Our First Family Trip to Japan - Seeking Advice / Recommendations on Our Itinerary and Accommodation

gregoinc on 03/06/2024 - 22:03

We've started planning our first family trip to Japan. It's been a tough few years, with our 10 year old daughter going through open heart surgery in the past few months to correct a heart condition.

Our daughter is learning Japanese at school, is a manga fan, and is so excited about visiting Japan. We are planning to spend approximately 11-12 days. Below is our first attempt at an itinerary… apology it is so messy… we will admit we are a bit lost and would appreciate some help/advice.

We're looking for advice on places to visit, but most importantly the order in which to visit them. Also, we've been reading recommendations that advise to base ourselves in Tokyo and do day trips, but staying in Kyoto and Osaka are good ideas. Our daughter wants to go on the bullet train :-)

We're really looking to focus on experiences for our daughter, more non-tourist experiences, off the beaten path. And finally… accommodation… we'd really appreciate suggestions on accommodation… in Tokyo and other locations.

Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo Which Airport to use? Looking for Tokyo Accommodation suggestions?
Day 2 Tokyo Shinjuka, Shibuya, Harajuka
Day 3 Tokyo Senso-ji temple, Akihabara
Day 4 Tokyo Ginza Roppongi Tsukiji
Day 5 Nagano Shinkansen and snow monkeys - not sure if this is worth it?
Day 6 Kyoto Kyoto Accommodation Suggestions? Kyomizu for sunset, Nishiki Bamboo forest, Golden temple, Fushimi inari Toji temple
Day 7 Kyoto Shinkyogoku, Kyoto railway museam, Samurai restaurant in Shinjuku
Day 8 Osaka Osaka Accommodation Suggestions? Dotonbori Shinsaibashi Shopping street, Osaka castle, Kurumon market and shinsekai
Day 9 Osaka Nara Day Trip - Visit Todai-ji Temple Nara Park Other historic sites
Day 10 Tokyo Open to ideas?
Day 11 Tokyo Depart Japan

Please know we really appreciate any advice we receive.

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 03/06/2024 - 22:29
    +14

    No Disneyland for the 10yo?

    • donga100 on 03/06/2024 - 23:05
      +13

      Or Universal Studios in Osaka.

      • jv on 03/06/2024 - 23:54
        +4

        Or Hello Kitty at Sanrio Puroland…

        • DeepPocketsShortArms on 04/06/2024 - 01:02
          +10

          Or poo museum in Odaiba?

        • gregoinc on 05/06/2024 - 09:56
          +2

          Thanks for this one, we do have a Hello Kitty fan, so will add this to the list.

        • suchan on 05/06/2024 - 11:09
          +1

          Cup Noodles Factory in Yokohama. Can't recommend this enough.

          • jv on 05/06/2024 - 14:04

            @suchan:

            Cup Noodles Factory in Yokohama

            Do they do free samples?

        • donga100 on 05/06/2024 - 19:07

          Not as good as Anpanman Museum.

      • CalmLemons on 05/06/2024 - 13:25
        +2

        This is a MUST^^^

        We literally didn't go to a friends wedding just to go here and it was worth it.

    • Clear on 03/06/2024 - 23:33
      +3

      If you enjoy lining up all day for a couple of rides.

    • Lastchancetosee on 04/06/2024 - 10:42
      +7

      And Ghibli Museum in Tokyo

      • Camelface on 04/06/2024 - 20:16
        +2

        If you can get tickets

      • JohnSy on 04/06/2024 - 23:31
        +2

        Book 2 months beforehand, on the day they release tickets. Premium tickets usually run out on that first day.

      • lunartemis on 05/06/2024 - 10:56
        +1

        Ghibli park in Aichi is better

    • Sydney2K on 04/06/2024 - 19:29
      +2

      Get away! Fuji-Q! The biggest roller coasters in Japan!

    • gregoinc on 05/06/2024 - 09:54

      We've heard the queues were insane… and we've been to Paris Disneyland which was excellent, and much less queuing.

      • GandalfTheCheap on 05/06/2024 - 20:02
        +2

        The queues are definitely not bad enough to not take your kid to Disneyland.

        Especially if you go on a weekday (and not a Japan school holiday or public holiday).

        Plus you can now get Premium Access passes for like ten bucks, to skip the queue on the lines with the longest waits.

        It's still one of the most fun places on earth for kid to go (and pretty cheap with the yen so low).

        This itinerary looks very middle-aged adult or retiree, and ignores almost all of the best stuff for kids and families.

  • sumyungguy on 03/06/2024 - 22:35
    +3

    My insights come from only a single visit for which I did a reasonable amount of prep yet still learned plenty of new things when actually there. For your itinerary Haneda is better than Narita, just be wary of arriving late evening. I agree with those who suggest Shinjuku is a good base despite it not being on a Shinkansen line - check out Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku. There are some great hotels on the Hachijo side of Kyoto station. We day tripped from Kyoto to Hiroshima and on another day visited Himeji Castle, Japan's best preserved feudal castle. I don't recommend the Disney parks to families with young kids because the attractions aren't interpreted for english speakers, better to save for a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida.

    • GandalfTheCheap on 05/06/2024 - 20:10
      +2

      I don't recommend the Disney parks to families with young kids because the attractions aren't interpreted for english speakers, better to save for a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida

      Spoken like someone who's never been. My kids didn't understand a word of the Sinbad ride in Tokyo Disneysea and still rode it twice and bought a plushie of the Chandu tiger from it. Youngest still sleeps with it years later.

      The attention to detail and sheer effort that go into making the Disney parks in Japan something special for every child is incredible. No Australian theme park (or anything else) comes anywhere close.

  • KaTst3R on 03/06/2024 - 23:03
    +1

    Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Disneyland, Hedgehog Cafe in Harajuku.

    Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train.

    Best meal I had in Osaka was Kani Doraku Dotonbori Main Branch (crab omakase). Advanced reservation is a must.

    • Clear on 03/06/2024 - 23:41

      Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train.

      Book days in advance at Kyoto station as you have to line up and it often sells out mid-morning the day before.

      • KaTst3R on 04/06/2024 - 11:56

        Good tip!

  • Benana on 03/06/2024 - 23:07
    +8

    I would suggest to split up Shibuya/Shinjuku and Harajuku/omtesando into separate days. There is so much to see and do especially for a first timer.

    Tsukiji is usually just a morning thing. If you get there early when it opens, you should be done before midday, I would then suggest to go Sensoji temple / akasaka. There is lots of street food and vendors and a shopping dotonbori area. Tokyo tower is also nearby.

    You could probably skip Roppongi and Ginza unless there is something you really want to see there. Or if you find you have some spare time during a particular day.

    Then I would spend a day at Odaiba. It's mostly shopping but there are also amusement parks and the big Gundam. Team Labs is also nearby and I would highly recommend you go while you're in Tokyo.

    Kyoto itinerary looks fine. There is also a small dotonbori shopping area focussed on food which may be worthwhile going if you have time. Can't remember what it's called but it's probably on Trio Advisor.

    Osaka also looks fine. The only thing memorable about Osaka for me was the Dotonbori, aquarium and SpaWorld if you want to go to an onsen.

    On the way back to Tokyo you could spend the final day in akihabara or go back to a place you particularly enjoyed as you will always find more new things.

    As an overall comment, you may want to extend to 14 days or so. (6 days tokyo，3 days Kyoto, 3 days Osaka, 2 day travel time and Nara etc). This way you are less rushed and can take the time to enjoy things rather than rushing to the next location.

    As for accommodation, I've recently really enjoyed Mimaru which offers apartment style living as it's great for kids and there are 2 room apartment options. I think the one at Tokyo is quite close to the station. Otherwise my only suggestion would be to try be close to a station. It would be more convenient to stay near Tokyo station or Shinjuku or Shibuya stations as these have multiple lines to avoid changing trains too often. I am pretty sure the bullet trains to Kyoto and Osaka also depart from these main stations.

    One other place I often enjoy is Kichi Joji which is around a 30minute bullet train from Shibuya station. Great shopping with less people.

    Good luck!

    • donga100 on 03/06/2024 - 23:20

      Tsukiji is usually just a morning thing. If you get there early when it opens, you should be done before midday

      The main fish market at Tsukiji closed and moved to Toyosu but I don't really see the attraction of it anyway. Tsukiji outer market still exists though and is well worth a visit for all the little stalls, shops and restaurants.

      • Benana on 03/06/2024 - 23:26
        +3

        Yeah I wouldn't bother with the actual auction. The outer market is worthwhile. My suggestion to go in the morning was to avoid the lines which will inevitably form.

        • donga100 on 03/06/2024 - 23:27

          It mostly all closes by about 2pm so morning/lunch is definitely best.

    • DeepPocketsShortArms on 04/06/2024 - 01:05

      Also recommend mimaru. I've stayed in one in Osaka and Shinjuku. Both were excellent.

  • donga100 on 03/06/2024 - 23:11
    +1

    Check out Hop Inn Asakusa. It just opened at the start of the year so everything is brand new and spotlessly clean. They have a room with three beds which is rare in Japan. Location is super handy, just across the road from Senso-ji and within a few minutes walk of one of the largest Donki for shopping, shiba inu cafe, hundreds of restaurants, etc. Subway here is well connected to all the places you want to visit and also Haneda airport. Check out Tokyo Cheapo for lots of OzBargain friendly advice for Tokyo and even day trips outside of Tokyo.

    I prefer being based in Osaka when visiting Osaka/Kyoto. It's only about 35 minutes on the regular slow trains from Kyoto and has much better shopping and eating. Check out the Osaka Amazing Pass if you want to be kept busy visiting everything there is to see in Osaka.

  • Benoffie on 03/06/2024 - 23:17

    Haneda is way better, especially with kids. Have done Narita and wouldn't do it again.

    Some places look close by but without significant walking or a JR pass, the stuffing around on Metro/Toei lines just makes it not worth it. For example, Shibuya to Harajuku isnt that easy without the JR. I understand the attraction of Shibuya especially for Manga fans but itll wear thin quickly.

    Both Roppongi and Azabu are great for food and families but are pricey. Stayed at Oakwood Apartments with no complaints.

    Friends recommended staying near Shiodome. Id probably go there or close to Shimbashi station to try capturing as many lines as possible.

    Asakusa is 100% worth it. Yokahama is worth the trip if they happen to like Gundam. If you want them to see some old Tokyo,try Yanaka (Sendagi Station)

    • Clear on 03/06/2024 - 23:39

      Yokahama is worth the trip if they happen to like Gundam.

      "Otachu akihabara 4th shop GUNDAM" above a few floors of Namco and Maid Cafes is the best place for Gundams in Japan unless you go to Don Quijote during golden week for 60% off. Surugaya outside Yokohama station has a really good selection of older kits with a few rare ones.

      • Benoffie on 04/06/2024 - 10:53

        Been there (Akihabara) and yes they are competitive on pricing but stock is hit n miss and the place is an overwhelming rabbit warren of crazy. Worth the visit, certainly even for Manga fans but it's exhausting and will burn a hole in your pocket if you're not careful and constantly cross checking prices.

        There are several stores in the area worth checking out so best to take photos, note location and swing back when decided.

        Yokahama is more about the experience. The Gundam show is great (not worth the platform fees) plus there's the factory only kits. Cafe is a rip off but nearby Chinatown is awesome.

        • Clear on 04/06/2024 - 10:59

          They restock that store every day. Often you can ask if you're after something specific and they'll grab it daily.

          Gundam show is a no go. It's all demolished.

  • miruku on 04/06/2024 - 00:12
    +4

    On Nagano and snow monkeys - I visited last year during spring and really enjoyed it (lots of baby monkeys to observe). But I think the trip would be very tiring to spend just one night in the area.
    From Tokyo, it’s at least a Shinkansen to Nagano (1h30m), then a train (1h) and bus/taxi + walk (45m) to the monkey park.
    From Nagano to Kyoto it’s about 3-4h.
    The trip would be more relaxed if you can spend another night in the area. Nagano city itself is quite peaceful and quiet for a change of pace, in pretty stark contrast to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka which are all bustling.

    Edit: Kyoto Arashiyama has a separate monkey park if you’re keen to see monkeys without the trip to Nagano (I haven’t been to the Kyoto one).

    Your daughter might enjoy visiting a Kinokuniya book store and checking out all the manga there. Kyoto also has a manga museum (I have not been so can’t comment).

    You could see if there are any shops or cafes etc themed around specific manga your daughter enjoys too. Eg Jump shop

    • dwarves on 04/06/2024 - 19:54

      Agreed. Don’t do snow monkeys as a day trip

    • meowmeowmeow on 06/06/2024 - 08:32

      Agree with this. Nagano as a day trip will be too much. There is an excellent monkey park in Kyoto, however it is a 20 min incline walk to get to it, will your daughter be ok with a slightly strenuous climb after the heart surgery? It's not too bad of a walk, steep but over quickly and you can stop and rest whenever you need, but just want to make sure your daughter will be OK to do this before you get your hopes up. I went to the Kyoto monkey park in March and loved it, definitely recommend if you can fit it in. Actually the whole Arashiyama area is beautiful with the river and the mountains etc, especially if it's a nice sunny day.

    • ForkSnorter on 04/06/2024 - 08:04
      +19

      The standard/normal word for 'forreigner' in Japanese translates to 'devil spawn', so that should tell you something.

      Are you kidding me? That is a Chinese word. The standard word for foreigner in Japan is 'gai koku jin", which means "foreign country person".

      it's a nice place to visit if you can afford it

      Actually Japan is probably now cheaper than it has ever been for Australians to visit due to the current exchange rate and the fact that Japan hasn't experienced anywhere near the inflation that Australia has. While accommodation might be expensive due the increase in tourist numbers, eating out would be much cheaper than in Australia.

    • kiitos on 04/06/2024 - 08:17
      +1

      I'm sure it can happen, just like it happens here, but that wasn't our experience. We also had sometime that we asked for directions while he was going to catch a train, insist on turning around and taking us to the location in person.

    • Ocker on 04/06/2024 - 08:36
      +4

      Or the restaurant staff will stand at doorway with their arms crossed, which means no entry.
      Or the cab driver will slow down and when he spots your are not Japanese will drive straight past you to the next person.
      (based on actual experience of living in Japan for 10 years)

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 05/06/2024 - 01:28

        Here is the truth people, from a long-term resident. Believe this dude, or believe the 'drop ins'/tourists with rose-coloured glasses, who went there once and likely did not even notice the glaring discrimination directed their way.

        Lol, it's funny how oblivious people can be to their surroundings sometimes.

        • Randolph Duke on 05/06/2024 - 16:53
          +7

          Some people treat foreigners terribly. Guess what? That happens to tourists in Australia too. It's hardly the pandemic you are implying it is.

    • infringement payer on 04/06/2024 - 09:10
      +1

      Standard word for foreigner is 外国人. It literally is translated to: Outside, country, person.

    • Benoffie on 04/06/2024 - 11:00
      +7

      Yeah look it happens but nothing that I would say sours a trip. I had to deal with an ahole Stationmaster who was a condescending prk. As the staff at Tokyo Station said, unfortunately there are not nice people in all places and to be understanding. It's a good rule.

    • smartazz104 on 04/06/2024 - 14:00
      +5

      They will smile a lot, bow and nod at you a lot, and take your money (a lot), but they will no way treat you the same as they treat Japanese peeps.

      Wow sounds like every place on Earth /s

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 05/06/2024 - 01:36

        'Wow sounds like every place on Earth /s' [sic]

        No, not at all. I have been to plenty of places where peeps generally do not smile a lot, or bow, or nod at you a lot. Places where it's scary to be a white dude, like certain regions in West Africa, and South America, among others. Scary places. Japan is openly racist against white peeps, but it is by no means a 'scary place'. Their 'casual racism' is easily ignored, as long as you don't mind being discriminated against on the basis of your race.

        Read posts above/below from peeps who have actually lived there, if you doubt what I am saying; ignore posts from tourists who spent a day or two there in a luxury hotel.

    • ThadtheChad on 04/06/2024 - 20:51
      +6

      I'm going to have to disagree. As a non-caucasian, I absolutely know what racism is and have experienced it in different forms across many different countries (Australia included).

      We have always felt welcome in Japan, in fact, our recent trip with our infant was exceptional with people scrambling to help us out with things (helping carry our pram up the stairs, give us seats, prioritise lift access etc).

      With all due respect, the likelihood of being treated like shit by Japanese increases if you're one of the typical boorish bogan "Bali-types"; there is very little patience for that. Especially after the recent influx of dropkick youtubers like Johnny Somali etc.

      Lastly, Japan is freaking inexpensive when compared to holidaying in Australia. We lived in a service apartment near Asakusa for a couple of weeks recently and made sorties into all other parts of Tokyo, oftentimes taking Taxis when we couldn't be bothered taking public transport. Eating out was wonderfully cheap, with loads of cheap eats and so many options for every budget.

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 05/06/2024 - 01:38
        -2

        'I'm going to have to disagree.'

        You yourself state that you are non-Caucasian, so how would you know whether Caucasians are routinely discriminated against in Japan, or not?

    • gesco on 05/06/2024 - 18:18

      My observation was that (some) Japanese people are racist, but they are too polite to tell you to your face - eg, they will cross the road to avoid you. The people that you interact with tend to be lovely.

      As an example: if you stand on the footpath looking at a map someone will come up to you and ask, in very good English, if they can help you. One time we got off the bus (last bus of the day - it was dark) and could tell something was not right - the map showed houses on both sides of the river and they were only on one side. A lovely young Japanese couple came up and offered help. They were tourists themselves. It turned out that we were in the wrong town. They drove us, out of their way, a good 15 minutes to the right town, found our accommodation, and explained to our hostess who we were. They could not have been more helpful.

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 26/06/2024 - 01:06
        -2

        Yo Gezza, re:

        'My observation was that (some) Japanese people are racist, but they are too polite to tell you to your face …'

        So, they are two-faced. That has been my observation as well, thank you for confirming this.

        'As an example: (blah blah blah) …'

        Hmm, a case study with a sample size of 1. How very compelling.

  • Gumby08 on 04/06/2024 - 08:10
    +1

    If your daughter likes manga, she might enjoy the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo. We went with our then teenage daughter and absolutely loved it.

    And Disney Sea in Tokyo, only one in the world I think.

    • GandalfTheCheap on 05/06/2024 - 20:19

      It'd be incredibly selfish to take a kid to Japan and walk them around temples and shrines without taking them to fun kid stuff, especially best-in-the-world kid stuff like Ghibli Park, Ghibli Museum and Tokyo Disneysea.

  • SmiTTy on 04/06/2024 - 08:58

    Lots of info here
    Suggest u also join a Facebook group such as this to get ideas and feedback

    https://www.facebook.com/share/nrJeQQkD7j67TzRG

  • saimone on 04/06/2024 - 09:18
    +1

    So on Day 7 you will go from Kyoto to Shinjuku have a meal then back to Kyoto/Osaka.

    • GandalfTheCheap on 05/06/2024 - 20:19
      +1

      Yeah that's got to be a mistake, surely 😂

  • Curlicious on 04/06/2024 - 09:33
    +1

    For me, 2 days at the start and 2 days at the end in Tokyo is more than enough if you aren't really planning to do much shopping. 2 days doing East side and 2 days doing West side. I think it is worth using the time to experience an extra destination outside Tokyo instead. It's also better to avoid Tokyo on weekends. Accommodation in Tokyo is more expensive than anywhere else, and Saturday nights are the most expensive day of the week. It would be much nicer to spend a night at a ryokan in some onsen town instead.

    My itinerary for Tokyo would be:
    Day 1 - (Ghibli Museum if your daughter is interested) to Shibuya to (Meiji Jingu Gaien if it's Autumn) to Shinjuku Park to Omoide Yokocho for dinner. Shinjuku Park is great for Spring and Autumn, but the greenhouse there is also interesting all year round.
    Day 2 - Harajuku to Omotesando. Omotesando has nice shopping centres with interesting architecture but if you're not interested, you could fit Harajuku into Day 1 instead.
    Day 3 - Akihabara to Ginza to Roppongi/Azabudai for dinner. And then maybe TeamLab.
    Day 4 - Ueno to Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree. Seeing the whole expanse of Tokyo is something you need to do at least once. You could replace Tokyo Skytree with Shibuya Sky instead though. Tokyo Skytree is taller so you can see more, but Shibuya Sky is outdoors so it's more about the atmosphere.

    2 days in Kyoto may be a bit rushed for first-timers, as getting to Arashiyama and Kinkakuji can take some time. I like to walk from Ginkakuji to Maruyama Park to Kiyomizudera which is doable in 1 day if you aren't doing much temple hopping. I would do dinner around Gion or Pontocho.

    As for temples in Kyoto, my favourites were Tenryuji in Arashiyama (pay extra to go inside the buildings) and Chion-in near Gion (I really liked climbing the giant Sanmon gate).

    I would recommend taking the Aoniyoshi train for the day trip to Nara.

  • AFOS on 04/06/2024 - 10:11
    +6

    This is the itinerary for adults. I do not think that your little one will enjoy it. Disneyland / Disneysea are an absolute must. Both are miles ahead of any of Gold Coast theme park (and probably all of them combined). You will need 2 days minimum to just scratch the surface. Staying at one of their hotels (MiraCosta) is an adventure in itself and dining at their restaurants is an unsurpassable experience (plus good value).

    When we visited Tokyo those were highlights of the trip. Not cheap but definitely worth it. The rest - not so much.

    Tip: do not go to animal cafes. They suck big time. Never again!

    • Specialist Diaz on 05/06/2024 - 10:15

      I enjoyed the hedgehog cafe we visited!

  • tulalit on 04/06/2024 - 10:24
    +1

    Airport: I'd recommend Haneda as quicker to commute and get to your accom (also depends where your accom will be as well). I do notice it can be more exxy compare to Narita airport.
    For airport transfer: If possible use limousine airport bus from / to airport rather than train and lugging your luggage to / from platforms using stairs (if you can't find lift etc).

    Accom in Japan: we stayed in Mimaru (it's Japanese hotel chains) and more like an apartment style. You have more space rather than a tiny room / space.

    Tsukiji: if you're an early riser, get there early otherwise you'll be swamped with other tourists as well.

    I'd recommend googling "Tokyo Chapter" https://www.thetokyochapter.com/ is another website you can check and lots of info for travel to Japan with kids / family. She's an aussie with kids who lives in Japan for at least a decade. She has an insta as well and lots of info as well.

    Good luck with planning and see it to fruition ;)

  • dtc on 04/06/2024 - 12:47
    +2

    I disagree with the disney/USJ suggestions, they are packed and you wont get many rides. If you just want to wander around and look at things then they are fine I guess.

    Your Kyoto itinerary is a bit one side of the city to the other (eg Golden Temple to Fushimi Inari). Suggest look at https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950.html and do a couple of the half day itineraries (Higashiyama and Arashiyama) then add Fushimi Inari. That website also has some suggestions for Tokyo and the Asakusa one is pretty good. The others might not suit entirely but can give you some ideas.

    I agree with the snow monkeys being a long trip for a fun but brief activity. Other options include Hakone for a night or another day in the south and go to Nikko (see the deer, although they can be a bit aggressive but fun enough for a child if you keep your distance). However if you do stick with the monkeys, use this rail pass https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_arch.html as it will save a small amount of money (at the cost of a slightly longer return trip, as you have to go via Kanazawa and not direct Osaka - Tokyo)

    In Tokyo if you want a break, head to Shinjuku gyoen (garden), there are carp ponds a bit of grass for the kid to run around and its peaceful.

  • Blargman2001 on 04/06/2024 - 13:32
    +3

    Book an open jaw flight. Arrive in Tokyo and depart Osaka or vice versa. It will save you an expensive train fare back to your origin city for no reason other than to catch a flight.

  • Gehirn on 04/06/2024 - 13:55
    +3

    If you know what manga your daughter likes look up where it is set as a lot of manga have locations you can go see for real. There are also a lot of attractions for them at 'smaller' theme parks like FujiQ, nijigen no mori, etc.
    This site also lists pop up stores and cafes for manga, anime, etc.
    https://collabo-cafe.com/

    The biggest tip is to take it slow since it is your first time there. Trains, the language barrier, and everything can be overwhelming if you are rushing.

  • bocca on 04/06/2024 - 14:03

    Hire a car, makes it easy to get around

  • arkanis50 on 04/06/2024 - 14:46
    +1

    It seems very jam packed… I'd probably add a rest day in the middle where you just wander around without necessarily aiming do anything specifically. Tokyo is very chaotic… it wore us out very quickly. As far as things for the kids, Team Lab Borderless was very cool: https://www.teamlab.art/e/tokyo/

    EDIT: I see you already had TeamLab there

  • gromit on 04/06/2024 - 14:58

    Things we enjoyed there but may or may not be your cup of tea.
    Robot Restaurant (now the Samurai Restaurant) though I think this is now adults only due to location.
    Go to a Japanese shopping centre in somewhere like Shinjuku, just browsing the department stores can be eye opening.
    Samurai Museum
    light show amazing https://www.teamlab.art/e/tokyo/
    Ghibli museum
    Sky Tower
    If you like Japanese food it is an awesome experience to try some of the backstreet local restaurants. We had to point at what we wanted most of the time due to language but tried all sorts of things like Sea Urchin etc and was amazing quality at cheap prices as opposed to the main street tourist rip offs.
    Sumo Training Session(many of the Sumo locations you can watch the training from the windows as long as you are silent)
    Kill Bill restaurant if you are a fan (https://japanjourneys.jp/tokyo/dining/restaurants/gonpachi-n…)

  • Excelsior on 04/06/2024 - 15:07
    +3

    Was there earlier this year. If you're in Kyoto and want to avoid the more typical touristy stuff then I highly recommend renting some bicycles and exploring the city and surroundings on your own.

    My wife and I spent the entire day doing that and it was by far one of the best highlights of our trip. We got to explore random parks, areas and laneways, avoid crowded areas, and also stumble upon 'hidden gem' restaurants that way.

  • Kenny Powers on 04/06/2024 - 15:25

    Go for Haneda if possible. Narita is quite a distance from Tokyo. I flew into Narita and out of Haneda and Haneda was so much easier

  • R4 on 04/06/2024 - 17:33

    Manga museum in Kyoto

  • DazMon on 04/06/2024 - 19:03

    What time does Kiyomizudera close?
    I thought temples close before then?
    We always seem to be rushing in Kyoto to fit them in.

    • jasonh on 07/06/2024 - 10:14

      ^this.

      Assuming you're travelling soon, it'll be summer and sunsets will come later naturally.

      You'll find most temples have closing hours around 6pm, and so it'll be a bit difficult catching a sunset from a temple.

      Most shrines however will be 'open' (but usually unmanned and some complexes might be closed) around the clock. Also, though it's generally not usual to go in the deep of night, as a tourist no one will stop you or anything.

      Finally, Kyoto is set in a valley so sunrises and sunsets are generally pretty underwhelming.

      • DazMon on 07/06/2024 - 19:50

        I missed out on Ryôanji last year coz it didn't accept entry after 4.
        Went early enough this year and it was pretty busy.
        I think Kiyomizudera would be 5pm.
        Its always funny reading what people think they're going to do on their first trip to Japan.

  • mrvaluepack on 04/06/2024 - 19:20
    -2

    Host/hostess clubs will be a real cultural experience for your family.

  • c9 on 04/06/2024 - 19:45
    +1

    Do you like onsen? Maybe go to a proper place like Arima for a day trip and wash it down with a Wagyu bbq in Kobe?

    • DazMon on 07/06/2024 - 19:50

      If you go to Arima you should really stay overnight.

  • bmxr on 04/06/2024 - 20:02
    +2

    You'll all enjoy teamLab Future Park in Tokyo. It's like an interactive theme park set within an immersive light show on steroids.

    https://www.teamlab.art/e/tokyo/

  • H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS on 04/06/2024 - 20:53
    +1

    "We're really looking to focus on experiences for our daughter, more non-tourist experiences, off the beaten path"…..

    Then plans the Golden route……look nothing wrong with that on your first go but thats the most cliche'd thing to do.

    I would really focus on what your interests are then work out logistics from there, there's literally a niche for everyone.

    what do you like are you into

    pop culture
    Art/Music/Movies/Literature
    Trains
    Nature
    Food culture
    shopping
    theme parks
    zoos and aqauriums

    Lot of things require a bit of planning like ghibli park or museum requires you to purchase tickets 2 months in advance on the 10th of the month
    register the SmartEX app if you want to take the tokaido/sanyo Shinkansen route with discount tickes
    The world is literally your oyster

    Good luck and enjoy your trip

  • SydneySurfer on 04/06/2024 - 21:25
    +1

    Hey, what a coincidence. We're also planning our first family trip to Japan at the end of the year. All booked and mostly prepaid since the yen is so low at the moment.
    We have 12 nights in Japan.

    When are you going?

    If you book internal flights, check out JAL Explorer Pass for cheap tickets.

    Shinkansen - the Smartex app, just need a credit card you can register with it. Annoyingly, it would not accept my 28 Degrees MC, only Amex.

    In Hakone, you can stay at a ryokan with hot spring and breakfast and kaiseki meal included. We were going to do that, had booked and paid, but have just cancelled as decided to do 2 nights in Nagano instead. Overnight in Fujikawaguchiko too.

    Lots of tips on Tripadvisor with some dedicated Japan experts on the forum there.

    Re: Ghibli Park, I have checked the last few months on the day the tickets are released and it's always sold out. Was preparing for when we need to buy our tickets.

    • GandalfTheCheap on 05/06/2024 - 20:26

      The premium Ghibli Park tickets where you get a few extra places (inside Howl's castle, the house from Totoro, etc) sell out within 10 mins or so on the release day 2 months in advance.

      You have to look it up and camp out on the website, with hotel address etc ready to go.

  • TheRealCher on 04/06/2024 - 21:40
    +3

    Needs some more details before suggesting anything more specific such as, how are your family energy levels together, what do you enjoy doing together, how many are you and what season are you going in?

    You've said non-touristic but a lot of what you've listed are tourist-hogged spaces especially in Kyoto. Also are you staying there day 7 or going back to Tokyo then day 8 to Osaka?

    If winter, I'd suggest staying at otsu Shiba lake biwa - it's two or three train stops outside of Kyoto on the local, and in winter the tourists are low. Huge inland lake, beautiful for walking around, cheap restaurants and hotel shuttles, and then only 15 mins into Kyoto central on the jr.

    Ginza and Roppongi aren't what I think of when I think of memorable family holiday spots, unless your family gains memories by shopping together. That said, there's some great coffee in odd places. It's just very … Up scale. That said, 9 floor high UNIQLO so….

    If you want uniquely Japan and family, but touristy still, robot restaurant in Tokyo is where yr eating one night. Use…kloot to get discount bookings on stuff like this. Also they have good sales on jr passes. And for the quintessential Japanese experience, henn na hotels staffed by robots are what yr after. There are many, including one in Osaka, but the dinosaur one is called nishikasai and is 3 mins walk from the local metro, and does have a twice daily each way shuttle to the local jr. It's a bit out of the way though whereas the Hamamatsucho is much more central with robots and great views of Tokyo Tower and deluxe twin rooms. I picked two random nights in September and (if you join their loyalty club) it comes down to about 42 thousand yen which is close to 440 AUD…oh….prices will seem weird when booking online because they're per person with discount for kids so this is two adults, one kid - apologies for the heteronormative nuclear assumption 😂

    You can pay a bit extra for meals which is well worth it - adds about 50 dollars and is a good mix of western and Japanese hot and cold.

    Ummm…. Shinkansen are fun. Get your Bento boxes in the train station before you go up to the platform.

    Depending on what you like doing, you may find heading out for two nights to hakone is good (avoid public holidays and weekends and hot weather….the central areas can be super crowded but it's beautiful and has cool outdoor art museums that are family friendly and big old Japanese pirate ships and it's maybe an hour by train from Tokyo).

    Some tips: no eating or drinking while walking. Getting food and standing outside the Lawson's or 7/11 and eating is fine (they often have bins inside). Take some plastic bags with you each day as you'll need to carry your rubbish in them until you get back to your hotel. Always say thank you and put on a mask when yr on public transport - this last one I didn't learn until just as COVID broke, but it's basic politeness over there. Um…no mobile talking on transport. And think about renting a portable wifi device unless you've got lots of roaming data to rip through.

    Japanese people take great pride in their politeness ….most of them…and their hospitality. Saying thank you (sounds like ari-gah-to go-sigh-mas) and sorry (sue-me mah-sen) will get you a long way.

    Hope that helps.

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