Flights, Trains & Hotels
All transportation and accommodation details in one place.
Flights
✈️ Outbound Flight
Atlanta → Tokyo
Fri, July 17, 2026 (arrive Sat, July 18)Flight: Delta DL295
Departure: Atlanta (ATL) — 11:15 AM, Fri Jul 17
Arrival: Tokyo — 2:15 PM, Sat Jul 18 (next day)
Duration: ~14 hours
Confirmation: —
✈️ Return Flight
Tokyo → Atlanta
Thu, July 30, 2026Flight: Delta DL294
Departure: Tokyo — 3:15 PM, Thu Jul 30
Arrival: Atlanta (ATL) — 3:05 PM, Thu Jul 30 (same day)
Duration: ~13 hours
Confirmation: —
Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)
🚄 Train Journeys
Tokyo → Kyoto
Tue, July 21 (Day 4)Train: Nozomi Shinkansen
Duration: ~2 hours 15 min
Reserved Seats: Recommended for family of 4
Tip: Right side (seats A-C) for Mt. Fuji views!
Kyoto → Osaka
Fri, July 24 (Day 7)Train: JR Special Rapid or Hankyu Line
Duration: ~30-50 min
Note: No shinkansen needed — regular trains are fine!
Osaka → Tokyo
Tue, July 28 (Day 11)Train: Nozomi Shinkansen
Duration: ~2 hours 30 min
Reserved Seats: Recommended
Cash — Bring Yen!
Temples & Shrines Are Cash-Only
Many temples, shrines, and smaller traditional shops only accept cash. Exchange dollars to yen at the airport on arrival — rates are reasonable and it's the most convenient time to do it. You'll need cash for temple admissions, omamori (charms), shrine offerings, vending machines, and festival stalls.
JR Pass — Skip It
Decision: Buy individual tickets instead
The JR Pass price increased significantly in 2023 and no longer makes sense for our itinerary.
The math:
| Option | Cost (family of 4) |
|---|---|
| Individual shinkansen tickets | ~¥115,000 |
| 7-day JR Pass × 4 | ¥200,000 |
We only have 2 long shinkansen trips (Tokyo↔Kyoto, Osaka↔Tokyo). The JR Pass would cost nearly double.
Notes:
- Kids 12+ pay adult prices (no child discount for our teens)
- JR Pass doesn’t cover Nozomi (fastest train) — we’d have to take Hikari (+15 min)
- Kyoto↔Osaka is a short trip on regular trains, not shinkansen
What to do instead:
- Shinkansen: Book reserved seats at JR ticket counters or via SmartEX app
- Local trains: Get IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) at the airport — load with cash, tap to ride
- Kyoto↔Osaka: Use JR Special Rapid or Hankyu/Keihan lines (cheap, no reservation needed)
Hotels
Tokyo (July 18-21 & July 28-30)
Dates: 3 nights (arrival) + 2 nights (final) = 5 nights total
🏨 Booked Hotel
TBD
Status: Pending
Confirmation: —
Check-in: 3:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
Recommended Options:
| Hotel | Area | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station | Asakusa | 1 min from station, family rooms with kitchen, near Sensoji | Book |
| MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa | Asakusa | 2-bedroom suites, more space for family | Book |
| MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West | Shinjuku | Big city energy, great transit hub, near arcades | Book |
Kyoto (July 21-24)
Dates: 3 nights
🏨 Booked Hotel
TBD
Status: Pending
Confirmation: —
Check-in: 3:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
Recommended Options:
| Hotel | Area | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMARU Kyoto Station | Kyoto Station | Best for rail access, easy day trips | Book |
| MIMARU Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo | Higashiyama | Near Kiyomizu-dera & Gion, largest MIMARU in Kyoto, has Pokemon rooms! | Book |
| Tokyu Stay Kyoto Sanjo-Karasuma | Downtown | Washer/dryer in room, great location, walking distance to sights | Book |
Osaka (July 24-28)
Dates: 4 nights
🏨 Booked Hotel
TBD
Status: Pending
Confirmation: —
Check-in: 3:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
Recommended Options:
| Hotel | Area | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMARU Osaka Namba Station | Namba | 4 min walk to Namba, near Dotonbori & card shops, 100+ board games! | Book |
| MIMARU Osaka Namba North | Namba | Slightly quieter, still walkable to everything | Book |
Why MIMARU?
MIMARU apartment hotels are ideal for families because:
- Spacious rooms (35-60 m²) with separate sleeping/living areas
- Full kitchens — cook breakfast, save money, accommodate dietary needs
- Washer/dryer — pack lighter, do laundry mid-trip
- Family-friendly — bunk beds, kids play areas, board games
- Great locations — near stations and attractions
- English-speaking staff from 35+ countries
Summary
| Segment | Dates | Nights | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 1 | Jul 18-21 | 3 | TBD |
| Kyoto | Jul 21-24 | 3 | TBD |
| Osaka | Jul 24-28 | 4 | TBD |
| Tokyo 2 | Jul 28-30 | 2 | TBD |
| Total | 12 |
Connectivity
eSIM (one per phone)
Provider: Ubigi or Airalo (recommended)
Setup: Install and activate before departure — eSIM activates when you land
Coverage: 4 individual eSIMs (Papa, Mama, Bubu, Gaby)
Why eSIM over pocket WiFi: Everyone stays connected even when separated. No device to charge, carry, or return. Teens can navigate independently.
Airport Transfers
Arrival (July 18)
Narita (NRT) to Tokyo:
- Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku (~1 hour)
- Limousine Bus to various hotels
Haneda (HND) to Tokyo:
- Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~15 min)
- Keikyu Line to Shinagawa (~15 min)
Departure (July 30)
DL294 departs 3:15 PM — be at airport by 12:00-12:30 PM
At the airport (Japan side):
- Tax-free purchases will be verified against passport records
- Keep all tax-free paperwork accessible until after US customs
- Allow extra time if checking inventory-heavy suitcases
Tokyo to Narita (NRT):
- Narita Express from Tokyo Station (~1 hour)
- Allow 3 hours before international flights
Tokyo to Haneda (HND):
- Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line (~30 min)
- Allow 2.5 hours before international flights