Japan Itinerary November 2024 for first timers
*family consisting of 2 adults and a 10yr old, all with ADHD, and a generous mix of anxiety, SPD, APD
*open to modifications / suggestions especially if this seems overly ambitious
*Son loves sushi but still particular with foods
*would love ideas for restaurants -I like idea of reservations if it helps avoid long wait times but must be some-what kid friendly. Not a fan of conveyor belt sushi reminiscent of Genki sushi in Hawaii
*base will be Ueno neighborhood. Need advice on best times to take the metro that avoids rush hours but still makes the most of the short time we have
*kirby and Pokémon cafes are on the list (if I can get reservations) but if the food is bad I’d rather pass
Day 1 Sunday November 24:
Late afternoon arrive in Narita Airport from Denver
Train to stay at Miramu Ueno
Find dinner around hotel
Back to hotel
Day 2 Monday November 25 :
Am: uneo station to Asakua
Visit Senso-Ji and surrounding vendors
11:00 reservation at ninja-cafe asakusa (maybe eat lunch there?).
1300-1530ish: Skytree (not sure if we’d go to top, son may be too scared- but we are definitely going to Pokémon (my son is going to freak out about the Requeza statue), Kirby store and maybe Kirby cafe if I can get reservations
16:00-1800: Asakusa Sumo Stable reservations
Day 3 Tuesday November 26:
figure out a way to visit/ enjoy Harajuko & Shibuya without getting overwhelmed by the crowds and with a kid who won’t walk a ton
Hoping to hit
– Meiji
-Shibuya scramble/ hakone statue,
-Parco for Nintendo (and I heard go to roof for views of scramble and Mt Fuji??)
-Harajuko (daiso 1¥ store, and take in sights/ sweet shops- understand Cat St is less busy?)
-timing with avoiding rush hour metro, stores not opening until 10 or 11, and being strategic of where we go and when so we can get some peace when overstimulated (for example, AI suggests Meiji first thing in the morning because stores still closed but seems like it would be a good respite from the crowds)
Ideally afternoon might include:
-Sengakuji
-Zojo-ji with Tokyo Tower in background
-Godzilla statue in Haibya (unless Shinjuko Godzilla head worth it instead- definitely want some kind of Kaiju experience on this trip)
-Pokémon Dx (and poke cafe for dinner if worth it/can get reservations)
Day 4 Wednesday November 27:
Day at Odaiba/ Diver City
Definitely want to include:
-Gundam statue
-joypolis
-Unko museum
Bonus would include:
-Team lab planets (if there is an option you don’t have to get your feet wet)
-Miraikan museum (?)
-Legoland (probably more for just shopping)
Day 5 Thursday November 28:
-Uneo Park and maybe Nezu Shrine in morning
-check out of hotel and travel to Narita, send or drop bags off at new hotel and explore old town Narita, stay in Narita (waqoo naritasanmonzen)
Day 6 Friday November 29
– explore Narita a little more before flight home
– Cry because I know I’m going to be so sad to leave
by gowiththeflowbee