INTRODUCTION >


​​This guide is meant to serve only as a guide...a potential potpourri of possibilities for a trip to a country that is full of possibilities. You can't do it all in ten days. In fact, you can merely scratch the surface.  As you plan your trip, figure out what you like to do when you travel. For us, it's all about adventuring, eating, and being together. For other people, you may be down for long strolls through shrines and museums navigating hoards of tourists. Others may be about relaxing, shopping, or weird stuff. Make a list of what is most important to you and make it happen. Whenever we travel, we usually don't plan more than two major events or activities a day. Every once in a while, we throw in an evening activity, but rarely. No sense in rushing around. We also tend to get up early and hit the ground running. Take these suggestions, make your own itinerary and have a blast. Japan is a great place to go off the beaten path and just figure it out. It's safe, easy to navigate, and people are generally helpful and not trying to hustle you. Best of Luck!
​
ITINERARY

DAY 1-3: YOKOHAMA / KAMAKURA
DAY 4-6: KYOTO / NARA
​DAY 7-10: TOKYO
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ARRIVAL TRAVEL TIP

Immigration

Unless you are a form wizard, the best way to speed your way through Immigration when you arrive is to go to: VISIT JAPAN WEB and fill out all the forms ahead of time.  That way when you arrive, you can just show them your QR code and you don't have to do it on paper when you arrive. It's a pain to watch everyone else breezing through while you try to figure out how to fill out the forms while exhausted from your long flight with a travel pillow hanging off your neck and a kid that has to pee.
TRAVEL TIP

Train / Rail Passes

In Japan, you have to have an IC card to ride the trains and buses.  You can also use them to buy stuff from vending machines and in some taxis.
  •  There are two options: SUICA and PASMO and they are basically the same thing just owned by different companies
  • At the airport, as a visitor, you can get a Welcome Suica or a Pasmo Passport from one of the kiosks or a travel center.  However, these cards expire after 28 days, so if you are staying longer, don't get a welcome card. 
  • If you have an iPhone and your Apple Wallet is linked to a credit card, you can install a digital IC card on your phone (much easier)
  • If you have kids who don't have smart phones, then you can buy a card for them.
    • You can only get the welcome cards at one of the following locations:
      • JR East Travel Service Center at Haneda or Narita airport
      • Vending machines at Narita Airport
      • Vending machines at Terminal 3 arrivals hall at Haneda Airport
      • JR East Travel Service Center at Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Shinagawa stations. 
    •  Our little ones really loved having their own cards and they became experts at riding the trains and buses with their little cards. They could also buy stuff from vending machines without having to ask us every time they were thirsty. 

A lot of people get the Japan Rail Pass, but I am not a huge fan unless you are really going to go nuts zooming all over the country.  If you are just doing one ride to Kyoto and back, it's probably not worth it. I prefer just buying tickets as you need them. Plus, you have to ride in the green car at least once on your trip.  It makes life so cushy and fun. 

NARITA AIRPORT


​Narita Airport is in Chiba, Japan, not in Tokyo. Even though it was first called the New Tokyo International Airport. In 2004 it was called the Tokyo International Airport, but there was a protest because it's not in Tokyo, so that same year it was changed to Narita (It's kind of like how the Denver Airport isn't anywhere near Denver so when you land there you still have to travel to Denver for an hour). 

They were going to build a Shinkansen from the Airport to Tokyo, but never did, so there is only an express train, not a real bullet train. You can also take a bus or an Uber or a limo service. Each have their pros and cons. If you've never been to Japan, then taking the train is likely the most fun and Japanese thing to do. If you want to avoid the long trip from Narita to wherever you are going, then fly into Haneda Airport, It's much closer to Tokyo and Yokohama and takes off about 1 hour of travel each way. 

HANEDA AIRPORT

Haneda Airport is officially known as Tokyo International Airport and is a lot more convenient than flying into Haneda.  The only issue is that there are not as many flights from the US to Haneda as there are to Narita. It is often a lot less expensive to fly into Narita than Haneda. However, if you can find a direct flight to Haneda, have at it. Most International flights come into Terminal 3, which is an adventure on its own and has a kitty Tokyo streetscape vibe as well as a Godzilla statue. It's also just 11 minutes on the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station, which makes it a lot more convenient.