17 — 24 May 2026 · 東京旅行

Tokyo · 8 Days, 7 Nights

Birthday trip based in Akabane, north Tokyo. Day-trips: Hakone, Kawaguchiko/Shibazakura, Nikkō, Kamakura+Yokohama. Sanja Matsuri on arrival, teamLab on departure day.

Base
Akabane · Kita-ku
Arrival
Haneda · Sun 17 · 01:00
Departure
Narita · Sun 24 · 22:00
Birthday
Sun 17 May 🎂

🎫 teamLab confirmed

Borderless Azabudai · Sun 24 May · 08:30–09:00 entry
2 adults + 2 EN TEA HOUSE tickets · ¥11,600 · PO #AWYWJ3P4WM47-0001
B1, Garden Plaza B, Azabudai Hills, 5-9 Toranomon, Minato-ku
→ Ticket page · → Get the exhibition app

🏠 Base · Akabane Apt

Akabane Apartment Wei hefuyan7190
Kita-ku, Tokyo · Saikyō Line 22 min ↔ Shinjuku
→ Google Maps directions

Day by Day

1
Sun · 17 May
Arrival · Sanja Matsuri
🎂
  • 01:00Haneda → taxi to Akabane (~¥10-12k, 40 min)
  • 07:30Wake, conbini breakfast
  • 08:10Akabane Stn → Hamamatsuchō (JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line direct, 25 min, ¥314)
  • 08:35Hamamatsuchō North Exit → walk Shiba Park (12 min)
  • 08:50Tokyo Tower 1F counter · passport · Birthday Pack ¥900 + Main Deck ¥1,200 [BIRTHDAY PERK]
  • 09:00Main Deck (150m) + Sky Lounge Terrace Garden + sweet
  • 10:30Walk → Daimon Stn (A6 exit) · Toei Asakusa Line → Shimbashi (1 stop, ¥180)
  • 10:50Shimbashi → Yurikamome (buy ¥820 1-day pass) → Odaiba-Kaihin-Kōen U-06 (5 stops, 13 min)
  • 11:05Joypolis @ DECKS Tokyo Beach 3F · 2-min walk · passport · FREE all-day passport ¥4,800 [BIRTHDAY PERK]
  • 12:10Yurikamome → Tokyo Big Sight U-11 (5 stops, 10 min, on pass)
  • 12:30Sushi TOKYO rolling · 4 nigiri + 1 maki · 30 min · ¥3,000 pp [BOOKED]
  • 13:00Delicious Museum vendor browse [LAST DAY]
  • 15:00Yurikamome → Shimbashi → Ginza Line → Asakusa
  • 16:00Asakusa Shrine · Sanja Matsuri climax
  • 18:00Mikoshi return (miyairi)
  • 19:30🎂 Birthday dinner · Komagata Dozeu · dojo hot pot since 1801 · ¥4-6k pp · [CASH ONLY · book by phone]
  • 22:00Back to Akabane via Ueno · sleep 💤
🎂 2 birthday perks: Tokyo Tower Pack ¥900 + Joypolis free entry ¥4,800. Passport at both counters. Geography: TT→Daiba→Ariake all on Yurikamome.
2
Mon · 18 May
Hakone + 🎂 Tokyo Tower Night
🗻
  • 07:30Wake (9 hrs sleep) · conbini breakfast at Akabane
  • 07:50Akabane → Shinjuku (Saikyō southbound, 22 min)
  • 08:12Walk JR → Odakyu West Exit (7 min) · activate Hakone Free Pass in EMot · scan QR at gates
  • 08:31Odakyu Romancecar Hakone 1 · Car 4 · 11C+11D → Hakone-Yumoto 10:18
  • 10:30Tozan rail → Gōra (40 min)
  • 10:45Open-Air Museum (¥2,000 · -¥200 with Pass)
  • 13:00Cable car → Sōunzan → ropeway
  • 13:30Ōwakudani · sulfur valley, black eggs ¥600
  • 14:45Ropeway → Tōgendai → Lake Ashi pirate ship → Moto-Hakone
  • 15:30Hakone Shrine torii (lake)
  • 17:00Bus Moto-Hakone → Hakone-Yumoto (40 min)
  • 18:45Tozan rail Yumoto → Odawara (in pass)
  • 19:30🚄 Tōkaidō Shinkansen Hikari/Kodama · Odawara → Tokyo Stn · 33 min · ¥3,710 [bullet train!]
  • 20:05Tokyo Stn → Hamamatsuchō (Yamanote, 4 min) → walk Shiba Park (12 min)
  • 20:30🎂 Tokyo Tower at NIGHT · 1F counter · passport · Birthday Pack ¥900 + Main Deck ¥1,200 [BIRTHDAY PERK · +1 day eligible]
  • 20:45Main Deck (150m) · Tokyo skyline lit up · Rainbow Bridge glowing
  • 21:30Sky Lounge Terrace Garden (free with Pack) · sweet + bookmark + postcard
  • 22:00Walk back to Hamamatsuchō (12 min)
  • 22:15Hamamatsuchō → Tokyo → Akabane (Keihin-Tōhoku, ~30 min)
  • 22:45Akabane · in bed by 23:00 (Disney Tue tomorrow!)
🎂 Tokyo Tower night rescue · +1 day Birthday Pack eligible · ¥2,100 extra · Tokyo lit up + Rainbow Bridge. Shinkansen ticket: walk-up at Odawara JR (¥3,710 pp).
3
Tue · 19 May
Tokyo DisneySea
🎢
  • 07:00Akabane → Tokyo → Keiyō Line → Maihama → Monorail (~50 min)
  • 08:00DisneySea Rope drop · run to Fantasy Springs (Frozen Journey) or Soaring
  • AppPremier Access: Frozen Journey #1 · Soaring #2 · Tower of Terror · Journey to Center of Earth
  • ~13:00Lunch at S.S. Columbia or Magellan's
  • 15:00Afternoon break (heat) · re-enter for night
  • 19:00Tower of Terror in dark + night light show
  • ~21:00Park closes; back to Akabane by ~22:30
First theme park ever — this is THE best one in the world. Buy date-specific ticket NOW · Tokyo Disney Resort app.
4
Wed · 20 May
Ginza Shopping · UNIQLO + Itoya
🛍️
  • 12:00Lunch + leave Akabane (recovery from Disney marathon)
  • 12:30Akabane → Tokyo Stn (JR Keihin-Tōhoku, 22 min, ¥220)
  • 13:00Walk Tokyo → Ginza (15 min) or Marunouchi Line 1 stop
  • 14:45UNIQLO Ginza Flagship · 12 floors world's largest · Tokyo-only line · AIRism · UTme custom T (5F) · HEATTECH · ¥500 app coupon
  • 17:15Tax-free desk UNIQLO · passport · ¥5,000 min
  • 17:30Walk to Itoya (5 min, both on Chuo-dōri)
  • 17:30Itoya Ginza · 12 floors of stationery · 2F pens · 3F washi · 5F notebooks (Hobonichi, Midori) · 12F rooftop café · CLOSES 20:00
  • 19:30Tax-free desk Itoya · passport · ¥5,000 min
  • 19:45Dinner at Ginza · Sushizanmai Ginza (¥3-5k pp) or any depachika basement food hall
  • 21:00Ginza → Akabane (Marunouchi → Tokyo Stn → Keihin-Tōhoku, ~30 min)
  • 22:00🔴 Book Spacia X via Klook for tomorrow Nikkō · #1 07:50 + #12 17:44 · sleep by 22:30
🛍️ UNIQLO first (clothes bulky → stash in backpack early) · Itoya second (closes 20:00 sharp). Both 12-floor flagships on Chuo-dōri, 5-min walk apart. Passport + empty backpack mandatory.
6
Fri · 22 May
Nikkō · UNESCO + Falls 🔄
🏯
  • 06:30Wake · conbini breakfast
  • 07:00Akabane → Asakusa Tōbu (Metro Ginza via Ueno, ~30 min)
  • 07:50Spacia X #1 Asakusa → Tōbu-Nikkō 09:39 [BOOKED]
  • 09:50Bus 2A → Chūzenji Onsen up Iroha-zaka (50 min, ¥1,250)
  • 10:45Kegon Falls + elevator (¥570) · 97m drop
  • 12:00Lake Chūzenji shore · yuba lunch
  • 12:45Optional: Ryūzu Falls (bus 10 min)
  • 14:30Bus down → Tōbu-Nikkō ~15:30
  • 15:45World Heritage Loop bus → Tōshōgū (¥1,300) [last entry 16:30!]
  • 17:00Walk via Shinkyō Bridge
  • 17:44Spacia X #12 · Car 4 · seats 8C+8D → Asakusa 19:35 [BOOKED]
  • 20:30Akabane · dinner · sleep
🔄 Swapped from Thu — Spacia X #1 was sold out for Thu. Both QRs in email. Pack a fleece (Chūzenji 5-7°C cooler than town). Skip Nikkō Pass — pay-as-you-go cheaper at 2026 prices.
7
Sat · 23 May
🍎 Akiba Apple Day + Shibuya Sky
🛍️
  • 09:30Slow wake · konbini breakfast
  • 11:00Akabane → Akihabara (JR Keihin-Tōhoku direct, 12 min, ¥220)
  • 11:15Yodobashi Akiba 4F (Apple) · scout NEW Apple Watch + iPhone prices · point card 10% bonus
  • 12:30Lunch @ Yodobashi 8F food court
  • 13:30Iosys Akiba · used iPad target · A/B/C grading · 3-month warranty · check SIM-FREE tag
  • 14:30Sofmap iOS Specialty · compare used prices
  • 15:00JANPARA · final price check
  • 15:30BUY decisions · used iPad+Pencil from Iosys/Sofmap · NEW Apple Watch from Yodobashi · iPhone TBD
  • 16:30Tax-free desks · passport · combine receipts
  • 17:00Akihabara → Shibuya (JR Yamanote, 25 min)
  • 17:30Shibuya Crossing + Hachikō statue · daylight photos · Starbucks Tsutaya 2F overhead view
  • 18:15Walk to Shibuya Scramble Square (5 min) · bag check
  • 18:30🌅 Shibuya Sky · sunset 18:50 · Crossing from 230m above · [pre-book online]
  • 20:00Down · night Crossing photo (illuminated)
  • 20:30Yūrakuchō yakitori alley under JR tracks (Yamanote from Shibuya, 15 min)
  • 22:30Akabane · sleep early (Sun 24 wake 06:30 for teamLab)
🍎 Apple stack: used iPad Air M2 ¥65k + Pencil Pro ¥18k + Magic Keyboard ¥25k + Apple Watch Series 11 ¥56k · Always passport · Always tax-free desk · Always check SIM-FREE on used.
8
Sun · 24 May
teamLab · Flea Market · Depart
✈️
⚠️ Borderless ≠ Planets · check ticket. Ōedo cancels if rain — check @oedoantique morning-of.

Day 1 Transit Detail · Sanja Day

🚆 Leg 1A · Akabane 赤羽 → Tokyo Tower 東京タワー (08:50 arrive)

DepartAkabane Stn Platform 3/4 · JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line 京浜東北線 (light blue) southbound toward Ōfuna / Shinagawa
RideAkabane → 15 stops direct to Hamamatsuchō 浜松町 · ~25 min · ¥314 · NO TRANSFER
Note⚠️ Don't take JR Saikyō Line — it doesn't stop at Hamamatsuchō. Only Keihin-Tōhoku and Yamanote stop there.
ExitHamamatsuchō North Exit 北口 → cross to Daimon-dōri → walk through Shiba Park 芝公園 · ~12-15 min · Tokyo Tower visible the whole way
Closest stn alternativesIf walking: Akabanebashi 赤羽橋 (Toei Ōedo) = 5 min walk · Onarimon 御成門 (Mita Line A1) = 6 min · Kamiyachō 神谷町 (Hibiya Line Exit 1) = 7 min. Requires transfer at Daimon — same total time, more cost
At Tokyo Tower1F ticket counter · passport for Birthday Pack ¥900 + Main Deck ¥1,200 · Main Deck opens 09:00

🚆 Leg 1B · Tokyo Tower → Joypolis → Symbol Promenade Park

💡 Buy Yurikamome 1-day pass ¥820 at Shimbashi vending machine — 3 rides today (Joypolis + Big Sight + Ariake→Shimbashi later) cost ¥980 separately, pass saves ¥160 + flexibility

WalkTokyo Tower → Daimon Stn 大門 Exit A6 · ~10 min
Train 1Toei Asakusa Line 浅草線 (rose pink) toward Nishi-Magome · 1 stop to Shimbashi 新橋 · 3 min · ¥180
TransferShimbashi · walk overhead bridge to Yurikamome ゆりかもめ U-01 terminus · ~5-6 min · BUY 1-DAY PASS here
Train 2Yurikamome toward Toyosu 豊洲方面 · 5 stops to Odaiba-Kaihin-Kōen 台場海浜公園 (U-06) · 13 min · scenic over Rainbow Bridge
At JoypolisOdaiba-Kaihin-Kōen North Exit → 2 min walk to DECKS Tokyo Beach 3F (Seaside Mall) · 1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku · passport at counter → FREE all-day passport (birthday)
Train 3Back to Yurikamome Odaiba-Kaihin-Kōen toward Toyosu · 5 stops to Tokyo Big Sight (U-11) · 10 min · (covered by 1-day pass)
WalkTokyo Big Sight Stn east exit → 3 min south to Stone & Light Plaza 石と光の広場 (Symbol Promenade Park · Delicious Museum venue)
ArriveBy 12:15 — sushi rolling 12:30 ✓

🚆 Leg 2 · Ariake → Asakusa Shrine (Sanja climax)

WalkStone & Light Plaza → Tokyo Big Sight Station (Yurikamome) · 4 min
Train 1Yurikamome toward Shimbashi 新橋 · automated, elevated, crosses Rainbow Bridge (sit front-left for Tokyo Bay views) · 25 min · ¥390
TransferAt Shimbashi: follow signs to Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (G · orange) · 3 min walk underground
Train 2Ginza Line toward Asakusa 浅草 (terminus) · 8 stops · 22 min · ¥210
ExitAsakusa Stn Exit 1 (only exit with elevator · leads directly to Kaminarimon, 60m / 1 min). If crowds extreme, get off at Tawaramachi 1 stop earlier and walk 7 min
Walk to shrineKaminarimon (giant red lantern) → Nakamise-dōri (300m, packed) → past Hōzōmon → Sensō-ji main hall → Asakusa Shrine is immediately right (east) of main hall · normally 5-7 min, 15-20 min during Sanja
Total leg~50 min · ¥600

Leave museum 16:00 → at shrine 17:00 → mikoshi return 18:00-19:00 (the moment).

🚆 Leg 3 · Asakusa → Akabane (return ~21:00)

Train 1Asakusa · Tokyo Metro Ginza Line toward Shibuya → get off at Ueno 上野 · 1 stop · 3 min · ¥180
TransferWalk through underground passage to JR Ueno Station · 5 min
Train 2JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line northbound (blue) toward Ōmiya · OR Utsunomiya / Takasaki Line — both stop Akabane · ~15 min · ¥180
Total leg~25 min · ¥360

📌 Day 1 Tips

Welcome Suica MobileInstall + load BEFORE leaving apt. Tap-and-go for all 3 legs + konbini food.
Asakusa Stn restrictionsEntry/exits may be capped during Sanja peak (16:00-19:00). Tawaramachi is your safety exit.
Charge phone fullySanja crowds = patchy signal, no charging. Carry a power bank.
Closed shoesFestival crowds + 300m of Nakamise + standing for mikoshi = no sandals.
Cash ¥3-5kFor Sanja street food (yakitori, takoyaki, beer) — many stalls cash-only.
Light layerSun 17 May Tokyo historical: 22-25°C day, cools by 18°C evening. Light jacket.

Pre-Trip Checklist · 1 day to go

Skipped & Why

Ashikaga Flower ParkFestival runs till May 20 — but iconic purple wisteria canopy already done (peak late Apr). Now: yellow wisteria + 5000 azaleas only. Nice, not "wow."
Nara Deer ParkThat's Kansai · 3h 15min shinkansen each way · ~5h RT travel for a half-day with deer. Save for a Kyoto/Osaka-anchor trip.
Mt TakaoHakone covers nature+ropeway better. Save for a future Tokyo trip.
Karuizawa¥12-14k shinkansen round-trip without JR Pass. Bad ROI vs Hakone.
Shiraito Falls (standalone)Only 3-4 buses/day from Kawaguchiko. Logistics painful.
ArashiyamaThat's Kyoto · ¥28k shinkansen RT, 5h travel each way. Save for a Kyoto-anchor trip.
Mt Fuji 5th StationSubaru Line opens 1 July. Closed during your dates.
Edo WonderlandYou decided no — and rightly so vs Tōshōgū + Chūzenji.
Sumo Natsu BashoFinal day Sun 24 conflicts with teamLab + departure. Would derail more than it adds.

🛍️ Shopping Notes · Wed Ginza + Sat Akiba

Wed 20 · Ginza Shopping Detail

📚 Itoya Ginza (12 floors)

2-7-15 Ginza · 10:00-20:00 (Sun till 19:00) · 5 min walk from Ginza Stn · 📍 map

1FGreeting cards, premium pens, Itoya original goods
2FWriting instruments (Pilot, Pelikan, Montblanc, Lamy)
3FPaper, washi, letter sets, Japanese paper crafts
4FDesk goods, travel accessories, leather
5F⭐ Notebooks — Hobonichi Techo, Traveler's Notebook (Midori), Stalogy
6FCrafts, wrapping, art supplies
7FPicture frames, gallery
12FCafé Stylo + rooftop hydroponic garden — great break spot

Top buys for UPSC / personal use: Hobonichi Techo planner (¥3,000) · Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen (¥10,000) · Stalogy 365 days notebook (¥1,500) · Midori Traveler's Notebook starter kit (¥4,500)

👕 UNIQLO Ginza Flagship (12 floors)

6-9-5 Ginza · 11:00-21:00 daily · 5 min walk from Ginza Stn · 📍 map

Tax-free10% off with passport · ¥5,000 min purchase
App coupon¥500 off first purchase · download UNIQLO Japan app, register email
UTme (5F)Custom T-shirt printing · pick design + print in 15 min · ~¥2,500
Tokyo lineCity-only exclusive designs not in other UNIQLO stores
Top buysAIRism inner shirts · HEATTECH (Bengaluru "winter") · Ultra Light Down jacket · UT graphic tees
SkipBasic items already at India UNIQLO (basic tees, jeans, socks — same SKUs)

🏪 Bonus stops in Ginza (if time)

💰 Wed budget estimate

Itoya ¥5-10k · UNIQLO ¥5-12k · Dinner ¥3-5k · Transit ¥600 RT · Total: ~¥15-30k per person

Sat 23 · Akiba Apple Shopping Detail

🍎 Target stack (used + new combo)

Used iPad Air M2 11" 128GB~¥65,000 (₹37k) · Iosys/Sofmap
Apple Pencil Pro (used)~¥18,000 (₹10k) · Iosys
Magic Keyboard 11" (used)~¥25,000 (₹14k) · optional
Smart Folio cover (used)~¥3,000 (₹1.7k)
New Apple Watch Series 11 41mm~¥56,000 tax-free (₹31.5k) · Yodobashi Akiba 4F
iPhone (optional)NEW iPhone 17 Pro ¥163,500 (₹92k) OR used iPhone 16 Pro ¥110,000 (₹62k)
Combo per person~¥1,67,000 (₹94k)

vs India new equivalent ~₹1,80,000 = save ₹85k+

📍 Shop strategy (walk all 4 stores in 4 hours)

Yodobashi Akiba 4F📍 · 11:15 · scout NEW Apple prices · note final-cost with 10% point card
Iosys Akiba📍 · 13:30 · biggest used Apple specialist · A/B/C grading · 3-month warranty
Sofmap iOS📍 · 14:30 · English-friendly · compare prices
JANPARA📍 · 15:00 · sometimes cheapest · final check
Decision15:30 · used iPad+Pencil from cheapest of the 3 used shops · NEW Apple Watch from Yodobashi (point card + warranty)

⚠️ Used Apple verification checklist

🚨 India customs — KNOW YOUR LIMITS

Personal use allowance~₹50,000 per adult duty-free
Beyond allowance~38% customs duty on excess
Safe per couple1 iPad + 1 iPhone + 1 Apple Watch · clearly personal use
RISKY per coupleMultiple iPhones, multiple iPads — looks like resale
TacticsWear Watch out of box · use iPad on plane · use iPhone on landing · throw away boxes · split between bags · screenshot receipts

🌅 After Apple: Shibuya Crossing + Sky

17:00Akihabara → Shibuya (JR Yamanote, 25 min, ¥210)
17:30Hachikō statue + Crossing photos · Starbucks Tsutaya 2F overhead view
18:30Shibuya Sky · sunset 18:50 · ¥2,500/pp · pre-book online!
20:00Crossing at NIGHT (illuminated) · second photo round
20:30Shibuya → Yūrakuchō · yakitori alley · ¥3-5k pp dinner

🎂 Birthday Dinner · Sun 17 May · LOCKED

Komagata Dozeu 駒形どぜう

DishDojo nabe (loach hot pot) · since 1801 · sit on tatami around an iron hibachi · sweet-savory broth with leeks · cook yourself style
Price¥4-6k per person · CASH ONLY · bring ¥12-15k cash
Address1-7-12 Komagata, Taitō-ku, Tokyo · 5 min walk from Asakusa Stn (Exit A2 / Toei Asakusa Line)
Phone📞 03-3842-4001
Hours11:00 – 21:00 (last order 20:30)
Map📍 Google Maps · official site (English)

📞 How to book

Komagata Dozeu doesn't take online reservations — phone only. Three ways to book Sat 16:

  1. Ask Airbnb host to call on your behalf — easiest, free
  2. Use Google Translate's Conversation mode to call yourself — slow but works
  3. Walk-in Sun 17 before 19:00 to grab seats for 19:30 — risky during Sanja weekend but possible

Japanese reservation script

「もしもし、予約をお願いします。
5月17日 日曜日、午後7時半、2名でお願いします。
誕生日のお祝いです。
お名前は [YOUR NAME]、電話は [JP PHONE OR HOST'S PHONE] です。
よろしくお願いします。」

Translation: "Hello, I'd like to make a reservation. May 17 (Sunday), 7:30 PM, 2 people. It's a birthday celebration. My name is [YOUR NAME], phone is [PHONE]. Thank you very much."

What to order

No beef ✓ · Dojo is freshwater fish (small, eel-like, mild flavor, eaten whole) — if you like unagi, you'll like this.

Budget · trip ops only

Per person · excludes flights, hotel, shopping

ItemINR
🎂 Tokyo Tower Mon evening (Pack + Main Deck avg)1,100
🎂 Joypolis (free for birthday person, ~3 rides for partner avg)900
Hakone Free Pass + Romancecar (outbound)3,500
🚄 Shinkansen return Odawara→Tokyo2,200
DisneySea ticket + Premier Access (4 rides)6,500
Shibazakura combo1,700
Spacia X + Nikkō entries + bus3,500
Kamakura/Yokohama temple entries + transit1,500
teamLab2,400
Shibuya Sky1,400
Keisei Skyliner (Narita)1,400
Haneda taxi (arrival)5,500
Local transit (Suica) 8 days6,000
Food (avg ₹2,500/day × 8)20,000
eSIM1,500
Travel insurance350
Total ops · per person~58,450

Grand total · whole trip · 2 pax

ItemINR
Flight · person A85,421
Flight · person B77,279
Akabane apartment · 7 nights51,000
Trip ops · 2 × ₹58,4501,16,900
teamLab (¥11,600 ≈)6,500
Shopping buffer30,000
Grand total · 2 pax~3,67,100

Shopping is the swing factor — knives + electronics + cosmetics can easily flex this ±₹30-50k. Per-person all-in: ~₹1.84 lakh.

Sources

Sanja Matsuri Delicious Museum Shibazakura Festival Ashikaga Wisteria teamLab FAQ Hakone Free Pass Tōbu Spacia X Welcome Suica Tokyo Subway Pass NAVITIME Japan Travel eSIM Japan TableCheck TATA AIG Japan Ōedo Antique Market Japan ATM guide Tax-free 2026