By the time we got back to Hong Kong, it was already the early hours of the morning. The next day, or rather just a few hours later, it was straight back to work. Apart from stuffing a few packets of souvenirs into my work bag, I simply didn't have the energy to unpack properly.
(Photo: My haul of souvenirs)
Looking back, though, this 2026 trip was a thoroughly enjoyable one.
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Tokyo Disneyland
Fun: ★★★★★
Spending: ★★★★
Family-friendliness: ★★★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★★
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
This was already my sixth visit to Tokyo Disneyland, so the sense of novelty had inevitably faded a little. Even so, it was still great to experience attractions like Splash Mountain, Baymax's Happy Ride, and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! again.
Day 3
3.1 Akihabara
Fun: ★★★★
Spending: ★★★★
Family-friendliness: ★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★★
Overall Rating: ★★★
A top choice for dads, but given the limitations of the tour leader's wallet, repeat visits are not encouraged.
3.2 Shibuya Sky
Fun: ★★★★
Spending: ★
Family-friendliness: ★★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
A fantastic experience and often regarded as one of Tokyo's best observation decks. That said, there are still plenty of other high-altitude viewing spots we haven't visited yet.
Day 4 - Fuji-Q Highland
Fun: ★★★★★★
Spending: ★★★★
Family-friendliness: ★★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★★★★★
Overall Rating: ★★★★★★
The teenagers described Fuji-Q as "leaving us wanting more." Packed with thrills and excitement, it instantly reduced their interest in the rides at Disneyland and even Ocean Park.
Day 5
5.1 teamLab Planets TOKYO (Toyosu)
Fun: ★★★★★
Spending: ★
Family-friendliness: ★★★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★
Overall Rating: ★★★★★★
A highly recommended indoor attraction. For the next trip, however, we'd probably choose teamLab Borderless instead.
5.2 Odaiba
Fun: ★★★★
Spending: ★★
Family-friendliness: ★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★
Overall Rating: ★★★
Saying goodbye to the Unicorn Gundam statue was well worth it. The question is: what could possibly take its place?
Day 6 - Makuhari Outlet
Fun: ★★★
Spending: ★★★★★
Family-friendliness: ★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★
Overall Rating: ★★★
Whether we come back or not isn't a matter of interest, but of financial capability.
Day 7
7.1 Ueno Zoo
Fun: ★★★
Spending: ★
Family-friendliness: ★★★★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★
Overall Rating: ★★★
Although the weather was far too hot, it's actually well worth a visit, especially considering the affordable admission fee.
7.2 Ameyoko
Fun: ★★★
Spending: ★★★★
Family-friendliness: ★★
Likelihood of Returning: ★★★★★
Overall Rating: ★★★★
Ueno's vibrant atmosphere and excellent transportation connections make it a place that's hard to leave out of any itinerary.
There are still many places in Tokyo that we haven't visited yet: teamLab Borderless, Mount Fuji, Shiodome, Kamakura, Ningyocho... Who knows whether we'll make it there next time?
On the other hand, the children are growing up. They have more and more opinions about the tour leader's plans these days. I can't help but feel that this may have been our last trip as a family of four, so I'm trying not to think too far ahead.
Finally, I'll end with the "bird's-eye panoramic view of all our souvenirs," photographed by my daughter, as the perfect representation of this satisfying journey.
Tokyo Tour Leader's Diary 2026 - The End - Thank you to all the readers for accompanying me on this journey over the past few days!
Postscript: During this trip, I brought along The Magic Ball by Keigo Higashino, which provided me with plenty of entertainment during flights, while queuing, and even when stuck in traffic. Once again, I would like to express my condolences to him.
(Photo: Holding a copy of The Magic Ball, taken at Fuji-Q Highland on 19 July 2026.)
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Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 - Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 2) – Arrival: The Hotel in Ueno NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 3) – Disneyland vs DisneySea Ultimate Showdown NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (part 4) Tokyo Disneyland – Pre-Trip Preparations NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (part 5): Full‑Day Field Log at Tokyo Disneyland NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (part 6) - The Akihabara Dad Squad NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 7): Complete Guide to Shibuya Sky NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 8) Preparation!‑ Fuji‑Q Highland NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 9) Fuji‑Q Highland – Thrills, Scares and the Attack NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 10) TeamLab Plants Tokyo: Immersed NEW2026!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 11) Dad’s “One‑Unicorn Show” NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary（Part 12) Shopping‑Culture Experience – Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 13): Penguins and Polar Bears at the Sweltering Ueno Zoo NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 14): Farewell to Ueno, Once Again! NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Final Chapter): The Trip Planner’s Summary and Trip Rating NEW2026!!
Tokyo Again 2025
Tokyo Again 2025(1) - 72 hours of traveling in Tokyo (3 -days Itinerary plan, plus 7-days in 2024) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (2) - Tokyo Transportation - Simplified Package for Dummies NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (3) -APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae - with Movie NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (4) The First Night in Ueno（GYU STAR All you can eat BBQ / Donki in Ueno) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (5) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 1 - How Did We Go?) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (6) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 2 - Leisurely Stroll......Kumoba Pond) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (9) - Under the cherry blossom trees (Ueno Park / Tsukiji Market) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (10) - First Avenue Tokyo Station - Tokyo Character Street NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (11) - Shopping Paradise (Ginza) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (12) - Ueno Again NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (13) - Prepare for Next Tokyo Trip NEW!!
Tokyo 2024
Tokyo 2024 - 7 days itinerary (Family of 4 - Attractions and Shopping Experience) NEW!!
Disney Sea Tokyo 1 - Basic Information and Tips for your journey NEW!!
Dinery Sea Tokyo 3 - Busy Second Half Having fun (Peter Pan / Toy Story Mania)
The Making of Harry Potter (Tokyo)
Hotel in Ikebukuro (Hotel Hisoca Ikebukuro)
USJ Osaka 2023
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 1 - Basic Information and Some Tips for your journey
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 2 - Preparation with Kids
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) Part 6 - Harry Porter and His Magic Wand
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) Part 7 - Our Forbidden Journey
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 8 - Universal Wonderland and Others
