From San Diego International Airport (SAN), fly to Incheon International Airport (ICN), typically with a connection; compare nearby dates and total journey times, since I can’t verify live fares or specific seats. Allow roughly 18–26 hours door to door, including check-in, connections, immigration, and the ride into town. There’s an important date-line wrinkle: departing January 13 will likely mean landing on January 14, so a January 13 arrival in Seoul isn’t assured. Confirm your actual arrival date before relying on this day’s plan.
After landing, budget about 2–4 hours for immigration and baggage, then around 1–1.5 hours to central Seoul. AREX is a straightforward option: take the all-stop train toward Seoul Station, then continue by subway or taxi to Myeongdong; a taxi is easier with luggage but can take longer in traffic. Allow extra time if you arrive during rush hour, and keep your hotel’s address handy for the driver.
If your arrival time and energy permit, eat at Myeongdong Kyoja in Myeongdong; its kalguksu and mandu are a good first taste of Seoul, with a typical meal around ₩10,000–₩20,000 per person. It’s a popular spot, so expect a possible queue; check the day’s hours before heading over. Then take an easy 1–2-hour wander through Myeongdong for snacks and essentials, and check in at your nearby hotel. Keep the evening open for rest—the long flight and possible overnight date change can easily shift the whole schedule.
Allow 5–7 hours door to door for the Seoul–Tokyo flight, including airport access, check-in, arrival formalities, and the trip into the city. With a same-day flight onward to San Diego, there isn’t enough reliable time to plan a Tokyo stop: delays, airport transfers, and international check-in can quickly consume any gap. Don’t book separate tickets with a tight connection; a protected itinerary still needs a generous layover.
Only if your actual flight schedule leaves a substantial window after arrival, head to Tokyo Station for a quick look at its landmark Marunouchi façade and plaza, then browse KITTE Marunouchi next door. Allow about an hour for each, plus transfer and security time. KITTE has convenient dining, typically around ¥1,000–¥3,000 per person; shop and restaurant hours vary, so check the day’s listings before going.
For a return flight, allow 1–2 hours from central Tokyo to the airport, then arrive with the airline’s recommended international check-in time. Choose the transfer based on your ticket: Haneda is closer to central Tokyo, while Narita takes longer; verify which airport your San Diego flight uses before leaving the city. The flight itself is roughly 10–12 hours, and the date line affects the arrival date. This Seoul–Tokyo–San Diego sequence is too tight for a same-day Tokyo visit—add at least one night in Tokyo and another day for meaningful sightseeing, or remove Tokyo from this itinerary.
No packing list attached yet.