Japan '26

Weather forecast

Live forecast

00

Thu

March 19

Brussels

Departure from Brussels

Early train from Aalter to Brussels Airport, board CX294 to Hong Kong, and settle in for the overnight connection to Tokyo.

Primary Route

Departure Day

  • 07:26
    Train from Aalter to Brussels Airport

  • 08:40
    Arrive Brussels Airport (check-in opens)

  • 10:15
    Collect bag tags and drop bags

  • 11:00
    Arrive at boarding gate

  • 11:20
    Gate closes
  • 12:18
    ✈️ CX294 departs Brussels
  • 07:11
    Arrive Hong Kong (HKG)

Staying At

Departure

01

Fri

March 20

Tokyo

Arrival in Tokyo 🛬

Land at Haneda at 13:37, take the monorail and JR to the Kanda hotel, then explore Akihabara's electronics district and enjoy a first Tokyo dinner of yakitori and kaiten sushi.

Primary Route

Good Energy

  • 07:11
    Arrive Hong Kong
  • 08:25
    Arrive at boarding gate (Terminal 1)

  • 08:45
    Gate closes
  • 09:04
    ✈️ CX548 departs Hong Kong
  • 13:37
    Arrive Haneda (HND), clear immigration + pick up bags

  • 14:30
    Activate Airalo Asia eSIMs + get online

  • 15:00
    ✅ Done: Transit — Haneda T3 → Hamamatsucho → Kanda (¥718 IC)

  • 16:00
    Check in hotel, freshen up
  • 17:00
    Walk around Kanda neighborhood

  • 18:00
    Explore Akihabara (15 min walk)

  • 19:30
    Dinner: Yakitori izakaya + kaiten sushi

  • 21:00
    ✅ Done: Transit — Akihabara → Kanda (JR Keihin-Tohoku/Yamanote, ¥155)

  • 21:15
    Return to hotel, early night

Staying At

HOTEL SUI KANDA by ABEST (Night 1/4)

Optional

  • • Rain Day: Indoor activities, covered shopping
02

Sat

March 21

Tokyo

🌸 Shinjuku Gyoen

Cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen, a wander through Harajuku's Takeshita Street and Omotesando, then Shibuya Crossing and a night dinner in Shinjuku.

Primary Route

Full Exploration

  • 08:00
    Breakfast at hotel or nearby

  • 09:00
    Shinjuku Gyoen (68 cherry tree varieties!) - ¥500

  • 12:55
    Lunch: AFURI 新宿ルミネ (Shinjuku Lumine B2F)

  • 14:30
    Train: Shinjuku → Shibuya (Yamanote Line, 14 min)

  • 14:00
    Shinjuku → Shibuya walk via Harajuku / Omotesando — skipped (too tired)

  • 14:30
    Shibuya Crossing experience

  • 15:50
    Train back to hotel: Hanzomon Line → Ginza Line (27 min, ¥209)

  • 16:15
    Back at hotel — rest + freshen up

  • ~17:00
    Book Shinkansen via SmartEX ✅ DONE

  • 18:00
    Train back to Shibuya for dinner

  • 18:15
    Shibuya evening shopping — Loft + Tokyu Hands + explore

  • 21:39
    Dinner: とんかつ 神楽坂 さくら (Kagurazaka Sakura Tonkatsu) — Shibuya Jinnan

  • 21:30
    Nonbei Yokocho for drinks (if energy allows)

  • 21:56
    FamilyMart — Shibuya Finger Avenue (snacks + recovery supplies)

  • 22:00
    FamilyMart #2 — Shibuya Finger Avenue (clothes + dessert)

  • 22:30
    Return to hotel from Shibuya

Staying At

HOTEL SUI KANDA by ABEST (Night 2/4)

Optional

  • • Harajuku + Omotesando (fashion/youth culture)
  • • Meiji Shrine + Yoyogi Park
  • • Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free observation deck)
03

Sun

March 22

Tokyo

🛍️ Ginza → Sushikuro → Golden Gai

Luxury morning in Ginza browsing watches and flagship stores, followed by an omakase dinner at Sushikuro, and late-night bar hopping through Golden Gai.

Primary Route

Ginza First — Watches, Bags & Golden Gai

  • 10:55
    ✅ Done: Anker Store Ginza INZ 2 — chargers & power banks

  • 11:23
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Kanda Station East Exit — breakfast & snacks

  • 11:30
    ✅ Done: Transit — Ginza Line Kanda → Ginza

  • ~11:45
    ✅ Done: KOMEHYO Ginza — vintage watches & handbags

  • ~12:00
    ✅ Done: Michael Kors — Ginza

  • 12:00
    Now in Ginza — Chuo-dori pedestrian street 🚶

  • 12:30
    [FOOD OPTION A] Lunch in Ginza

  • 13:50
    SEIKO Dream Square Ginza — Bought Seiko Astron

  • 14:20
    ✅ Done: Met up with Manon at MUJI Ginza

  • 15:26
    ✅ Done: UNIQLO Ginza Flagship Store (with Manon)

  • 16:54
    ✅ Done: Matsuya Ginza — fashion shopping

  • 17:56
    ✅ Done: Dinner at Tsukiji Sukuro (築地すしくろ) — Ginza Ins

  • 14:15
    GINZA SIX

  • 19:31
    ✅ Done: Loft Ginza — stationery & travel accessories

  • 20:19
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Ginza 2-chome — snacks & drinks

  • 20:45
    ✅ Done: Transit — Yamanote Line Tokyo Station → Kanda Station

  • 20:51
    ✅ Done: ATM cash withdrawal — Seven Bank, Kajicho

  • 21:05
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven Kanda South Exit — fried chicken + itinerary print attempt

  • 21:20
    ✅ Done: Brief stop at hotel — then heading to Golden Gai

  • ~21:30
    ✅ Done: Transit — Kanda → Shinjuku

  • ~22:00
    ✅ Done: Golden Gai bar hopping

  • 02:09
    ✅ Done: KABUKI餅子 Gyoza Dining — Kabukicho, Shinjuku

  • 02:43
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Kanda East Exit — recovery supplies

  • ~03:00
    ✅ Done: Taxi home — Shinjuku → Kanda

Staying At

HOTEL SUI KANDA by ABEST (Night 3/4)

Optional

  • • Tokyo Skytree (indoor observation)
  • • Akihabara deep dive (anime, electronics)
  • • Yanaka neighborhood (old Tokyo charm)
04

Mon

March 23

Tokyo

🐟 Fish Market + 🎨 teamLab Planets

Sunrise atmosphere at Toyosu Fish Market, then immersive digital art at teamLab Planets, and gadget hunting through Akihabara in the evening.

Primary Route

Fish Market Morning + teamLab + Akihabara

  • 06:23
    ✅ Done: Leave hotel — fish market morning (late start)!

  • 06:25
    ✅ Done: Transit — Kanda → Ginza → Tsukiji → Toei bus → Toyosu Market (¥566 IC + bus)

  • ~06:50
    ✅ Done: Arrive Toyosu Market

  • ~07:00
    ❌ Missed: Tuna auction viewing gallery

  • 07:30
    ✅ Done: Omakase sushi breakfast at RYU Sushi (龍寿司), Toyosu Market

  • 08:30
    ✅ Done: Explore Toyosu Market area

  • 09:26
    ✅ Done: Maruyama Nori Store (丸山海苔店), Toyosu Market — ¥2,310

  • ~09:30
    ✅ Done: Aritsugu knife shop (有次), Toyosu Market

  • 09:53
    ✅ Done: Lawson konbini, Toyosu Market (千客万来店) — ¥143

  • 12:50
    ✅ Done: Transit — Toyosu → Hotel SUI Kanda (¥333 IC)

  • 09:00
    ✅ Done: Walk to Shin-Toyosu area

  • 10:30
    ✅ Done: teamLab Planets TOKYO — Entrance Pass
    CONFIRM

    — by

  • 11:30
    ❌ Skipped: Head to Tsukiji Outer Market

  • 12:00
    ❌ Skipped: Tsukiji Outer Market exploration

  • 13:00
    ❌ Skipped: Lunch in Tsukiji / Ginza area

  • 13:29
    ✅ Done: Arrive back at Hotel SUI Kanda by Abest

  • 18:12
    ✅ Done: Transit — Kanda → Akihabara (Yamanote Line, ¥155)

  • 18:20
    ✅ Done: Yodobashi Camera Akihabara — browsing + beauty products purchase (¥2,035)

  • 19:32
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven Akihabara — drinks & snacks (¥919 + ¥180)

  • 19:59
    ✅ Done: Mos Burger Akihabara — dinner (¥1,210 + ¥2,750 = ¥3,960)

  • 21:06
    ✅ Done: Transit — Suehirochō → Kanda → Hotel (Ginza Line, ¥178)

  • 21:31
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Kanda — drinks (¥368)

  • 21:38
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven Kanda Kajimachi — lobster croquettes ×2 (¥360)

  • 17:30
    ✅ Done: Luggage forwarding booked (Sagawa Express → Kyoto)

  • 22:30
    ✅ Done: Pack for Hakone, final prep

Staying At

HOTEL SUI KANDA by ABEST (Night 4/4)

Optional

  • • Roppongi art museums
  • • Odaiba (waterfront area)
  • • Sumo morning practice (see Section 6)
  • • Yokohama half-day: CUPNOODLES MUSEUM + Minato Mirai waterfront — 45 min from Shinjuku (Shonan-Shinjuku Line direct). Open 10:00–18:00, closed Tuesdays. Make-your-own cup noodle workshop (¥500).
05

Tue

March 24

Kamakura → Hakone

Kamakura Temples + Private Onsen

Temple highlights and the Great Buddha in Kamakura, then check in to a Hakone ryokan for a private in-room onsen experience with Mt Fuji views.

Primary Route

Kamakura Highlights (No Cycling)

  • 08:00
    Wake up

  • 08:30
    Check out + drop luggage at SUI Kanda reception (Sagawa Express, ¥5,140 — BOOKED)
    SEND

  • 09:13
    FamilyMart Shin-Nihombashi — konbini breakfast — ¥884

  • 09:23
    Train to Kamakura — JR Sōbu Rapid Line from Shin-Nihombashi, Platform 1 — ¥902 IC

  • 10:20
    ✅ Done: Arrive Kita-Kamakura — temple walk

  • 10:42
    ✅ Done: Luggage locker at Kita-Kamakura Station — ¥900

  • 12:08
    ✅ Done: Enoden Line — Kamakura → Hase Station — ¥200

  • 12:12
    ✅ Done: Coin locker at Hase Station — ¥400–¥500

  • 12:15
    ✅ Done: Great Buddha — Kotoku-in — ¥300

  • 13:00
    ✅ Done: Hasedera Temple — ¥400

  • 13:51
    ✅ Done: Enoden Line — Hase → Kamakura Station — ¥200

  • 14:04
    ✅ Done: Lunch at もみじ茶屋 (Momiji Chaya) — ¥4,312

  • 14:08
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Kamakura Station West Exit — drinks ¥345

  • 15:26
    ✅ Done: Yokosuka Line — Kamakura → Ōfuna

  • 15:45
    ✅ Done: Shonan-Shinjuku Line Special Rapid — Ōfuna → Odawara

  • 16:36
    ✅ Done: Hakone Tozan Line — Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto

  • 16:52
    ✅ Done: Hakone Tozan Line — Hakone-Yumoto → Miyanoshita

  • 17:18
    ✅ Done: Arrive Miyanoshita — Hakone

  • 17:30
    ✅ Done: Check in + yukata welcome

  • 18:45
    ✅ Done: Private onsen ♨️

  • 19:00
    ✅ Done: Kaiseki dinner served in room

  • 21:00
    Evening soak in private cypress bath

Staying At

Hakone Tokinoshizuku

Optional

  • • Route A (Lakes & Views): Hakone Ropeway → Owakudani → Lake Ashi cruise
  • • Route B (Art & Nature): Pola Museum → Chokoku-no-Mori → Forest walk
06

Wed

March 25

Hakone → Kyoto

🚄 Shinkansen

Check out of the Hakone ryokan, board the Shinkansen to Kyoto, walk through Nishiki Market, and settle in for the start of the Kyoto chapter.

Primary Route

Early Checkout + Train to Shinkansen

  • 07:30
    Morning onsen

  • 09:00
    Breakfast at ryokan (served in room)

  • 09:30
    Checkout

  • 09:42
    Hakone Tozan Line — Kowakidani → Hakone-Yumoto

  • 10:27
    Transfer at Hakone-Yumoto → Odawara

  • 11:00
    Snacks & Shinkansen bento at Odawara Station (安養軒 + LUSCA 栄上田 + くりこ庵 + 成城石井)

  • 12:35
    Shinkansen Odawara → Kyoto via Nagoya (BOOKED — Confirmation ••••)
    CONFIRM

    — by

  • 15:15
    Arrive Kyoto Station

  • 15:00
    Check in, retrieve forwarded luggage

  • 16:00
    Nishiki Market exploration

  • 18:00
    Walk to Pontocho alley

  • 19:00
    ✅ Done: Yakiniku Daikoku — 焼肉大黒戌 先斗町店 (Pontocho)

  • 20:30
    ✅ Done: Rainy night walk — Matsumoto Kiyoshi + FamilyMart + lantern streets

  • 21:14
    ✅ Done: Bus 205 home — Kawaramachi Matsubara → TUNE STAY KYOTO

Staying At

TUNE STAY KYOTO (Night 1/3)

07

Thu

March 26

Kyoto

Fushimi Inari + Sake District + Gion

Early hike through Fushimi Inari's thousand torii gates, then drop south into Fushimi's sake-brewing district for lunch, a museum, a canal walk, and tastings — before the evening in Gion.

Primary Route

Fushimi Inari + Sake District + Gion

  • 08:30
    Breakfast near hotel
  • 09:26
    7-Eleven at JR Kyoto Station West Exit — 2× seasoned nori shrimp mayo onigiri + Yakult Y1000 110ml, ¥626 total

  • 09:45
    Train to Fushimi Inari — Kyoto Station → Inari, JR Nara Line (Joyo), 5 min, ¥150 IC. Depart 09:45, arrive 09:50, Platform 10 (Local)
  • 09:30
    Fushimi Inari Shrine — full hike: lower torii → mid-mountain tunnel → Yotsutsuji intersection. Free, open 24h.
  • 11:30
    Kirin Lemon on top of Fushimi Inari mountain — ¥300

  • 12:02
    Train to Fushimi sake district — JR Nara Line from Inari → Momoyama, 2 stops, 6 min, ¥180 IC. Depart 12:02, arrive 12:08. Then 15 min walk to Gekkeikan museum and canal/warehouse row.
  • 12:39
    Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum (月桂冠大倉記念館) — ¥600/person, includes sake tasting tokens. 1909 brewery interior, cedar balls (sugitama), antique tools. 186 Kamiaburakakecho, Fushimi Ward.

  • 13:30
    Lunch at Torisei (鳥せい本店) — renowned yakitori restaurant in Fushimi sake district. 186 Kamiaburakakecho, Fushimi Ward. 4.2★ on Google Maps.
  • 14:30
    Sakaigawa canal walk — stroll the sake warehouse row. Whitewashed kura, willows, weeping cherry in full bloom. Pass Teradaya Inn along the way [free exterior view; ¥400 interior if curious — site of Sakamoto Ryoma's 1866 ambush]. ~30 min.
  • 13:26
    ✅ Done: 酒蔵 sake bar (Enjoy SAKE Life) — 18-brewery tasting flight + lunch, first visit

  • 16:48
    ✅ Done: 酒蔵 sake bar (Enjoy SAKE Life) — second round

  • 17:08
    ✅ Done: RUDIE café — matcha latte takeout

  • 17:24
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Fushimi — free Gungun Guruto coupon redemption

  • 17:27
    ✅ Done: Transit — Chushojima (中書島) → Gion-Shijo, Keihan Main Line

  • 17:47
    Gion — Hanamikoji Street. Maiko/geiko window: 17:30–19:00. No flash, don't block their path.
  • 18:10
    ✅ Done: Maruyama Park — shidare-zakura (weeping cherry) in full bloom. Free.

  • 18:15
    ✅ Done: Gion Shirakawa canal — lanterns, weeping cherry, Shinbashi-dori
  • 19:00
    Dinner in Gion — obanzai izakaya, ¥3,000–5,000pp
  • 19:29
    ✅ Done: Bus 206 home — Gion → TUNE STAY KYOTO

  • 19:58
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart Kyoto Tower Mae — free Gungun Guruto coupon redemption

  • 20:42
    ✅ Done: Lopia (ロピア) supermarket — hotel room dinner haul, ¥7,530

  • 21:00
    ✅ Done: Hotel kitchen dinner — Lopia sushi & sashimi picnic in the hotel basement kitchen

Staying At

TUNE STAY KYOTO (Night 2/3)

Optional

  • • Nijo Castle (¥1,000, covered corridors good in rain) — solid swap if sake district is closed
  • • Philosopher's Path (free, canal-side cherry walk) — best if sakura is at absolute peak
  • • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) + Ryoan-ji — save for another Kyoto trip
08

Fri

March 27

Kyoto

Tea Ceremony + East Kyoto

East Kyoto day — Camellia Tea Ceremony (Higashiyama), Rabbit Bagel snacks, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka + Yasaka Pagoda selfie, Philosopher's Path + Shinnyodo Temple area, Ippodo Tea matcha shopping (¥41,740 total), 205 City Bus to Kinkaku-ji — omamori. Back to TUNE STAY via 50 bus. Evening: FamilyMart 七条新町店 (two free ぐんぐんグルト redemptions) and dinner for two at 担担麺 胡 (YEBISU) near the hotel.

Primary Route

Tea Ceremony + Higashiyama

  • 09:00
    Leave hotel, head to Higashiyama

  • 09:30
    Kiyomizu-dera Temple (early visit) — ¥400. Wooden stage, Otowa waterfall, panoramic city views over cherry blossoms.

  • 10:00
    ✅ BOOKED: Camellia Tea Ceremony — Higashiyama

  • 11:27
    ✅ Done: Rabbit Bagel's Snacks — bacon egg sandwich + seasonal matcha soft cream

  • 11:30
    ✅ Done: Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka — cobblestone lanes + Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji / 八坂の塔) selfie

  • 11:54
    ✅ Done: Bus transit — Kiyomizumichi → Ginkakuji-michi → Philosopher's Path

  • 12:31
    ✅ Done: Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no Michi) — canal-side sakura walk

  • 13:30
    Lunch near Philosopher's Path / Ginkakuji area

  • 13:18
    ✅ Done: Transit — Shinnyodo-mae → Kawaramachi Marutamachi via 204 City Bus

  • 14:25
    ✅ Done: Ippodo Tea (一保堂茶舗) — matcha shopping, ¥41,740 total

  • 14:37
    ✅ Done: 205 City Bus — Kyoto Shiyakusho mae → Kinkakuji-michi (Kinkaku-ji)

  • 15:13
    ✅ Done: Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺 — Golden Pavilion) — omamori + omikuji

  • 16:40
    ✅ Done: 50 City Bus — Wara Tenjin-mae → Nanajo Nishinotoin (TUNE STAY area)

  • 17:30
    ✅ Done: Hotel rest + packing at TUNE STAY

  • 19:08
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart 七条新町店 — free ぐんぐんグルト coupon redemption

  • 20:04
    ✅ Done: Dinner — 担担麺 胡 (YEBISU), tantanmen for two

  • 20:14
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart 七条新町店 — second free ぐんぐんグルト coupon redemption

  • 21:30
    Return to hotel, final pack for checkout tomorrow (Arashiyama early start)

Staying At

TUNE STAY KYOTO (Night 3/3)

Optional

  • • Nijo Castle in depth
  • • Sake tasting in Fushimi
  • • Cooking class
09

Sat

March 28

Kyoto → Nara

🎋 Arashiyama + 🍵 Uji + 🦌 Nara

Arashiyama morning, then Uji before Nara: JR Nara Line Kyoto → Uji (~09:45–10:07), matcha shopping + lunch at 中村藤吉本店 (~12:55), JR Uji → Kyoto (~13:40–14:02), TUNE STAY luggage (708 Ebisunocho). Kintetsu Kyoto → Yamato-Saidaiji (Express toward Tenri) → Kintetsu-Nara → Hotel Neiraku (~¥760). Late-afternoon walk toward Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden (Maps ~16:13); Nigatsu-do sunset (exterior only); 釜粋 ~19:10 + FamilyMart 猿沢池 ~19:25. Great Buddha hall inside: March 29 morning (✅ — admission tickets photographed).

Primary Route

Arashiyama Morning, Uji, Nara Afternoon

  • 06:27
    ✅ Done: Kyoto Station → Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (JR San-in)

  • 07:06
    ✅ Done: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

  • 07:20
    ✅ Done: Togetsukyo Bridge + Ōi River (Katsura) riverside

  • 08:30
    ✅ Done: City bus 73 — Arashiyama → Kyoto Station

  • 09:45
    ✅ Done: JR Nara Line (Local) — Kyoto Station → Uji

  • 10:18
    ✅ Done: Walk Uji Station → town (宇治一番 / 中村藤吉エリア)

  • 11:05
    ✅ Done: Fresh Market Appro (フレッシュマーケット アプロ) — 宇治店

  • 12:55
    ✅ Done: Lunch — 中村藤吉本店 Nakamura Tokichi Honten (Uji)

  • 13:32
    ✅ Done: Walk to JR Uji Station

  • 13:40
    ✅ Done: JR Nara Line (Local) — Uji → Kyoto

  • 14:12
    ✅ Done: Walk Kyoto Station → TUNE STAY KYOTO — pick up luggage

  • 14:56
    ✅ Done: Kintetsu Kyōto Line (Express) — Kyoto Station → Yamato-Saidaiji

  • 15:37
    ✅ Done: Kintetsu-Nara Line (Express) — Yamato-Saidaiji → Kintetsu-Nara + walk to Hotel Neiraku

  • 16:18
    ✅ Done: Arrive Nara — check in Hotel Neiraku

  • 16:20
    ✅ Done: Walk toward Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) — Google Maps

  • 16:45
    ✅ Done: Nara Park — walk through (deer, open ground)

  • 17:30
    ✅ Done: Sunset — temple in Tōdai-ji precinct (no Daibutsuden interior)

  • 19:00
    ✅ Done: To Higashimuki — 釜粋 Udon Kamaiki

  • 19:10
    ✅ Done: Dinner — 釜粋 Udon Kamaiki

  • 19:25
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart 猿沢池店 — snacks & dessert

  • 21:00
    Return to hotel

Staying At

Hotel Neiraku

10

Sun

March 29

Nara → Osaka

🦌 Nara + 🐟 Kuromon + 🧳 Shinsaibashi + 🌃 Shinsekai night

Nara → Osaka as logged (Kintetsu, FamilyMart, R Hotel ~11:34, 7-Eleven 1-chōme ~11:53). Afternoon: Kuromon, Taishi luggage ¥19,990, R Hotel 宿泊税 ¥1,600 (16:52). Evening Shinsekai: 7-Eleven 日本橋東3丁目 19:01 → 串かつだるま ジャンジャン店 20:28 (¥6,688, 2名) → ドラッグアカカベ 新世界 20:45 → 焼肉おお乃 新世界 (¥13,420, ~22:44) → same 7-Eleven 3丁目 23:13 drinks ¥533 (post-Shinsekai, near hotel). Dotonbori/Glico skipped. Mar 30: accessories + retail + okonomiyaki.

Primary Route

Nara → Namba + neon Osaka

  • 07:30
    Wake up

  • 08:00
    Nara Park — deer walk

  • 08:45
    Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha hall) — interior visit

  • 09:25
    Tōdai-ji precinct — short grounds loop (optional)

  • 09:35
    Return to hotel — breakfast, pack

  • 10:00
    Check out — Hotel Neiraku

  • 10:23
    ✅ Done: Kintetsu-Nara → Kintetsu-Nippombashi — Express toward Osaka-Namba

  • 11:07
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart — 近鉄日本橋駅改札内中央店 (inside Kintetsu-Nippombashi gates)

  • 11:13
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart — same branch (second purchase)

  • 11:34
    ✅ Done: R Hotel Namba — arrive + bag drop (Booking confirmation)

  • 11:53
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東１丁目店

  • 12:15
    Drugstore / pharmacy — travel fatigue (legs, eyes, face)

  • 12:45
    ✅ Done: Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場) — street food / seafood

  • 13:30
    Namba → Shinsaibashi — walk / café (toward Taishi)

  • 15:53
    ✅ Done: Luggage — 大志株式会社 心斎橋店 (Taishi Co., Shinsaibashi) — Manon

  • 16:52
    ✅ Done: R Hotel Namba — 宿泊税 (accommodation tax)

  • 19:01
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東3丁目店

  • 19:40
    ✅ Done: Shinsekai — night (Tsutenkaku / Janjan / Ebisuhigashi)

  • 20:28
    ✅ Done: Dinner 1 — 串かつだるま ジャンジャン店 (Kushikatsu Daruma)

  • 20:45
    ✅ Done: ドラッグアカカベ — 新世界店 (between meals)

  • 21:40
    ✅ Done: Dinner 2 — 焼肉おお乃 ～新世界店～ (Yakiniku Ohno, Dinii)

  • 22:50
    Dotonbori / Glico — skipped (Shinsekai-only night)

  • 23:13
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東3丁目店 (second visit — drinks)

  • 23:25
    Return to hotel

Staying At

R Hotel Namba (Night 1/4)

11

Mon

March 30

Osaka

🏯 姫路（早朝）+ 🛍️ Nipponbashi → Doguyasuji → Shinsaibashi

Logged from receipts (Mon Mar 30). An early-morning Himeji Castle visit, then back to Osaka for a Nipponbashi → Doguyasuji → Shinsaibashi shopping day: kitchen scissors at Senda, roast beef from the Takashimaya depachika, ASICS, and a big UNIQLO haul (~¥30,500). A second suitcase from Taishi, a Matsukiyo pharmacy stop, and a late Namba dinner of tsukemen (¥1,550). Okonomiyaki is still undocumented.

Primary Route

Receipt-timed retail (Mar 30)

  • 09:34
    ✅ Done: 姫路城 — 入城券（国宝・英語表記チケ）

  • 11:08
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東1丁目店 (breakfast)

  • 11:23
    ✅ Done: Walk — Nipponbashi / Den-Den Town (Google Maps)

  • 11:57
    ✅ Done: 株式会社千田 Senda — TKG kitchen scissors (千日前 / Doguyasuji area)

  • 13:53
    ✅ Done: Takashimaya depachika — はざま湖畔 三田屋総本家 (roast beef)

  • 16:38
    ✅ Done: ASICS — 大阪心斎橋店 (shoes, tax-free)

  • 19:53
    ✅ Done: UNIQLO — SHINSAIBASHI (tax-free haul)

  • 20:02
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 心斎橋筋1丁目店

  • 20:09
    ✅ Done: Krispy Kreme — 北心斎橋店

  • 20:54
    ✅ Done: 大志株式会社 心斎橋店 — 2nd tax-free suitcase

  • 21:30
    ✅ Done: マツモトキヨシ — 心斎橋AGビル店

  • 21:45
    Hotel — drop bags / short reset (R Hotel Namba)

  • 22:43
    ✅ Done: いちご / strawberry shop (難波・千日前エリア)

  • 22:54
    ✅ Done: 大阪 つけ麺 しらいし 難波店

  • 23:15
    Return to hotel — R Hotel Namba

Staying At

R Hotel Namba (Night 2/4)

Optional

  • • Sakai half-day only for craft-museum **atmosphere** — **not** for buying (knife = Doguyasuji)
  • • Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
  • • Tennoji area + Abeno Harukas
  • • Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
12

Tue

March 31

Osaka

🍓 CAFE ANNON + 🛍️ Loft + UNIQLO + 🍣 Kura + 🦀 Kanikichi + 🍸→Wed

Logged from receipts (Tue Mar 31). A strawberry morning at Cafe Annon (ticket #••••, returned at 14:13 for the ¥4,280 set), a second TKG-scissors run at Senda, and Loft Namba for a matcha set and travel gear. Picked up the Sakai Ichimonji gyuto knife, then a 17-item UNIQLO tax-free haul (¥22,410). Evening of Kura Sushi and a kani (crab) + fugu course at Kanikichi in Dotonbori (¥36,300), rolling past midnight into Apr 1 with cocktails at Hedonist — see day 13.

Primary Route

Receipts — Mar 31 + Wed 02:xx (HEDONIST / FamilyMart)

  • 10:42
    ✅ Done: Maps — Namba → Yotsubashi → Hanshin (route preview)

  • 10:51
    ✅ Done: CAFE ANNON — queue ticket (return later)

  • 10:55
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 難波千日前店

  • 11:08
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 難波千日前店 (2nd purchase)

  • 11:24
    ✅ Done: 株式会社千田 Senda — 2nd TKG kitchen scissors

  • 11:58
    ✅ Done: Loft — Namba Parks (お抹茶3点セット「さく」)

  • 12:41
    ✅ Done: Loft — Namba (lock + cable)

  • 13:30
    Doguyasuji — Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide: gyuto (knife)

  • 13:50
    R Hotel Namba — stash knife (~10 min from Doguyasuji)

  • 14:13
    ✅ Done: CAFE ANNON — sweets + drinks (table T6)

  • 15:45
    Optional: nails / hotel rest / Shinsaibashi loop

  • 18:01
    ✅ Done: UNIQLO — 心斎橋筋商店街店 (2nd Osaka haul)

  • 22:02
    ✅ Done: くら寿司 — 道頓堀店

  • 23:49
    ✅ Done: 蟹吉 — 道頓堀（かに・ふぐ）

  • 23:57
    ✅ Done: LAWSON — 道頓堀店

  • 02:01 (+1)
    ✅ Done: HEDONIST — cocktail bar (Wed Apr 1 calendar)

  • 02:12 (+1)
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart — 久左衛門町店 (Wed Apr 1)

  • 03:00 (+1)
    Return to R Hotel Namba — very late

Staying At

R Hotel Namba (Night 3/4)

Optional

  • • Osaka Castle / Nishi-no-Maru (peak sakura Mar 31) — trades **morning shopping** time; only if you accept less Shinsaibashi before the knife. Outer moat free; Nishi-no-Maru ¥200 Mar 31 (¥300 Apr 1+); tower ¥1,200 (2026).
  • • Day trip to Koya-san (mountain temples)
  • • Minoo Park (nature/waterfall)
  • • Universal Studios Japan (if interested)
13

Wed

April 1

Osaka

🏯 Osaka Castle (雨) + 天守券 15:13 + 🍜 辻 17:55 + 🌙 日本橋 konbini

Logged from receipts (Wed Apr 1, continuing from ~02:12 on day 12). A rainy Osaka Castle day: an umbrella from 7-Eleven, the Tanimachi Line out to the castle, and tickets for the keep + Toyotomi stone wall (¥1,200). Dinner at Ramen Tsuji (¥3,650, cash), then late-night konbini runs. Himeji was moved to Plan B; packing continued in the evening.

Primary Route

Receipts — Osaka Castle + 辻 + midnight konbini (Apr 1)

  • 10:00
    Sleep in / very late breakfast — recovery after 02:12

  • 13:31
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東１丁目店

  • 13:49
    ✅ Done: Maps — Osaka Castle route (Shitennōji-mae → Tanimachi 4-chome → walk)

  • 14:15
    ✅ Done: Osaka Castle — grounds (rain / sakura)

  • 15:13
    ✅ Done: Osaka Castle Main Keep + Toyotomi stone wall — admission

  • 17:55
    ✅ Done: ラーメン辻 — dinner (cash)

  • 22:18
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東１丁目店 (3rd visit same day)

  • 22:30
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart — 日本橋二丁目店

  • 21:00
    Pack for Kobe + prep Osaka → Tokyo forwarding

Staying At

R Hotel Namba (Night 4/4)

Optional

  • • Himeji — **Plan B** above if you still want the white keep + Koko-en combo (add photos to prove which day you went).
  • • Akashi (famous octopus, Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge view)
  • • Takarazuka (if interested in all-female theater)
14

Thu

April 2

Kobe

📦 TA-Q-BIN 09:13 + 🚃 Maps 10:27–11:46 + 🥩 やまと 14:28 + 🏯 姫路往復 + 🔥 おか田 21:55

Logged from receipts (Thu Apr 2). Checked out of R Hotel and sent two bags by TA-Q-BIN from a Nihonbashi 7-Eleven (¥6,120), then trained via the Hanshin line to Hotel Okura Kobe. Kobe beef lunch at Yamato (¥12,320), an afternoon round trip to Himeji Castle (¥5,000 for two), and a yakiniku dinner at Okada (¥28,610).

Primary Route

Receipts — Osaka checkout → Okura Kobe (Apr 2)

  • 08:30
    Check out R Hotel Namba — luggage ready for TA-Q-BIN

  • 09:07
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東１丁目店

  • 09:13
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋１丁目店 — Yamato 宅急便 ×2

  • 09:28
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart — 日本橋１丁目店

  • 09:29
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart — 日本橋二丁目店（下着）

  • 09:37
    ✅ Done: 7-Eleven — 大阪日本橋東１丁目店 (2nd — snacks)

  • 10:27
    ✅ Done: Maps — Kintetsu-Nippombashi → Amagasaki (westbound)

  • 10:42
    ✅ Done: Maps — Hanshin Osaka-Umeda → Motomachi → Hotel Okura Kobe

  • 11:46
    Hotel Okura Kobe — arrive (per Maps)

  • 12:36
    ✅ Done: Sundrug — 神戸元町調剤薬局

  • 14:28
    ✅ Done: KOBE BEEF やまと — lunch (card slip)

  • 15:34
    ✅ Done: Maps — 保土ヶ谷 → 姫路駅（姫路城）

  • 15:55
    ✅ Done: 姫路城 — 入城（レシート）

  • 18:04
    ✅ Done: Maps — 姫路駅 → 神戸（乗換）→ ホテルオークラ神戸

  • 21:55
    ✅ Done: 焼肉 おか田 — 北長狭通（神戸）

  • 23:12
    ✅ Done: ファミマ — ホテルオークラ神戸 / S店

  • 23:30
    Sleep — tomorrow: Medium Rare lunch + NOZOMI 28

Staying At

Hotel Okura Kobe

Optional

  • • Nunobiki Herb Garden (ropeway)
  • • Kobe Maritime Museum
  • • Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
15

Fri

April 3

Kobe → Tokyo

🥩 Medium Rare（京町）+ 🚄 NOZOMI 28 + 🏙️ Shibuya Sky + 🍲 渋谷すき焼き

Logged from receipts (Fri Apr 3). A standout Medium Rare lunch at THE ORIENT (Oriental Hotel Kobe, ¥48,620), then Nozomi 28 from Shin-Kobe (14:30) to Shinagawa (17:08) — EX slip kept and a Mt. Fuji window view. Checked in near Ningyocho, up to Shibuya Sky at 20:40, and sukiyaki of kuroge wagyu in Shibuya (¥12,865). Tomorrow (Apr 4): Tsukiji + depachika.

Primary Route

Receipts — Medium Rare + NOZOMI 28 + Shibuya Sky

  • 08:00
    Breakfast at Hotel Okura (harbor view)

  • 09:00
    Check out Hotel Okura / transit toward Oriental Hotel — Kyomachi

  • 12:13
    ✅ Done: THE ORIENT / Medium Rare — 京町（ランチ）

  • 14:00
    Head to Shin-Kobe Station with luggage

  • 14:30
    Shinkansen Shin-Kobe → Shinagawa (BOOKED — Confirmation ••••)
    CONFIRM

    — by

  • 17:08
    Arrive Shinagawa Station

  • 17:30
    ✅ Done: Maps — 品川 → Hotel Rakuragu（京急・人形町徒歩）

  • 18:00
    Check in Hotel Rakuragu

  • 19:01
    ✅ Done: Maps — 三越前 → 渋谷（Shibuya Sky 方面）

  • 19:40
    ✅ Done: 東急フードショー EDGE（渋谷）— prepared-food purchase

  • 20:00
    Head to Shibuya Scramble Square

  • 20:14
    ✅ Done: FamilyMart 宮益坂下店（渋谷）— snacks/drinks before Shibuya Sky

  • 20:40
    Shibuya Sky observation deck — ¥6,800 (BOOKED)
    CONFIRM

    — by

  • 21:53
    ✅ Done: 黒毛和牛すき焼き 2人前（渋谷スクランブルスクエア）

  • 22:45
    ✅ Done: すき焼き会計カード売上票（CARDNET）

  • 23:43
    ✅ Done: LAWSON 日本橋本町二丁目店 — late-night drinks/snack

  • 23:55
    Return to hotel

Staying At

Hotel Rakuragu (Night 1/2)

16

Sat

April 4

Tokyo

🦪 Tsukiji oysters + pantry + 🛍️ souvenirs

Make-up day for the Tsukiji Outer Market that was skipped on the first Tokyo leg (the Toyosu day). Morning — Tsukiji: grilled and raw oysters (カキ), plus the trip's strongest pantry stop — dashi packets and powder, bonito, seaweed, tea, and other dried/processed foods. Afternoon — Tokyo Station / Nihonbashi / Ginza: depachika for gift-packaged miso, yuzu (kosho, shichimi), tea and honey, furikake, and soup bases (Takashimaya-style food floors are strongest on condiments and stock bases); Loft, Muji, or Don Quijote for any non-food gaps. Keep luggage space in mind. Dinner: stays at Tamachi Sushi Evan (booked).

Primary Route

Tsukiji morning + souvenirs

  • 07:30
    Early start — Tsukiji rewards morning energy

  • 08:00
    Hotel Rakuragu → Tsukiji Outer Market

  • 08:30
    Tsukiji Outer Market

  • 11:30
    Coffee / light sit-down near Tsukiji or Ginza

  • 12:30
    Souvenir sweep — Tokyo Station + Nihonbashi / Ginza

  • 16:00
    Drop bags at hotel if needed / quick reset

  • 16:30
    Head to Mita / Tamachi area

  • 17:00
    Dinner: Tamachi Sushi Evan (reservation confirmed, chef's choice course)
    CONFIRM

    — by

  • 19:00
    Post-dinner stroll / final Tokyo walk

  • 20:30
    Konbini pass — flight-day snacks

  • 22:00
    Return to hotel

Staying At

Hotel Rakuragu (Night 2/2)

Optional

  • • 🌸 Meguro River (Nakameguro) — if April still has petals or fubuki and you want one last sakura walk after shopping
  • • Toyosu (wholesale) only if you want contrast with Tsukiji outer — not required for souvenirs
  • • Tokyo Skytree (if missed earlier)
  • • Harajuku / Omotesando if a fashion gap remains
  • • Akihabara — only for a specific electronics/anime item not found elsewhere
17

Sun

April 5

Tokyo → Haneda

Last gifts + Haneda

Last full day — fill any remaining souvenir and pantry gaps near Nihonbashi / Tokyo Station / Yaesu depachika (miso, yuzu lines, teas, soup bases) if Tsukiji or Saturday left holes. Skip a cross-town Akihabara run unless one specific item remains. Default: sleep in, then shop from ~10:30. Only if Apr 4 Tsukiji was skipped: swap the lie-in for an 08:00 market catch-up (oysters + dashi/dried foods) — not both. Then check out, train to the Haneda airport hotel, and pack for two checked bags.

Primary Route

Final souvenirs + airport hotel

  • 08:00
    Substitute only — Tsukiji Outer Market (if Apr 4 was skipped)

  • 09:00
    Default — sleep in

  • 10:00
    Light breakfast

  • 10:30
    Final souvenir pass — Nihonbashi / Tokyo Station / Yaesu

  • 12:30
    Last Tokyo lunch

  • 14:00
    Return to Hotel Rakuragu, check out

  • 14:30
    Train to Haneda

  • 15:30
    Check in Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Haneda

  • 16:00
    Pack carefully (organize 2 checked bags for return!)

  • 17:30
    Tea time / reflection

  • 18:30
    Light dinner

  • 20:00
    Walk near Haneda area

  • 21:30
    Early bed (flight tomorrow!)

Staying At

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Haneda

Optional

  • • Final shopping priority: Don Quijote (24h) - snacks, cosmetics, last-minute gifts. Tip: the Roppongi branch is open 24h and less chaotic than the Shibuya flagship — better for last-minute shopping if staying near Haneda.
  • • Depachika - fancy food gifts (wagashi, KitKat flavors)
  • • Airport - last chance tax-free
18

Mon

April 6

Departure + Hong Kong

Departure + Hong Kong Layover

Early check-out and Haneda departure on CX543 at 10:05, a long stopover in Hong Kong, then overnight flight CX275 home to Brussels.

Primary Route

Departure Day

  • 06:00
    Wake up, final pack

  • 07:00
    Light breakfast at hotel

  • 07:30
    Transfer to Haneda Terminal 3 (flight CX543)

  • 08:00
    Check in, clear security

  • 10:05
    ✈️ CX543 departs for Hong Kong

  • 13:50
    Arrive Hong Kong (HKG)

  • 14:30
    10-hour layover — choose your adventure!

  • 21:30
    Return to airport (if city trip)

  • 00:45
    ✈️ CX275 departs for Brussels

  • 08:25
    Arrive Brussels (BRU)

Staying At

Departure