In our second visit to Japan, and the first with our kids, we aimed to keep our itinerary as 'laid-back' as possible. We dedicated less time to the typical tourist attractions and visited places we missed during our first visit in 2016. Given the numerous activities in Japan, keep in mind that it is challenging to cover everything in a single trip.
Japan is one of the only countries we are willing to visit again, and plan to do so in 2024! Also stay tuned for the upcoming blog post where I'll share our itinerary from our first visit.
10-Day Itinerary Overview
Hotel (affiliate link): Oakwood Premier Tokyo
Tsukiji Outer Market
Uniqlo
Ashikaga Flower Park
NINJA Tokyo
Team Lab Planets
Hotel (affiliate link): Kanra Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kiyomizu-dera
Nineizaka/Hokan-ji
Nishi Market
Gion Duck Rice
Hotel (affiliate link): Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Cup Noodles Museum
Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji Hanare
Dotonburi
Universal Japan
Hotel (affiliate link): Hakone Kowakien Ten-Yu
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
Hotel: Hotel Mira Costa
Tokyo Disney Sea
DAY 0 - San Francisco (SFO) to Haneda (HND)
Airlines: ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Seats: Round Trip First Class
Points needed: 440,000 Virgin Atlantic Points (110,000 per person)
Total points used: 417,000
100,000 points was transferred during a 30% transfer bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic (total transferred= 77,000)
Transferred points from both Chase and Amex
How to book: @dang_familyFi
Look for availability on the United Airline Calendar LINK
Find flights operated by ANA with SAVER rates
3. Call Virgin Atlantic to confirm seats are available on ANA
4. Once confirmed transfer your points form one of their many bank transfer partners - Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi, BILT
5. Book your flight!
DAYS 1-3: Tokyo
Hotel: Oakwood Primer Tokyo (Affiliate Link)
Stay: 2 nights
Cost: $865
What we liked: Spacious rooms, friendly staff and only a 3 minute walk to Tokyo Station
How we booked: Through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to redeem $50 Chase Sapphire Travel Credit
Day 1: TOKYO
We landed at 0450 and trained to our hotel
We checked-in and dropped off our bags. Since it was the first day, we ambitiously walked to Tsukiji Outer Market, a 35 min walk!
On the way we made a pit stop at a 7-Eleven for egg sandos and make your own smoothies
Tsukiji Outer Market
Travel time: 35 min walk from hotel
We arrived before 0730 and the
crowds were minimal but already
starting
Items we tried:
-Wagyu with uni (6/10)
-Large oyster and scallop (5/10)
-Sushi bowls (6/10)
-Strawberry daifuku (9/10)
-Strawberry tanghulu (7/10)
Thoughts: Honestly, there was nothing that blew my mind. I did like the daifuku and my kids loved the tanghulu. There are also a few sit down restaurants that had long lines in the market, but nothing that interested us.
Uniqlo
Travel time: 15 min walk from the market
We made our way back to Ginza and visited the largest Uniqlo to make custom t-shirts. It took me quite some time to figure out their system so we spent over an hour making a total of 4 shirts. Therefore, this may not be worth doing if you are on a time crunch. While waiting for our shirts to finish (took 1 hour to get made), we went to eat at Cobau, just across the street.
Lunch
Restaurant: Ginza Cobau Travel time: 1 minute from Uniqlo
Food: Set Yakiniku
Menu: LINK
Reserve: Tablecheck
Cost: $80+ per person (kids under 12 were
free)
Thoughts: We loved this place! The kids enjoyed their meal and I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary to try various cuts of meat in their set plans.
Day 2: TOKYO
We kept day 2 open as we adjusted to being jetlagged
The whole family woke up around 4 am so we decided to take the trip to Ashikaga Flower Park
Ashikaga Flower Park
Travel time: 2.5 hour train from Tokyo
Cost: $2-$15 depending on the season
Ashikaga Flower Park is most popular during wisteria season which is in full bloom in the beginning of May.
We went on May 4 and the flowers bloomed earlier than expected so we caught the tail end of the wisteria flowers. Tip: Look at the bloom forecast prior to making your way to the flower park.
We left Tokyo early in the morning to beat the crowds, taking the first train at 0430. We arrived at the park right before 0800 and the crowds were already starting. We enjoyed about 2 hours at the park, ate a few snacks including wisteria ice cream (which was delicious), then headed back to Tokyo for lunch.
Lunch
Restaurant: Sushi Tokyo TEN Roppongi (reservations recommended, they have multiple locations )
Food: Sushi Omakase
Travel time: 2.5 hour train from the flower park
Cost: $63 per person (kids under 12 are free)
Finding an omakase sushi restaurant that accommodates kids was challenging. This makes Sushi Tokyo TEN a solid choice in terms of cost, taste, and as a family-friendly omakase restaurant that can accommodate families and children of all ages!
Dinner
Restaurant: NINJA Tokyo
Travel time: 10 min walk from hotel
Menu: LINK
Cost: $90+ per adult, $55 per child
This was not your typical dinner. I would say you are truly paying more for the entertainment, complete with NINJA magic, making it an experience and dining choice for the kids.
Thoughts: As for the food, we thought it was OK. However, we did have a late omakase lunch and were still quite full from that. Definitely recommend spacing out these two experiences on different days.
Day 3: TOKYO
Day 3 was spent going to Team Labs in the morning and heading out on the bullet train to Kyoto in the afternoon
Team Lab Planets
Travel time: 35 minute train from hotel
Reservations: Highly recommended
Cost: $25+ per adult, $10 per child 4+ (under 3 is free)
Thoughts: Depending on how long you spend in each room, it will take you about 1-2 hours from start to finish. The experience is interactive and fun for the whole family.
Tips:
Go early in the morning if you are concerned about sanitation (everyone is going through with bare feet)
Wear shorts or pants that you can roll up as you will walk through water
Also avoid short skirts as there are rooms with mirrors on the floor
Team Labs will be opening a new location called Team Lab Borderless on Feb 9, 2024
After a quick lunch, we spent the afternoon traveling to Kyoto.
DAYS 3-4: Kyoto
Travel time: 3 hour bullet train (Tokyo to Kyoto)
Train tip: Sit on the left side of the train (seats C and D in the Green Cars) to see Mt Fuji
Hotel: Kyoto Kanra (Affiliate Link)
Stay: 2 nights
Room: Suite Main Building
Cost: $1,385
What we liked: Spacious rooms, amazing view of the Kyoto tower and an open air cedar tub. Like most Japanese hotels, they provided yakutas (robes) for the whole family!
Room Tour: @dang_familyfi
How we booked: Through my work's employee discount portal (saved $600!)
Day 3: Kyoto in the evening
Relaxed at our hotel and enjoyed the outdoor tub
In the evening we walked towards the Kyoto Tower and had one of my favorite meals in Kyoto!
Dinner
Restaurant: Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu
Travel time: 8 min walk from hotel
Note that they have multiple locations. We went to a location without the self-grilling option. If you are looking to cook the meat, you want to go to the Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu - Kyoto Station location. While we attempted to go here first, there was a long line and wait. Luckily we found one with a shorter wait in the Yodobashi location.
Day 4: Kyoto full day
This was a full day in Kyoto:
Kiyomizu-dera (0700)
Hokan-ji Temple/Ninezaka (0730)
Komeda's Coffee (0830)
Okamoto Kimono Rental (0930)
Fushimi-Inari Shrine (1030-1130)
Nishi Market (1300)
Gion Duck Rice (1430)
Dinner: 7 Eleven
Bar: Bee's Knees
NOTE: Although map shows walking time - we did not walk to each location.
Kiyomizu-dera | Hokan-ji Temple | Ninezaka
We took an early bus to Kiyomizu-dera around 0630 to beat the crowds. This is my favorite temple in Kyoto, and our second time visiting. Be aware that if you take the bus, you will need to walk up a hill that takes about 10-15 min. Alternatively, you can take a taxi which can drop you off right in front of the temple.
Just a few minutes walk from Kiyomizu-dera are Hokan-ji and Ninezaka, so don't miss these since you will be in the area:
Komeda's Coffee | Okamoto Kimono Rental | Fushimi-Inari Shrine
Breakfast
Restaurant: Komeda's Coffee
Food: Cafe, breakfast sets
Travel time: 20 min train from Kiyomizu-dera
What to get: Must try their melon cream soda (yes, breakfast of champions!)
Okamoto Kimono Rental & Fushimi-Inari Shrine
After breakfast we walked one minute to get our kimono rentals at Okamoto Kimono. It took about 45 min to choose our kimonos, get dressed and for the girls to get our hairs styled. We then walked 5 minutes to Fushimi-Inari Shrine to explore and take photos. Absolutely loved this experience!
Reservations: Website
Highly recommend making reservations early
Prices vary depending on the type of plan you select
Note that they have multiple locations, so make sure you reserve at the correct location
Review: @dang_famiyfi
Tip: There are food stalls and a café that only takes cash in the shrine. Make sure to bring your money and place your belongings in the kinchaku (bag/purse) that's included with your outfit.
Nishi Market
Travel time: 20 minute bus from Fushimi-Inari to Nishi Market
By this time, the kids were pretty tired, and we only wanted to try a few select items since lunch was just around the corner.
Chicken thigh on a stick: 5/10, made popular on Instagram, had a line, nothing special
Dango: 6/10, again, made popular on Instagram, but it was ok
Crab tempura: 8/10, wish I had gotten more of this!
Nishi Market Eats:
Lunch
Restaurant: Gion Duck Rice
Travel time: 10 min bus ride from the Nishi Market
What to get: Small menu, only serving - you guessed it, duck rice!
We arrived an hour before they closed for lunch at 1530 (they reopen for dinner at 1730) so at that time, they had run out of the bowl with uni.
Tips:
This is a small restaurant, so it is likely you will have to wait in line. Bring something to keep the kids busy!
If duck rice is not your jam, a few minutes away is their Gion Duck Noodles restaurant.
Night Cap:
Bar: Bee's Knees
One of the 50 BESTS: Website
Thoughts: While watching the kids, my husband went out to try Bee's Knees. He went right at opening so there was no wait. When I asked him how it was he said, "it was alright."
Day 5-6: Osaka
Travel time: 1 hour train from Kyoto
Hotel: Swissotel Osaka (Affiliate Link)
Stay: 2 nights
Room: Junior suite with breakfast
Cost: $798
What we liked: Spacious rooms, delicious breakfast with a view, and conveniently located inside Namba train station
How we booked: Bought Hotel.com gift cards using Amex gold at a grocery store (this normally provides 4x points, but there was an additional +5x points promotion, which gave me 9x points for this booking)
Day 5: Osaka
Cup Noodle Museum
Travel time: 45 minute train from hotel
Cost: $4 per make your own cup noodle
After making our way from Kyoto to Osaka early in the morning, we dropped off our bags at the hotel before continuing our journey to the Cup Noodle Museum. This was honestly out of the way being another 45 minute train ride. However, it was a rainy day, making it a good indoor activity to do with the kids.
Lunch
Restaurant: Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji Hanare
Travel time: 6 minute walk from Swissotel
Reservations recommended: Website
What to get: Yakiniku set menu
Cost: $60+
Thoughts: Absolutely loved this spot and would recommend Yakiniku style whenever eating wagyu!
Dotonburi
We spent the evening exploring Dotonburi in the rain where we had conveyor belt sushi and the 10 yen coin pancake filled with cheese (which I enjoyed).
Day 6: Osaka
Universal Studios Japan
Travel time: 25 minute train from hotel
Booking: Book directly on their website here
Express Pass: For a smooth experience and guaranteed entry into Super Nintendo World (SNW), I would recommend purchasing an express pass. This is at an additional cost, but I highly recommend it as this provides timed "fast passes" into specific rides and attractions.
Tip: BOOK EARLY! We waited to book our tickets and missed out on the early entry passes for SNW. Booking tickets early ensures the best entry time into SNW as later times will mean crowds and long lines.
Days 7: Hakone
Travel time: 4 hour train
Tip: Ship your luggage! As we moved our way back towards Tokyo, we decided to ship our luggage from Swissotel to our last destination, Disney Hotel Mira Costa. Our hotel helped arrange the shipment of our one large luggage which cost about $40 and took two days to get to our destination. Doing this allowed us to travel through Hakone, a smaller town, with ease.
Hotel: Hakone Ten-Yu (Affiliate Link)
Stay: 1 night
Room: Superior room with open-air onsen and Japanese double layer box dinner, breakfast also included
Cost: $865
What we liked: Spacious rooms with beautiful views and an open air bath with on demand onsen water
How we booked: Through Capital One travel portal using my Capital One Venture X credit card to redeem the $300 annual travel credit
Room Tour: @dang_familyfi
Hakone Yunessun
Travel time: 5 minute walk from hotel Hakone Ten-Yu
Reservations available: Website
Activity: Onsen spa, kid friendly park.
Thoughts: I would have been disappointed if we were not able to use the outdoor onsens, so I would only recommend going here if the weather is manageable enough for you to enjoy both the indoor and outdoor water parks.
Days 8-10: Tokyo/Disney Sea
Hotel: Hotel Mira Costa
Stay: 2 nights
Room: Venice Side Superior Room
Cost: $805
What we liked: Spacious rooms with a view of the Venice canals
How we booked: Directly on the website
Tip: Reservations for up to five consecutive nights are accepted 4 months in advance at 1100 JAPAN time (Example: For October 31 check-in date, reservations are accepted from 1100, July 1)
Book here: Website
Room Tour: @dang_familyfi
Day 8: Tokyo Prior to checking into our last hotel, we took a pit stop at Tsujihan for their famous rice bowls for lunch.
Lunch
Restaurant: Tsujihan
Travel time: 1 hour train to Hotel Mira Costa
Reservations: Not available, we arrived at 1300 and had an hour wait in line
What to get: Seafood rice bowl that they turn to a bowl of ochazuke (soup)
Cost: $10+
Thoughts: We liked this meal, but it would not be worth longer than an hour wait.
Tip: They have multiple locations and we went to the Chuo City location. This location is near by the Pokémon Café where the kids can hang out while one parent waits in line.
Evening and Dinner
Near by the Disney resorts is Ikspiari Mall, where we spent the rest of the night exploring the shops. We liked that they had multiple dinner options - I went for shabu and my husband and kids went for McDonalds :)
Restaurant: SHABU-SHABU TAJIMAYA IKSPIARI STORE
Travel time: 10-15 min train on the Disney railway
What to get: Traditional Japanese Shabu
Cost: $35+
Thoughts: This was my first time having traditional Shabu in Japan and I LOVED this meal - so simple, yet so delicious.
Day 9: Tokyo Disney Sea
One of the major perks with staying at Hotel Mira Costa is getting the 15 minute early access into the park.
This helped us get on one of the newest rides in the park: Soaring. Everyone (including us) sprinted to this ride and we were one of the first to get on. The moment we finished the ride, the wait was already 1 hour long (crazy!)
If you are interested in learning more about the fast pass system, read here: LINK
Food ratings here: @dang_familyfi
Tip: Believe! Sea of Dreams starts at 1915 and last for 30 minutes. We left the show a little early and ran to 'Journey to the End of the Earth' where the wait was only 10 minutes! While most people are watching this show, its a good opportunity to go to an attraction that typically has a long wait.
Day 10: Tokyo and depart to SFO!
Dessert
Restaurant: Azuki to Kouri
Travel time: 1 hour train from Hotel Mira Costa
Reservations: Tables can be booked from 2100 JAPAN time, 7 days in advance at the earliest here - Website
What to get: Seasonal kakigori shaved ice
Cost: $25+
Thoughts: I REALLY wanted to love this place as it is so highly recommended and reservations are difficult to get, but I had better kakigori at a mom and pop shop (I can't remember the name). I would not go out of my way to get this, but if you are in the area and love kakigori, then it may be worth a try.
Narita (NRT) to San Francisco (SFO)
Lounge: ANA First Class Lounge
Check-In and Security: First class ANA passengers have their own room to check-in and move through a private security to get to the terminal gates
Menu: In addition to buffet food, there is an online menu that includes items like sushi, noodles, a burger, and rice bowls
Quick 9 hour flight home!
ANA First Class Flight Review: @dang_familyfi
Let me know if you've been to any of these places and what you thought of them or if you have any questions, I'll answer them in the comments!
Hotels.com is one of the first places I look for my stays. Start your search here:
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