Tokyo/Hakone/Osaka/Kyoto - November 2019
 

Hello,

Can someone give me tips on our Japan itinerary? Greatly appreciated. We will be traveling with 2 small kids (8 and 4).

2 weeks in Japan.
Week one (7 days) - Tokyo
Week two: Hakone - 1 day, Osaka 2 days, Kyoto 2 days, Nara and Kobe (side trips from Osaka).

We plan to take the train Hakone from Tokyo, then after one night in Hakone, we'll take the train to Kyoto stay for 2 nights, then train to Osaka stay 2 nights, from there side trip to Kobe and Nara. then train back to Tokyo for one night and go home from there. Do you think this makes sense in terms of the travel time? Not sure if we are maximizing it.

Question is, since we are staying in Hakone 1 night, is there anything special that we must do? Also how do we get around Hakone? It doesn't look like there are trains (I can be wrong).

I know in Nara, there's a Deer park, but that shouldn't take all day, any recommendation?
Kobe, too? Which restaurant or things to do would you suggest?

Where would you suggest a place to stay in Osaka and Kyoto? We were looking at Royal Park hotel, but not sure. We are on a budget too.

Thanks!

For Hakone, you can check the different passes offered by Odakyu.

Nara is also a former capital. I suppose Todai ji temple is a must ?

Whether it makes sense depends on your priorities -- NONE of us can say! But for a first visit to Japan, that strikes me as a LOT of time in Tokyo and extraordinarily little for Kyoto. And many first timers skip Osaka and Kobe.

Please consult japan-guide.com or any decent guidebook.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

Nara has MUCH more than a deer park (which, FWIW, was my least favorite part of this magnificent city). Please consult japan-guide.com or any decent guidebook.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html

Why have you decided on that list and that division of time?

For a first visit, me personally, I'd want an absolute minimum of 4 full days in Kyoto (which would probably require 5 nights). And 5 full days would be better.

So really just 3 days in Tokyo -- not unusual for a first trip -- and only 2 or 3 days in Kyoto -- very little.
Not saying it won't be a great trip -- just trying to put it in perspective.

Jlee, you need to read up on the cities you are thinking of visiting. Japan guide is a good place to start; here's a great overview for Hakone:

https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/

There is a circuit of connecting forms of transportation (tram, gondola, pirate ship, bus)with interesting things to do between them (outdoor art gallery, walks, hot springs, etc. You buy one ticket and it covers them all. Many kids find it a lot of fun. It doesn't have to be super expensive. Many people choose to stay in a ryokan or fancy inn in the area, but there are lots of little inexpensive inns near the train station. Helps to leave your luggage there first (even if its too early to check in) and then come back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Nara also deserves some advance prep. The deer park is okay, but there are other things to do in Nara if you go. Not sure what draws you to Kobe with kids, unless you have a specific reason, I wouldn't bother going. Anything you can do there, you can probably do better in your other destinations. If anything, I'd take the kids to Himeji castle or the Kamakura walking trail instead. My kids loved both when they were young.

Unless you have got other plans for your week in Tokyo, this is a great family focused web site for the city:
https://bestlivingjapan.com/category/travel/
They list lots of fun one-day or multi-day itineraries for the city, seasonal things such as mudparks, best places to shop for toys, crafts classes and festivals. They also write about other japan destinations and family fun in general.

Kyoto hotel
 

Hi. Which kyoto hotel would you recommend for a family of 4 (2 kids)? We have decided to stay in Kyoto for 6 nights. Thanks

I don't think you'll regret shifting the time to Kyoto, from which you can day trip to Osaka or Nara or Kobe if you choose to do so.

For lodging, you could search booking.com

thank you everyone!

I think that looks better. If you're already seeing Tokyo, there is less need to see Osaka during the daytime. Definitely see Nara though - it is way more than just the deer at Nara Park. The Todaiji Temple is really a must. There is also the Kasuga Shrine and Kofukuji Temple, plus Isuien and Yoshikien Gardens. You should be able to spend half a day or more at Nara Park area itself. You can go see Osaka in the evening if you like after a day of Kyoto sightseeing if you like.
Another idea is to take half a day and go see Himeji, and half a day to see Kobe.