Decade birthdays are always something special, and this year my dad finally turned 60.
To celebrate his 60th birthday, my dad decided to go back to this hometown in Taiwan and visit his relatives. By pure coincidence, his trip was scheduled to take place during Sakura season in Japan. Needless to say, it didn’t take much to convince him that a side trip to Japan to see the legendary sakura blossoms.
Since he’d already paid for his flights to Taipei, I decided to use my points for our hotel accommodations in Japan. My dad has actually never been a big fan of luxury hotels, instead preferring to spend his hard earned money on run of the mill motels. In fact, as a kid, I remember him pulling out a directory of nearby motel 6’s, whenever we took a road trip.
A common sight during childhood
Since my parents were coming to Taiwan, I decided to leave Taipei early and vacated my apartment so my parents could stay there. To get to Tokyo, I took advantage of Garuda Miles’ 90% off promotion, which meant I could fly to Tokyo in Garuda’s amazing first class product for a mere 13,000 miles + $70.
To get my Dad to Japan from Taiwan, I purchased a relatively cheap one way business ticket on Scoot, which was comparable to first class on domestic US flights.
On the way back, my dad and I would fly on Tiger Air, since its late departure time allowed us to maximize our last day in Tokyo. Thanks to my Ritz Carlton Card, I was able get reimbursed my priority seat and luggage fees.
Hotel prices do not come cheap in Japan, especially during the peak cherry blossom season. Rates at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo were going for 44,000 JPY ($400) a night.
Instead, I decided to use transfer my Chase Ultimate Reward points to Hyatt, and book a room at the Hyatt Regency for only 12,000 points per night.
Room with a view
Using my complimentary annual free night certificate from the Chase Hyatt Credit card + 72,000 points, I booked 8 nights at the Hyatt Regency, saving $3200!
After touring around Tokyo, we would activate our one week Japan Rail Pass and head to the southern part of Japan.
For those unfamiliar with the Japan Rail Pass, the rail pass allows pass holders unlimited travel on all JR operated lines including the Shinkansen (with a few restrictions).
The cost of a one week Japan Rail Pass will set you back 29,110 JPY ($260), which is nothing to scoff at. However, a round trip ticket from Tokyo to Osaka alone costs around 28,000 JPY, making purchasing the Japan Rail Pass an absolute no brainer.
14,000 JPY for a one way train ticket from Tokyo to Osaka
To say we would be maximizing the pass would be putting it mildly. As it was my Dad’s first time in Japan, he wanted to be able to see as many sights as possible, albeit ever so briefly.
On the day of activation, we made quick pit stops in Nagoya and Kobe, before arriving in Fukuoka, where we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Fukuoka.
Nagoya Castle
Kobe Steak in Kobe
While rates were more reasonable priced at 26,000 JPY a night, I instead redeemed 4000 Hyatt Points + $50.
The following day we took a quick pit stop at Kunamoto Castle, which sadly partially collapsed after an earthquake hit the region last year.
Afterwards we would backtrack and head to Nagasaki and visit Battleship Island, which was the inspiration for the movie “Inception” and Nagasaki Peace Park.
After an exhausting day of sightseeing, we would head all the way back to Okayama, where I used 20,000 IHG points + $120 for two nights at the ANA Okayama, which is located across the Okayama Shinkansen station.
The next day, we would head to the gorgeous Miyajima Island, see the ancient Iwakuni bridge, before ending the day at Hiroshima Peace Park, where the Sakura blooms were in full effect.
Miyajima Island
Iwakuni Bridge
Atomic Dome
The following day we made our way to Himeji, which was my runaway favorite for best castle to visit during Sakura, before spending three nights at the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Kyoto.
Similar to the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, prices during peak season were astronomical to say the least, with paid rates starting at 55,000 JPY a night after taxes!
After searching for award space like a hawk, I managed to snag three nights at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto using Points & Cash.
To cap off our trip, we would head back to Tokyo and spend a night at the world famous Park Hyatt Tokyo, where quite a few scenes of the movie Lost in Translation was shot. The retail price of the stay would have topped over $1000, but instead cost me 30,000 points. For those looking to apply for the Chase Hyatt Card, this hotel would be one of my top choices to use your free night certificates.
Afterwards, my Dad headed back to visit a few family relatives, while I got to try ANA’s amazing first class product to Singapore, with by far the best airline meal I’ve ever had.
Overall, the trip would have cost $18,000 but through the use of miles, I ended up spending $700 out of pocket. While the trip did burn through quite a few miles (258,000 total), you can’t put a price tag on being able to spend some quality time with Dad.
Happy 60th Birthday Dad!
Learn more about the Hyatt Loyalty Program and how to use your points for Free Nights
