Japan Trip 2026

Pre-Departure Checklist

5 min read

✅ Pre-Departure Checklist

Trip dates: April 7–20, 2026 Today is 35 days out. Some items below are overdue.

🔴 URGENT — Book This Week

These sell out. April is peak season.

  • USJ Express Pass — book now at universalstudiosjapan.com
    • Recommend: Express Pass 7 (April crowds are high)
    • Mario Kart ride requires separate timed entry drawn on the day — arrive at park opening
    • Wizarding World may also require separate timed entry on busy days
  • Fun2Drive or Drivers Lounge — car day for Jeff + Matt
    • April R34 GT-R and NSX slots fill months ahead
    • Register both Jeff and Matt at booking (+¥3,300/person for additional driver)
    • See JDM Car Day
  • IDP from AAA — Jeff (~$20, bring US license + 2 passport photos, same-day at AAA branch)
  • IDP from AAA — Matt (same process)
  • Blue Note Tokyo reservation — book via bluenotetokyo.com
    • Two sets per night: typically 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM
    • Check April lineup and pick the set + night that fits the Tokyo phase schedule
    • Smart casual dress code

T-30 Days (This Week)

  • Shinkansen — April 14, Shin-Osaka → Tokyo
    • Book via SmartEX app (smartex.jp/en/)
    • Train: Nozomi (fastest, ~2h15m) — doesn’t stop at every station
    • Seat: right side of train, A or B window seat, facing forward = Mt. Fuji view (weather dependent)
    • Book 4 seats together in advance — reserved seating recommended for April
  • Confirm Osaka accommodation — check-in time for April 8 (arriving ~7:30–8:30 PM)
  • Confirm Tokyo accommodation — check dates April 14–20
  • Passport validity — must be valid 6 months beyond April 20 (valid through October 20, 2026 minimum). Check all 4 passports.
  • Purchase eSIM — for all 4 people
    • Recommended: Airalo app, Japan plan, 10GB / 30 days, ~$18/person
    • Download the eSIM — activate on arrival at HND
    • See Connectivity for full setup instructions
  • Enable Wi-Fi Calling on Verizon phones (Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → On)
    • Must do this in the US while on US network — cannot activate abroad

T-14 Days (March 24)

  • Download Google Maps offline — Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto separately
    • On iPhone: Maps → search city → Download → select area
    • On Android: similar process
  • Download Google Translate Japanese pack offline
    • Google Translate → Settings → Downloaded Languages → Japanese
  • Screenshot / save all reservations offline:
    • Flights (GLZ9TF)
    • Hotel confirmations
    • USJ Express Pass
    • Shinkansen reservation
    • Fun2Drive / car day booking
    • Blue Note reservation
  • TeamLab Planets tickets — if Ana’s day includes it
    • Book at teamlab.art/e/planets — sells out weeks ahead in April
  • Check Fuji vs Nikko day — review long-range forecast and commit to a preference
  • Review Kyoto morning sequence — decide loosely which mornings get which temples
  • Coin locker strategy — since you’re carry-on only
    • IC card-operated lockers at major train stations (¥300–600/4 hrs)
    • Large stations have multiple banks of lockers — look for signs near exits
    • Useful on Kyoto day trips (leave bags at Kyoto Station, go light)
    • Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari both have lockers nearby

T-7 Days (March 31)

  • Confirm Blue Note reservation (some venues require reconfirmation)
  • Activate eSIM (some providers require pre-activation before arrival)
    • Check your specific provider’s instructions
  • Distribute cash — organize ¥400,000 across separate bags/wallets
    • Don’t keep it all in one place
    • Each person carries their own daily float
  • Pack medications and first aid:
    • Any prescriptions: bring enough for trip + 5 days buffer
    • Japanese pharmacies may not carry US-brand medications
    • Blister plasters (moleskin/compeed) — essential for heavy walking days
    • Basic pain relief, antacid, antihistamine
  • Confirm Fun2Drive directions + cash payment amount
  • Camera gear check: all batteries charged, all cards formatted, all lenses clean

T-2 Days (April 5)

  • Charge everything: camera bodies, all spare batteries, phones, portable chargers
  • Japan socket note: Type A (same as US) — no adapter needed
  • Set Verizon phones to not roam:
    • Settings → Cellular → Data Roaming → Off (on Verizon SIM)
    • eSIM carries all data in Japan; Verizon SIM stays for emergency incoming calls only
  • Confirm all 4 carry-ons fit airline overhead requirements (Delta)
  • Set up group WhatsApp or iMessage thread — test that all 4 are connected
  • Mail hold or arrange mail pickup for duration of trip
  • Check weather forecast for first 3 days in Japan

Travel Day — April 7

Morning:

  • All 4 passports
  • IDP + US license (Jeff and Matt)
  • Cash — all distributed
  • eSIM ready to activate on landing
  • Camera charged and packed
  • Boarding passes saved offline
  • Hotel address in offline maps (Osaka accommodation)

Flight: TPA → ATL Delta 1726 (departs 7:00 AM) → ATL → HND Delta 295 (departs 11:10 AM)

Arrival Day — April 8

Realistic timeline:

  • Land HND: 2:20 PM
  • Clear customs and immigration: 3:30–4:00 PM minimum
  • Activate eSIM, buy IC cards if not already on Wallet: 20–30 min
  • Train: HND → Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho → Shin-Osaka (Nozomi ~2h15m)
  • Arrive Osaka: 7:30–8:30 PM

On arrival at HND:

  • IC card: buy at any station machine (accepts international cards) or add to Apple Wallet (Suica)
  • Load ¥5,000–10,000 per person on the IC card immediately
  • Eat at the airport if hungry — restaurants available in the arrivals hall
  • No sightseeing pressure. This is a transit day.

First priority in Osaka: Find food near the accommodation. Rest. Sleep by 10–11 PM local time.

Jet lag: You’ve been awake 20+ hours. Staying up until at least 9 PM Osaka time helps reset the clock faster than sleeping on arrival.

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