We’re super excited as last week we announced planning had commenced for our family trip to Japan. Whenever we plan a big trip, we start by researching things we would like to get Todoing, drawing these on the map to help form an itinerary in a somewhat logical order.
We use a projector for this and like to get the kids involved. Of course, you could use a map or print out from Google Maps for this purpose as well. The kids started off by researching things for kids and families to do in Japan on the internet. They quickly built out a list including the expected, Disneyland Japan, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan, etc. But then a few other random things like a fishing pond garden, bathing with monkeys in the hills and the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo. Justin had his own goals, mostly sporting related, to see a Sumo tournament and go to the Japanse Baseball. A Japanese fish market was added to the list by Justin and Harry, but given Steph is a vegetarian hating in particular the smell of seafood, that one is touch and go!
On the whiteboard we got adding the wish list items. This helped form out a bit of a route starting in Tokyo, where we will arrive at Narita International Airport.
Arriving in Tokyo, it looks like we will end up following the renowned ‘Golden Route’ in Japan. This is where most first timers get their first experience of Japan, following the route of the old Tōkaidō road from Tokyo to Kyoto and onto Osaka. This route takes in some of Japan’s most famous spots including Mount Fuji, old capitals and cultural hubs.
So how is our family itinerary around Japan shaping up? We plan to spend 12 days in Japan in what will be their Summer season. We are expecting warm humid weather during our stay and will mix short term rentals (great for families) with the odd Hotel stay where family rooms are available. We’re going to head as far down Japan as Osaka (we don’t think we will fit in Hiroshima this trip which is a bit further down!). Here’s how our family itinerary for our trip to Japan is looking:
Day 1 Narita to Tokyo
We will arrive in the morning. We plan to shake the jet lag with a bus tour around Tokyo, visits to Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple and the Imperial Palace.
Day 2 Tokyo
Our first full day in Japan we plan to visit the Miraikan Science Museum, the newly opened Digital Art Museum, Tokyo Town Hall and complete the day with a night bus tour and a ride on the Odaiba Ferris Wheel.
Day 3 Tokyo to Hakone
Justin & Harry might try to sneak to the Tsukiji fish market first thing in the morning. We will then depart Tokyo by the Shinkansen Bullet Train for Odawarra, where we will utilize the Hakone Free Pass to explore the Hakone region. We will take the Lake Ashi Cruise, ride on the Hakone Ropeway, the Hakone Tozan Line and hopefully see Mount Fuji in all of its glory.
Day 4 Hakone
Utilising the Hakone Free Pass, we will visit the Hakone Open Air Museum and look around the local area. We will take this day slow to give everyone a little rest.
Day 5 Hakone to Kyoto
We’ll arrive in the old Japanese capital in the morning, and head to the Bamboo Forest. We plan to visit the Fushimi Inaci Shrine, Byodo-in and the Nanzen-ji Temple. In the evening we will visit Gion and see if we can do some Geisha spotting.
Day 6 Kyoto to Osaka via Nara
In the morning we will head to Nara after leaving Kyoto to see the Deer at Nara Park. We will then head to Osaka. In the afternoon we will join a Mario Kart tour of Osaka, dressed up in full Mario character gear with Justin in a Go kart and Steph and the kids in a Tuk Tuk or Convertible. In the evening we will check out Dotonbori (the Osaka Canal).
Day 7 Osaka
We will head to Universal Studios Japan for the day, before what will hopefully be a well earned rest in the afternoon. The kids are particularly excited about checking out the the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Day 8 Osaka to Nagoya
In the morning we will head to Nagoya, with the first stop to be Legoland. Our kids are Lego crazy and we have quite the Lego city back at home (see the below image!). In the afternoon we will head to the Baseball, to watch a Japanese Baseball game.
Day 9 Nagoya to Tokyo
In the morning we will head to what will surely be a highlight, the July Grand Sumo Tournament. It is open in the morning from 8:30am, however the main show starts at 3:00pm through to 6pm in the evening. This is when the highest ranked Sumo participate. In between we will check out Nagoya Castle which is close by. After the tournament we will head back to Tokyo, this time to Tokyo Disneyland.
Day 10 Tokyo
A childhood dream. At least for Justin and Stephanie after watching the Disney movie every week on a Sunday evening growing up. We’re off to Disneyland and sure our kids will love everything about it.
Day 11 Tokyo to Narita
We’ll be spending the day at Disneysea, before heading to Narita to be ready for an early morning flight.
Day 12 Narita
We will depart Japan with an early morning flight back to Australia.
Do you think we missed anything? It sure looks a packed 12 days! As mentioned most of this is along the Shinkansen Bullet Train route, so we are planning on purchasing a JR Rail Pass to get around in between our time in Tokyo. We’re really looking forward to experiencing Japanese food and culture, and think this trip should give us a really good balance along with it being a great family trip.