🇯🇵 Travel Checklist

Location: Google Maps

🎯 Master Checklist

] Master Tips: Read the consolidated [Master Curiosities Guide.
Booking Strategy (High Value Items):
Tokyo Skytree (Day 1): Book 7 days ahead via Klook/Official site. Saves ~¥400 and avoids the 60m+ ticket line.
Themed Cafes (General): Most open windows 30 days ahead at 00:00 JST. Use Google Translate on official sites or Tablelog.
Shibuya Sky (Day 4 - Optional): If you go, book 4 weeks ahead for the "Sunset" slot; they sell out instantly.
] Packing: Read the comprehensive [Packing List.
] Shopping: Review the [Shopping List for all pre-approved items.
] Digital Docs: Complete the [Digital Document Audit.
] Mobile Data: Read the [Mobile Data Strategy (Tech & Digital Essentials) and activate RoaMAX 24h before landing.

ING Travel Insurance Purchased — World coverage confirmed. (10-16 April 2026)
No Cancellation Insurance subscribed. (Consider separate purchase if needed.)
No Luggage Insurance subscribed. (Consider separate purchase if needed.)
Save contacts to phone: ING Assist'line +32 (0)2 725 15 00 (24/7).
Bring full medication supply + 2 extra days (chronic conditions NOT covered abroad).
] Full details: [ING Travel Insurance Summary

Physical Endurance: Prep for 12,000–20,000 steps/day.
Apps: Download "Go" (taxi hail) and "Google Translate" (use Camera feature).
Phrases: Master *"Sumimasen"* (soo-me-mah-sen).
Cafes: Book themed cafes a week before (Tablelog/Hot Pepper).
Second-hand stores: e.g., 2nd STREET in Harajuku.
Stamp collecting: Buy a *Goshuin-cho* at Sensō-ji on Day 1.
Gachapon: Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store (Day 2).
Suga Shrine: Visit the "Your Name" movie stairs (Day 3).
Ameyoko: Street food and market exploration (Day 1).

See the dedicated Shopping List for all pre-approved items with prices and locations.

Don Quijote Shin Okubo Ekimae: (5m from hotel) Perfect for late-night essentials.
CASH is King (Mostly): Recommended ¥120,000 total (~€655) for the group.
Break ¥10,000 bills at 7-Eleven immediately.
Cards / Suica: Every person needs their own Suica.
Tax-Free Cosmetics (Over ¥5,000 [~€27]):
MEGA Donki Shibuya: 7th Floor Tax-Free Counter.
Note: Do not open sealed tax-free bags until you leave Japan.

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Day 1 (Sun): Sensō-ji, Ameyoko Market, Akihabara (Yellow Submarine).
Day 2 (Mon): Sunshine City (Gashapon & Ghibli Store), Otome Road (K-BOOKS), Animate.
Day 3 (Tue): Meiji Jingu, "Your Name" Stairs, Shinjuku (ITOYA, Book-Off, Bakery Donsuke), Uobei Sushi.
Day 4 (Wed): Shibuya Crossing, Mega Don Quixote, Harajuku.

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*Use these to optimize flow, but respect the risks.*

Tokyo Metropolitan Gov Building (Shinjuku): FREE.
Risk: Long elevator lines (30–60m). South Tower is currently closed for renovation periodically.
Mitigation: Go to the North Tower 30 mins before sunset.
Bunkyo Civic Center: FREE. Best "Fuji behind Skyscrapers" view.
Risk: Closes early (20:30). Slanted glass is great for photos but hard to look through if it's raining.

Timing: Arrive at 19:15; stickers usually start at 19:30.
Risk: High competition with locals. Items with raw fish (Sashimi) must be eaten immediately (risk of spoilage if left in hotel).
Mitigation: Focus on Fried items (Katsu) or Rice sets for hotel heating.

iPhone Users: Add Suica to Apple Wallet now.
Risk (Android): CRITICAL. Foreign Android phones cannot use digital Suica (requires Japanese FeliCa hardware).
Action: If on Android, you must buy a physical "Welcome Suica" (valid 28 days) at Narita Airport.

Essentials: Buy "Tenugui" (hand towel), eco-bags, and rain ponchos at Daiso/Seria.
Risk: Cheap Tech. Avoid buying $1 power banks or charging cables; they can overheat or fail.
Mitigation: Use 100-yen shops for textiles/plastic; stick to brands (Anker/Sony) for tech.

App: "Japan Transit by Jorudan" for "Best Carriage" data.
Risk: GPS is dead in deep Shinjuku/Shibuya stations.
Mitigation: Look for the Yellow Signs on the platform; they tell you exactly which staircase leads to which exit.