Hi all! This will be our first time traveling to Japan and it’s been a little overwhelming to try to plan our trip because it seems like Japan has so much to offer and there’s so many things to do to prepare for it. So I’m hoping to get help or any advice from you guys on what I have planned (so far!)
We will be going as a family, with 2 kids (10yo boy and 6yo girl), together with my parents (in their 60s). So 6 of us in total. We’re planning to visit Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo (my kids have never seen snow before so we’re hoping we’ll be able to catch it and probably do some skiing).
Here is my proposed itinerary so far:
**November 21 (Thurs): Arrive in NRT at 530pm**
\- Check into your accommodation
\- Dinner
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**November 22 (Fri): Explore Shinjuku**
\- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
\- Kabukicho
\- Golden Gai
\- Samurai Museum
\- Omoide Yokocho
\- Isetan
\- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – sky view
\- Nakano Broadway – anime shops, arcade and restaurants
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**November 23 (Sat): Explore Shibuya**
\- Shibuya Crossing
\- Harajuku, Takeshita Street & Cat Street – food and shops
\- Meiji Shrine
\- Shibuya Sky
​
**November 24 (Sun): Explore Akihabara & Ginza**
\- Nakamise-dori Street
\- Senso-ji Temple
\- Tsukiji Outer Markets
\- Teamlab Planets
\- Gundam Statue
​
**November 25 (Mon): Disneyland**
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**November 26 (Tues): Travel to Osaka**
\- Dotonbori
\- Shinsaibashi
\- Nipponbashi
\- Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street
​
**November 27 (Wed): Universal Studios Japan**
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**November 28 (Thurs): Explore Osaka**
\- Osaka Castle
\- Umeda Sky Building
\- Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
\- Hozenji Yokocho (dinner) – narrow alley lined with traditional izakayas
​
**November 29 (Fri): Day trip to Nara**
\- Nara Deer Park
\- Nakatanidou – mochi making demonstrations
\- Kofuku-ji Temple
\- Isuien Garden
\- Shopping at Higashimuki Shopping Street and Mochiidone Shopping Arcade
​
**November 30 (Sat): Day trip to Kyoto**
\- Explore Gion – Geisha district – Hanamikoji Street
\- Nishiki market
\- Fushimi Inari Taisha
\- Tea Ceremony
​
**December 1 (Sun): Internal flight Osaka to Sapporo**
\- Check into accommodation
\- Free and easy
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**December 2-4 (Mon to Wed): Snow/Skiing at the resort? If no snow, then the alternative plan:**
\- Explore Sapporo downtown – visit Odori Park
\- Try local Hokkaido cuisine
\- Shopping at Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade and Pole Town
\- Susukino entertainment district
\- Nijio Market
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**December 5 (Thurs) – Internal flight back from Sapporo to Tokyo**
**December 6 – 7 (Fri to Sat) – Free and easy, see if there is anything we missed or want to see again?**
**December 8 (Sun) – Flight back from NRT**
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I am still in the process of looking at accommodations and would be great if you guys could give me your opinions on these:
1. Hotel recommendations that would fit 6 people?
2. When in Tokyo, would it be better to book 2 separate hotels? 1 that is close to Shinjuku and Shibuya then move to another hotel that is closer to Disneyland and Akihabara/Ginza?
3. I think it would be a really nice experience for everyone to be able to stay in a ryokan with an onsen. Does any one have any recommendations either in Tokyo, Osaka or in Sapporo?
4. Would it be risky for us to try to go to Sapporo for snow so early in December?
5. On the last 2 days in Tokyo before we fly back, I’ve marked it as ‘free and easy’ – I’m thinking if I should try to plan a visit to Mt Fuji or Hakone? Or just wind down and enjoy Tokyo since I’m sure that there will be some stuff that we might want to see again or we missed in our earlier trip.
Thanks!
by PapMyKaripap