We are planning a family holiday to Japan in May (3 Adults, a 10 year old and a 7 year old).
I’ve frequently travelled to Tokyo with work, but it’s my first time outside of Tokyo, and for everyone else it is their first time.
We plan to travel initially around Tokyo, then move over to Hakone for 2 days, and then Kyoto for the final 7 days, before heading back via Haneda.
We are making some assumptions about being able to stay in Kyoto and do some day trips to Osaka – does this make sense? We feel there is more to see in Kyoto than Osaka, are we missing anything obvious?
Is there any great things we could do with the kids that is missing from our list?
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Tokyo – 5 nights
Arrive early morning on a Friday. Staying 5 nights in Tokyo which allows for 1 day on arrival + 4 full days. Travelling by train to Hakone the morning we leave Tokyo.
* Harajuku – shopping and funky cafes
* Science museum in Odaiba
* Team Lab Planets
* Some temples – Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park
* A skyscraper with a view – Shinuku government buildings or skytree
* General shopping, soaking up the atmosphere, exploring
* Pokemon store, other interesting kid focused shops
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Hakone – 2 nights
* Visiting the Yunessen water park
* Lake Ashi
* Take a boat trip
* Try the mountain railway/cable car
* Enjoy nature.
Kyoto – 7 nights
Next is train ride to Kyoto where we plan to stay for 7 nights to reduce number of different accommodation, but travel over to Osaka for 2 day trips.
* Visit Universal Studios (Osaka)
* Day trip to Osaka itself – the Kids Plaza, take a boat trip, see some of the different areas, eat a few nice restaurants.
* Day trip to Nara.
* See the local temples and shrines – Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Ryoan-ji garden, the
* Golden Pavilion.
* Visit Nijo castle or go to the manga museum.
* See the Geisha area.
* Go to Arashiyama Bamboo grove, and if possible Tongetsukyo bridge and the monkey park.
* Visit the Samurai ninja museum if we need more activities.
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by trybius