Japan + Korea
June 16–30  ·  Tokyo · Kyoto · Seoul
Currency
Pre-trip checklist
Bookings Book early
Japan transit Before or on arrival
Korea transit On arrival
eSIM Set up before departure
Apps
Tokyo ๐Ÿ“ Saved map
June 16–21  ·  5 nights  ·  Shibuya/Ebisu  ·  Near Daikanyama
Day 1Arrival + Settle InTuesday, June 16
Afternoon
Airport → Airbnb, Shibuya/Ebisu
Departs LAX June 15 at 12:00 PM, arrives Tokyo Haneda (HND) June 16 at 3:50 PM.
Narita Express or Limousine Bus to Shibuya. Settle in, drop bags, slow walk around the neighborhood. Daikanyama is a few streets away — good for an easy first evening wander.
Jet lag tip: You’ll likely wake at 3–4 AM. Use the early morning for empty Senso-ji. Avoid long naps and aim for a normal local bedtime.
Evening
Casual dinner + early night
Keep it simple. Ramen or sushi nearby. Stay in daylight as long as possible to reset body clocks.
Day 2Shopping, Pokémon & TeamLab PlanetsWednesday, June 17
TeamLab Planets booked at 2:30 PM — plan to be in Shibuya in the morning, then head to Toyosu (~40 min via Rinkai Line) by 2:00 PM.
10:30 AM
Shopping — pick one 2–3 hrs
Shimokitazawa — Tokyo’s best vintage & thrift neighborhood. Indie boutiques, record shops, relaxed vibe. Great for unique finds.
Nakameguro — boutique shopping along the canal. Local, artsy, great cafes. More laid-back than Omotesando (Day 5).
Tokyu Hands (Shibuya) — uniquely Japanese lifestyle & novelty goods. Great for souvenirs and things you won’t find anywhere else.
1:00 PM
Hareruya (ๆ™ดใ‚Œใ‚‹ๅฑ‹) — Shibuya 30 mins
One of the best MTG shops in the world. Massive singles inventory, sealed product, and tournament space. Right in Shibuya — easy to combine with Pokémon Center.
1:30 PM
Pokémon Center Shibuya 30 mins
Sleek, modern flagship with Mewtwo statue. Leave Shibuya by ~2:00 PM to reach TeamLab Planets on time.
2:30 PM
teamLab Planets Booked
Admission: Wed Jun. 17, 2026 — 2:30–3:00 PM entry window.
Immersive walk-through art: mirror rooms, water floors, and floating flower installations. Nearest station: Shin-Toyosu (Yurikamome Line).
7:30 PM
Sushi Hatsume, Ebisu Booked
Omakase course with wine & sake pairing at Sushi Hatsume in Ebisu.
Day 3Tokyo DisneySea Full dayThursday, June 18
8:30 AM
Tokyo DisneySea Full day until close
Widely regarded as the best Disney park in the world. Arrive before 9 AM, buy Premier Access passes for top rides.
Fantasy Springs (Frozen, Rapunzel, Tinker Bell) opened 2024. Summer evening includes parades and fireworks.
Buy tickets online well in advance. → tokyodisneyresort.jp
Day 4Tsukiji, Asakusa & Giants GameFriday, June 19
8:00 AM
Tsukiji Outer Market 1.5 hrs
Go early for the best energy. Narrow alleyways packed with seafood stalls, tamagoyaki shops, and street skewers. Graze as you walk.
10:30 AM
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa 2 hrs
Kids love the omikuji fortune slips and giant incense burner. Nakamise Street for snacks and souvenirs. Wander the backstreets behind the temple for old-Tokyo feel.
1:00 PM
Tokyo Sushi Making Class in Tsukiji Booked ~2 hrs
Sushi making class with a professional chef, right in Tsukiji.
TripAdvisor listing
Afternoon
Optional: Akihabara card shops Optional
Akihabara is 2 stops from Asakusa — easy detour before the game. Tokyo Dome is a short ride from Akihabara on the Chuo-Sobu Line to Suidobashi. Best for cards:
Surugaya — best stop for Pokémon singles and sealed product, MTG too. Multiple floors.
Yuyutei — excellent MTG singles selection.
Big Magic — legendary MTG shop, one of the best in Japan.
6:00 PM
Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome Booked
Tickets booked. First pitch 6:00 PM at Tokyo Dome.
Fully covered dome — no weather risk. Short ride from Akihabara (Chuo-Sobu Line to Suidobashi, ~10 min).
At the game
Dinner at Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome has great stadium food — yakitori, ramen, karaage, beer. Eat at the game and head home after. Game ends around 9:00–9:30 PM.
Day 5Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & ShibuyaSaturday, June 20
9:00 AM
Meiji Shrine 45 mins
Calm forested walk through cedar trees. Exit the south gate and you’re steps from Harajuku.
10:00 AM
Takeshita Street + Omotesando, Harajuku 90 mins
Crepes, anime merch, kawaii fashion on Takeshita. Omotesando for boutiques and interesting side streets.
2:00 PM
Walk Harajuku → Shibuya Leisurely
Skip the train. Random shrines, ramen shops, pocket parks, vending machines. Tokyo discovery mode at its best.
3:00 PM
Shibuya Crossing + Hachiko 1 hr
Walk the world’s busiest scramble crossing. Hachiko statue outside the station. Starbucks 2nd floor QFRONT for a bird’s-eye view.
5:30 PM
Shibuya Sky Book Jun 6 1 hr
Open-air rooftop observation deck on top of Scramble Square — 360° views of Tokyo at golden hour. Best timing in the city for sunset + night transition. 2-min walk from Shibuya Crossing.
Booking opens June 6 (2 weeks out). → shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky
Evening
Dinner in Ebisu/Daikanyama + Bar Trench
Good group izakaya or yakiniku dinner, then Bar Trench in Ebisu for drinks — right in the neighborhood. Nakameguro canal at night is one of the best low-key Tokyo experiences. Nonbei Yokocho (Drinker’s Alley) is great for a quick look but too small for a group dinner.
Late night
Optional: Karaoke Kan, Shinjuku Optional
The chain from Lost in Translation — private rooms, neon corridors, all-you-can-drink options. Shinjuku is one stop from Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. The whole Kabukicho area at night looks exactly like the movie.
Day 6Shinkansen to Kyoto Travel daySunday, June 21
11:37 AM
Shinkansen: Shinagawa → Kyoto Booked
NOZOMI 29 — Shinagawa (11:37) → Kyoto (13:44) — Car 10
E seats on the right side — Mt. Fuji appears about 40 mins in, between Shin-Yokohama and Shin-Fuji stations. Rows 13–20 are best.
Bring oversized baggage to the designated storage area at the rear of Car 10 — required for large suitcases or you’ll be charged a fee on the day.
Afternoon
Check in to Gion House + settle in
Drop bags, slow walk around the neighborhood. Hanamikoji at dusk — you may spot a geiko or maiko heading to an appointment.
Evening
Dinner in Gion
Eat close to the house. No agenda — just soak in the neighborhood on your first night.
Kyoto ๐Ÿ“ Saved map
June 21–25  ·  4 nights  ·  Gion House  ·  3 full days
Day 7Fushimi Inari + GionMonday, June 22
7:30 AM
Fushimi Inari Taisha 90 mins
Go early before heat and crowds. The first 45 mins through the dense torii tunnels is magical. Free entry.
10:00 AM
Nishiki Market 75 mins
Narrow covered market in central Kyoto. Tamagoyaki, mochi, skewered seafood, pickles, matcha everything. Graze as you walk.
2:00 PM
Kimono Tea Ceremony MAIKOYA Booked 90 mins
Booked: Mon Jun. 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
Kids dress in kimono and make their own matcha.
Afternoon
Free wander — Gion backstreets
No agenda. Explore the lanes around the Gion House — small shrines, food spots, craft shops tucked between buildings. This is what Kyoto is really about.
Evening
Dinner in Gion + Hanamikoji at dusk Gion Corner optional
Gion Corner show at 5:30 or 7:00 PM if the group wants a structured intro to geisha arts. Otherwise just walk Hanamikoji — spotting real geiko and maiko is equally memorable. → kyoto-gioncorner.com
Day 8Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji + HigashiyamaTuesday, June 23
7:30 AM
Arashiyama — Bamboo Grove + Monkey Park ~2 hrs
The Sagano Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights — early morning is the only time it’s genuinely peaceful. By 9 AM the tour groups arrive. After the grove, head to Iwatayama Monkey Park to hike up and hand-feed wild macaques.
Not feeling the early start? Skip the bamboo grove and instead visit Adashino Nenbutsu-ji (opens 9 AM) — a remote hillside temple with ~8,000 stone Buddha figures set among bamboo, far less visited than the main grove.
10:00 AM
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) 1 hr
Head east from Arashiyama (~20 min by taxi or bus). The gold-leaf temple reflected in the mirror pond is one of Japan’s most iconic sights.
Midday
Travel back toward Gion + lunch
Head back east. Stop somewhere for lunch — plenty of good spots in central Kyoto.
2:00 PM
Ninenzaka + Sannenzaka 90 mins
Stone-paved lanes lined with tea shops, ceramics, and snack stalls. 15-min walk from Gion. Let yourself get lost — small shrines and food spots are tucked everywhere.
3:30 PM
Kiyomizudera Temple 1 hr
Top of Sannenzaka — the wooden stage overlooking the city is one of Kyoto’s most iconic views.
Evening
Dinner near Gion
Walk back to the house through Gion. Good night for a longer dinner and a slow evening stroll.
Day 9Nintendo Museum + Nara Day Trip Epic dayWednesday, June 24
The world’s most famous video game museum, then wild deer and Japan’s largest Buddha.
9:15 AM
Travel: Kyoto Station → JR Ogura Station ~30 mins
JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station.
10:00 AM
Nintendo Museum 2.5–3 hrs
Tickets already booked for 10 AM entry.
No taxis to the museum — public transport only.
10 digital coins each — plan wisely. Giant Controller, Nintendo 64, and Game & Watch are popular picks. Hanafuda card workshop available on the day (separate fee).
~1:00 PM
Travel: Ogura → Nara ~25 mins
Continue south on the JR Nara Line.
1:30 PM
Nara Deer Park & Todai-ji Temple 2.5–3 hrs
Hundreds of freely roaming wild deer — buy crackers to hand-feed them. Kids absolutely love it.
Todai-ji: Japan’s largest bronze Buddha inside the world’s largest wooden building.
Don’t miss the pillar with a hole inside Todai-ji — crawling through brings good luck. Sized for kids!
Evening
Dinner in Nara + return to Kyoto
Eat near Nara-machi, the old merchant quarter south of the deer park. Head back after dinner (~45 mins on JR Nara Line). Early night, early departure tomorrow.
Day 10Kyoto → Seoul + Ikseon-dong Travel dayThursday, June 25
Early AM
Haruka Express: Kyoto Station → Kansai Airport ~75 mins
Leave early — allow 2.5–3 hours before departure. Departs KIX Terminal 2 at 4:05 PM, arrives Seoul Gimpo (GMP) at 6:00 PM.
Switch your eSIM to the Korea data line before or upon landing in Seoul.
Afternoon
Gimpo (GMP) → Jongno 3-ga
Subway from Gimpo — transfer at Hongdae or Yeouido to Line 5, straight to Jongno 3-ga. About 45–55 mins. Exit 4 is a 3-min walk to your Airbnb.
Pick up T-money cards at the airport or any convenience store on the way.
Evening
Settle in + Ikseon-dong dinner
Ikseon-dong is a 5-minute walk from your front door. Narrow alleyways, great dinner spots, croffles and bingsu for dessert. Perfect low-key first night.
Seoul ๐Ÿ“ Saved map
June 25–30  ·  5 nights  ·  Jongno-gu  ·  Near Jongno 3-ga Station (Exit 4)
Day 11Hanbok, Palace, Bukchon & HongdaeFriday, June 26
Morning is almost entirely walkable from your Airbnb. Friday night is the best night for Hongdae.
8:30 AM
Quick breakfast near Airbnb
Small cafes and bakeries within a few minutes of Jongno 3-ga. Keep it quick — hanbok rental opens at 9.
9:00 AM
Hanbok rental 30–45 mins
Several rental shops near Changdeokgung. Dressing assistance included. Return the hanbok after the palace visit.
Hanbok wearers get free entry to most royal palaces in Seoul — confirm at the gate.
9:45 AM
Changdeokgung Palace + Secret Garden Secret Garden optional 90 mins
Best palace for summer — shaded grounds, open spaces. Go early before the heat builds.
Secret Garden guided tours capped at 50 people. English tours typically at 11:30 AM. Reservations open 6 days ahead — book on June 20.
11:30 AM
Return hanbok + Bukchon Hanok Village 45 mins
Drop off hanbok, then walk to Bukchon. Pick 1–2 viewpoints only — good for photos, then move on before the heat peaks.
12:30 PM
Cafe Onion Anguk + lunch
A beautiful hanok converted into a cafe, right in the neighborhood. Famous for pandoro, salty butter bread, and pastries.
1:30 PM
Midday rest 3.5 hrs
Back to the Airbnb. Showers, rest, recharge. Hongdae is the main event tonight.
5:30 PM
Hongdae — arcades, street performers & dinner 3 hrs
Friday night is when Hongdae is at its best. Street performers and dance crews strongest after sunset. Claw machines and photo booths for the kids. About 25 mins by subway.
Day 12Seongsu-dong & Han RiverSaturday, June 27
Go early for Seongsu-dong — it fills up quickly on weekends.
9:00 AM
Soha Salt Pond Cafe 30 mins
Salt breads and coffee to start the day before heading to Seongsu-dong.
9:30 AM
Seongsu-dong morning 2.5 hrs
Seoul’s coolest neighborhood — murals, indie cafes, concept stores. About 20 mins from Jongno 3-ga by subway.
Nudake is here — Gentle Monster’s dessert cafe with wild art installations and incredible pastries. Haus Nowhere (Gentle Monster flagship) has the dachshund installation worth seeing.
1:00 PM
Eco Jardin Head Spa Booked ~2 hrs
18-step scalp treatment at the Gyeongbok flagship branch.
3:00 PM
Rest 90 mins
Back to the Airbnb — Han River evening is the main event today.
4:30 PM
Banpo Hangang Park
About 30 mins by subway or taxi. Saturday afternoon has great energy. Let the kids run, cold drinks, shade breaks.
6:00 PM
Instant ramen picnic dinner
Ramen vending machines at the park — huge hit with kids. Grab snacks and eat riverside.
7:30 PM
Banpo Rainbow Bridge fountain show 20 mins
Weekend June schedule: shows at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, and 9:00 PM — 20 mins each with a 10-min break between.
Can be cancelled due to rain or strong winds. Late June can have early monsoon rain — check weather on the day.
Day 13Insadong, Gwangjang & CheonggyecheonSunday, June 28
Easy morning close to home — Insadong is a 10-minute walk from the Airbnb.
10:00 AM
Insadong + Ssamziegil Mall 90 mins
10-min walk from your Airbnb. Craft shops, tea cafes, indie boutiques. Ssamziegil has a fun layout — ramps spiraling up, stairs down at the end.
10:30 AM
Reberry Clinic — Skin Consultation Booked Mindy & Eva
Myeongdong location — about 10–15 min walk from Insadong. Others continue in Insadong and meet up after.
12:00 PM
Gwangjang Market lunch 75 mins
One subway stop away. Bindaetteok, kimbap, mandu, noodles. Covered and lively — one of the best market food experiences in Seoul.
12:00 PM
Midday rest 3 hrs
Back to the Airbnb. Lunch on the way or near home.
4:30 PM
Cheonggyecheon Stream walk 1 hr
A restored urban stream running through central Seoul with a walkway along both sides. About a 10-min walk from your Airbnb. Best in the late afternoon — shaded, peaceful, and beautifully lit in the evening.
Evening
Dinner + Bar Cham Parents optional
Good night for a nicer dinner out. Bar Cham is a great cocktail bar in Jongno — close to home if you can arrange a babysitter.
Day 14Namsan Tower + Farewell DinnerMonday, June 29
9:00 AM
Namsan Seoul Tower 90 mins
Cable car up, city views, love locks. Go early before heat and crowds build.
11:00 AM
Myeongdong — quick pass Optional 45 mins
Right at the base of Namsan. Good for street snacks on the way back. Easy to skip if everyone’s tired.
12:00 PM
Midday rest 3 hrs
Back to the Airbnb. Pack bags, take it easy — last proper rest of the trip.
5:00 PM
Final evening wander — Ikseon-dong
Steps from your front door. No transit, no agenda. End where you started on Day 1 — a slow walk through the alleyways one last time.
7:00 PM
Farewell dinner near Airbnb
Celebrate the trip somewhere good in Jongno — plenty of excellent options within walking distance. Keep it early enough to wind down before the travel day.
Day 15Depart Seoul → Los Angeles Travel dayTuesday, June 30
9:30 AM
Check out + AREX to Incheon Airport (ICN) ~70 mins
AREX express train from Seoul Station — 60–70 mins to Incheon. Seoul Station is 2 stops from Jongno 3-ga on Line 1.
Leave the Airbnb by 9:30 AM at the latest. Aim to be at Incheon by 11:30 AM. Departs ICN at 2:30 PM, arrives LAX at 9:40 AM (same day — crossing the date line).
If you have time
๐Ÿฆ– Godzilla Head — Shinjuku Tokyo
Life-size Godzilla head on the Toho building in Kabukicho. Roars and breathes steam on a schedule. Best at dusk or after dark โ€” right in the Shinjuku entertainment district.
๐ŸŽฎ Pokรฉmon Center Mega Tokyo — Ikebukuro Tokyo
The largest Pokรฉmon store in Japan. Much bigger than the Shibuya location. Inside Sunshine City mall in Ikebukuro โ€” easy on the Yamanote Line.
๐ŸŒŠ teamLab Borderless Tokyo
Immersive digital art museum โ€” rooms of flowing light and sound. Reopened in Azabudai Hills (2024). Needs advance booking. Kids love it.
๐ŸŒ† Shibuya Sky Observation Deck Tokyo
Open-air rooftop on top of Shibuya Scramble Square. Stunning 360ยฐ views, especially at sunset. Book online in advance.
๐Ÿ•น๏ธ Akihabara Tokyo
Multi-story arcades, anime shops, claw machines, retro gaming. If you skip the card shops on Day 2, Akihabara is still worth a wander.
Size conversions
๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Shoes โ€” Women
USJPKR
623235
6.523.5240
724245
7.524.5250
825255
8.525.5260
926265
๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Shoes โ€” Men
USJPKR
725250
7.525.5255
826260
8.526.5265
927270
9.527.5275
1028280
10.528.5285
1129290
๐Ÿ‘• Tops โ€” Women
USJPKR
XS5 / SS44
S7 / S55
M9 / M66
L11 / L77
XL13 / LL88
๐Ÿ‘• Tops โ€” Men
USJPKR
XSXS85
SS90
MM95
LL100
XLLL105
XXL3L110
Trip by the numbers
โœˆ๏ธ3Flights
๐ŸŒ2Countries
๐Ÿ™๏ธ3Cities
๐Ÿ“…15Days
๐Ÿš…1Shinkansen
๐ŸŽข1DisneySea
๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ12,280Miles traveled
๐ŸœโˆžMeals to remember
Emergency Info
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Japan
Police110
Ambulance / Fire119
Tourist Helpline (EN, 24/7)0570-783-800
US Embassy Tokyo+81-3-3224-5000
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท Korea
Police112
Ambulance / Fire119
Tourist Helpline (EN, 24/7)1330
US Embassy Seoul+82-2-397-4114
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Helpful Phrases
JA ๆ•‘ๆ€ฅ่ปŠใ‚’ๅ‘ผใ‚“ใงใใ ใ•ใ„ Kyลซkyลซsha wo yonde kudasai Please call an ambulance
KO ๊ตฌ๊ธ‰์ฐจ๋ฅผ ๋ถˆ๋Ÿฌ์ฃผ์„ธ์š” Gugeupchaereul bulleojuseyo Please call an ambulance
JA ๅŠฉใ‘ใฆใใ ใ•ใ„ Tasukete kudasai Please help me
KO ๋„์™€์ฃผ์„ธ์š” Dowajuseyo Please help me