Day-by-Day Itinerary
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Accommodations
🏨 Section L Ginza East ⭐ 4.6 · Confirmed
Apartment-style serviced hotel. Proper full kitchen, apartment layout, in-unit laundry, family-friendly staff.
- 🏠 Full kitchen with utensils — cook in when needed, great for 11 nights
- 🧺 In-unit washer/dryer — no coin laundry trips required
- 🚇 Close to Hatchobori Station (Hibiya Line + JR Keiyo) and Shintomicho Station (Yurakucho Line)
- 🏪 Convenience stores and supermarket nearby
- 👨👩👧👦 Reviewed well by families — staff noted as exceptionally helpful
🏯 Yama no Chaya ⭐ 4.6
Traditional ryokan (Japanese inn). Private in-room onsen — your own hot spring bath on your schedule, no communal bathing required.
- ♨️ Private outdoor onsen in your room — the kids will love it
- 🍱 Private dining arrangements for families — no communal meals
- 🚌 Hotel shuttle picks you up from town on arrival
- 🏯 Tatami rooms and traditional Japanese inn atmosphere
Advance Booking Checklist
| What | When | How | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| DisneySea tickets (2 days) | ~Oct 18, 2026 (60 days out) | Tokyo Disney Resort App or Klook | 🔴 Urgent |
| Yama no Chaya (Hakone) | Book now | yamanochaya.com or by phone | 🔴 Urgent |
| Cup Noodles Museum — Chicken Ramen Factory | Book in advance if interested | cupnoodles-museum.jp | 🟡 Soon |
| Shibuya Sky observation deck | A few weeks before | shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky | 🟡 Soon |
| Christmas Eve mass times | Check in November | Call or check church websites | 🟡 Soon |
| Hakone Ropeway Dec closure dates | Check Oct–Nov 2026 | hakonenavi.jp | 🟡 Soon |
🗺️ Saved Map
A Google Maps saved list with every pinned spot for the trip — hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more, all in one place.
🎢 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.
Tickets must be booked in advance — NOT sold at the gate
Book via: Tokyo Disney Resort App or Klook
When to book: ~Oct 18 (60 days before Dec 18)
Dec 18–19 are weekdays — best possible crowd levels for December
🍜 Cup Noodles Museum — Yokohama
Interactive museum in Yokohama's Minato Mirai waterfront district. The highlight is the My CUPNOODLES Factory — design your own cup packaging, pick a soup base, choose toppings, and walk out with a sealed custom Cup Noodle. Budget 2–3 hours for the museum plus factory.
Admission: ¥500/adult · High school age and under FREE
Open: 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm)
✅ Closed Tuesdays — Dec 24 is a Wednesday
Chicken Ramen Factory (advance booking): cupnoodles-museum.jp
⛩️ Asakusa — 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" — professional cookware, plastic food displays, knives).
🌆 Shibuya
Shibuya Sky observation deck, the world-famous scramble crossing, Harajuku (Takeshita Street), Omotesando, and Meiji Shrine.
🐼 Ueno Zoo + Nature & Science Museum
Giant pandas, life-size blue whale model, dinosaurs, and more — easy to fill a full day between both venues. Ueno Park surrounds both and is lovely for a stroll.
🎮 Akihabara
Tokyo's electronics and anime district. Multi-story Pokémon Centers, anime merchandise shops, retro game stores, and arcade floors. Budget extra time — it's easy to spend a full day here. Kanda Shrine is a short walk away.
🏔️ Hakone
Two nights (Dec 21–22) 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
Sculpture park with a Mt. Fuji backdrop, very kid-friendly.
🚡 Hakone Ropeway
Ride over volcanic terrain with stunning views, between Sounzan and Togendai.
⛩️ Hakone Shrine
Beautiful lakeside shrine on Lake Ashi, famous for its red torii gate standing in the water.
⛴️ Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise
Pirate-ship-style sightseeing cruise across Lake Ashi — covered by the Hakone Free Pass.
Option A — Shinkansen via Odawara Recommended for speed
- Walk or take subway to Tokyo Station (~15 min from Section L Ginza East)
- Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara (~35 min, ~¥3,760/adult)
- Hakone Tozan Line or Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto (~15 min, ~¥330)
- Yama no Chaya shuttle picks you up from Tonosawa area
⏱️ ~65 min total · Reserve Shinkansen seats in advance for 4 seats together — book via JR East online or at the ticket counter.
Option B — Romancecar from Shinjuku Recommended for experience
- Odakyu Romancecar: scenic express direct from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (~85 min)
- Panoramic windows, reserved seats — 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
✨ Optional Extras
Worth slotting in on a loose afternoon or if a planned activity runs short.
🐱 Cat Café Mocha Lounge — Shinjuku ⭐ 4.2
One of the larger and more polished cat cafes in Tokyo. No advance booking required, though reservations are recommended in December.
🎮 Pokémon Café Tokyo — Nihonbashi ⭐ 4.1
Themed food (Pikachu omelette rice, Eevee desserts), Pokémon character appearances, and café-exclusive merchandise.
🧙 Harry Potter Studio Tokyo ⭐ 4.7
The largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world. Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Platform 9¾, Ministry of Magic. A full-day commitment — best as a standalone anchor activity.
Don't miss: Butterbeer bar, broomstick riding, wand shop
🎀 Sanrio World Ginza ⭐ 4.3
The world's largest Sanrio flagship store — two floors of Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, and more. Exclusive Japan-only merchandise. No tickets, no reservations — walk right in. Practically around the corner from the hotel.
🎀 Sanrio Café Harajuku ⭐ 3.4
Opened December 2025 on Takeshita Street. Three-floor complex with Sanrio store (floors 1–2) plus café (3rd floor) serving Hello Kitty burgers and character pancakes. Best as a shopping stop with a possible café visit — food quality reviews are mixed. Slots naturally into the Shibuya/Harajuku day.
🌳 Yoyogi Park 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
One of Tokyo's largest parks, right next to Meiji Shrine — a big green space to let the kids run around between activities. Slots in easily on the Shibuya/Harajuku day.
🌸 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
A large landscaped park blending Japanese, French formal, and English landscape garden styles — a peaceful contrast to Shinjuku's neon just outside the gates.
🏯 Imperial Palace 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
The Emperor's residence, grounds, and moats in the middle of the city. The East Gardens are open to the public without a booking; the guided inner-grounds tour (English available) needs reservation about a month ahead.
🗼 Tokyo Tower 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
The original Tokyo icon — an observation deck with city views, plus a base area (Foot Town) with cafes and souvenir shops. A classic alternative to Shibuya Sky if you want a second viewpoint.
Food Highlights
Restaurants Near the Hotel
The Shintomi/Hatchobori neighbourhood has a strong dining scene. Most are within a 5–10 min walk.
🍷 Adult Outing
Omakase or set-menu formats, reservation required or strongly recommended — better suited for a night out without the kids.
Shintomi Uosen ⭐ 4.9 · ~5 min walk
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.
📍 MapWAGYU USHITOMI GINZA ⭐ 4.7 · ~3 min walk
Intimate wagyu kaiseki literally steps from the hotel. Various cuts, beautiful presentation, small counter. Excellent value for the quality.
📍 MapGOKU Wagyu Sukiyaki ⭐ 4.9 · ~12 min walk toward Tsukiji
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.
📍 MapGinza Hachigou ⭐ 4.3 · ~10 min walk
French-influenced chuuka soba — 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.
📍 Map👨👩👧👦 Casual
Walk-in friendly, no set menus — good for the whole family.
Kura Sushi Ginza ⭐ 4.1 · ~12 min walk
Full robot kaiten experience — order on touchscreen, sushi arrives by individual lane. Every 5 plates triggers a capsule toy game kids will love.
📍 MapKaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru Ginza ⭐ 4.1 · ~12 min walk
Hokkaido-based chain with noticeably higher quality fish than most kaiten chains. Traditional conveyor belt with tablet ordering. Expect queues on weekends — grab a number ticket and browse Ginza Six next door.
📍 MapTsukiji Ihachi / Nigo ⭐ 4.9 · ~15 min walk, Tsukiji Market
Two adjacent stalls — 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.
📍 Ihachi Honten · 📍 NigoTsujita Ginza ⭐ 4.7 · ~10 min walk
Top-rated ramen in the Ginza area — rich tsukemen (dipping ramen) with a notably thick broth. Expect a queue at peak times, but it moves quickly.
📍 MapMenya Shichisai ⭐ 4.0 · ~6 min walk
The chef hand-makes fresh noodles right at the counter in front of you — kneading, rolling, and cutting to order. A genuinely fun experience for kids to watch.
📍 MapBROZERS' Shintomi ⭐ 4.2 · ~5 min walk
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.
📍 MapGodaime Wagyu Tokyo ⭐ 4.8 · ~10 min walk
Wagyu burgers, wagyu ramen, and wagyu rice bowls — the chef torches the beef tableside. One of the highest-rated spots in the entire Ginza area. Works for late nights.
📍 MapAin Soph. Ginza ⭐ 4.0 · ~10 min walk
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.
📍 MapT's Tantan ⭐ 4.6 · ~15 min, Tokyo Station
One of Tokyo's most-reviewed vegan restaurants (~3,000 ratings). The tantanmen (sesame-based broth) is the signature — reviewers who aren't vegan consistently say they'd return. Convenient to combine with any Tokyo Station transit day.
📍 MapZairai Shokudo ⭐ 4.2 · ~10 min walk
Farm-to-table buffet run by a vegetable farm in Chiba. Rotating seasonal vegetables — nabe hot pot, curries, salads — plus unusual vegetable beers (kale, carrot, beetroot). Heavily plant-forward with clear labelling.
📍 MapHanamaru Udon — Hatchobori/Kayabacho ~5 min walk
Order your udon at the counter, then slide your tray down the line to pick up ala carte tempura, inari, and rice balls before paying. Fast, cheap, and about as kid-friendly as it gets — point at what you want. Udon-focused only (no ramen on the menu here).
📍 MapTsurutontan — Ginza ~15 min walk, Tokyu Plaza Ginza 10F
Freshly cut udon served in enormous bowls, with a genuinely fun menu beyond the usual — curry udon, carbonara udon, tempura udon. Full table service (not self-serve), but great for a sit-down group meal. Also udon-only, no ramen.
📍 MapCoCo Ichibanya — Hatchobori ~5 min walk
Japan's biggest curry chain, and genuinely fun for kids — pick your spice level (1–10), rice portion, and toppings (chicken katsu, cheese, veggies, sausage) off a picture menu. Right in the hotel's neighborhood, and open late.
📍 MapGinza Kimuraya ~15 min walk
Bakery on the ground floor, cafe on the 2nd, sit-down restaurant on the 3rd — curry and omurice are the kid-friendly staples, and ordering a meal unlocks all-you-can-eat bread for +¥100/person. A fun, welcoming spot for a family lunch.
📍 MapRoasted Marshmallow S'more Ginza ~10–15 min walk
Mini tart-style s'mores — chocolate, cracker, and torched marshmallow. Purely a takeout counter, so it's an easy grab-and-go on the way back to the hotel. Kids will be into the marshmallow-torching theatrics even if they can't watch it happen.
📍 MapHIGASHIYA Ginza ~15 min walk
A modern wagashi and tea salon with a counter dedicated to sweets to take home — beautifully packaged seasonal Japanese confections. A nicer, more grown-up option to pair with the marshmallow s'mores if you want variety.
📍 Map🧑🤝🧑 Friend's Tokyo Picks
Sourced from a friend's own Japan/Korea guide. Filtered down to the reasonably casual, family-friendly, sit-as-a-group spots — a few fancier or more adult-oriented picks from their list were left out. These are scattered across Tokyo rather than near the hotel, so distances vary.
Ippekoppe Tonkatsu & Curry 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Tonkatsu and Japanese curry — hearty, casual comfort food.
📍 MapKushiage Shinjuku Tatsukichi 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Deep-fried, tempura-battered skewers — point at what looks good, eat, and keep the bamboo sticks in a cup as your running tab. Casual, fast, and fun for kids to "keep score" with.
📍 MapButagumi 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Sit-down tonkatsu in a converted old Japanese house, with a wide selection of pork from different regions of Japan and attentive service.
📍 MapOreryū Shio Ramen 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Salt-based ramen with a lot of unique variations on the menu.
📍 MapYam Yam Thai Isaan 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
A well-regarded Thai restaurant if you want a break from Japanese food for a night.
📍 MapTeuchi Oyatori Chūkasoba Ayagawa 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Chicken-based ramen with thick, hand-made noodles.
📍 MapCurry Station Niagara 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Curry delivered to your table by a model train, with sound effects and station announcements. Genuinely one of the most kid-delighting restaurant concepts in Tokyo — reviewed as perfect for families.
📍 MapImari 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Okonomiyaki (savory pancake) restaurant — great shareable, cook-at-the-table food for a group.
📍 MapSushidan 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Reservation-only omakase sushi, but more accessible than the name suggests — reasonable prices for the quality, and reviewed as a family-friendly shop.
📍 MapSumiyaki Unafuji 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Grilled eel (unagi) restaurant built underneath the elevated train tracks — a unique atmosphere, and one of the closer picks on this list to Section L Ginza East.
📍 MapFukumimi Hanare 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Yakitori-focused izakaya with a fun hidden basement-style entrance. Well-reviewed and reported non-smoking.
📍 MapKoshitantan 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Cozy izakaya known for its signature chicken nanban (fried chicken with tartar sauce) — kid-friendly food, and reviewed as having friendly English-speaking staff.
📍 MapEbisu Yokocho 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
An indoor alley of small izakaya stalls — yakitori, oden, seafood, and more. Reviewed as welcoming to all ages and less cramped/smoky than similar alleys like Omoide Yokocho.
📍 MapAll checked against the itinerary — these cluster around Shibuya/Harajuku/Ebisu, within easy reach of the Shibuya/Harajuku day and each other.
Coffee Swamp 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
📍 MapSarutahiko Coffee — Ebisu Main Shop 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
📍 MapOne By One Coffee Tokyo 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
📍 MapNem Coffee & Espresso 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
📍 Map🛍️ Shopping
Fun stores from a friend's guide — mostly tied to neighborhoods already on the itinerary.
👘 KAYA Asakusa — Kimono and Pottery 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Secondhand kimono, described as "very lovely." Right in Asakusa, alongside Senso-ji.
🔪 KAMATA Hakensha — Japanese Knife Store 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
On Kappabashi ("kitchen street"), already part of the Asakusa day. Ask if they have any Takamura-brand knives.
🥢 Hashitou — Premium Chopsticks 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Also on Kappabashi. Worth a browse alongside the knife shop — there are many other fun kitchen-related stores along the same street.
⌚ Mizutani Camera — Secondhand Watches 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
A small, family-run shop with an excellent Seiko and Grand Seiko selection at good prices, plus other brands. In Ueno — pairs naturally with the Ueno Zoo day.
👕 BEAMS+ Harajuku Store 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
Fun clothes, right on the Shibuya/Harajuku day route. There are also lots of vintage and boutique clothing stores on Cat Street near Harajuku Station worth a browse.
🕹️ Takadanobaba Mikado Game Center 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
A great spot for retro arcade games. Worth knowing about, but it's a standalone trip out to western Tokyo rather than a stop along an existing day.
🎎 Nakano Broadway 🧑🤝🧑 Friend rec
A large shopping center for secondhand watches, toys, and collectibles. Also a standalone trip out west, not near the rest of the itinerary.
Airport & Arrival
Haneda (HND) — inside Tokyo, ~30–40 min to Ginza.
Narita (NRT) — 60 km outside Tokyo, ~60–90 min to Ginza.
✈️ From Haneda → Section L Ginza East
Recommended: Keikyu Line → Toei Asakusa Subway Line (no transfer needed, direct to Higashi-Ginza)
- After clearing customs, follow signs to the train station (B1F)
- Board the Keikyu Airport Line toward Asakusa / Oshiage direction
- Stay on the same train as it transitions into the Toei Asakusa Line — no transfer needed
- Exit at Higashi-Ginza Station (Asakusa Line, Station A11)
- Short walk to Section L Ginza East
⏱️ ~35–40 min · ¥550/person · Trains every 10–20 min · Look for the Airport Limited Express (エアポート快特)
✈️ From Narita → Section L Ginza East
Option A — Keisei Access Express Recommended
- From Narita arrivals, follow signs to the Keisei train station (B1F)
- Board the Keisei Access Express — confirm destination includes Higashi-Ginza or Haneda
- Ride directly to Higashi-Ginza Station — no changes needed
- Short walk to Section L Ginza East
⏱️ ~90 min · ¥1,160/person · Runs every 20–40 min · One train, no transfer, direct to your neighborhood
Option B — Keisei Skyliner + Ginza Line (faster but requires transfer)
- Board Keisei Skyliner from Narita to Ueno Station (~41 min, ~¥2,570/adult, ~¥1,290/child 6–11)
- Transfer to Tokyo Metro Ginza Line at Ueno toward Shibuya
- Exit at Ginza Station (~20 min, ~¥180)
- Walk ~10 min to Section L Ginza East
⏱️ ~60–65 min total · ¥2,750/adult, ¥1,470/child · Skyliner has dedicated luggage space
Getting Around Tokyo
Your closest stations: Hatchobori Station (Hibiya Line + JR Keiyo Line) and Shintomicho Station (Yurakucho Line) — both ~3–5 min walk from the hotel.
💳 How to Pay for Transit
Option 1 — Welcome Suica Mobile App (iPhone) ✅ Recommended
Turns your iPhone into a Suica card. No 28-day limit, no airport queues. Download before you leave Seattle — 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 — tap through gates without unlocking
- Works on all subway lines, JR trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines
- Balance expires after 180 days — fine for 11 nights
Option 2 — Contactless Credit Card ✅ 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.
Option 3 — Physical Welcome Suica Card For kids / Android
Available at dedicated machines at Narita and Haneda airports. No deposit. Load with cash (start with ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person). Top up at any ticket machine or convenience store. Valid 28 days.
💡 Practical Tips
- Google Maps works perfectly for Tokyo transit — gives exact train lines, platform numbers, and walking directions
- Every station has English signage — line colors, station names, and numbers on every sign
- Tap in AND tap out — always tap at both entry and exit gates. Forgetting to tap out causes an error
- Keep your card/phone charged — if your phone dies inside a gate, you'll pay in cash at the station office. Keep battery above 20%
- Rush hour is 7:30–9:30am and 5:30–8pm on weekdays — your itinerary mostly avoids this
📱 Cell Phone / eSIM
Going with Sakura Mobile — specifically their True Unlimited plan on the au network (not the cheaper 3GB/day capped "unlimited" plan on docomo). Getting 2 eSIMs, one per adult.
Provider: Sakura Mobile — au (KDDI) network, truly unlimited high-speed data (no daily cap)
Coverage: Dec 17 – Dec 27 (11 days)
Quantity: 2 eSIMs (1 per adult)
Price: $44.99 USD per eSIM, 10% off for buying 2+ → ~$80.98 total for both
Setup notes
- Delivered as a QR code by email — install before departure while still on home WiFi
- Activate on arrival in Japan (Dec 17) so the 11-day window lines up with the trip
- Confirm both phones are eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked before ordering
- Data only — no phone number. Use iMessage/WhatsApp/etc. for calls, or keep your regular SIM active for texts if needed
🎄 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.
Old Cathedral of St. Joseph (Tsukiji) ⭐ 4.7 · Closest to hotel
The oldest surviving Catholic church in Tokyo, first built in 1874. Rich history, intimate atmosphere — 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 · +81 3-3541-8185
Asakusabashi Church ⭐ 4.6
Warm, welcoming parish — 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 · +81 3-3851-4009
Document prepared April 2026 · Planning conversation with Claude · Updated May 2026 with accuracy review · Hotel confirmed as Section L Ginza East · Updated Jul 2026 with overlap notes linking to Kaleb & Lacey's separate itinerary page · Updated Aug 2026 with cell phone / eSIM plan · Updated Sep 2026 with Kaleb & Lacey's revised itinerary