🇯🇵 Japan Trip 2026: Detailed Itinerary & Plan

📄 Hanifa's Original Plan: Google Docs

📅 Phase 1: Preparation (Now – April 9)

• Visa Finalization: Mid-March (Latest) — 2x18€ cash (Visa fees)
• Visit Japan Web: Complete 1 week before — Free (Online)
• Currency Exchange: Get at least ¥120,000 (~€654) cash — Safety floor for the group
• Travel Insurance: ✅ Purchased (ING Travel Insurance) — Covers outpatient care, cancellations, and connections.

🚨 Critical Prep Warnings

• Booking Windows:
• Skytree: 7 days before for discount.
• Themed Cafes: 30 days before at midnight JST.
• Shunpudou/Honolu: Use Google Maps "Reserve" button 2-3 days before if available to skip the queue.
• Visa Processing: Two Indonesian passport holders. Apply by mid-March.
• Suica Setup:
• Mechanism: "Tap-on, tap-off". Every person needs their own card.
• Reloading: Physical cards = Cash Only. iPhone = Apple Wallet (massive advantage).
• Travel Insurance: DKV/Mutualiteit only cover hospitalization. Get a basic ING Travel Insurance plan for "Outpatient" care (clinics), trip cancellations, and connections.

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✈️ Phase 2: Departure & Flight (April 10 – April 11)

Friday, April 10: The Journey Begins

• 16:30: Arrive at Brussels Airport (BRU).
• 19:35: Flight LO234 to Warsaw.
• 21:35: Arrive Warsaw; Tight Transfer (1h 15m). Move fast!
• 22:50: Long-haul flight LO79 to Tokyo.

Saturday, April 11: Arrival in Tokyo

• 🛌 Wake-up: N/A (In-flight). 😴 Sleep: ~23:00 (Collapse at hotel).
• 🚆 Transport: FULL LUGGAGE — this is the hardest transfer of the trip.
• Narita → Shinjuku: 🟣 JR Narita Express (N'EX) (for Shinjuku). ~80 min. ¥3,250/adult. Luggage racks available — store bags there. Trains run every 30 min; aim for the 19:44 or 20:14 departure.
• Shinjuku → Hotel (⚠️ LUGGAGE DECISION):
• Option A — Walk (15–20 min): Free. Exit Shinjuku South Gate, walk south via Koshu-Kaido street to Shin-Okubo. Risk: Cobblestones, tired family, heavy bags.
• Primary Choice: Taxi via GO App. ~¥1,000 (~€5.50). High comfort with full luggage. Skip the Shinjuku South Exit rank queue by using the app.
• Option C — JR Yamanote (3 min): 🟢 JR Yamanote Line from Shinjuku (for Ikebukuro) → Shin-Okubo. 1 stop. ¥150. ⚠️ Risk: Saturday ~21:00 = moderate crowds. Luggage in narrow train aisles = stressful. Avoid if possible.
• 18:30: Land at Narita (NRT). QR codes ready. 🛂 Immigration + Customs: ~30–45 min (QR code speeds this up).
• 19:00: Buy Welcome Suica at Narita station (if Android user) or activate eSIM. ~10 min.
• 19:30–20:00: Board 🟣 N'EX to Shinjuku.
• ~20:30–21:00: Arrive Shinjuku. Transfer to hotel via taxi (GO app).
• ~21:00–21:30: Arrival at Hanabi Hotel. Check-in. 🕐 Reception: 24 hours. Baggage storage available until 15:00 on checkout day.
• 21:30: First-night essentials: Walk 5 min to 7-Eleven (water, snacks, breakfast supplies) and Don Quijote Shin Okubo Ekimae (toothbrush, adapters if forgotten). 🛍️
• ⚠️ Action: Email hotel in advance about late arrival (~21:00).
• 🚨 Safety Tip: Avoid lingering in Kabukicho (Shinjuku nightlife district) late at night. Stick to main lit streets. Don't follow street touts — they lead to scam bars (¥50,000+ bills). See Traps and Mistakes.

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🗼 Phase 3: The Tokyo Itinerary

Day 1 (Sun, April 12): Tradition & Tech

*🌅 Theme: Ancient meets futuristic. Start slow, absorb the temple energy, then dive into Tokyo's tech heartbeat. Let the city introduce itself to you.*

• Pace: Relaxed morning at Sensō-ji (no rush), steady afternoon. Aim for ~12k steps.
• Vibe: Spiritual grounding → Electric innovation. A true "Seeker" day.
• 🛌 Wake-up: ~05:00 (Early start for sunrise at Sensō-ji). Leave hotel by 06:00. 😴 Sleep: ~22:00 (Early night to recover).
• 🚆 Transport: Day bag only — leave luggage at hotel.
• To Asakusa: Shin-Okubo → 🟢 JR Yamanote Line (for Tokyo/Ueno) → Shinjuku → 🔴 Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (for Ogikubo → transfer at Akasaka-mitsuke) → Asakusa. ~25 min. ¥150 + ¥200.
• To Skytree: Walk 15 min across Sumida River (free) or 🟠 Tobu Skytree Line from Asakusa (for Oshiage). ¥250.
• To Ueno: 🟠 Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (for Shibuya) → Ueno. ~25 min. ¥170.
• To Akihabara: ⚪️ Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (for Nakameguro) → Akihabara. ~5 min. ¥150.
• Return to hotel: 🟢 JR Yamanote Line from Akihabara (for Ikebukuro/Shinjuku) → Shin-Okubo. ~20 min. ¥170.
• Day 1 Transport Total: ~¥1,090/person (~€6) | ~¥3,270 (€18) for 3
• 🍳 Breakfast (06:30–08:30): Konbini onigiri (salmon/tuna/umeboshi) + tea. Halal-friendly and quick.
• 09:00: Sensō-ji Temple & Nakamise-dori. (Free). Buy Omamori (charms) and try Agemanju (fried mochi).
• 11:30: Street food snack on Nakamise-dori — melon pan, age-manju (fried sweet bun), or taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry). ¥150–350.
• 12:00: 🍜 Lunch — Halal ramen at Asakusa (e.g., Naritaya or Salam Namboku, ~¥900–1,500) or budget option at Ameyoko (rice bowls, yakitori alternatives).
• 13:00: Walk to Tokyo Skytree via Sumida Park.
• 13:30: Tokyo Skytree (Tembo Deck + Galleria). ¥3,100. (Book 7 days early).
• 15:30: Ueno Park & Ameyoko Market. Street food paradise.
• 17:30: Akihabara Electric Town. Animate, Super Potato (retro games), and Yodobashi Camera.
• 19:00: 🍛 Dinner in Akihabara: Halal Japanese curry (look for "ハラール" signs) or CoCo Ichibanya (has halal menu at select branches). ~¥800–1,200.
• 21:00: Return to Shin-Okubo.

Day 2 (Mon, April 13): Sunshine City & Ikebukuro

*🛍️ Theme: Anime, character cafes, and the world's largest Gachapon hall. A lighter day for shopping and Otaku culture.*

• Pace: Moderate. Lots of indoor walking (mall). Aim for ~10k steps.
• Vibe: Playful, colorful, and high-energy indoor exploration.
• 🛌 Wake-up: ~09:00 (Sleep in after Day 1). 😴 Sleep: ~23:00.
• 🚆 Transport:
• To Ikebukuro: Shin-Okubo → 🟢 JR Yamanote Line (for Ikebukuro) → Ikebukuro. 2 stops. ~6 min. ¥150.
• Return to hotel: 🟢 JR Yamanote Line (for Shinjuku) → Shin-Okubo. ~6 min. ¥150.
• Day 2 Transport Total: ~¥300/person (~€1.70) | ~¥900 (€5) for 3
• 🍳 Breakfast: Local bakery or hotel area kissaten.
• 11:00: Sunshine City Mall.
• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo: The largest in Japan. (Free entry).
• Gashapon Department Store: 3,000+ machines. Bring ¥100 coins! (Budget: ¥2,000/person).
• Ghibli Store (Donguri Kyowakoku): For Totoro and Spirited Away fans.
• 12:30: 🍜 Lunch at Sunshine City Food Court (look for rice/seafood/udon stalls — wide variety, easy for families).
• 14:00: Animate Ikebukuro (Flagship store). 9 floors of anime/manga.
• 16:30: Otome Road & Book-Off Ikebukuro (Second-hand treasures).
• 19:00: 🍛 Dinner near Ikebukuro station or return to Shin-Okubo for halal yakiniku/Korean BBQ (several halal-certified spots on Okubo-dori) or Don Quijote bento (check for halal markings). ~¥1,500.

Day 3 (Tue, April 14): Shibuya Sky & Ginza

*💎 Theme: Tokyo's most iconic view and the elegance of Ginza. Modern luxury meets high-tech transit.*

• Pace: Steady. Morning views, afternoon elegance. Aim for ~13k steps.
• Vibe: High-altitude awe → Sophisticated retail → Casual halal-friendly dining.
• 🛌 Wake-up: ~07:00. Leave hotel by 08:30. 😴 Sleep: ~22:00.
• 🚆 Transport:
• To Shibuya: Shin-Okubo → 🟢 JR Yamanote Line (for Shibuya) → Shibuya. ~12 min. ¥150.
• To Ginza: Shibuya → 🟢 JR Yamanote Line → Shimbashi + 10 min walk to Ginza. ~20 min. ¥170.
• Return to hotel: Ginza → 🔴 Metro Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku + 🟢 JR Yamanote Line → Shin-Okubo. ~25 min. ¥320.
• Day 3 Transport Total: ~¥640/person (~€3.50) | ~¥1,920 (€10.50) for 3
• 06:30: Breakfast (konbini onigiri + tea).
• 09:00: Shibuya (Crossing, Hachiko Statue). Walk around Shibuya 109 area.
• 10:30: Don Quijote Shibuya (MEGA). Great for bulk snacks and cosmetics.
• 12:00: Head to Shibuya Scramble Square.
• 12:40: ✅ SHIBUYA SKY (Booked). Spectacular 360° views.
• 13:30: 🍜 Lunch — Grab halal-certified food near Shibuya or head to Ginza early. Look for seafood tempura, soba/udon (broth: ask for katsuobushi-free or vegetarian dashi), or rice-based sets.
• 14:30: Ginza exploration.
• Itoya: 12-floor stationery heaven.
• Depachika (Mitsukoshi/Daimaru): Luxury food halls in the basement.
• Architecture: See the unique facades of Ginza Six and flagship stores.
• 18:00: Return to hotel area.
• 19:00: 🍛 Dinner — Halal ramen near Shin-Okubo or seafood-focused restaurant (grilled fish teishoku, sashimi bowl). ~¥1,000–2,000.

Day 4 (Wed, April 15): Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Shinjuku

*⛩️ Theme: Sacred serenity meets street fashion and neon nightlife. The spiritual heart of Tokyo.*

• Pace: Moderate morning, energetic afternoon/evening. Aim for ~15k steps.
• Vibe: Dawn tranquility at Meiji Jingu → Youthful chaos of Harajuku → Shinjuku's electric nightlife.
• 🛌 Wake-up: ~05:00 (Early start for empty Meiji Jingu at dawn). Leave hotel by 06:00. 😴 Sleep: ~23:00.
• 🚆 Transport:
• To Meiji Jingu: Shin-Okubo → 🟢 JR Yamanote Line (for Shibuya) → Harajuku. ~8 min. ¥150.
• To Harajuku/Takeshita: Walk from Meiji Jingu (5 min).
• To Shinjuku: Harajuku → 🟢 JR Yamanote Line (for Shinjuku) → Shinjuku. ~5 min. ¥150.
• Return to hotel: Walk from Shinjuku (15 min) or 🟢 JR Yamanote → Shin-Okubo. ¥150.
• Day 4 Transport Total: ~¥450/person (~€2.50) | ~¥1,350 (€7.50) for 3
• 🍳 Breakfast (06:00): Konbini onigiri (salmon/tuna/umeboshi) + tea before heading out.
• 06:30: Meiji Jingu Shrine — Empty at dawn. Serene forest walk through the torii gate approach. Free.
• 08:30: Harajuku & Takeshita Street — Youth fashion, crepes, kawaii culture. Shops open ~10:00.
• 10:00: Omotesando — Tokyo's Champs-Élysées. Architecture walk (Tadao Ando's Omotesando Hills, Tokyu Plaza mirror gate).
• 12:00: 🍜 Lunch in Harajuku — Halal ramen (Shin-Okubo detour) or seafood/sushi bowl at a verified spot. Crepes from Marion Crêpes are fine (sweet fillings). ~¥800–1,500.
• 13:30: Shinjuku exploration.
• Shinjuku Gyoen (if time allows, ¥500 entry — beautiful garden).
• Kabukicho walkthrough (daytime is safe) — Godzilla head on Toho Cinema.
• Don Quijote Shinjuku — Last chance shopping.
• 17:00: Golden Gai — Tiny bars in narrow alleys (peek in, some open early evening). Note: most serve alcohol — enjoy the atmosphere from outside or find a non-alcoholic café.
• 18:30: 🍛 Dinner in Shinjuku — Halal yakiniku or Shin-Okubo halal restaurants (many options on Okubo-dori). Skip Omoide Yokocho (not halal-certified). ~¥1,500–2,500.
• 21:00: Return to hotel. Pack for departure prep.

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🛫 Phase 4: Heading Home (April 16)

• 07:30: Early check-out. 🚖 Transport: Taxi via GO App with full luggage to Shinjuku Station.
• 09:30: Arrive at Narita Terminal 1. Last-minute snack shopping (KitKats!).
• 11:35: Flight LO1080 departs.
• 22:35: Arrive back in Brussels.