Wednesday, July 1 2026
Touchdown in Taiwan! Taoyuan International Airport is about an hour outside central Taipei.
Quick hop from the airport into the city β first stop, the hotel near Shilin Night Market.
Early arrival at our home base in Taipei, just a few minutes from Shilin Night Market.
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Friday, July 3 2026
Group 2 lands in Taiwan! Same airport, about an hour from the hotel.
Last leg before the hotel β into the city to join the rest of the family.
Everyone's together now β Scott checks into his own room at the same hotel.
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Saturday, July 4 2026
Keep it light this morning β a big family lunch is coming up at Jia Yan Taiwanese Restaurant.
Historic Taipei shopping street known for homewares, dry goods, and old-world atmosphere β a nice optional stop if there's time.
Big family lunch with Mom's side of the family β a special multi-generational meal together in Taipei.
Lively pedestrian shopping street full of youth culture, street food, and shops like Don Don Donki β fun if there's time after lunch.
Grand memorial hall and Liberty Square β worth timing a visit around the changing of the guard ceremony if it fits.
Up-close time with capybaras β a fun, low-key stop for kids.
A possible stop on the way back to the hotel β still TBD.
A few night-market dinner options to pick from depending on energy and location β Shilin is the easy default since it's right by the hotel.
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Sunday, July 5 2026
Quick breakfast before church β plan to leave by 10:00 AM.
Family worship service at (Taipei International Church)[https://www.calvarytaipei.com/], recommended by Margaret β about 10 minutes by taxi from the hotel.
Casual food court lunch at Miramar Entertainment Center β easy variety so everyone can pick their own thing.
Browse the MUJI Miramar flagship store, then try a hands-on glass-blowing workshop at Spring Pool Glass Studio β others can shop nearby or ride the rooftop Ferris wheel.
A possible comfort-food lunch spot near Da'an Park β reservations recommended a week ahead, or grab takeout and eat in the park.
A flexible afternoon with a few options depending on energy and weather: Yongkang Street for shaved ice and shopping, Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Costco Zhonghe as an air-conditioned option, or the National Palace Museum for Chinese art and history.
π Go to bed early because tomorrow is the all-day Yehliu / Jiufen / Shifen private tour.
π Private tour is a good choice for 11 people plus grandparents compared with DIY train/bus logistics.
π Bring umbrellas even if Taipei weather looks okay. Jiufen/Shifen can be wet and crowded.
π Jiufen has stairs and narrow lanes, so plan a slower pace for grandparents.
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Monday, July 6 2026
A full-day private tour through Yehliu Geopark's famous rock formations, the lantern-lit streets of Jiufen, the waterfalls of Shifen, and the Golden Waterfall β a scenic, must-see day along Taiwan's north coast.
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Tuesday, July 7 2026
Keep it light β a lunch buffet with Margaret is coming up.
Lunch buffet with Margaret at Eattogether near Taipei 101 β a fun multi-generational meal, with options to head back and rest afterward or continue on to the zoo.
A relaxed 2-3 hour visit to the Taipei Zoo and/or the Maokong Gondola β kids often remember the gondola ride as much as the zoo itself! No reservations needed; zoo tickets are only about NT$100 (~$3).
π Pick up glassware from MUJI if needed.
π Pack up.
π Install GO taxi app for Japan if not already installed
π Complete Japan arrival card before arrival:
π Peach auto check-in opens up to 48 hours before flight
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Wednesday, July 8 2026
Group 1 heads to the airport to start the flight to Japan.
Group 1 flies Peach Aviation from Taipei to Osaka β about a 3-hour hop to Japan.
Group 1 lands in Japan! Touchdown at Kansai International Airport.
Heading from the airport into Osaka to settle in at the Airbnb.
Settling into our Osaka home base in the Awaji neighborhood β about 7 bedrooms across the house, with keypad entry so no key hand-off needed.
Mom, Dad, Steve's family, and the kids fly together from Taipei to Osaka β about a 2h50m hop on AirAsia X.
Touchdown in Osaka! Clearing customs and grabbing checked luggage usually takes about an hour.
Private van waiting to take Group 2 from the airport to the Osaka Airbnb β could be a bit of a wait if customs and luggage take a while.
Settle into the Osaka Airbnb, and if there's time and energy left, explore around Awaji Station.
Dinner pick: GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu inside Shin-Osaka Station β their specialty is beef cutlet (gyukatsu).
Two iconic Osaka food stops in one: Dotonbori's neon-lit canal (and the famous Glico running man sign) is best after dark, while Kuromon Market nearby is a covered market great for casual seafood and snacks any time of day. Don't miss takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and other street food along the way.
π Install GO taxi app for Japan if not already installed: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dena.automotive.taxibell&hl=en_US
π Complete Japan Arrival Card before arrival.
π Check in with United 24 hours before flight: https://www.united.com/en/us/checkin/
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Thursday, July 9 2026
Famous Kyoto shrine with thousands of red torii gates. Best visited early before the crowds and heat β arrive as early as possible. Most groups don't need to hike the entire mountain; turn around after a satisfying section or viewpoint.
Visit Kiyomizu-dera, the famous hillside temple overlooking Kyoto, then walk through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka with lunch in the Higashiyama area. A strong Kyoto route since the sights are clustered together β expect crowds and heat in July.
Scenic but requires a time-consuming detour from the Higashiyama/Gion route. Recommendation: skip unless someone specifically cares about it β many travelers find it prettier in photos than in person, especially when crowded.
Beautiful and involves less walking than some sites, but it's far north β may be too much to add to the same day unless the group strongly wants it.
Walk downhill toward Gion, visit Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, and stroll Hanamikoji Street. Round it out with a matcha dessert, snacks, souvenir shopping, and dinner. A good slower afternoon option given July Kyoto heat β prioritize cafΓ©s and rest breaks over adding Arashiyama or Kinkaku-ji.
π Return to Osaka at night after the Kyoto outing.
Friday, July 10 2026
Free hands-on museum where kids can design and make their own Cup Noodles cup β no reservation needed, about 2 hours, and a lot of fun for kids.
Ramen-style lunch stop after the Cup Noodles Museum β about an hour, likely a ramen/tori soba lunch.
A beautiful, easy walk and cooler than downtown Osaka β a strong option for seniors and families. The path from Hankyu Minoo Station to the falls is about 2.7 km, paved with a gentle incline, roughly 45-50 minutes one way along the Minoh River. Try momiji tempura β deep-fried sweetened maple leaves β while you're there.
Browse Grand Front Osaka and/or MUJI near Umeda β a good indoor option if the group wants shopping, AC, or a lighter end to the day.
City views from the Umeda Sky Building β a good evening add-on if the group still has energy after Minoh Falls and Umeda shopping.
Dinner in the Umeda/Osaka area. Dotonbori is much better at night since the neon signage is the whole point; Shinsekai is interesting and retro but optional β cut it first if the day gets too full.
π Go to bed early because the next day is the Naruto Theme Park / Awaji outing.