Version 1 was a way too packed and ambitious itinerary that got some great feedback and suggestions from this community. Based on that I have scaled back our travel days and sites visited
To recap, I am travelling with 2 grandkids 9 and 12, they have lots of different interests, and are good travelers. When travelling we set our sites we want to see on any day, but depending on weather, energy, etc. we can easily pivot and cut back. For some of the activities in Kyoto I am going to look into bike rentals to make it a little easier to get around. As always feedback greatly appreciated! I am particularly interested in reasonably family accommodations in Hakone. Also looking for suggestions on the best science and/or technology museum to visit. Disneysea is of interest, but so far Universal Studies hasn’t excited them since we went to Universal studios hollywood last year right after Mario world opened up. So far the activity the grandkids are most excited about is the Cup of Noodles museum!
Friday,6/14/2024
Arrive Tokyo
get passes
get wifi
go to hotel near Tokyo station
sightsee Tokyo station – character street, ramen street
Saturday, 6/15/2024
Tokyo
shinjuku
metropolitan office observation deck
harajuku
meiji shrine
shibuya
Sunday , 6/16/2024
Tokyo
Asakusa
Sensoji
Tokyo National Museum
Monday , 6/17/2024
Tokyo
Animate Ikibukuru
Sunshine City
Tuesday , 6/18/2024
Hakone
Train to Hakone
Hakone loop
Wednesday , 6/19/2024
Nagoya
train to Nagoya
maglev museum
osu kanon
Thursday , 6/20/2024
Kyoto
train to Kyoto
Higashiyama Ward
Kiyomizu-dera and nearby temples
Samurai Ninja Museum
Gion
Friday , 6/21/2024
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Nishiki Market
manga museum
Saturday , 6/22/2024
Kyoto
Arashiyama
sagano train
Golden Pavilion
Nijo Castle
Sunday , 6/23/2024
Osaka
train to Osaka
shinsekai
shitennoji
namba
Himeji?
Monday , 6/24/2024
Osaka
Choice of hiroshima/nara/USJ day trip
dotonburi
Tuesday , 6/25/2024
Tokyo
train to Tokyo
stop at cupnoodle Yokohama
Wednesday , 6/26/2024
Tokyo
Disneysea
Thursday , 6/27/2024
Tokyo
kato store
Odaiba? other last minute ideas
Friday , 6/28/2024
Depart
2 comments
Can’t give advice on what kids like. But this looks pretty doable to me.
My main comments: Himeji is a reasonable half-day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka and might be very impressive for kids. You should probably see at least one castle. The other choice is Osaka-jo. Both are very impressive. Himeji for the sheer scale and the fact that it’s an original. Osaka-jo for the history.
Curious about the Maglev museum and if that is the main draw to Nagoya. AFAIK Japan has several rail museums including one in Kyoto.
While Hiroshima is doable as a day trip, I don’t love that idea myself. The main draw there is the museum which is a very profound experience and frankly might be too much for kids.
Swap dontonbori and Namba around depending on what your accommodation is closest too. Dontonbori is easy enough to get to on day 1 and is pure amazement. It might be a bit much after a big Hiroshima day trip though. Namba felt pretty generic