18 May – 1 June 2026 · 15 days · BA ref: [encrypted]
Y
Yuvan
Tap for passport
R
Ramyaa
Tap for passport
S
Sana
Tap for passport
T
Tara
Tap for passport
I
Ilakyaa
Joins 21–25 May
N
Naveen
Joins 24–27 May
15
Total days
6
Ireland days
2
Belfast days
1
Edinburgh
1
Sleeper night
5
London days
10
Confirmed
~1,200
Driving km
✈️ All flights · All hotels · Caledonian Sleeper · HP Studio confirmed · Car hire is the only remaining item
Dublin
18–20 May
✅ booked
Cork
20–22 May
✅ booked
Dingle
22–24 May
✅ booked
Belfast
24–26 May
✅ booked
Edinburgh
26–27 May
✅ booked
Sleeper
27 May night
✅ booked
London
28 May–1 Jun
at brother's
🇮🇪 Dublin · 18–20 May · 2 nights Premier Inn Temple Bar · #[encrypted]
18 MayD1Mon
Arrival evening
18 May (Mon) · Arrive Dublin ~16:20
BA0832 lands T2 · Pick up rental car · Check in · Bean Hive Coffee · St Stephen's Green · Grafton Street
✓ BookedPremier Inn Temple Bar · 51 Stephen St Lower · Quadruple · Breakfast incl · PIN: 1015
19 MayD2Tue
Dublin full day
19 May (Tue)
Viking Splash Tour morning · Trinity College + Book of Kells · Ha'penny Bridge · Guinness Storehouse + Gravity Bar · Murphy's Ice Cream
Book Viking Splash — vikingsplash.com · morning slot
20 MayD3Wed
Culture + drive south via Howth
20 May (Wed)
Dublin Castle · EPIC Museum · Temple Bar · Howth Cliff Walk + Lighthouse · K2 Alpacas · Drive to Kinsale
Leave Howth by 3 pm · arrive Kinsale ~6 pm
🇮🇪 Kinsale / Cork · 20–22 May · 2 nights Premier Inn Cork · #[encrypted]
21 MayD4Thu
Cork city day · Ilakyaa arrives! 🎉
21 May (Thu)
Cork Historic Doughnut Tour · Cork City Gaol · St Anne's Church Shandon · English Market · Ilakyaa lands Cork Airport 09:25 (FR907 from Stansted) · staying at hotel 5 min from Premier Inn · join up for dinner
✓ BookedPremier Inn Cork · 11 Morrison's Quay · Standard Quadruple · Breakfast incl · PIN: 3395 · Arrival ~12–13:00
22 MayD5Fri
Kinsale morning · drive to Dingle
22 May (Thu)
Deck of Cards Houses · Fairy Trails · Charles Fort · Scilly Walk · Saint Francis Provisions lunch · Drive Kinsale → Dingle ~2.5 hrs
Leave by 2 pm · arrive Dingle ~5 pm
🇮🇪 Dingle Peninsula · 22–24 May · 2 nights The Plough B&B · Confirmed #[encrypted]
Drive Dingle → Cliffs of Moher scenic stop · Moher Hill Farm (lambs in May!) · Bunratty Castle & Folk Park · Arrive Belfast · Naveen arrives Belfast independently · Titanic Belfast (evening visit — 2 min walk from hotel!)
Start 8:30 am · ~4.5 hrs with stopsPack car snacksPre-book Titanic timed entry · titanicbelfast.com
✓ BookedPremier Inn Belfast Titanic Quarter · 2A Queens Road · Family Quadruple · R360: [encrypted] · Paid [encrypted]
The Milkman (breakfast) · Giant's Causeway — UNESCO hexagonal basalt columns · Coastal walk · Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (check Tara's heights comfort) · back to Belfast evening · Ilakyaa departs BFS→LGW EZY832 20:55 👋
Full day coastal loop · ~200 km · allow full dayPre-book Giant's Causeway · nationaltrust.org.uk
26 MayD10Tue
Aunt Sandra's · fly to Edinburgh · Dynamic Earth · Chocolatarium · Department of Magic
26 May (Tue)
Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory (morning) · Return car at Belfast City Airport · EZY326 to Edinburgh · Naveen on same flight ✈️ · Arrive 12:50 · Check in Novotel · Optional if not tired: Dynamic Earth — Big Bang → Ice Ages → 360° ShowDome (closes 17:30) · Chocolatarium — make your own chocolate bar · ~90 min · Royal Mile · Dinner: Department of Magic Potions Tavern — brew your own smoking potions, Butterbeer, wizarding decor · 75 min timed slot · 9 Blair Street (just off Royal Mile)
Bag drop closes 10:55 — arrive airport by 09:30 at latest✅ EZY326 · 11:55 BFS → EDI 12:50 · Seats [encrypted]Optional · dynamicearth.co.uk · ~£15 child · skip if tiredPre-book: chocolatarium.co.uk · ~£20/person · 90 minPre-book: departmentofmagic.com · 75 min · sessions from 14:00 · book evening slot
🏴 Edinburgh · 26–27 May · 1 night Novotel Edinburgh Centre · QFVLGXVN
27 MayD11Wed
Full Edinburgh day — Harry Potter trail
27 May (Wed)
Edinburgh Castle · Royal Mile · Victoria Street (Diagon Alley!) · Greyfriars Kirk + Bobby · Elephant House Café 10 am · Camera Obscura · Holyrood Park · Grassmarket dinner · collect bags · board sleeper 23:40 · Naveen departs Edinburgh → Bristol 👋
Full HP trail in one day✅ Board Caledonian Sleeper 23:40 — full evening in Edinburgh!Naveen departs Edinburgh to Bristol — farewell dinner at Grassmarket!
✓ BookedNovotel Edinburgh Centre · 80 Lauriston Place · Classic Family Room · Paid [encrypted] · Non-refundable · Check-out noon
🌙 Caledonian Sleeper · Edinburgh → London Euston · Night 27–28 May Confirmed · [encrypted]
27 MayD12Wed
Caledonian Sleeper overnight
Departs 23:40 Edinburgh · arrives London Euston ~07:00 · Coach D Rooms 4 & 5
Club Family 2 Rooms · Room 5 (Yuvan & Ramyaa) + Room 4 (Sana & Tara) · en-suite shower · Club Car lounge · wake up arriving London · Paid [encrypted]
✅ Ref: [encrypted]
🇬🇧 London · 28 May – 1 Jun · 5 daysBrother's place · E18 2HJ · Free!
28 MayD13Thu
Covent Garden · Paddington Experience
28 May (Thu) · arrive Euston ~07:00
Euston → Central line to E18 · Covent Garden Piazza · Neal's Yard · Mr. Frogg's cocktail bar · Seven Dials Market (lunch) · Paddington Bear Experience, County Hall · BrewDog Waterloo · Fortitude Bakehouse
🏠Brother's place · E18 2HJ, High View Road, South Woodford · Central line · both girls travel free · Heathrow direct 55 min
29 MayD14Fri
Tower of London
29 May (Fri)
South Woodford → Tower Hill · Tower of London (Crown Jewels + Beefeater tour) · Tower Bridge walk (free) · Lunch at The Vault 1894 or St Katharine Docks · Borough Market · Circolo Popolare (Fitzrovia — evening, if energy allows)
Pre-book: Tower of London · hrp.org.uk · timed Crown Jewels entryBorough Market · free to browseCircolo Popolare · book ahead · great Italian
30 MayD15Sat
Harry Potter Studio Tour · Watford
30 May (Sat)
Morning: Smiggle shopping at Westfield Stratford City (5 min from South Woodford) · South Woodford → Watford Junction (~55 min) · Arrive by 16:10 · Warner Bros. Studio Tour 16:30 (adults) / 17:30 (children) — Great Hall · Platform 9¾ · Diagon Alley · Forbidden Forest · Digital Photo & Video Package
✅ Ref [encrypted] · Adults 16:30 · Children 17:30 · arrive 16:10 · show e-ticket for shuttle at Watford JnSmiggle · Westfield Stratford · morning
31 MayD16Sun
Natural History Museum · South Kensington
31 May (Sun)
South Woodford → South Kensington · Natural History Museum (free — dinosaurs, Blue Whale, Earth galleries) · Lunch at Brother Marcus South Kensington
Natural History Museum · nhm.ac.uk · free entry · no booking neededBrother Marcus · 236 Cromwell Road · popular brunch spot
1 JunD17Mon
Rest day · fly home
1 Jun (Mon) — departure
Slow morning · pack · South Woodford → Heathrow T5 · Central line direct ~55 min · BA0035 departs 12:40 · arrives Chennai 03:30 +1
All hotels + Caledonian Sleeper confirmed · London at brother's place
Accommodation progress7 of 7 confirmed
All accommodation confirmed ✅
✓ Confirmed
Dublin · 18–20 May · 2 nights
Premier Inn Dublin City Centre (Temple Bar)
51 Stephen Street Lower, D02 N7Y3
Quadruple Room · Breakfast included
Conf: [encrypted] · PIN: [encrypted]
Breakfast inclGrafton St 2 minTemple Bar doorstepFree cancel until 16 May
✓ Confirmed
Cork · 20–22 May · 2 nights
Premier Inn Cork City Centre
11 Morrison's Quay, T12 PF78 Cork
Standard Quadruple · Breakfast included
Conf: [encrypted] · PIN: [encrypted]
Breakfast inclRiver Lee waterfrontNo parking: Q-Park ~€45/nightFree cancel until 18 May
✓ Confirmed
Dingle · 22–24 May · 2 nights
The Plough B&B
Ventry, Dingle, Kerry, Ireland
Triple Room with Sea View · Breakfast included
Conf: [encrypted] · PIN: [encrypted]
Breakfast inclSea viewFree parkingFree WiFiFree cancel until 7 May
✓ Confirmed
Belfast · 24–26 May · 2 nights
Premier Inn Belfast Titanic Quarter
2A Queens Road, BT3 9DT
Family Quadruple · Non-smoking
R360: [encrypted]
Paid [encrypted] + [encrypted] pts2 min to Titanic Belfast!Water views
Paid [encrypted]2 rooms · Coach DEn-suite showerClub Car lounge
✓ Arranged — 5 nights FREE
London · 28 May – 1 Jun · 5 nights
Brother's place · E18 2HJ
High View Road, South Woodford
Central line · Heathrow direct 55 min
Both girls tube freeHeathrow direct
Cork parking: no on-site parking at Premier Inn. Q-Park City Hall ~7 min walk at ~€45/24 hrs. Over 2 nights ≈ €90 (~₹9,500).
👥 Guests — Ilakyaa & Naveen
✓ Arranged
Cork · 21 May · 1 night · Ilakyaa
Cork hotel (5 min from Premier Inn)
Near Morrison's Quay, Cork
Arrives FR907 from Stansted 09:25 · joins family for dinner
5 min walk to Premier InnJoins 21 May evening
✓ Arranged
Dingle · 22–24 May · 2 nights · Ilakyaa
The Plough B&B, Ventry
Same as family
Triple Room with Sea View
Same property as family
✓ Arranged
Belfast · 24–26 May · Ilakyaa + Naveen
Premier Inn Belfast Titanic Quarter
Same hotel as family · 2A Queens Road
Ilakyaa departs BFS→LGW 25 May 20:55 · Naveen continues to Edinburgh
Same hotel as familyIlakyaa out 25 MayNaveen out 26 May
HP Studio ✅ confirmed · HP trail spans 3 countries: Edinburgh → Watford · 6 more experiences to book in good time
⚠️ Still to book
01
Guinness Storehouse + Gravity Bar
Day 2 · 19 May · Dublin
Ireland's most visited attraction · 7 floors of Guinness history · Gravity Bar panoramic views over Dublin · book ahead for May
guinness-storehouse.com · pre-book timed entry · skip the queue
⚠️ Still to book
02
Viking Splash Tour
Day 2 · 19 May · Dublin
Amphibious DUKW vehicle · Viking helmets · splashes into Grand Canal · ~75 min · book morning slot
vikingsplash.com · morning slot
⚠️ Still to book
03
Titanic Belfast
Day 8 · 24 May (evening) · Belfast
World's largest Titanic experience · 2 min walk from Premier Inn · interactive galleries · shipyard ride
titanicbelfast.com · pre-book timed entry
⚠️ Still to book
04
Giant's Causeway
Day 9 · 25 May · County Antrim
UNESCO World Heritage Site · 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns · Coastal path · Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge nearby · stunning for Sana & Tara
nationaltrust.org.uk · pre-book timed entry · coastal path is free
⚠️ Still to book
05
Elephant House Café
Day 11 · 27 May · Edinburgh
JK Rowling's writing desk · Writers' Room · George Heriot's School view · HP trail start
elephanthouse.biz · book table for 4 · opens 10 am
⚠️ Still to book
06
The Chocolatarium
Day 10 · 26 May evening · Edinburgh Royal Mile
Make your own chocolate bar · taste exotic chocolates from around the world · ~90 min · won #1 Best Food Experience UK · perfect for Sana & Tara · ages 5+
chocolatarium.co.uk · pre-book · ~£20/person
⚠️ Still to book
07
Department of Magic — Potions Tavern
Day 10 · 26 May evening · 9 Blair Street, Edinburgh
Brew your own smoking magical potions · Butterbeer alcoholic & non-alcoholic · wizarding robes provided · immersive HP-inspired decor · 75 min timed slot · #1 rated bar in Edinburgh · just off Royal Mile
departmentofmagic.com · pre-book timed slot · sessions from 14:00 · likely to sell out
⚠️ Still to book
08
Paddington Bear Experience
Day 13 · 28 May · County Hall, London
Multi-room immersive · live actors · full-size train carriage · ~70 min
paddingtonbearexperience.com · timed entry
⚠️ Still to book
09
Tower of London
Day 14 · 29 May · Tower Hill, London
Crown Jewels · Beefeater tour · White Tower · medieval armour · Tower Bridge walk (free) afterwards · kids love the ravens
hrp.org.uk · pre-book timed Crown Jewels entry
✅ Confirmed · Ref [encrypted]
10
Harry Potter Studio Tour
Day 15 · 30 May · Watford · 16:30 entry (adults) / 17:30 (children)
Great Hall · Platform 9¾ · Diagon Alley · Forbidden Forest · 2 × Adult Family + 1 × Adult + 2 × Child Family · Digital Photo & Video Package · Arrive by 16:10
Arrive by 16:10 · Show e-ticket at Watford Junction for shuttle · Non-refundable
✅ Free — no booking
11
Natural History Museum
Day 16 · 31 May · South Kensington, London
Free entry · dinosaur skeletons · 25m Blue Whale · Earth galleries · volcano simulation · Sana & Tara will love it · allow 2–3 hrs
nhm.ac.uk · free entry · no pre-booking required
Booking status
10
Confirmed
1
Still needed
6+
Experiences
🚨 Book today
Car hire — Dublin Airport → Belfast City Airport Book now
18–26 May · 8 days · diesel estate/MPV · full CDW + no-excess insurance · rentalcars.com or autoeurope
📅 Book in good time
Viking Splash Tour, Dublin
19 May · vikingsplash.com · morning slot · 4 tickets
Titanic Belfast — timed entry
24 May (evening) · titanicbelfast.com · 2 min walk from Premier Inn · book timed entry in advance
Elephant House Café, Edinburgh
27 May · elephanthouse.biz · book a table for 4 · opens 10 am
Paddington Bear Experience
28 May · paddingtonbearexperience.com · County Hall · timed entry · pre-book
Tower of London
29 May · hrp.org.uk · timed Crown Jewels entry · Beefeater tour
Circolo Popolare (if going)
Evening 29 May · Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia · book a table in advance — very popular
Sana (9) and Tara (6) are the perfect ages for this trip. Here's what to watch for and what they'll love most.
Freebies & savings
Both girls travel free on London tube · Premier Inn Dublin: kids eat free at breakfast · NHM free · Tower Bridge free
Animal highlights
K2 Alpacas, Howth (Day 3) · Dingle Oceanworld (Day 6) · Lios Stone Circle animal feeding (Day 7) · Moher Hill Farm lambs in May (Day 8) · Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh (Day 11)
Harry Potter trail — 3 countries
Victoria Street + Greyfriars tombstones, Edinburgh → Elephant House writing desk → Warner Bros. Studio, Watford · Sana (9) will love this thread across the whole trip
Car journey rule
Max 2–3 hrs per leg. One exception: Day 8 (Dingle → Belfast via Cliffs ~4.5 hrs). Start 8:30 am, three fun stops, pack snacks, iPad downloaded.
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
30m above sea and sways. Check Tara is comfortable with heights before committing. Giant's Causeway coastal walk is equally stunning and completely free. Now planned for Day 9 (25 May) — full day on the Causeway Coast.
May weather in Ireland
12–16°C, changeable. Waterproofs for all four. Layers essential. Cliffs of Moher can be very windy. Murphy's Ice Cream mandatory regardless of temperature!
Caledonian Sleeper adventure
23:40 departure — full Edinburgh evening first! · Sana & Tara in own cabin bunk beds · wake up arriving London · this will be a trip highlight
HP Studio — key reminders
Adults 16:30 · Children 17:30 · arrive by 16:10 · show e-ticket for shuttle at Watford Junction · Digital Photo & Video Package included!
Novotel Edinburgh
4-star, 80 Lauriston Place · paid €377, non-refundable · check-in 15:00, check-out noon · full Edinburgh day plan unchanged — just board sleeper 23:40
All 4 flights confirmed · BA ref: [encrypted] · easyJet ref: [encrypted]
✅ BA0036 — World Traveller
Chennai → London Heathrow
18 May 2026 · Meal included
05:35
MAA T2
──────→
12:10
LHR T5
1×23kg hold per person · 2h40 layover at T5 (same terminal for connection)
✅ BA0832 — Euro Traveller
London Heathrow → Dublin
18 May 2026 · Buy on board
14:50
LHR T5
──────→
16:20
DUB T2
Connection from BA0036 · same terminal T5 · no transfer needed
✅ EZY326 — easyJet · Ref: [encrypted]
Belfast Intl → Edinburgh
26 May 2026 · Paid [encrypted]
11:55
BFS
──────→
12:50
EDI
Seats [encrypted] · Bag drop closes 10:55
✅ BA0035 — World Traveller
London Heathrow → Chennai
1 Jun 2026 · Meal included
12:40
LHR T5
──────→
03:30+1
MAA T2
1×23kg hold per person
Passengers & ticket numbers · BA booking [encrypted]
Passenger
Ticket number
Hold baggage
Yuvan (Mr Yuvanesan Muthukumaresan)
[encrypted]
1×23kg per flight
Ramyaa (Mrs Ramyaa Yuvanesan)
[encrypted]
1×23kg per flight
Sana (Miss Sana Yuvanesan)
[encrypted]
1×23kg + 2 free child items
Tara (Miss Tara Yuvanesan)
[encrypted]
1×23kg + 2 free child items
Each child can also check 2 extra items free (pushchair, car seat, travel cot). LHR connection is 2h40 at Terminal 5 — no terminal change needed.
🚗 Car hire: Dublin Airport (18 May) → Belfast City Airport (26 May) · 8 days · No car in Edinburgh or London · Still to book!
~1,200
Total km
8
Hire days
~80L
Est. fuel
3
Refuel stops
~€140
Fuel cost
Left
Drive side
Day-by-day driving
Day
Date
Route
km
Notes
Day 1
18 May
Dublin Airport → Premier Inn Temple Bar
12
Straight into city · 20 min
Day 2
19 May
Parked in Dublin city
0
Walk everywhere · park at hotel
Day 3
20 May
Dublin → Howth → Kinsale
326
⛽ Refuel before Kinsale · longest day
Day 4
21 May
Kinsale → Cork city → parked
25
Q-Park City Hall ~€45/24hrs · no hotel parking
Day 5
22 May
Kinsale → Dingle (Ventry)
165
⛽ Refuel at Tralee or Dingle · arrive ~17:00
Day 6
22 May
Local Dingle town
10
Oceanworld, Gallarus, Kingdom Falconry
Day 7
23 May
Slea Head Drive loop from Ventry
55
Dún Chaoin · Dunmore Head · Conor Pass loop
Day 8
24 May
Dingle → Cliffs of Moher → Bunratty → Belfast
395
⛽ Refuel after Bunratty · start 8:30 am · longest drive
Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory · Belfast → Belfast City Airport
8
Drop car · check in for EZY326 · bag drop closes 10:55
Total
~1,196 km
≈ 1,200 km
⛽ Fuel plan
Fuel assumptions (diesel estate)
Consumption: ~6.5L/100km
Total fuel: ~80 litres
Irish diesel price: ~€1.75/L
Estimated total cost: ~€140 (~₹14,800)
⛽ Recommended refuel stops
Stop 1: Before/after Kinsale (Day 3) · 326 km leg Stop 2: Tralee or Dingle town (Day 5) · top up Stop 3: After Bunratty heading north (Day 8) · 395 km leg
🚗 Car hire checklist
Pick up: Dublin Airport · 18 May
Drop off: Belfast City Airport · 26 May
Type: Diesel estate or MPV (family of 4 + luggage)
Insurance: Full CDW + no-excess cover
Cross-border: Ireland → Northern Ireland ✓ (confirm with hire co)
Book via: rentalcars.com or autoeurope
🇮🇪 Driving in Ireland tips
Drive on the LEFT
Speed limits in km/h (not mph)
Motorway max: 120 km/h · Regional roads: 80 km/h
Tolls on M50 (Dublin) — pay online same day
N/R roads can be very narrow — take it slow
Free parking widely available outside cities
🅿️ Parking notes by city
Dublin — Premier Inn Temple Bar
No hotel parking · nearest: Q-Park Drury Street (~5 min walk) · ~€25–30/24hrs · or Setanta Centre car park · consider parking at Howth and taking DART into city on Day 2
Cork — Premier Inn Cork City Centre
No hotel parking · Q-Park City Hall ~7 min walk · ~€45/24hrs · over 2 nights ≈ €90 · factor this into budget
Dingle — The Plough B&B, Ventry
Free private parking on site ✅ · no reservation needed · easiest parking of the whole trip
Belfast — Premier Inn Titanic Quarter
On-site parking available · check with hotel on arrival · Titanic Belfast is 2 min walk so no moving the car needed for Day 8 evening
⚠️ Important: Confirm cross-border Ireland → Northern Ireland cover with your hire company when booking. Most major companies allow it but it must be explicitly confirmed — some require an extra fee or a specific policy.
Family trip · Flights booked · Winter 2027
🏯 Osaka·⛩️ Kyoto·🗼 Tokyo
Osaka · Kyoto · Tokyo
6 – 21 January 2027 · 16 days · Flights booked — Thai Airways out, Air India home
Y
Yuvan
Tap for passport
R
Ramyaa
Tap for passport
S
Sana
Tap for passport
T
Tara
Tap for passport
16
Total days
4
Osaka nights
4
Kyoto nights
7
Tokyo nights
2
Theme parks
1
Nara day trip
2
Flights booked
✅ Flights booked — Thai Airways into Osaka (6 Jan) & Air India home from Tokyo (21 Jan). Now lock the sell-out tickets: Ghibli Museum, Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios + Express Pass, and the three family hotels.
Arrive Osaka
6 Jan
KIX 15:45
Osaka
6–10 Jan
4 nights
Kyoto
10–14 Jan
4 nights
Nara
12 Jan
day trip
Shinkansen
14 Jan
to Tokyo
Tokyo
14–21 Jan
7 nights
Fly home
21 Jan
HND 10:30
✈️ Travel & arrival · 6 Jan Flights booked
6 JanD1Wed
Fly Chennai → Osaka · arrive Kansai 15:45 · easy first evening
Depart Chennai 6 Jan (Wed) 01:00 → land Kansai (KIX) 15:45 · Thai Airways via Bangkok
Reach Chennai airport by ~22:00 on 5 Jan for the 01:00 departure · TG 338 to Bangkok, short layover, TG 672 to Osaka · land Kansai (KIX) mid-afternoon · pick up pocket WiFi / activate eSIM · collect ICOCA IC cards · Nankai / Haruka / limousine bus to the Osaka hotel · konbini dinner adventure (7-Eleven / Lawson / FamilyMart — onigiri, katsu sando, melon pan) · early night to beat jet lag
Konbini dinner = instant kid hitPre-order pocket WiFi for airport pickupWarm layers in hand luggage — it's winter
🏯 Osaka · 6–10 Jan · 4 nights Hotel to book
7 JanD2Thu
Gentle first full day · Osaka Castle & Dotonbori
7 Jan (Thu)
Easy, jet-lag-friendly day · Osaka Castle & park (museum inside, winter-clear views) · evening Dotonbori — Glico running man, giant crab signs, takoyaki & okonomiyaki street food · Ferris-wheel views · Don Quijote mega store · keep it flexible in case the girls need a nap
Full day at USJ (weekday — quieter than weekends) · Super Nintendo World (Mario Kart ride, power-up bands) · Wizarding World of Harry Potter (ties to the Ireland trip!) · Minion Park · winter illuminations after dark · arrive at opening · Express Pass strongly recommended to skip queues · dress warm, hand-warmers help
Buy dated tickets + Express Pass + area timed-entry earlyPower-Up Band for Mario Kart fun
9 JanD4Sat
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 🐋
9 Jan (Sat)
Kaiyukan — one of the world's best aquariums, whale sharks in the giant central tank (warm indoors!) · Tempozan Ferris Wheel · Legoland Discovery Centre option · Umeda Sky Building or Namba shopping · gachapon fun
Whale sharks — a guaranteed kid favouriteIndoor day — good if it's cold or wet
🚆 Osaka → Kyoto · 10 Jan ~15–30 min by train
10 JanD5Sun
To Kyoto · Fushimi Inari
10 Jan (Sun)
Short train Osaka → Kyoto (~15–30 min) · drop bags / check in · late afternoon Fushimi Inari — thousands of vivid red torii gates, walk as far as the girls want · warm amazake or hot street snacks · free & open late, magical at dusk
Fushimi Inari is free & open late — fewer crowds at duskOnly a short hop — easy transfer day
⛩️ Kyoto · 10–14 Jan · 4 nights Hotel to book
11 JanD6Mon
Arashiyama — bamboo & monkeys
11 Jan (Mon)
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (go early) · Iwatayama Monkey Park — wild monkeys + city view (a climb, kids love it) · Togetsukyo Bridge · Tenryu-ji garden · Sagano scenic railway option · rickshaw ride · sweet-potato & matcha treats
Monkey park = top kid highlightArrive bamboo grove before 9 am
12 JanD7Tue
Nara day trip 🦌
12 Jan (Tue)
Train to Nara (~45 min) · Nara Park — 1,000+ free-roaming deer that bow for crackers (shika senbei) · Todai-ji Temple & the Great Buddha · Isuien Garden · back to Kyoto for dinner
Deer that bow — unforgettable for Sana & TaraBuy deer crackers from park vendors only
13 JanD8Wed
Golden Pavilion · kimono · Gion
13 Jan (Wed)
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion — stunning if there's a dusting of snow) · kids' kimono / yukata rental + photos · Nishiki Market food street · Kyoto Railway Museum option (huge hit for kids) · evening Gion lantern-lit streets · Pontocho alley
Child kimono rental — book a morning slotAlt: Kyoto Railway Museum if cold/wet
🚄 Shinkansen · Kyoto → Tokyo · 14 Jan ~2h15 · reserve seats
14 JanD9Thu
Bullet train to Tokyo · Asakusa & Skytree
14 Jan (Thu)
Forward big bags by takkyubin the day before · morning Shinkansen Kyoto → Tokyo (~2h15) · ekiben lunch boxes on the train (a treat!) · crisp winter Mt Fuji on the left heading east · check in Tokyo · afternoon Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise street snacks · Tokyo Skytree observation deck · Solamachi mall
Reserve seats — seat E is the Mt Fuji sideSkytree timed tickets online to skip queues
🗼 Tokyo · 14–21 Jan · 7 nights Hotel to book
15 JanD10Fri
Tokyo Disneyland 🏰
15 Jan (Fri) — full day
Full day at Tokyo Disneyland (classic castle park, best for ages 6 & 9 · weekday = shorter queues) · arrive at opening · use the Tokyo Disney Resort app for Standby Pass & Premier Access · winter décor + parade + evening show · matching ears for Sana & Tara · bundle up, the park is cold after dark
Buy dated tickets online in advanceDownload the official Tokyo Disney Resort app
16 JanD11Sat
Ueno Zoo · Shibuya
16 Jan (Sat)
Ueno Zoo (giant pandas!) + Ueno Park · choose: National Museum of Nature & Science (dinosaurs) · afternoon Shibuya — the famous Scramble Crossing · Hachiko statue · Shibuya Sky observation deck at sunset (winter air = razor-sharp views) · gachapon & arcade fun
Pandas for Tara · Shibuya Sky for the viewWalk-up friendly — good for a weekend
17 JanD12Sun
teamLab Planets · Odaiba
17 Jan (Sun)
teamLab Planets TOYOSU — barefoot through water & light rooms (warm indoors, magical for kids) · Odaiba: life-size Unicorn Gundam statue · Miraikan science museum (hands-on robots) · DiverCity / Aqua City for dinner · rainbow bridge views
Pre-book teamLab Planets timed entry — sells outYou wade through shallow water — quick-dry socks/leggings
18 JanD13Mon
Ghibli Museum · Harajuku · Pokémon
18 Jan (Mon)
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (Totoro, exclusive short film) · stroll Inokashira Park · Harajuku — Takeshita Street rainbow candy & crepes · Kiddy Land (5 floors of toys) · Pokémon Center · Meiji Shrine forest walk
⚠️ Ghibli tickets via Lawson — released 10th of prior month (≈10 Dec), sell out in minutes · check winter closure datesTakeshita St crepes = mandatory
19 JanD14Tue
Flex day — pick one (or just rest)
19 Jan (Tue) · a spare Tokyo day to keep loose
Three strong options depending on the girls' energy after a busy week:
🌊 Option A · Tokyo DisneySea — our pick
The only DisneySea in the world · brand-new Fantasy Springs (Frozen, Tangled, Peter Pan) is perfect for ages 6 & 9 · needs its own dated ticket + app for passes · a full day
🗻 Option B · Mt Fuji & Hakone day trip
Snow-capped Fuji is at its clearest in January · Hakone ropeway, pirate-ship lake cruise, Owakudani hot-spring valley · ~2–3h each way — an early start, best on a clear day
🎮 Option C · Akihabara + easy Tokyo
Low-key, no early start · Akihabara anime & arcades, gachapon heaven, multi-storey toy shops · pair with Ueno or a slow café morning · easiest if everyone needs a breather
DisneySea & Hakone both need booking ahead — decide earlyKeep this as your buffer — repeat a favourite if it rains/snows
20 JanD15Wed
Last full day · shopping & pack
20 Jan (Wed)
Relaxed final day · Omotesando / Harajuku or Ginza for last souvenirs · Character Street & Pokémon at Tokyo Station · final gachapon & konbini treats · early dinner · pack tonight — tomorrow's flight is a morning one
Pack tonight — early start tomorrowForward souvenirs home by takkyubin if needed
21 JanD16Thu
Fly home from Tokyo · morning flight
21 Jan (Thu) — depart Haneda (HND) 10:30
Early start · last konbini breakfast · train to Haneda (HND) — aim to arrive by ~07:30 (Air India closes international check-in 60 min before, but allow buffer with four travellers & the morning rush) · AI 357 Tokyo → Delhi (10:30 → 17:30), connect in Delhi, AI 2895 Delhi → Chennai (21:30 → 00:30, arrives 22 Jan)
✅ Booked: Air India · via Delhi · see Flights tabMorning flight — leave the hotel by ~06:45
Nothing booked yet — these are target areas & styles. Aim for family rooms (4 people) near a major train line. Many Tokyo/Osaka rooms are small; look for "family room", "triple", or connecting rooms / apart-hotels.
Accommodation progress0 of 3 booked
Book Tokyo & Osaka first — they fill up fastest
◷ To book
Osaka · 6–10 Jan · 4 nights
Family room near Namba or USJ
Namba / Shinsaibashi (food) or near Universal City
Family room for 4 · close to Dotonbori or USJ · first stop off the plane
Walk to DotonboriOr stay by USJ for park dayAirport rail links (KIX)
◷ To book
Kyoto · 10–14 Jan · 4 nights
Family room near Kyoto Station or Downtown
Kyoto Station / Karasuma–Shijo area
Family room for 4 · easy bus & train access
Near Kyoto StationDay-trip friendly (Nara)
◷ To book
Tokyo · 14–21 Jan · 7 nights
Family room near Ueno / Asakusa or Shinjuku
Pick a hub on the JR Yamanote line
Family room for 4 · breakfast handy · near a station · easy for Haneda on getaway day
Yamanote line accessBook early — fills fastCoin laundry a plus
💡 Tip: Japanese hotels often cap rooms at 2–3 guests. Search specifically for "family rooms" or book apart-hotels (e.g. serviced apartments) for a family of four — they include kitchenettes & laundry, great with kids.
Kid-magnet experiences for Sana (9) & Tara (6). Three of these — Ghibli, teamLab, Disney/USJ — must be booked well ahead.
⚠️ Express Pass
01
Universal Studios Japan
Day 3 · 8 Jan · Osaka
Super Nintendo World (Mario Kart!) · Harry Potter · Minions · power-up bands · winter illuminations
Totoro, a Ghibli-only short film, the Catbus play area · whimsical & magical · timed entry only
Via Lawson — released 10th of prior month (≈10 Dec) · check winter closures
Booking status
✓
Flights booked
3
Book first
7+
Then these
✅ Done
Flights Chennai ⇄ Japan Booked
Open-jaw, into Osaka & out of Tokyo: Out Thai Airways TG 338/672, MAA 6 Jan 01:00 → BKK → KIX 15:45 · Home Air India AI 357/2895, HND 21 Jan 10:30 → DEL → MAA 22 Jan 00:30 · all 4 travellers · see Flights tab
🚨 Lock these first (sell out fast)
Ghibli Museum tickets Sells out in minutes
For 18 Jan · released on the 10th of the prior month (≈10 Dec) via Lawson · set a reminder & be ready at release time · check winter closure dates
Tokyo Disneyland tickets Dated entry
15 Jan · buy dated tickets online · download the Tokyo Disney Resort app
Universal Studios Japan + Express Pass Express Pass
8 Jan · dated ticket + Express Pass + Super Nintendo World timed entry — these sell out, buy together
📅 Book in good time
Hotels — Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo
Family rooms for 4 · book Osaka & Tokyo first · see Hotels tab
teamLab Planets TOYOSU
17 Jan · teamlab.art · timed entry sells out on weekends
Shinkansen seat reservations
Kyoto → Tokyo (14 Jan) · reserve once fixed · ask for the Mt Fuji side (seat E) · see Trains tab
Tokyo Skytree & Shibuya Sky
Timed tickets online · pick sunset slots
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
9 Jan · kaiyukan.com · buy online to skip the line
Kids' kimono rental, Kyoto
13 Jan · reserve a morning slot near Gion
Pocket WiFi / eSIM + IC cards
Pre-order pocket WiFi for airport pickup, or buy eSIMs · set up ICOCA/Suica in Apple/Google Wallet
Japan is wonderfully kid-friendly — clean, safe, punctual, and full of small delights. Here's what makes it easy & fun with Sana (9) and Tara (6).
Konbini magic
7-Eleven, Lawson & FamilyMart are everywhere · cheap tasty meals, onigiri, fried chicken, melon pan, puddings · great for picky eaters & quick breakfasts
IC cards for everyone
Get a Suica (Tokyo) / ICOCA (Kansai) each — tap on/off trains, buses & vending machines · kids' versions exist · or add Suica to phone wallets
Gachapon & vending
Capsule-toy machines everywhere · give each girl a small daily coin budget · drink vending machines on every corner (hot & cold)
Train etiquette
Quiet voices, no eating on local trains, line up on platform marks · rush hour (8–9 am) is packed — avoid with kids · trains are spotless & on time
Luggage forwarding (takkyubin)
Send big suitcases hotel-to-hotel (e.g. Kyoto → Tokyo) for ~¥2,000/bag · travel light on the Shinkansen with just a day bag · arrives next day
January weather ❄️
Cold & mostly dry, ~2–10°C · crisp blue skies, occasional light snow (esp. Kyoto) · pack thermals, gloves, hats, warm coats + comfy waterproof shoes · hand-warmers (kairo) from any konbini are a kid win
Shoes off indoors
Remove shoes at temples, some restaurants & ryokan · easy slip-on shoes save time · clean socks all round
Food for kids
Loads of wins: ramen, udon, gyoza, tempura, katsu, sushi conveyor belts, crepes, taiyaki · note: ask about veg/halal needs in advance — flag dietary requirements at booking
Toilets & amenities
High-tech heated toilets (a novelty for kids!) · clean public toilets everywhere · baby/kid facilities in malls & stations
Purikura & arcades
Photo-sticker booths & game arcades (claw machines!) in every entertainment district · a fun rainy-afternoon backup
Theme-park strategy
Arrive at opening, use ride-pass apps (Disney) / Express Pass (USJ), big rides first, breaks in the afternoon · bring a portable charger
Stay connected
Pocket WiFi or eSIM keeps maps + translation handy · Google Maps is excellent for trains · Google Translate camera for menus
✅ Flights booked — an open-jaw: into Osaka (Kansai) on Thai Airways and home from Tokyo (Haneda) on Air India, so no backtracking. Both are redemption / award tickets for all four travellers. Booking references are kept off this public page — see your email e-tickets for the full PNRs.
✅ Booked — Outbound · Thai Airways
Chennai → Osaka
6 Jan 2027 · 1 stop (Bangkok) · 13h 15m total · ref FH7•••
01:00
MAA · 6 Jan
──3h25m──→
05:55
BKK · 6 Jan
TG 338 · Airbus A330-300 · Chennai → Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
TG 672 · Boeing 777-300ER · Bangkok → Osaka Kansai · 1 checked bag / person
✅ Booked — Return · Air India
Tokyo → Chennai
21 Jan 2027 · 1 stop (Delhi) · ref 974•••
10:30
HND · 21 Jan
──10h30m──→
17:30
DEL · 21 Jan
AI 357 · Tokyo Haneda → Delhi (Terminal 3)
✓ 4h 00m layover at Delhi (DEL) — same terminal (T3); recheck / immigration time built in
21:30
DEL · 21 Jan
──3h00m──→
00:30
MAA · 22 Jan
AI 2895 · Delhi → Chennai · lands 00:30 on 22 Jan · 2 checked bags / person
Passengers & e-ticket numbers · Thai FH7••• · Air India 974•••
Passenger
Outbound · Thai (TG)
Return · Air India (AI)
Yuvan (Mr Yuvanesan Muthukumaresan)
•••••5922
•••••2548
Ramyaa (Mrs Ramyaa Yuvanesan)
•••••5923
—
Sana (Miss Sana Yuvanesan)
•••••5924
—
Tara (Miss Tara Yuvanesan)
•••••5925
—
Numbers are masked in the public page · full values appear after login once the encrypted refs blob is added. Baggage: Thai 1 checked bag/person; Air India 2 checked bags/person.
🛫 Getaway day: the Tokyo → Delhi leg leaves Haneda at 10:30, so plan a ~06:45 hotel checkout and arrive HND by ~07:30 (Air India closes international check-in 60 min before, but allow buffer with four travellers).
📄 Reminder: India passports — Japan requires a visa. Apply 1–2 months ahead. Check each passport has 6+ months validity beyond 21 Jan 2027 (tap the traveller chips above to review expiry dates).
🚄 Japan runs on trains — fast, spotless, punctual. With this route (Osaka → Kyoto → Tokyo) a full Japan Rail Pass usually is NOT worth it; point-to-point tickets + IC cards are cheaper. Quick maths below.
~30m
Osaka→Kyoto
~45m
Kyoto→Nara
2h15
Kyoto→Tokyo
285
km/h top speed
Key journeys
When
Route
Train
Time
Notes
6 Jan
Kansai Airport → Osaka
Nankai / JR Haruka
~40–75m
On arrival · or airport limousine bus
8 Jan
Osaka → Universal City
JR Yumesaki line
~11m
From Osaka station via Nishikujo
10 Jan
Osaka → Kyoto
JR Special Rapid / Kintetsu
~15–30m
Frequent · just tap your IC card
12 Jan
Kyoto → Nara → Kyoto
JR / Kintetsu line
~45m each way
Day trip · IC card fine, no reservation
14 Jan
Kyoto → Tokyo
Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari/Nozomi)
~2h15
Reserve seats · seat E = Mt Fuji side (east-bound)
Passes & cards
🎫 IC cards (Suica / ICOCA)
Get one each · tap on/off all city trains, subways & buses · top up at machines · also buys drinks & konbini snacks · add to phone wallet where possible
💴 JR Pass — probably skip
After the 2023 price rise, a 7-day JR Pass rarely pays off for just Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka · buy the single Shinkansen ticket instead · note the Nozomi isn't covered by the pass anyway
🧳 Travel light on the bullet train
Oversized bags need a reserved space behind the back row · easier: forward big suitcases Kyoto→Tokyo by takkyubin the day before & ride with day bags
📱 Navigation
Google Maps is excellent for Japanese trains — platforms, exits, live times · screenshot routes offline · station numbering (e.g. JY03) helps kids follow along
🚸 Kids: under 6 generally ride free on laps; ages 6–11 are usually half fare. Tara (6) & Sana (9) qualify for child fares — buy child IC cards or child tickets.