Hi everyone,
Going to Japan in Early April with my family (Husband, Daughter, 17, Son, 13). First time for them. I have been working with ViaHero to plan my trip because I did not have time but have gotten this itinerary so far. My comments in are bold. Am I doing too much? Are the food recommendations good? My kids are walkers so not worried they will get tired but it is a bit overwhelming for first timers. Must see for my kids are Sanrio Puro land and Studio Ghilbli museum. Do they both need a full day to tour?
**April 1st Narita at 3:10PM Arrival.**
Will likely need that half day to buy tickets for the Shinkansen to Kyoto, SIM cards or Portable WIFI and check into our hotel. WE will likely hang out in the neighborhood where we are staying. We have 2 hotels reserved so far: and a potential Airbnb
1. APA Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho
2. AKASAKA GRANBELL HOTEL
3. Airbnb by UENO station: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/49506633?adults=4&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&check\_in=2023-04-01&check\_out=2023-04-08&source\_impression\_id=p3\_1673373463\_DLq4d1FWnUYz%2B6kk
I don’t know which is most convenient. There is a range of pricing which is less important than ease of transport to the sites. Let me know what you think. The itinerary of this half day will be affected by where we stay, of course. Let me know what you would rearrange for this first day based on my comments below:
***April 2nd:*** **Obaiba Area**
1. *Toyosu fish market* **Yes- In AM I assume**
2. *TeamLab Planets Digital Art Museum* **YES**
3. *Takoyaki Museum,* **Sounds not necessary but explain why you think it is worth seeing**
4. *DiverCity* **YES**
5. *Explore Gundam:* **YES**
6. *Rainbow Bridge* **YES**
7. *and the Statue of Liberty* **MAYBE NOT since we are from New York**
 *Meals:*
* *Breakfast at Dontaku:* **Breakfast at Hotel** **(and from now on in Tokyo)**
* *Lunch at Grillogy,* **Too Expensive. Will likely eat in Diver City.**
* *Dinner at Origami* **Which one? the one with a view? Maybe lunch the next day since close to the sites?**
***April 3rd: Chiyoda & Chuo CIty area***
*Activities:*
* *Imperial palace*: **YES**
* *Ginza shopping:* **YES but where? Uniqlo, Muji, Mitsukoshi**
* **Would like to add ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM that is in Mitsukoshi**
* *karaoke at night*: **Maybe. We have karaoked at home so unless it is specifically a very Japanese experience, would swap out for something else**
*Meals:*
* *Breakfast around Tokyo station (Bubby’s):* **NO. Breakfast at Hotel**
* *lunch at Rokurinsha Ramen,* **YES and snack at Happy Pancake**
* *dinner @ Birdland:* **NO. More expensive than we want to spend. We have teenage kids that have adult size appetites. Unless this is a phenomenal restaurant, would rather spend on am exquisite Japanese meal.**
***April 4th: Taito City***
*Activities:*
* *Sensoji-temple,*: **YES Better in the day or night?**
* *SkyTree:* **YES** **Better in the day or night?**
* *Akihabara Electronic District:* **YES**
* **Would add Kamimarian Gate and the walk up to the Temple, Sumida Park since we will hopefully see some cherry blossoms**
*Meals:*
* *Breakfast at Cafe Gusto:* **NO At Hotel**
* *Lunch at Musashi 634:* **Too expensive** *or Chanbara Shopping Mall (****where is this?)***
* *Dinner at Magurobito Sushi-Go-Round:* **Which one? Thoughts on Kura Sushi?**
**April 5th: CHANGED Studio GHilbi Museum?**
Activities:
Yokohama (Cup Noodle Museum, Capybara Land, Chinatown): **NO. Would much rather goto the Studio Ghilbli Museum for half the day. Maybe Go back to Tokyo at night to hang out in Harajuku or Roppongi? Or goto an Onsen or a Sumo match? Unless you think Yokohama is a must. The Cup Noodle museum is the only site of interest. No need to goto Chinatown. We have been to China and Taiwan.**
Meals: **NONE IN YOKOHAMA**
Breakfast at Verve Cofee Roasters, Lunch at Miura Misaki, Dinner in Yokohama Chinatown
***April 6th: Switched to Shibuya/Shinjiku day***
*Activities*
* *Shibuya Crossing:* **YES**
* *Hachiko:* **YES**
* *Shibuya Sky:* **YES Better at Sunset?**
* *Hedgehog Cafe Chiku Chiku:* **YES**
* *Cat Street/Takeshita Street:* **YES? where is this and what happens there?**
* *Omoide Yokocho:* **YES**
* **Add Yoyogi Park?**
* **Travel to Kyoto that night?**
*Meals:*
* *Breakfast at Tully’s Coffee,:* **NO At Hotel**
* *Lunch at MAGNET by Shibuya 109:* **YES**
* *Possible Snacktime: Omoide Yokocho:* ***YES***
* *Dinner at Nishiazabu Sushi Shin:* ***YES***
* ***Also want to goto 2D Cafe in Shinjiku***
***April 7th (Kyoto)***
*Activities:*
* *Fushimi Inari Taisha:* ***YES Best to go in the AM?***
* *Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple:* ***YES***
* ***Do you think we can also goto the Kaege Incline,*** **Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Hanamikoji Street?**
*Meals:*
* *Tsurutontan Daikokucho:* ***NO Bad REviews.***
* *Vermillion Cafe:* ***OK***
* *Hanamakiya Udon:* ***OK***
* **Likely impossible to get in and very touristy but Kichi Kichi Omurice cafe**
**April 8th Sanrio PuroLand (No OSAKA)**
Travel Kyoto to Tama ?)
**This is a MUST DO for my kids. How do I get tickets now for April?**
**April 9th- TOKYO**
**TRAVEL OUT AT 4:55PM Flight**
**Activities:**
**Early morning shopping and packing? DO the things we could not to earlier in the week in Tokyo- Onsen, Sumo wrestling, etc?**
*(****Are there Must-Sees in this list?*** *Activities:Â Tsukiji Market, Honganj Temple, Shimokitazawa, Possible bike tour Meals: Breakfast at Yonemoto Coffee Shop, Lunch @ Tamawarai Soba, Dinner @ Sushidokoro Kiraku)*
**Meals:?**
**Activities missing in this intinerary are private Onsen (maybe I can get flesh colored ‘stickers’ to cover our tattoos?) Sumo wrestling match. Tea ceremony, Samurai experience. I know they are very touristy but would like to squeeze in what is possible.**
IF anyone has some tips on how to get tickets for the parks/museums above, please share. Thank you.