Hi! I am in the early stages of planning our trip to Japan next March. My husband and I have travelled to Asia before, but it will be our first time to Japan. We are bringing our 3-year-old and we are taking into consideration nap times and other toddler needs. After reading through many posts and websites, I have created a preliminary itinerary and would like feedback before I get too deep into planning.
For context, we will bring a light travel stroller and also a soft carrier (ErgoBaby for those few days we should avoid a stroller).
I know we should get to Suica Card, rent a pocket WiFi, bring cash and pre-purchase attraction tickets if possible. I think we should not get the JR Pass. Looking for any other recommendation and advice. Thanks!!
Day 1: Land in Tokyo
Day 2: Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya 109, Rooftop Terrace at Mag’s Park, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Pokemon Center, Harajuku
Day 3: Tsukiji Market, TeamLab Borderless, Small Worlds, Gundam Base
Day 4: Disney Sea
Day 5: Fire Museum, Toy Museum, Gyoen Garden, Piss Alley
Day 6: DisneyLand
Day 7: Day trip to Hakone? Or bonus day in Tokyo (Imperial Palace?) or day trip to Nagoya for Ghibli Park?
Day 8: Travel to Osaka
Day 9: Osaka Castle and Dotonburi
Day 10 (National Holiday): Nara
Day 11: Day trip to Kyoto for Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park, Nishiki Market, Railway Museum
Day 12: Osaka Aquarium and HEP5 Ferris Wheel
Day 13: Day trip to Himeji for Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden
Day 14: Day trip to Kyoto for the Fushimi Inari Shrine
Day 15: Cup Noodle Museum in Osaka and River Cruise
Day 16: Travel to Tokyo
Day 17: Ueno Park, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara, Kappabashi Street, Skytree Tower Lookout
Day 18: Airport/go home
5 comments
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Bringing a three year old to Japan seems miserable and he won’t even be old enough to enjoy it. Just go to Disney world or something.
You don’t say what you’re interested in here. But I see quite a few temples / historical sites and so the obvious question here is why aren’t you spending more time in Kyoto? I would say most first time visitors should spend at least a couple days there.
I see that you’re planning two day trips there and while Osaka and Kyoto are very close, its beneficial to actually go to the Kyoto and give yourself more time to explore. Your Day 11 is quite ambitious to begin with and adding in travel to and from Osaka with a small child adds so much to it.
And you’re spending an awful lot of time in Tokyo (which is totally worth it). But I would be a little more ambitious here and try to get in another stop of two.
The other thing to mention is that this trip seems like it could be around golden week and that is just not to the time to be visiting theme parks, etc.
Most of your days are still too crowded. Pick one thing, then a bonus backup if everything goes smooth.
My recommendation would be to hunt down some of the awesome playgrounds around Tokyo and then scope out good bakeries and coffee shops nearby. Buy yourself a coffee and treat, then set kiddo loose. A play break should be baked into each day to run off kiddos energy and give you some mental down time.
I have traveled with my (now older) 3 year old and while we still had fun, be mentally prepared with backup plans for days when they hit a limit (do you both go back to the hotel? Does one person stay out for a few hours then switch? My partner and I had a system where one of us could go and explore while the other stayed with kiddo for 2 hours, then we switched.
We’re in Tokyo now with our 2 year old! I’m also pregnant so that’s factoring into the slow-ing down of our plans a bit. It’s only been a couple of days, but I’d definitely second the other comment about finding playgrounds. Our normally calm, chill and well behaved little boy has been absolutely full of beans since we left Sydney to come here. Giving him space to let off steam has been so nice.
I’d also be prepared to have to carry child (if asleep) and pram at train stations with no lifts. We’ve only encountered one and we managed because I was prepared for it, but it was still a pain in the ass. We’ve also had to break down the pram a few times during rush hour to avoid not taking up too much space on the train.
We had a disaster moment yesterday where we forgot to refill our travel bag of nappies and our son had done a poo so my husband had to rush around to find a pharmacy. Not ideal. But these things happen so definitely as others said try to pick one activity as a priority and if other things happen that’s great!
I also haven’t been to Kyoto but from what I’ve read I think that arashiyama and nishiki markets are on opposite sides of the city and it might be tight (and exhausting) with timing it all.
What helped me with my itinerary was plotting it all on Google maps My Maps to see the actual distance between everything. Now that we’re here, I can pull it up when we are in an area and we can go there if we have time and feel up to it.
Even though it’s been slightly exhausting and stressful at times, Japan has been amazing so far! Ignore anyone who says not to bring a toddler. We’re having the best time together as a family, it’s been lovely. Safe travels and happy planning!