Part 1 – Pre-Travel: Turning a Dream Trip into Reality
Japan is a dream trip for so many — and for good reason.
Ancient temples. Neon skylines. Bullet trains. Onsens. Incredible food. A culture that feels both beautifully traditional and wildly modern at the same time. It’s bucket-list magic.
But let’s be honest — planning Japan can feel overwhelming.
Multiple airports. A complex train system. IC cards. Cash vs. credit. Where to stay. How many cities to visit. How to avoid exhaustion. It’s easy to fall down a research rabbit hole and suddenly feel more stressed than excited.
That’s where WanderLyn comes in.
Because the truth is, Japan becomes absolutely incredible when you plan it well. Choosing the right airports, mapping your itinerary intentionally, booking hotels in strategic locations, and understanding transportation ahead of time makes all the difference.
We’re not just visiting Japan.
We’re experiencing it.
We’re getting our 10K steps in.
We’re doing it smart.
In this series, I’m sharing exactly how I planned my 10-day adventure through Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto — so you can skip the overwhelm and go straight to fabulous.
Let’s get you ready to board. ✈️💕
✈️ Passport & Entry Requirements
Good news: right now, Japan does not require a visa for short-term tourist stays (for U.S. travelers). However:
You must have a valid passport.
Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your trip — you may be denied entry.
If you're cutting it close, renew early. Processing times can vary, and you don’t want that stress hanging over you.
Check your passport now — future you will be grateful.
🗓 Planning Your Days (And Your Energy)
I had 10 days total, but that includes travel time. When mapping your trip, always account for:
Flight time
Jet lag
Transfer days between cities
For me, my must-sees were:
Tokyo
Hakone
Kyoto
Because Hakone is all about nature, onsens, and relaxation, I decided to go there first to reset after the long-haul flight.
My Itinerary Overview:
✈️ Fly into Tokyo
🏨 Stay 1 night in Tokyo
🚄 Train to Hakone – 2 nights
🚄 Train to Kyoto – 3 nights
🚄 Train back to Tokyo – 3 nights
✈️ Fly home
🛫 Narita vs. Haneda
When flying into Tokyo, you’ll likely land at:
Narita (NRT) – farther from the city
Haneda (HND) – much closer and more convenient
If you can, choose Haneda. But ultimately? Go with the best price point. I landed at Narita and flew home from Haneda — sometimes mixing airports saves money.
💡 Tip: Play around with departure and return days. Mid-week flights can save you hundreds.
🚗 Getting from the Airport
After a long international flight, you will be tired. I knew I didn’t want to navigate trains immediately, so I pre-booked transportation.
I used Viator and LimoBus to book:
🚌 Limousine bus back to Haneda (efficient and affordable)
Yes, trains are cheaper — but if it’s your first time in Japan, pre-booking your airport transfer makes life so much easier.
For trains between cities? Those are easy to book once you’re in Japan, which gives you flexibility. I’ll dive deeper into train travel in Part 2.
🏨 Where I Stayed
I booked all hotels ahead of time. Here’s the quick reference list:
Tokyo (First Night)
DoubleTree by Hilton Tokyo Ariake
Budget-friendly, excellent breakfast, and directly above two train stations — easy access to the Shinkansen.
Hakone (2 Nights)
Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa
Absolutely gorgeous. Free access to onsen/spa facilities, incredible breakfast, and complimentary shuttle from Odawara Station.
Kyoto (3 Nights)
Hyatt Place Kyoto
Budget-friendly, solid breakfast, central location, and right above a subway station.
Tokyo (Final 3 Nights)
Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay
Beautiful property, lovely breakfast, and close to Tokyo Disney.
More detailed reviews of each hotel coming soon!
🧳 Luggage Strategy (Very Important!)
You will travel by train. That means:
Carrying luggage up/down stairs (not all stations have elevators/escalators)
Storing luggage in Shinkansen overhead racks
For a 10-day February trip, I packed:
1 medium checked bag - American Tourister Spinner
1 backpack - Minnie Mouse
If you travel in summer, you may get away with just a carry-on + backpack.
And don’t forget packing cubes. Game changer.
👟 What to Wear (Because 20K Steps Is Real)
Comfort is non-negotiable. You’ll average 15–20K steps a day.
For February, I packed:
Clothing
Underwear (12) Cause ;)
Jeans (worn on flight) - Super soft Crossover
6 lined leggings - warm with pockets!
6 sweaters - Fav Turtle Necks
2 pairs tennis shoes (one worn on plane) Hightops w/arch support
10 pairs socks
Pajamas
Warm jacket (worn on plane) Long with hood
Gloves
Beanies (black, white, grey)
Scarves (black, white, grey)
Sunglasses - Cat eye of course
Lounge outfit (for flight home) So comfy and cute
Versatility is key — day to evening flexibility, layers for changing temperatures, and seriously good walking shoes.
🧴 Toiletries & Essentials
Japan has amazing convenience stores, but bring your basics:
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Makeup + brushes
Moisturizers (winter air is dry!)
Hairbrush/comb + hairspray
Nail supplies, tweezers, small scissors - little pink kit
Deodorant - Crystal Mineral
Medicine (Benadryl, Advil, Tums, Gas-X, Sudafed, vitamins)
Ear swabs
Creatine (for my gym girls 😉)
🔌 Electronics
Earbuds
Wireless buds + charging cable
Sleep mask
Kindle + charger (download books/movies ahead of time)
iPhone + charger
Cable organizer bag
Brick charger - Must have!
Apple dongle and Apple watch - gotta track those steps!
📂 Documents & Travel Items
Passport & Travel cover - super handy!
Driver’s license
ATM card
Credit cards
Cash
Printed tickets in envelope
Minnie Mouse backpack
Travel Purse
Book
Neck pillow - Sleeper Hold the BEST!!!
Clorox wipes for the flight - cause no one wants a cold on vacation!
💴 Let’s Talk Money
Japan still loves cash.
Not all restaurants or smaller shops accept credit cards.
Suica Card (Must Have!)
Download your Suica card directly into your Apple Wallet:
Open Apple Wallet
Click “+”
Select Transit Card
Choose Japan → Suica
Add money directly and use it in English. Each traveler needs their own card.
You can tap in and out of:
Trains
Subways
Buses
7-Eleven
It makes everything seamless.
🏪 7-Eleven in Japan Is Elite
Japanese 7-Elevens are next-level:
Excellent fresh food
Great snacks
Cheap ATMs
Foreign currency exchange machines
You’ll see them everywhere. They are lifesavers.
🛃 Customs Made Easy
Before you go, complete your information at:
When you land:
Connect to airport WiFi
Log back in
Pull up your QR code
Screenshot it
It makes immigration and customs so much faster.
And just like that… you’re ready to board.
Here’s the thing: all of this pre-planning? It’s not about overcomplicating your trip. It’s about freeing yourself once you land.
When you’ve thought through your flights, hotels, transportation, money, and packing ahead of time, you step off that plane feeling confident instead of confused. You’re not scrambling. You’re not stressed. You’re not trying to figure out train lines while exhausted and jet-lagged.
You’re calm.
You’re prepared.
You’re ready to explore.
And that preparation is what turns a good trip into an incredible one.
But wait — there’s more.
As we dive into each destination — Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto — I’m going to share even more insider pre-planning tips. I’ll walk you through:
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What attractions you should reserve in advance
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Which experiences require timed-entry tickets
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What restaurants are worth booking early
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And where a little extra planning will save you serious time
Because every city in Japan has its own rhythm, and knowing that rhythm before you arrive is the secret to maximizing your experience.
The city guides are coming soon — and trust me, you are going to have the best time.
Japan is magic. And you are about to experience it the smart, fun, WanderLyn way.
Stay tuned… 💕
Until next time,
Eat well. Move well. Wander well.
Lyn @ WanderLynTravel
Check us out on social media @ WanderLynTravel
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