10 days in Japan with two children – looking for suggestions
We're planning to spend 10 days in Japan with children aged 10 and 7, and I'm looking for some fact checking and suggestions on our draft itinerary. We're planning to go during the second half of June. I know it'll be blistering hot and humid, but it's hard to tie up schedules.
I travel to Tokyo some three times per year on business and always stay in Akasaka. I have good bearings on Tokyo, but never had the chance to do a ton of exploration outside the main tourist spots like e.g., Akasaka, Asakusa, Shinjuku, or Ginza.
I'm looking to understand if you guys believe this programme works with small kids, as well as I'm looking for more suggestions on how to fill the days. My kids aren't big on temples and those things. They like to run around, take train trips, do boat tours, visit high-risers and nature stuff. If you can help complementing and/or covering gaps on my ideas, that'd be great. I know that things like Akihabara and the whole Pokemon/Manga/Anime thing is going to be a blast, but need to keep them entertained with other things. I'm not interested in doing Disneyland and other sorts of parks that I can do elsewhere in the world, but am open to hear about experiences regarding Super Nintendo World. Thanks in advance!
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Land in Tokyo Haneda during morning time
- Drop things at the hotel in Akasaka and go for lunch
- Visit Tokyo Tower and the Hie-jinja Shrine (probably walking from Akasaka)
- Subway to the Imperial Palace
- Dinner in Akasaka
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
- Subway to Tokyo Sky Tree – visit upper deck
- Walk to Asakusa/Senso-ji
- Walk to Ueno Park and visit the National Museum of Nature and Science
- Subway to Akihabara
Day 3: Mt. Fuji
- Take train to Hakone region and explore around
- I'll take suggestions of what to do here, since we won’t be climbing Mt. Fuji
- Get back to Tokyo
Day 4: Explore Tokyo
- Subway to Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Walk to Meiji Jingu
- Walk to Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No. 1
- Visit Omoide Yokocho
- Subway to Ginza – explore
Day 5: Kyoto
- Shinkansen to Kyoto
- Tenyru-Ji Shrine
- Iwatayama Monkey Park
- Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)
- Samurai Class
Day 6: Kyoto
- Nishiki Market
- Gion (Geisha's District)
- Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Streets
- Kyomizu-dera Temple
Day 7: Nara
- Explore Nara
Day 8: Osaka
- Train to Osaka
- Need suggestions for Osaka
- Return to Kyoto
Day 9: Kyoto
- Nijo Castle
- Imperial Palace
- Other shrines and city attractions (which?)
- Move to Tokyo
Day 10: Tokyo
- Hang around the city
Day 11: Nikko
- Explore the area
Day 12: Fly Back
by NMVPCP
