Our First Family Trip in Tokyo Japan

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Traveling to Japan is an experience that will not be forgotten. Its a dream destination for many of us. Let me share to you our detailed TRAVEL and EXPENSE guide to Japan. 

This is my second time in Japan, but still this country has a lot to offer and it really excite me so much that I want to go back again.

If it is your first time planning a trip to Japan, you may feel confused about where you should go first and what you should do first because they have a lot of attractions and tourist destinations.

With this blog, I hope to give you tips and insights so you can fully enjoy your family trip. Find out what you need to do to prepare in the best possible way.

Our travel date was December 1-4, 2019. 




THINGS TO PREPARE (WITH COST)



(TOTAL EXPENSE PER MEMBER: Approx. Php30,000 for 4N/3D Trip)


Visa
P950.00 each member
We applied our Visa, November 2019 at Reli Tours located in SM North Edsa. My husband and I were granted a multiple entry visa to Japan for 5 years while my son was granted a single entry visa only.


Airfare 
P7467.33 each member 
(Bought during Cebu Pacific August 2019 PISO FARE SEAT SALE)

Accommodation
P5,525 each member for 3 nights, 4 days
We booked our 4 days stay via Booking.com at Sophiearth Apartment which is conveniently located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. I highly recommend this place to any tourist since this is walking distance from railway, restaurants and some attractions in Shinjuku. Good price, clean, quiet and easy to locate.


Sophiearth Apartment 

Address: 1 Chome-7-26 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0072, Japan


Transportation

Suica IC Card (Narita Airport EASY Go Counter Pick Up)
P777.8 (with discount availed during KLOOK SALE)
This card is use for riding JR trains in Tokyo, Japan. Preloaded with JPY1,500 and easily reload at any Suice Card Tokyo redemption stations. No need to line up for individual tickets - just tap this card at the train's gate and you're good to go!

Tokyo Subway Ticket- 72 Hours (Narita Airport EASY Go Counter Pick Up)
P512.3 (with discount availed during KLOOK SALE)
This Unli Pass is a must when you are traveling around Tokyo. Travel conveniently around Tokyo through Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 3 days. It is best to parner with SUICA IC card so you would be able to ride JR trains as well.

Tokyo Skyliner Ticket (one way) (Narita Airport Keisei Skyliner Counter Pick Up)
P747.8 (with discount availed during KLOOK SALE)
Travel with ease and speed between Narita Airport and downtown Tokyo in less than one hour. Connected with JR and Metro Line in Ueno. Very convenient, fast and comfortable.


Attraction Tickets

Tokyo Disneyland 1 Day Ticket (Collect at Maihama Station)
P3,589 (with discount availed during TRAVEL RECOMMENDS sale)
Pick up your tickets at Maihama Station prior to visiting the park so that you can walk straight in, no queues needed at the entrance. 

TeamLab Borderless Entrance Pass in Tokyo
P1,110.8 (with discount availed during KLOOK SALE)
This place is a must if you are in Tokyo! Just show the voucher on your phone at the entry. Be prepared to go around barefoot.

Wifi Router for 4 Days
P1,120 + 550 4 days Insurance  (with discount availed during TRAVEL RECOMMENDS sale)
P1600 (Security Deposit)

Delivery Method: Via Courier Delivery
You must return your TravelWIFI kit within two (2) working days after your indicated return date. 

Food Budget
P7,700 for 4 days (each member)
   (approx P1,900 per day, P600 per meal)



EXPLORING TOKYO JAPAN! (4 days and 3 nights)
Here's the summary of our itinerary














Day 1 Around Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku

Both Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku are the most energetic and vibrant places in Tokyo. From shopping districts, authentic Japanese restaurants to famous crossing! From Higashi-Shinjuku Station E02/F12, we just ride Fukutoshin Line going to Harajuku Station our first stop.

We decided to walk from Harajuku to Shibuya to enjoy the Christmas ambiance and the Google Pixel's Magic Illumincation from Jingu-bashi intersection - Omotesando intersection.






Day 2 Around Odaiba and side trip to Akihabara

Odaiba is Tokyo's best entertainment area. This is a place full of sightseeing and amusement parks indoor and outdoor! Odaiba can be easily reached from Tokyo Station in about 30 minutes.
From Shinjuku-sanchome Station M09 to Akasaka-Mitsuke Station M13 to Shimbashi Station G08. Then from Shimbashi, ride Yurikamome Toyosu line to Daiba Station.

Tourist Spots in Odaiba (we managed to see those in bold fonts)
  • Statue of Liberty (Symbol Promenade Park)
  • Gundam Front Tokyo (DiverCity Tokyo Plaza)
  • MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM teamLab Borderless
  • The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
  • Rainbow Bridge
  • Aqua City Odaiba
  • DECKS Tokyo Beach
  • Tokyo Joypolis
  • Palette Town Ferris Wheel
  • VenusFort (in Palette Town)
  • Telecom Center Observatory
  • Daiba Park
  • Odaiba Beach Park
  • Aomi Minami Port Park







Day 3 Meiji Shrine and Disney Land with side trip to Taito Ueno

This is the last day of our tour. We decided to visit Meiji Shrine early in the morning and headed to Disney Land in the afternoon. From Higashi-Shinjuku Station E02/F12 we ride Fukutoshin Line going to Meiji-jingumae'Harajuku' F12. Then from Harajuku, we ride Yamanote and Keiyo line going to Maihama station where we have to pick up first our Disney Land ticket. 

Meiji Shrine in Tokyo is a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings.

Tokyo Disneyland is a theme park produced by Walt Disney.

Ueno Ameyoko Market - Shopping paradise for souvenirs


Day 4 Narita Airport

More than just our flight, what we love most in Narita Airport is you can actually buy some of the souvenirs you missed to buy during your trip because of tight schedule. You may also return your SUICA card and get a refund of 500 yen each card. 



We had so much fun and learnings during this trip. Just to remind, please don't plan too much when traveling with kids. Do keep in mind that you are there with your family because you want to have some fun and explore Japan with them. So relax and enjoy the moment. I hope this blog will help you on your family trip. Please leave a comment or feel free to ask me any questions. You may also watch this video to see the highlights of our trip. Enjoy!



Location: Philippines

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