Land at Narita Booked

United UA 7 from Houston. Immigration, bags and customs usually take 45 to 60 minutes, and your Visit Japan Web QR codes speed things up.

Private transfer to the Aman Booked

Your ROLZO driver will track your flight and meet you in the arrivals hall holding a sign that reads "Ms M Vicknair." The Toyota HiAce van fits all four of you and six bags, and the driver will wait up to 90 minutes if immigration is slow. Booking #221958-R.

Check in at Aman Tokyo

Settle into your rooms and freshen up after the long journey.

Dinner at The Lounge by Aman Booked

A relaxed first dinner without leaving the hotel. The Lounge is designed to feel like you're inside a glowing paper lantern, with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Imperial Palace gardens and the city lights. The menu runs from Japanese and Chinese dishes to bento boxes and the Aman Tokyo Wagyu burger. Staying up until about 9 pm helps everyone adjust to Japan time.

Rickshaw tour Being arranged

A private one-hour ride that leaves right from the hotel, past the Imperial Palace grounds and through historic Nihonbashi, with a few tasty food stops along the way. Each rickshaw seats two, so your family will ride as a pair of rickshaws.

Private sunset cruise on the Sumida River Booked

Arranged by Aman Tokyo just for your family. The hotel drives you to the pier, and a dedicated staff member joins you on board a boat decorated with seasonal flowers. The 90-minute cruise starts at 4:00, timed for sunset over the city. You'll enjoy a Sumida Cruise bento box from the hotel's chefs, with juices and soft drinks in place of Champagne.

Dinner at Roppongi Robataya Booked

A fun, theatrical robatayaki grill where chefs kneel behind a counter of fresh seafood and vegetables and pass your plates across on long wooden paddles. The restaurant knows about the gluten-free needs in your group.

teamLab Planets Booked

You'll walk barefoot through rooms of water, light, flowers and mirrors in one of Tokyo's most magical experiences. Your four Premium Pass tickets let you arrive any time from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Skip the entry line and go straight to the Information Centre to check in. Arriving early means calmer rooms.

Dinner: Sushi Korin or Tempura Ono Being arranged

Your special dinner in Tokyo. I'm booking whichever is easier to reach the rooftop from afterward, and both can safely handle gluten-free needs.

I've shared the foods your group prefers to skip (roe, eel, sea urchin, raw squid and raw shrimp) so the chef can plan around them.

Drinks above the city Being arranged

CÉ LA VI is closed that night for a private event, so I'm working with the Aman concierge on another rooftop with great views, cocktails and upbeat music. These are the options we're considering.

Private transfer to Hakone Booked

Your ROLZO driver collects you at the Aman's main entrance in a Toyota HiAce with room for six bags, and drives you straight to Gora Karaku. Watch for Mt. Fuji on the way when the sky is clear. Booking #221956-R.

Check in, onsen and dinner

Settle into your rooms and soak in your private open-air bath. Your stay is room only, so I'll confirm a dinner plan that works with the gluten-free needs in your group.

Private half-day Hakone tour Booked

A local guide picks you up at the hotel in a private minivan for about five hours, doing the classic Hakone loop in reverse to dodge the crowds and finish right back at the ryokan. Booking BR-1456360055.

Relax at the onsen

Back at Gora Karaku, it's time to slow down. Take a long soak in the hot springs and enjoy some quiet time with the mountains. The etiquette page has a short guide to onsen bathing.

Dinner at the hotel or nearby

A relaxed dinner at the hotel or at one of Gora's small local restaurants. I'll help choose one that's safe for gluten-free dining.

Breakfast, a last soak and checkout

Enjoy a slow morning at Gora Karaku before heading down the mountain.

Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto Being arranged

Your seats are in the Green Car, first class, set up two by two so you can all sit together. Every seat faces forward, and you can turn a row around to face each other. The bullet train gets you to Kyoto in about two hours. Sit on the right side of the train (seats D and E) for a view of Mt. Fuji soon after leaving Odawara. Station bento boxes make a fun lunch on board.

Just let me know which you prefer. If you choose to send your bags ahead, I'll confirm the Monday cutoff time with the hotel.

Check in at Six Senses Kyoto

Settle in and stretch your legs. Sanjūsangen-dō, with its hall of 1,001 golden statues of the goddess Kannon, is right nearby. It's an unforgettable first stop in Kyoto. In late November it closes at 4 pm, so go soon after you arrive.

Free days in Kyoto

Nothing is booked, so these two days are yours to enjoy at your own pace. Your hotel is close to many of the sights below, and I'm happy to book any of them for you.

A last Kyoto morning and checkout

Fit in one more temple or a stroll before you leave.

Check in at the Four Seasons

Settle into your final hotel, close to Umeda in the Dōjima neighborhood.

Transfer to Kansai Airport Being arranged

Leave the hotel by about 2:30 pm so you reach the airport three hours before your flight.

Fly home Booked

United UA 34 to San Francisco, then UA 1031 to Houston, landing at 8:22 pm the same Saturday.