📋 Before You Leave Home

📱 Your Phone
  • Download the Airalo or Journey Japan eSIM app and buy a Japan eSIM card
  • Turn OFF your regular SIM card before flying
  • Switch your phone to Airplane Mode for the flight
  • When you land in Japan: turn off Airplane Mode, then turn ON the Japan eSIM
🛂 Immigration
  • Fill out Japan's immigration form online at Visit Japan Web before you fly
  • You'll get a QR code — screenshot it AND print a paper copy
  • You need your passport + that QR code at customs
🚇 Suica Card
  • Add the Welcome Suica app to your iPhone (it goes in Apple Wallet)
  • Load about $100 CAD to start — add more as needed
  • Used for: subway, buses, convenience stores, vending machines, lockers
  • ⚠️ Before leaving Japan: spend any remaining Suica balance — it's non-refundable
🚅 Train Bookings
  • Bullet trains (Shinkansen) must be booked in advance using the Smart Ex app
  • Regular limited express trains: use Japan Travel Navitime app
  • Book Shinkansen: Tokyo → Kyoto (May 14) and Kyoto → Tokyo (May 17) before you leave
📲 Apps to Have on Your Phone
  • Google Maps — best for trains and walking
  • Apple Maps — good for walking
  • Google Translate — use the camera to read Japanese signs and menus
  • Smart Ex — Shinkansen bullet trains
  • Japan Travel Navitime — all other trains
  • Tokyo Metro — tourist version, download from app store
🎒 Pack
  • Portable charger — you'll use maps all day
  • Multi-port plug adapter
  • List of all hotel names, addresses, and phone numbers — both on your phone AND on paper
  • If you take prescription painkillers: apply for an Import Certificate from Japan's Ministry of Health at least 1 month before travel
  • Bring a note listing all your medications
  • Luggage tip: you can ship your suitcases from hotel to hotel between cities — ask at the front desk
⚠️ Confirm Before You Go
  • ⚠️ Confirm Toronto hotel for April 26 (after landing from St. John's)
  • ⚠️ Confirm Toronto hotel for May 18 (after landing from Tokyo)
  • Book Dotonbori River boat tour in advance — sells out!

💰 Money

$1 CAD ≈ 108–117 JPY

Watch for the best exchange rate before converting.

  • Japan is still a cash-heavy country — always carry some yen, especially for smaller shops
  • Your Suica card handles most small payments (subway, convenience stores, vending machines, lockers)
  • Load about $100 CAD to start — add more as needed at any convenience store ATM
  • ⚠️ Before leaving Japan: spend remaining Suica balance — it is non-refundable

✈️ Flights

Outbound
Sun, Apr 26
St. John's → Toronto
Porter PD 0236 · 5:40pm – 7:51pm
Conf: P7H083LA
Sun, Apr 26
Pat arrives Toronto
Flight 8227 · arrives 6:42pm
Conf: ALAJSN
Mon, Apr 27
Toronto → Tokyo ✈️
Air Canada AC 1 · 1:15pm → arrives Tokyo Apr 28 at 3:40pm
Conf: AK2ECO
Return
Sun, May 18
Tokyo → Toronto ✈️
Air Canada AC 2 · 6:10pm → arrives May 18 at 5:35pm
Conf: AK2ECO
Tue, May 19
Toronto → Halifax → St. John's
Porter PD 201 · 9:00am → Halifax 12:07pm
Porter PD 0465 · 1:05pm → St. John's 3:10pm

🏨 Hotels & Cruise

🏨 Asakusa View Hotel — Tokyo

Apr 28 – May 2 · 4 nights
Check in 3pm · Check out 12pm · Standard Twin, City View, Smoking floor
City tax (100–200 yen/night) paid at front desk · Viewing room on 20th floor · Coin laundry available
3-17-1 Nishiasakusa, Taito, Tokyo · Conf: 720-666-095-63748

🏨 Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji

May 14 – 17 · 3 nights
Tel: +81 75-354-1131 · 1 min walk to Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
No laundry on site · Lawson convenience store next door
620 Teianmaenocho, Kyoto · Conf: 20251126 0800 34654 · Itinerary: 720 685 860 54710

🏨 Asakusa View Hotel — Tokyo (return night)

May 17 · 1 night
Same hotel as the start of your trip — you know where it is! Check out by noon on May 18.
Conf: 20251125 079 462735
⚠️ Toronto Hotel Needed: You need somewhere to sleep in Toronto on April 26 (after arrival) and May 18 (after landing from Japan). Confirm both are booked!

🚢 Celebrity Millennium

12 Nights — Best of Japan (Golden Week)
Reservation #
6773255
Check-in
May 2 · 1:00–1:30 PM
Cabin
3086 (Inside Stateroom)
Dining
6:00 PM
Balance Due
$5,092.56
Ship Departs
May 2 · 4:30 PM

📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary

Tap any day to see full details and add personal notes. Notes save automatically.

Travel / Flights
At Sea
Cruise Port
Land / Hotel
Cruise End / Transition
BOOKED Pre-booked activity
 Has notes

🛍️ Shopping List — For Meghan

🎨 Art Supplies — Ginza Itoya, Tokyo

  • Holbein Gouache paints — 12 colours (~$150 USD) — NOT acrylic
  • Holbein Gouache watercolour sets — 12 colours (~$200 USD)
  • Holbein coloured pencils — 12 (~$50 CAD) or larger set

Other art supply stores: Loft · Kakimori Ancora Ginza · Muji · Tokyo Kyukyodo

🧵 Fabric Stores

  • Nippori Fabric Town, Tokyo (many stores along a 1km stretch)
  • Tomato Fabric Store, Tokyo
  • Near Nishiki Market, Kyoto
  • Nomura Tailor, Kyoto

💄 Health & Beauty

  • Cooling patches for sore feet & hot ones for tight muscles (most shops/chemists)
  • Keanu rice face masks
  • Canmake eye liner
  • Pair acne face wash and cream
  • Nail clippers — Kai, Suwada, Seki Edge, or Green Bell brand
  • Tweezers (same brands as above)

🍱 Food to Bring Home

  • Furikake — popular Japanese spice/seasoning for rice