Japan

February 22 – March 7, 2026

Tokyo

Day 1 — Sunday, February 22: Arrival in Tokyo

Flight in, settle into Hamamatsucho, groceries & rest

Afternoon

  • Arrive HND 4:40pm (YYZ → HND, departed Feb 21 12:30pm)
  • Booking Ref: AT3OMM
  • 30 min train from Haneda to Hamamatsucho (¥510)

Evening

  • Check in at MONday Apart Premium Hamamatsucho (open until 10pm)
  • Grab groceries and dinner from a nearby konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart) — try onigiri, sandwiches, and salads
  • Rest and recover from the flight
Nursing & changing: Haneda Airport has nursing rooms on every terminal floor (look for baby icon signs). Hamamatsucho area — World Trade Center Building 1F has a baby rest room.
Day 1 costs: Transit ¥510 — Total: ¥510

Day 2 — Monday, February 23: Shinjuku Shopping

Float day — camera gear, shirts, socks, diapers

Morning

  • Activate Tokyo Metro 72hr Pass at Shinjuku pass counter (¥1,500) — covers metro travel through Day 4 (Wednesday evening)
  • Map Camera in Shinjuku — camera gear shopping

Afternoon

  • Kamakura Shirts (Shinjuku location)
  • Isetan Shinjuku Main Store — socks (Il Regalo)
  • Look for diapers — Akachan Honpo, Don Quijote, or Matsumoto Kiyoshi

Evening

  • Dinner: Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) — atmospheric alley of tiny yakitori bars near Shinjuku Station west exit
  • Optional: Depachika (basement food hall) at Isetan or Takashimaya for takeaway bento and sweets
Nursing & changing: Isetan Shinjuku 6F nursing room (hot water, private booths, changing tables). Takashimaya Times Square 9F baby rest room. Lumine Shinjuku near South Exit also has a nursing room.
Day 2 costs: Metro 72hr pass ¥1,500 — Total: ¥1,500

Day 3 — Tuesday, February 24: Bunkyo City

Plum blossoms, gardens, kids play

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast or Komeda Coffee near the hotel
  • Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Jinja Shrine for plum blossoms (6am–5pm)
  • Koishikawa Korakuen Garden (9am–5pm)

Afternoon

  • Tokyo Dome City (10am–9pm) — Uniqlo
  • ASOBono kids play area (10am–6pm) — ¥1,900

Evening

  • Dinner: Kura Sushi or Sushiro near Tokyo Dome — conveyor belt sushi, gachapon game every 5 plates
  • Optional: Walk through Kagurazaka — a charming French-Japanese neighborhood with cobblestone alleys, 10 min from Tokyo Dome
Nursing & changing: ASOBono has a nursing room and changing facilities inside. Tokyo Dome City LaQua 3F has a nursing room. Koishikawa Korakuen has limited facilities — use Tokyo Dome City nearby.
Rainy day: Skip the plum blossoms and garden — spend more time at ASOBono and Tokyo Dome City indoor shops, or swap to Sunshine City Ikebukuro (aquarium + indoor theme park).
Day 3 costs: ASOBono ¥1,900 — Total: ¥1,900
Metro travel covered by 72hr pass

Day 4 — Wednesday, February 25: TeamLab & Skytree

Digital art, panoramic views, Solamachi

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • Tokyo Skytree — ¥2,100 (Tembo Deck + Gallery)
  • Solamachi shopping complex — 5th floor Chikyu no Niwa kid play (¥2,100)

Afternoon

  • TeamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills — ¥9,600 (cheaper in the afternoon)

Evening

  • Dinner: Depachika at Roppongi Hills or Azabudai Hills — takeaway bento, sushi, and sweets from the basement food hall
  • Optional: Hie-jinja Shrine (10 min from Azabudai Hills) — torii gate tunnel, similar to Fushimi Inari
Nursing & changing: Solamachi nursing rooms on 4F and 5F (hot water, private booths). TeamLab Borderless has a nursing room inside. Azabudai Hills has a baby rest room on B1.
Day 4 costs: Skytree ¥2,100 + Solamachi ¥2,100 + TeamLab ¥9,600 — Total: ¥13,800
Metro travel covered by 72hr pass (last day)

Day 5 — Thursday, February 26: Strawberry Picking

Morning errands, afternoon strawberries in Fuchu

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • Optional: Bridlen dress shoes at Yurakucho Marui (near Tokyo Station, 24 min from hotel)
  • Optional: Bic Camera at Yurakucho for electronics

Afternoon

  • Leave by 1pm (35 min travel)
  • Flying Strawberry Tokyo — 3-43 Bubai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo ($30.90 CAD, paid)
  • 1hr 20min travel back

Evening

  • Dinner: Ootoya or Yayoi Ken near the hotel — teishoku set meals, kid-friendly
Nursing & changing: Yurakucho Marui 5F nursing room. Bic Camera Yurakucho has restrooms with changing tables. Flying Strawberry Tokyo has limited facilities — bring a portable changing pad.
Day 5 costs: Strawberry picking $30.90 CAD (paid) + transit ~¥860 — Total: ~¥860 + $30.90 CAD
72hr metro pass expired; pay-as-you-go today

Day 6 — Friday, February 27: Kawagoe Day Trip

Little Edo — historic warehouses, candy alley, shrines

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • 1.5hr travel — Kawagoe Tobu Pass (¥1,420)
  • Kitain Temple (¥800)
  • Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Afternoon

  • Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)
  • Kurazukuri Street — historic warehouse district
  • Toki no Kane (bell tower) — chimes at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00
  • Lunch: Unagi (freshwater eel) — Kawagoe’s specialty. Try a restaurant on Kurazukuri Street.

Evening

  • 45 min travel back to Tokyo
  • Ikebukuro — Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store for socks (Il Regalo)
  • Dinner: Depachika at Seibu Ikebukuro basement, or Jonathan’s family restaurant nearby
Nursing & changing: Kawagoe Station Atre has a nursing room. Maru-Hiroba tourist info center near Kurazukuri Street has changing facilities. Seibu Ikebukuro 6F nursing room (hot water, private booths).
Rainy day: Skip Kawagoe entirely — swap to Sunshine City Ikebukuro (aquarium, Namjatown, shopping) or Ikebukuro shopping + Seibu depachika.
Day 6 costs: Kawagoe Tobu Pass ¥1,420 + Kitain Temple ¥800 — Total: ¥2,220

Day 7 — Saturday, February 28: Ueno, Nezu & Akihabara

Zoo, shrines, plum blossoms, electronics & kitchenware

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • Ueno Zoo (opens 9:30am, closed Mondays)
  • Nezu Shrine — torii gate tunnel

Afternoon

  • Yushima Tenjin Shrine — plum blossoms
  • Lunch: Ameyoko market street food near Ueno Station — fresh seafood, taiyaki, and snacks
  • Optional: Akihabara — electronics and anime district
  • Kappabashi Street — kitchenware and restaurant supply district

Evening

  • Dinner: Denny’s Japan or Jonathan’s near the hotel — family restaurants with kids menu and drink bar
  • Optional: Kasai Rinkai Park daffodil flower & light event (5pm–9pm, late Feb only) — 1hr 5min from hotel via JR
Nursing & changing: Ueno Zoo has nursing rooms at the East Garden rest house and West Garden. Ueno Park baby rest room near Shinobazu Pond. Atre Ueno has a nursing room. Akihabara — Yodobashi Camera Akiba has a nursing room on upper floors.
Rainy day: Skip the zoo and shrines — pivot to National Museum of Nature and Science (indoor, Ueno), Akihabara electronics browsing, and Kappabashi covered shops.
Day 7 costs: Transit ~¥580 — Total: ~¥580
Ueno Zoo, Nezu Shrine, Yushima Tenjin, Kappabashi are free. Akihabara is browsing.

Osaka

Day 8 — Sunday, March 1: Travel to Osaka

Shinkansen to Osaka, check in, private onsen

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast — grab ekiben (train bento) at Tokyo Station for the ride
  • Check out by 10am
  • Head straight to Tokyo Station with luggage
  • Shinkansen to Osaka (~3 hours, ¥29,400)

Afternoon

  • Check in at ART HOTEL Osaka Bay Tower (3pm)

Evening

  • Solaniwa Onsen (¥1,500) — private onsen option (¥8,800 for 90 min)
  • Dinner: Restaurant at ART HOTEL or nearby — easy first night in Osaka
Nursing & changing: Tokyo Station has baby rest rooms near the Yaesu Central Exit and in GranSta. Shinkansen trains have a multi-purpose room with changing table (ask the conductor). ART HOTEL Osaka Bay Tower — front desk can provide baby amenities.
Day 8 costs: Shinkansen ¥29,400 + Solaniwa ¥1,500 (or ¥8,800 private) — Total: ¥30,900 – ¥38,200

Day 9 — Monday, March 2: Expo ’70 Park & Nifrel

Plum blossoms, aqua-zoo, Ferris wheel, paddle boats

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • 1hr travel to Expocity area
  • Expo ’70 Commemorative Park — Plum Blossom Festival (¥520, closed Wednesdays)
  • Rent paddle boat at Dream Pond

Afternoon

  • Nifrel aqua-zoo (included in Klook pass)
  • Ferris wheel at Expocity
  • Lunch: Expocity food court — wide variety of family-friendly options

Evening

  • Dinner: Kura Sushi or Sushiro near the hotel — conveyor belt sushi
  • Optional: TeamLab Botanical Gardens Osaka (6pm–8:30pm) — outdoor light installation
Nursing & changing: Expocity mall has nursing rooms on 2F near the food court (hot water, private booths). Expo ’70 Park has baby rest rooms near the central rest house. Nifrel has a nursing room inside.
Rainy day: Skip the park and paddle boats — focus on Nifrel (indoor) + Expocity mall shopping and food court, or swap to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan early.
Day 9 costs: Expo ’70 ¥520 + Nifrel (Klook pass) — Total: ¥520
Nifrel included in Klook Kansai 3 Pass ($86.56 CAD, paid)

Day 10 — Tuesday, March 3: Katsouji Temple & Shopping

Daruma temple, Minoh area, Shinsaibashi & Namba

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • 1.5hr travel to Minoh area
  • Katsouji Temple (¥500) — famous for daruma dolls

Afternoon

Nearby options (all in Minoh, ~15–20 min from Katsouji):

  • Minoh Falls — 33m waterfall at the end of a scenic 2.7km forest trail from Minoh Station. ~40 min walk each way. Famous for momiji tempura (fried maple leaf snacks).
  • Minoh Park — Forested park surrounding the falls trail. Monkeys, temples, and river paths. Good for strollers on the paved lower section.
  • Ryuanji Temple — Small temple at the base of the Minoh Falls trail with a nice garden.

Evening

  • Shopping in Shinsaibashi & Namba
  • Dinner: Dotonbori street food — takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) under the neon lights
Nursing & changing: Katsouji Temple area has limited facilities — use restrooms at Minoh Station. Minoh Q’s Mall has a nursing room. Shinsaibashi — Daimaru Shinsaibashi 6F nursing room. Namba Parks 3F nursing room.
Rainy day: Skip Minoh entirely — go straight to Shinsaibashi/Namba covered arcades + Daimaru/Takashimaya shopping, or the Cup Noodle Museum.
Day 10 costs: Katsouji Temple ¥500 — Total: ¥500

Day 11 — Wednesday, March 4: Kids Plaza & Dotonbori

Children’s museum, street food, neon lights

Morning / Afternoon

  • Konbini breakfast
  • Kids Plaza Osaka (included in Klook pass) — interactive exhibits, fantasy castle, creative workshops
  • Optional nearby: Toy Toy Park, Bournelund Playville, or Pureheart Kids Land — indoor play spaces if Kids Plaza wraps up early

Evening

  • Dotonbori — takoyaki and okonomiyaki street food
  • Shinsaibashi-suji covered shopping arcade
  • Dinner: Grab kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) at Dotonbori — an Osaka specialty
Nursing & changing: Kids Plaza Osaka has nursing rooms on 3F and 5F (purpose-built for families). Dotonbori/Namba — Namba Walk underground mall has a nursing room. Takashimaya Osaka 6F nursing room.
Day 11 costs: Kids Plaza (Klook pass) — Total: ¥0
Kids Plaza included in Klook Kansai 3 Pass

Kyoto & Uji

Day 12 — Thursday, March 5: Uji & Kyoto Evening

JR Kansai Mini Pass — Byodo-in, matcha tea, Tale of Genji, evening illuminations

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • JR Kansai Mini Pass (included in Klook pass)
  • Osaka Station → Uji Station (~1hr)
  • Byodo-in Temple (¥1,400) — UNESCO World Heritage Site, depicted on the ¥10 coin

Afternoon

  • Byodoin Omotesando Street — matcha shops and souvenirs
  • Lunch: Matcha soba or matcha parfait at one of Uji’s famous tea shops — the birthplace of Japanese green tea
  • Walk along the Uji River
  • Tale of Genji Museum

Evening

  • Light Cycle Kyoto Botanical Garden (¥4,600) — earliest slot 6:30pm
  • Dinner: Quick ramen near Kyoto Station before heading back to Osaka
Nursing & changing: Uji — Keihan Uji Station building has changing facilities; Byodo-in museum has restrooms. Kyoto Station 2F Porta underground and The Cube have nursing rooms. Kyoto Botanical Garden has changing facilities near the main rest house.
Rainy day: Byodo-in temple grounds are outdoor but the museum is indoor — skip the river walk. Light Cycle may cancel in heavy rain; backup: Kyoto Station underground mall shopping + Porta.
Day 12 costs: Byodo-in ¥1,400 + Light Cycle ¥4,600 — Total: ¥6,000
JR Kansai Mini Pass included in Klook pass.

Day 13 — Friday, March 6: Kyoto & Osaka Aquarium

Weeping plums, aquarium, farewell dinner

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast
  • Osaka Station → Kyoto Station (~30 min)
  • Jonan-gu Shrine — Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival (¥2,000, Feb 18–Mar 22, 9am–4:30pm)

Afternoon

  • Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (¥5,400) — near the hotel in the Bay area

Evening

  • Farewell dinner: Treat yourselves to yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) or a nice sushi restaurant — search Tabelog for top-rated spots near Namba or the hotel
Nursing & changing: Jonan-gu Shrine area has limited facilities — use Takeda Station restrooms. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan has nursing rooms on 3F and 6F (hot water available).
Rainy day: Skip Jonan-gu — spend the full day at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan + Tempozan Marketplace nearby.
Day 13 costs: Jonan-gu ¥2,000 + Aquarium ¥5,400 + transit ~¥1,160 — Total: ~¥8,560

Day 14 — Saturday, March 7: Departure

Check out and fly home

Morning

  • Konbini breakfast — last chance for onigiri and melon pan
  • Check out by 11am

Afternoon (pick one or two before heading to airport)

  • Option: Tempozan Marketplace & Ferris wheel — right next to the hotel and Kaiyukan, giant Ferris wheel with bay views
  • Option: Tennoji Park & Shinsekai — retro Osaka neighborhood with Tsutenkaku Tower, kushikatsu stalls, and arcade vibes (~30 min from hotel)
  • Option: Osaka Castle Park — stroll the castle grounds and plum grove (~40 min from hotel, castle exterior is free)
  • Option: Rinku Premium Outlets — large outlet mall right next to KIX airport, last-minute shopping before the flight
  • Option: Solaniwa Onsen (¥1,500) — relaxing soak before the long flight home, right next to the hotel
  • Option: Last-minute souvenir shopping at Don Quijote or konbini — stock up on Kit Kats, Tokyo Banana, and snacks
  • Leave luggage at hotel or use coin lockers at Osaka Station
  • Head to KIX by ~4pm (~1hr travel, ~¥1,000)

Evening

  • Flight KIX → YVR → YYZ, departs 7:25pm, arrives 8:59pm
  • Booking Ref: AT3OMM
Nursing & changing: Kansai International Airport has nursing rooms in both terminals on every floor (well-signed with baby icons).
Day 14 costs: Transit ~¥1,000 — Total: ~¥1,000

Notes

Things to See

Alternate / Optional Activities

Ghibli Museum (Tokyo)

Studio Ghibli’s museum in Mitaka. Tickets must be purchased in advance and sell out quickly. Half day.

Hie-jinja Shrine (Tokyo)

A shrine near Akasaka with a beautiful tunnel of torii gates, similar to Nezu Shrine.

Tokyo Sea Life Park & Kasai Rinkai Park

Aquarium in Edogawa City with penguin exhibits and bluefin tuna tank. The adjacent park has a daffodil flower and light event in late February (5pm–9pm).

Shibuya Playground (Tokyo)

Indoor playground for kids in Shibuya. Reservation only.

TeamLab Botanical Gardens (Osaka)

Outdoor light installation in Osaka’s botanical garden. 6pm–8:30pm.

Cup Noodle Museum (Osaka)

Make your own custom cup noodle. Fun for kids.

Hirakata Amusement Park Illuminations (Osaka)

Seasonal light displays at a classic amusement park. Full day if combining rides and illuminations.

Bike Rental in Kyoto

J-Cycle Takatsuji — a good way to cover more ground in Kyoto if you have a full day.

Food Guide

Chain Restaurants (Kid-Friendly)

  • Kura Sushi — Conveyor belt sushi chain. Fun gachapon game for every 5 plates. Very kid-friendly.
  • Sushiro — Another popular conveyor belt sushi chain with good value and variety.
  • Ootoya — Home-style Japanese set meals (teishoku). Balanced, healthy options.
  • Yayoi Ken — Teishoku chain with set meals at reasonable prices.
  • Komeda Coffee — Popular coffee shop chain known for generous portions and morning sets (shiro-noir dessert).
  • Jonathan’s — Family restaurant chain with a wide menu including Japanese and Western dishes. Drink bar included.
  • Denny’s (Japan) — Different from North American Denny’s. Japanese-Western fusion family restaurant with kids menu.
  • Joyfull — Budget-friendly family restaurant chain with a large menu.

Recommended Dining Tips

  • Use Tabelog (the Japanese Yelp) to find highly-rated restaurants nearby
  • Look for teishoku (set meal) restaurants for balanced, affordable meals
  • Department store depachika (basement food halls) are great for takeaway bento, sweets, and fresh food — try Isetan, Seibu, or Roppongi Hills
  • Convenience stores (konbini) like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart have surprisingly good onigiri, sandwiches, and prepared meals — great for quick breakfasts
  • Ekiben (train bento) at major stations are a must for long rides — grab one at Tokyo Station before the Shinkansen
  • In Kawagoe, try unagi (freshwater eel) — a local specialty
  • In Uji, try matcha everything — the birthplace of Japanese green tea
  • In Osaka, try takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) at Dotonbori

Shopping Guide

Clothing & Accessories

  • Kamakura Shirts — High-quality dress shirts at reasonable prices. Locations in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, near Tokyo Station, and Osaka.
  • Il Regalo — Dress socks available at department stores (Isetan, Seibu). Beautiful patterns and quality.
  • Isetan Shinjuku Main Store — Premium department store. Men’s building has excellent sock and accessory selection.
  • Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store — Large department store in Ikebukuro with good sock and clothing departments.
  • Uniqlo — Tokyo Dome City location. Basics at great prices, Japan-exclusive items.
  • Bridlen — Dress shoe store, Tokyo only (Yurakucho Marui).

Electronics & Camera

  • Map Camera — Shinjuku’s premier used and new camera store. Great prices on lenses and bodies.
  • Bic Camera — Major electronics chain with locations in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yurakucho, Nihombashi, Ueno, Akihabara, Ikebukuro.
  • Akihabara — Electronics district with countless specialty shops.

Kitchen & Home

  • Kappabashi Street — Kitchen Town. Japanese knives, ceramics, lacquerware, and plastic food samples.
  • Don Quijote — Discount store with everything from snacks to electronics to souvenirs. Open late.

Baby & Kids

  • Akachan Honpo — Major baby goods store. Diapers, clothing, toys, and feeding supplies.
  • Nishimatsuya — Budget baby and kids clothing and supplies.
  • Toys R Us — Still operating in Japan with good toy selection.
  • Matsumoto Kiyoshi — Drugstore chain with baby supplies and diapers at good prices.

Osaka Shopping

  • Shinsaibashi-suji — Long covered shopping arcade with fashion, cosmetics, and souvenirs.
  • Namba — Major shopping and entertainment district adjacent to Dotonbori.

Packing List

Essentials

  • Passports
  • JPY cash
  • Phones & charging cables
  • Batteries
  • Camera + SD card + charger
  • Day backpack
  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle
  • Plastic bags
  • Moleskine notebook

Clothes

  • Shoes
  • Shirts
  • Pants
  • Socks
  • Jacket
  • Hat
  • Sweater
  • PJs
  • Bras & underwear

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Dental floss
  • Cleanser & moisturizer
  • Razor & tweezers
  • Nail clippers
  • Kleenex
  • Chapstick
  • Hair ties
  • Retainer / bite guard
  • Make up

First Aid / Meds

  • EpiPen x2
  • OIT / scale
  • Elidel
  • Vaseline
  • Reactine
  • Infant Tylenol
  • Antihistamine
  • Gravol
  • Advil
  • Polysporin
  • Bandaids
  • Thermometer
  • Hand sanitizer

Baby (Adeline)

  • Travel stroller
  • Baby carrier
  • Sound machine
  • Bottle warmer
  • Diapers & diaper cream
  • Wipes
  • Bibs
  • Baby wash
  • Baby utensil set
  • Change of clothes x2
  • Plastic bags
  • Water bottle
  • Hat
  • EpiPen

Snacks

  • Bao
  • Goji berries
  • Cheerios
  • Grapes
  • Crackers
  • Pouches
  • Cheese

Entertainment

  • Toys
  • Book
  • Gone Fishin’ game
  • Reusable stickers
  • Post-it / washi tape
  • Pop pencil case
  • Water Wow book
  • Playdough
  • Magnets

Expenses

Activities

Activity JPY CAD
ASOBono¥1,900
TeamLab Borderless¥9,600
Solamachi kid play¥2,100
Kitain Temple¥800
Kawagoe Castle¥200
Strawberry picking$30.90 (paid)
Osaka Aquarium¥5,400
Plum Blossom Expo ’70¥520
Byodo-in Temple¥1,400
Light Cycle Kyoto Garden¥4,600
Jonan-gu Plum Festival¥2,000

Transport

Item JPY CAD
Tokyo Metro 72hr pass¥3,000
Kawagoe discount ticket¥1,420
Tokyo → Osaka (Shinkansen)¥29,400
Klook Kansai 3 Pass (JR + Kids Plaza + Nifrel)$86.56 (paid)

Camera Gear

Item JPY
Sigma 18–50mm lens¥71,000
Sigma 23mm lens¥56,630
52mm protector filter¥10,000
55mm CPL filter
55mm protector filter
Sony NP-FW50 battery¥9,000

Other Budget

Category JPY
Restaurant expenses¥140,000
Grocery & diaper expenses
Fun money

Transit Times from Hamamatsucho

Destination Time Cost Note
Haneda Airport (HND)36 min¥510
Tokyo Station24 min¥220
Shinjuku32 min¥220
TeamLab Borderless32 min¥290
Tokyo Skytree33 min¥280
ASOBono (Tokyo Dome)27 min¥290
Tokyo Toy Museum45 min¥360
Ueno Park40 min¥290JR option
Shibuya Station36 min¥290
Strawberry Picking (Mitaka)1hr 10min¥430JR
Tokyo Sea Life Park1hr 5min¥470JR
Metro pass total (est.) ¥3,650 72hr pass: ¥1,500