2wk Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo Itinerary with a 6yr old

9 comments

1. If you’re devoting a whole day to Kobe, I’d consider adding a trip on the cable car up to Mt. Maya. Aside from that, in general you seem to have some days that are packed with activities while others are very light. For instance, that first Thursday will be a lot. I’m not sure Fushumi Inari and Arashiyama in one day with a 6 year old is feasible.

2. if you’re doing nara with a kid, just watch out. i’ve seen deer headbutt little kids there lol.

3. Google maps lists Ninja Tokyo as temporarily closed. I am planning on taking my little one to Tokyo in the next few years. I really appreciate you sharing this itinerary, it’s giving quite a few new ideas that I would not have otherwise come up with. Enjoy your trip.

4. I took my 8 and 13 year olds to Japan last March. My wife and I had been to Japan twice together before.

   My 8 year old loved the Pokemon centers – he was already a huge Pokemon fan, though.

   Having been to Akihabara on the previous two trips, we didn’t think it was a good fit for our kids. Not the most little kid-friendly neighborhood. Ikebukero is similar and seemed a little more approachable for a younger audience than Akihabara.

   Obaiba is really good for kids and families.

   Disney can be a good diversion and kids absolutely love it.

   we bought the kids Fuji Instamatic cameras and a bunch of film. It gave them a way to engage with more grown-up sights, like temples and shrines.

5. Tip for kioto: Toei studio themepark Kioto.
   Its an old movie lot transformed into a themepark. There are people dressed in periods clothes, diffrent activities like a ninja school, and live action plays. It was amazing. Plus they have all the kamen rider suits on display.
   They also habe an Eva!

6. I think Takeshita street can be really crowded to the point that it stops being fun, but i love walking down Omotesando (right near there) with wide sidewalks and beautiful big trees. Lots of interesting stores, and the back streets all around there have cool stores too. Unless there’s something specific that is only available on Takeshita, maybe stand at the entrance to the street and look at the level of crowding and then decide if you want to skip it.

7. I’d at least add Kiyomizudera in Kyoto to your list.

   He Pokémon cafe twice?
   There’s a Kirby cafe too, if you want cute cartoony stuff for the kid.

8. Kobe Animal Kingdom is a very good choice. It’s really fun to have various wild birds and animals, including the free-roaming ring-tailed lemur, come up close. Inside, there are not many food options and the prices are a bit high, so it’s better to buy lunch at a convenience store or bento shop and bring it in. There are plenty of tables and chairs. 🙂

9. Akihabara on a Sunday is not enjoyable for kids imho. It’s just too crowded and overwhelming for smal kids.