Hi, my family if 4 will be going to Tokyo and Kyoto. This is our itinerary so far. Our kids are 9 and 12. What are everyone’s thoughts? Also has anyone stayed at Hotel Gajoen? Interested to hear others thoughts on that as well. Also so second if we should do an extra full day in Tokyo to make 3 full days there or keep it at 2?
**Day 1 – July 15, Arrival in Tokyo**
– Land in Tokyo.
– Take the Narita Express (NEX) from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station (about 3,000 yen, 1 hour, covered by JR pass), then take a taxi to Park Hotel Tokyo (about 1,000 yen, 15 minutes).
– Check into Hotel Gajoen.
– Rest and adjust to the time difference.
**Day 2 – July 16, Tokyo**
– Morning: Take the JR Yamanote line to Harajuku station (200 yen, 30 minutes, covered by JR pass). Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine.
– Lunch at a local sushi place.
– Afternoon: Walk to Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku (including Takeshita Street and Kawaii Monster Cafe).
– Evening: Take the JR Yamanote line to Ikebukuro (200 yen, 20 minutes, covered by JR pass). Visit Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo.
**Day 3 – July 17, Tokyo**
– Morning: Take the JR Chuo line to Mitaka station (400 yen, 30 minutes, covered by JR pass), then take the community bus to Ghibli Museum.
– Lunch: Ramen in a local spot.
– Afternoon: Take the train to Odaiba (550 yen, 50 minutes). Visit TeamLab Planets and Ooedo-Onsen-Monogatari.
– Evening: Take the train back to hotel (550 yen, 40 minutes).
**Day 4 – July 18, Travel to Kyoto**
– Check out from the Hotel Gajoen.
– Take a taxi to Tokyo station (about 1,000 yen, 15 minutes), then take the Shinkansen Nozomi train to Kyoto (about 13,080 yen, 2 hours 15 minutes, covered by JR pass).
– Take a taxi to Airbnb (about 1,000 yen, 10 minutes).
– Check into Airbnb .
– Afternoon: Explore the nearby area and rest.
**Day 5 – July 19, Kyoto**
– Morning: Take a taxi or walk to Fushimi Inari Shrine (500 yen, 20 minutes).
– Lunch: Try local cuisine in a nearby restaurant.
– Afternoon: Take the train to Tofuku-ji Temple (210 yen, 15 minutes).
– Evening: Walk or take a taxi to explore Gion (500 yen, 20 minutes).
**Day 6 – July 20, Kyoto**
– Morning: Take the train to Arashiyama station (240 yen, 15 minutes). Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple.
– Lunch at 和牛と京豆腐 嵐山三芳亭.
– Afternoon: Boat ride and visit to Iwatayama Monkey Park.
– Evening: Dinner at Mama Italian
**Day 7 – July 21, Kyoto
– Afternoon: Take the bus to Nijo Castle (230 yen, 20 minutes, not covered by JR pass). After Nijo Castle, visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum nearby.
– Evening: Dinner at a local izakaya in the Teramachi Street area.
**Day 8 – July 22, Kyoto**
– Morning: Visit the Nishiki Market. Sample a variety of Japanese street food and shop for souvenirs.
– Lunch at a local restaurant around Nishiki Market.
– Afternoon: Take the bus to Kiyomizu-dera Temple (230 yen, 15 minutes, not covered by JR pass) and explore the Higashiyama District.
– Evening: Dinner at a recommended kaiseki or sushi restaurant in Kyoto.
**Day 9 – July 23, Departure**
– Check out from Airbnb.
– Take a taxi to Kyoto Station (about 1,000 yen, 10 minutes).
– From Kyoto Station, take the Shinkansen Nozomi train to Tokyo (about 13,080 yen, 2 hours 15 minutes, covered by JR pass).
– From Tokyo Station, take the Narita Express (NEX) to Narita Airport (about 3,000 yen, 1 hour, covered by JR pass).
– Depart from Tokyo.
3 comments
Wait… Park Hotel or Gajoen ? Also both are close to the Yamanote line so it would be easy to just take the train up to the station close to the hotel. If Gajoen, then Shinagawa station is a closer stop for the NEX.
Kawaii Monster Café closed during covid, likely because of lack of customers
Oedo Onsen Monogatari closed during covid because of land lease.
Again why take taxi to Tokyo station, can get there using the Yamanote.
Again if Gajoen, take the shinkansen at Shinagawa.
Nozomi is not covered by JR Pass.
I would strongly advise against using the JR Pass, you would need 14 days pass to cover as you listed. Would be much cheaper to buy individual shinkansen tickets and get the [Narita Express round trip discount ticket](https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/nex.html).
Hi!
I have some really bad news for you.
The Kawai Monster Cafe is Closed and Oedo Onsen Monogatari is closed, so you’re not going to any of them.
I sincerely hope you got tickets ahead of time for the Ghibli Museum as well.
The Nozomi shinkansen is not covered by the Rail Pass. Only Hikari and Kodama is covered. It also might make sense from the Gajoen to catch the shinkansen in Shinagawa.
I believe the Hozugawa boat ride is also currently closed, unless you mean some other boat ride.
I would go to Kiyomizudera first and then go to Nishiki Market.
If you bought a 2 week pass, you are not traveling anywhere near enough to cover the cost. If you bought a 1 week pass, it will not cover your full trip.
Good luck!
Don’t know how much luggage u have but may have to take 2 taxis if your carrying everything.
Also start training for walking with kids if possible. U have already planned it but taxis can be hard to get especially in Kyoto with all the tourists thinking the same thing.
Plus day 3 your going from one side of Tokyo to the other so not really ideal but if your up to it. Personally would look at the city to group anything on Tokyo Station side or Shinjuku shibuya side.
It will be humid hot