Planning

I was stressed when I finally decided we were going to Japan. Even though we planned it a year in advance, I had zeroidea where to start. Instead of planning the trip myself—which I’m sure I could do—I had to be realistic. I run a business that isn’t a typical 9–5, I have two boys (ages 12.5 and 8.5), one who plays sports year-round, and of course everything else that comes with being a mom.

Rather than make myself go crazy planning, I reached out to a client-turned-friend, Paulina Gadda. She is truly a jack of all trades! Not only is she a mama to two adorable little girls, but she also works full time, runs a bakery business called GADDA Have It, and is a licensed travel agent with her own company, GADDA Go Travel Co. (By the way, I’m obsessed with her business names—so creative and catchy!)

Without her, my trip wouldn’t have been as amazing as it was. Paulina is a licensed travel agent, a Carnival Cruise Line Diamond Agent, and a Disney Vacation Specialist. Like me, she is absolutely obsessed with Disney—but I think she might know even more fun facts about Disneyland than I do! I’ve even been to Disney with her, and let me tell you, I thought I had “doing Disney” down… but she has it mastered. I’ve learned so many tips and tricks from her.

You GADDA follow her on IG: @gaddahaveit and @gaddagotravelco (thank me later!).

I’m going to attach the itinerary she created for us. I gave her some ideas of what we wanted to do—she knew my kids and husband are obsessed with anime, and that I absolutely needed time set aside for both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. She planned everything: flights, Airbnbs, hotels, tours, must-see spots, even downtime activities. I’m not exaggerating—if you’ve never used a travel agent, it is 100% worth it.

This was the sample itinerary she gave us before we finalized everything. We then sat down as a family to review it (since my grandparents, who raised me, were also traveling with us, we wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to do what they wanted).

July 1: Fly out

July 2: Arrive and check in

- Tokyo Tower?

- Go to Don Quijote/Family mart stores for snacks!

July 3: TOKYO

Ghibli Museum

Shinjuku Area for Godzilla Head/Shopping

Nakano Broadway (Lots of

anime/manga shopping, great

shopping center)

Owl Cafe Reservation

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

One Piece Store

Megs Don Quijote

Nintendo Store

July 4: TOKYO

-Pokémon Center Tokyo DX

No reservation needed jsut

to explore the center and

shops

-Akihabara (“Anime City”)

Tokyo Anime Center

GiGO Akihabara Building 3

claw machines, arcades,

gachapon machines

O P T I O N A L :

Asakusa Area

Senso-Ji Temple

Sumida River Cruise

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Solamachi (retail and

restaurants in skytree tower)

July 5: URAYASU

Check into hotel

Hotel can hold luggage until room is ready

Can either explore Disney hotels

Or explore Tokyo Bay

Tokyo Bay has the giant Unicorn Gundam

Animeal (Walk-in Animal Cafe with Capybaras)

Tokyo Bay Cruise

Rainbow bridge (best at night) great city views

Ikspiari Center

Go to bed early!!

July 6: URAYASU

DisneySea

July 7: URAYASU

- Disneyland

July 8: KYOTO

Check in

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Nijo Castle

Yasaka Kamimachi

July 9: KYOTO

-Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

-Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

Nishiki Market (Food and shopping district)

Optional things nearby if time allows:

Teramachi-dori Street (more food and

shopping)

SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM - kids can try on

armor

July 10: NARA (Optional trip from Kyoto)

Check in

Osaka Castle

Dotonbori

Kuromon Market

(vendors/street food)

Tombori River Cruise (optional)

July 11: OSAKA

- Nara Deer Park

- Todai-ji Temple

- Kasuga-Taisha

T R A I N B A C K T O O S A K A

July 12: OSAKA

Osaka Aquarium (Optional, but cool to see)

America Mura (American village shopping area)

OPTIONAL

Umeda Sky Building

Tsutenkaku Tower (and slider optional)

July 13: Tokyo

Last Min shopping / must dos

July 14: TOKYO

Day trip to Mt. Fuji

July 15: Head home

Once our trip was 100% finalized, she created a beautiful PDF that included ALL Details, flight information, hotel / airport transfers/ air bnb information including address etc / things to do / stuff that would be around our area that we were staying in, and any tour information as well.

Final Itinerary

July 1: Fly out

July 2: Arrive and check in at AIRBNB

- Grab snacks for Airbnb, relax / explore / figure out trains

July 3: TOKYO

Ghibli Museum

Shinjuku Area for Godzilla Head/Shopping

Nakano Broadway (Lots of

anime/manga shopping, great

shopping center)

Imperial Palace

Owl Cafe Reservation

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

One Piece Store

Megs Don Quijote

Nintendo Store

July 4: TOKYO

- Imperial Palace

- Pokémon Center Tokyo DX

- Akihabara (“Anime City”)

o Tokyo Anime Center

o Claw machine arcades

July 5: URAYASU

- Arrive and check into hotel

- Ikspiari (shopping/dining)

- Explore hotels

- Go to bed EARLY!

July 6: URAYASU

- 5am Disneyland

July 7: URAYASU

- 5am Disney Sea

July 8: KYOTO

- Arrive in Town- Kimono rental – see a tea ceremony

- Nijo Castle

- Gion district

July 9: KYOTO

- Fushimi Inari Taisha

- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

- Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

July 10: NARA (Optional trip from Kyoto)

- Nara Deer Park

- Todai-ji Temple

- Kasuga-Taisha

- (Can go back to Osaka tonight or in the AM)

July 11: OSAKA

- Osaka Castle and parks

- Dotonbori

July 12: OSAKA

- Countless animal cafés

- Cup Noodles Museum

- Umeda Sky Building

- Street kart driving

July 13: Tokyo

- Hot Springs

- Mt. Fuji

July 14: TOKYO

- Last min shopping

- Check off any last must-do’s

July 15: Head home

CONGRATS you've made it through the planning of the trip!

I didn't realize how long this was going to be but I should have assumed since it was a two week vacation.

Flights

I wont dive too deep into flights but here are the details. We flew with a company called ZIPAIR. Never heard of them? Us either until Paulina told us about them. We got a great deal on our tickets after watching prices for about two months, and then finally bit the bullet and purchased.

The flight was 10 hours, honestly not bad at all. It was my all of our longest flight we've ever taken. flying there seemed to take longer than flying back. It was also an over night flight, we arrived at Japan 8am the next day due to the time difference.

Some things to note about the airline:

• they are VERY strict on seating arrangements, and will have you move seats if you are not in your designated seat, even if there is a spot open and no-one is in that seat.
• the food you can order ahead of time is honestly gross in my opinion, however ive read reviews from people who say its not bad. I am a very picky eater, and so are my kids. We did order a couple in meal flights there and back for my parents as well as the kids, but hoesntly they could have done without and just had snacks.
• passengers must check in at the counter at least 1 hour before departure. If you have check-in baggage, please also check-in baggage at least 1 hour before departure. (we got to SF 3 hours in advance to our flight. FUN FACT, zip air now offers flights to Japan out of San Jose, but of course this happened AFTER we bought our tickets.
• they are VERY strict about seatbelts. youre not allowed to have them off, they do come over and check. a lady next to me had a daughter / maybe 6 or 7 who was passed out and the flight attendant was adamant about her having the belt SHOWING and buckled fully, they do not play about that
• there is alot more details I could go into about ZIPAIR but I suggest you just go on TikTok and search up zipair flights to Japan, so many people have vlogged about it and have quick little videos explaining the dos and donts :)

STAYS

I highly recommend staying at only air bnbs if you can, out of the two hotels we stayed at , one of theme was regular size (for Disneyland) and the other was the size of a cruise ship room. If you're familiar, very small, couldn't even open our luggage in there, had to put it on the bed and close it after. It was centered in a strip mall and was very convenient but very very small tight quarters so it was nice it was only for 2 nights.

Transportation

How Different the Train System Felt in Japan

On our first full day in Japan, we dove headfirst into figuring out the trains—and honestly, it was nothing like back home. The stations were massive, with signs everywhere, and while most were translated into English, it still felt overwhelming at first.

We got lost a few times just trying to transfer lines. Sometimes we’d end up on the wrong platform, or we’d realize we needed a completely different ticket for a certain line. What should have been a simple 20-minute ride turned into almost an hour as we backtracked, asked for help, and tried again.

But what stood out was how organized everything was once we started to get the hang of it. The trains were incredibly punctual (to the minute!) and clean, and the locals seemed to move through the stations effortlessly while we stood there squinting at maps. By the second week, we were swiping our Suica cards like pros and even helping other tourists who looked as lost as we had felt on day one.

One thing that made life much easier once we figured it out was adding a Suica card directly to our iPhones. You just load it into Apple Wallet, tap your phone at the entrance and exit gates, and the fare automatically deducts—no fumbling with paper tickets. You can even reload money instantly with a credit card, which saved us a lot of time.

The only catch was with the kids. Each phone can only hold one Suica card, so while my husband and I were tapping through with our phones, we still had to purchase separate child tickets at the ticket machines. It added an extra step, but honestly, the machines were straightforward once we got used to them.

By the fourth day, we were swiping like pros—zipping through the gates and even helping other tourists who looked as lost as we had felt on day one. What started out overwhelming turned into one of the most memorable (and oddly satisfying) parts of our trip.

Tips for Families Navigating Trains in Japan

• Add Suica to your iPhone: You can store one Suica card in your Apple Wallet and just tap your phone at the entrance/exit gates. Reloading money is instant with a credit card.
• One card per phone: Each device can only hold one Suica, so if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll still need to buy child tickets separately.
• Child fares: Kids’ discounted fares aren’t available through Apple Wallet—you’ll need to use the ticket machines at the station to purchase them.
• Keep extra cash handy: While most machines take cards, having yen coins and bills makes buying child tickets or reloading easier if something glitches.
• Plan extra time the first few days: It’s normal to get a little turned around when transferring lines. After a couple of days, it’ll feel second nature.
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What we didn’t realize at first was just how many different transportation systems there are in Japan. You have the big JR trains, but also smaller subway systems, local lines, and buses that aren’t always connected to the same stations. Sometimes we’d walk out of a JR station and have to find a nearby subway entrance, or line up for a city bus, which felt like a completely separate system. Each one had its own entrances, maps, and sometimes even different rules for tickets. Once we understood that not everything connected under one roof, it became easier to plan our routes.

And of course, taxis were always there as a backup. They’re clean, safe, and extremely reliable—but also pricey compared to trains and buses. We only used them when it was late at night or when we were too exhausted to figure out transfers with the kids. Still, it was nice knowing they were an option when public transportation felt overwhelming.

For longer distances, we had to experience the Shinkansen—the famous bullet train. Tickets are more expensive than local trains (think roughly ¥13,000–15,000, about $90–$110 USD, for a one-way adult ticket depending on the distance and type of train). But it’s absolutely worth it. The ride is smooth, fast, and surprisingly quiet for a train that can travel up to 200 mph. The best part? If you’re unsure of what train to take or how to get to your destination, you can walk right into the Shinkansen service center inside the station. The staff at the ticket counters are incredibly helpful—they’ll guide you step by step, make sure you’re on the right route, and even help reserve seats together for your family. It took all the stress out of what could have been a confusing process.

tokyo Disneyland / Dinsey sea

A highlight of our trip was spending two days at the parks—one day at Tokyo Disneyland and one day at DisneySea. We stayed at the Sheraton Bay Hotel, which was the perfect choice for families. The hotel is right along the Disney Resort Line (the monorail that connects the hotels to both parks), so getting to the entrances each morning was quick and easy.

The hotel itself had so many little touches that made the stay special. In the rooms, they provided cotton yukata kimonosfor both adults and kids—something we hadn’t expected, but it instantly made us feel like we were experiencing a piece of Japanese culture in a fun and cozy way.

There were also great pool options. The outdoor pool was beautiful, but it required a reservation (and filled up quickly, especially in the summer). The indoor pool, however, was open without reservations, which made it a great backup when we just wanted the kids to splash and cool off without planning ahead.

And then there was the food. The hotel offered an incredible buffet with a mix of Japanese and Western dishes, making it easy for everyone in the family to find something they liked. Whether it was sushi, noodles, or pancakes and pastries, the spread was impressive. There were also casual food options in the lobby, so grabbing something quick before heading to the parks was never an issue.

Before going, I saw all the TikToks warning about how you need to line up at 5 a.m. to get in quickly. Honestly, that sounded miserable, especially with how hot and humid it was during our visit. We decided to test out a different approach: we got in line about 30 minutes before the park opened. And it worked out perfectly for us!

Yes, the line was long, but it moved really quickly once the gates opened. The bonus was that we didn’t have to stand out there in the heat and humidity for hours. Even those 30 minutes felt draining just because of how sticky the weather was—so I can’t imagine doing that for two or three hours. In the end, we still got in at a good time, and we were able to enjoy the parks without feeling like we were already exhausted before the day even started.

Disneyland vs. Disney Sea: Our Experience

Both parks were incredible, but they each had their own unique vibe and left us blown away in different ways.

Tokyo Disneyland felt familiar in some ways—it has many of the same classics as California and Florida, like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and It’s a Small World—but each had a twist that made it feel fresh. The parades were stunning and so much more elaborate than what we’d seen back home, and the characters had the cutest seasonal costumes that gave the whole day a festive energy.

The standout for me was the Beauty and the Beast ride, which instantly became my favorite Disney ride ever. It’s about eight minutes long and feels like stepping straight into the movie. From the enchanted castle exterior to the ballroom scene, everything is larger-than-life and incredibly immersive. The ride vehicles “dance” along with the music, moving in ways I’ve never experienced before. It wasn’t just a ride—it was a full performance, and it left me wishing we could ride it again and again.

The Frozen ride was also incredible. The storytelling, music, and visuals completely pulled us into Arendelle. It felt cinematic and magical in a way that made you forget you were on a ride at all—you were living the story.

But the biggest surprise of all was the Peter Pan’s Flight ride. It’s no exaggeration to say it was easily the best ride I have ever been on in my entire life. The way they used new technology to reimagine such a classic story was breathtaking. Flying over Neverland felt so real and so magical that it’s a ride you absolutely cannot miss.

One thing I noticed was how different the queues (lines) felt in Japan. At Disneyland in the U.S., the lines are themed, with fun things to look at while you wait. But at Tokyo Disneyland, the queues felt like an extension of the ride itself. Every detail—from the architecture to the props to the music—was designed to draw you into the story before you even boarded. You didn’t feel like you were wasting time waiting; instead, it was like the attraction had already begun.

DisneySea, on the other hand, was unlike anything we had ever experienced at a Disney park. The theming was on another level—walking through the park felt like traveling between completely different worlds: the Mediterranean Harbor, Arabian Coast, Mysterious Island, and more. Every land was so meticulously designed that it felt real.

The rides were also much more unique than what we’d experienced in the U.S. Journey to the Center of the Earth was an absolute thrill, mixing dark-ride storytelling with rollercoaster-level excitement. We had really been looking forward to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but unfortunately, it was closed for refurbishment during our trip. Even without it, there were still so many rides and shows that made the park feel completely unforgettable.

Even though DisneySea is sometimes labeled as the “adult” park because of its atmosphere and dining options, our kids loved it just as much as Disneyland. The shows and entertainment felt bigger and more cinematic, and visually, the park was breathtaking at every turn—it almost didn’t feel like a theme park at all.

What really stood out across both parks was how efficient the lines were. Even when wait times looked long on the app or signs, the lines moved continuously. Pair that with the immersive queue designs, and waiting never felt frustrating—even in the summer heat.

If we had to compare:

• Disneyland = nostalgic, classic, and family-friendly, with unforgettable new rides like Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and Peter Pan’s Flight.
• DisneySea = immersive, unique, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Another thing we loved was the snacks. Not only were they fun and creative, but they were also surprisingly inexpensive compared to U.S. Disney parks. The popsicles became our absolute go-to—they were only about $2.00 each, and we ate them like crazy just to survive the heat. They melted almost instantly in the humidity, but they were so refreshing and delicious that we didn’t even care. Don't forget about the popcorn, they had some weird crazy flavors but the popcorn was only $4.00! Between those and the other themed treats, snacking was one of the best parts of the Disney experience in Japan.

The Hustle and Bustle of Tokyo

One of the things that makes Tokyo unforgettable is the sheer energy of the city. Two of the most memorable stops for us were Shibuya Crossing and Takeshita Street.

Shibuya Crossing is exactly as wild as it looks in videos — waves of people crossing in every direction, neon lights glowing all around, and the energy of the city buzzing at full speed. It’s one of those things you just have to experience in person to fully understand. While we were there, we stumbled across a One Piece pop-up store, which was such a fun surprise for my kids (and husband). It felt like every corner had something new to discover.

Takeshita Street was another highlight — a long, narrow street packed with shops, quirky fashion, endless snacks, and a variety of animal cafés. You’ll see signs for cat cafés, hedgehog cafés, and even owl cafés. We decided to try an owl café, and while it was unique and memorable, it also left me with very mixed feelings.

At first, it was exciting to be so close to animals we don’t usually interact with. But once we were inside, I couldn’t ignore how sad the owls seemed. They were kept in a small indoor space, and most of them just stared longingly out the windows. It broke my heart — I actually cried — realizing that these birds would never experience flying free outside again. And unfortunately, this isn’t unique to owls. Most of these animal cafés keep their animals in cages when guests aren’t interacting with them, which isn’t the life they deserve.

Even though the idea sounds fun and looks cute on social media, I personally don’t recommend visiting animal cafés. Supporting them only fuels the demand to keep animals in these conditions. As much as we love the novelty of being around animals we don’t usually get to see, it’s important to recognize that they aren’t being treated the way they should be.

Adults only

Themed Cafés & Bars in Tokyo

Tokyo is famous for its themed cafés and bars, and while they sound quirky and fun on the surface, many of them are really designed to get you to spend more money than you might expect.

There are cafés like the Muscle Bar, where men and women with bodybuilder physiques serve drinks, flex, and interact with guests. Then there are the famous Maid Cafés, where waitresses dressed in maid costumes act in exaggeratedly cute, playful ways — calling you “master” or “princess,” drawing faces on your food with ketchup, and performing little shows at your table. (we did not try a muscle bar but we did take a quick visit to a maid cafe; NOT worth it imo. It honestly was boring and not all it is hyped up to be)

At first, it can feel entertaining and very different from anything you’d experience back home. But the reality is that these places often operate a bit like a gentle upsell trap. Once you’re inside, you’re encouraged to pay for add-ons — photos with the staff, special drinks, themed souvenirs, or even extra time at the table. The more you spend, the more attention you get.

In that way, it reminded me a little of how a dancer at a strip club might approach you — the interaction feels personal and fun, but the goal is to keep you buying more. It’s not necessarily a bad experience if you go in knowing what to expect, but it’s definitely not just about the food or drinks.

For tourists, it’s one of those things you might want to try once for the novelty, but it’s worth being aware that the charm is often just part of a business model designed to keep you opening your wallet.

Im not done adding info yet, i will continue to add some more and talk about the temples we visited and our mount fuji day tour as well as the food markets on the streets and pokemon cafe and pokemon center.