As promised sharing here our family's 7 days Tokyo Japan itinerary and expenses. If you are traveling with children, I think you would find this itinerary (hopefully) useful. Cheers and happy Tokyo Trip planning :
We have always wanted to go to Japan and seeing friends and officemates conquer the big "J", we thought it was time to bring #TeamPetilla there.
Expenses depends on where in Japan you wanted to go, when and what activities you have planned. Here are some of the questions to help you in your planning:
QUESTION 1: Where in Japan?
We initially planned a 2 cities trip (Osaka and Tokyo). We thought Japan is just a small country and travel from Tokyo to Osaka and back would be easy. We were down hearted to learn that these 2 cities are 4 hours apart by train.
I did an easy computation and figured we would be wasting a good 8 hours on board a train just to cover these 2 cities together. Since we have been to the Universal Studio in Singapore a couple of times before, we thought Harry Potter could wait another year or so... (translated to more reasons to come back to Japan) - we dropped Osaka and focused our trip on Tokyo.
QUESTION 2: When to go?
Point 1: This question was easy for us, though we wanted to see and feel snow, we were scared that it would be too cold to tour around and could end up stuck in a hotel.
Point 2: Hubby wanted to see Sakura (Cherry Blossoms), but I have read tourist attractions would be too crowded and accommodation prices double during Sakura season.
Point 3: School starts in June.
So we've decided the best time to go was in April right after Sakura season, revelries would have died down by then and if we are lucky there would still be some Sakura trees in bloom. It would be spring then so, weather would be perfect (we were expecting 14-18 degrees).
QUESTION 3: What do we want to do?
As we were travelling with children ages 12 and 7, our activities were more of the things our kids would enjoy. That means, less shopping and sight seeing and more on theme parks and museums (my boys love museum hopping ~ check here of favorite museums: MUSEUMS WE LOVE).
Here is a breakdown of our expenses.
Note: Reflected cost is cost for 4 persons. I used Php0.40 per 1JPY conversion.
We have always wanted to go to Japan and seeing friends and officemates conquer the big "J", we thought it was time to bring #TeamPetilla there.
Expenses depends on where in Japan you wanted to go, when and what activities you have planned. Here are some of the questions to help you in your planning:
QUESTION 1: Where in Japan?
We initially planned a 2 cities trip (Osaka and Tokyo). We thought Japan is just a small country and travel from Tokyo to Osaka and back would be easy. We were down hearted to learn that these 2 cities are 4 hours apart by train.
I did an easy computation and figured we would be wasting a good 8 hours on board a train just to cover these 2 cities together. Since we have been to the Universal Studio in Singapore a couple of times before, we thought Harry Potter could wait another year or so... (translated to more reasons to come back to Japan) - we dropped Osaka and focused our trip on Tokyo.
QUESTION 2: When to go?
Point 1: This question was easy for us, though we wanted to see and feel snow, we were scared that it would be too cold to tour around and could end up stuck in a hotel.
Point 2: Hubby wanted to see Sakura (Cherry Blossoms), but I have read tourist attractions would be too crowded and accommodation prices double during Sakura season.
Point 3: School starts in June.
So we've decided the best time to go was in April right after Sakura season, revelries would have died down by then and if we are lucky there would still be some Sakura trees in bloom. It would be spring then so, weather would be perfect (we were expecting 14-18 degrees).
QUESTION 3: What do we want to do?
As we were travelling with children ages 12 and 7, our activities were more of the things our kids would enjoy. That means, less shopping and sight seeing and more on theme parks and museums (my boys love museum hopping ~ check here of favorite museums: MUSEUMS WE LOVE).
Here is a breakdown of our expenses.
Note: Reflected cost is cost for 4 persons. I used Php0.40 per 1JPY conversion.
ROUNDTRIP AIRFARE: P20K/person depending on your choice of airlines. We took Philippine Airlines.
POCKET WIFI: P5K for a 7 days rental of a 75Mbps Standard Wifi (data usage 10Gbytes). A Pocket Wifi is really essential if you have plans of navigating Tokyo's intricate train system. We pre-ordered the unit online and picked it up in the airport.
ACCOMMODATIONS: P68K
4nights in an Asakusa condominium booked via AIRBNB - P30K
2 nights in Tokyo Disneyland Hotel: P38K (I know it was really expensive staying inside the Tokyo Disneyland Resort, but the experience was real worth it).POCKET WIFI: P5K for a 7 days rental of a 75Mbps Standard Wifi (data usage 10Gbytes). A Pocket Wifi is really essential if you have plans of navigating Tokyo's intricate train system. We pre-ordered the unit online and picked it up in the airport.
ACCOMMODATIONS: P68K
4nights in an Asakusa condominium booked via AIRBNB - P30K
DISNEY THEMEPARK ENTRANCE: P23K
Multi-Pass 3 days Disney Sea and Disney Resort passport (Adult Y16600 / Junior Y14400 / Child Y10700) - I bought this online together with our hotel booking.
Day 1 - Asakusa
| What | In Yen | In Php |
| Transfers (Haneda Airport to Asakusa Station via Keikyu Line) | 3120 | 1248 |
| Senso Ji Temple | Free | Free |
| Nakamise Dori | Free | Free |
| Kapabashi Dori | Free | Free |
| Don Quiote - shopping (Jabra Stealth bluetooth earpiece) | 8000 | 3200 |
| Dinner at home (bought packed meals from 711) | 1400 | 560 |
| Lunch at Okonomiyaki Sometaro | 2000 | 800 |
Day 2 - Odaiba
| What | In Yen | In Php |
| Transfers (Asakusa Station to Odaiba via Ginza Line, then transfer to Yurikamome Line) - two way | 4320 | 1728 |
| Breakfast at McDonalds | 1200 | 480 |
| Miraikan Entrance (Adult Y620 / Child Y210) | 1660 | 664 |
| Gundam Front | Free | Free |
| Lunch at Diver's City Foodcourt | 2000 | 800 |
| Hello Kitty Café | ||
| - ice cream | 1280 | 512 |
| -"pasalubong backpack" | 3400 | 1360 |
| Daiso - various items (cost per item is Yen100, roughly P40) | 600 | 240 |
| History of Car Garage | Free | Free |
| Toyota Mega Web | Free | Free |
| Statue of Liberty, Aqua City | Free | Free |
| Joypolis Amusement Park, Decks (Night Passport Adult Y 2900 / Child Y1900) - foreign passport holders gets additional Y300 off (applicable for adults admission only). Hubby does not want to ride and opted for an admission only tickets worth Y800) | 7200 | 2880 |
| Odaiba Chrome Shopping Center (good place for souvenir shopping). I bought rice crackers and a cap. | 1200 | 480 |
| Dinner at Takoyaki Museum |
1000
|
400
|
Day 3- Nikko
| What | In Yen | In Php |
| Nikko Kinugawa Themepark Pass (Adult Y6180 / Child 3250) | 18860 | 7544 |
| Lunch at Edo Wonderland | 3900 | 1560 |
| Dinner at home (bought packed meals from 711) | 1400 | 560 |
Day 4 - Ueno
| What | In Yen | In Php |
| Transfers (Asakusa Station to Ueno via Ginza Line) - two way | 1360 | 544 |
| Breakfast at HardRock | 4000 | 1600 |
| Ueno Park | Free | Free |
| National Museum of Nature and Science (Adult Y620 / Child - free) | 1240 | 496 |
| Rental of English Guide (Y310 each we rented two) | 620 | 248 |
| Lunch at the National Museum | 2440 | 976 |
| Ameyoko Market (best to do your pasalubong shopping here - cheaper and with plenty of choices) | ||
| - bought "pasalubong" | 4000 | 1600 |
| - bought travel bag (too much pasalubong so little space :P) | 6000 | 2400 |
| Dinner at Fridays | 5000 | 2000 |
Day 5 and 7 - Tokyo Disney Land / Day 6 - Tokyo Disney Sea
Only noteworthy expenses we had at TKDL and TKDS are out meals :P
| What | In Yen | In Php |
| Transfers (Asakusa Station to Tokyo Disneyland Resort via Ginza Line, then transfer to Keiyo Line) Y420 / Transfer (TDR to Haneda Airport via Keikyu bus) Adults Y830 / Child 420 | 1680 / 2500 |
672 / 1000 |
| Day 1 (breakfast) TKL Plaza Resturant | 3000 | 1200 |
| Day 2 (lunch) Sailing Day Buffet | 10000 | 4000 |
| Day 2 (dinner) Teddy Roosevelt Lounge | 3500 | 1400 |
| Day 3 (breakfast) Sherwood Forest | 10000 | 4000 |
| Day 3 (late lunch) - Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall | 6000 | 2400 |
| Popcorn Bucket | 1600 | 640 |
| Popcorn Refill (lost track of how many times we had a refill, but it was a lot and enough to keep my youngest busy queing in line) | 510 | 204 |
For more tips, check out my Tokyo Day 1 blog post.
See also helpful FREE mobile applications we used in our Tokyo trip: FREE MOBILE APPLICATIONS TO HELP YOUR PLAN YOUR PERFECT TOKYO VACATION
Like you, we wanted to experience snow and Sakura in Japan but it didn't happened. We need to resked our flight but we are grateful to explore Tokyo last summer too. Free pala Ueno Park, may bayad yung park na napuntahan namin.
ReplyDeleteVery useful info for those people who want to see Japan. :) like me. :) I did not know about the wi-fi. Good to know in advance.
ReplyDeleteIt is such an adventure when you travel with the whole family! Sure thing that it might cost a lot, but the experience especially with the kids will be unforgettable. How was the Cherry Blossom?
ReplyDeleteI personally think Cherry Blossom is just a hype. It was good to see it once for experience sake but I think our bougainvillea is a lot better (all year round pa) 😁😁😁
DeleteWow such a detailed itinerary. You were able to accomplish so much during your trip. We're not planning to go to Tokyo anytime soon but for sure this will be so helpful to us when we finally decide to go.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Japan, but this itinerary is very helpful! Having the peso equivalent is also a good one. I hope I get to visit soon with my son :)
ReplyDeleteNina Sogue | www.ninasogue.com
Hmm... I think Ber Months are a peak season for the country of Japan. Ang dami ko ring friends who are travelling to Japan these days. It makes me a bit jealous coz I am most ly stuck at home due to my work and my current pregnancy haha! But one day, my family and I will go travel so I don't feel bad at all. Japan will definitely be on the list! :)
ReplyDeleteBeen wanting to visit Japan. So many friends and acquaintances were able.to visit the place already and I felt I am the only individual who haven't been to Japan. Ehe He. Hopefully soonest when my baby could travel independently.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the detail.Going to Japan is really expensive, especially the airfare. I hope to go there sometime soon with my family when the cherry blossoms bloom!
ReplyDeleteZOMG I need to bookmark this post! My friends and I are planning to visit Japan (I don't know when - hopefully next year!) so we really need all the info we can get. Thank you for this!
ReplyDelete