Japan, Week 3: Back to Tokyo

Trip dates: June 18–24, 2026

For our last week we headed back to the Tokyo area, this time staying in Urayasu. A few more outings, another baseball game, and some shopping before the flight home.

Katharine handled the Disney plans, along with Universal and PokéPark earlier in the trip. She’s a travel advisor at Dream Vacations. There was a lot of work behind these park days.

Thursday, June 18: Osaka to Tokyo

We took the Shinkansen back toward Tokyo. There was plenty to look at out the window as we passed towns, fields, and rivers.

Fields and buildings seen through the train window near Fuji.

After getting settled in Urayasu, we went over to Maihama and looked around Ikspiari and the shops near Tokyo Disney Resort. A little Disney shopping to finish the travel day.

Friday, June 19: Costco!

Katharine, Ady, and Wesley went to Disney, and Oliver took some down time to game with friends back home. I headed out on my own to Makuhari. There was a Costco. Of course I went in. I took pictures and short videos of the food, the aisles, and the food court menu. Some things look very familiar, and then you get to the prepared food section.

Trays of prepared salads and meals in a refrigerated display at Costco Makuhari. — The prepared food section. Still from a short video.

Costco Makuhari food court menu showing a hot dog and drink for 180 yen, pizza, and other snacks. — The hot dog made the trip too. Still from a short video.

I also explored the malls nearby and stopped for lunch. This was a fairly substantial bowl.

A large bowl of soup with egg and green vegetables, with a Coke at the Makuhari mall.

There were watches to look at too. I went with a blue-faced Seiko, ¥48,000 before tax. Another souvenir I can actually use.

A blue-and-black watch in its presentation box.

Back at the house, pizza for dinner.

Saturday, June 20: Akihabara

We headed into Akihabara to look through the shops. Games, electronics, more games, and quite a few character shirts. There were shelves full of old PlayStation games to sort through.

It was raining by the time we were back around Urayasu.

Sunday, June 21: Tokyo Dome

Oliver and I went to Tokyo Dome for a Giants game. We had Giants jerseys for the occasion and plenty of orange around us in the stands.

Oliver and Chris wearing Giants jerseys in the Tokyo Dome stands.

Baseball, a hot dog, and a very full stadium. A good way to spend the afternoon.

The baseball field and packed stands inside Tokyo Dome.

Later I took a few pictures along the water back in Urayasu.

An evening view along the river in Urayasu, with a grassy bank, walking path, and cloudy sky. — Back in Urayasu.

Monday, June 22: Ginza

Another solo outing for me, this time to Ginza. Katharine, Ady, and Wesley were at Disney, while Oliver had more time to game with friends back home. I stopped for soba and tempura. A big tray of noodles and a little more shopping.

Soba noodles and tempura on a tray in Ginza.

Tuesday, June 23: Odaiba

One more full day to explore. We went over to Odaiba and found the giant Gundam outside DiverCity. Wesley was available for scale.

Wesley standing in front of the giant Gundam at DiverCity.

Inside there were more character shops, capsule toys, and food. Ady got rainbow cotton candy that was almost as big as she was.

Ady holding an enormous rainbow cotton candy at DiverCity. — A reasonable afternoon snack.

We walked along the waterfront and took a few last family pictures. Hello Kitty joined us for those. We also found the Statue of Liberty, with Rainbow Bridge behind it.

The family with a large Hello Kitty plush at the Odaiba waterfront. — One more family picture. Hello Kitty included.

Then back to Urayasu for dinner.

Wednesday, June 24: Heading home

We loaded up a van and headed to Haneda. There was time for one more Pokémon stop at the airport before boarding the flight home.

Wesley beside a Pikachu display at Haneda Airport.

Three weeks went by pretty quickly. Plenty of pictures to sort through now!

More from Japan: Week 1 · Week 2 · Universal · PokéPark