← Itinerary
Japan '26

Info & Bookings

Good to know

Practical Info

Everything you need before landing at Haneda.

Before You Fly

  • Out Thursday Oct 29, 09:35 from Arlanda Terminal 5 — be at the airport by 06:30
  • Home Sunday Nov 15, 00:30 out of Haneda — that is Saturday night, not Sunday daytime
  • Register on Visit Japan Web and screenshot the immigration + customs QR codes
  • Passport valid for the whole stay — check the expiry date now, not in October

Money

  • Japan is still largely cash-based — carry ¥10,000–30,000 daily
  • 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards (other ATMs often don't)
  • Exchange rate: check before you go, airport rates are fine
  • Cards accepted at bigger restaurants and department stores

IC Card

  • Add Suica to iPhone Wallet before departure — works from day one
  • Tap in/out on every train, subway, and bus
  • Also works at convenience stores, vending machines, some restaurants
  • Top up at any station machine or inside the Wallet app

Connectivity

  • Get an eSIM before you leave — Airalo or Ubigi are solid choices (Japan plan)
  • Pocket WiFi alternative if you want to share one connection
  • Free WiFi at most convenience stores, stations, and Starbucks
  • Google Maps works excellently — download offline maps as backup

Getting Around

  • Use Suica for all local trains and subway — no need to buy tickets
  • Shinkansen requires separate tickets — book via Smart EX app
  • Taxis are expensive but clean and easy — no tipping
  • Google Maps handles all transit routing including shinkansen

Etiquette

  • No tipping — it can be considered rude
  • Quiet on trains — phone calls and loud conversations are a no-go
  • Remove shoes when entering homes, traditional restaurants, and some ryokan
  • Eat and drink while walking is generally frowned upon outside festivals

November Weather

  • Daytime 14–20 °C, evenings down to 8–10 °C — bring a proper jacket
  • Typhoon season is over — dry, crisp, ideal travel weather
  • Light rain jacket still worth packing, but rain is less common
  • Peak autumn foliage in Kyoto hits mid-to-late November — perfect timing

Useful Apps

  • Google Translate — camera mode for menus is a lifesaver
  • Tabelog — Japan's Yelp, with English now mostly available
  • Smart EX — Shinkansen bookings on the go
  • Line — everyone uses it in Japan, handy for reservations

Convenience Stores

  • 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart — open 24/7, everywhere
  • Food is genuinely good: onigiri, sandwiches, hot snacks, coffee
  • ATMs, printing, phone charging cables, medicine — all in one place
  • Don't skip the egg salad sandwich — it's a cultural experience

What It Costs

Per person · whole trip · estimates in SEK

Flights ARN → HND return, economy
11 000 kr
Hotel 15 nights, 4-bed room split four ways
16 000 – 18 000 kr
Food & drink Cheap ramen & konbini most days, a few wagyu dinners
15 000 – 22 000 kr
Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto (~¥13 850), Osaka → Fukuoka (~¥14 720), Fukuoka → Tokyo (~¥22 220) — book via Smart EX
~3 600 kr
Activities Sumo Tournament, Nintendo Museum, teamLab, Shibuya Sky, misc entry
2 000 – 3 500 kr
Local transport IC card, two weeks of metro & trains
~900 kr
Total 45 500 – 59 500 kr

Priority Bookings

9 confirmed
/
18 total

Click a row to mark as confirmed.

  • T1
    Fukuoka Grand Sumo Tournament 大相撲
    Tier 1 — Book immediately Done
    Fukuoka · Fukuoka Kokusai Center Day 12 · Nov 10 · Full day — lower divisions from morning, makuuchi finishing ~18:00

    November basho at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Now the only tournament day on the trip — a full day, lower-division bouts from the morning building to the top-division makuuchi bouts finishing around 18:00. Arranged via a foreigner-friendly ticket firm. Tickets confirmed.

    ¥3,500–8,000 per person Booked
    How: sumo.or.jp — tickets confirmed via foreigner-friendly ticket firm.
  • T1
    Nintendo Museum 任天堂
    Tier 1 — Book immediately Done
    Uji, Kyoto Day 7 · Nov 5 · 15:30–16:00 — CONFIRMED

    Confirmed and paid — tickets secured via waitlist selection. Entry timing 15:30–16:00 JST. Interactive exhibits spanning Nintendo's entire history, playable installations, exclusive merch. Allow 3 hours minimum.

    ¥3,300 × 4 = ¥13,200 Confirmed and paid
    How: Booked via nintendo.com/jp/nintendo-museum waitlist selection
  • T4
    Osaka Derby — Gamba Osaka vs Cerezo Osaka
    Watch — buy when announced Watching
    Osaka · Panasonic Stadium Suita Day 10 · Nov 8 · Kick-off typically 14:00–15:00

    One of the most intense football atmospheres in Japan — the stadium was funded by 45,000 individual supporter donations. The Osaka hotel is already booked for the extra night regardless (Nov 6–9), so this is just about the tickets now.

    TBD — check J.League ticket system Fixture likely confirmed mid-Sept — tickets expected on sale early-to-mid October
    How: J.League ticket system — check exact kick-off time and buy once fixtures are confirmed
  • T2
    Asakusa Sushi Kappō 鮨割烹
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Pending
    Tokyo · Asakusa Day 16 · Nov 14 · Early sitting 6–7pm

    Only 6 counter seats. Book the early sitting (6–7pm) given the late flight. The anchor of the last evening — book before anything else after the Nintendo Museum lottery.

    ¥20,000+ per person Book before leaving Sweden — fills months out
    How: Email or call direct — international reservations accepted. Or via Tableall / Omakase.
  • T2
    Wagyu Dinner — Kyo-Yakiniku HIRO Pontocho Annex
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Done
    Pontocho, Kyoto Day 5 · Nov 3 · 19:00

    Kyoto wagyu beef restaurant, Pontocho. Booked for 4 adults, Omakase Hiro course. A strong, relaxed start to Kyoto's food scene on arrival night.

    ¥8,000 per person — Omakase Hiro course Booked
    How: Booked direct.
  • T2
    Wagyu Dinner — Matsuzaka Gyu Yakiniku M
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Done
    Hozenji-Yokocho, Osaka Day 9 · Nov 7 · 19:00

    Hozenji-Yokocho, 19:00. Grill-your-own Matsuzaka beef, one of Japan's most prized wagyu grades alongside Kobe and Omi. A proper anchor dinner for the Osaka leg.

    TBD Booked
    How: Booked in advance.
  • T2
    Yakitori Omakase
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Pending
    Kyoto Day 6 · Nov 4 · Evening

    Counter seating, chef-driven, skewer by skewer. High quality, completely drink-friendly. Books out weeks in advance.

    ¥15,000–25,000 per person Book before leaving Sweden
    How: tableall.com or omakase.in — book before departure
  • T2
    Knife Sharpening Class — Kyoto
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Pending
    Kyoto Day 6 · Nov 4 · Afternoon

    Three options to research before departure: Tsuneshin's at Furukawacho Shopping Arcade (30-year veteran artisan), workshop near Nishiki Market via whereandwander.com (¥25,000), or Shirakawa Japanese Culture Experiences (knife sharpening + sake tasting combined). Allow 2 hours. Decide and book before leaving Sweden.

    ~¥25,000 (Nishiki option) — varies by venue Book 2–3 months before — research options and confirm group size
    How: whereandwander.com for Nishiki option · Shirakawa Japanese Culture Experiences for combo · Tsuneshin's direct booking
  • T2
    Yamazaki Distillery Tour
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Pending
    Yamazaki, near Kyoto Day 7 · Nov 5 · Morning — TBD

    Filling the currently-open Nov 5 morning before Nintendo Museum. Suntory reservations reopen for reallocated spots around late September/early October. If a slot doesn't come through, the morning stays flexible — a relaxed one, no rush before the 15:30 Nintendo Museum entry.

    TBD Reallocated tour slots open ~late Sept/early Oct — check regularly, window is narrow
    How: suntory.com/factory/yamazaki — check for reallocated tour slots
  • T2
    Shibuya Sky
    Tier 2 — Before leaving Sweden Pending
    Tokyo I · Shibuya Day 2 · Oct 31 · Evening

    Timed entry observation deck above Shibuya Scramble. Book in advance — Oct 31 is a Saturday evening and will sell out. Open until 10:30pm.

    ¥2,000 per person Book 1–2 months before — Saturday evenings sell out well in advance
    How: shibuya-sky.com — timed entry tickets online
  • T3
    teamLab Borderless
    Tier 3 — 1–2 months before Pending
    Tokyo I · Azabudai Hills Day 4 · Nov 2 · Afternoon

    Timed entry. Allow 2–3 hours. Azabudai Hills is in Minato-ku — fits the Tokyo I leg naturally on the final afternoon before the Shinkansen west.

    ¥3,200 per person Book 1–2 months before — weekday afternoon, availability should be fine
    How: borderless.teamlab.art — timed entry tickets online
  • T3
    Kappodo Knife Sharpening Class
    Tier 3 — 1–2 months before Pending
    Tokyo · Nishiazabu Tokyo I — check availability

    Optional — Chris only. Email to check November availability.

    ¥18,000 incl. meal Email to check November availability
    How: Email: front@kappodo.com
  • T3
    Yebisu Museum of Beer — Tasting Tour
    Tier 3 — 1–2 months before Pending
    Tokyo II · Ebisu Day 15 · Nov 13 · Late afternoon

    Guided tasting tour of the historic Yebisu Brewery site. Nov 13 is a Friday so book ahead regardless. Day 15 fits naturally after Senso-ji and Kappabashi.

    ~¥600–1,000 per person Book 1–2 months before — slots fill up
    How: yebisu-museum.jp — book the guided tasting tour online

Hotels

Kyoto books out fastest — October is peak foliage season.

  • ✓
    Tokyo I Shinjuku
    Booked
    &Here SHINJUKU
    Oct 30 – Nov 3 4 nights Check-in Oct 30, 15:00 Check-out Nov 3, 11:00

    Booked. Central Shinjuku — close to Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai.

  • ✓
    Kyoto
    Booked
    TSUGU Kyoto Sanjo by THE SHARE HOTELS
    Nov 3–6 3 nights Check-in Nov 3, 15:00 Check-out Nov 6, 10:00

    Booked. October is peak autumn foliage season — good thing this one's locked in.

  • ✓
    Osaka Near Dotonbori
    Booked
    &Here OSAKA NAMBA
    Nov 6–9 3 nights Check-in Nov 6, 15:00 Check-out Nov 9, 11:00

    Booked — 3 nights, includes the extra night for the possible Osaka Derby on Nov 8 regardless of whether tickets come through. Arrange takuhaibin bag forwarding from the Kyoto hotel.

  • ✓
    Fukuoka Hakata
    Booked
    & Hotel Hakata
    Nov 9–11 2 nights Check-in Nov 9, 15:00 Check-out Nov 11, 11:00

    Booked. Hakata area, close to Kokusai Center and the yatai stalls at Nakasu.

  • ✓
    Tokyo II Ueno
    Booked
    &Here TOKYO UENO
    Nov 11–14 3 nights Check-in Nov 11, 15:00 Check-out Nov 14, 11:00

    Booked. Checkout is the morning of the last full day (Nov 14) — bags get stored for the day before heading to Haneda that night. Ueno area, easy access to Akihabara, Asakusa, and Ameyoko.

Christoffer Älvenstrand

I'm a creative developer based in Sweden. I build websites and digital experiences — and sometimes I take trips like this one.

riverbeach.se christoffer.alvenstrand@gmail.com