I would love some help/advice on the itinerary I have put together for our family trip to Japan in early September. Our group is six adults ranging from 32 to 50 and we are planning to from September 8th to 20th.
While our group is game for really anything we have about half of our group that loves big cities, shopping, spas, and nightlife. At the same time, the other part is interested in seeing small towns and getting out to nature. Both groups are happy to do anything, but I want to make sure we have a good mix for everyone. While realizing that we are only in Japan for a short amount of time. I wish I had months!
Below is our current itinerary where I tentatively filled in places, we are thinking about seeing for each city because it required me to post my question. We tend to be more of making reservations for what we have to do ahead, figuring out something that interests us, and then being flexible and seeing where the trip takes us.
We did initially play with the idea of going to Beppu but when I had to take a day off our trip it seemed too tight for as far as it is. We also thought about stopping somewhere on the way back to Tokyo for a night and then just doing Osaka as a day trip from Kyoto as another possibility.
Any advice on our timing or day trips to other places to get us out of the city or experiences our group might like would be amazing!
THANK YOU!!!
**Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo** (flight arrives 3:40 pm)
**Day 2 – Tokyo** – Morning – Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park, Afternoon – Shibuya & Omotesando Night – Nishiazabu
**Day 3 – Tokyo** \- Morning – Yanka & Ueno Prak, Afternoon – Okonomiyaki, Asakusa & Senso-Ji Temple Night – Golden Gai & Piss Alley
**Day 4 – Tokyo** \- Morning – Tsukiji Fish Market, Afternoon – Imperial Palace & Gardens Night – Tokyo Tokwer & Roppongi
**Day 5 – Kanazawa** Morning – Train to Kanazawa, Afternoon – Oomicho market & Kenrouken Gardens
**Day 6 – Kanazawa** \- Rent a car to visit Shirakawa-go and Takayama
**Day 7 – Kyoto** – Morning – Train to Kyoto, Afternoon – Nishiki Market & Kinkaku-ji , Evening Kimono Forest at night
**Day 8 – Kyoto** – Morning – Nara, Afternoon – Higashiyama District
**Day 9 – Kyoto** – Early Morning – Morning – Arashiyama & Monkey Park, Afternoon trip to Onsen or Whiskey Tour (whenever we get it)
**Day 10 – Osaka** \- Morning – Osaka Aquarium, Afternoon –TBD, Evening – Shinsekai Area
**Day 11 – Osaka** \- Morning – Umeda Sky Building & Ossaka Castle , Afternoon – Shopping, Evening – Dotonbori Area
**Day 12 – Tokyo** – Morning – Train to Tokyo, Afternoon – last minute shopping, Night – Back to favorite area for dinner
**Day 13 – Leave Tokyo**
by DoubleGarlic-Meg