Japan
Sarah, Juan & Ali
December 30, 2025 - January 14, 2026
Dec. 30 - 31 | Madrid | AC Hotel Madrid Airport (1 night)
Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 | Flight to Tokyo (1 night)
Jan. 1 - 4 | Tokyo | Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi (3 nights)
Jan 4 - 5 | Nagano | Hotel TBD (1 night)
Jan. 5 - 7 | Kanazawa | Soki Kanazawa (2 nights)
Jan. 7 - 8 | Kyoto | Sanco Inn Kyoto Hachijoguchi Shikinoyu (1 night)
Jan. 8 - 9 | Kyoto | Park Hyatt Kyoto (1 night)
Jan. 9 - 12 | No plans yet
Jan. 12 - 13 | Tokyo | Hotel JAL City Tokyo Toyosu (1 night)
Jan. 13 | Departure
Dec. 30 | Madrid
Flight to Madrid
Ryanair Reservation Code: DS5JWC
1:50pm: Depart Palma flight FR2062
3:20pm: Arrive in Madrid
Shuttle to AC Hotel Madrid Airport
Dinner with Fede and Brian.
AC Hotel Madrid Airport | Standard Room Twin
Dec. 31 | Travel to Tokyo
Shuttle to Madrid Airport
6:00am: Take the hotel shuttle to the airport.
Flight Madrid to Doha
Qatar Airways Confirmation: 7J3259
8:25am: Qatar Airways IB391 departs Madrid
5:10pm: Land in Doha
Duration 6 hours 45 minutes
Flight Doha to Tokyo
8:15pm: Qatar Airways QR808 departs Doha
11:55am: Land in Tokyo (next day)
Duration 9 hours 40 minutes
Qatar Airways | 7J3259
Jan. 1 | Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo
11:55am: Land in Tokyo. Change money at the airport. From Haneda Airport, take the train to Kanda Station. Google Maps directions.
Explore Otemachi Neighborhood
Imperial Palace & Gardens (outside only)
Kokyo Gaien National Garden
Early Dinner
Hallal Ramen place near the hotel. High ratings. Check to see if it’s open.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi | Standard Room | Booking . com
Jan. 2 | Tokyo
No breakfast is included in our stay.
Legoland (need tickets)
Check if it’s open for today or tomorrow and get tickets in advance.
Check if it’s open for today or tomorrow and get tickets in advance.
Meiji Jingu Shrine (closes at sunset)
Take the train to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine in a lush forest in central Tokyo, providing a peaceful contrast to the city bustle.
Dinner in Shibuya
Conclude your day in Shibuya, experiencing the famous Shibuya Crossing and visiting the Hachiko Statue.
Jan. 3 | Tokyo
National Museum of Japan
Time permitting, visit the National Museum of Japan (check if it’s open).
Ginza
Visit Ginza, Tokyo’s upscale shopping district. Enjoy the early morning calm, admire the architecture, or stop at a café for a coffee break while soaking in the stylish atmosphere.
Godaime Wagyu Tokyo
Hallal wagyu lunch in Ginza.
Tokyo Tower
Visit the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic city views from the main deck.
Tea at Saboe
Walk to Saboe for traditional matcha tea house.
Jan. 4 | Nagano?
Oedo Antique Market
9:00am: Time allowing, visit the Oedo antique market
Travel to Nagano & Monkey Park (not recommended)
Train from Tokyo to Nagano. Drop off bags at Metropolitan Nagano Hotel near Nagano Station. Catch bus to Monkey Park, walk 40 minutes to see monkey. Walk back. Take bus back to Nagano Station.
If we have a car we can go to the Matsumoto Castle and other places:
Miso Brewery Visit – Ishii Miso
Monkey Park – Jigokudani Yaenkoen (a bit farther from Matsumoto)
Kusama Yayoi Museum – Matsumoto Museum
There are also options like a Wasabi Farm, Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi Shrine, Soba-making experiences, and more if they’re interested.
OR SKIP NAGANO AND GO TO KANAZAWA. BUT ALI WANTS TO SEE SNOW.
Need a hotel
Jan. 5 | Kanazawa
Train from Nagano to Kanazawa
Take the tran from Nagano to Kanazawa. Check the times and update the itinerary.
Explore Kanazawa
Visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, famous for its elegant seasonal landscapes.
Stroll through the Higashi Chaya District, lined with beautifully preserved teahouses and craft shops. This is Kanazawa's geisha quarter. There area is very photogenic, which is registered as the preservation district of historical buildings.
Visit Gold Leaf shop. Kanazawa boasts a 99% share of Japan's gold leaf production. Gold leaf is used not only for decoration such as at the famous Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, but now also in cooking and sweets. Soft-serve ice cream wrapped in a whole sheet of gold leaf is unique to Kanazawa.
Visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring striking architecture and innovative exhibitions.
Kaga Yuzen workshop visit. Kaga Yuzen is one of the historical dyeing techniques for Kimono as a national costume of Japan. The history stems from 500 years before and Kaga Yuzen has been cultivated in the samurai culture of Kanazawa.
Soki Kanazawa | Moderate King | Booking . com
Jan. 6 | Kanazawa
Rent a car for the day from Kanazawa Station
Drive to Shirakawa-go (1 hour 10 minutes), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
Continue to Takayama (50 minutes), a charming mountain town with well-preserved Edo-period streets and local craft shops.
Drive back to Kanazawa (1 hour 45 minutes)
If we have an extra day in Kanazawa:
Site Inspections
Kurumiya Hotel
Yuyaruru Saisai
Korinkyo
Beniya
Soki Kanazawa | Moderate King | Booking . com
Jan. 7 | Kyoto
Nagamachi Bukeyashiki
8:00am: From the hotel, 20-minute walk to Nagamachi Bukeyashiki street lined with former samurai residences.
Omicho Market
10:00am: Back near the hotel, visit Omicho market and take a glimpse of local lifestyle. There are approximately 170 specialty food shops and restaurants, especially Kanazawa' s quality seafood from cold Japan Sea. and fresh vegetables called Kaga Yasai.
Train to Kyoto
Take the train from Kanazawa to Kyoto. Check the times and update the itinerary.
Higashiyama
Upon arrival in Kyoto, you can spend the evening strolling through the atmospheric lanes of Higashiyama, or simply unwind and enjoy the refined ambiance of your hotel.
Sanco Inn Kyoto Hachijoguchi Shikinoyu | 1 Standard Room with Breakfast (booking - com)
Jan. 8 | Kyoto
Explore Kyoto
7:00am: Start your morning at Geshin-in Temple, a serene and spiritual introduction to Japan’s traditional culture. Continue exploring Kyoto’s highlights, such as Golden Pavilion and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Park Hyatt Kyoto
3:00pm: Check-in to the Park Hyatt Kyoto.
Park Hyatt Kyoto | 1 Twin Garden View | #25944378
Jan. 9 | Kyoto
Kiyomizu Temple
7:00am: Start your day with a visit to Kiyomizu Temple, conveniently within walking distance from your hotel. Arrive early to enjoy the temple’s serene atmosphere before it becomes crowded.
Site Inspection
10am: Site inspection with Marta Calaf at Park Hyatt Kyoto.
teamLab Biovortex (need tickets)
12:00pm: Then explore Kyoto’s creative side: visit teamLab Biovortex, an immersive digital art space where light, movement, and nature merge into a mesmerizing experience.
Tsujikura Umbrellas
Visit Tsujikura, Japan’s oldest umbrella maker, founded in 1690, and craft your own traditional mini-Japanese umbrella.
Maiko Experience?
Look into this at Orizuruya. Conclude the day with an exclusive Kaiseki dinner accompanied by Maiko entertainment. Watch a Maiko (apprentice geisha) perform traditional dances and music.
Need a hotel
Jan. 10 | Kyoto/Nara
rent a car?
After breakfast, depart for a day trip to Nara. Explore Japan’s first permanent capital and a cradle of traditional culture.
Visit Todaiji Temple, home to the Great Buddha statue, and stroll through Nara Park, where friendly deer roam freely among ancient trees.
Continue to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, known for its atmospheric stone and bronze lanterns, and Kofukuji Temple, a symbol of Nara’s long Buddhist history.
Lunch idea (optional): the historic Nara Hotel, a charming century-old property with classic architecture and a cozy atmosphere.
In the afternoon, visit Nakagawa Masamichi Shoten, a traditional crafts store founded in 1716, known for its everyday items that blend centuries-old craftsmanship with modern design.
End the day with a leisurely walk through Naramachi, the city’s preserved merchant quarter, before returning to Kyoto or staying in Nara.
Need a hotel
Jan. 11 | Hiroshima? Osaka?
TBD. Not sure what to do here
Need a hotel
Jan. 12 | Tokyo
Head back to Tokyo
Take the train from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Are we missing out on this?
Day trip to Kawaguchiko, at the base of Mount Fuji (approximately 2–2.5 hours from central Tokyo).
Begin with a visit to Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes formed by the sacred spring waters of Mount Fuji, offering tranquil scenery and perfect reflections of the mountain. Continue to Oishi Park for panoramic lake views framed by seasonal flowers.
Next, visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, a serene space surrounded by nature, showcasing the exquisite kimono artistry of master textile artist Itchiku Kubota.
For lunch, enjoy Hōtō noodles at Hōtō Fudō, a striking restaurant designed to resemble a cloud floating around Mount Fuji. The minimalist white structure blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, while its hearty miso-based noodle stew offers a warm taste of Yamanashi’s local cuisine.
After lunch, head to Chureito Pagoda at Arakura Sengen Shrine, where you can take in one of Japan’s most iconic views—Mount Fuji rising behind the five-story pagoda.
Conclude your day at Saiko Iyashino Sato, a traditional thatched-roof village preserving the charm of old Japan, where you can browse local crafts and enjoy picturesque Mount Fuji views.
Hotel JAL City Tokyo Toyosu | 2 Twin Room | booking . com 66EUR
Jan. 13 | Tokyo & Departure
Toyosu Market
5:00am: Walk down to the Toyosu Market to witness the famous tuna auction and explore the bustling early morning stalls.
Tsukiji Outer Market
6:30am: Afterward, take the 20-minute train to Tsukiji Outer Market, where you can stroll through historic streets, sample fresh seafood and street snacks, and enjoy a light breakfast.
Asakusa
After checking out from the hotel and leaving bags at reception or a locker at Tokyo Station, take the Ginza line train and head to Asakusa to visit Senso-ji Temple and its vibrant Nakamise Street, filled with traditional snacks and souvenir shops.
Wagyu Beef Asakusa
Lunch at the Halal Ramen Honolu Premier restaurant nearby.
Knives
Visit this knife shop nearby.
Train to Haneda
8:30pm: Take the train to Haneda Airport from Tokyo Station.
Flight Tokyo to Doha
QA Confirmation 7J3259
11:30pm: Qatar Airways QR4851 departs Tokyo
6:35am: Flight arrival at Doha (next day)
Duration 13 hours 5 minutes
Qatar Airways | 7J3259
Jan. 14 | Madrid
Flight Doha to Madrid
8:15am: Flight Qatar Airways QR149 departs Doha
1:50pm: Land in Madrid
Duration 7 hours 35 minutes
Flight Madrid to Palma
AirEuropa booking 759X5F
5:50pm: Depart Madrid
6:25pm: Arrive at Palma