Prebooking Japan 2023 update

21 comments

1. Things we had to book in advance for our recent trip in addition to what you have already:

   Shibuya Sky – often sells out for day-of tickets. We bought them a couple weeks in advance online

   Kirby Cafe in Tokyo – similar to Pokémon Cafe in that reservations are gone within minutes after the release. Release is the 10th of the month before at 6 PM JST

   Shinkansen reservations – not absolutely necessary but I would recommend for popular routes or if you have a group and want to sit together – also the 2 seats on the side of Mt Fuji coming to/from Tokyo can be taken pretty quick. If all the seats in the unreserved car are taken you will have to stand. Seat reservations are free with JR pass and you can do it up to 30 days prior

2. ​

   Wow, glad you asked this question – and braving the reservation. Here is what I have on my list, and this is the culmination of really spending too much time with research

   Tokyo:

   **TeamLabs** – AM Arrival

   **Toyosu Tuna Auction Experience** – Lottery system (1 month before – check dates for entrance window)

   **Ghibli Museum** – You mentioned this already

   **Kirby Cafe** – Every month on the 10th – check website for detail

   **Pokemon Cafe** – 31 days prior – check website for details

   **Shibuya Rooftop Bar Experience** – Yes, you can rent a sofa for an hour and enjoy the view in peace. You must reserve 1 month in advance as there is very limited seating

   **Eorzea Cafe** (Final Fantasy Cafe)

   **Chicken Ramen making experience** (Yokohama – Cup Noodle Museum)

   **Gundam tower deck experience** (Yokohama)

   **Food reservation**: Any special omakase experience like Sushi Hashimoto, famous Yakitori, Teppanyaki, Yakiniku, or specialty cafe like Dawn Robot Cafe, Mipig cafe, Hatt coffee – all require reservation

   **Futuristic Ferry / Boat experience** – This boat from Asakusa to Odaiba require reservation

   **Harry Potter Studio** – Surprised that nobody mentioned this – this is a new attraction that is a copy of what they have in London, UK. If you are a HP fan and not planning to go to UK, this could be your chance!

   I’ll post Kyoto once I catch my breath 😀

3. Robot Restaurant is re-open, but there is only one show a day. It is in the same location, but now the main thing there is Gira Gira Girls, that is an adult show at night, and as a result, now Robot restaurant is 18+ because it’s in a venue that also have show for adults.

4. Thanks for posting this!! Wondering why the suggestion for booking Disney through Klook and not through the Disney website?

5. Kyoto: Katsura Imperial Villa, earliest available tickets are in two weeks

6. Per the Ghibli Museum website:

   >Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. (JST) on the 10th of each month for the following month.

7. I believe the Robot Restaurant planned to reopen at the end of May but eventually decided not to, with no current plans to change that.

8. the Ghibli Park is in Aichi, not Tokyo

9. I actually have a question! When did you buy your hotel/accommodations? We leave in November and hoping to buy by next week

10. Anyone have any recommendations for restaurants in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima that I would need to reserve in advance?

11. We pre-booked a Geisha/Maiko tea ceremony in Kyoto about a month in advance. (Mai-ko)

    Also we pre booked wifi and ordered it to our hotel a week before flying out. (Japan wireless)

    Also, Ryokan stays we booked ours 5 months in advance to be safe in Hakone. Romancecar about a month in advance too if you are heading to or from Shinjuku to Hakone.

    In Tokyo an Asakusa free walking tour we booked a few days in advance.

12. This is a great list!! Thanks to all for contributing and to OP for posting!

13. Animal cafes – owl cafe books out a month in advance

14. Kyoto during fall foliage season (late November / early December): Apply three months in advance on the Kunaicho website for tickets to the Sento Imperial Palace or Shukaguin Villa

    Show up early for Kiyomizudera (opens at 6:30am)

    Check around September/October for application process at Ruriko-in (although tbh you can just go to the Former Chikurin-in for the same experience at a fraction of the price and crowds)

15. Regarding Universal Studios – I don’t know whether it’s worth the money to book Super Nintendo area. I was considering it but it had already sold out for our dates so just booked the early entrance tickets. You can get a timed entry either through the app or there are kiosks in the park. We got a timed entry within 1.5 hours. Does depend on what day you’re considering going, weekend might be more important but going during a weekday I think you would be fine.

    Also, are you planning any day trips from Tokyo to Mt Fuji? If so, I would recommend booking your seats a day or so in advance. We were there during golden week which definitely affected everything but we ended up on a much later bus because we didn’t think to book in advance.

16. Does anyone know if Eorzea Cafe has any age requirement? I will have a toddler with me.

    Edit: I found it on the site. Preschool aged children don’t need a reservation if they sit in a lap or stroller. They don’t get a coaster.

    Also reservations are are accepted from 12:00 one month in advance.

17. Universal studios Osaka: you cannot pre book Mario area.
    Only thing that requires pre booking is express passes maybe.

18. Osaka Aquarium – 10 days reservation in advance on their site
    Kichi Kichi Restaurant in Kyoto – needs to be booked 4 weeks in advance where they update it every Sunday at 11am Japan time

19. Does anyone know if you need to book taxis in advance from Narita to DisneyLand area or is showing up and trying to get a taxi easy?

20. Following

21. Kusama museum