Hello
First of all, I wanted to comment on how amazing it is to see so much helpful advice from Japan travel veterans on this board. Thank you.
Family of 4 with 11 and 12 year old. I used ChatGPT as a starting point and then made tweeks based on various tips or suggestions I’ve seen on these + other boards. The itinerary is a bit of a Frankenstein.
We know it is going to be really hot. I’ll be honest, we are kind of lazy travelers. We love the cruise experience. We want to have a nice relaxed vacation. The plan is to wake up early, go do a few activities and eat, hide back in the comfortable hotel A/C room, go back out later in areas right near the hotel.
We get really excited about great food. We want to learn and experience Japanese culture, but are honestly not that excited about shrines, museums, etc. We don’t have FOMO (fear of missing out). Unique fun experiences (such as TeamLabs, or Nara deers, Monkeys ) sound very interesting. Nightlife isn’t important/applicable. Would like to avoid tourist traps where the main benefit is to snap a photo or see something pretty. Love the convenience/buzz/energy of walking out of hotel and having access to lots of food, shops, interesting things nearby.
Questions:
– How does this itinerary sound? We likely will only do a fraction of it.
– We happen to be in Japan during Tokyo Sumida fireworks. I extended our stay in Tokyo to try to see this. Is it worthwhile or crazy for a newb family to try to see the Tokyo Sumida fireworks and fight the crowd?
– Would love to hear feedback about our Hotel choices based on our itinerary/travel plans/requirements. I tried to pick hotels that are very convenient to trains/subway. Some people see the hotel room as a place to sleep. I do appreciate hotels that are more spacious, modern, newer.
– Any other feedback, things to remove, etc are very welcome.
HOTEL SUMMARY
Tokyo
– **MIMARU Ikebukuro** **(current choice)**
– Tempted to find something in Shinjuku instead?
Kyoto
– **Hotel Granvia Kyoto (current choice)**
. Cross kyoto
– MIMARU Suites Kyoto Shijo (2 bedroom
Osaka
– **Marriott Osaka (current choice)**
Tokyo – on return trip
– **Prince Gallery (current choice)**
– MIMARU Ueno East
Itinerary for Japan (July 22 – August 8, 2024)
# Day 1: July 22, 2024 – Arrival in Tokyo
* **Arrival:** Haneda Airport
* **Accommodation:** MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro
* **Travel:**
* **From Airport to Hotel:** Take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro Station. The hotel is a short walk from there.
* **Dinner:** Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku
# Day 2: July 23, 2024 – Tokyo (Shibuya and Harajuku)
* **Morning:** Walk from the hotel down to the Meiji Shrine and explore that.
* **Lunch:** Stroll through the Yoyogi neighborhood and around Shibuya including Harajuku and Takeshita Street.
* **Afternoon:** Visit Tower Records in Shibuya.
* **Evening:** Explore Golden Gai in Shinjuku for nightlife.
* **Dinner:** Local izakayas in Golden Gai.
# Day 3: July 24, 2024 – Tokyo DisneySea
* **All Day:** Tokyo DisneySea
* **Meals:** On-site dining options
* **Travel:**
* **From Ikebukuro to DisneySea:** Take the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station, then transfer to the JR Keiyo Line to Maihama Station. From there, take the Disney Resort Line to DisneySea.
# Day 4: July 25, 2024 РTokyo (Odaiba and Pok̩mon)
* **Morning:** Odaiba Seaside Park, TeamLab Borderless
* **Lunch:** Decks Tokyo Beach
* **Afternoon:** Pokémon Center Tokyo DX
* **Dinner:** DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
# Day 5: July 26, 2024 – Tokyo (Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama)
* **Morning:** Visit Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama
* **Travel:**
* **From Ikebukuro to Yokohama:** Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Yokohama Station. Transfer to the Minatomirai Line and get off at Minatomirai Station.
* **Lunch:** Local eatery in Yokohama
* **Afternoon:** Return to Tokyo, free time for exploring
* **Dinner:** Local restaurant in Tokyo
# Day 6: July 27, 2024 – Tokyo (Asakusa and Sumida River Fireworks Festival)
* **Morning:** Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street
* **Lunch:** Daikokuya Tempura
* **Afternoon:** Ueno Zoo, Ameya-Yokocho Market
* **Evening:** Sumida River Fireworks Festival
* **Dinner:** Street food at the festival
# Day 7: July 28, 2024 – Tokyo (Akihabara and Ghibli Museum)
* **Morning:** Akihabara
* **Lunch:** Maid Café
* **Afternoon:** Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
* **Dinner:** Ginza Bairin
* **Travel:**
* **From Ikebukuro to Mitaka:** Take the JR Chuo Line from Ikebukuro to Mitaka Station. The museum is a short bus ride or walk from the station.
# Day 8: July 29, 2024 – Tokyo to Kyoto
* **Morning:** Shinkansen to Kyoto
* **Accommodation:** Hotel Granvia Kyoto
* **Afternoon:** Fushimi Inari Shrine
* **Dinner:** Nishiki Market
* **Travel:**
* **From Ikebukuro to Kyoto:** Take the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station, then the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station.
# Day 9: July 30, 2024 – Kyoto (Arashiyama)
* **Morning:** Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park
* **Lunch:** Saga Tofu Ine
* **Afternoon:** Tenryu-ji Temple, Okochi-Sanso Villa
* **Dinner:** Kaiseki at a local ryokan
* **Travel:**
* **From Kyoto Station to Arashiyama:** Take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station.
# Day 10: July 31, 2024 – Kyoto (Nara Day Trip)
* **Morning:** Train to Nara
* **Activities:** Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine
* **Lunch:** Kakinoha-zushi
* **Afternoon:** Naramachi area
* **Dinner:** Kyoto Ramen Koji
* **Travel:**
* **From Kyoto to Nara:** Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Nara Station.
# Day 11: August 1, 2024 – Kyoto to Osaka
* **Morning:** Shinkansen to Osaka
* **Accommodation:** Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
* **Afternoon:** Explore Dotonbori and Namba
* **Dinner:** Takoyaki at Dotonbori
* **Travel:**
* **From Kyoto to Osaka:** Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka Station, then transfer to the JR Line to Tennoji Station.
# Day 12: August 2, 2024 – Day Trip to Hiroshima
* **Morning:** Shinkansen to Hiroshima
* **Activities:** Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
* **Lunch:** Okonomiyaki at Nagata-ya
* **Afternoon:** Ferry to Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine
* **Evening:** Return to Osaka
* **Dinner:** Local restaurant in Osaka
* **Travel:**
* **From Osaka to Hiroshima:** Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station.
# Day 13: August 3, 2024 – Osaka (Universal Studios Japan)
* **All Day:** Universal Studios Japan
* **Meals:** On-site dining options
* **Travel:**
* **From Osaka to Universal Studios Japan:** Take the JR Yumesaki Line from Tennoji Station to Universal City Station.
# Day 14: August 4, 2024 – Osaka to Tokyo
* **Morning:** Shinkansen to Tokyo
* **Accommodation:** The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
* **Afternoon:** Free time for shopping or exploring
* **Dinner:** Local restaurant in Tokyo
* **Travel:**
* **From Osaka to Tokyo:** Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station.
# Day 15: August 5, 2024 – Tokyo (Hello Kitty and City Exploration)
* **Morning:** Sanrio Gallery, Ikebukuro
* **Lunch:** Local eateries in Ikebukuro
* **Afternoon:** Tokyo Tower or Skytree
* **Dinner:** Local restaurant in Tokyo
* **Travel:**
* **Within Tokyo:** Use the Tokyo Metro for convenient travel between attractions.
# Day 16: August 6, 2024 – Tokyo Exploration
* **Morning:** Free time for exploring Tokyo
* **Lunch:** Local eateries
* **Afternoon:** Shopping or exploring additional sights in Tokyo
* **Dinner:** Local restaurant in Tokyo
* **Travel:**
* **Within Tokyo:** Use the Tokyo Metro for convenient travel between attractions.
# Day 17: August 7, 2024 – Tokyo Exploration and Departure
* **Morning:** Last-minute shopping in Ikebukuro or Ginza
* **Lunch:** Local eatery in Asakusa or Akihabara
* **Afternoon:** Free time for final sightseeing or relaxation
* **Departure:** Haneda Airport in the evening
* **Travel:**
* **From Hotel to Airport:** Take the Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Airport.
# General Tips:
* **Food Recommendations:** Family-friendly restaurants with diverse menus.
* **Hotels:** Near major train stations for convenience.
* **Transportation:** Use a Japan Rail Pass for intercity travel.
* **Tickets:** Book Ghibli Museum and TeamLab Borderless in advance.
by dlca1