After the Edinburgh–Narita flight, allow at least 60–90 minutes at Narita International Airport (NRT) for immigration, baggage and customs. If the flight arrives late or queues are heavy, do not plan anything time-critical this evening. Confirm the hotel’s exact address before choosing onward transport, as Narita Airport is well outside central Tokyo.
For most hotels in western central Tokyo, the Narita Express is the simplest rail option, taking roughly 80–90 minutes to Shinjuku before the final walk or short taxi ride. An airport limousine bus can be easier with substantial luggage, but takes around 90–120 minutes depending on traffic. Budget roughly ¥3,500–¥5,000 per person for rail or bus plus the final local transfer, or approximately ¥25,000–¥35,000 for a pre-booked private vehicle for three people, subject to the hotel and traffic.
Keep the evening close to the hotel in Shinjuku rather than adding sightseeing after the long journey. Choose a restaurant that explicitly labels vegetarian or vegan dishes, and tell staff that your mother does not eat meat or fish; ask specifically about dashi, bonito flakes, meat stock and shared cooking oil, since these can be hidden in otherwise vegetable-based Japanese dishes. Allow about ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person for a casual dinner, more for a specialist vegetarian tasting menu.
After dinner, take only a short neighbourhood stroll if everyone still has energy, then return to the hotel for an early night. Japan is generally cashless in larger restaurants, but smaller eateries may still prefer cash; keeping some yen available is useful. Restaurant opening days and last-order times should be checked nearer the trip, and a dinner reservation is sensible if arriving during the evening rush.
Start with Meiji Jingu soon after breakfast, ideally around 8:30–9:00. From central Tokyo, take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station; the shrine is a short walk from the station, though the forested approach itself takes 10–15 minutes. Allow about an hour for the broad gravel paths, shrine buildings and quiet inner grounds. Entry is free, but wear comfortable shoes and keep voices low—this feels much more contemplative before the late-morning crowds arrive.
Walk from the shrine towards Takeshita Street, arriving around 10:30. The street is only about 10 minutes away, but the atmosphere changes completely: expect colourful shops, snack stands and a lively, youthful crowd. Spend roughly 45 minutes here rather than trying to browse every store. It is narrow and can become congested, so keep valuables secure and consider sharing one or two crepes or specialty sweets rather than making this a full meal stop.
From Harajuku, walk approximately 15–20 minutes along Omotesando to Nezu Museum, or take a short taxi if the group would prefer to save energy. Allow two hours for the Japanese and Asian art galleries and the beautifully landscaped garden, which is the real highlight on a pleasant day. The museum is generally closed on Mondays, with hours commonly around 10:00–17:00, but check the 2027 exhibition calendar because opening dates, admission and timed-entry arrangements can vary. Set aside roughly ¥1,500–¥2,000 per adult for admission, subject to the exhibition.
Continue to Bills Omotesando for a relaxed late lunch or early dinner, allowing about an hour. It is a useful, comfortable choice after a busy morning, with dishes typically costing around ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person before drinks. Booking ahead is sensible for three people, especially at peak brunch times; otherwise, arrive between the main lunch and dinner rushes.
Finish in Shibuya, travelling from Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line—about five minutes, plus station walking time. Spend an hour around Shibuya Crossing, watching the scramble from street level and then choosing a surrounding department-store or café viewpoint for a different perspective. The crossing is free, while cafés and rooftop viewpoints vary from roughly ¥500 for a drink upward; access policies and observation-deck reservations can change, so check locally. For the easiest return, use Shibuya Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro, depending on where you are staying.
Keep today deliberately light, with just two booked experiences. Travel to Harajuku Station or Meiji-jingumae Station, then allow around 10–15 minutes on foot to Mipig Cafe Harajuku. Book a timed session well ahead: these cafés have limited capacity, and the visit is usually around 45–60 minutes. Follow the staff’s instructions closely, avoid picking up the pigs unless invited to do so, and wash your hands before and after the session. Allow approximately ¥2,000–¥3,500 per person, depending on the date, package and booking fees.
Afterwards, do not try to cover all of Takeshita Street. Instead, take an easy wander through the quieter residential and boutique streets around Harajuku, stopping for a vegetarian-friendly lunch wherever the menu suits you. Allow roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person for lunch. This gives you flexibility if the café runs late or the family would rather pause over coffee; keep at least 45 minutes free before setting off for Toyosu.
From Harajuku, allow approximately 45–60 minutes door to door to reach TeamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu, usually involving a rail journey and a short walk. Leave generously rather than aiming to arrive exactly at the ticket time, as transfers, station navigation and entry queues can take longer than expected. Your admission must be booked for a specific date and time in advance; do not rely on same-day availability. Allow around 2–2.5 hours inside, including the changing area and queues. The experience includes water, uneven surfaces and barefoot areas, so wear practical clothes that can be rolled above the knees; shorts or suitable clothing are often available to borrow, but check the current policy when booking. Budget approximately ¥3,800–¥5,000 per adult, subject to the 2027 ticket release and pricing.
After TeamLab Planets TOKYO, stay in Toyosu rather than crossing the city again. Take a relaxed walk around the waterfront and nearby shopping and dining areas, then choose an early vegetarian dinner; allow approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. Return to your hotel when you are ready, allowing about 30–45 minutes for the rail journey depending on its location. The key to this day is keeping the Mipig Cafe Harajuku and TeamLab Planets TOKYO bookings as the only fixed commitments, leaving a comfortable buffer for queues, meals and rest.
Make an early start for Tsukiji Outer Market, ideally arriving around 8:00–8:30. The market is liveliest in the morning, with seafood counters, tamagoyaki stalls and small eateries opening at different times; there is no single market admission ticket, but individual tastings and breakfasts usually come to about ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person. Bring cash as some small vendors remain cash-only, and eat progressively rather than ordering one large meal—this is the best way to sample grilled seafood, sushi and the sweet rolled omelette. The lanes become busier toward late morning, so allow roughly 90 minutes and keep luggage to a minimum.
Walk or take a short taxi to Hamarikyu Gardens—the walk takes around 15–20 minutes, while a taxi is useful if the weather is warm. This beautifully arranged Edo-period garden makes a gentle contrast to the market: follow the pond paths, look for the teahouse and pause beside the tidal lake with the Shiodome towers rising behind it. Allow about 1½ hours; entry is typically around ¥300, but check the current seasonal opening hours before travelling. From nearby Shiodome, take the Yurikamome line toward Toyosu; allow around 25–35 minutes including the walk and interchange.
Set aside about two hours for teamLab Planets TOKYO. Expect bare feet, reflective water installations and dark spaces, so wear trousers that can be rolled above the knee; shorts and towels may be available on site, but do not rely on this. Timed admission is essential and should be booked as soon as your travel dates open, since popular sessions can sell out. Afterward, allow time for the exit, lockers and transport rather than booking a tightly timed lunch. From Toyosu, the Yurakucho Line reaches Ginza in roughly 10 minutes, with a short walk from the station.
Spend the late afternoon wandering Ginza without trying to cover every department store. The main avenues are especially pleasant around dusk, and the side streets around Namiki-dori and Higashi-Ginza offer quieter cafés and polished architecture. Department stores generally close around 8:00 pm, though exact hours vary; if you want a particular rooftop, gallery or shop, check its schedule independently.
Have dinner at Ginza Kagari, known for its rich chicken-paitan ramen, ideally arriving before the main dinner rush or checking the current queue arrangements on the day. A bowl is roughly ¥1,500–¥2,500 per person, and the compact setting means queues are common. It is wise not to make this your only fixed plan if the wait is lengthy, but the restaurant is a fitting final Tokyo meal: distinctive, unfussy and easy to reach from the surrounding Ginza streets. Allow about an hour, then return to your hotel by the Tokyo Metro or taxi; keep your evening unhurried after a full day on your feet.
Take a morning Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, ideally around 08:00–09:00. Allow 30–45 minutes to reach the station, plus time to find the correct platform and buy breakfast or a bento. A reserved ordinary-class seat is usually around ¥14,000–¥15,000 per person; book through SmartEX or JR Central when sales open. If any suitcase is over 160 cm in total dimensions, reserve an oversized-baggage seat area rather than assuming it can go behind your seats.
After arriving, take a taxi or the Karasuma subway line to your central Kyoto hotel for luggage drop-off or check-in. With three adults and luggage, a taxi is often simplest—roughly ¥1,500–¥2,500 to the Nishiki Market area, depending on traffic. Spend about 90 minutes browsing the market and its side streets, sampling Kyoto specialities such as grilled seafood, pickles and yuba. It is a working food market rather than a place to linger over every stall, so be considerate about eating while walking; Nishiki Market is generally busiest around lunchtime, and individual vendors keep different hours.
From Nishiki Market, walk west for around 20 minutes or take a short taxi ride to Nijo Castle. Allow approximately two hours for the ornate Ninomaru Palace, its famous nightingale floors and the gardens. The castle normally operates during daytime hours, but opening times, admission prices and any timed-entry arrangements should be checked nearer your visit; arrive with a little queue allowance, particularly on a Friday. Admission is commonly in the ¥1,000–¥1,500 range per adult, with palace access sometimes included or ticketed according to the current arrangement.
Return towards the Kamo River and stroll through Pontocho as lanterns come on. The narrow alley is atmospheric rather than grand, and the best experience is simply to wander slowly before the dinner rush. From there, walk to Katsukura Shijokiyamachi for tonkatsu—allow roughly an hour and expect about ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. It is popular, so an early dinner around 17:30–18:00 helps avoid the longest wait. Afterwards, keep the evening gentle: Kyoto is compact around Kawaramachi, and you will probably appreciate an easy walk back to the hotel after the early start.
Begin early at Fushimi Inari Taisha, ideally arriving around 7:00–7:30. From central Kyoto, take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station—the shrine entrance is directly outside—or use the Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station. The shrine grounds are free and open around the clock, but the lower vermilion torii become very busy from mid-morning. Allow roughly 2–2½ hours: walk beyond the first crowded section toward Yotsutsuji Viewpoint, where the trail opens out over southern Kyoto. The full mountain loop takes considerably longer, so turn back when you have had enough; the stone steps are steady and can be slippery.
Walk or take a short local train ride to Tofuku-ji, allowing about 15–20 minutes from Fushimi Inari. Spend around 1½ hours exploring this important Zen temple, especially the Tsutenkyo Bridge and the temple’s dry gardens. The main temple grounds are generally open from around 9:00, with seasonal variations; admission to the gardens and bridge area is typically about ¥500–¥1,000 depending on the section and season. October is before the peak autumn-colour period, so it should be calmer than November, though Saturday queues are still possible. For lunch, eat around Fushimi-Inari or Tofuku-ji rather than waiting until Gion, where tables fill quickly; a simple bowl of udon or Kyoto-style set meal is usually ¥1,000–¥2,000.
Take the Keihan Line from Tofukuji Station toward Gion-Shijo, then walk into Gion via Hanamikoji Street and the quieter lanes around Shirakawa. Keep voices low and do not photograph private entrances or geiko and maiko without permission; this is a residential neighbourhood as well as a sightseeing district. After about 1½ hours, continue on foot toward Kiyomizu-dera, allowing 25–35 minutes uphill through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. The temple usually closes in the early evening, with exact hours and any special illumination varying by date; budget around ¥400–¥500 for admission. Arrive no later than 16:00–16:30 so you have time for the main hall, the wooden stage and the Kyoto views before the light fades. Expect dense crowds and uneven uphill paving, so comfortable shoes are essential.
Finish with dinner at Gion Tanto, an approachable choice for Kyoto-style food in the Gion area. Reserve ahead if possible, particularly for three people on a Saturday, and check the restaurant’s current opening hours directly because evening service can vary. Allow about 1½ hours and budget approximately ¥4,000–¥8,000 per person, excluding drinks. After dinner, Gion-Shijo Station is the easiest transport connection; alternatively, a taxi back to your accommodation is practical if everyone is tired, though traffic around Yasaka Shrine and Shijo-dori can make a short ride slower than expected.
Start early at Kinkaku-ji, aiming to arrive around opening time, generally 9:00. The Golden Pavilion is at its most enjoyable before the tour groups build up; allow about 90 minutes for the pavilion viewpoint, gardens and exit route. Admission is usually around ¥500, but check the official site nearer the time for current hours and any temporary closures.
Continue by taxi to Ryoan-ji—roughly 10–15 minutes, usually about ¥1,000–¥1,500 depending on traffic. The famous rock garden is compact, but give yourself around 75 minutes to sit quietly, explore the temple grounds and see the surrounding pond garden. A taxi is worthwhile today: the buses can be slow and crowded, while walking between these temples takes longer than it looks on the map.
From Ryoan-ji, take a short taxi ride or walk towards Ninna-ji, allowing roughly 15–20 minutes on foot. Spend about 90 minutes in the temple complex, particularly around the elegant palace-style buildings, gravel gardens and five-storey pagoda. Entry to the main grounds is generally free, with a separate charge for selected garden or special exhibition areas; seasonal opening arrangements can vary.
For lunch, keep it simple in the Omuro area—look for a small udon, soba or set-meal restaurant near Omuro Station rather than detouring across Kyoto. Allow extra time after lunch for the journey to Arashiyama: a taxi is the most straightforward option, usually around 25–35 minutes depending on traffic, while public transport can take about 35–50 minutes with a connection.
Arrive in Arashiyama as late afternoon begins, when the light through the bamboo can be beautiful and some day-trippers have started leaving. Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for around 45 minutes, but expect it still to be busy; the path is short, so continue at an unhurried pace and explore the quieter side lanes rather than stopping only at the most photographed section. From the station area, allow roughly 10–15 minutes on foot to reach the grove.
Finish with Yudofu Sagano, a traditional tofu-focused Kyoto meal in Arashiyama. Plan on about 90 minutes and approximately ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person, depending on the menu. Reserve ahead, especially for three people and for a Sunday, as seating is limited and the restaurant may operate set service rather than flexible walk-in dining. After dinner, return by the Randen tram from Arashiyama Station toward central Kyoto, or take a taxi if you are tired; allow around 30–45 minutes door to door.
Leave Kyoto around 8:00 on the JR Nara Line Miyakoji Rapid; the ride to Nara Station takes roughly 45 minutes and costs about ¥720. From the station, walk or take a short bus ride towards Nara Park. With luggage, use station lockers or arrange luggage forwarding to your Osaka hotel—large bags are awkward on the buses and around the park.
Head first to Todai-ji, ideally arriving close to opening time. Allow around 90 minutes for the enormous Great Buddha Hall and its surrounding grounds; admission is typically about ¥800 per adult, though prices and opening hours should be checked nearer the visit. From here, take your time wandering through Nara Park for around 90 minutes. The deer are accustomed to visitors, but buy only the designated shika-senbei crackers, feed them in small portions, and bow or show empty hands once the crackers are gone. They can be surprisingly persistent, especially if you are holding maps or food.
Continue east through the quieter, wooded side of the park to Kasuga-taisha, allowing about 90 minutes. The approach through lantern-lined forest is one of Nara’s nicest walks, and the shrine buildings feel more atmospheric than the open park. The main shrine grounds are generally open during daylight, with paid areas and hours varying by season; comfortable shoes are worthwhile because the paths can be uneven.
Afterwards, return towards Naramachi, the old merchant quarter, and stop at Nakatanidou for its famous freshly pounded mochi demonstration and a snack. Allow about 30 minutes and budget roughly ¥200–¥500 per person. Demonstration times are not fixed, so treat it as a flexible stop rather than planning the rest of the day around a particular performance. This is also a good point to take a relaxed coffee break before collecting luggage.
From Nara, take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Osaka-Namba—about 40–50 minutes and roughly ¥680 with an IC card—or use JR if your hotel is nearer Umeda. Allow extra time at the station if collecting bags. Check in around Namba for the easiest evening access to restaurants, or around Umeda if you prefer a quieter, more polished base. Keep tonight deliberately light after the walking: Hozenji Yokocho and the smaller lanes just south of Namba offer atmospheric dinner options without requiring another major sightseeing stop.
After arriving from Nara, head first to Osaka Castle and allow about 2½ hours for the castle grounds and museum. From Osaka-Namba, take the Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line to Tanimachi 9-chome, then change for Morinomiya or walk through the park; the journey takes roughly 20–25 minutes. The castle museum generally opens from 9:00, with admission around ¥1,200, but check the official schedule before travelling. The surrounding park is free, and the broad lawns are a good place to pause after the busy deer park.
A short walk brings you to the Osaka Museum of History, beside Tanimachi 4-chome Station. Its upper floors trace Osaka’s development from ancient times to the modern city, and the high-level windows give one of the best framed views of Osaka Castle. Allow around 1½ hours; admission is usually about ¥600. If the castle visit runs long, this is the place to shorten rather than rushing lunch—both attractions are compact enough to enjoy without turning the afternoon into a checklist.
Take the subway from Tanimachi 4-chome towards Nippombashi, then walk a few minutes to Kuromon Ichiba Market. Browse slowly rather than trying to eat one large meal: look for grilled scallops, wagyu skewers, sea urchin, sushi and the excellent seasonal fruit stalls. Budget roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person, and carry cash as some smaller vendors may not accept cards. The market is busiest around lunchtime and individual stalls keep different hours, so treat the visit as a grazing stop rather than a guaranteed restaurant booking.
From Kuromon Ichiba, walk south-west into Namba and find Hozenji Yokocho, an atmospheric stone-paved lane tucked behind the main shopping streets. Spend about 45 minutes exploring the lantern-lit alley and visiting Hozenji Temple, where visitors traditionally splash water over the moss-covered Fudo Myoo statue. Continue on foot to Dotonbori for the evening: the canal promenade, illuminated signs and food stalls are at their most characterful after dark. Allow around two hours for wandering and dinner—try takoyaki, okonomiyaki or kushikatsu, but choose a busy specialist with visible turnover rather than stopping at the first tout. For a calmer table, reserve ahead in Namba; otherwise enjoy the lively street-food atmosphere and keep the evening unhurried.
Start at Sumiyoshi Taisha, ideally around 8:30–9:00, before the shrine becomes busier. From Namba, take the Nankai Main Line to Sumiyoshi-Taisha Station—the ride is roughly 10 minutes, followed by a short walk. Allow about 1½ hours for the distinctive arched Sorihashi Bridge, the main shrine buildings and the quiet wooded paths. The grounds are free and generally open from early morning; dress respectfully and avoid standing in the centre of the approach, which is traditionally reserved for the deities.
Continue north by Nankai train and Osaka Metro, or take a taxi for an easier door-to-door transfer of around 20–30 minutes, to Shinsekai. Wander around Janjan Yokocho and the retro streets beneath Tsutenkaku, then settle in for kushikatsu lunch. Kushikatsu Jan Jan or Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Sohonten are dependable choices; expect approximately ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. The usual rule is no double-dipping in shared sauce—many restaurants now provide individual pots or spoons. Keep this stop to around 1½ hours, as the neighbourhood is more atmospheric than extensive.
From Shin-Imamiya Station or Dobutsuen-mae Station, reach Abeno Harukas in about 10–15 minutes by train and on foot. The Harukas 300 Observatory occupies the upper floors and gives an excellent view across Osaka; allow about 1½ hours including the lifts and indoor/outdoor viewing areas. Admission is commonly around ¥2,000–¥2,500 per adult, but check the official site for 2027 prices and whether timed entry is being used. If the visibility is poor, the department-store floors and cafés still make this a worthwhile stop.
Later, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line towards Yodoyabashi, then walk into Nakanoshima Park—allow roughly 30 minutes including the transfer. Spend an hour beside the rivers, rose gardens and historic buildings, with a coffee at Nakanoshima Social Eat Awake if you want a break. Finish in Dotonbori for dinner at Kani Doraku Dotonbori Honten, whose illuminated crab sign is one of Osaka’s classic sights. Reserve ahead, particularly for a group of three; crab menus generally cost about ¥5,000–¥12,000 per person. From Nakanoshima, allow 15–25 minutes by Metro or taxi, and leave a little time to navigate the lively canal-side streets before your reservation.
Take an early Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station, ideally between 07:00 and 08:00, to protect your museum slot and leave enough time for Miyajima. The train takes about 1 hour 25 minutes; reserve seats through SmartEX or JR West, and allow roughly 30–45 minutes from your Osaka hotel to the station, depending on where you are staying. With three adults, expect approximately ¥10,500–¥11,500 per person each way, including the return journey. This is a very full day—an overnight in Hiroshima would be much more comfortable if changing the plan is still possible.
From Hiroshima Station, take the tram or a taxi to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Allow around two hours, and book timed admission in advance if reservations are operating for your visit; queues can be significant even outside peak summer. The museum is emotionally demanding, so leave a little quiet time afterwards rather than rushing straight through. Continue on foot through Peace Memorial Park to the Atomic Bomb Dome, allowing about 90 minutes for the cenotaph, memorial pools and riverside paths. A simple lunch nearby at Okonomimura is tempting, but today’s schedule is tighter than usual; a quick okonomiyaki lunch near the park or Hiroshima Station is more practical.
Return to Hiroshima Station and take the JR train to Miyajimaguchi, then use the ferry to Miyajima. Allow roughly 45–60 minutes door to door, including the ferry queue; both the JR and alternative ferry services operate across the channel, but check the final sailing times before setting out. On the island, walk through the waterfront streets to Itsukushima Shrine, allowing about 2½ hours overall. Check the tide table before travelling—the famous torii is most photogenic from the water at high tide, while low tide allows you to walk closer to it. Keep an eye on the return time, as deer roam freely around the island and the shopping streets can make the walk back to the ferry slower than expected.
Have an early dinner at Anago Meshi Ueno in Miyajimaguchi, ideally arriving before the evening rush; its conger-eel rice boxes and set meals are usually around ¥2,500–¥4,000 per person, though opening hours and queue arrangements should be checked close to the date. Then take the ferry, JR train and return Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, followed by the local connection or taxi to your hotel. Allow around 2½–3 hours from Miyajimaguchi to your Osaka accommodation and try to reserve a return train that gives you a buffer for ferry queues. You are unlikely to be back before approximately 21:00–22:00, so keep the evening completely free and carry only a day bag if your hotel can store the rest of your luggage.
After arriving from Hiroshima, head to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Tempozan. From Shin-Osaka, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Hommachi, then change to the Chuo Line for Osakako; allow roughly 45–60 minutes door to door, including finding the station platforms and walking from the station. Aim for a late-morning entry rather than assuming you can walk straight in: timed admission may apply, so check the official booking calendar before travelling. Allow about 2½ hours for the huge central tank, whale sharks and quieter exhibits. Standard admission is commonly around ¥2,700–¥3,500 per adult, but prices and ticketing can change.
Walk a few minutes through Tempozan Harbor Village after the aquarium. The waterfront is a good place to slow down, take photographs across Osaka Bay and, if the weather is clear, ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel for broad bay views; allow around 1½ hours including a relaxed lunch. Mosaic and the nearby market-style dining areas offer the easiest choice for a group, with casual meals generally around ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person. From Osakako, allow about 30–40 minutes by Metro to reach Nakanoshima; this is a sensible point to leave a little flexibility in case the aquarium is busy.
Spend the afternoon at the National Museum of Art, Osaka, whose entrance descends into a striking underground building on Nakanoshima. The collection focuses on modern and contemporary art, with the experience changing considerably depending on the temporary exhibition, so check the exhibition schedule before committing to the visit. Allow about two hours; admission varies by exhibition, often roughly ¥430–¥2,000. From Osakako, take the Chuo Line towards Hommachi, change for the Yotsubashi Line and walk from Higobashi or Nishi-Umeda—around 35–45 minutes in total.
Continue north towards Umeda and arrive at the Umeda Sky Building around sunset. The open-air observatory is particularly worthwhile on a clear evening, with views over the dense city, railway lines and distant mountains; allow 1½ hours, and check the observatory’s closing time before setting out. Admission is typically around ¥2,000 per adult. Finish with your reserved dinner at Sushidokoro Kurosugi, a refined sushi restaurant in the Umeda area. Budget approximately ¥8,000–¥15,000 per person, and reserve well ahead—especially for three seats together. From the Sky Building, allow 10–15 minutes on foot, but use the restaurant’s exact map pin because Umeda’s underground passages and large station complexes are easy to misread.
You will be travelling from Osaka to Narita today, so keep the airport plan deliberately simple and allow generous margin for that domestic journey, luggage handling and the international check-in deadline. Aim to be at Narita International Airport around three hours before departure; with three travellers and checked bags, arriving earlier is preferable to trying to fit in sightseeing.
Once at the airport, confirm the terminal and airline desk, complete check-in and baggage drop, then proceed through security and immigration. The exact terminal, flight time, aircraft and business-class seat depend on the ticket booked, so check these details shortly before departure rather than relying on the airline routing originally considered.
Use the remaining time airside for the business-class lounge, a final Japanese snack or souvenir shopping. Keep passports, medication, chargers and any valuables in your cabin bags, and check whether your connection requires a terminal change or a second security screening. A realistic total journey to Edinburgh is around 15–20 hours including a connection; the precise duration depends on the airline and routing selected.
For three passengers, booking one through-ticket from Osaka to Edinburgh with the domestic positioning flight included can be safer than arranging separate tickets, especially if the long-haul flight is delayed. If the international fare does not include the Osaka-to-Narita sector, leave a substantial buffer or consider travelling to the Tokyo area the previous evening; do not schedule the domestic flight tightly against the overseas departure.
No packing list attached yet.