Hello all wishing everyone a spectacular 2024, hoping everyone is safe as well.
I am creating a packed itinerary for my family trip consisting 4 adults and 1 child aged 4yo. As stated in the title, its a 10 day trip starting in Tokyo and ending in Osaka. The travel period is set on the first 2 weeks of February. While this is not my first time to Japan, it is for the rest. So, I just wanna gain feedback if the itinerary is too packed or out of whack for a group of 5. I try to be as detailed as possible. Here we go\~
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Day 1: Narita Airport arrival > Tokyo
Arriving into Narita in the morning, allowing 2 hours to clear immigration and settling Pasmo Passport, Tokyo Wide Pass, Tokyo Subway Pass and Pocket Wifi.
Take the NEX to Tokyo Station, deposit bag at locker/storage.
Subway to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck (1.5h) & Lunch.
Return to Tokyo Station to collect baggage and proceed to AirBnB for Check In.
Subway to Akihabara and walk around (1.5h) & Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 2: Tokyo
Subway or stroll to Sensoji Temple and surrounding areas (2.5h) & Lunch.
JR to Tokyo Tower (1h).
JR/Subway to Shinjuku, proceed southbound for Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing (4.5h) and towards Ebisu for Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 3: Tokyo \[Kawaguchiko Day Trip\]
Head to Shinjuku for the 7.30AM Fuji Excursion Ltd Exp, proceed to purchase the Ropeway+Boat+Bus Set Tickets at Kawaguchiko.
Take the ropeway up and then the boat (3h) & Lunch.
Take the sightseeing buses to see the other lakes (3.5h) \[intend to go to the Wind & Ice Caves\]
Take the 5.09PM Fuji Excursion back to Shinjuku. \[If time permits, explore Shinjuku\] & Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 4: Tokyo > Kyoto
Check out and head to Tokyo to stow luggage.
Take the subway to go explore Tsukiji Market. (2h)
Head to Ikebokuro for Lunch and explore the area, inclusive of Sunshine City \[Detective Conan exhibition\] (2.5h)
Back to Tokyo Station to snap the old building exterior after sunset. Buy Halal ekibento.
Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Arrive in Kyoto & check in at hotel & lights out.
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Day 5: Kyoto
Head to Kimono Rental shop for kimono dress up.
Proceed to Kiyomizudera, Gion, Hokan-ji and the Higashiyama Old Street (2h) & Lunch.
Take the tram to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (1h) then travel down to Fushimi Inari (1.5h)
Take the train back to Kyoto for Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 6: Kyoto > Nara > Osaka
Return Kimono and proceed to Nishiki Market or Nijo Castle (1h).
Check out and proceed to Kyoto station to buy the Kintetsu 1 day Pass.
Head Nara for Lunch and Nara Deer Park (2.5h)
Head to Osaka to check into accommodation and then Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 7: Osaka \[Tottori Day Trip\]
Buy and use JR Kansai Wide Area Pass.
Take the Super Hakuto to Tottori.
Pick up Rental Car and proceed to Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori Airport, Lake Koyama & Tottori Castle Ruins (6h) + Lunch.
Take the Super Hakuto back to Osaka for Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 8: Osaka
Use the Osaka Amazing Pass.
Proceed to Tennoji Zoo and surrounding park (3h)
Go for Lunch.
Head down to Tempozan for Santa Maria Cruise & Tempozan Ferris Wheel (6h)
Backtrack to Shinsekai for night life, Tsutenkaku Tower & Don Don Donki (2.5h) + Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 9: Osaka
Go visit Shitennoji (2h)
Head to Osaka Castle (2h) + Lunch.
Go up to Umeda Sky Building (1h)
Go to Dontonburi for shopping opportunity and Don Don Donki Capsule Wheel (1.5h) + Dinner.
Back to accommodation and lights out.
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Day 10: Osaka > Himeji > Kansai Airport Departure
Free time in the morning and subsequently check out.
Shinkansen to Himeji for Lunch and stow luggage.
Visit Himeji Castle (1.5h)
Retrieve luggage and take shinkansen x Haruka Express to Kansai Airport for departure.
Depart in the late evening.
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Questions:
1) Have serious doubts about the itinerary flow for Day 5 as I find myself either no time or late arrival at Fushimi Inari during past trips.
2) How early do I need to make seat reservations for shinkansen and limited express trains?
3) For Fuji Excursion and Super Hakuto, do I need to pay 3rd party rail charge with the JR passes that i am using?
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FYI, list of travel passes active during the trip:
Day 1: Tokyo Wide 3 day Pass \[1/3days\], Tokyo Metro 72h pass \[1/3days\]
Day 2: Tokyo Wide 3 day Pass \[2/3days\], Tokyo Metro 72h pass \[2/3days\]
Day 3: Tokyo Wide 3 day Pass \[3/3days\], Tokyo Metro 72h pass \[3/3days\]
Day 4: Tokyo Metro 24h pass \[1/1days\]
Day 5: Kyoto 1 day Pass \[1/1days\]
Day 6: JR Kansai Wide 5 day Pass \[1/5days\], Kintetsu 1 day Pass \[1/1 days\]
Day 7: JR Kansai Wide 5 day Pass \[2/5days\]
Day 8: JR Kansai Wide 5 day Pass \[3/5days\], Osaka Amazing 2 day Pass \[1/2days\]
Day 9: JR Kansai Wide 5 day Pass \[4/5days\], Osaka Amazing 2 day Pass \[2/2days\]
Day 10: JR Kansai Wide 5 day Pass \[5/5days\]
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Thank you for taking your time to read. I am really grateful for it even if you don’t provide any feedback. I hope the itinerary inspires others who are stuck in planning for their Japan trip.