Hello everyone, planning a first time trip to Japan and intend on staying around Tokyo. We didn’t want to jam pack our itinerary because we’ll be traveling with children who will be ages 10 & 11, but now we’re thinking we’re not doing enough or won’t get to see as much as we could. We plan on going October 2024 from the United States, I know we’re probably planning way to far ahead, below is our first rough draft and the things to do those days aren’t in any specific order yet.
Also some random questions we had if anyone could help: Would IC cards be enough to get around Tokyo instead of getting the JR Pass for the trip listed below? How much cash/yen is recommended to carry around in case we can’t use ic cards or our own debit/credit cards? We plan on navigating around with Google maps, any suggestions for better apps? How practical would it be to shop and then ship home souvenirs instead of trying to stuff an extra bag for the flight home?
Day 1: Arrive @ Narita airport – pick up pocket wifi and ic cards for everyone. Then head to hotel in Ueno, hit up a kobini and rest.
Day 2: Akihabara – Electric Town, Gacahpon Hall, Kanda Shrine, Mohan Sakaba & those weird vending machines behind Niko No Mansei steakhouse.
Day 3: Asakusa РSenso-ji and Nakamise Dori, Ninja Experience Caf̩ if its reopened by the time we go, Tokyo Skytree and surrounding shops/restaurants. Going to try but not getting our hopes up about booking a reservation for the Pokemon/Kirby Cafes.
Day 4: Ueno – Ueno park, Zoo and Tokyo National Museum mixed with wandering around Ueno to shop and try restaurants.
Day 5: Hakone – early start to ride the Shinkansen to Odawara and then over to Hakone to the Gora Station. Check into a hotel or ryokan and then ride the ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Ashi and ride the boat, Hakone Shrine.
Day 6: Hakone – Try and do any of the above activities we didn’t have time for and then catch the romance car to Shinjuku before heading to Shibuya to check into a hotel and then head to Zauo Meguro for dinner.
Day 7: Shibuya – Shibuya Scramble, Parco – 5th floor shops for the kids, Hachiko Square, Miyashita Park and Shibuya Sky in the evening. Maybe Ikea just for fun.
Day 8: Enoshima – early start to take the train to Enoshima, then explore island before heading to the neaby beach and aquarium before heading back to Shibuya late afternoon/evening.
Day 9: Wander around Harajuku and Yoyogi Park – rent a bike, go to Meiji Shrine. Pretty much relax and do last minute shopping for souvenirs.
Day 10: Head to Narita airport and home.
2 comments
Hey there! Currently in Tokyo with my family and it is our first time here as well. I am no expert but based on my recent experience I will answer what I can.
> Would IC cards be enough to get around Tokyo instead of getting the JR Pass for the trip listed below?
– Based on what I have seen and read, a JR Pass is not needed for what you want to do. I believe an IC pass would cover most of what you want to do with the exception of Hakone. I don’t think it would be cost effective to get the JR Pass just to go to Hakone. I’d just buy the round trip for that alone.
>How much cash/yen is recommended to carry around in case we can’t use ic cards or our own debit/credit cards?
– I never had an issue anywhere I went other than some restaurants and street vendors that didn’t accept either debit/credit. I typically had 20000-30000 yen on me for random purchases and to top up the IC cards.
>We plan on navigating around with Google maps, any suggestions for better apps?
– That’s all I used and it was great. No issues. Tokyo, Hakone, and so far Kyoto. Very good with transportation routes once you learn the system.
>How practical would it be to shop and then ship home souvenirs instead of trying to stuff an extra bag for the flight home?
– This I can’t really answer. Came with four carry ons and just had to buy a suitcase to check for all the souvenirs that have been bought so far. Most people say it’s more cost effective that way but I don’t know for sure.
As for your intinerary, I think your plan is solid. Not rushing anything and have just the right amount planned. Just remember that Kirby Cafe reservations open on the 10th the month before (and good luck!) And make sure you look at the Hakone Free pass for you time there. Cost for adults is 6300yen I believe and is good for two days which should be perfect for you and your family.
I’m sure others will chime in but starting your plan now is absolutely perfect. You’ll be amazed everything you learn prior to going and everyone will have great information.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi!
I travel to Japan from the US with my daughter, who was 12 during our last two trips.
I think some of your days could be combined, especially since most travelers from the US end up with jet lag where they are up early in the morning and you have a few days where you will have time to kill. (i.e. your Akihabara day, a lot of places in Akihabara don’t open until 11 or noon, you should have something else planned from 9 to noon. Another example is the Shibuya day. The stores in the Parco don’t open until I believe 11. My daughter is super into Pokemon and loves Nintendo, and we stopped in the Capcom store, but you have a lot of time planned there, like a lot.
if you wanted add a day trip, I would think Kamakura itself for some temples and shrines or Nikko would make sense. No reason to add in someplace super expensive to travel to.
I would not consider a JR Pass. They recently went up a lot in price, and you would need to travel a lot to make them worth getting.
I mostly go through cash reloading my IC cards in Japan. You’ll have 4 people with cards, though your children can get child’s card and pay 1/2 price. Gashapon are cash only and so are most video games and claw machines and you can go through a lot of cash very quickly with gashapon. (BTW there is also an enormous gashapon hall in Ikebukuro if you’re really into them.) I usually try to limit how many we do because it just adds up. Google Maps is fine within Tokyo, just know it can be weird about predicting pace while walking. I have had credit card issues, but usually when I was making very expensive purchases pre 2010. Now, when I put a travel alert on my cards they trust me more.
I would plan to have 30-40,000 yen depending on how much you want to spend on things like gashapon.
Last time I used the Japan post office, it was cash only (this was pre-Covid) Personally, since most airlines allow 1 check-in per person, I find it cheaper to just get an extra suitcase and bring my purchases home with me. I know this Summer Delta allowed two check ins per person, so does JAL, I don’t remember what ANA’s rules are. I tend to buy cheap suitcases at Ginza Karen. There use to be a branch right on Chuo dori in Ginza. The suitcases were like 5000-6000 yen. They don’t last forever, but they’re also 5-6000 yen. I know Muji and Don Quixote are other options for cheaper bags.
When I was traveling on my own, I use to send packages to myself. It added up very fast. Once I started traveling with my daughter it became a non-issue since with most airlines we were entitled to 4 check ins!
Good luck!