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
3
Kyoto nights
8
Tokyo nights
4
Day trips
1
Disneyland
2
Flights booked
✅ Flights booked — Thai Airways into Osaka (6 Jan) & Air India home from Tokyo (21 Jan). See the Book Now tab for the priority booking timeline — Gion Corner, teamLab Planets, Tokyo Disneyland, Shibuya Sky and more each open on a different date. 🎂 Tara's birthday falls on Day 6 (11 Jan) in Kyoto — kimono rental booked to mark the day!
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 · immigration + Nankai Rapi:t or limousine bus to Namba (~1.5–2h) · expect hotel check-in around 5:30–6pm · pick up pocket WiFi / activate eSIM · collect ICOCA IC cards · evening in Dotonbori — the Glico running-man sign, lantern-lit Hozenji Yokocho · dinner at Gyumon (yakiniku) or Torikizoku (casual skewers) · save the Tombori River Cruise for tomorrow if everyone's flagging tonight
Konbini dinner backup if the girls fade earlyPre-order pocket WiFi for airport pickupWarm layers in hand luggage — it's winter
🏯 Osaka · 6–10 Jan · 4 nights Hotel to book
7 JanD2Thu
Namba & Shinsaibashi → Shinsekai & Tennoji
7 Jan (Thu)
Morning: Kuromon Market for breakfast/street-food grazing · wander Namba, Namba Yasaka Shrine's giant lion-head stage · Rikuro's Namba for the famous jiggly cheesecake · Bear Paw Cafe pancakes · Bic Camera & MEGA Don Quijote for electronics/snacks, the Pringles Store for novelty flavours · afternoon: Tsutenkaku Tower (observation deck + slide) in Shinsekai · kushikatsu street food at Shinsekai Market · Tenshiba park for a kid-energy break · maybe last night's river cruise (~20 min, Tombori River) if you swapped it here
Rikuro's cheesecake — worth the queueTsutenkaku slide is a quick kid win
Morning: Osaka Castle & grounds (allow 2–3h, museum inside) · Nakanoshima Children's Book Forest — Tadao Ando's striking book-lined building, lovely for kids · optional detour to Castella no Aka-chan (baby-castella specialty shop, Joto Ward near Kyobashi) · afternoon: North Osaka — Minoh Falls (easy forest walk to a waterfall) & Katsuoji (temple covered in daruma dolls) · evening: Umeda Sky Building for sunset views from the floating garden observatory
Nakanoshima Book Forest — a hidden gem for kidsMinoh Falls is an easy stroller-friendly walk
9 JanD4Sat
Nara day trip 🦌 — deer, mochi & a hilltop cable car
9 Jan (Sat) · ~35–45 min from Namba by train
Nara Park — 1,000+ free-roaming deer that bow for crackers (shika senbei), a guaranteed family favourite · Nakatanidou for the famous rapid-fire mochi-pounding show · on the way back, ride the Ikoma Cable Car — a scenic ride up to a hilltop amusement park, a fun way to end the day before returning to Osaka
Deer that bow — unforgettable for Sana & TaraBuy deer crackers from park vendors only
🚄 Himeji day trip → Kyoto · 10 Jan ~1.5h via Shin-Osaka
10 JanD5Sun
Himeji Castle day trip → transfer to Kyoto
10 Jan (Sun) · check out Osaka this morning, check into Kyoto this evening
Morning: Himeji Castle — Japan's finest original castle, allow 2.5h · Koko-en, the adjoining Edo-style garden · early afternoon transfer Himeji → Kyoto via Shin-Osaka (~1.5h by Shinkansen) — check out of the Osaka hotel before heading out, check into the Kyoto hotel by evening · settle in with an evening stroll along Pontocho Alley, then dinner at one of its many riverside restaurants · Iyoshi Cola for a craft cola nightcap
Bags travel with you today — no forwarding needed
⛩️ Kyoto · 10–13 Jan · 3 nights Hotel to book
11 JanD6Mon
🎂 Tara's Birthday! · Fushimi Inari · kimono day in Gion
11 Jan (Mon)
Go early (8am) to Fushimi Inari Taisha — do the lower loop with the kids, the full summit is 2–3h · Gion/Higashiyama: Ninenzaka's historic stone-paved slope, with a kids' kimono rental to mark Tara's birthday in style · snack stops along Sannenzaka — Ochanokosaisai's viral chilli-powder treat, Miffy's Oyatsu-do, Komatsuya Honke's stamped pancake roll · Gion Corner for a daytime/early-evening geisha-arts show (book ahead) · Northern/Eastern Kyoto: the rabbit-themed Okazaki Shrine · WIFE & HUSBAND for picnic-basket coffee · BUTTER Hoboku Rakunojo's butter sandwiches for lunch · Vineria Il Passaggio for a parents' wine-time nightcap
🎂 Kimono rental booked for Tara's birthday⚠️ Book Gion Corner aheadBring a small birthday treat for the hotel room tonight
12 JanD7Tue
Arashiyama bamboo & monkeys → Downtown Kyoto
12 Jan (Tue)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest — best early morning, fewer crowds · Okochi Sanso Garden (entry includes tea + views) · Iwatayama Monkey Park — a short uphill hike to wild monkeys + a city view · Adashino Nenbutsuji, a quieter stone-Buddha temple · back into town: late lunch at Nishiki Market · Kimono Tea Ceremony at MAIKOYA if booked · browse Teramachi-dori's covered arcade, Kyoto BAL, TODAY'S SPECIAL Kyoto (homeware), (THIS IS)SHIZEN's flower-shaped ice cream near Nishiki, Seria 100-yen store
Arrive the bamboo grove before 9amBook MAIKOYA ahead if doing the tea ceremony
🚄 Kyoto → Yokohama → Tokyo · 13 Jan ~2h + 30min
13 JanD8Wed
Transfer to Tokyo — via Yokohama's Cup Noodles Museum
13 Jan (Wed)
Forward big bags by takkyubin the day before if you'd rather travel light · morning Shinkansen Kyoto → Yokohama (~2h, via Shin-Yokohama) · Cup Noodles Museum — make your own cup noodle, a big hit with kids · UNIQLO PARK — playground + store combo · KitKat Chocolatory for Japan-exclusive flavours · short hop Yokohama → Tokyo (~30 min) · check into the Tokyo hotel by evening
Cup Noodles Museum — book the make-your-own slot if you canA fun, low-key transfer day for tired legs
🗼 Tokyo · 13–21 Jan · 8 nights Hotel to book
14 JanD9Thu
Kamakura day trip 🦞 — Great Buddha & the seaside
14 Jan (Thu) · ~1h from Tokyo/Shinagawa by JR, round trip
Kotoku-in's Great Buddha · Hase-dera, a temple with an ocean-view garden · snack along Komachi-dori shopping street · lunch at Tomoya Kamakura Komachi · Miffy Oyatsudou Kamakura for a cafe stop · the iconic Kamakurakokomae Station seaside railway-crossing photo spot · sunset walk at Shichirigahama Beach · Houkokuji's bamboo grove temple · Hatoya Kamakura for the famous hato (pigeon-shaped) sabure biscuits to take home · back to the Tokyo hotel that night
A full day out — pack layers, it's a coastal breezePhoto stop at the railway crossing is quick but iconic
15 JanD10Fri
Mt Fuji & Kawaguchiko day trip 🗻
15 Jan (Fri) · ~2h direct highway bus from Shinjuku, long day, round trip
An early start — direct highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko · the famous Mt Fuji-view LAWSON convenience store at Kawaguchiko Station for a quick photo & snack · Chureito Pagoda for the classic Fuji + pagoda view (~400 steps) · Oishi Park, an easy lakeside flower park for the kids · Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway — take the best clear-weather morning slot if the schedule allows · Oshino Hakkai, a historic spring-water village with Fuji views, easy walking · Lake Yamanaka to finish · back to the Tokyo hotel that night
Weather-dependent — check the Fuji visibility forecast before you goA long day — pace naps on the bus
16 JanD11Sat
Tokyo Station & Marunouchi → Ginza
16 Jan (Sat)
Tokyo Station's red-brick Marunouchi facade · Tokyo Character Street, an underground arcade of anime/character merch · Daimaru Tokyo's depachika food hall · a walk around the Imperial Palace's exterior grounds · optional: DAWN Avatar Robot Cafe in Nihonbashi · dinner option: Ninja Tokyo, a ninja-themed restaurant in Otemachi (book ahead) · afternoon in Ginza: Itoya's stationery flagship, Uniqlo & MUJI flagships, Age.3, PUDDING LAB, Centre The Bakery's famous shokupan toast, ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM's illuminated aquarium art, the Disney Flagship Store Tokyo · evening options: Ginza Lion Beer Hall, or THE SUMO LIVE RESTAURANT HIRAKUZA for dinner + a sumo show (book ahead) · swap Tsukiji Outer Market for a Ginza depachika breakfast if the morning gets squeezed
⚠️ Book Ninja Tokyo or the sumo dinner show aheadART AQUARIUM MUSEUM is a striking evening stop
17 JanD12Sun
Asakusa · Tokyo Skytree · Ueno
17 Jan (Sun)
Start at Senso-ji, Asakusa's iconic temple and the heart of the district · Sanrio Gift Gate Asakusa · Kappabashi Kitchen Supply Town's novelty food-replica shops (fun for kids) · Benitsuru Pancake (be ready to queue — it's viral) or Imo Pippi's sweet-potato treats · lunch at Shan Restaurant · a mini-pig cafe stop at pignic cafe if the girls are keen · one stop away: Tokyo Skytree observation deck & Sumida Aquarium inside Skytree Town · Ueno: Ameyoko Market's street stalls · Gyukatsu Motomura for lunch/a snack — fried beef cutlet you cook yourself on a tabletop grill
Benitsuru Pancake has long queues — go early or skip if pressedSumida Aquarium is an easy Skytree add-on
18 JanD13Mon
Shibuya · Harajuku · Shinjuku
18 Jan (Mon)
Hachiko Statue photo stop right outside Shibuya Station · quiet morning at Meiji Jingu's forest shrine · Takeshita Street's crepe stalls · Kiddy Land, a toy flagship that's a highlight for the kids, plus Sanrio Cute Cube & DAISO Harajuku · cafe stops to pick from: Nanaya Aoyama's strong matcha soft-serve, Moff Animal Cafe, mipig cafe, ANAKUMA CAFE, or Kumachan Onsen's teddy-shaped soup bowls · lunch at Le Souffle (Yoyogi) · book a timed sunset slot at Shibuya Sky · Shinjuku: free views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's observation deck · a wander through Omoide Yokocho · Hekkelun Cafe's viral pudding, Naruto Taiyaki Honpo's fish-shaped confectionery · Tokyo Toy Museum · push on to Kichijoji + Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory for Totoro-shaped cream puffs if there's time left
⚠️ Book Shibuya Sky's timed slot aheadKiddy Land — set a souvenir budget beforehand
19 JanD14Tue
teamLab Planets · Tokyo Tower · Odaiba
19 Jan (Tue)
teamLab Planets TOYOSU — immersive art, barefoot through water & light rooms, allow 2h (book ahead, sells out) · Miraikan science museum's hands-on robots · UNKO MUSEUM TOKYO — a novelty stop the kids find hilarious · Minato: Tokyo Tower & the adjacent Zojo-ji Temple · Atago Jinja, the highest & first shrine in Tokyo, and Hie Shrine · a cafe stop at Comme'N Tokyo (Azabudai Hills) — look for the kids-only "Comme'N KIDS" spin-off in the same mall · quick ramen at Ichiran, Shimbashi · book a Sushi Making Tokyo class slot if you want to prioritise it
⚠️ Pre-book teamLab Planets — sells outUNKO MUSEUM is silly, kid-approved funMaxell Aqua Park Shinagawa is the rainy-day backup
20 JanD15Wed
Tokyo Disneyland 🏰
20 Jan (Wed) — full day
Full dedicated day at Tokyo Disneyland — arrive at rope-drop and use the app for standby-pass/priority timings · classic Disney rides and the parade are the best fit for a 6-year-old · winter décor + evening show · matching ears for Sana & Tara · try to wrap up at a reasonable hour tonight — tomorrow's departure is an early one, so no time for a late night
Buy dated tickets online in advanceDownload the official Tokyo Disney Resort appEarly flight tomorrow — plan a realistic finish time
21 JanD16Thu
Fly home from Tokyo · pack the night before!
21 Jan (Thu) — depart Haneda (HND) 10:30
An early start — no time for sightseeing this morning, so have bags packed & ready the night before · leave the hotel by ~6–6:30am for the 10:30am international departure · AI 357 Tokyo Haneda → Delhi (10:30 → 17:30) · connect in Delhi (same terminal, T3) · AI 2895 Delhi → Chennai (21:30 → 00:30, arrives 22 Jan)
✅ Booked: Air India · via Delhi · see Flights tabPack tonight — leave the hotel by 6–6:30am
Nothing booked yet. Each card below has a suggested pick (MIMARU's apartment-hotel chain — real kitchens, dining tables, and rooms built for 4+ — is the best fit across all three cities) plus a traditional-hotel alternative if you'd rather have daily housekeeping over self-catering.
Accommodation progress0 of 3 booked
All 3 hotels booked — but double-check the Tokyo occupancy (2 adults / 0 children listed) before travel
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No fixed release dates for hotels — these are our own recommended book-by targets, based on how fast family/quad rooms in Japan typically go.
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✓ Confirmed
Osaka · 4 nights
Namba Oriental Hotel ★★★★
→ Check-in 6 Jan (Wed), 15:00← Check-out 10 Jan (Sun), 11:00
2-8-17 Sennichi-Mae, Chuo, Osaka — 3 min walk to Namba Station, ~5 min to Dotonbori
Quality Deluxe Triple, Non-Smoking, with Welcome Lounge & Laundry Lounge access · 3 twin beds · 2 adults, 2 children
Booking #[encrypted] · Voucher #[encrypted]
Paid ₹97,043Breakfast includedWelcome Lounge accessLaundry LoungeCity tax due locally at check-in
Non-refundable. Booked via Axis Bank Travel Edge (31 Jul 2026) · local phone +81-570-051153.
✓ Confirmed
Kyoto · 3 nights
Minn Gion Sanjo
→ Check-in 10 Jan (Sun), after 15:00← Check-out 13 Jan (Wed), before 11:00
18 Sanchōme, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto — Gion/Sanjo area
Deluxe Suite Room (4 beds) with private sauna experience, 17:30~ · 2 single beds + 2 sofa beds · 2 adults, 2 children (6 & 9) · no meals included
Booking #[encrypted] · PIN [encrypted]
Paid ₹43,576.99Private saunaWalkable to Gion/HigashiyamaAccommodation tax due on arrival
Free cancellation ended 29 Jul 2026 — non-refundable from here. Local contact: +81-50-3642-5546.
✓ Confirmed
Tokyo · 8 nights
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
→ Check-in 13 Jan (Wed)← Check-out 21 Jan (Thu)
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo — the hotel with the giant Godzilla head, right by Shinjuku Station
Deluxe Twin Room, non-smoking, large bed · Early Booking Saver (17% off)
Booking #[encrypted] · Agoda, Visa ending [encrypted]
Booked for 2 adults, 0 childrenCoffee & teaFree WiFiExpress check-in
⚠️ This booking shows 2 adults, 0 children, 0 extra beds — unlike the Osaka & Kyoto bookings, this one doesn't list the girls. Double-check with Agoda/the hotel before travel: Japanese hotels register & photocopy ID for every guest at check-in, so an unlisted occupant can cause problems at the front desk.
JPY 274,656 total — INR amount charged 10 Jan 2027 (Agoda "future price"). Free cancellation until 12 Jan 2027, after which 1 night is charged; no-show charges 100%. No breakfast included. Property contact: +81-3-6833-1111.
⏰ Tokyo checkout is 21 Jan for a ~10:30am Haneda flight — confirm with the hotel in advance whether early/express checkout is available, since standard staffed check-out is usually from ~10–11am.
💡 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 (6/7 🎂). Several of these — Gion Corner, teamLab, Disneyland, Shibuya Sky — have hard release dates; see the Book Now tab's priority timeline.
The famous theatrical omurice chef — genuinely worth it, but hard to schedule around this trip's early Kyoto mornings
Same-day, in-person queue only from ~8am (system changed 2024) — only works if an adult can skip part of a morning to queue centrally; treat as opportunistic, not a fixed booking
✅ Walk-up
03
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Day 6 · 11 Jan · Kyoto
Thousands of vivid red torii gates winding up the hill · free · open 24h
Free · no booking · go early (8am)
🎂 Tara's birthday
04
Kids' Kimono Rental, Ninenzaka
Day 6 · 11 Jan · Kyoto
Dress Sana & Tara in kimono for photos on Ninenzaka's historic slope — marking Tara's birthday
Book a morning rental slot near Gion
⚠️ Book ahead
05
Gion Corner
Day 6 · 11 Jan · Kyoto
Daytime/early-evening geisha-arts show — dance, tea ceremony, music
Book ahead — set showtimes
◷ Tickets at gate
06
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Day 7 · 12 Jan · Kyoto
Hike up to wild Japanese macaques + panoramic Kyoto view
Pay at entrance · wear comfy shoes
✅ Walk-up
07
Cup Noodles Museum
Day 8 · 13 Jan · Yokohama
Make-your-own cup noodle workshop — a big hit with kids, on the transfer day
Book the make-your-own slot if you can
✅ Walk-up
08
Kamakura — Great Buddha & seaside
Day 9 · 14 Jan · Kamakura
Kotoku-in's Great Buddha, Hase-dera, the iconic railway-crossing photo spot, sunset beach walk
No booking · full day, round trip from Tokyo
◷ Weather-dependent
09
Mt Fuji & Kawaguchiko
Day 10 · 15 Jan · Kawaguchiko
Chureito Pagoda, Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Oshino Hakkai, Lake Yamanaka
Check the clear-weather forecast first
⚠️ Book ahead
10
Ninja Tokyo / Sumo dinner show
Day 11 · 16 Jan · Ginza/Otemachi
Ninja-themed dining, or THE SUMO LIVE RESTAURANT HIRAKUZA — dinner + a live sumo show
Hands-on sushi-making class — a fun, memorable family activity
Book a class slot if prioritising this
⚠️ Still to book
14
Tokyo Disneyland
Day 15 · 20 Jan · Tokyo
Classic castle park · perfect ages · winter décor, parade & show
tokyodisneyresort.jp · dated tickets online
Booking status
✓
Flights booked
10
Windows tracked
1
Can't pre-book
✅ 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
🎯 Priority booking timeline
Researched Jul 2026, sorted by when each booking window actually opens — 🔒 = a fixed release rule, 💡 = our recommended buffer for a flexible window. Tap ▶ links to go straight to the booking site.
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⚠️ Kichi Kichi Omurice changed its system in 2024 — no advance reservations exist any more, it's same-day, in-person queue only from ~8am. Every full Kyoto day already has an early-morning start elsewhere (Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama), so fitting this in means one adult skipping part of a morning to queue centrally. Treat it as an opportunistic extra, not a fixed plan — Kyoto has plenty of other great dinner spots as a backup.
📄 Japan visa (India): apply by ~1 Dec 2026 for a comfortable buffer — official VFS Global processing is 4–7 working days, but realistic end-to-end (appointment + document prep + return) runs 2–3 weeks. A new eVisa option is expected to launch Sep 2026 and may simplify this — worth checking closer to the time. Confirm each passport has 6+ months' validity beyond 21 Jan 2027.
📅 No fixed date — just get to it
All 3 hotels booked Tokyo needs review
Osaka (Namba Oriental), Kyoto (Minn Gion Sanjo) & Tokyo (Hotel Gracery Shinjuku) all booked · Tokyo shows 2 adults/0 children — confirm the girls are covered before travel · see Hotels tab
Kimono Tea Ceremony, MAIKOYA
12 Jan, Kyoto · book ahead if doing this
Sushi Making Tokyo class
19 Jan · book a class slot if prioritising this
Pocket WiFi / eSIM + IC cards
Pre-order pocket WiFi for airport pickup, or buy eSIMs · set up ICOCA/Suica in Apple/Google Wallet
Booking windows researched Jul 2026 from official sites & current traveller reports — policies can change, so double-check the live site closer to your date.
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 by ~1 Dec 2026 for a comfortable buffer (see the exact timeline in the Book Now tab). 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 → Himeji → Kyoto → Yokohama → Tokyo, plus Kamakura & Fuji day trips) a full Japan Rail Pass usually is NOT worth it; point-to-point tickets + IC cards are cheaper. Quick maths below.
~40m
Osaka↔Nara
~1.5h
Osaka→Himeji→Kyoto
~2.5h
Kyoto→Yokohama→Tokyo
285
km/h top speed
Key journeys
When
Route
Train
Time
Notes
6 Jan
Kansai Airport → Osaka (Namba)
Nankai Rapi:t / JR Haruka
~40–75m
On arrival · or airport limousine bus
9 Jan
Osaka (Namba) ↔ Nara
Kintetsu / JR line
~35–45m each way
Day trip · IC card fine, no reservation
10 Jan
Osaka → Himeji → Kyoto
Sanyo/Tokaido Shinkansen (via Shin-Osaka)
~1.5h total
Transfer day — bags travel with you
13 Jan
Kyoto → Yokohama → Tokyo
Tokaido Shinkansen (via Shin-Yokohama) + local
~2h + 30m
Reserve Shinkansen seats
14 Jan
Tokyo/Shinagawa ↔ Kamakura
JR Yokosuka line
~1h each way
Day trip · IC card fine, no reservation
15 Jan
Shinjuku ↔ Kawaguchiko
Direct highway bus
~2h each way
Day trip · book seats ahead in peak season
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.
Family trip · Confirmed & booked · September 2026
🌴 Bekal·⛵ Mangaluru
Bekal · Mangaluru
11 – 14 September 2026 · 4 days · Flights & hotels booked
Y
Yuvan
Adult
R
Ramyaa
Adult
S
Sana
Child
T
Tara
Child
4
Total days
2
Bekal nights
1
Mangaluru night
2
Flights booked
2
Hotels booked
✅ Fully booked — flights, Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, and Vivanta Mangalore are all confirmed. A short, relaxed beach & backwater getaway.
Fly out
11 Sep
MAA→IXE 05:40
Bekal
11–13 Sep
2 nights
Mangaluru
13–14 Sep
1 night
Fly home
14 Sep
IXE→MAA 07:55
✈️ Travel · 11 Sep Flights booked
11 SepD1Fri
Fly Chennai → Mangaluru · transfer to Bekal
Depart Chennai (MAA) 05:40 → land Mangaluru (IXE) 07:25 · IndiGo 6E 7346
Early departure — reach Chennai airport (Terminal 4) by ~04:00 for the 05:40 flight · IndiGo 6E 7346 (ATR), 1h 45m · land Mangaluru (IXE) 07:25 · road transfer Mangaluru → Bekal (~1.5–2h along the coast) · check in to Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Deluxe Villa Courtyard View · settle in — private courtyard, resort grounds, beach & backwater views · relaxed first evening, all meals included from check-in
Very early flight — pack the night beforeAll-meals-inclusive package starts today
A full resort day — beach time on the Bekal coastline, the resort pool, spa treatments for the adults, kids' activities · explore the backwater-facing grounds and courtyard villas · all meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as part of the Limited Period Escapes package · an early-evening walk along the beach as the light turns gold
All-meals-inclusive — no need to plan mealsBook a spa slot early if you want one
🚗 Bekal → Mangaluru · 13 Sep ~1.5–2h by road
13 SepD3Sun
Bekal Fort → transfer to Mangaluru
13 Sep (Sun) · check out Bekal this morning, check into Mangaluru this evening
Morning: Bekal Fort — Kerala's largest fort, a short drive from the resort, with sweeping Arabian Sea views from the ramparts (a great photo stop with the kids) · check out of Taj Bekal · road transfer Bekal → Mangaluru (~1.5–2h) · check in to Vivanta Mangalore Oldport Road (formerly Taj Manjarun), Premium Room River View, by the afternoon · relaxed evening — river views from the room, or a stroll near Old Port Road
Bekal Fort is open till eveningBags travel with you — no forwarding needed
An early start — check out of the Vivanta well before the standard checkout time, so pack the night before · IndiGo 6E 7345 (ATR) Mangaluru → Chennai, 07:55 → 09:40 (1h 45m) · lands Chennai Terminal 1 · home by mid-morning
✅ Booked: IndiGo · both flights confirmedLeave the hotel by ~6am for the 07:55 flight
✅ Both hotels confirmed — Taj Bekal Resort & Spa (2 nights) and Vivanta Mangalore Oldport Road (1 night).
✓ Confirmed
Bekal, Kerala · 11–13 Sep · 2 nights
Taj Bekal Resort & Spa
Kerala · +91 46723 02000
Deluxe Villa Courtyard View · Limited Period Escapes — all meals inclusive · 2 Adults, 2 Children
Booking #[encrypted] · Itinerary #[encrypted]
All meals includedVilla with courtyard₹61,977 total
✓ Confirmed
Mangaluru · 13–14 Sep · 1 night
Vivanta Mangalore Oldport Road
Old Port Road, near Mangaluru City Bus Stand · formerly Taj Manjarun
Premium Room River View · 2 Adults, 2 Children · booked via MakeMyTrip
R360 ID: [encrypted]
River viewWi-Fi for 4 devices₹13,619 total (₹9,533 pts + ₹4,086 cash)
💡 Taj Bekal check-in is standard 2pm on 11 Sep · Vivanta Mangalore check-out is 12pm on 14 Sep, but the 07:55 flight means leaving well before then.
✅ Both flights booked with IndiGo — direct Chennai ⇄ Mangaluru, all 4 travellers confirmed on the same booking each way.
✅ Booked — Outbound · IndiGo
Chennai → Mangaluru
11 Sep 2026 · Direct · 1h 45m · PNR [encrypted]
05:40
MAA · T4
──1h45m──→
07:25
IXE
6E 7346 · ATR turboprop · check-in/bag drop closes 04:40
✅ Booked — Return · IndiGo
Mangaluru → Chennai
14 Sep 2026 · Direct · 1h 45m · PNR [encrypted]
07:55
IXE
──1h45m──→
09:40
MAA · T1
6E 7345 · ATR turboprop · check-in/bag drop closes 06:55
Seats — booked on both flights
Passenger
Outbound seat
Return seat
Yuvan
16F (Window)
16F (Window)
Ramyaa
16D (Aisle)
16D (Aisle)
Sana
16C (Aisle)
16C (Aisle)
Tara
16A (Window)
16A (Window)
Same row (16) both ways — window/aisle seats for the girls to swap.
🧳 Baggage: 15kg check-in + 7kg cabin per person (domestic). ATR aircraft — smaller overhead bins, keep hand luggage compact.
A short, easy family getaway — beach, backwaters and two very early flights. Here's what makes it smooth with Sana (9) and Tara (6).
Very early flights both ways
05:40 out, 07:55 back — let the kids sleep in the car to the airport, and plan an early bedtime the night before each flight
Sun protection
Kerala coast sun is strong even in September · sunscreen, hats, and swimwear with UV protection for the beach & pool
All-meals-inclusive at Bekal
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included at the resort — no need to plan meals or carry snacks for those 2 days
Evening insect repellent
Backwater-adjacent properties can have mosquitoes near dusk — pack a kid-safe repellent for evenings outdoors
Road transfer comfort
Bekal ↔ Mangaluru is ~1.5–2h by road — pack snacks, water and a tablet/books for the girls
Pack the night before
Both flights are early morning — have bags packed and ready so departure mornings stay stress-free