Hello! Hoping to get some feedback on the itinerary I have planned out. My family and I will be going on our first trip to Japan for 12 days across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto at the end of June. We want to make the most of our trip while being realistic with how much we can pack into each day. We're a family of foodies, especially ready to take a tour through Osaka's food scene. Any recommendations are welcome, especially if it's for a more local feel. A few of us are also super excited to check out the shops in Japan, especially clothing, thrift stores, skin care, and anything else you can only get in Japan.
For reference, the age range for my family is late teens, a good amount of us in our twenties, and our parents in their forties. My brothers and I are also looking to take my dad out for a guy's night out to celebrate Father's Day. Any recs for cool bars and lounges would be appreciated!
Days 1-4: Tokyo
Day 1: Arriving at Haneda / Checking-in to hotels, exploring Shinjuku (staying nearby) then getting dinner at Omoide Yokocho
Day 2: Trying to take advantage of the jet lag by grabbing breakfast at the hotel then heading to the Akihabara area around 7am/Kappabashi Street on the way to Ueno Park/the Zoo. By late afternoon, want to head back to the hotel to rest before grabbing dinner in the Shinjuku area at Ichiran.
Day 3: Light breakfast at the hotel, at Tsujiki Outer Market by 8:30AM/12PM reservation at teamLab Planets/exploring Ginza/stopping by Minato City for Zojo-ji Temple's view of Tokyo Tower and dinner
Day 4: Mostly shopping/exploring in Shibuya, will try to see Shibuya Crossing around 3/4 before heading to Shibuya Sky for sunset. Trying to eat at Uobei Shibuya for lunch and Gyukatsu Motomura exploring Shibuya for dinner
Days 5-7: Osaka/Hiroshima
Day 5: Train to Osaka/check out Umeda Sky Building around sunset and explore the area/dinner at Unagi Kushiyaki Idumo (heard that this is one of the biggest unagi bowls?)
Day 6: Coffee at LiLo Coffee Roasters/checking out Shinsaibashisuji and Dotonbori/lunch at Kuromon Market/visiting the Namba Yasaka Jiniya Shrine and Shin Sekai "New World" district if time/tbd on dinner but will be going out to Misono Universe
Day 7: Taking an early train to Hiroshima to arrive around 8:30AM/go to the Peace Memorial Park to check out the Memorial Hall/Children's Peace Monument/Memorial Museum/trying okonomiyaki/weather permitting, Miyajima Island (would make this the first stop if weather is good)
Days 8-9: Kyoto
Day 8: Breakfest at belle-ville pancake cafe/training from Osaka to Kyoto/trying to maybe see the Fushimi Inari Taisha gates/dinner at either Tai Sushi or Kyoto Engine Ramen depending on moods
Day 9: Heading to Kiyomizu-dera by 7:30AM, lunch at Nishiki Market, (need another activity to do in Kyoto after), dinner at Hikiniku to Come (will send someone to line up around 8:30AM for a reservation)
Days 10-12: Tokyo… again
Day 10: Heading back to Tokyo (staying in Ginza) in the morning/mostly need recommendations here but considering visiting the Yayoi Kusama Museum and Sanrio Puroland. Definitely want to shop for any remaining items. It'll just be my siblings and I for this last bit.
Day 11: Considering checking out Nakano City and Koenjikita areas. Not too much planned just yet.
Day 12: Grabbing snacks from the convenience stores before heading back home from Haneda
Thank you so much!!!!
Edit: Going to try and be a bit more flexible with all of the food spots. Also, removing the Pig Cafe!
by Substantial-Law6940