A Hola-day travel diary
19 December – 22 December 2026
Grandad turns 70 in Kyoto 🎂 Three generations, Tokyo to Kyoto, and lots of food stops.
Who wentKen, Wei Ling, Grandad and Mei
Day 1
Tokyo
Landed! Grandad slept the whole flight and is ready for ramen.
★ Ken · Tokyo · 2:20 pm · 🌤️ 6°C Partly cloudy
Loved by Aunty May, Jay, Aunty Lin
Shibuya crossing is SO busy. Grandad crossed it three times just for fun.
Mei · Tokyo · 7:05 pm · ☀️ 4°C Clear
Loved by Jay, Aunty May
Day 2
Tokyo → Hakone
Fish market breakfast. Best tamagoyaki I've ever had.
Grandad · Tokyo · 9:30 am · 🌤️ 3°C Partly cloudy
Loved by Aunty May, Aunty Lin
Train to Hakone. Mount Fuji came out to say hi for exactly four minutes.
★ Ken · Hakone · 4:00 pm · ❄️ -2°C Snow
Loved by Jay, Aunty May
Day 3
Osaka
Street food night. Takoyaki, then more takoyaki.
Wei Ling · Osaka · 8:15 pm · 🌧️ 4°C Rain
Loved by Aunty May, Aunty Lin
Day 4
Kyoto
Up early for the red gates. Worth every step.
★ Ken · Kyoto · 8:10 am · ☀️ 5°C Clear
Loved by Aunty May, Jay, Aunty Lin
Dad said he wasn't hungry, then finished everyone's matcha ice cream.
★ Wei Ling · Kyoto · 12:40 pm · 🌤️ 8°C Partly cloudy
Loved by Jay, Aunty May, Aunty Lin, Mei
“Happy early birthday, Ah Hock! 🎂” — Aunty Lin
“So beautiful! Is Dad wearing his scarf? 🧣” — Jay
“He's wearing two 😂” — Wei Ling