I’ve made lots of changes to our itinerary based on the very helpful suggestions on this sub. We are an active family that enjoys hiking, so walking a lot is okay. We also are okay with very touristy things as these tend to keep our kids entertained.
Day 1: arrive Narita 5:30pm. check into Tokyo hotel, explore neighborhood near hotel (if we have the energy)
Day 2: We will probably wake up early due to time change. Early morning small temple or park near hotel. Late morning Shinkansen to Kyoto. Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama/Gion
Day 3: Fushimi Inari early morning – cheesy touristy tea ceremony – Ginkakuji (if we feel up for it)
Day 4: Morning Arashiyama bamboo/Monkey park Iwatayama – afternoon Kinkakuji (if we feel up for it)
Day 5: early train to Himeji – Himeji castle – Shinkansen to Tokyo – explore area around hotel
Day 6: Disney Sea
Day 7: Shibuya/Harajuku/Meiji Shrine
Day 8: Senso-ji – Akihabara – Tokyo Skytree
Day 9: Teamlabs Planet – maybe something else – fly home from Narita 6:15pm
–I would love to squeeze in a half day trip to Nara if it might be possible. I think my kids would love to see the deer. I’m thinking either trying it for the afternoon on Day 3 (instead of Ginkakuji) or the morning on Day 4 (move bamboo forest to afternoon and skip Kinkakuji). Does either one of those make more sense?
Not sure which area to stay in for our Day 1 Tokyo accommodations. Something convenient to the airport or train station or something near a nice place to spend a very early morning. Any suggestions for a good neighborhood or area of Tokyo for this one night?
Any other suggestions for our Day 9? We probably can do one more thing before heading to the airport. Anything to suggest that kids might enjoy?
Thank you all for all your help.
3 comments
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If you want Nara, I’d do it on Day 5 (cut Himeji unless it is peak cherry blossoms there as the castle is kind of boring for kids provided they are not very interested in Japanese feudal history) targeting an evening Tokyo arrival. Otherwise do it on Day 3 after Fushimi Inari by cutting Ginkakuji. If you don’t go all the way to the top (which you should not “need” to crowds-wise if you go early enough in the day, as the view isn’t breathtaking) you can have most of the day in Nara, and even fit in a quick stop at Uji for green tea shopping if you like.
On day 1, I would recommend getting onto a domestic flight and just go to osaka. Super long day but saves a lot of effort of going into tokyo and then heading out the next day. Otherwise maybe shinagawa area to make the shinkansen easier. Not sure on a room for five, but the shinagawa prince sakura (bonvoy hotel) was able to accommodate my family of four. If you do stay a night in tokyo i would consider sending most of your luggage to the next hotel since you really dont need much that first night and will make your train ride less stressful.
I wasnt that thrilled with planets compared to the one that closed in odaiba. Maybe see how the new one at the mori building looks for the kids. Kyoto attractions are really spread out – we were able to save a lot of energy and time riding cabs. Hopefully cabs can fit five. Our kids passed out late afternoon and early evening about 3-4 days into the trip.