Japan Trip Setup with Brunchie

Tokyo to Kyoto in 7 days. Brunchie keeps your group's itinerary and budget in sync—no spreadsheets in 12 different apps.

What you get

Step 1: Use the Japan template

The "Japan Adventure: Tokyo to Kyoto" template includes a full 7-day itinerary and budget tracker.

Step 2: Track expenses in JPY

Log transport, food, and activities. See who paid what. Settle up at the end—all in one spreadsheet.

Step 3: Share the itinerary

Day 1: Shinjuku. Day 2: Harajuku and Shibuya. Day 3: Shinkansen to Kyoto. Everyone has the same schedule.

Optional: a second host-only itinerary for logistics

If you're the trip leader and you want to keep some details out of the public schedule — Airbnb door codes, host phone numbers, the surprise dinner reservation — open the itinerary manager and click + New itinerary. Name it something like "Trip leader runbook" or "Surprise reveals". In the Who can access? section, tap Hide on the Guests row. The new itinerary is host-only — it never appears on the guest view, in the shared .ics calendar feed, or in the guest preview link. The rest of the group sees only the public schedule. See the itinerary guide for the full audience model.

This is the same multi-itinerary pattern bach trip planners use for surprise reveals — if you're planning a bach instead of a sightseeing trip, see the bachelorette setup guide.

Sample 7-day itinerary outline

Here is a typical flow the template sets up. Customize it to fit your group's pace and interests:

• Day 1 (Tokyo): Arrive, check in, explore Shinjuku. Evening walk through Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho.
• Day 2 (Tokyo): Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing. Afternoon shopping or Yoyogi Park.
• Day 3 (Tokyo): Asakusa and Senso-ji, Akihabara, teamLab or similar experience.
• Day 4 (Day trip): Kamakura or Nikko day trip. Great Buddha, hiking trails, temple visits.
• Day 5 (Transit + Kyoto): Morning Shinkansen to Kyoto. Afternoon at Fushimi Inari or Kinkaku-ji.
• Day 6 (Kyoto): Arashiyama bamboo grove, Nishiki Market, Gion evening walk.
• Day 7 (Kyoto + Departure): Final temple visits, souvenir shopping, head to KIX or back to Tokyo for departure.

Use the itinerary feature to assign times, locations, and notes to each day. Group members can suggest changes or add activities they want to do.

Currency and expenses

Managing money across currencies is one of the trickiest parts of group travel. Here is how Brunchie helps:

• Set your hangout currency to JPY so all expenses are logged in yen. This avoids confusion when splitting costs at the end.
• Log expenses as you go: Train tickets, restaurant bills, temple entry fees, convenience store runs. The person who pays adds it to the tracker right away.
• Common expense categories for Japan: Transportation (Shinkansen, Suica top-ups, airport bus), Food (restaurants, konbini, vending machines), Activities (temples, museums, experiences), Accommodation (if splitting a ryokan or Airbnb).
• Settling up: At the end of the trip, Brunchie calculates the net amount each person owes or is owed. You can settle in your home currency once you are back.

For more on handling group expenses, see our expense splitting guide and our post on planning a group trip abroad.

Step 4: Add travel tips

Notes on eSIM, Suica, etiquette—essential info in one place for the whole group.

Use the hangout notes or a dedicated spreadsheet to collect practical tips everyone needs:

• Connectivity: Get an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi before you land. Sharing one reliable data plan source saves headaches.
• Transit: A Suica or Pasmo card works on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Load it at any station.
• Etiquette: Remove shoes when entering homes and some restaurants. Speak quietly on trains. Tipping is not customary.
• Cash: Many smaller shops and restaurants are cash-only. Carry yen from a 7-Eleven ATM (international cards accepted).

Use cases

• First-time Japan visitors: The template gives you a proven itinerary so you spend time enjoying the trip, not researching logistics.
• Large groups (6+): Coordinating transport and meals for big groups is hard. The shared itinerary keeps everyone on the same page.
• Multi-city trips: Extend the template to include Osaka, Nara, or Hiroshima. Add days and adjust the budget tracker accordingly.
• Repeat visitors: Swap out the tourist highlights for deeper experiences. Use the polls to let the group vote on activities.

For general trip planning advice, check out our group trip planning guide.

Tips

• Book Shinkansen tickets early if traveling during cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) or Golden Week.
• Add a shared packing list spreadsheet so the group does not forget essentials like adapters, rain gear, or walking shoes.
• Use polls to let the group vote on flexible days. Not everyone wants the same balance of temples, food, and shopping.
• Keep a "lessons learned" note in the hangout for future trips. Your group will thank you next time.