I embarked on a mission to plan and execute a 16-day, 15-night Japan trip for our diverse group, comprising 2 seniors, 3 children (aged 4 years old and 14 months old), and 7 adults. With the consideration of our group’s composition, including young children and seniors, the itinerary had to be crafted with a slow pace in mind, allowing for a maximum of 2 activities or attractions per day.
PRE-TRIP PREPARATION AND TIPS
1 Booking of Transports from Airport to Hotel and vice versa
- Private car hire via Klook from Namba Hotel to Osaka Airport due to the many luggages due to shopping. Enter promo code APP10TW for your first mobile app booking to get 10% offf.
- Public Limousine Bus service from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Shinjuku Hotel
2. Booking of Rental Car
- We decided to rent a car for the tokyo – kawaguchiko- Hakone leg to give us more flexibility and made a reservation through Tocoo Japan (3rd party agent) , spanning a rental period of 5 days. The rental cost was cheaper than booking directly from Toyota Rental (when we checked). We picked up the vehicles from the Shinjuku outlet which is near where our hotel was and planned to return them at the Odawara outlet since we will be staying near there at Hakone. From there, we intended to take the shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto.
- Tocoo offers rental of ETC card which is used to pay road tolls. There was no need for initial cash top up and we were charged via our credit card after we return the card. The card was sent to our arrival hotel.
- Remember to apply for International Driving Permit. Automobile Association of Singapore (AA) is the authorised organisation to issue an International Driving Permit for just $20 and get it on the spot when you walk-in to any of their 3 outlets. Top up a courier fee of $5.50 for online application, which processing and courier delivery take 10 working days.
- Google Map will be your best friend as the road signage are all in Japanese.
3. Download Ex App
- For Shinjuku – Yokohama and Hakone – Kyoto – Osaka leg, we decided to use Shinkansan.
- We used the JR Pass calculator to calculate if it’s worth the pass and decided that purchasing the trips separately would be cheaper.
- You can purchase most train rides via the Shinkansen SmartEX App.
- If you are looking for some discount, you can book the Shinkansen tickets via klook, enter promo code SKS10OFF to get 10USD off.
4. Luggage Transfer Service
- As we planned to return our rental cars in Hakone and catch a train from Odawara Station to Kyoto, we inquired about the luggage forwarding service before we arrived. We were told that there were no pre-booking on our part. Instead, all we needed to do was to approach the front office staff on the morning of our departure date to arrange for the courier service. Do remember to check with your hotels or apartment if they provide this service.
5. Booking of attractions primarily via klook
- For attractions that don’t typically sell out, we prefer to book on the day of the visit. This allows us to adjust our itinerary as needed to accommodate everyone’s needs and comfort as well as bad weather.
- Attractions that we booked ahead are teamLab Planet Tokyo, Fuji Safari and Universal Studio Osaka
6. Data Connectivity
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We made a prior reservation for WiFi router at the Ninja WiFi Website for pick up at Haneda Airport. Alternatively, you can consider getting e-sim cards as well
7. Packing
- Purchase zip lock bags from Daiso as you will end up with more than one soft toys to vacumn pack.
8. Kids Necessities
- Bring some pampers but not 2 weeks’ worth and buy it from pharmacies or Don Quijote when you arrive. It’s much cheaper there, and it’s made in Japan, right? My elder boy also took their fresh/UHT meji milk which can be easily found in supermarket
DEPARTURE DAY
Our journey commenced with a 10:30 PM night flight, arriving at Tokyo Haneda Airport at 6:45 AM. To enhance our travel experience, we invested in a flight leg extender, enabling us to transform the elder boys’ seats into a more comfortable business class setting for the boys. Thankfully, Hengboi managed to enjoy a few hours of uninterrupted sleep in a flat lying position, resulting in a happy boy upon arrival.
Meanwhile, Hengboi2, although almost outgrown from the bassinet, managed to take brief naps. However, I eventually decided to carry him as it is very troublesome to keep removing him from the bassinet during moments of air turbulence. Despite these minor interruptions, the flight remained relatively uneventful, sparing me from the need to constantly entertain the children.
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN TOKYO
Upon clearing immigration, we went to pick up our wireless router.
We also made a prior online reservation for the Haneda Airport Limosine Bus service for 9am for drop off at Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. The bus was spacious, and there was a luggage compartment. The trip took about 1 hour. The drop off was right in front of our hotel – Hotel Groove Shinjuku.
View our post on our hotel review on Hotel Groove Shinjuku.
After checking in, we wandered around and stumbled across this cafe just opposite the hotel and decided to have our breakfast.
We walked to Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square for some shopping and had our lunch there. This bustling shopping and entertainment complex in Shinjuku offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
I was truly impressed by the level of service we received during lunch. When I asked for hot water to warm up Hengboi2’s food pouch that I had brought from home, they kindly took the food pouch from me, heated it up, and served it to me on a kids’ plate. This exceptional service wasn’t limited to just one restaurant; it was consistent across all the restaurants we visited. It made me reflect on the service standards in Singapore, where I distinctly recall being charged 50 cents for requesting warm water to heat up a baby food pouch in one restaurant. Singapore has much to learn from the hospitality and service excellence of the Japanese.
Prior to the trip, I actually ordered a travel stroller babyzen yoyo via amazon japan, which was significantly cheaper than purchasing in Singapore. However the delivery to the hotel was late and we ended up with no stroller for hengboi to nap. He was so tired that he fell asleep on daddy shoulder. Luckily, the travel stroller was delivered to the hotel in the evening and we were so excited to unbox it.
Dinner at Zauo Shinjuku
3-2-9 Nishisinjuku, Washington Hotel 1F, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023
Read about our Switzerland tour
I made a table reservation for dinner at Zauo Shinjuku. Do request for seating on the boat so that you can fish from your seats if you want. Zauo Shinjuku combines the thrill of fishing with the satisfaction of enjoying freshly caught seafood in a lively and interactive setting. The interior is designed to resemble a traditional fishing village, complete with wooden boats and fishing nets suspended from the ceiling.
What sets Zauo Shinjuku apart from other restaurants is its innovative concept of “catch and eat.” Guests are provided with fishing rods and bait, and invited to try their hand at fishing in the restaurant’s indoor fishing pond. It was Hengboi’s first time fishing, and he was absolutely thrilled to participate in this novel activity. With guidance from the friendly staff, he managed to catch a few fishes, which eventually ended up being our dinner. From sashimi to grilled fish and sushi, each dish showcased the exquisite flavors of the sea.
HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU
Address: 1-29-1, Kabukicho Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 160-0021
One of the standout features of Hotel Groove Shinjuku is its unbeatable location. Situated within walking distance of Shinjuku Station, the hotel provides easy access to Tokyo’s top attractions, shopping destinations, and dining options. Whether we were exploring the bustling streets of Shinjuku or venturing further afield to iconic landmarks like the Meiji Shrine or Tokyo Tower, the hotel’s central location made getting around a breeze. Read our review on Hotel Groove Shinjuku.
The full-length window overlooking the city in our Japanese suite quickly became a favorite spot for our boys. They would spend a long time gazing out at the mesmerizing cityscape.
DAY 2 EXPLORING HARAJUKU – TAKESHITA STREET
We took the train from Shinjuku station to Harajuku. You can purchase their transport card – Suica via their machine at the station or iPhone user can just add the suica payment card on their iPhone and top up using Apple Pay.
The shopping street at Takeshita is lined with trendy boutiques, quirky cafes, and colorful street food stalls. You can explorr the unique fashion and pop culture trends that Harajuku is famous for.
There were multiple animal cafes around and we decided to go for one dog cafe. From fluffy Pomeranians to playful Shiba Inus, the cafe is home to a diverse range of dog breeds, each with its own unique personality and charm. They charge by time so don’t linger for too long! The cafe also offers free flow can drinks.
Address: Dog Cafe Harajuku, 1-6-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
We left the dog cafe after spending about an hour there and came across this shop with a lottery machine.
He ended up winning the grand prize. While he was happy, we had a headache about transporting this big dog throughout the trip. One of the Tips is to purchase zip lock bags from Daiso as you will end up with more than one soft toys to vacumn pack. This dog became his bolster for the trip.
We were hungry and decided to go for lunch
While tbe boys napped, we slowly walked over to Shibuya to visit the famed Shibuya Crossing. Located in the bustling Shibuya district, this famous pedestrian intersection is known for its mesmerizing chaos as thousands of people cross the street in every direction, creating a symphony of movement and color. We then went on to the Mega Don Quijote.
MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya
Address: 28-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
Opening Hours: 10am to 4am
As you step into MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya, you’ll be greeted by an eclectic mix of goods displayed across multiple floors,from cosmetics and electronics to clothing and household goods. With a lift inside the store, navigating the different floors is a breeze, making it a stroller-friendly destination for us.
One of the highlights of MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya is its extensive selection of Japanese snacks and souvenirs, making it the perfect place to stock up on tasty treats and unique gifts to bring back home. Whether you’re craving classic Japanese snacks like Pocky and Kit Kat or seeking out limited-edition flavors and novelty items, you’ll find it all. We spent nearly two hours browsing the aisles, stocking up on all our favorite treats and discovering new delights along the way. We also top up Hengboi2 food pouches supply which was so much cheaper here than back home.
It was quite late when we got back to the hotel and decided to just purchase meals that are ready to eat from 7-11. The onigiri was so delicious and easily became Hengboi favourite on the go food, which was so convenient.