Mother and Son 11 Days in August: Kyoto/Tokyo/Mt. Fuji

Hi all! Been planning a trip to Japan for my mother (foreveryoungF) and myself (18M), and am looking for some final thoughts and edits. I’m more into photography and anime, while she’s mainly into culture, sightseeing (and we both appreciate good eats). We both can wake up early and walk a lot.

We don’t mind getting lost/wandering but parts of my itinerary feel too empty while others maybe too packed. Worried about not compensating enough time for when we get lost in giant train stations or face language barriers. The main goal is to get the most out of Japan for my mother as it will probably be her one and only trip. Is there any experience exclusive/special to Japan I missed?

Anything with an asterisk attached is confirmed/reserved. Places italicized lead our route for wandering but we may stray away from them. Most meals are unplanned for now and we are hoping to wait and see what’s around rather than going down the Tabelog rabbit hole.

Any help is appreciated!

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**8/21 Mon:**

\- Land in KIX, pick up an ICOCA+Haruka. Head to Kyoto and check-in near Kōdai-ji Temple**.**

**8/22 Tue: kyoto!**

\- \*10:00: Kyoto Aquarium

\- wander around and check out shops on the way: *Rokusonnō-jinja Shrine, Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Nijō Castle, Sanjo Shopping Street*

\- 18:00: Kyoto Tower sunset

**8/23 Wed: uji day trip**

\- \*10:00: attend a matcha factory tour

wander around and eat matcha: *Tsuen, Byōdō-in Temple, Ujigami-jinja Shrine*

\- \*15:00-19:00: attend a traditional uji river cormorant fishing demonstration

**8/24 Thu: temple fatigue?**

\- wander around the area of: *Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Ninna-ji Temple, Toei Studio Park*

\- 16:00: KichiKichi Omurice and pray for seats as they do not accept weekday reservations

**8/25 Fri:**

**-** wander around: *Yasaka Pagoda, Gion area*

*-* explore Nishiki Market, maybe head to the National Garden?

\- 18:00 catch Fushimi Inari around sunset and enjoy it at night (hoping for less crowds and cooler temps)

**8/26 Sat: off to tokyo**

\- \*16:30: arrive at Tokyo Station and check in nearby

\- 18:00-19:00: check out Azabujuban Shotengai street festival?

\- 20:00: head to Showa Park to catch the Akishima Citizen Whale Festival for a whale and some fireworks

*(is this too tight/too much travel?)*

**8/27 Sun: Mt. Fuji**

**-** \*9:30: arrive at Kawaguchiko Station

*just wandering and exploring the area. no plans to climb, but I guess I need plans of some sort…*

\- \*19:00: return to Shinjuku

**8/28 Mon:**

\- \*5:30: Toyosu tuna auction, wander to Tsukiji for breakfast

\- \*9:00: teamLab PLANETS

\- stop at hotel if needed then afterwards do shopping in Ginza

\- wander: *National Garden, Tokyo Tower*

**8/29 Tue:**

\- check out of the hotel by Tsukiji, coin locker luggage

\- shop and wander Kappabashi Dougu Street (buy a knife), then Akihabara

\- \*19:00: yakiniku jambo hanare

\- check in to hotel by Shibuya station

**8/30 Wed: awkward commuting**

**-** check out Shibuya crossing, parco, 109

\- head down to Gotokuji Temple and maybe wander Shimokitazawa for a little

\- (is it possible to make it to Shinjuku station and wander around the area during this time?)

\- \*21:00: dinner near Tokyo Station

**8/31 Thur: goodbye**

\- wrap it all up and head to NRT

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quite a long post, apologies. My main worries are if there is too much downtime or too little at times. There are also no definitive plans to explore Shinjuku. I think I need someone to stop me from going crazy planning.

Thank you r/JapanTravel, posts from here helped me make like 80% of this itinerary. Appreciate all of you lots.

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