JAPAN (TOKYO) in JUNE 2026

We both never travel to Japan, so we had planned our trip to Japan since 2019 to travel in 2020. Unfortunately, COVID came and all travel plan was cancelled. And after that we travelled to other countries but not Japan yet. Finally,2026 is good time to go. 

We decided to booked tour with local tour operator in Japan which recommended by my friend in China. 

The tour package included airport transfer, one day private walk tour for city exploring, one join tour by bus and one free day for shopping. 

We booked noon flight with TG （and return with morning flight by TG as well). The reason is we want to try fly with day flight instead of after midnight as other trips. And want to arrive back in daytime as well.

TG flight is a good one and I like their inflight meal which included in our ticket. 

7th June - we left home and stayed 1 night at Canalis Hotel near Suvarnabhumi airport which I redeem with my membership point with TG. 

It is good hotel for stopover especially for late night flight. 

Smart TV which can link with our mobile

Amenities in room and nice swiming pool

The hotel located just 10 minutes away from airport and very convenience with free schedule shuttle transfer from hotel to airport

8th June - our flight was afternoon flight, but we do not want to rush then we took shuttle transfer at 0900am and around 0930am we were already at airport.

We had checked via mobile, so we just get luggage tag and print boarding pass, biometric scan. Then get into departure hall and relax 

This trip we got 23kgs/checked baggage while we used only around 15kgs each. And we took one carry on which I can keep my laptop instead of keeping it in my backpack and carry it in the large airport. 

We had some drink and arrived at the gate for boarding

Flight boarding on time and we chose window seat because I want to get some photos while the airplane landing at Haneda airport

And then our story of Japan trip begins

On flight, I found their magazine and one page talk about Phi Ta Khon. Actually, I had plan for this festival this year as well, so I'll share it later

We landed at Haneda airport on time, the weather was good. Japan is 2 hours ahead Thailand, so our trip started at 9pm when we arrived

And I'm sure that almost people arrive to airport. One of the places must stop by is toilet. And here is the toile at Haneda airport, so convenience and clean and hi-tech. All are touchless

We pass immigration （very fast） and got all luggage

And ready for first time in Japan

Our driver sent me greeting message and lead me to the meeting point. To take selfie and share to him can help him find us easily （even photo may not clear as we taking while walking）

On the way with 40 minutes from airport to our hotel. I saw lots of convenience stores especially 7-11

 We arrive hotel around 10pm and seemed that many buildings, shops almost close. At hotel, the check in process done via machine. We have to process check in by ourselves and pay accommodation tax. 

There are hotel's staff standby to assist if need. Ater checked in, hotel's staff came to us to explain hotel's information like breakfast time, swimming pool, fitness, onsen etc.,

We stayed at Mitsui Garden Shiodome Italia Gai. 

Room size is not big but not too small for 2 persons

It was long day, so we slept after unpacking and shower. Because the next day tour is walking tour, so we need full energy.

9th June - first breakfast in Tokyo and yes with Japanese style food

I tried this noodle

Soup a bit salty but noodle is good. After breakfast, we were ready for walking around the city

Our tour guide Ms.Summer took us in taxi to the train station

And walked to the fish market, one of the famous markets for food tasting

But we already had breakfast from hotel, so we tried signature ice-cream

There were lots of tourist at the market

And there are lots of cooked and raw food

There are small table for standing and eat which seem popular for tourist

And this is my first time try this dessert outside China

After walked around the market, then we continue to the subway station

Look at above map. There are in Thai, so this means there are lots of Thai people travel to this city :)

Summer bought us ticket

And we were ready for first time subway in Tokyo

Here are the subway lines in Tokyo, amazing. Without tour guide I think we should get lost

We arrived at Yoyogi station

And supposed to continue on walk to the Park. But while taking this photo I saw some shop behind him

It is snack shop with sweet potato, bean, custard etc.,

I picked one custard and one red bean. Walking and eating is the best way to enjoy snack. We finally arrived at the Park

It was shower rain, but we have umbrella. Actually, I like this kind of weather. Not hot and feel fresh especially walking in the park

Summer walked us to the shire in the middle of the park

There are lots of tourist and also Japanese came to this shrine for worship. Summer explained us how to pray here. Start with throw the coin to the wooden box and the crap hands two times then bow one time then pray. After pray bow one more time and leave

I like the two big trees behind us in this photo. I do not know how they can cut them to be this shape.

Summer took us walk to another exit where there are lots of sake bottles line up as the Wall. After the green park we continue to city side

We booked Ninja Cafe on Takeshita street

To experience how to be Ninja :)

The cafe located at underground floor of the building

There was a guy welcome us there

Started with change cloth to be ninja

And taught us about Ninja

There is a nice and fun activity

After learned all trick then they served set lunch

We left the cafe and continue walking again

And on the long walk to subway again

This street full of luxury brands along the way

Actually, this street should be good for shopper but we were not on that purpose so we just enjoyed the view

Summer bought ticket for us again

After the train, we continue on walk again to visit another temple

The temple name "Sensoji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple). There are lots of tourist wearing kimono for taking photo

Walking into the main area of temple is full of souvenir shops and snack,desserts

I like this one, Daifuku with strawberry 

This is second temple, then we know how to worship and pray as Summer already tough us.

We started walking again to the subway

Arrived back to Daimon station

And then walk to hotel

It was a good time for arrived back. We relax and take a nap for hour and then came out for dinner

Around our hotel, there are office Buildings, bank, and apartments

But the road there so clean and easy for walk

And finally, we found nice place

And this is our dinner 

The small restaurant, no waiter, no cashier. Only click on the machine for order and pay and then get food from counter. All are self service

 The prices are not expensive and noodle quite good

After dinner, we walked back to hotel

On the way we can see Tokyo tower from far, but we decided to go back hotel to take a rest because the join tour next day start quite early.

10th June - the meeting time for the tour is 07.45am so we have to leave hotel at 7am so we decided to take taxi this time to make sure we arrive on time. 

The meeting point was at the bus terminal.

And we arrived there around 07.30am

There are around 20 European tourist in the same bus with us. And only 2 of us from Asia

The weather was so good, and the sky look clear and decorated with white cloud 

The bus took around 2 hours from city then reached to the lake near Mont.Fuji

The first stop was Oishi park, where there is very nice view for photos and also for souvenir shopping

They have beautiful garden

I got some souvenir for my friend

We had time at this garden around 40 minutes and it enough for photos and shopping. Then the bus left to another place

There is small town near the train station which is the meeting point

Public train passing this area, this is nice and peaceful town

Walking around 15 minutes from the town up on the hill to worship another shrine

The program is we have to walk up on the mountain to visit the pagoda

To pray at the fist stop

We have only 40 minutes to go up and come back to the bus

So, we can reach only 3rd station

And then return to the bus and on the way back I had tried grilled sweet potato

The taste is not bad and it very cheap

We arrived to the bus on time as same as another tourist in the same group.  The bus continues to the highlight of this tour to see "Mont.Fuji"

On the way up on the mountain, tour guide explained about Mont.Fuji and the place that we will reach and see the mountain and also have lunch.

And finally arrived at the 5th station

First thing we do is to have lunch

Their noodle and soup are delicious 

We finished lunch quickly as we want to walk up on the mountain to be on the great spot to take photo of the mountain

The weather today was not bad so we can see the mountain even not 100% clearly

There were lots of tourist line up and wait while the cloud passing the mountain and take photos of the mountain

The weather there was good and it good to have some ice-cream as well

Besides of restaurant, ice-cream shop. They also selling outdoor clots.

But we do not have time to buy anything becaue we spent time with taking photo of the mountain.

We get into the bus again and guide explain for our next stop

The small village name Oshino Hakkai is the last place of this tour today. And seem there are lots of Thai came here as well. See from the sign.

We walked through the village to the center where there is a big pond with clear like crystal water

The tour guide said the water is clean and we can drink. But there are many people around the pond, so we give up

So, we walked far inside where they have souvenir shops and restaurants. And I got this one, so delicious

We bought some souvenir for our friends. And then walked back to the bus

The bus left the village and took another 2 hours to the center. After getting of from the bus then we have to get back to hotel by ourselves. Before we got taxi, we steps in to the Tokyo station and found some nice cosmetic shop

They are selling variety products. Then we walked around to find the products that our friends asking to buy for them.

This brand I never seen but my friend said it good sleeping mask. And prices here is much cheaper than Thailand

And also this one

However, since we both are not expert about cosmetic so we can buy only what we got order

After that we walked down into the train station to find some dinner

And we have rice and noodle again today for dinner

There are lots of small restaurant inside the station. We do not know which one is good but all we picked were good.

Their rice bowl is so delicious. After dinner, we left station to hotel by taxi

And the last picture we saw before sleep was Tokyo tower from our winder

11th June - last day of the tour which we keep as free day for shopping :)

We had breakfast at hotel and left for shopping. Today we use subway by ourselves, after Ms. Summer tough us on first day.

From our hotel, we walked to station

Get the train to Togoshi-Ginsa station

And then walk to Togoshi street

This street is for shopping as well. But we came a bit early so there still not much people yet

Here also some nice graffiti same as in Bangkok

Since the shop that we are coming for still not open yet. Then we stop by at cute cafe

This is the shoes shop which we are coming for. The brand which good for walking in unexpected surface. Soft and comfortable "Flower Mountain"

This shop has many models

I got one pair and another one for my friend

And I changed to be new shoes to taste if it good as I expected or not. We walked back to the train and get another line to Shinjuku Street to look for another shoes. 

But before finding his shoes, we stop for lunch

And I found one of my favorite Japanese restaurants "Yoshinoya"

Their taste is trustable as always. After lunch we walked out from station.
Many of our friends said to find this brand should go to Alpen building in Shinjuku. It is only 5 minutes walking from station

They have variety of sport wear, shoes, sneakers and outdoor cloths

And he got what he looking for

So, our mission has done completely. 

We walked back to station and get the train to another stop "Shibuya". One of my friends suggested to come to this street to see thousands of people crossing the road

And yes, there are crowded people at the junction

All areas are full of shopping malls and people. Then we stop at a cafe near the main road to get some rest

And then get taxi to our hotel because there was too much crowded inside the station and we carried lots of shopping bags. After arrived hotel and get some rest. Then it was time to pack all stuff to our suitcases. And sleep. Today we walked more than 20,000 steps with our new shoes :)

12th June - departure day from Tokyo. We chose morning flight as we want to arrive in Bangkok by afternoon

It was first time in Tokyo and also in Japan. Our program was not too tight, so we had great time every day and not too tired.  We arrived airport a bit early, so we have enough time for shopping souvenir for our family and friend. Their souvenir shops full of tourist, they are selling good prices with good quality and packaging. Then besides of my carry-on suitcase full of snacks. There also few bags of them from duty free shop at airport.

Based on the experience of this trip, we agreed to change to be countryside destination for next time :)