Wednesday, July 1 2026
Fill out TWAC customs form. Buy EasyCard at airport (NT$500β1,000/person β works on MRT, buses, and convenience stores). Then Uber/taxi to hotel.
ιε³ε€§εΈεΊζ²³ζθ Β· No. 130, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei Β· Contact hotel about early check-in (~6:30 AM)
Long overnight flight β rest up! Grab breakfast nearby.
Just a 3-min walk from MCU Hotel! Taipei's biggest night market. Oyster omelettes, XXL fried chicken, sweet potato balls, bubble tea. Go hungry β bring cash!
π Group 2 (Scott, Adrienne, Angie families) arrives July 3.
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Friday, July 3 2026
Everyone is now in Taipei! Taxi or Uber to MCU Hotel (~1 hr, ~$40).
ιε³ε€§εΈεΊζ²³ζθ Β· No. 130, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei
Perfect for a late-night bite after the long flight. Go hungry β bring cash! Must try: XXL fried chicken, oyster omelette, bubble tea, stinky tofu.
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Saturday, July 4 2026
Grab Taiwanese breakfast near the hotel. Shilin has great morning eateries β soy milk, egg crepes, sesame flatbread.
Family gathering lunch. Traditional Taiwanese cuisine. About 25 min taxi from MCU Hotel. After lunch: optional Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (6 min taxi) or Ximending shopping street (8 min from CKS).
Reserved! Interact with capybaras and other small animals. A unique Taiwan experience kids will love.
Ningxia Night Market (on the way back north toward hotel) or Shilin Night Market (3 min walk from hotel). Must try: XXL fried chicken, sweet potato balls, bubble tea, tanghulu, oyster omelette, peanut ice cream roll!
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Sunday, July 5 2026
English-speaking international church. About 10-min taxi from MCU Hotel.
Large food court in the Miramar mall near the famous rooftop Ferris Wheel.
Booked! Four 30-min sessions (2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30 PM). Create your own glassware to take home. Others can explore the MUJI store or ride the rooftop Ferris Wheel.
Shaved ice, boba, souvenirs, and shops. Great for a stroll after the workshop.
Iconic skyscraper β observatory on the 89th floor, mall, and famous pineapple cake shops at the base.
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
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.
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Tuesday, July 7 2026
Booked by Margaret β remember to pay her back! Bring any Amazon packages for her. ζ ΌδΈε near Taipei 101. Mom and Dad may want to rest at hotel afterward.
Large zoo with giant pandas. Ride the gondola up to Maokong for tea houses and mountain views. 2β3 hours. Tickets: NT$100/person (~$3 USD). Good for all ages.
Collect the custom glass pieces from the July 5 workshop.
Raohe or Ningxia Night Market for last Taiwan bites. Pack tonight!
π Pack tonight. Scott's group departs TPE at 9:30 AM tomorrow. Steve's group & Grandparents depart at 3:40 PM.
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Wednesday, July 8 2026
Request Uber XL if available; otherwise grab a taxi from the hotel. NT$900β1,300 (~$30β45 USD). Arrive TPE Terminal 1 by ~7:45 AM.
Scott + Adrienne + Sophie + Chris Β· TPE 9:30 AM β KIX 1:25 PM Β· 2h 55m Β· Seats 10C/D/E/F Β· Includes 1 checked bag (20kg) + carry-on. Pick up ICOCA Kansai One Pass at JR counter at KIX (for kids).
Mom, Dad, Steve, Angie + kids. Leave hotel by 1:00 PM for 3:40 PM departure.
Mom + Dad + Steve + Angie + Olivia + Sila + Rebekah (7 ppl) Β· TPE 3:40 PM β KIX 7:30 PM Β· 2h 50m Β· Private van pickup booked at KIX at 7:30 PM (NexPlorer, 10-seater Toyota Hiace, 9 ppl/9 luggage).
4-chΕme-20-23 Awaji, Osaka 533-0032 Β· 7 bedrooms, 12 beds, 3 baths Β· Keypad entry. Check-in 4 PM, check-out 10 AM. From KIX: Nankai Line β Tengachaya β Sakaisuji subway β Awaji Station (5-min walk).
Crispy beef cutlet (gyukatsu) β Osaka's answer to tonkatsu. Inside Shin-Osaka station. Cook your own slices on a personal stone grill.
Osaka's most iconic night scene. Neon lights, Glico Running Man sign, takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki. Essential Osaka experience.
Friends Recommend
"Must try the salty soy milk!"
π Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108θ2ζ¨, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
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.
Chicken-based soba noodle shop in Ikeda. Reservations 12:15β1:15 PM.
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.
Sunday, July 12 2026
English-language service in Osaka. 10:00 AM. 21 min by taxi from the Airbnb. Welcoming, international community.
Iconic white castle with museum inside about Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Moat, gardens, and panoramic views from the top floor. Majestic for photos.
Osaka's retro downtown district. Try kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) β Osaka's own iconic street food at the source. The rule: no double-dipping the sauce! Look up at the Tsutenkaku Tower.
Final evening in Osaka! Neon lights, canal, Glico Running Man, takoyaki, and okonomiyaki. Walk the entire canal strip and soak it all in.
π Pack tonight. Check out 10 AM tomorrow β Shinkansen to Tokyo!
Monday, July 13 2026
Check-out by 10:00 AM. Taxi to Shin-Osaka Station.
Nozomi 250 departs Shin-Osaka 11:15 AM β Tokyo 1:45 PM. Arrive Shin-Osaka by 10:25 AM β buy bento lunches at the station! Right-side seats (A/B) get Mt. Fuji views. Group needs 3β4 taxis to Shin-Osaka (~Β₯12,000β18,000 total / ~$80β120 via Uber or Go app).
Character goods shop for the corner creatures inside Tokyo Station. Great for kids while waiting to check in.
World's tallest broadcasting tower β observation deck at 634m. Spectacular city views. Inside Solamachi mall at the base.
Large mall with restaurants on multiple floors at the base of Tokyo Skytree. Great variety for a big group.
2-chΕme-4-4 Εgibashi, KΕtΕ City, Tokyo 135-0011 Β· 5 bedrooms, 11 beds, 3 baths, 4 floors Β· Above a sake bar Β· Next to a 7-Eleven Β· Check-in after 4 PM.
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
Fresh seafood breakfast: wagyu beef sandwiches, giant tamago (rolled egg), fresh tuna, uni rice bowls. The outer market is still amazing. Go early.
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.
Japan's street fashion mecca. Crepes, quirky shops, candy-colored everything, and the occasional cosplay. Walk up Omotesando Ave afterward for contrast.
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.
Famous street for professional kitchen supplies and realistic plastic food models. Great unusual souvenirs β fake sushi replicas are iconic. Near Asakusa.
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
Immersive digital art museum in Toyosu. Walk barefoot through rooms of flowing water, infinity mirrors, and projected flowers. BOOKED June 4 β do not miss. Tickets 12:00β2:00 PM.
Indoor theme park right in Odaiba: VR experiences, racing simulators, rhythm games, and a massive arcade. Great for the whole family on the last full day.
Big malls in Odaiba with souvenir shops, Japanese snacks, toys, and clothing. Last chance to grab gifts!
Last Japanese meal β make it count! Then pack carefully: check baggage limits for ZIPAIR tomorrow.
π Private van pickup 10:15 AM tomorrow. Pack tonight! Confirm ZIPAIR baggage allowances.