Group A · AlaskaJacob, Isabel, Pat, Laura, Dylan, Christina
12:00 PMSeattle · SEA
10 h 25 min
3:25 PM+1Narita · NRT
5:25 PMNarita · NRT
9 h 15 min
9:40 AMSeattle · SEA
Family trip · Jan 17–26, 2027
家族旅行
Japan 日本
Eight of us, nine days. Two nights in Tokyo, a shinkansen ride to Osaka for Kyoto, Nara and maybe Hiroshima, then back to a different side of Tokyo for the last three nights.
- 8travelers
- 8nights
- 3bases, 2 booked
- 2shinkansen rides
- 17SunFly out
- 18MonLand in Tokyo
- 19TueTokyo
- 20WedTo Osaka
- 21ThuOsaka
- 22FriOsaka
- 23SatTo Tokyo
- 24SunTokyo
- 25MonTokyoDisney?
- 26TueFly home
One chapter at a time, with Back and Next. Arrow keys work too.
Getting there
Two flights out, two flights home
Six of us fly Alaska into Narita. Emilio and Sammy fly Delta into Haneda. Everyone leaves Seattle on Sunday morning and lands in Tokyo on Monday afternoon.
17 hours ahead. Tokyo is a day ahead of Seattle, so we lose Sunday night in the air and gain it back on the way home.
Group B · DeltaEmilio, Sammy
11:35 AMSeattle · SEA
10 h 30 min
3:05 PM+1Haneda · HND
4:50 PMHaneda · HND
9 h 06 min
8:56 AMSeattle · SEA
Monday Jan 18, landing day
Emilio and Sammy land first and have a shorter ride to Shinjuku. The six of us land at Narita and ride the Narita Express, about 90 minutes to Shinjuku, then one stop on the Yamanote line to Shin-Okubo. Airbnb check-in opens at 4:00 PM, so nobody waits outside. Times after landing are estimates.
Group BHaneda
3:05 lands
~5:30 at the Airbnb
Group ANarita
3:25 lands
~7:00 at the Airbnb
Tuesday Jan 26, going home. Group B flies at 4:50 PM from Haneda and Group A at 5:25 PM from Narita. Leaving central Tokyo around 12:30 PM gives both groups time for the airport.
The route
One line, three places to sleep
Each stop is where we unpack. The tags are the trips we can make from there by train.
Swipe the map sideways to see all of it.
The dashed line is the shinkansen. Sit in seat E (seat D in the Green Car) for Mt Fuji. It faces the right way both going to Osaka and coming back.
-
SEA
Seattle 出発
Sun Jan 17 · flights at 11:35 AM and 12:00 PM
- Across the PacificLands Mon Jan 18, 3:05 and 3:25 PM
-
TYO·1
Shinjuku 新宿
Mon Jan 18 to Wed Jan 20 · 2 nights
One Airbnb big enough for all eight of us to hang out together. Easy trains to everywhere, with Shinjuku and Shibuya at the door and no agenda.
- Shinkansen to OsakaWed Jan 20 · about 2½ hr
-
OSA
Osaka 大阪
Wed Jan 20 to Sat Jan 23 · 3 nights · Minn Namba South
Our base for day trips. Two full days for Kyoto, Nara and, for anyone who wants a long day, Hiroshima.
- Shinkansen to TokyoSat Jan 23 · about 2½ hr
-
TYO·2
Central Tokyo 東京
Sat Jan 23 to Tue Jan 26 · 3 nights · still to book
A different side of the city, closer to the middle, so anyone can pop out to another neighborhood.
- Flights homeTue Jan 26 · 4:50 and 5:25 PM
-
SEA
Seattle 帰国
Tue Jan 26 · lands 8:56 and 9:40 AM, the same morning
Where we sleep
Three bases, two booked
The Tokyo Airbnb and Minn Namba South are booked. The last three nights in Tokyo are still open.
Booked Jan 18 to Jan 20 · 2 nights · 8 adults
Airbnb in Shin-Okubo 新大久保
A whole architect-designed house for all eight of us: 180 m², 6 bedrooms, room for up to 15. Host: Yasuki.
- Check-in
- Mon Jan 18 from 4:00 PM
- Check-out
- Wed Jan 20 by 10:00 AM
- Where
- 3 min walk from Shin-Okubo station on the Yamanote line, one stop from Shinjuku. The exact address arrives a week before.
- Getting in
- Group B about 5:30 PM, Group A about 7:00 PM. Check-in steps come after everyone's guest info is in.
Everyone, by Jan 11: fill in the host's guest form with your passport details. Japanese law requires it, and the host can refuse the stay without it. Each person can fill it in for themselves.
Booked Jan 20 to Jan 23 · 3 nights
Minn Namba South 難波
An apartment hotel in the south part of Namba, a food and neon district.
- Address
- 3-14-3 Nambanaka, Naniwa Ward, Osaka
- Trains
- Namba (Nankai) 6 min walk, Daikokucho 7 min, Osaka-Namba 12 min
- Check-in
- Wed Jan 20 from 3:00 PM, at the lobby tablet with the 4-digit reference number. Jacob has it, with the door code.
- Check-out
- Sat Jan 23 by 10:00 AM
- Tax
- Osaka accommodation tax is paid at the hotel, on top of the room rate.
- Kitchen
- Yes, per the listing
Not booked Jan 23 to Jan 26 · 3 nights
Central Tokyo 東京
Three hotels are in the running. All are central and easy to fly home from. The family is voting.
- Option A
- YOTEL Tokyo Ginza (Shimbashi)
- Option B
- Park Hotel Tokyo (Shiodome)
- Option C
- Shiba Park Hotel (by Tokyo Tower)
Around Osaka
Namba is the right spot for Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima
The Kintetsu line to Nara starts at Osaka-Namba, a 12 minute walk from the lodging. Shin-Osaka, where the Hiroshima train leaves, is a short ride north on the Midosuji subway.
Swipe the map sideways to see all of it.
Positions are approximate and the lines are simplified. Use a transit app for exact routes.
Day by day
What each day could look like
Days marked Proposed are drafts for us to shape together. Tap any stop to mark it done or skipped — when the page is hosted, every phone stays in sync. Closing days and hours come from the official pages listed at the bottom.
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17Sun · Jan
Fly out
Delta leaves at 11:35 AM and Alaska at 12:00 PM. We cross the date line, so the next day on the calendar is the 18th.
-
18Mon · Jan
Land and settle in
Emilio and Sammy land at Haneda at 3:05 PM. The rest of us land at Narita at 3:25 PM. Everyone meets at the Airbnb in Shin-Okubo, finds dinner close by and sleeps early. Shin-Okubo is Tokyo's Koreatown, so dinner is easy.
Heads-upThe Narita Express runs straight to Shinjuku in about 90 minutes. Allow time for immigration first. -
19Tue · Jan
Wander Shinjuku and Shibuya
No fixed agenda. Walk the neon of Shinjuku, cross Shibuya, eat whatever looks good. An easy day while jet lag settles.
-
20Wed · Jan
Shinkansen to Osaka
Check out of the Airbnb by 10:00 AM and ride the bullet train together. Mt Fuji shows up on the right side, so book seat E. Check in at Minn Namba South from 3:00 PM, then walk to Dotonbori for street food.
Heads-upSuitcases over 160 cm (length + width + height) need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area, or a ¥1,000 fee. Most large checked suitcases are over. We arrive around lunch, so ask Minn whether we can drop bags before 3:00 PM. -
21Thu · Jan
-
22Fri · Jan
-
23Sat · Jan
Back to Tokyo, new neighborhood
Check out of Minn by 10:00 AM. Take an early train if we want lunch at Tsukiji Outer Market, then stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
Heads-upTsukiji is best from 9:00 to 13:00. The East Gardens are free, close at 4pm in winter, and last entry is 3:30pm. -
24Sun · Jan
Skytree, Asakusa and teamLab Proposed
The east side of the city by day, then teamLab for the evening. teamLab uses timed tickets, so we book ahead.
Heads-upTsukiji Outer Market is closed on Sundays. -
25Mon · Jan
Disney, or a flexible city day Maybe
Mid-January is one of the quietest stretches at the parks, though Mondays run busier than Tuesday to Friday. If we skip Disney, Tsukiji is open Monday morning, then Akihabara and shopping.
Heads-upThe Imperial Palace East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays. -
26Tue · Jan
Fly home
Slow morning and a last meal. Emilio and Sammy fly from Haneda at 4:50 PM and the rest of us fly from Narita at 5:25 PM. We land in Seattle the same morning, at 8:56 and 9:40 AM.
Places
What is possible
Times are from Osaka or central Tokyo and are approximate. Prices are per person in yen.
From Osaka
Kyoto 京都
15 min by shinkansen from Shin-Osaka, or about 30 min on the JR Special Rapid from Osaka Station
- Fushimi Inari Taisha: free. The lower trail takes 30 to 45 min, the summit 2 to 3 hours.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: free, about a 15 minute walk.
- Kiyomizu-dera: ¥500, allow 60 to 90 min.
- Gion: free to walk. Hanamikoji-dori is a good lunch street.
Nara 奈良
About 40 min on the Kintetsu line from Osaka-Namba, 40 to 60 min from other Osaka stations
- Todai-ji and its Great Buddha Hall.
- The deer in Nara Park. They are wild, so feed them only the crackers sold in the park.
- Kasuga Taisha: vermilion buildings and rows of stone and bronze lanterns.
- Naramachi: an old merchant district for a relaxed lunch.
Heads-upKofuku-ji's five-story pagoda is covered for restoration until about 2031.
Hiroshima 広島
About 80 min on the Nozomi, 90 min on other trains, from Shin-Osaka
- Peace Memorial Park: 30 to 45 min. The museum takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
- The Atomic Bomb Dome, seen from outside.
- Miyajima: about 30 min by JR plus a 10 min ferry. The Itsukushima torii gate is 16 m tall and stands about 200 m offshore.
Heads-upA full 12 to 15 hour day. Leave Osaka by about 7:30am. Good for the ones who want it.
Osaka itself 大阪
Right around our base in Namba
- Dotonbori: the neon canal street for takoyaki, okonomiyaki and late dinners.
- Osaka Castle: the park and outer walls are free to walk.
- A good plan for whoever skips the Hiroshima day.
In Tokyo
Tokyo Disney 舞浜
JR Keiyo Line to Maihama. About 15 min from Hatchobori, longer from other areas.
- DisneySea exists only in Tokyo, and is the pick for one day with teens and adults. Fantasy Springs lines can pass 120 min on peak days.
- Disneyland is the classic castle park and fits families with young kids best.
- Fixed-date tickets go on sale up to two months ahead, so around late November for Jan 25.
Heads-upMid-January is among the lightest times of year. Tuesday to Friday beat Mondays and weekends.
teamLab チームラボ
Two different museums. Both use timed entry and sell out weeks ahead in busy seasons.
- Borderless, in Azabudai Hills near Kamiyacho Station: dry, no fixed route, allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Planets, in Toyosu: barefoot through knee-deep water along one route, allow 60 to 90 min.
Heads-upPlanets is scheduled to close at the end of 2027, so January is fine.
Asakusa and Skytree 浅草
The east side. Proposed for Sunday Jan 24.
- Senso-ji: Tokyo's best-known temple, with the Nakamise shopping street leading up to it.
- Tokyo Skytree is a short walk or one stop away, across the Sumida River.
Tsukiji Outer Market 築地
Food stalls and small shops. Busiest 9:00 to 13:00.
- Closed Wednesdays, Sundays and national holidays.
- That leaves Saturday Jan 23, if we take an early train, or Monday Jan 25.
Imperial Palace East Gardens 皇居東御苑
Free. Winter hours 9:00 to 16:00, last entry 15:30.
- Closed Mondays and Fridays.
- Open on Saturday Jan 23 and Sunday Jan 24.
Tokyo, part two
Which hotel for the last three nights?
Three hotels, with cost set aside for now. We would book 4 rooms: two with one large bed for the couples, and two with twin beds for Dylan and Christina and for Emilio and Sammy. Six of us fly out of Narita and two out of Haneda, so the airport trains matter too.
Swipe the map sideways to see all of it.
Positions are approximate and the lines are simplified. Use a transit app for exact routes.
YOTEL Tokyo Ginza 新橋
Small, sleek, modern rooms (the smallest of the three, 172 sq ft). Shimbashi station is 2 min away and Ginza Six is about 12 to 15 min on foot. Shimbashi's after-work izakaya and ramen alleys are right outside.
See it on Hotels.comPark Hotel Tokyo 汐留
The biggest, nicest rooms of the three (about 237 to 249 sq ft) with soaking tubs, in the Shiodome Media Tower. Hamarikyu Gardens is 4 min away and Ginza Six about 12 min. It has three restaurants, a bar and a grocery and convenience store in the lobby.
See it on Hotels.comShiba Park Hotel 芝公園
A classic, calmer hotel with mid-sized rooms (226 sq ft). Tokyo Tower is about 10 min on foot, with Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park next door. Ginza is not walkable, so shopping and dinner more often mean a subway ride. A 7-Eleven is on the walk in from the station.
See it on Hotels.com| A · YOTEL Tokyo Ginza | B · Park Hotel Tokyo | C · Shiba Park Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooms | Queen or twin, 172 sq ft. Compact. | Queen 237 sq ft, twin 249 sq ft. Largest. | King or twin, 226 sq ft |
| Walk to Ginza and big shopping | Ginza Six about 12 to 15 min | Ginza Six about 12 min, Kabuki-za about 15 min | Not walkable (2 km or more) |
| Cool shopping close by | Ginza, Caretta Shiodome, Shiodome City Center, Wing Shimbashi mall with a supermarket | The same, with the Shiodome shops right below | A shop in the hotel. Anything bigger is a subway ride. |
| Food and 7-Elevens | Shimbashi izakaya and ramen alleys outside. Convenience stores all around. | Three restaurants and a bar in the building, a lobby grocery, plus the Shimbashi alleys | A restaurant in the hotel and a 7-Eleven on the way from the station. Fewer eating streets. |
| Landmarks on foot | Hamarikyu Gardens about 10 min, Tsukiji Outer Market about 20 to 25 min | Hamarikyu Gardens 4 min, Tokyo Tower about 19 min | Tokyo Tower about 10 min, Zojoji 4 min, Shiba Park 6 min |
| Haneda, Emilio and Sammy | About 30 to 40 min. Shimbashi and Shiodome are on lines that run straight to the airport. Not every train goes, so check the destination. | About 30 to 40 min by the Keikyu line from Daimon or the monorail from Hamamatsucho | |
| Narita, 6 of us | About 75 to 90 min (our estimate). Direct Access Express trains run from Shimbashi. | About 70 to 85 min by Skyliner or Narita Express via the Yamanote line | |
| Disney | About 50 to 60 min (our estimate) from all three. A short JR ride to Tokyo Station, a walk to the Keiyo platforms, then about 15 min to Maihama. | ||
| Tokyo Station and the Palace | About 5 min by train | About 8 min by train | |
| Shibuya and Shinjuku | Shibuya about 20 to 25 min, Shinjuku about 25 to 30 min (estimates) | ||
| Asakusa and Skytree | About 25 to 35 min (estimate) | ||
| Feel | Sleek and lively | Upscale, quiet, art-filled | Calm, traditional, green |
Cost is left out of this comparison on purpose — the family vote is meant to ignore it — but the next chapter has per-person estimates. Walking times are rough, and some listings claim shorter walks (YOTEL's listing says Ginza Six is 4 min), so check a map before booking. Narita, Disney and the train times to Shibuya, Shinjuku and Asakusa are our own estimates, so check a transit app. We also looked at Nihonbashi and Hatchobori, Ningyocho, Kanda and Ogawamachi, and the Prince Park Tower at Shiba Park. Nihonbashi and Hatchobori were the best fit for Disney and walking to the market, and Ningyocho for through-trains to both airports.
The budget
What this costs
Roughly $1,250 to $1,400 per person, not counting flights. The booked stays are real numbers from our confirmations; everything else is an estimate worked out on Nov 7 at about ¥158 to the dollar. Optional days add on top.
Per person, base trip$1,250–1,400all three bases, trains, food and tickets, no flights
Hiroshima day+$160for whoever takes the long day out of Osaka
Everything onabout $1,650Park Hotel plus Hiroshima, Disney and teamLab all happen
Booked, real money
Airbnb, Shin-Okubo 新大久保
- When
- Jan 18 to 20 · 2 nights · all eight of us
- Total
- $1,176.00, all fees included
- Each pays
- $147
Minn Namba South 難波
- When
- Jan 20 to 23 · 3 nights · all eight of us
- Total
- ¥170,848, about $1,079
- Each pays
- $135
PlusOsaka's accommodation tax is paid at the hotel, a few dollars per person.
The rest, per person
| Item | Each person | How it works out |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen to Osaka and back | $186 | ¥14,720 each way on Nozomi with reserved seats, on Jan 20 and Jan 23 |
| Tokyo hotel for 3 nights | $243 to 313 | Four rooms for the last stretch: Shiba Park about $243, YOTEL about $290, Park Hotel about $313, before live quotes |
| Nara and Kyoto day | about $18 | Trains plus Kiyomizu-dera and Todai-ji |
| Tokyo metro, all days | about $16 | Roughly ¥350 a day for a week of rides |
| Airport trains | $7 to 41 | Haneda about $7 round trip, the Narita Express about $41 |
| Food | $320 to 450 | About $40 to 55 a day across eight days |
| Snacks and shopping | $50 to 100 | A buffer for konbini, souvenirs and whatever |
If we add days
Each chip is what that outing adds to one person's total. They link to the place cards above.
The booked totals are exactly what our confirmations say. The Tokyo hotel figures are pre-tax Hotels.com rates for one room times four, with about 10% added for taxes, so get live quotes for all four rooms before booking. Disney and teamLab prices are for a weekday in mid-January; check again when tickets go on sale around late November. The exchange rate moves between now and January, which nudges the yen-denominated items. Estimates were worked out Nov 7, 2026 at ¥158.37 to the dollar.
Pack for
Cold, dry and bright
Bring layers, a real coat, gloves and comfortable shoes. We will walk a lot.
Tokyo in January0 to 8°C32 to 46°F
Osaka in January1 to 8°C34 to 46°F
Rain and sun~6 daysof rain, about 8 hours of sun a day
Next steps
Booked, and still to do
Shared items need all eight of us; personal ones are on one person at a time. Tap to tick — everyone’s phone shows the same list once the page is hosted.
- Booked Flights for all eight of us
- Booked Airbnb in Shin-Okubo, Jan 18 to 20
- Booked Minn Namba South, Jan 20 to 23
Tick items as they get done. On the hosted page, ticks sync to everyone’s phone and show who did what; on a local copy they stay on this device.
Sources
Where the details come from
Planned and checked Nov 6, 2026. Flight and lodging details come from our booking confirmations. Shinkansen times, airport transfer times after landing and the Tokyo hotel travel times are approximate. Recheck hours and closing days before booking.
- Imperial Palace East Gardens hours and closing days
- GO TOKYO: Tsukiji Outer Market
- Art Visit Guide: teamLab Planets vs Borderless
- Trip to Japan: Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka
- DisneyBlog: Disneyland vs DisneySea
- TDR Explorer: when to visit Tokyo Disney Resort
- Enjoy Osaka Kyoto Kobe: Nara day trip
- Explore Osaka: day trip to Kyoto
- Is Fuji Visible: Mt Fuji from the shinkansen
- Tokyo Cheapo: Narita to Shinjuku
- Trip to Japan: getting to Haneda or Narita
- Minn Namba South: address, stations and check-in
- Weathermonth: Tokyo vs Osaka in January
- YOTEL Tokyo Ginza: location and rooms
- Park Hotel Tokyo: location and rooms
- Shiba Park Hotel: location and rooms
- Shiba Park Hotel: access and airport times
- Shimbashi Station guide
- Toei subway: airport access
- Tokyo Disney Resort: access by train
- Fun Japan: Shiodome shopping
- Japan Visitor: Ningyocho guide
- Prince Park Tower: map and directions
- Prince Park Tower: stations and Haneda access
- Hamamatsucho area guide: Yamanote and monorail times
- Japanican: hotels near Ningyocho
- Tokyo Disney Resort: how to buy park tickets
- Tokyo Cheapo: teamLab Planets closing date
- smartEX: official shinkansen booking app
- japan-guide: Senso-ji
- japan-guide: Todai-ji
- Kyoto City: Kiyomizu-dera
- JR Central: oversized baggage on the Tokaido Shinkansen
Map outlines come from Natural Earth, which is in the public domain. Stations and places are placed by hand and are approximate.