Hello, I would like to seek some advice or tips on a family of four trip in mid-May 2024.
So far, we have only booked air tickets: 16 May early arrival in Fukuoka and 29 May late morning departure from Narita Airport.
Context: Sibling and I had been to Japan (golden route) but first-time for parents. We will probably skip Kyoto and Nara entirely as a result.
Still early in planning phase and will need some help especially which Rail Passes to get the most out of the itinerary (Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu 7D Pass vs JR Northern Kyushu Pass vs JR Rail Pass etc) and the optimized order of travel.
Ideas we have which can be changed (other than arriving in Fukuoka and depart from Tokyo):
Day 1 and 2 (16 and 17 May): Fukuoka
Probably a hotel or airbnb nearby Hakata Station or near any subway station. Will go to the standard recommended nearby Fukuoka attractions.
Ohori Park, Nanzoin Temple, Kyushu National Museum, Seaside Park, Canal City etc
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Day 3 (18 May): Kumamoto
Day trip via Kyushu Shinkansen.
Suizenji Jojuen Garden, Luffy Statue, Kumamoto Castle, Shimotori Shotengai.
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Day 4 (19 May): Yufuin
Day trip via Yufuin no mori or Limited Express Sonic.
Yunotsubo Kaido street, Floral Village, Lake Kinrin, Showa Museum, Snoopy Chaya.
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Day 5 (20 May): Hiroshima
Day trip via Shinkansen.
Miyajima, Peace Park, A-bomb dome.
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Day 6 (21 May): Fukuoka to Osaka.
Shinkansen and check-in airbnb or hotel in Osaka.
Considered the option of staying a night in Hiroshima instead and go to Osaka from Hiroshima but given that Fukuoka to Hiroshima is only an hour ride; we favor the extra journey to continue staying the night in Fukuoka.
Den den town, dotonbori.
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Day 7 (22 May): Osaka
USJ.
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Day 8 (23 May): Osaka
Unplanned for now.
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Day 9 (24 May): Osaka to Tokyo (Lake Kawaguchiko)
Shinkansen + train to Lake Kawaguchiko (not sure on the best route to go to Lake Kawaguchiko from Osaka yet)
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Day 10 (25 May): Lake Kawaguchiko
We are leaning towards 2 nights stay in Lake Kawaguchiko so that it’s not so rushed.
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Day 11,12,13 (26 – 28 May) Tokyo
Not planned yet. Stay in a airbnb or hotel in Tokyo.
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Day 14 (29 May):
Departure from Narita Airport\~
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Any kind of suggestions or recommendations or changes will be appreciated!
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by WhereToFindGF