Howdy,
I just wanted to start off by expressing my gratitude for this incredible subreddit. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read, comment, and offer advice or feedback on this post.
My wife and I, both 30, are planning a 3-week trip to Japan with our kids, aged 6, 3, and 1. Joining us are my sister, her boyfriend, and our cousin, all in their mid to late twenties. We’re based in Phoenix, AZ, USA. All criticism and advice are welcome! We’ve traveled quite a bit with our kids in Europe, but this will be our first time in Asia. We are very excited.
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### Week 1 – Tokyo
**3.9**
– Evening arrival: Land, collect baggage, head to Airbnb, and sleep by 9 pm.
– Looking to rent a stroller as our current double stroller is not suitable.
– Bringing a travel-friendly pack crib.
**3.10**
– Adjusting to the timezone from Phoenix, AZ; letting kids wake up naturally.
– A `whatever` day: primarily resting, grabbing food, and preparing for the week ahead.
**3.11**
– 8:00 – Head to Shinjuku City.
– 9:00 – Visit Shinjuku Garden.
– 10:30 – Hanazono Jinja.
– 11:00 – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
– 12:00 – Lunch at a local spot (using japan-guide for ideas).
– 14:00 – Sake tasting at Kurand Sake Market.
– 15:00 – Explore Shinjuku City.
– 18:00 – Dinner and bedtime.
**3.12**
– 8:00 – Depart for Asakusa.
– 9:00 – Visit Asakusa, Senso-Ji Temple, and Asakusa-Jinja Shrine.
– 10:30 – Travel to Shibuya (Ginza subway line).
– 11:30 – Lunch in Shibuya.
– 14:00 – Visit Harajuku/Meiji-Jingu Shrine (Yamanote Line to Harajuku).
– 15:30 – Travel to Roppongi (Yamanote line south, then Hibiya line east).
– 16:00 – Visit Observation tower.
– 18:00 – Possibly Shibuya Sky.
– 19:00 – Dinner and bedtime.
**3.13**
– 6:00 – Wake up, breakfast, and prepare for a day trip to Hakone.
– 7:00 – Travel from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
– 9:00 – Visit Hakone Shrine and Peace Shrine Gate.
– 11:00 – Explore Old Tokaido Highway Cedar Avenue Checkpoint.
– 12:15 – Lunch at Hakone Checkpoint.
– 13:30 – Pirate ship cruise from Hakone Machi to Togendai.
– 14:30 – Travel from Togendai Station to Gora Station.
– 16:45 – Return to Hakone Yumoto Station and Tokyo.
– 19:00 – Dinner and bedtime.
**3.14**
– 8:00 – Wake up, breakfast, and head to Imperial Palace.
– 9:00 – Imperial Palace visit.
– 9:45 – Imperial Palace East Garden.
– 11:30 – Chidori-ga-fuchi.
– 12:30 – Explore Ginza.
– 14:30 – Visit Tokyo Skytree.
– 16:00 – Sumida Aquarium.
– 18:00 – Dinner and bedtime.
**3.15**
– 8:00 – Visit Tokyo Samurai Museum.
– 11:00 – Rent bikes and have a `whatever` day.
– 21:00 – Plan to explore nightlife with my wife.
**3.16**
– 8:00 – Go-Karting in the city (TripAdvisor special).
– Considering a day trip to Chichibu.
**3.17**
– 6:00 – Wake up, breakfast, and travel to Takao.
– 8:30 – Mt. Takao Loop.
– 12:00 – Relax for the rest of the day.
### Week 2 – Kyoto
**3.18**
– 9:00 – Wake up, breakfast, and travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen.
– 13:00 – Lunch.
– 15:00 – Check into Airbnb.
– 14:00 – Head downtown and relax.
– 17:00 – Early dinner and bedtime.
**3.19**
– 5:00 – Wake up and head to Fushimi Inari-Taisha for 6:00 opening.
– 6:00 – Hike.
– 9:30 – Sagano Scenic Railway.
– 10:30 – Hozugawa River Cruise.
– 12:00 – Get food.
– 13:30 – Visit Nijo Castle/Palace.
– 16:00 – Explore Jojakkoji, Gioji, Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, Otagi Nenbutsuji, and Daikakuji (rent bicycles).
– 18:30 – Return bicycles and get food.
– 21:00 – Return to Airbnb.
**3.20**
– 7:30 – Head to Himeji Station.
– 9:00 – Buy Shoshazan Ropeway combination ticket.
– 9:15 – Bus to Mt. Shosha.
– 9:45 – Mt. Shosha and Observation Tower.
– 11:45 – Return to Himeji Station.
– 12:30 – Lunch around Himeji Station.
– 13:30 – Visit Himeji Castle (combo ticket with garden).
– 15:00 – Koko-en Garden.
– 16:00 – Explore shopping streets.
– 17:00 – Return to Airbnb.
**3.21**
– 8:00 – Wake up and get food.
– 9:00 – Arashiyama Monkey Park.
– 12:00 – Lunch.
– 13:00 – Tenryuji Temple.
– 14:00 – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest/Grove.
– 16:00 – Dinner.
– 17:00 – Return to Airbnb.
**3.22**
– 8:00 – Depart for Nara via JR Nara Station.
– 9:00 – Walk up Nobori-oji Street.
– 10:00 – Visit Isui-en Garden.
– 11:00 – Todai-ji Temple.
– 11:30 – Nigatsu-do Hall.
– 12:30 – Get food.
– 13:30 – Kasuga-Taisha Shrine.
– 14:30 – Kofuku-ji Temple.
– 17:00 – Return to Airbnb/Hotel.
– 20:45 – Dinner.
**3.23**
– `Whatever day`: considering renting bikes and exploring.
**3.24**
– Potential day trip to Kobe (TBD).
**3.25**
– Sister and her BF depart.
– Travel to Osaka hotel with wife, kids, and cousin.
### Week 3 – Osaka
**3.26**
– 7:30 – Day trip to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
– 9:00 – Osaka Aquarium.
– 12:00 – Lunch at Tempozan Marketplace.
– 13:30 – Travel to Kids Plaza Osaka.
– 15:00 – Travel to Minami.
– 16:00 – Explore Dotonbori.
– 18:00 – Early dinner in Minami.
– 20:00 – Osaka nightlife?
**3.27**
– 7:30 – Visit Expo City.
– 12:00 – Lunch at Expo City.
– 14:30 – Osaka Castle.
– 18:00 – SUNTORY WHISKEY HOUSE?
**3.28**
– Universal Studios Japan.
– Date night with wife.
**3.29**
– Depart Osaka for Tokyo airport, flight at 14:45.
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### Main Questions/Concerns:
1. Should we get a JR pass given the price increase? I’m trying to crunch the numbers, but some websites haven’t worked, even with Google Translate. EDIT: Thank you for the person who Pm’d me the link to the calculator
2. Any recommendations for nightlife?
3. I have a tattoo sleeve, and my cousin is also heavily tattooed. Are there any foreigner-friendly tattoo onsens you can recommend?
4. Have we planned too much for certain days, considering we’re traveling with three kids? Your honest opinions are appreciated.
Thank you so much for your time!