Hi, we're family of 2 adult and 1 child (2.5 years old) and will be in Japan for 17 days this summer. It is our first time here. Family background; we're adventurous, RV/ camper trip is a norm, prefer country side over city life (actually we're escaping from our daily city life), not into shopping, not into japanese cartoon/anime, just wanting to give our little toddler the very best experience. I know most people wouldn't recommend driving and use the public transport instead, but we love the journey, not the destination. And i love the flexibility of letting my kid take a nap wherever and whenever she needs it (rest stop). I heard Japan has an awesome camping culture. I personally think that there is cost savings.
Firstly, We're renting a toyota van with 3 front seat. I've done my research all over this reddit and google about front facing child seat in a vehicle and mostly mention that yes, a toddler will definitely need a child seat but I'm just wondering if it is possible that we put my front facing child in the front passenger seat of a 3 seater toyota hiace van instead of the backseat. (I know that there is the airbag issue.) Reason. It would be much easier for my spouse to be beside me and assist me in navigating and still keeping a lookout for my 2 year old. I've ask the rental company but end up lost in google translation. There is no definitive answer about this exact issue out there.
Below is my itinerary. We'll be flying off soon. Yes the list seems very exhaustive; but keep in mind that we're not completing all of it. The weather, the toddler and the time would determine our exact route. Stars (☆) mark the one we will definitely go. I would love to hear any advices from those individual who are like minded or have done this before. We will also have an additional 5 days to spend in Tokyo after the last camper day. We've booked the hotel in Shinjuku and also reserved popular places like Shibuya Sky and Disneyland.
Question:
1. As above; is it ok to put a front facing child seat at the front passenger seat of the campervan?
2. Is my itinerary okay? Is it too rushed?
3. Do i still need to prepare any public transport passes for Tokyo after the road trip?
4. Do I really have to booked all the places that I'm going to stay the night in the camper? Or this only apply to Tokyo area where it's more crowded. Can i book the campground/hotel later? because I don't really know where will I stop for the night. I have only booked for the first 3 nights.
5. I can't find any auto campground or a michi-no-eki that we can park near or in Hiroshima. Is there a good parking lot (not basement) that I can park overnight there? Anyone have tried driving your RV/Camper there before? We don't mind parking at an open carpark and then moving around the city via public transport.
5. We welcome any other tips and feedback! thanks.
Day 1 : Tokyo
– Arrival JAPAN HANEDA 1730HRS
– Check in Narita Toby Airport Hotel
Day 2 : Chiba
– Campervan Pick up near Narita Airport 1000HRS
– ☆Naritasan Omotesando – Old school shopping area [1 HR]
– Shisui Premium Outlet – [0.5 HR]
– ☆Sakura mushroom garden (close 4pm) [1 HR]
– Tsubakimoru Komuna – Treetop cafe (11-9pm) [1 HR]
– Chiba City Zoo [3 HR]
– Eleven auto camp Park (kimitsu Chiba) – Auto campground Check in 1pm check out 11am
– Cape Futtsu – Observation deck [0.5 HR]
– ☆Mount Nokogiri – Ropeway and Hiking [2 HR]
– ☆Music and coffee shop misaki – Nice cafe (10-4.30pm) [1 HR]
Day 3 : Shizuoka
– (Leftover from day 2 can be included if nearby)
– Mount Takao [2 HR]
– Uchinuma Mushroom farm (if miss out on Chiba mushroom farm) [1 HR]
– Hakone Kowakien Yunessun – waterpark [3 HR]
– ☆Mishima Sky Walk – with fun activities [3 HR]
– Atami Castle [0.5 HR]
– Dinosaurs Plaza Playground [0.5 HR]
– Izu Shaboten Zoo [3 HR]
– Mount Omuro Climbing Chairlifts [1 HR]
– ☆Jogasaki Coast – Suspension bridge [0.5 HR]
– Strawberry farm Ota farm [1 HR]
– NO RESERVATION NIGHT
– Roadside station: Roadside Station Hakone-toge / Road Station Izu Gateway Kannami / Road Station Fujikawa Rakuza
– Campground: Izu campground
Day 4 : Mt Fuji
– (Leftover from day 3 can be included if nearby)
– ☆Oshino Hakkai – village and ponds [1 HR]
– Chureito Pagoda [0.5 HR]
– Haha-no-Shirataki Waterfall [0.5 HR]
– Tenku no torii – shrine gate mt fuji [0.5 HR]
– ☆Lake Kawaguchi – view mt fuji [1 HR]
– Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba (Traditional Japanese Village) [1 HR]
– Panorama-Dai Station – gondola [1 HR]
– Fumotoppara Campground – Check in latest 2-5pm
Day 5 : Nagoya – Kyoto
– (Leftover from day 4 can be included if nearby)
– ☆Magomejuku – Small town with Nakasendo trail [1 HR]
– Miami Beach Auto Campground – Check in latest 2-5pm
– (Can be done on the next day)
– Mount Kurama – hiking & temple [2 HR]
– Okazaki Park – picnic [1 HR]
– Kyoto City Zoo [4 HR]
– Shōrenin Temple [1 HR]
– Yasaka Shrine (Evening) [1 HR]
– ☆Maruyama Park [1 HR]
– ☆Fushimi Inari Taisha – hiking shrine [2 HR]
– Daigo-ji Temple & Hiking [2 HR]
Day 6 : Kyoto – Osaka
– (Leftover from day 5 can be included if nearby)
– ☆Kids Plaza Osaka [2 HR]
– ☆Osaka Castle Park – picnic park [2 HR]
– Universal Studios Japan [6 HR]
– ☆Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan [3 HR]
– Cafe Kurakura Campsite
Day 7 : Osaka – Okayama
– (Leftover from day 6 can be included if nearby)
– ☆Nunobiki Waterfall [0.5 HR]
– Okayama Castle [1 HR]
– Fukuzenji Temple Taichoroh – traditional village [1 HR]
– ☆Tomonoura (Setonaikai National Park) – Ponyo Film Port [1 HR]
– Miroku no Sato – theme park [2 HR]
– ☆Abuto Kannon – temple on a cliff [0.5 HR]
– Okayama korakuen garden [1 HR]
– ☆Okayama Astronomical Museum [2 HR]
– Fukuzenji Temple Taichoroh – traditional village [1 HR]
– NO RESERVATION NIGHT
– Shiawase-no-mura Tent Camping Ground
– Ako Seaside Park Auto Camping Ground
– Shiawase-no-mura Tent Camping Ground
– Michinoeki Shinmeinosato Kogatasha Parking Lot
– Crescent Beach Seaside Park Camping Ground
– Setonaikainomori Camping Ground
– Kyogamaru Auto Camping Ground
Day 8 : Kure – Hiroshima
– ☆Ferry Terminal for Ōkunoshima Island – Ōkunoshima rabbit island [3 HR]
– ☆Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum [3 HR]
– Hiroshima Orizuru Tower [1 HR]
– Okonomimura 4F Daimarudō – tenpanyaki restaurant [1 HR]
– Okonomiyaki Workshop-Studio OKOSTA – cooking class [1 HR]
– Mariho Aquarium [3 HR]
– NO RESERVATION NIGHT
– Michi-No-Eki / Auto Campground / Hotel ?
Day 9 : Hiroshima
– (BLANK DAY TO CATCH UP WITH ITINERARY)
– If not, picnic day!
Day 10 :Hiroshima – Okayama
– (Leftover from day 8-9 can be included if nearby)
– NO RESERVATION NIGHT
– Michinoeki Shinmeinosato Kogatasha Parking Lot
– Crescent Beach Seaside Park Camping Ground
– Setonaikainomori Camping Ground
Day 11 : Okayama – Osaka – Nagoya – Hamamatsu
– (Leftover from day 6-7 can be included if nearby)
– Ryuyo Ocean Park Auto Camping Ground
Day 12 : Tokyo
– Leave Ryuyo Ocean Park Early Morning
– Stop over some camping shop if have time
– Campervan Drop off near Narita Airport Latest 3pm.
by AnyCelebration6771