Trying this again 😀
This is more of a short “recon” trip than an actual trip. Initially, I wanted to stay for a full two weeks but this is the most I could get away from work at this moment. Saw the lineup for this event and knew I had to finally go even if it was for a few days. I do plan to come back later this year for a full two weeks, so I don’t mind skipping a lot of the typical must do things right now. I understand I am arriving way past the Sakura peak, but would be awesome if I could at least see some somewhere. The only thing that cannot change from this itinerary is the event on Saturday and Sunday. I know it’s a short amount of time, but I really aim to take full advantage of the short time I will have there.
I’ve been watching a ton of reading and watching a ton of guides about navigating around the areas I am visiting, but I’m sure all that will go out the door once I’m actually there. This will be the first time I’ve ever been in a different continent but I’m honestly so stoked to finally visit.
**Things already done:**
Suica on Apple Wallet
QR codes for airport entry
Exchanged currency
Airfare and lodging booked
Written down the train lines that I will need
Notepad on common phrases or things I know I want to ask while shopping
**Day 0 – March 30**
Depart from LAX at 12:50am PST
**Day 1 – March 31**
04:30am Arrival at Haneda
06:00-07:00am Pickup up SIM card and forward luggage to hotel
Take the Keikyu line from Haneda to Asakusa Station
Wander around Nakamise-dori Street and Sensō-ji Temple
Have lunch at Ichiran Asakusa (I know…it is really just to say that I did it) and if this is packed, visit another Ramen establishment in the area
Take Asakusa Line back to Asakusa Station
Take Tsukaba Express from Asakusa Station to Akihabara Station
Explore Akihabara
Walk to Ochanomizu Station to visit Chiyoda (in search for a specific Ibanez guitar)
3:00pm is hotel check-in time, so I will plan to head back to Tokyo Station at 3-4pm
Take Chūō Line from Ochanomizu Station to Tokyo Station
Visit the Ghibli shop in Tokyo Station
Take Keiyō Line from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station
Visit the Tokyo Disney Bon Voyage store next to the station to purchase gifts
Take Keiyō Line from Maihama Station to Kaihimmakuhari Station
Check into my hotel
Visit the 7-Eleven near the hotel to print my event ticket and to stock up on snacks and food
Have dinner at a local restaurant next to my hotel
**Day 2 – April 1**
Have breakfast at my hotel
Knotfest Day1 from 10am-9pm
– Honestly contemplating leaving the event early to head to Shibuya for a night out. Probably won’t though.
Have dinner at a local Ramen shop near my hotel
**Day 3 – April 2**
Have breakfast at my hotel
Knotfest Day2
Have dinner at a local restaurant near my hotel
**Day 4 – April 3**
7:00am Prepare my belongings and then checkout from Hotel
Have a light breakfast at nearby 7-11
Take Keiyō Line from Kaihimmakuhari station to Shin-Kiba Station
Take Rinkai Line from Shin-Kiba Station to Shibuya Station
Drop off luggage at a coin locker in this station
Explore Shibuya cross-walk, Shibuya Center, Mega Donki, and stroll down to places I’ve saved on my Gmaps
Grab lunch at somewhere near Shibuya Center; definitely aiming to have a flight friendly lunch 🙂
– (Depending on how much time I have spent exploring Shibuya, I might squeeze in a quick ride to Shinjuku for a photo OP of Godzilla Street)
Take Yamanote Line from Shibuya Station to Shinigawa Station
Take Keikyū Main Line from Shinigawa Station to Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station
Be at Haneda airport by 6:30pm, flight departs at 9:25pm
**Quick question**
Has anyone attended a show like this at the Makuhari Messe hall? I’m struggling to find entry rules on Knotfest’s site. Want to see if all bags are forbidden like in US shows. Since I have to have my passport on me at all times, I am trying to see if I can take my cross-body in or if I should stick my passport in a Ziploc bag to avoid it getting soaked since I have pit tickets.