Itinerary suggestions for Mom/daughter trip?


Myself (55) and daughter (21) are headed for 2 weeks in May/June. As travelers, we are pretty chill. Her focus is bright lights and anime/gaming stuff as well as some nature and historical. I’m same except anime. Not big shoppers other than small cutesy stuff and otaku stuff (her). We are into finding random streets and food. Not into fancy or internet-recommended meals. Limited shrines/temples. I know from traveling through Europe that cathedrals and museums can be overdone VERY quickly. Planning to forward luggage.

Sun 5/25: Tokyo

  • Arrive Haneda 2:00
  • Check into Aloft Ginza 
  • Asakusa for Hoppy St. dinner, Senso-ji evening visit, walk Sumida River

Mon 5/26: Tokyo

  •  Shibuya Crossing, Mag viewpoint, wander, Miyashita Park, lunch at Shibuya Yokocho
  • Back to hotel for afternoon rest-anticipating tired/jet lag
  • Shinjuku afternoon/evening: Golden Gai, Cat board, wander
  • Dinner at Omoide Yokocho has lots of restaurants or Shin Okubo (Korea town)
  • Kabukicho entertainment district walk through

Tues 5/27: Tokyo

  • Daughter: Akihabara or Ikebukuro for anime/otaku fun
  • Mom: Early Asakusa: Senso-Ji temple, Nakamise market streets, Tokyo cruise on river to Hinode pier. Hamarikyu gardens (time dependent).
  • Afternoon together: Ueno Park, Ameyoko Market
  • Evening: Ueno Food and Drink Tour

Wed 5/28: Tokyo or Kamakura (or split up)

  • Tokyo Open day: See list of options below
  • Or possible Kamakura day trip: temples, buddha, hike to samurai shrines?

Thurs 5/29: Hakone

  • Shinkansen to Odawara, bus to Owakudani Observatory (2-3 hours travel time)
  • Owakudani-explore and eat black eggs. Ropeway down to cable car. 
  • Hakone Open Air Museum (2-3 hours)
  • Head to Ryokan Hakone Ginyu. We want to check in as early as possible rather than try to do Lake Ashi/Shrine/Pirate ship ride. We were lucky enough to score a very nice room and we want to relax and enjoy onsen. Will not be using Hakone Pass. Kaiseki dinner.

Fri 5/30: Osaka

  • Travel from Gora to Osaka (4-5 hours)
  • Nipponbashi, Denden town, Shinsekai
  • Check into hotel-Hyatt Caption Namba
  • Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi-should we karaoke badly?

Sat 5/31: Osaka

  • Daughter: USJ (probably)
  • Mom: Day trip either Himeji/Kobe or Nara/Uji
  • Dontonbori at night for food and wander

Sun 6/1: Kyoto

  • Travel to Kyoto
  • Higashiyama walk: Silver Temple (Ginkakuji)-mainly gardens, Philosopher’s Path, Eikando Temple & Gardens, Nanzenji -tenju-an
  • Check into hotel-Hyatt Place Kyoto
  • Gion at night
  • Potocho Alley
  • Wander. Get lost. Find food

Mon 6/2: Kyoto

  • Arashiyama: Kimono Garden, Togetsukyo bridge, taxi to Otagi Nebutsuji
  • Arashiyama between temples Hike -river valley to jingo-ji/tatao bus back to Kyoto (5-6 hours + transport)stop for lunch in tatao
  • Rest and laundry
  • Evening: Kyoto Station and go up escalators to illuminated staircase. Outdoor view from top. Kyoto Ramen street (10th floor) 
  • Wander

Tues 6/3: Kyoto

  • Early Fushimi Inari climb-possible alternate walk down from top to Tofukuji Temple.
  • Nishiki Market?
  • Shoren-in Temple?
  • Ninenzaka/Yasaka shrine if we feel like it OR
  • Hang out by the delta/stepping stones on the river. Conbini dinner or whatever we find.

Wed 6/4: Shimanami Kaido/Hiroshima

  • Early train to Onomichi to e-bike HALF of the Shimanami Kaido (various sites along the way)-ferry back to Onomichi
  • Onomichi ramen for lunch
  •  Shinkansen to Hiroshima- check in to Sheraton Grand Hiroshima
  • Peace Park
  • Find food. Wander (Okonomiyaki Onimaru if time)

Thurs 6/5: Miyajima Island/Hiroshima

  • Ferry to Miyajima Island early
  • Itsukushima Shrine
  • Lunch/shopping
  • Ropeway to Mr. Misen-walk back down
  • Find dinner?
  • Tori gate at Sunset
  • Ferry to Hiroshima

Fri 6/6: Tokyo

  • Shinkansen to Tokyo (5+) hours of recharge/napping/reading
  • Check in to hotel-Hyatt Centric Ginza
  • Tokyo-free afternoon/evening

Tokyo free time options:

  • Shinjuku or Shibuya wander
  • Meiji shrine and Yoyogi, Harajuku
  • Nezu Shrine and Yanaka Ginza,
  • Broadway Nakano
  • Watch sumo practice or experience/restaurant 
  • Explore Shimbashi at night (food, night life)
  • Toyosa Senkyaku Banrai (market) +Toyosa Mando Club (onsen + view)
  • Pick a random train stop and explore

Sat 6/7: Tokyo Free Day

Sun 6/8

  • Sleep late and head to HND
  • Drop bags and explore HND. Shop and eat.
  • 4:00 flight out.

Anything to suggest or recommend? Which of the Tokyo free time items should I do or dump? Or add?

I tried to put together a variety of experiences with some free choice and down time. There's not a lot I care to see in Osaka, but it was a must-do for my daughter, so we are staying there instead of making it a day trip.

by Jeneric7514

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