2025 - Travel - Hawaii and Japan

Planning My Next Adventure: Hawaii & Japan

I’m gearing up for another exciting trip to Hawaii and Japan, this time for two weeks of relaxation, exploration, and re-discovery. Having visited both destinations multiple times, this trip will be more about unwinding and exploring new places, rather than the usual tourist checklist.

What makes this year even better is that the prices are surprisingly affordable, and the exchange rates are favorable—meaning it’s actually more budget-friendly than my 2023 trip. Here’s my itinerary for the next two weeks:

 

Planned Itinerary:

• Honolulu (4 days)

• Osaka (4.5 days)

• Tokyo (6.5 days)

• Total: 15 days

   

Honolulu – 4 Days

I’ll be flying into Honolulu (HNL) on a Delta Boeing 767-300. I’ve been to Hawaii several times, but there’s something about the islands that always feels like home. I’m staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, my go-to spot for its relaxed atmosphere and great discount rates. It’s the perfect place to ease into vacation mode.

Day 1 - Ala Moana

Day 2 - Waikiki

Day 3 - East Honolulu

Day 4 - HNL --> ITM

 

Osaka – 4.5 Days

From Honolulu, I’ll be flying on ANA's Jumbo Airbus A380-800, heading to Osaka Itami Airport (ITM). I’m staying at the Hotel Keihan Universal Studios Japan (USJ), which places me in the heart of the action.

Day 1 - Hotel

Day 2 - USJ

Day 3 - USJ / Dotonbori

Day 4 - Osaka / Shinsekai

Day 5 - Osaka Aquarium / Shinkansen

 

Tokyo – 6.5 Days

After wrapping up my time in Osaka, I’ll be boarding the Shinkansen Nozomi from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station, marking the final stretch of my Japan journey. In Tokyo, I’ll be staying at a few different places to match each leg of my plans: starting with Tokyo Maihama Bay Hotel for convenient access to the Disney parks, then moving to the Hyatt Regency Shinjuku for a central city experience in one of Tokyo’s liveliest districts, and wrapping up with a night at Art Hotel Narita, a practical final stay near the airport before flying home.

To travel hassle-free, I’ll use Takkyubin, Japan’s ultra-efficient luggage forwarding service via Yamato Transport. I plan to send my suitcase a day in advance to avoid carrying it on the Shinkansen—highly recommended for stress-free transit days.

Day 1 - Shinkansen / Ginza

Day 2 - Disneyland

Day 3 - DisneySea

Day 4 - Shibuya / Harajuku / Shinjuku

Day 5 - Ueno Zoo / Akihabara / Shinjuku

Day 6 - Shinjuku/ Narita

Day 7 - NRT --> LAX