I (23F) am planning a trip for Nov-Dec with my parents (62F & 67M). For context, both are fairly active and healthy and can walk 20-30k steps a day when on holidays. However, my mum has had a double hip-replacement so struggles to walk up steep inclines and really struggles with stairs. My dad needs to eat a low sodium diet for health reasons, so I’d appreciate some advice on both these fronts!
Day 1: Arrive at Haneda Airport at 5pm, catch public transport to hotel in Shinjuku.
Day 2: Visit Asakusa Shrine & Senso-ji. Go to a pre-booked tea ceremony and stop at Nakamise-dori- street for some shopping. Have lunch at Nakasei then parents head to hotel to rest and we go out to Tokyo Skytree at night.
Day 3: Do a rickshaw tour, walk through Inokashira Park, visit Izumi Taisha shrine. Stop somewhere nearby for lunch and parents go back to hotel to rest while I visit LoFT and Cosme
Day 4: Visit Ameyoko Danke Ueno cafe (my mum loves vintage things) Catch the train to Giza and visit Ginza shopping street. Visit Kayaba Caffee for a rest, then walk around Ueno Park. Visit Brasserie Paul Museum and walk from there to the National Art Centre of Tokyo. Finish the day off there and parents go back to hotel for a rest before going out for dinner.
Day 5: Transit from Tokyo to Osaka (no plans on this day)
Day 6: Day trip to Kobe. Visit Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, The English House, Uroko museum and Motomachidori shopping street. Catch train back to Osaka.
Day 7: Visit Dotonbori, Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum and take a tour of Osaka’s ‘Darker Side” and history with a booked tour guide.
Day 8: Day trip to Himeji. Visit Tegarayama Central Park, Castle Garden, Koko-en traditional gardens, and an onsen. Catch train back to Osaka.
Day 9: Visit the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, Mount Tenpo (? not sure if this is worth it?), and go on pre-booked Osaka Water bus tour. Have lunch in the area and finish the day at Osaka Museum of History.
Day 10: Visit Osaka International Peace museum, shopping in Miraiza Osaka-Jo and walk around Nishinomaru Garden, go see a show at the National Bunraku Theatre.
Day 11: Transit to Kyoto, visit the Kyoto National museum, Otani Hombyo Temple, walk around Ninenzaka and finish the day with Nishiki Market.
Day 12: spend the day walking around the Higashiyama Ward. Mainly chance to rest for my parents.
Day 13: Leisurely day walking down the “Philosopher’s Path” to Eikando Zenriji, go for lunch at Ichiho, see a Geisha performance at Gion Kobe Kaburenjo and then walk around before going back to the hotel.
Day 14: visit Hokan-ji Temple, shop for ceramics at Kiyomizu and visit the Ryozen museum, afternoon is free.
Day 15: Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishijin Textile Centre.
Day 16: Return to Tokyo for the last leg of the trip.
Day 17: Take a day trip to see Odawara Castle (any recs of what to do in the area?)
Day 18: Fuefukigawa Fruit park & Fruit spa PukuPuku
Day 19: Visit the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens on Palace grounds.
Day 20: Chiba City Folk Museum, Chiba City Museum of Art, Chiba City museum of Science & Chiba park.
Day 21: Asakusa Culture Tourist Centre & Kabuki-za
Day 22: Flight leaves 6pm from Haneda!
by Philosopher_Kangaroo