Adventures • Food • Animals • Theme Parks • Culture
Out: RIC → EWR → HND | Jun 16–17 | Arrives 1:35 PM
Return: HND → ORD → RIC | Jul 1 | Departs 5:15 PM
Confirmation: G9PN6N | All 4 travelers have TSA PreCheck
YOIRIA Hotels Tokyo Tower
2-chome-16-4 Shiba, Minato City
Jun 17–19 | Check-in after 4:00 PM
Jun 19 – Jul 1
Room 8004: Joanna + Kai (Res. 8286562)
Room 8008: Allen + Kobe (Res. 8281423)
Connected rooms — request connecting door at check-in
Apple Pay / Suica: trains, 7-Eleven, Lawson
Credit Card: hotels, aquariums, theme parks
PayPay QR: local restaurants, street stalls
Cash (Yen): street food, vending machines
Meta Ray-Ban Glasses: real-time translation
Google Translate: camera mode offline
AirPods Pro iOS 18: Live Listen + Translate
Say "Hey Meta, what does this say?"
Bring ¥300,000–400,000 (~$2,000–2,667)
Withdraw at 7-Eleven ATMs in Japan
Keep Suica loaded with ¥5,000–10,000
Busan: exchange ~$50 USD at port kiosk
Lands Haneda (HND): ~1:35 PM local time
Check-in: After 4:00 PM | YOIRIA Hotels Tokyo Tower, 2-chome-16-4 Shiba
Best transport: GO App taxi, Haneda → Airbnb | ~30–40 min | ¥4,000–5,500
Taxi is the right call with 4 people + luggage. Request a large/van taxi in the GO App.
Historic temple + iconic tower — 5 min walk from Airbnb. Rows of Jizo statues with red bibs and pinwheels — Kai and Kobe will love these.
Lantern-lit covered arcade with food, sweets, bakeries. Best visited in the evening — stalls and restaurants all open.
TeamLab Planets @ 2:30 PM — 6-1-16 Toyosu, Koto-ku | Whole reunion group
Important: Water installations — wear clothes you're OK getting wet feet in. Shoes off at entry. Phone in pocket only.
Pet and feed live capybaras! Kids will absolutely lose it. Capybaras are gentle giants — perfect for Kobe (7). You can feed them directly.
Wildly colorful pedestrian street — character merch, candy, fashion, crepe shops. Marion Crepes and Totti Candy Factory are the signature stops.
Immersive digital art museum — water installations, infinity rooms, floating universe. All 4 will love this. Download QR code for offline access.
Peaceful forested Shinto shrine — dramatic torii gate entrance. Good calm break between Takeshita Street and the animal cafe.
Before 11:00 AM: Airbnb check-out. Leave bags ready the night before.
10:00 AM: Order GO App taxi (large/van for 4 people + luggage)
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Boarding window
4:30 PM: Ship departs — be on board by 4:00 PM
No sightseeing today — morning is 100% pack + travel to ship.
Celebrity's supervised program — Kai (11) and Kobe (7) in separate age groups. Gives you + Allen a few hours alone.
Kai and Kobe will head straight here. Great energy burner after Tokyo.
Perfect recovery after Tokyo. Book the thermal suite pass today — sea days are less crowded and cheaper.
Arrives: 8:00 AM | Osaka Port Terminal
Departure: OVERNIGHT — No departure time. Return to ship whenever you want!
Osaka → Kyoto: ~15 min Shinkansen bullet train OR ~1 hr local train
Use this day for Kyoto. Use Jun 22 morning for Osaka before USJ.
Thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up a forested mountain — the most iconic Japan photo. Boys love running through the gates and finding fox statues.
Kyoto's famous covered food market — 400 meters, 100+ stalls. Vendors are cash-preferred. Have ¥3,000–5,000 in small bills ready for grazing.
Surreal towering bamboo forest — one of Japan's most photographed spots. Also visit Togetsukyo Bridge nearby for a classic river photo.
Shogun's palace with "nightingale floors" that squeak to detect intruders. Boys love the squeaky floors — it's an ancient security system.
One of the world's top aquariums — whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, sea otters, penguins. Allen had this on his list! Kobe will go crazy for the otters.
This is THE iconic Kyoto family travel photo. Rickshaw pullers take you through bamboo grove and temples. Kobe will feel like royalty.
USJ opens: 8:30 AM | ARRIVE AT OPENING — critical for Super Nintendo World
Ship departs: 6:00 PM | All-aboard by 5:30 PM | Leave USJ by 4:45 PM
⚠️ Set phone alarm for 4:30 PM on Jun 22!
Run here IMMEDIATELY when park opens. Power-Up Bands: kids collect coins by punching ? blocks with their wrist — BUY ALL 4. Non-negotiable experience.
Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle, Butterbeer (non-alcoholic — cream soda + butterscotch foam). Kids will obsess. Also try ice cream version (¥700).
Kobe (7) will love this — yellow banana-themed rides and decor.
Kai (11) is old enough and will want to ride this multiple times.
Arrives: 8:00 AM | Departs: 5:00 PM | Effective ashore: ~8:45 AM – 4:00 PM (~7 hrs)
Dock port (no tender). Relaxed castle town on Shikoku Island.
One of Japan's only original unrestored feudal castles. Boys love the narrow staircases, armor displays, and views from the top. Market is adjacent.
Scenic Pacific coast beach with Tosa fighting dog statues and sea views — more sightseeing than swimming. Good photo stop.
Rest and recharge. Pools, Kids Club, spa, ship entertainment. You'll want full energy for Korea tomorrow!
Arrives: 7:00 AM | Departs: 5:00 PM | ~8 hrs ashore
Currency: Korean Won (KRW) | $1 USD ≈ ₩1,370 | Bring ~$50 USD to exchange at port kiosk
Credit card accepted almost everywhere. Small cash for street food stalls only.
Street food paradise + outdoor shopping district. Best for hotteok, corn dogs, fish cake. Kids will love the food energy here.
Colorful hillside neighborhood with murals, art, hidden alleyways — the "Santorini of Korea." Kai and Kobe love exploring hidden alleyways.
Grill pork belly (samgyeopsal) or bulgogi beef at the table. Allen + kids who like teriyaki-style grilled meat will love bulgogi. Ask for mild marinade for kids.
Mountain of shaved ice with fruit, red bean, condensed milk, mochi. Kids will flip. This is THE dessert of the day. All 4.
Arrives: 8:00 AM | Departs: 7:00 PM | ~10+ hrs effective ashore
Dock port. Historic, poignant, and beautiful city.
Logistics tip: Realistically: Peace Park + Chinatown + ONE animal experience + castella cake shopping.
Sobering and powerful. Peace Park is appropriate for all ages; the Museum is intense. For Kobe (7): one adult walks him through Peace Park while other takes Kai through museum.
Small but authentic Japanese-Chinese district with food stalls, shops, and colorful gate entrance. Nikuman steamed pork bun ¥200.
Japan's largest penguin collection — 13 species, penguin walking shows. Easier logistics from port. Kobe will be in heaven. Check penguin show times on arrival.
Hands-on wildlife park — FAMOUS for friendly capybaras you can pet and feed directly. Also kangaroos, otters, tortoises. Takes more travel time but more hands-on.
Arrives: 7:00 AM | Departs: 5:00 PM | ~8 hrs ashore
Active volcano Sakurajima dominates the skyline — one of the most dramatic port backdrops in Japan.
Choose your combo: Animal Priority: Hirakawa Zoo → Tenmonkan + Shirokuma → Sengan-en | OR Volcano Priority: Sakurajima → Tenmonkan + Shirokuma
Walk on actual lava fields, soak in a free volcanic footbath. Boys will think walking on lava is the coolest thing they've ever done.
Capybaras, giant pandas, white tigers. Most affordable animal experience of the trip at ¥100 per kid. Kobe will want to stay all day.
Historic Shimadzu estate with Sakurajima volcano as the backdrop. Best family photo of the trip. Go for late afternoon light.
Kagoshima's most famous dessert — massive mound of shaved ice decorated as a polar bear face, topped with condensed milk, mochi, fresh fruit. Boys will GO CRAZY.
Final sea day before the last 2 port days. Rest, pools, Kids Club, entertainment. Recharge!
Arrives: 7:00 AM | Departs: 6:00 PM | ~9 hrs ashore
⚠️ June = rainy season. Mt. Fuji is cloud-covered ~50% of days. Check mt-fuji.net 2–3 days before.
S-Pulse Dream Plaza mall is right at the port — excellent backup if weather is poor.
Snow-capped peak at 2,400m — most iconic view in Japan. Worth it if skies are clear. Only go if weather permits. Check webcam at mt-fuji.net 2–3 days before.
Mall right at port — Ferris wheel, shops, food. Great base camp and fallback if weather is bad. Check for Pokémon merch here.
Shimizu is one of Japan's #1 tuna landing ports. The sushi here is exceptional. Joanna: this is the real deal — don't skip it.
Shizuoka is Japan's #1 strawberry region — soft serve, daifuku mochi, strawberry milk. Strawberry daifuku especially: fresh strawberry inside mochi with cream.
Ship arrives: 8:00 AM | OVERNIGHT — return whenever you want
Confirmed @ 7:00 PM: Sumo Experience — whole reunion group
Best combo: Small Worlds (morning) → Ikebukuro: Sunshine Aquarium + Pokémon Center (afternoon) → Sumo (7 PM)
Indoor miniature theme park — jaw-dropping scale models of cities, space centers, anime worlds. Steps from cruise terminal. Allen will love the dioramas.
Rooftop aquarium — penguins, sea lions, otters, the famous overhead sky tunnel (fish swimming overhead). Pokémon Center is in the SAME BUILDING.
Japan's largest Pokémon Center — exclusive merchandise, giant plushies, card packs. Budget ¥3,000–10,000+ per kid. Exclusive items only available here.
Drive real go-karts on actual Tokyo streets in costume! Allen + Joanna drive; Kai + Kobe ride as passengers. ⚠️ REQUIRES International Driving Permit (IDP) — get at AAA before leaving!
Whole reunion group. Boys will absolutely love the wrestlers, rituals, and hands-on elements. Arrive 15–20 min early.
Cozi Corner baked cheesecake, Balloon Ice Cream (Harajuku), Pearl Lady Boba, Mister Donut Pon de Ring mochi donuts. Make Jun 30 your sweet day.
7:00 AM: Wake up + last ship breakfast
8:00–9:00 AM: Disembark — follow your color-coded luggage tag group
9:30 AM: GO App taxi → Haneda Airport (~25 min, ¥3,000–4,000)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Haneda Airport — last shopping, food, souvenir run
5:15 PM: Depart HND → ORD → RIC
6-1-16 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo. Whole reunion group. Download QR code for offline access. Wear shorts — water installations, shoes off at entry.
✓ ConfirmedWeber family of 4. Super Nintendo World + Harry Potter + Minion Park. Ship departs 6:00 PM — leave USJ by 4:45 PM. Set alarm!
✓ ConfirmedWhole reunion group. Boys will love the wrestlers, rituals, and hands-on elements. Arrive 15–20 min early. Confirm venue address + plan travel time.
✓ ConfirmedJapan rideshare (Uber/Lyft equivalent). Add credit card before arriving in Japan.
Tap to pay on all trains + 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart. Set up in the US before you leave.
QR code payment. Widely accepted at restaurants, markets, and street stalls throughout Japan.
Download offline Japanese language pack. Use camera mode for menus and signs.
Download offline maps for: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kochi, Busan, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Shimizu.
Daily schedule, dining reservations, onboard info. Log in with your reservation numbers.
Translates Japanese text and speech in real time. Say "Hey Meta, what does this say?" while looking at a menu or sign.
Live Listen + Translate works for basic Japanese conversations. Works in conjunction with your iPhone.
Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids). ¥150 ≈ $1 USD. Ship food/activities are all-inclusive — only port day spending shown.
| Day / Location | What It Covers | ¥ Range | USD Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (Jun 17–18) | Transport, food, animal cafe, TeamLab extras, Harajuku | ¥55,000–85,000 | $367–567 |
| Jun 19 Embarkation | GO taxi to ship + last convenience store run | ¥6,000–8,000 | $40–53 |
| Jun 21–22 Osaka/Kyoto | Aquarium, shrines, taxis, food, Nishiki Market, USJ extras | ¥55,000–90,000 | $367–600 |
| Jun 23 Kochi | Taxis, castle, Hirome Market stalls, snacks | ¥15,000–25,000 | $100–167 |
| Jun 25 Busan (Korea) | Korean Won — BBQ, street food, Gamcheon, Bingsu | ¥11,000–18,000 | $73–120 |
| Jun 26 Nagasaki | Taxis, animal experience, Peace Park, champon, castella cake | ¥22,000–38,000 | $147–253 |
| Jun 27 Kagoshima | Ferry, zoo/volcano, Sengan-en, Shirokuma, kurobuta lunch | ¥20,000–35,000 | $133–233 |
| Jun 29 Shimizu | Mt. Fuji transit, sushi, strawberry sweets, ship stock-up | ¥20,000–35,000 | $133–233 |
| Jun 30 Tokyo | Small Worlds, Pokémon Centers, Sunshine Aquarium, sumo, desserts | ¥45,000–80,000 | $300–533 |
| Jul 1 Airport | Final Haneda shopping + flight snacks | ¥8,000–15,000 | $53–100 |
| Buffer / Misc | Impulse buys, ATM fees, extra snacks, surprises | ¥20,000–30,000 | $133–200 |
| TOTAL | Conservative to comfortable | ¥277,000–459,000 | $1,847–3,060 |
💡 Recommendation: Bring ¥300,000–400,000 (~$2,000–2,667 USD) in yen cash. Withdraw at 7-Eleven ATMs in Japan — most reliable for US debit/credit cards. Take out ¥100,000 at a time in 2–3 batches.
View all of our trip photos from Japan 2026 — organized by day and location.
📸 View Photo AlbumPhoto album link will be added after the trip
Have suggestions, questions, or notes about the itinerary? We'd love to hear from you.