✅ Completed
- SmartEX — Shinkansen Apr 8: Nozomi 55, 5:37 PM Shinagawa → 8:00 PM Shin-Osaka, Green Car, Car 9, Seats 7C/7D/8C/8D ✅
- SmartEX — Shinkansen Apr 14: Nozomi 22, 1:06 PM Shin-Osaka → 3:33 PM Tokyo, Green Car, seats to select March 14 (A window, Fuji side) ✅
- USJ: April 13 confirmed. 3 Day Passes + 3 Express Pass 7 (Minecart & Selection) via KLOOK for Jeff, Jeannette, Ana ✅
Book Now — Deadline Imminent
- Ghibli Museum — March 10 lottery is the last realistic window for April dates. Tickets sell out 6–8 weeks ahead; no walk-up option. Book March 10 or skip entirely. See Ghibli Museum.
Decide Before March 21
- TeamLab Planets — April peak-season slots fill 3–4 weeks out. Ana’s must-do; don’t miss the window. See TeamLab Planets.
- Blue Note Tokyo — Check the April lineup at bluenotetokyo.com. Book 2–3 weeks out if going. See Music & Nightlife - Tokyo.
Decide Before March 28
- Nijō Castle Sakura Festival — Night illumination, 6–10 PM, inside UNESCO castle grounds. Festival runs through April 19, covering all Kyoto days. Weeknight tickets (~¥2,000) usually available day-of; weekend/peak bloom dates sell out. Book now if targeting April 12 (Sunday). See Nijo Castle Sakura Festival.
Decide 3–4 Weeks Before Departure
- JDM Car Day (Fun2Drive) — Optional; confirm timing and book. See JDM Car Day.
Decide at T-5 Days (Weather-Dependent)
- Fuji vs Nikko — Check forecast 5 days before; clear = Fuji, mixed = Nikko
- Kyoto day sequencing — confirm which clusters based on weather and energy
- Weather swaps — see Weather Playbook
SmartEX — Seat Selection Reminder
- March 14: Select seats for Nozomi 22 (April 14) on SmartEX app. Choose A window seats (left/Fuji-facing side). Distribute QR codes to all travelers after selection. See SmartEX QR Boarding.
Logistics (Before Departure)
Apps to have loaded:
- Klook (tickets already in app)
- Navitime or Google Maps (navigation)
- SmartEX (train QR codes)
- USJ app (day-of park updates, wait times)
- Sakura Checker (bloom reports for Kyoto and Tokyo days)
- Yamato Transport (takkyubin tracking — if used)