game) — parlor game from 14th-century Kyoto nobility. You smell different incenses and try to identify them — like a wine tasting but for scent. Unique, fascinating, and your daughter will love competing. Price: inquire.

💆 Spa & Wellness — Japanese acupuncture, medicinal baths, moxibustion therapy, and massage programs available. Prices vary; typical spa treatments ¥10,000-25,000 / ~$67-167. Book at front desk.

Nintendo Museum — 📍 Ogura-cho, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Take Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station → Ogura Station (~20 min, ¥310 / ~$2). 5 min walk from station.

Check in at Courtyard Osaka Honmachi. You stayed here in 2023 — you know the drill. 1 min from Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station. Onsen on-site.

Walk to Dotonbori (~15 min walk or 2 subway stops) — get your photo with the Glico Running Man neon sign (best from the Ebisu Bridge). Start sampling street food:

Quick bites tonight: Takoyaki Wanaka (crispy outside, gooey inside, ¥500 / ~$3 for 8) + kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) at Kushikatsu Daruma (from ¥130 / $0.87/skewer — do NOT double-dip the sauce, it's the #1 rule). Wash it down with a Asahi draft (¥500 / ~$3) from any street vendor.

Kushikatsu Daruma — from ¥130 / $0.87/skewer — do NOT double-dip the sauce, it's the #1 rule.

USJ 1-Day Pass — ¥8,600 / ~$57 adults / ¥5,600 / ~$37 children (12 and under). Express Pass 4: ¥10,800-15,800 / ~$72-105 (price varies by date). Buy Express Pass 4 NOW in May — it includes priority access to JJK ride, Frieren, Nintendo World, and Harry Potter. Summer Express Passes sell out weeks ahead.

XR coaster with VR headset — you're inside the Shibuya Incident + Real 4-D "Spinning Clock Tower" theater (Gojo vs Sukuna, 20 min show with 4D effects). This is the #1 reason you're here. Go FIRST if no Express Pass, or use Express Pass to guarantee ride.

NEW Summer 2026, confirmed May 30 – Jan 11, 2027. Walk-through immersive experience — enter Frieren's world. Likely lower wait times since it's new and walk-through format.

Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge (AR ride, 5 min, the best ride in the park), Yoshi's Adventure (gentle ride, good for a break). Buy a Power-Up Band (¥4,200 / ~$28) to unlock interactive mini-games throughout the land + collect coins/stamps. 1UP Factory shop — exclusive Mario/Zelda/Splatoon merch only sold here. Toadstool Cafe lunch reservation at the kiosk (Mario-themed meals, ¥1,800-2,500 / ~$12-17).

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (in Hogwarts castle, incredible). Buy Butterbeer (¥700 / ~$5, cream soda-like, sweet — your daughter will love it). Browse Ollivanders wand shop (interactive wands ¥5,300 / ~$35 — cast "spells" at marked spots throughout the area).

USJ has featured Demon Slayer attractions as part of Cool Japan since 2021. With the Infinity Castle movie being the biggest anime film in Japan history (¥40B+), expect a major Demon Slayer presence in Summer 2026. Check the USJ Cool Japan 2026 lineup in May/June — could include XR ride, walk-through, or themed food stalls. Wife + daughter's must-hit if available. Demon Slayer themed food in previous years: Nezuko's Bamboo Roll Cake, Hashira-themed drinks, Muzan's Blood Curry.

Yuji's Black Flash Pasta (black squid ink, ¥1,500 / ~$10) at Cool Japan food stalls. Gojo's Domain Expansion Soda (blue, ¥800 / ~$5). Sukuna's Malevolent Shrine Burger (¥1,600 / ~$11).

Your 2023 fix. From Courtyard: subway to Tanimachi-yonchome (~10 min) → 10 min walk to Castle Park. ¥600 adult, ¥0 children under 15 (your daughter free!). Opens 9 AM.

1:30 PM departure (~2h 30m, ¥14,720 non-reserved). Book on June 22 via smartEX. Reserved seats recommended for summer holiday traffic.

Round 2! (Jul 22-27, 5 nights). Same hotel, Honors Discount Advance Purchase. Get your warm cookie. Yamato bags from Osaka should arrive evening. Settle in. Unpack. Review Magical Mirai lottery results (announcement was May 15) — confirm which days you have shows.

333m, painted orange (taller than Eiffel Tower by 9m). 2 observation decks. Main Deck (150m): ¥1,500 adult / ¥600 child. Top Deck (250m): ¥3,500 adult / ¥1,400 child (combo). Top Deck includes guided tour + drink. Allow 1.5 hours total.

634m, world's tallest tower. Tembo Deck (350m): ¥2,400 adult / ¥1,100 child. Tembo Galleria (450m): combo ¥3,500 adult / ¥1,550 child. Important: Buy Fast Skytree Ticket at the kiosk (¥3,500/¥1,550 combo, skip-the-line) to avoid 60+ min wait in summer. Optional if you've done it before — Skytree photos from outside still cool. 1.5 hours if you go up.

312-shop mall in Skytree complex. Spans 7 floors of stores + restaurants. Your shopping target.

4F — exclusive Pikachu plush + Skytree-themed merch. Daughter + Carlos.

4F — back for any Ghibli items missed at the park.

4F — Cinnamoroll merch.

4F.

4F sub-branch.

4F.

Vocaloid CDs/DVDs Japanese pressings, anime soundtracks.

5 min walk from JR Hamamatsu Station (covered walkway). Exhibition area opens before the concert — usually 9-10 AM. Features interactive Vocaloid displays, music creation stations, art installations, and cosplay photo spots.

The exclusive Magical Mirai goods (T-shirts, lightsticks, acrylic stands, plush — Miku, KAITO, Rin, Len, Luka, MEIKO) sell out by early afternoon. Hit the merch booth immediately. Budget ¥5,000-15,000 / ~$33-100. Official lightstick (¥4,000 / ~$27) is essential for the concert — changes color to match each Vocaloid.

Tickets: ¥10,300/person / ~$69 (live concert + exhibition set, via PIA advance lottery). Applied for Jul 24-26 Day+Night shows on 2 accounts. Lottery results: May 15 at noon JST. Passport required at entry — names must match tickets exactly.

Hitsumabushi (eel over rice, eat it 3 ways: plain, with condiments, with dashi broth, ¥3,500 / ~$23). Hamamatsu is the eel capital of Japan.

7-9F (record store) for Vocaloid CDs, Magical Mirai DVDs, exclusive lightsticks. Daughter shopping target.

400+ stalls under the train tracks. Yakitori sticks ¥100-200, fresh fruit on sticks ¥300-500, ¥100 candy bins, fresh seafood (uni cups ¥500-800). ¥1,500-2,500/person.

Tokyo's oldest temple (founded 645 AD). Walk through the iconic Kaminarimon Gate (giant red lantern — THE photo spot). Then stroll Nakamise-dori — 250m shopping street with 90+ traditional stalls. Perfect for kimono photos.

Via Tsukuba Express (Asakusa → Akihabara, 5 min, ¥170). Return for missed Pokemon cards, Gundam kits, figures. Check Mandarake + Radio Kaikan for new stock that arrived since Day 5.

Hit a Lawson, 7-Eleven, and FamilyMart near the hotel. Stock up on Japanese snacks for home: Kit Kat matcha (¥300-500 / ~$2-3), Tokyo Banana (¥1,000 / ~$7/box), Hi-Chew limited editions, Pocky seasonal flavors, mochi ice cream packs, rice crackers. These make incredible gifts.

Don Quijote Ginza (in Ginza, near Tokyo Station) — beauty products (Biore UV sunscreen, Shiseido, DHC lip cream), Japanese candy by the bag, cosmetics, last-minute souvenirs. Tax-free with passport. Buy an extra foldable duffel bag (¥1,500-2,500 / ~$10-17) if you need one for all the merch — they sell good ones.

Put fragile figures in the center of your suitcase wrapped in clothes. Seal snacks in ziplock bags (customs inspection). If you're over airline weight limits, you can ship a box home via Japan Post EMS from any post office (~¥5,000-10,000 / ~$33-67 for a medium box to the US, arrives in 5-7 days). The Ginza Post Office is nearby.

Limousine Bus from Tokyo Big Sight (right next to hotel) → Haneda Airport (¥1,000/person, ~25-35 min). Buy tickets at the hotel front desk or online. Allow 3 hours before your flight. Alternative: Rinkai → Shinagawa → Keikyu Line → Haneda.

Tax refund: If you have tax-free purchases sealed in bags, you may need to show them at customs before check-in. Have receipts ready.

Haneda has excellent shops after security — Pokemon Store Haneda (airplane-pilot Pikachu exclusive!), Japanese Kit Kat corner (flavors you can't find elsewhere), Uniqlo (last-chance basics), and a Don Quijote in the terminal.

If you used physical Welcome Suica cards, they expire after 28 days — spend remaining balance at konbini or vending machines before boarding. Mobile Suica balances stay on your phone.