CathD

I am planning a trip to Japan in early October 2017 with my husband and two children, girls, aged 9 and 11. We are from New Zealand and are an active family who enjoys biking, walking, "hands-on" museums and modern art. We are amazed by big cities (lights and sky scrapers), theme parks and are keen to see some of the more unique Japanese attractions.

I plan to organise a pocket wi-f, seven day JR rail passes and tickets to the Ghibli Museum before we leave.

I have used HyperDia and the Japan Guide combined with a couple of guidebooks. At this stage only our flights in and out of Tokyo cannot be unchanged: all of our hotel bookings can be cancelled or amended.

I recognise that we cannot see everything but I am keen to experience as much as we can. I am looking for feedback on whether our itinerary is workable within the time frame, whether the sights we have chosen are the best for children and whether there is anything else we should consider seeing or places we should visit (and if so how we should amend our trip plan).

My basic plan is as follows:
Day one (Friday): Arrive (late) into Haneda airport. Monorail (if it is still operating) or taxi to Hamamatsucho: We are staying in a hotel a five minute walk from Hamamatsucho station.

Day two (Saturday): Ghibli Museum (morning), Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices (around lunch), Harajuku and Shibuya Crossing (afternoon and evening). (I will exchange my JR rail pass at Shinjuku station and activate it for Days 6 to 12.)

Day three (Sunday): Ryogoku (morning) to watch the sumo practice (will arrange for the hotel to check if this is on for us the day before), Ueon Zoo to see the pandas, (morning) and possibly National Science Museum (afternoon) and Akihabara (late afternoon) where we may visit an owl café (which I will book on the Saturday).

Day four (Monday): Tsukiji Market (not the tuna auction), a spot of window shopping in Ginza and the Sony store before heading to Shinjuku to take the Highway Bus to Fujisan. Arrive around 2.30pm.

Day five (Tuesday): Fuji Q Highland for our two roller coaster fans.

Day six (Wednesday): Travel from Fujisan to Kyoto where we are staying for the next four nights close to Sanjo station. Arrive around 3pm. Wander around Southern Highashiyama that evening.

Day seven (Thursday): Day trip to Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji, Bamboo Grove, Kameyama-koen and Okochi Sanso villa). We are considering renting bikes to ride around the bamboo area. If we don’t see any monkeys at Kameyama-koen we will head to Arashiyama Monkey Park.

Day eight (Friday): Day trip to Nara (Todaiji Temple and Nara Park) and Fushimi Inari on the way back.
Day nine (Saturday): Day trip to Himji Castle or (if we are over trains) a few of the key Kyoto sights (again we are keen to hire bikes and ride around some of the city).

Day 10 (Sunday): Travel to Nikko for one night. Arrive around 3.pm. Check in to our hotel and then either take the bus to Chuzen-ji Onsen or visit a couple of the nearby temples/shrines (Rinno-Ji, Tosho-Gu) before they close.

Day 11 (Monday: Public Holiday): Nikko (visit the remaining highlights) and then travel to Tokyo Bay where we are staying for the next three days. Arrive around 3.30pm.

Day 12 (Tuesday): Currently unplanned. Our JR passes are still operating so Yokohama (Cup Noodle Museum) or back into the centre to see anything we missed or re-see anything we particular enjoyed.

Day 13 (Wednesday): Disneyland Sea

Day 14: (Thursday): A spot of shopping before getting the airport limo to Narita at 3pm.

tripplanner001

If you interested in walking or wandering, Kyoto is the city to do just that. You may want an additional day or two for it.

If you like modern art, check out the Hakone Open-Air Museum either on your way from Tokyo to Kyoto or back. You can easily spend a night in the area.

Check out the Edo-Tokyo Museum too.

Kavey

Day 2 and 3 feel a touch rushed but it really depends on how fast you guys move around, it may very well work perfectly for your family.

It's a pain to get to, and we've managed to mess up and miss it on each of our 3 visits so far, but I'm keen to visit Miho Museum for modern art - the architecture and how it plays with the landscape and views, as well as the exhibits, appeals to me. Would be hard to squeeze into your current itinerary though and may not be worth the loss of time for other attractions.

Kathie

I agree with tripplanner - you could benefit from anther day or two in Kyoto. You have too much time in Tokyo for my taste, but it may be fine for you.

BigRuss

This day won't happen, it's a LOT of hopping around:

<i>Day three (Sunday): Ryogoku (morning) to watch the sumo practice (will arrange for the hotel to check if this is on for us the day before), Ueon Zoo to see the pandas, (morning) and possibly National Science Museum (afternoon) and Akihabara (late afternoon) where we may visit an owl café (which I will book on the Saturday).</i>

And if you and the hobbits really want an interactive museum, go to the Miraikan. It's worth the trip.

CathD

Thanks tripplanner001, Kavey, Kathie and BigRuss for your feedback.

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is unfortunately closed for renovations but I am definitely looking into how I can work the Hakone Open-Air Museum into our schedule (We might split up on Day 5 (Fuji Q Highland) and the youngest and I might make our way there).

I hadn't heard of the Miho museum but might get a chance to check it out as, thanks to all your recommendations I am definitely putting an extra day into into Kyoto. (Will lose a day 12 in Tokyo).

The Miraikan looks great too so will try and fit that in.

I agree our third day feels a bit busy and will drop the Museum if everyone is starting to feel a bit weary.

I might just have to but some of these ideas on the next trip list!

Thanks again everyone.

Kavey

We had been determined to get to Miho on our last trip in 2016, and I created our itinerary to pick up a car in Hikone, drive down to Miho, and continue on to Miyama for that night, before returning the car on arrival into Kyoto the day after. Unfortunately, I didn't clock that my day to visit Miho was a Monday (when it's closed) until just a few days ahead of the visit, when I was not able to rearrange the itinerary. However, it did lead to a truly wonderful experience for me, as I arranged to do a pottery class at Soto-en in Shigaraki instead, and got a one-to-one lesson on the wheel which I shall never forget.

Lolazahra

Your plan sounds great and it seems as if you have really taken your kids interests to heart. I too went with 4 kids ages 7, 11, 13, and 13 at the time. These things may not interest you but I thought I would add a few things we did with the kids in mind. And we still did all of the main gardens, temples, parks, zoo, fish market and shopping areas as well.

Tokyo: Robot Restaurant for its crazy, zany, electronic show; cat cafe which is very interesting Japanese experience; sushi making, and crazy Japanese nail art which we did in the gaming district which added to the experience

Kyoto: Fire Ramen Restaurant (Menbakaichidai) which was delicious and so much fun; Samurai Kembu Theater where you see a traditional Samurai show, then get into costume for a family lesson and picture. Great time for all; Private dinner with a Geisha and Maiko including a performance and family game.

Make sure you go to Harajuku on the right day when all the Harajuku kids are hanging out. I cannot remember the main day but you can look it up and it adds to the color of the day. Also one of the main temples you will not want to miss (so sorry I cannot remember names as I am rushing this morning) is across the street from the Harajuku area. Shibuya Crossing is fun. There is a very tall and skinny department store on one of the main corners that we popped into and was eye candy for my girls. Lots of zany Japenese clothes. We did not even really buy anything but a couple of hair ornaments but riding up and down the skinny elevators and looking at the fashion was a fun diversion for a bit.

And just know like all great cities, there are days when you will get everything in and some days you will not. But there are so many fun shops and restaurants/cafes to pop in and recharge if the kids get a bit tired. My kids still tease me and say "taxi, ticket, temple" because between Tokyo, Kyoto and Miyajima we went to so many temples. But I did try to temper it with unique Japanese fun for them as well.

Good luck and forgive any typos or misspelled words. Saturday activities with the kids begin!

Boveney

Lolazahra's suggestions based on what her own children enjoyed are great - Re Harajuku- the big day is Sunday when it is crazy crowded - but ducking off the main street (Takeshita dori) to explore the back streets ('ura Hara') will provide some relief.
The 'main temple' Lolazahra refers to is Meiji Jingu, the Imperial shrine, and definitely should not be missed. Sunday is the best day as you may catch a wedding procession. The long approach through the forest gives children a chance to run off some energy.

The 'skinny building' at the Shibuya scramble is 109 - (not to be confused with the Men's 109). And along with the nail art, your girls may enjoy the photobooths - Purikura - which are extremely popular with young Japanese girls who decorate photos of themselves and their friends. My 20 something daughter and I did it together and made ourselves gorgeous - though we passed up the opportunity to turn ourselves into fauns....

Also on Sunday - as you say your family are keen cyclists -cycling the Imperial Palace route is a definite thing. Free bikes on loan from 10-3 at the police box near Nijubashi.

I'm surprised you haven't included Asakusa in your list for Tokyo. The whole area has a lively carnival atmosphere and is close to Ueno. The approach to Sensoji is lined with stalls and food treats. Some of the former may seem the worst kind of souvenirs but don't be fooled - this is an area where some of oldest traditional shops are found. There is an owl cafe in one of the shotengai (old fashioned covered arcade) leading off the main route. Your girls may enjoy the very 'old timey Japanese' amusement park behind the temple. Hanayashiki is the oldest amusement park in Japan - there has been a park on that site since 1853. The retro rides include a roller coaster and a haunted house which are apparently a hit with even sophisticated teens.

Finally, the Sony Building in Tokyo closed at the end of March, reopening next year as the Sony Park. Oh and unless there is some burning desire to wander an area full of big electronics stores, I'd drop Akihabara from the list. A quick tour of Bic Camera (there's one in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) will give you the idea. If there's something specific you're after (a retro anime figure), there are better places than Akihabara.

Lolazahra

Thank you Boveney for filling in all of the names of the great spots I mentioned. I also loved Asakusa. You are right the approach to Sensoji is a treat to the senses and a great time for all. I also love to cook so walking up and down the Kappabashi shopping street for knives and other cooking utensils was a treat. I came home with two of the greatest utility knives engraved with my name in Japanese. Love them! It is such a great country and I know you and your entire family will have an amazing time!