Monday, June 29 2026
United Β· Overnight connection through SFO
Available at TPE airport. NT$500β1,000 per person. Works on MRT, buses, and convenience stores.
Wednesday, July 1 2026
Arriving from overnight SFO connection. Taxi to MCU Hotel (~1 hr, ~$40 USD).
Long overnight flight. Rest up before exploring.
Light evening exploration once rested. Raohe Night Market is a great nearby option.
Thursday, July 2 2026
Arriving Taipei July 3 at 6:45 PM.
π Steve's group: explore Taipei today β a head start on the good stuff!
Friday, July 3 2026
Everyone is now in Taipei! Taxi to MCU Hotel (~1 hr, ~$40).
Keep it light and nearby after the long flight. Grab 7-Eleven snacks or find a local night market.
Saturday, July 4 2026
Large zoo with giant pandas and diverse animals. Ride the gondola up to Maokong for tea houses and mountain views. Easy walking β good for all ages.
One of the world's greatest collections of Chinese art and imperial artifacts. Allow 2β3 hours. Air-conditioned β great midday escape from heat.
Taipei's biggest and most famous night market. Oyster omelettes, stinky tofu, bubble tea, scallion pancakes, and games.
Sunday, July 5 2026
Volcanic mountains, flower fields, and hot springs. Cooler than downtown by ~5Β°C. Scenic drive or bus up. Excellent for seniors.
Iconic supertall skyscraper. Observatory on the 89th floor with panoramic views. Breeze shopping mall and famous pineapple cake shops at the base.
Taipei's youth culture hub β pedestrian-only streets with bubble tea, anime goods, fashion, and street performers. Fun for kids.
Monday, July 6 2026
Wild coastal rock formations sculpted by the sea. The famous "Queen's Head" mushroom rock. Very exposed β bring hats, sunscreen, and water. 1β1.5 hr walk.
Hillside village with red lanterns, narrow stone stairs, and teahouses overlooking the sea. Said to have inspired the setting of Spirited Away. Best in late afternoon.
Release sky lanterns over the river! Write wishes, watch them float away. Also a beautiful waterfall nearby. Kids absolutely love this.
Striking yellow-gold cascade from mineral deposits in the hillside. Quick scenic stop β dramatic and unique.
Tuesday, July 7 2026
Last full day in Taiwan. Catch anything you missed, finish shopping, rest before tomorrow's flight.
Short 20-min hike with the best view of Taipei 101 and the city skyline. Go at sunrise or sunset for best photos.
World-famous Taiwanese dumpling chain β originated in Taipei. Order the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shrimp fried rice, and wonton soup. Expect a line.
Raohe or Ningxia Night Market for last Taiwan bites. Pack tonight β early flight tomorrow.
π Pack tonight. Scott's group departs at 9:30 AM tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 8 2026
TPE 9:30 AM β KIX 1:25 PM Β· 2h 55m
TPE 3:40 PM β KIX 7:30 PM Β· 2h 50m
At the JR counter in the airport for kids. Adults can load on phone. Works on all trains and buses throughout Kansai, plus convenience stores.
Near Awaji Station.
Osaka's most iconic night scene. Neon lights, the giant Glico Running Man sign, takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and canal views. Essential Osaka.
Thursday, July 9 2026
Thousands of vermilion torii gates winding 4 km up the mountain. Most magical early morning before crowds and heat. Plan 1.5β2 hrs. Free entry.
Iconic wooden stage temple jutting out over the forested hillside. Panoramic Kyoto views. UNESCO World Heritage site. Allow 1 hour.
Historic cobblestone streets leading down from Kiyomizu-dera. Traditional shops, matcha cafes, pottery, and ceramics. Perfect for souvenirs.
Try traditional Kyoto cuisine: tofu dishes, kaiseki bento, or ramen in the historic neighborhood.
Old Kyoto's geisha district. Hanamikoji Street for the best preserved wooden machiya townhouses. Possible geisha sightings in late afternoon.
Free entry. Beautiful shrine lanterns and peaceful park great for a rest.
Matcha soft serve, mochi, kintsuba. Best spots: Nakamura Tokichi, Gion Tsujiri, Itohkyuemon.
JR Line from Kyoto Station to Osaka. ~30 min. Β₯580.
Friday, July 10 2026
Design and create your own custom Cup Noodles to take home! The birthplace of instant ramen. Hugely fun for kids. Book tickets in advance on their website.
33m waterfall at the end of a beautiful 2.5 km forested trail. Significantly cooler than downtown Osaka. Easy path β excellent for seniors. Look for momiji (maple leaf) tempura at trail stalls.
Futuristic "Floating Garden Observatory" connecting two towers with an open-air ring 170m above the city. Dramatic 360Β° sunset views.
Get bus tickets for the Naruto/Awaji Island trip.
π Early bedtime tonight recommended.
Saturday, July 11 2026
Famous tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait (namesake of the Naruto anime). Glass-bottom boat tours available. Scenic suspension bridge views.
Iconic white castle with museum inside about Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Moat, gardens, and panoramic views from the top floor. Majestic for photos.
Electronics, anime, manga, retro video games. Great for PokΓ©mon card packs, used games, and gadgets. Kids will love it.
Sunday, July 12 2026
Towering green bamboo forest on the western edge of Kyoto. Go early morning β the light through the bamboo is magical. 10β15 min walk through the grove. Free.
Hike 20 min up to a park with free-roaming Japanese macaques. You feed them from inside a cage (the humans are in the cage!). Kids absolutely love this. Spectacular city views.
UNESCO World Heritage Zen garden with a central pond reflecting the Arashiyama mountains. One of Kyoto's finest traditional gardens.
Last night in Osaka! Try kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers on sticks) β Osaka's own iconic street food. The rule: no double-dipping the sauce.
π Pack tonight. Check out tomorrow morning β heading to Tokyo!
Monday, July 13 2026
Bullet train, smooth and fast β roughly 2.5 hrs. Reserve seats in advance. Right-side seats (A/B) get Mt. Fuji views on a clear day.
Character goods shop for the corner creatures! Great for kids. Inside Tokyo Station.
Check-in after 4:00 PM. 4-floor home above a sake bar. Minutes from the train station and a 7-Eleven.
Local izakaya dinner near the Airbnb. Early night β DisneySea starts early tomorrow.
π Early bedtime tonight β DisneySea rope drop is 7:30 AM tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 14 2026
Taxi ~30 min or train ~1h15 from KΕtΕ-ku. Get in line by 7:30 AM for park opening. Tuesday = typically the least crowded weekday.
One of the most beautiful theme parks ever built. Top rides: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones Adventure, Sindbad's Storybook Voyage. Incredible food and theming.
Wednesday, July 15 2026
Immersive digital art museum in Toyosu. Walk barefoot through rooms of flowing water, infinity mirrors, and projected flowers. Book weeks in advance β it sells out.
Fresh seafood breakfast/lunch: wagyu beef sandwiches, giant tamago (rolled egg), fresh tuna, organ-meat rice bowls. The outer market is still amazing.
The flagship PokΓ©mon store in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro. Exclusive merchandise, plushies, trading cards, and even PokΓ©mon CafΓ© nearby.
Stand at the world's busiest crosswalk. Head up to Shibuya Sky observation deck for 360Β° views β especially stunning at sunset.
Thursday, July 16 2026
Tokyo's biggest entertainment district. Famous matcha cafes, department stores, kabukicho, and the hidden Golden Gai alleyways with tiny retro bars.
Official Nintendo store in Shibuya Parco (6F). Exclusive Japan-only merchandise, Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing. Expect a line.
Sanrio store for Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin etc. Check for themed character cafes in Harajuku/Shibuya.
Best selection and Japan-exclusive items. Muji flagship in Ginza. Uniqlo in Shinjuku. GU for affordable trendy basics.
Tree-lined Champs-ΓlysΓ©es of Tokyo. Architecture, high-end shops, outdoor food stalls, and great walking. Leads to Harajuku/Takeshita Street.
Friday, July 17 2026
Famous street for professional kitchen supplies and incredibly realistic plastic food models. Great unusual souvenirs β those fake sushi replicas are iconic.
Indoor theme park in Odaiba with VR experiences, racing simulators, rhythm games, and giant arcade. Great for the whole family.
Spectacular hybrid of traditional goldfish display and modern digital art. Beautiful light installations surrounding thousands of goldfish.
Unique Tokyo experience β watch wrestlers perform and dine on chanko-nabe (the stew sumo wrestlers eat). Reserve in advance.
Last Japanese meal β make it count! Then pack carefully: check baggage limits for ZIPAIR tomorrow.
π Check out before 10:00 AM tomorrow. Pack tonight! Confirm baggage allowances.
Saturday, July 18 2026
Allow 1.5 hrs from central Tokyo. Narita Express (N'EX) from Shinjuku is reliable and fast. Or Skyliner from Nippori. Either way: leave by 11 AM.
NRT 2:35 PM β LAX 8:55 AM (next day) Β· 10h 20m Β· Crosses date line
Lands 8:55 AM on July 19 (crossed the date line). Uber from LAX to Orange County: ~$100β200.