8-Day Japan Itinerary for Me and Parents

Hi, I’m taking my parents to Japan for a week in early August. They’re in their late 60s / early 70s and relatively fit. I’ve been to Japan several times, but not in over 10 years. So I’m having a little trouble remembering how long things will take. I’m also trying to find things they would enjoy seeing or doing. My dad is into Japanese history/ships. They haven’t traveled this far before and only know of Japan through my love of the culture / Pokemon / Ghibli.

Here’s what I’m thinking. I’d also appreciate your suggestions for any events, places, or restaurants. I can also rearrange the order of things.

**Day 0 (Monday, July 31):**

* Arrive at Haneda airport at 5:25 PM
* Get to apartment at Mimaru Suites, in Asakusa
* Eat dinner somewhere around the Asakusa Shrine, go to bed

**Day 1 (Tuesday, August 1):**

* Morning:
* Ueno Park
* Tokyo National Museum and/or Ueno Zoo
* Afternoon:
* Tokyo Skytree (give them a view of all Tokyo)
* Evening:
* Asakusha Shrineenso Ji Temple / Kaminarimon Gate
* Nakamise Shopping District

**Day 2 (Wednesday, August 2):**

* Morning: Shibuya
* Shibuya Crossing (see around 7:00 during rush hour)
* Hachiko
* Shibuya Sky
* Meiji Shrine
* Afternoon: Akihabara
* Owl cafe “Akiba Fukurou” (or any other themed cafe)
* Pop in to Yodobashi Camera for a bit
* Walk the streets for a little bit
* Evening: Ginza
* See a kabuki show at Kabukiza Theatre (shows are at 4:00 PM I believe)
* Pokemon Cafe @ Pokemon Center Tokyo DX (reservations go until 9 PM)

**Day 3 (Thursday, August 3):**

* Disneyland (my parents live near Disneyland Anaheim, so it’ll just be a couple hours here to check it out)
* DisneySea (the majority of the day)

**Day 4 (Friday, August 4):**

* Morning: Ghibli museum (3 hrs)
* Afternoon/evening: Odaiba
* Take Tokyo River Cruise from Asakusa Pier to Odaiba Seaside Park
* Check out Odaiba

**Day 5 (Saturday, August 5):** Yokohama

* Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
* Cosmo World
* Pokemon Center Yokohama
* Yokohama Chinatown
* Red Brick Warehouse

**Day 6 (Sunday, August 6):** Hiroshima (Anniversary of Bomb Drop)

* Take first bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima
* Miyojima Island
* Hiroshima Peace Museum
* Hiroshima Toro Nagashi event (6:00 to 9:00 PM)
* Take last bullet train back to Tokyo (departs at 8 PM)

**Day 7 (Monday, August 7):** Kyoto

* Take first bullet train to Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
* Sagano Bamboo Forest
* Whatever else — they don’t want to see too many temples
* Tea ceremony? Really want to take them to one at some point during the trip.
* Some kind of geisha show?
* Take last bullet train from Kyoto back to Tokyo

**Day 8 (Tuesday, August 8):** Parents going home

* Morning: Explore Tokyo Station
* Afternoon: Go to Haneda airport, my parents are flying out at 5:00 PM

**Left out:**

* Mt. Fuji
* Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku)
* Imperial Palace

I will be in Japan another week for the Pokemon Worlds event, so there are other things I’ll do myself during that time that my parents probably won’t enjoy as much.

Thank you for any suggestions you can provide!