๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต

Japan Family Trip

Party of 4 ยท Seattle โ†’ Tokyo
Dec 17โ€“28, 2026

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1Dec 17
Wed
โœˆ๏ธ Arrive Tokyo โ€” Settle In
Short evening walk, konbini dinner, early bed. Jet lag recovery.
2Dec 18
Thu
Weekday = best crowd levels. Book tickets ~Oct 18 via Tokyo Disney Resort App or Klook.
3Dec 19
Fri
Fantasy Springs (Frozen, Tangled, Peter Pan). Slower pace, linger on favorites. Not big Disney fans? One day may be sufficient โ€” keep Day 2 flexible.
4Dec 20
Sat
Anime, Pokรฉmon, arcades. Wander electric town. Kanda Shrine nearby.
5Dec 21
Sun
Shinkansen โ†’ Open Air Museum โ†’ ropeway โ†’ Hakone Shrine โ†’ Lake Ashi cruise. Check into Yama no Chaya. Get the Hakone Free Pass.
6Dec 22
Mon
Private in-room onsen, Mt. Fuji views (weather-dependent). Return to Tokyo by afternoon.
7Dec 23
Tue
Giant pandas, life-size blue whale, dinosaurs. Ueno Park and Ameyoko market nearby. Confirm panda availability closer to trip.
8Dec 24
Wed
Day trip to Yokohama (~50 min). Design your own Cup Noodle at My CUPNOODLES Factory. Get there early. Back in time for Christmas Eve mass.
9Dec 25
Thu
Christmas Day. Nakamise market, Sumida River walk, Kappabashi kitchen street. Late December crowds increasing.
10Dec 26
Fri
Shibuya Sky observation deck, famous crossing, Harajuku, Omotesando, Meiji Shrine.
11Dec 27
Sat
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Loose Day โ€” Revisit & Shop
Ginza Six, depachika crawl, Tsukiji Outer Market (morning), last ramen. Pack for departure. Peak domestic travel season begins.
12Dec 28
Sun
โœˆ๏ธ Depart Tokyo
Fly home to Seattle. Land same day (Dec 28) crossing the date line eastbound.

Accommodations

๐Ÿจ Section L Ginza East โญ 4.6 ยท Confirmed

Tokyo ยท Nights 1โ€“10 + 12 ยท Shintomi / Ginza East neighborhood

Apartment-style serviced hotel. Proper full kitchen, apartment layout, in-unit laundry, family-friendly staff.

  • ๐Ÿ  Full kitchen with utensils โ€” cook in when needed, great for 11 nights
  • ๐Ÿงบ In-unit washer/dryer โ€” no coin laundry trips required
  • ๐Ÿš‡ Close to Hatchobori Station (Hibiya Line + JR Keiyo) and Shintomicho Station (Yurakucho Line)
  • ๐Ÿช Convenience stores and supermarket nearby
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ Reviewed well by families โ€” staff noted as exceptionally helpful
๐Ÿ“ Map

๐Ÿฏ Yama no Chaya โญ 4.6

Hakone ยท Nights of Dec 21โ€“22

Traditional ryokan (Japanese inn). Private in-room onsen โ€” your own hot spring bath on your schedule, no communal bathing required.

  • โ™จ๏ธ Private outdoor onsen in your room โ€” the kids will love it
  • ๐Ÿฑ Private dining arrangements for families โ€” no communal meals
  • ๐ŸšŒ Hotel shuttle picks you up from town on arrival
  • ๐Ÿฏ Tatami rooms and traditional Japanese inn atmosphere
Book Now ๐Ÿ“ Map
โš ๏ธ Book as soon as possible โ€” December fills fast.

Advance Booking Checklist

WhatWhenHowPriority
DisneySea tickets (2 days) ~Oct 18, 2026 (60 days out) Tokyo Disney Resort App or Klook ๐Ÿ”ด Urgent
Yama no Chaya (Hakone) Book now yamanochaya.com or by phone ๐Ÿ”ด Urgent
Section L Ginza East Book now section-l.co/ginza-east ๐Ÿ”ด Urgent
Cup Noodles Museum โ€” Chicken Ramen Factory Book in advance if interested cupnoodles-museum.jp ๐ŸŸก Soon
Shibuya Sky observation deck A few weeks before shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky ๐ŸŸก Soon
Christmas Eve mass times Check in November Call or check church websites ๐ŸŸก Soon
Hakone Ropeway Dec closure dates Check Octโ€“Nov 2026 hakonenavi.jp ๐ŸŸก Soon

๐ŸŽข Tokyo DisneySea

Widely considered the best Disney park in the world. The Fantasy Springs zone (2024) features Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan rides. Two days scheduled, but if you're not big Disney fans, consider treating Day 2 as flexible.

โš ๏ธ Fantasy Springs: You need a Standby Pass or Disney Premier Access Pass via the Tokyo Disney Resort App. These can only be reserved once inside the park โ€” have the app ready and move there early.
Key info:
Tickets must be booked in advance โ€” NOT sold at the gate
Book via: Tokyo Disney Resort App or Klook
When to book: ~Oct 18 (60 days before Dec 18)
Dec 18โ€“19 are weekdays โ€” best possible crowd levels for December
๐Ÿš‡ Getting there (~35 min): Hibiya Line from Hatchobori โ†’ Tokyo Station (5 min) ยท Transfer to JR Keiyo Line โ†’ Maihama Station (15 min) ยท Disney Resort Line monorail โ†’ Tokyo DisneySea Station (9 min) ยท ~ยฅ390/person
๐Ÿ“ Google Maps

๐Ÿœ Cup Noodles Museum โ€” Yokohama

Interactive museum in Yokohama's Minato Mirai waterfront district. The highlight is the My CUPNOODLES Factory โ€” design your own cup packaging, pick a soup base, choose toppings, and walk out with a sealed custom Cup Noodle. Budget 2โ€“3 hours for the museum plus factory.

โš ๏ธ Factory tickets (ยฅ500/person) are first-come, first-served โ€” no advance booking. Arrive at 10am opening, especially on a weekday.
โš ๏ธ Timing: This is Christmas Eve โ€” you'll want to be back for evening mass. Arrive at 10am, comfortably finish by 2โ€“3pm. Museum is ~50 min from the hotel.
Details:
Admission: ยฅ500/adult ยท High school age and under FREE
Open: 10amโ€“6pm (last entry 5pm)
โœ… Closed Tuesdays โ€” Dec 24 is a Wednesday
Chicken Ramen Factory (advance booking): cupnoodles-museum.jp
๐Ÿš‡ Getting there (~50 min): Hibiya Line from Hatchobori โ†’ Yokohama Station (38 min, direct) ยท Minatomirai Line โ†’ Minatomirai Station (4 min) ยท 8 min walk ยท ~ยฅ600/person
๐Ÿ“ Google Maps

โ›ฉ๏ธ Asakusa โ€” Senso-ji

Tokyo's oldest and most famous temple. Arrive via Nakamise-dori shopping street lined with traditional snacks, crafts, and souvenirs. Pair with a walk along the Sumida River and a wander through Kappabashi (Tokyo's "kitchen street" โ€” professional cookware, plastic food displays, knives).

โš ๏ธ Late December crowds are increasing โ€” busier than earlier in the trip.
๐Ÿš‡ Getting there (~20 min): Hibiya Line from Hatchobori โ†’ Ueno Station (10 min, direct) ยท Ginza Line โ†’ Asakusa Station (5 min) ยท 5 min walk to Senso-ji ยท ~ยฅ210/person
๐Ÿ“ Senso-ji Temple Map

๐ŸŒ† Shibuya

Shibuya Sky observation deck, the world-famous scramble crossing, Harajuku (Takeshita Street), Omotesando, and Meiji Shrine.

๐Ÿ’ก Book Shibuya Sky in advance โ€” popular, especially near Christmas.
๐Ÿš‡ Getting there (~25 min): Hibiya Line from Hatchobori โ†’ Naka-Meguro (direct, ~23 min) ยท 5 min walk or 1 stop to Shibuya ยท ~ยฅ210/person
๐Ÿ“ Shibuya Sky ยท ๐Ÿ“ Shibuya Crossing

๐Ÿผ Ueno Zoo + Nature & Science Museum

Giant pandas, life-size blue whale model, dinosaurs, and more โ€” easy to fill a full day between both venues. Ueno Park surrounds both and is lovely for a stroll.

โš ๏ธ Confirm panda viewing availability closer to the trip โ€” schedules can change.
๐Ÿš‡ Getting there (~20 min): Hibiya Line from Hatchobori โ†’ Ueno Station (10 min, direct) ยท 10 min walk through Ueno Park ยท ~ยฅ180/person
๐Ÿ“ Ueno Zoo ยท ๐Ÿ“ Nature & Science Museum

๐ŸŽฎ Akihabara

Tokyo's electronics and anime district. Multi-story Pokรฉmon Centers, anime merchandise shops, retro game stores, and arcade floors. Budget extra time โ€” it's easy to spend a full day here. Kanda Shrine is a short walk away.

๐Ÿš‡ Getting there (~10 min): Hibiya Line from Hatchobori โ†’ Akihabara Station (7 min, direct) ยท 2 min walk ยท ~ยฅ170/person
๐Ÿ“ Akihabara Electric Town

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Hakone

Two nights (Dec 21โ€“22) at Yama no Chaya ryokan. The Hakone area offers volcanic scenery, onsen, and often views of Mt. Fuji.

Things to do in Hakone

  • Hakone Open Air Museum โ€” sculpture park with Mt. Fuji backdrop, very kid-friendly
  • Hakone Ropeway โ€” ride over volcanic terrain with stunning views
  • Hakone Shrine โ€” beautiful lakeside shrine on Lake Ashi
  • Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise โ€” covered by the Hakone Free Pass
โš ๏ธ Ropeway closure: The ropeway undergoes annual maintenance in December. In 2025 the Sounzanโ€“Owakudani section was closed Dec 8โ€“19 with substitute buses. A similar closure is likely in Dec 2026. Check hakonenavi.jp closer to your trip. Volcanic activity can also cause unplanned closures โ€” check status the morning of your visit.
๐Ÿ—ป Mt. Fuji visibility: December is one of the better months (cold, dry air), but it's never guaranteed. Check a webcam the day before.
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Hakone Free Pass โ€” Covers the Hakone Tozan Line, cable car, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, and buses. ยฅ7,100/adult from Shinjuku (less from Odawara). Note: Shinkansen to Odawara is not included.

Option A โ€” Shinkansen via Odawara Recommended for speed

  1. Walk or take subway to Tokyo Station (~15 min from Section L Ginza East)
  2. Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara (~35 min, ~ยฅ3,760/adult)
  3. Hakone Tozan Line or Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto (~15 min, ~ยฅ330)
  4. Yama no Chaya shuttle picks you up from Tonosawa area

โฑ๏ธ ~65 min total ยท Reserve Shinkansen seats in advance for 4 seats together โ€” book via JR East online or at the ticket counter.

Option B โ€” Romancecar from Shinjuku Recommended for experience

  • Odakyu Romancecar: scenic express direct from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (~85 min)
  • Panoramic windows, reserved seats โ€” great ride for kids
  • Book at odakyu.jp/english/romancecar
  • The Hakone Free Pass can be started from Shinjuku and includes a discounted Romancecar option

โœจ Optional Extras

Worth slotting in on a loose afternoon or if a planned activity runs short.

๐Ÿฑ Cat Cafรฉ Mocha Lounge โ€” Shinjuku โญ 4.2

~ยฅ200โ€“400 per 10 min + drink included ยท Open daily 10amโ€“9pm

One of the larger and more polished cat cafes in Tokyo. No advance booking required, though reservations are recommended in December.

catmocha.jp/shinjuku
๐Ÿš‡ ~25 min: Hibiya Line โ†’ Ginza Station (5 min) ยท Ginza Line โ†’ Shinjuku-sanchome (18 min) ยท 3 min walk ยท ~ยฅ210/person ยท ๐Ÿ“ Map

๐ŸŽฎ Pokรฉmon Cafรฉ Tokyo โ€” Nihonbashi โญ 4.1

~ยฅ3,000โ€“4,000/person for a meal ยท Located next to Pokรฉmon Center Nihonbashi

Themed food (Pikachu omelette rice, Eevee desserts), Pokรฉmon character appearances, and cafรฉ-exclusive merchandise.

โš ๏ธ Reservations open one month in advance and fill within hours โ€” check pokemon-cafe.jp on the 1st of each month.
๐Ÿš‡ ~15 min: Hibiya Line โ†’ Ningyocho Station (3 min) ยท Toei Asakusa Line โ†’ Nihonbashi (2 min) ยท 3 min walk ยท ~ยฅ180/person ยท ๐Ÿ“ Map

๐Ÿง™ Harry Potter Studio Tokyo โญ 4.7

ยฅ6,500/adult ยท ยฅ5,200/junior ยท ยฅ3,800/child ยท Plan 4โ€“6 hours

The largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world. Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Platform 9ยพ, Ministry of Magic. A full-day commitment โ€” best as a standalone anchor activity.

โš ๏ธ Timed entry, must be booked in advance โ€” sells out quickly. Book at wbstudiotour.jp.

Don't miss: Butterbeer bar, broomstick riding, wand shop

๐Ÿš‡ ~45 min: Hibiya Line โ†’ Hibiya Station (3 min) ยท Toei Oedo Line โ†’ Toshimaen Station (35 min) ยท 2 min walk ยท ~ยฅ280/person ยท ๐Ÿ“ Map

๐ŸŽ€ Sanrio World Ginza โญ 4.3

Free entry ยท Open daily 11amโ€“8pm

The world's largest Sanrio flagship store โ€” two floors of Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, and more. Exclusive Japan-only merchandise. No tickets, no reservations โ€” walk right in. Practically around the corner from the hotel.

๐Ÿšถ ~15 min walk: Walk west along Harumi-dori toward Ginza 4-chome crossing. Or Hibiya Line โ†’ Ginza Station (5 min) ยท 3 min walk ยท ~ยฅ170/person ยท ๐Ÿ“ Map

๐ŸŽ€ Sanrio Cafรฉ Harajuku โญ 3.4

Open daily 11amโ€“8pm (closed Dec 31 & Jan 1) ยท ยฅ800/person cover charge for cafรฉ

Opened December 2025 on Takeshita Street. Three-floor complex with Sanrio store (floors 1โ€“2) plus cafรฉ (3rd floor) serving Hello Kitty burgers and character pancakes. Best as a shopping stop with a possible cafรฉ visit โ€” food quality reviews are mixed. Slots naturally into the Shibuya/Harajuku day.

๐Ÿš‡ ~25 min: Hibiya Line โ†’ Ginza Station (5 min) ยท Ginza Line โ†’ Omotesando Station (12 min) ยท 10 min walk to Takeshita Street ยท ~ยฅ210/person ยท ๐Ÿ“ Map

Food Highlights

๐Ÿฌ Depachika crawl โ€” Basement floor of Mitsukoshi or Matsuya in Ginza. Overwhelming spread of every Japanese food imaginable. No planning needed.
๐Ÿฃ Conveyor belt sushi (kaiten) โ€” Uobei in Shibuya: order on a tablet, food rockets to your table on a mini bullet train track. Kids love it.
๐ŸŸ Tsukiji Outer Market โ€” Fresh sushi, tamagoyaki, grilled scallops, uni. Best as a morning food event โ€” good option on the loose day (Dec 27).
๐Ÿœ Ramen โ€” Fuunji in Shinjuku for tsukemen (dipping ramen). Ichiran for solo booths and personal broth customization.
๐Ÿป Izakaya night โ€” Any evening, find a busy-looking izakaya and order a spread: yakitori, edamame, karaage, gyoza, grilled fish. No reservations needed.
๐Ÿฅข Hakone breakfast โ€” Yama no Chaya serves a beautiful traditional Japanese breakfast in your private dining room.
๐Ÿ’ก Konbini tip: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart in Japan are genuinely excellent. Onigiri, sandwiches, hot food, desserts. Great for jet lag night 1 and quick breakfasts.

Restaurants Near the Hotel

The Shintomi/Hatchobori neighbourhood has a strong dining scene. Most are within a 5โ€“10 min walk.

๐Ÿท Adult Outing

Omakase or set-menu formats, reservation required or strongly recommended โ€” better suited for a night out without the kids.

Shintomi Uosen โญ 4.9 ยท ~5 min walk

Small family-run omakase ยท Dinner course ~ยฅ16,500 ยท Reservations essential

Consistently rated among the best near the hotel. Ultra-fresh ingredients, welcoming to international visitors. The chef and his wife run the kitchen together; their daughter serves.

๐Ÿ“ Map

WAGYU USHITOMI GINZA โญ 4.7 ยท ~3 min walk

Multi-course wagyu omakase ยท Lunch and dinner ยท Reservations recommended

Intimate wagyu kaiseki literally steps from the hotel. Various cuts, beautiful presentation, small counter. Excellent value for the quality.

๐Ÿ“ Map

GOKU Wagyu Sukiyaki โญ 4.9 ยท ~12 min walk toward Tsukiji

Open 7amโ€“11pm ยท Order via app at the table

Sukiyaki hot pot with premium wagyu, cooked at your table in a sweet dashi broth, finished with a truffle egg rice. One of the highest-rated restaurants in the entire area.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Ginza Hachigou โญ 4.3 ยท ~10 min walk

Former Michelin-starred (now Bib Gourmand) ยท Reservation strongly recommended via Tablecheck (ยฅ500 fee)

French-influenced chuuka soba โ€” golden duck and chicken broth, foie gras toppings, ravioli-style garnishes. The most unusual bowl of ramen you're likely to encounter. Walk-in queue forms from ~8:30am before 11am opening.

๐Ÿ“ Map

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ Casual

Walk-in friendly, no set menus โ€” good for the whole family.

๐Ÿฃ Sushi

Kura Sushi Ginza โญ 4.1 ยท ~12 min walk

~ยฅ100โ€“200/plate ยท Open daily 11amโ€“11pm ยท Reservations via Kura Sushi app

Full robot kaiten experience โ€” order on touchscreen, sushi arrives by individual lane. Every 5 plates triggers a capsule toy game kids will love.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru Ginza โญ 4.1 ยท ~12 min walk

ยฅ200โ€“550/plate ยท Open daily 11amโ€“10pm

Hokkaido-based chain with noticeably higher quality fish than most kaiten chains. Traditional conveyor belt with tablet ordering. Expect queues on weekends โ€” grab a number ticket and browse Ginza Six next door.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Tsukiji Ihachi / Nigo โญ 4.9 ยท ~15 min walk, Tsukiji Market

Open 24 hours ยท Standing/counter-style

Two adjacent stalls โ€” one for wagyu skewers and king crab (Honten), one for wagyu sushi (Nigo). Wagyu that genuinely melts. A great late-night or early-morning option.

๐Ÿ“ Ihachi Honten ยท ๐Ÿ“ Nigo
๐Ÿœ Ramen

Tsujita Ginza โญ 4.7 ยท ~10 min walk

Open daily 11amโ€“10pm

Top-rated ramen in the Ginza area โ€” rich tsukemen (dipping ramen) with a notably thick broth. Expect a queue at peak times, but it moves quickly.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Menya Shichisai โญ 4.0 ยท ~6 min walk

Counter seating only ยท Order large (same price as small)

The chef hand-makes fresh noodles right at the counter in front of you โ€” kneading, rolling, and cutting to order. A genuinely fun experience for kids to watch.

๐Ÿ“ Map
๐Ÿ” Burgers

BROZERS' Shintomi โญ 4.2 ยท ~5 min walk

Open daily 11amโ€“9pm ยท No reservations needed

American-style burger joint that's been in the neighbourhood for years. Big patties, crispy fries, toasted buns. Good for nights when you want something familiar.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Godaime Wagyu Tokyo โญ 4.8 ยท ~10 min walk

Open daily 10amโ€“1am ยท Halal-certified

Wagyu burgers, wagyu ramen, and wagyu rice bowls โ€” the chef torches the beef tableside. One of the highest-rated spots in the entire Ginza area. Works for late nights.

๐Ÿ“ Map
๐Ÿฅฆ Vegetarian-Friendly

Ain Soph. Ginza โญ 4.0 ยท ~10 min walk

Fully vegan ยท Open daily 11:30amโ€“8pm ยท Reservations recommended for dinner

One of Tokyo's most established vegan restaurants. Japanese-influenced dishes, pastas, and famous fluffy vegan pancakes. Calm, relaxed atmosphere that works well for families.

๐Ÿ“ Map

T's Tantan โญ 4.6 ยท ~15 min, Tokyo Station

Entirely vegan ยท Open daily 10amโ€“9:30pm

One of Tokyo's most-reviewed vegan restaurants (~3,000 ratings). The tantanmen (sesame-based broth) is the signature โ€” reviewers who aren't vegan consistently say they'd return. Convenient to combine with any Tokyo Station transit day.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Zairai Shokudo โญ 4.2 ยท ~10 min walk

All-you-can-eat ยฅ1,650/person ยท Open daily 11:30amโ€“11pm

Farm-to-table buffet run by a vegetable farm in Chiba. Rotating seasonal vegetables โ€” nabe hot pot, curries, salads โ€” plus unusual vegetable beers (kale, carrot, beetroot). Heavily plant-forward with clear labelling.

๐Ÿ“ Map

Airport & Arrival

โš ๏ธ Which airport? Check which one your Seattle flight uses โ€” it makes a meaningful difference.
Haneda (HND) โ€” inside Tokyo, ~30โ€“40 min to Ginza.
Narita (NRT) โ€” 60 km outside Tokyo, ~60โ€“90 min to Ginza.

โœˆ๏ธ From Haneda โ†’ Section L Ginza East

Recommended: Keikyu Line โ†’ Toei Asakusa Subway Line (no transfer needed, direct to Higashi-Ginza)

  1. After clearing customs, follow signs to the train station (B1F)
  2. Board the Keikyu Airport Line toward Asakusa / Oshiage direction
  3. Stay on the same train as it transitions into the Toei Asakusa Line โ€” no transfer needed
  4. Exit at Higashi-Ginza Station (Asakusa Line, Station A11)
  5. Short walk to Section L Ginza East

โฑ๏ธ ~35โ€“40 min ยท ยฅ550/person ยท Trains every 10โ€“20 min ยท Look for the Airport Limited Express (ใ‚จใ‚ขใƒใƒผใƒˆๅฟซ็‰น)

๐Ÿ’ก The Keikyu station is at B1F of Terminal 3 (international). If arriving at Terminal 1 or 2, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 3 first.

โœˆ๏ธ From Narita โ†’ Section L Ginza East

Option A โ€” Keisei Access Express Recommended

  1. From Narita arrivals, follow signs to the Keisei train station (B1F)
  2. Board the Keisei Access Express โ€” confirm destination includes Higashi-Ginza or Haneda
  3. Ride directly to Higashi-Ginza Station โ€” no changes needed
  4. Short walk to Section L Ginza East

โฑ๏ธ ~90 min ยท ยฅ1,160/person ยท Runs every 20โ€“40 min ยท One train, no transfer, direct to your neighborhood

Option B โ€” Keisei Skyliner + Ginza Line (faster but requires transfer)

  1. Board Keisei Skyliner from Narita to Ueno Station (~41 min, ~ยฅ2,570/adult, ~ยฅ1,290/child 6โ€“11)
  2. Transfer to Tokyo Metro Ginza Line at Ueno toward Shibuya
  3. Exit at Ginza Station (~20 min, ~ยฅ180)
  4. Walk ~10 min to Section L Ginza East

โฑ๏ธ ~60โ€“65 min total ยท ยฅ2,750/adult, ยฅ1,470/child ยท Skyliner has dedicated luggage space

๐Ÿ’ก Buy the Skyliner + Tokyo Metro combo ticket for a discount on both.

Getting Around Tokyo

Your closest stations: Hatchobori Station (Hibiya Line + JR Keiyo Line) and Shintomicho Station (Yurakucho Line) โ€” both ~3โ€“5 min walk from the hotel.

๐Ÿ’ณ How to Pay for Transit

Option 1 โ€” Welcome Suica Mobile App (iPhone) โœ… Recommended

Turns your iPhone into a Suica card. No 28-day limit, no airport queues. Download before you leave Seattle โ€” activate once you land. Top up via Apple Pay anytime.

  • iPhone 8 or later (iOS 17.2+) and Apple Watch Series 3+
  • Enable Express Mode in Wallet settings โ€” tap through gates without unlocking
  • Works on all subway lines, JR trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines
  • Balance expires after 180 days โ€” fine for 11 nights
๐Ÿ’ก Each family member needs their own card. Kids without iPhones should use a physical card (Option 3).

Option 2 โ€” Contactless Credit Card โœ… Great backup

As of March 2026, 11 major railway and subway operators accept contactless tap-to-ride across 729 stations. Tap any Visa, Mastercard, or Amex (including Apple Pay) directly at the gate.

โš ๏ธ Does NOT work on JR lines (including Yamanote Line, Shinkansen, or Keikyu Airport Line from Haneda) โ€” Suica still required for JR. Also does not work at convenience stores or buses.

Option 3 โ€” Physical Welcome Suica Card For kids / Android

Available at dedicated machines at Narita and Haneda airports. No deposit. Load with cash (start with ยฅ3,000โ€“ยฅ5,000 per person). Top up at any ticket machine or convenience store. Valid 28 days.

Allow extra time at the airport โ€” queues can be long.

๐Ÿ’ก Practical Tips

  • Google Maps works perfectly for Tokyo transit โ€” gives exact train lines, platform numbers, and walking directions
  • Every station has English signage โ€” line colors, station names, and numbers on every sign
  • Tap in AND tap out โ€” always tap at both entry and exit gates. Forgetting to tap out causes an error
  • Keep your card/phone charged โ€” if your phone dies inside a gate, you'll pay in cash at the station office. Keep battery above 20%
  • Rush hour is 7:30โ€“9:30am and 5:30โ€“8pm on weekdays โ€” your itinerary mostly avoids this
๐Ÿงณ Luggage forwarding (takuhaibin) โ€” Strongly recommended for the Hakone leg. For ~ยฅ1,500โ€“ยฅ2,500 per bag, your suitcases are delivered to your next hotel the following day. Send your main bags from Section L Ginza East to your next Tokyo destination the morning you depart for Hakone, and travel light with just a small overnight bag. Ask at the hotel front desk or look for Yamato Transport (ใ‚ฏใƒญใƒใ‚ณใƒคใƒžใƒˆ) counters.

๐ŸŽ„ Christmas Eve Mass

Two excellent Catholic churches near your base. Check their websites in November for the December 2026 schedule and to confirm English mass times for Dec 24.

โ›ช Christmas Eve mass in Tokyo fills up โ€” arrive 30โ€“45 minutes early.

Old Cathedral of St. Joseph (Tsukiji) โญ 4.7 ยท Closest to hotel

~10 min walk from Section L Ginza East ยท 5-8 min walk from Tsukiji Station (Hibiya Line, Exit 3B)

The oldest surviving Catholic church in Tokyo, first built in 1874. Rich history, intimate atmosphere โ€” perfect for Christmas Eve. Small, beautifully simple interior. French mass community; check website for English Christmas Eve options.

5-26 Akashicho, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0044 ยท +81 3-3541-8185

๐Ÿšถ ~15 min walk (no subway needed): Head southwest from the hotel along Shintomi-dori toward Akashicho โ€” the church is in the same Chuo-ku neighborhood. Alternatively, walk to Shintomicho Station (Yurakucho Line, ~3 min) and follow exit 6 signs โ€” the church is 7 min walk from there. Or walk to Hatchobori Station (Hibiya Line, ~4 min) and use the Hatchobori-side exit โ€” church is 8 min walk.
๐Ÿ“ Map

Asakusabashi Church โญ 4.6

~25 min from Ginza East by subway ยท Taito City

Warm, welcoming parish โ€” consistently described as one of the most welcoming Catholic churches visitors have encountered. English pamphlets available. Beautiful grotto of Mother Mary outside.

5-20-5 Asakusabashi, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0053 ยท +81 3-3851-4009

๐Ÿš‡ ~25 min: Walk to Hatchobori Station (Hibiya Line, ~4 min) ยท Hibiya Line โ†’ Ningyocho (1 stop, ~2 min) ยท Transfer to Toei Asakusa Line โ†’ Asakusabashi (2 stops, ~4 min) ยท Exit A4, walk ~10 min to church (straight ahead, left at 3rd street, church on right after 2nd traffic signal) ยท 1 transfer ยท ~ยฅ200/person
๐Ÿ“ Map

Document prepared April 2026 ยท Planning conversation with Claude ยท Updated May 2026 with accuracy review ยท Hotel confirmed as Section L Ginza East