Hi everyone! We are a group of 4 and due to our schedules, this was the only time that worked for all of us. We know it will be golden week, hopefully not too busy 🙂 It will be our first time in Japan.
**Wed 26**
\-Land in NRT late afternoon
\-Load up Suica
\-Train to Osaka, check in to hotel and rest (staying in Namba)
**Thurs 27**
\-Universal Studios Japan for the day
\-Giant Ferris Wheel
*Questions:*
1. Can you walk thru Hogwarts castle instead of going on the ride?
2. Do you need a reservation for Kinnopi’s café?
3. Do you have to buy a power band watch to fight bowser?
**Fri 28** *Buy Osaka amazing 2 day pass*
\-Shinesekai District
\-Osaka Castle
\-Umeda Sky Building
*Question:*
1. Do I need reserve a spot for umeda sky building or can I show up anytime with the Osaka pass?
**Sat 29**
\-Parco Shinsaibashi Mall
\-Pokemon Cafe
\-Amerika-mura district
\-Dotonbori District in late afternoon/early evening (River boat cruise, Ferris wheel)
\-Nightclub (Giraffe, Ghost, or Pure)
*Questions:*
1. Is it worth getting a table at these clubs?
2. Do you need to take your passport or can a Canadian driver’s license be used to enter the club?
**Sun 30**
\-Namba Shrine Osaka
\-Super Potato video game store
\-Gigo Arcade namba
\-Karaoke in Osaka in the evening (Big Echo Karaoke?)
**Mon 1**
\-Kyoto Day Trip
· Fushiminari Shrine
· Gion District- Hanamikoji St
· Pontocho Alley
· Yasaka Shrine
**Tues 2**
\-Check out from Osaka, train to Tokyo
\-Check in Tokyo hotel (Ginza area) -Akihabara District
*Question*: I made a reservation at Honey Toast Café, when I received the confirmation email it said honey toast cafe (pickup). Do you think that’s ok? we want to eat in, not do take out. When doing the reservation I did pick to eat in.
**Wed 3**
\-Shibuya
\-Mejii Jingu Shrine
\-Yoyogi Park
\-Parco Mall (Nintendo and Pokemon Store)
\-Takeshita St (Harajuku)
\-Shibuya Crossing
\-Shibuya SKY (Sunset time)
**Thur 4**
\-Koto City
\-National Museum of Emerging Science
\-Gundam Statue/ DiverCity
\-Teamlab Planets
\-Joypolis
**Fri 5**
\-Shinjuku
\-Tokyo Metro Building
\-Omoide Yokocho
\-Kabukicho district
\-Golden Gai
\-Nightlub (Ce La Vie)
*Question*: Are ubers/cabs easy to get after skytrains close?
**Sat 6**
\-Roppangi District (Mori Art Museum)
\-Ginza District (Red Tokyo Tower)
\-Nightclub (1OAK, V2, or Zeus)
**Sun 7**
\-Asakusa (Hoppy street)
\-Ueno Zoo
\-Senso-ji- Kaminarimon Gate
\-Sumida Park
\-Tokyo Skytree
**Mon 8**
\-Day trip to Enoshima Island *Buy 1 day enoshima pass*
*-*Love Bell
\-Caves Iwaya -Tower (samuel cocking garden)
\-Hike by beach seawall
**Tues 9**
\-Check out from hotel and train to NRT
***QUESTIONS:***
1. I’m taking my hair straightener with me. It is a 2 prong, 110-240V. Do I need a converter?
2. I’m getting mixed information about medications: is it ok to take plain acetaminophen? is it ok to ativan?
Thank you for taking the time and reading! Much appreciated
4 comments
Japan has 100v electric with the same plugs as North America. The straightener should be fine.
And I think acetaminophen should be fine. You can buy Tylenol in Japan. The Ativan you’re probably going to need import permission for. You can apply for it through the Ministry of Health.
But this…
>We know it will be golden week, hopefully not too busy 🙂
lol.
And this…
>Wed 26
-Land in NRT late afternoon
-Load up Suica
-Train to Osaka, check in to hotel and rest (staying in Namba)
Be prepared! Clearing immigration right now can take HOURS. Like 4-5+ maybe. If you’re unlucky enough you may not make the last train to Osaka, assuming you’re taking the NEX to Tokyo Station to transfer to Shinkansen since you’ll need to be departing the airport probably no later than 8:10-8:15 or so to safely make a transfer to the last train out to Osaka from Tokyo at ~9:30. Have a backup plan.
e: last edit. I’m tired just looking at some of those days. And all back to back to back… Plan on maybe needing to skip things some days. Getting around, waiting to get into restaurants and cafes, this stuff will eat way into your time in ways you may not be anticipating.
Regarding your questions about Universal:
* You cannot get a reservation at Kinopio’s, you have to get in line which averages around 1 hr wait. Also they do close at least 1 hour earlier than park closing.
* You cannot walk thru Hogwarts castle, it is just the ride.
* To fight Bowser Jr you do need a power band. You do not need it for the Mario kart ride
* Highly recommend the Express Pass and getting there earlier than opening time, they almost always open before the posted time
Joypolis in my opinion was really crowded and lines were really long for a single arcade experience, but there are mixed reviews about that
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Reservations for the pokemon cafe happen 1 month ahead, so that is something that is no longer possible
You are technically supposed to carry your passport as police can ask to see it at any time, if you don’t have it, they can decide to go to the hotel with you so you can show it. Do better to have it with you.
Shibuya, store do not open before 10-11am, better start by Meiji jingu and Yoyogi park, then Harajuku, parco and other things in Shibuya. Also, Yoyogi park is just a park, not a garden, for me the big appeal is people watching, especially the weekend.
Japan is 100v, so if the one you have is 110-240, technically it might not work exactly as intended at 100v, most likely won’t get as hot.
For Shibuya Sky, you going to need a reservation, unless you want to wait hours.
For the Honey Toast Cafe, it sounds like you reserved a spot for pick up. Get in touch with the cafe to confirm