Afternoon
Airport → Hotel
Clear customs, pick up eSIMs if not already activated, get IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) for trains, and head to the hotel.
Get Yen: Exchange dollars to yen at the airport — highly recommended! Many temples, shrines, and smaller shops are cash-only. Airport ATMs (7-Eleven) also work great with foreign cards.
Hotel Check-in
Get settled, drop bags, freshen up after the long flight.
Konbini Snack Run
Welcome to Japan! Hit up 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Lawson for your first taste of Japanese convenience store magic.
Must-try: Onigiri, egg sandwich, melon pan, Japanese iced coffee
Evening
Sensoji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple is stunning in the evening — fewer crowds and beautifully lit up. Walk through the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon), browse Nakamise shopping street, and take in the temple grounds.
Why evening? Less crowded, cooler temperatures, and the lanterns are gorgeous after dark. The shops on Nakamise close around 5-6 PM, but the temple grounds are open and atmospheric.
Dinner Near Sensoji
The Asakusa area around Sensoji has excellent traditional restaurants — Sukiyaki, Tempura, Sushi, and more. If you're feeling up to it after the long flight, this is a great chance to have your first real Japanese meal in an atmospheric neighborhood.
If jet lag wins: No shame in grabbing konbini food and calling it early — convenience stores are everywhere and the food is genuinely great. You have 12 more days for sit-down meals!
Tips for Day 1
- Don’t fight jet lag too hard — Stay up until a reasonable local bedtime (8-9 PM is fine)
- Hydrate — Long flights are dehydrating
- eSIM — Should be activated before landing (set up at home before departure)
- IC Card — Get a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport for trains
No Reservations Needed
Just arrive and enjoy!
Family Notes
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