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

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  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.

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  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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  happychild100 on 04/06/2024 - 21:47

  +2

  If i have to be honest, skip Nara. Maybe for a 2nd trip but it's a bit far out for not a lot… Most of the deer you'll see are overfed and not interesting in your crackers, or they're sleeping. The temple is fine but you'll see plenty of temples. I'd go to Universal Studios or the Osaka Aquarium or even a day trip to Himeji Castle instead. Nara isn't going anywhere so no doubt you'll be back to do something like that.

  Agree that you could probably condense one of your Tokyo days and do DisneySea at least. You definitely need to look at some teamlab exhibits too!

  • 

    GnarlyKnuckles on 05/06/2024 - 01:43

    +1

    100% this. Forget Nara, at least for your first visit to Japan. Even if you never went there, that would be nothing lost.

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  Gildea on 04/06/2024 - 22:38

  something to consider, but we did Yokohama on the last night in Japan from Osaka, quick train to Haneda in the morning. Lovely food, good shopping, Port Area is nice (cable car / shops etc) and not as chaotic as Tokyo.

  Something like:

  4 nights in Tokyo (consider Akasaka (COCOSHUKU Akasaka Premium) as the home base, great transport links, plenty of nice food (can be pricey though if you do the sit down meals) and hotels, quiter for the later evening for a bit more relaxing)
  2 in Kyoto - down town is good (The Cross hotel / The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Santo), or south near the main station (Hotel Granvia Kyoto / Mitsu Garden Kyoto Station / APA hotels etc), Kyoto is pretty small in comparison to Tokyo/Osaka so quick travel around up and down is pretty straight forward
  3 in Osaka - we liked being North (Umeda area (Hotel Respire), over the traditional dontonbori / shinsaibashi area (Hotel The Flag))
  1 in Yokohama - stay around the station e.g. JR east - has a supermarket below, and quick access bridge to the station to town / hotel.

  Swap Kyoto to 3 nights with Osaka 2 if you want a little slower paced for a period.

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  furyou on 04/06/2024 - 22:51

  Don't do narita. Either haneda or osaka as your entry/exit point.

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  Cheapsize on 04/06/2024 - 23:12

  +1

  You can't do Nagano in one day and it's worth it. Travel time is kind of brutal if you do it in one day and you want to arrive early or by early afternoon. The local trains can be very slow. There's a lot of walking in the monkey park but we stayed in Nagano, went to Matsumoto and Hakuba by car.

  The first trip people usually do Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto. But I'd recommend Tokyo, Kanazawa, Osaka maybe Gifu or Sendai. Osaka is a bit rougher and more challenging to find interesting things. It's kind of got a Melbourne vibe, which is fitting since it's the sister city of Melbourne.

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  Vash1984 on 05/06/2024 - 06:54

  +3

  My wife is Japanese, been to osaka 4 times with young daughters.
  Wasting a lot of time travelling and doing the typical tourist activities. Your going to be burnt out and annoyed with so many tourist.
  Also Japanese working at tourist areas are also burnt out and their hospitality drops.
  Your not truely experiencing Japan unless you go further out such as Okayama.
  None of your suggestions are off the beaten path.
  Use google maps, look for smaller cities, watch some YouTube videos (not older than a year) to see if the place is full of tourist or not.
  Don't eat typical sushi, you can eat that here.
  Same with Kobe beef, or premium beef, you can buy that here.
  Don't eat breakfast at hotel unless it's a traditional Japanese style breakfast. You can eat eggs and bacon here.
  Please don't go to McDonald's
  Try different flavoured drinks such as melon and grape.
  Eat ice cream, they have so many different flavours.
  Buffets are very cheap and fun, just check to see if it's catered for Japanese and not tourist (ie not full of western food)
  Hot spring is a must, again don't go to tourist made hot springs.

  • 

    MrFrugalSpend on 05/06/2024 - 07:21

    +1

    Go to McDonalds or another burger joint once but only to buy the Teriyaki burger to experience something that is kind of from Japan - lol.

    They should sell it here IMHO

    • 

      Vash1984 on 05/06/2024 - 07:31

      +1

      Fyi the term Teriyaki has been Americanised, especially on a burger!

  • 

    Vash1984 on 05/06/2024 - 07:44

    +1

    Forgot to add, if your kid is a gamer, go to shopping centre arcade (more children oriented) and play the token games, you don't win anything but the games are addictive and cheap.
    Some hotels have onsens within the facility, might not be the best experience but obviously easier to access for tourist. Ie dormy inn hotel chains.

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  MrFrugalSpend on 05/06/2024 - 07:19

  +1

  We went last year with family trip. Tokyo, Fuji / Hakone area, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano / Shiga Kogen (Snow Monkeys), and back to Tokyo.
  You need longer than 10-11 days for the range of things you want to see. We went for 3 weeks and could have done more. Japan has so many awesome things to see.
  Many of the things you mention are worth seeing. It takes a lot of research.

  You are too focussed on Tokyo (the number of days is about right, but not portion of your trip), many of them are out of Tokyo.
  Balance the trip - there is scenery and culture, but with kids, don't pass up the opportunity to go to Disney (particularly DisneySea), or Universal Studios, or both.

  As for order, it's easier to travel Tokyo to Nagano on the Shinkansen than Nagano to Osaka/Kyoto direction is not so direct/fast. We actually didn't realise our fatest way there from Hakone was back via Tokyo Station.

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  gregoinc on 05/06/2024 - 10:12

  Wow! We weren't expecting quite the amount of awesome suggestions and discussion.

  We wanted to thank everyone, you are so generous with your time, knowledge, and humor.

  One more question we have… time of year to travel to Japan? We were thinking of going in September/October/November… thoughts?

  We will go through the advice/ideas and update our itinerary.

  • 

    Vash1984 on 05/06/2024 - 10:25

    +1

    Don't go on golden week Japan or golden week china or Japan school holidays. You can go Japan school holidays if you wanting to join festivities, but it's going to be busy.

  • 

    payless69 on 05/06/2024 - 13:31

    -3

    Nobody mentioned the endless "love hotels" with age of consent being 13 and smoking age harshly enforced as 18. Tokyo is spanking clean, Osaka gone to a punk city with Indian style street rubbish.Yep September is perfect to escape summer heat but also very busy. Least crowds are on Shikoku island where she can practise her Japanese as people still have time for you. When nobody rode on their first (green) class we got free train upgrades and some trains not covered by the rail pass we were admitted for free. See traditional farming where some farmers worked their fields all their life bending down and can no longer stand up straight.

    • 

      Cluster on 06/06/2024 - 11:21

      Age of consent is 16, not 13. It's technically 13 in some prefectures, but the national law overrides that. Guess what the age of consent is in Australia? 16.

      Yes, there are 'health providers' and love hotels in Japan. You'll walk past many of them without even noticing, as the signage is almost always in Japanese only and they really don't want foreign customers. If they upset you then just don't go in. They don't kidnap people off the street.

      Now the one word of warning I would have for the manga loving 10 year old is that some manga is quite… spicy. The spicy sections however are marked 18+ so you shouldn't stumble into them without warning when browsing Akihabara. The manga is all shrink wrapped anyway.

      The daughter will have loads of fun browsing the merchandise and figurine shops in Akihabara. Be warned whoever, your wallet will hurt :-)

      Browsing a 'Donki' (Don Quixote) shop in Japan is worthwhile too. They sell pretty much everything. Lots of them in large cities.

      • 

        payless69 on 06/06/2024 - 12:05

        -1

        Been to Japan dozens of time and spent 3 weeks trying to ride as many trains as possible. One thing is sure: The 2 nuclear bombs did the least amount of cultural damage the Americans have done to Japan. Imagine they would have charged every American a 1k visa fee since WWII the place would still be a true gem to visit. Now the place is flooded with visitors because the Yen is low. Hardly any shops worth visiting in Akihabara.
        There are still friendly people in lesser visited places of the surrounded islands.
        The word Gaijin has many meanings, if you still find Hiroshima survivors like I did they have their own opinions about them big mouth yanks.

  • 

    donga100 on 05/06/2024 - 19:06

    April school holidays would let you see sakura season. Sep/Oct is also really nice for autumn leaves. Summer is a bit hot for some people, winter is a bit cold for some people. Apart from that there isn't really any bad time to go except for Golden week in May and to some extent New Years as it is a family time for Japanese people a bit like our Christmas.

  • 

    lalala1111 on 05/06/2024 - 19:47

    +2

    DO NOT go in September. way too humid. We've been to japan 5 times and would never go back around that time of the year. November was the best weather out of all the times we've visited

    • 

      Cyphar on 06/06/2024 - 13:36

      +2

      Yep. I lived there for years and vowed to never return in Summer. It's like Singapore turned up a few levels. Awful.

      Told my brother when he was planning a trip to not do it. I told him to avoid the Summer at all costs. So what did he do? He booked it for Summer. After he came back, he told me how much he disliked the trip because he couldn't enjoy anything with the heat.

      Fortunately he redeemed himself and went back in March and loved it.

      • 

        lalala1111 on 06/06/2024 - 13:54

        Yeah we’ve also been there late February once and it was lovely. We were there September last year and we really disliked being in the cities(Tokyo and Osaka).

  • 

    TheRealCher on 05/06/2024 - 21:52

    +1

    If you can, October or November are great. You'll miss the end of the typhoon season. The later in the year, the colder it gets but Japan is really well set up for this.
    October to early Nov you'll get good flight prices but you'll need to get in soon. September is school holidays here so flights are high.

  • 

    meowmeowmeow on 06/06/2024 - 08:35

    Second half of October or first half of November would be my pick. We went on October 10 in 2019 and lost a day to a typhoon so try go a week later than this.

  • 

    Cluster on 06/06/2024 - 11:18

    I've been to Japan in July, September, and October. July is hot and humid. September is still hot but not a sweat box, while October is warm and probably ideal. This applies to Honshu only, as Hokkaido climate is quite different with non humid summers.

    The only catch is you'll run into typhoon season in September/October. Some years there are almost none, others it's one after another. Can never tell beforehand. I've been through one near Mt Fuji and it's an interesting experience in itself, but you'll lose a day or two due to wind and rain. The good thing is the day after a typhoon is glorious. Perfect and sunny.

  • 

    Gehirn on 06/06/2024 - 11:23

    If you go end of October, which is the consesus, you'll be able to catch Halloween in Japan too.

  • 

    MrFrugalSpend on 06/06/2024 - 19:24

    Nov good - might catch a clear view of Fuji too

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  eksman on 05/06/2024 - 11:10

  the Nagano part is the one thats pushing it. you gonna be dead tired. Nagano is a small town and you pretty much go up there to see a bunch of monkeys sitting in hot springs ignoring you….

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  beerpara on 05/06/2024 - 11:33

  Baseball and Forest Beer Garden

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  npnp on 05/06/2024 - 13:48

  I think 1 day for snow monkey visit is going to be extremely tight.
  I'd definitely include Disneyland (especially Disney sea) in Tokyo and Universal studios in Osaka but make sure you do your planning beforehand. If you can't go to those as early as 7 AM and que at the gate, then forget about most popular rides.

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  Hangryuman on 05/06/2024 - 18:03

  +2

  'Day 7 Kyoto Shinkyogoku, Kyoto railway museam, Samurai restaurant in Shinjuku'

  if the Samurai restaurant is in Shinjuku Tokyo, that's a long way from Kyoto …

  • 

    arkanis50 on 06/06/2024 - 08:51

    Good catch.

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  Munki Kundi on 05/06/2024 - 20:04

  +1

  Accommodation suggestion in Kyoto: Hotel Granvia Kyoto. It's a large scale (I think 5 star) hotel literally above the Kyoto train station. So convenient and well connected. There's a 7-eleven just below it. Kyoto accomodations are generally expensive and so is this one.

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  Johnsy5252 on 05/06/2024 - 21:57

  -1

  First tip, go to Thailand instead.

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  Juliusdesign on 05/06/2024 - 22:46

  Nara there is a free toys museum there. It’s fun
  https://youtu.be/gejEMojDVBA?si=WrltfiuIPKSfPqGK

  And there is also a degustation restaurant called tofu an kondou, 10 course menu for $30 depending on the interest rate now. That is pretty unique.

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  OpenHand on 06/06/2024 - 11:56

  Hey superstar,

  I am in Japan every few months for work and happy to share any tips. I work in anime so probably have some good ideas for a 10 year old manga fan!

  Feel free to DM me as well. I have a google doc guide that I share with friends travelling to Japan for the first time, specifically Tokyo, but with lots of general tips for getting around too.

  I would say that your schedule in terms of travelling is quite intense. Lots of shifting hotels and hopping trains.

  If I were you, I'd perhaps skip Nagano, or try and do a daytrip from Tokyo even.
  Stay in Tokyo for half the trip, and stay in Kyoto OR Osaka for the other half.

  Haneda is generally the better airport to land in in terms of getting into Tokyo, but Narita is totally fine, just a bit further out.

  "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."

  Not to be too picky, but your itinerary is very much the tourist experience greatest hits haha. It's not a problem, a lot of those places are great to visit, but they are probably the most common things to do and places to visit for first time visitors, nothing much off the beaten path.

  Tokyo is an amazing place, and you can easily spend 5+ days there.

  Kyoto is also a great place to stay. You can get to Osaka in less than 30 minutes with a $5 train trip, similar to Nara. Base yourself in Kyoto and then take daytrips to Osaka or Nara. Contrary to what other people say, I think Nara is a great spot to visit for a day. The deer are friendly and fun and I think it would be a big hit for a 10

  I'd recommend staying in a Ryokan for at least part of the visit. I like this place in Tokyo: http://www.sawanoya.com/eigo.html

  There's a lot more Ryokan options in Kyoto as well. I can send some recommendations. Sleeping on futons, nice rooms with tea and local snacks, usually hot baths, and a nice family / homey vibe.

  In Tokyo, check out Nakano broadway. Akihabara is sort of known as the otaku capital but wrongly so imo, now it's pretty grimey and mostly maid cafes lol. Nakano is a four floor complex of manga, anime, and retro toy shops which is a lot of fun.

  I have heaps more ideas, have a read of the above and I can share some more!

  • 

    sween64 on 12/08/2024 - 08:59

    +1

    I'm heading to Japan for two weeks in Oct/Nov as a solo traveller, could you please share the Google Doc with me?

  • 

    87percent on 12/08/2024 - 10:18

    +1

    @OpenHand - any chance I could get a copy of that google doc you mention? Going in November, and any suggestions would be appreciated

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  kl2999 on 06/06/2024 - 12:17

  Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo Which Airport to use? Looking for Tokyo Accommodation suggestions?
  - Recommend Haneda airport arrival as it's very close to Tokyo CBD, many options for hotel, Shinagawa is not a bad option as it's close to Haneda airport, has bullet train stops. Decent distance to tourist attraction within Tokyo metro area. Also depend on the time of your arrival, you can add a attraction visit after landed and rest.

  Day 2 Tokyo Shinjuka, Shibuya, Harajuka
  - Recommend relax start at Meiji Jingu first which is next to Harajuku station, then visit Takeshita Dori and Omotesando Hills and back to JR station. After that take JR to Shibuya + lunch. Afternoon to night Shinjuku, and you can visit the Shunjuku Metropolitan Gov office observation floor (free), if you lucky you might see Mt Fuji there.

  Day 3 Tokyo Senso-ji temple, Akihabara
  - Awesome pick for this and I would recommend to add Tokyo Skytree after Sensoji. Put Akihabara to late afternoon to night. I personally feel Akihabara has more vibe when visit at night especiually on a weekend when it more crowd.

  Day 4 Tokyo Ginza Roppongi Tsukiji
  - Not alot to see in Ginza/Roppongi especially for your daughter. I would recommend to do Tokyo Disney land/sea full day as others suggested. You can do Tsukiji when return from Kyoto/Osaka.

  Day 5 Nagano Shinkansen and snow monkeys - not sure if this is worth it?
  - I would not recommend it unless you plan visit north of Japan or a night stay near Nagano. It's long travel trip just to see the snow monkey and it's not that good if you go in summer time. I would recommend to add this date to Kyoto.

  Day 6 Kyoto Kyoto Accommodation Suggestions? Kyomizu for sunset, Nishiki Bamboo forest, Golden temple, Fushimi inari Toji temple
  - Many hotel option around Kyoto station but overall i found it's more pricy than Osaka station or Shin Osaka station which is around 35mins train via rapid express or 15mins via bullet train. You will not visit all mentioned in one day, I would recommend this order: Fushimi inari Toji temple -> Kyoto station/hotel lunch+rest->Kyomizu dera-> Take the side ally to Yasaka jinja shrine where there's many shops around Gion Shijo and across the river. If you have time vist the Nishiki market. Fair abit of walking though. Or you can take the subway back to Kyoto station areas.

  Day 7 Kyoto Shinkyogoku, Kyoto railway museam, Samurai restaurant in Shinjuku
  - Not sure about the pick here, but you can do Kyoto railway museam first for the kid. Then Golden temple (Kinkakuji) or Arashiyama + bamboo forest.

  Day 8 Osaka Osaka Accommodation Suggestions? Dotonbori Shinsaibashi Shopping street, Osaka castle, Kurumon market and shinsekai
  - Stay around Dotonbori is good option as many restruant and shops around. Would reocmmend do Osaka castle in the morning, then recommend Osaka Aquarium and leave Dotonbori Shinsaibashi Shopping street in late afternoon /dinner time. Scrap Kurumon market and shinsekai.

  Day 9 Osaka Nara Day Trip - Visit Todai-ji Temple Nara Park Other historic sites
  - Good pick here. Nara is perfect for a day trip. If you back early, continue to explore Dotonbori area + shopping.

  Day 10 Tokyo Open to ideas?
  - Tsukiji fish market, Ghibli Museum if you can get the ticket. Full day activity: join a bus tour to Mt Fuji, or self tour to Kamakura, or Hakone.

  Day 11 Tokyo Depart Japan
  - Depend on the time of the flight, do your final shopping or the night before.

  For more attraction idea visit Japan-Guide dot com. If you remove snow monkey visit on Day 5, push Kyoto up one day and add this Kyoto. Add Nazenji -> Ekiando Temple-> Philosopher’s Path -> Ginkakuji (fair abit of walking). Or Golden temple (Kinkakuji) and/or Arashiyama + bamboo forest if you missed it on Day 7.

  You might do a check on bullet train cost and see if its worth it to get the 7 days JR pass or the Kanto Pass, they have increased the price last year and it's likely best to not worth it.

  Last tip, if you to save travel time, do go from A to B in the late afternoon/night as you can start go to tourist location in B early next day. If you want to be more relax, take the bullet train the morning->lunch but you will lost at least half the day.

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  Cyphar on 06/06/2024 - 13:31

  +1

  You have a 10yo with you, do things a 10yo wants to do. Temples and parks? Unless you're OK with your daughter constantly being bored and making you know of it, focus on stuff that keeps her excited. Go to Universal Studios or Disneyland (Whichever she prefers) and stick to the cities. Nara is boring (And I lived there!). Do all the stuff you see on TikTok as that's more engaging for kids.

  Then plan a second, kid free, trip where you can check out those things

  Accomondation wise, stick with Hostels like K's Hostel or Sakura Hostel. They are in the cities you listed. Yes they are hostels but there are private rooms with bathrooms, and a great way to interact with people.

  • 

    Cluster on 06/06/2024 - 13:39

    Temples, especially the really big and impressive ones, are worth visiting with a child. But after the second or third temple is going to get really boring for a child. It gets boring for adults too. It's like visiting old churches in Europe. First one is great, second is fine, by the third you're done with them.

    Nara has the advantage of the cute deer to distract from temple boredom.

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  letmecry on 06/06/2024 - 15:04

  I probably focus only on east side and then you can visit Osaka, Kyoto next time. So you not need to pay for Shinkansen.

  Tokyo 3-4 days/ Ghibl and open air museum are nice
  Kawagoe day trip
  Kamakura - Yokohama day trip
  Fuji hakone 3 days
  Niko 1-2 days
  If you planned to see snow monkeys, probably might interest in kusatsu, Karuisawa onsen.

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  Thenarrator on 06/06/2024 - 22:57

  +1

  try a ryokan

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  Cletus vandamme on 07/06/2024 - 00:34

  Number one tip for accommodation is Airbnb. Much more room and cheaper, if you don't need the amenities this is the way to go. For the price you pay you will get a far larger apartment which is a must with multiple suitcases. Another plus to this is that it allows you to cook Wagyu from the super market. You can get some amazing cuts for very cheap around 1000 yen.

  Suica and pasmo for trains. Get a portable wifi you can pick them up from the airport if you order them online. For things to do join Japan travel Facebook groups they will have any question you have answered previously.

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  surg3on on 07/06/2024 - 05:59

  Universal studios. Make sure you book your Nintendoland spot

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  azhazal on 07/06/2024 - 09:17

  +2

  Hanada is the closest but narita is fine.

  good lineup for tokyo. for accomodation, anywhere along the yamanote line will do. I personally like Ikebukuro. I would suggest going to teamlabs borderless and shibuya sky.

  Kyoto is also good. avoid arashiyama bamboo grove unless you are there for sunrise. go to Fushimi inari early or late and the crowds thin out about 1/4 way up the mountain.

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  weee on 07/06/2024 - 09:47

  I dare to ask the budget for a small family of 3 like yours (with a 11 year old kid) for a first visit to Japan with the similar itinerary, just a ballpark number to deter or encourage us, we are long due for an overseas holiday, kid would love it and I'd love to see that as well it's just our financial situation isn't perfectly sound

  • 

    donga100 on 07/06/2024 - 09:58

    +2

    Now is the cheapest time. $100 per night for hotels is easily achievable for 3 star quality. For 3 people total $50 per day for food on extreme budget (onigiri, Yoshinoya, etc.), $150 per day normal budget, $300 per day luxury budget. Local trains about $20 per day for the family, not including travel between cities (eg. Tokyo to Osaka). Overall it's much cheaper than a holiday in Australia except for the flights. Around $4k for all expenses (excluding flights) for two weeks would be very comfortable.

    • 

      sumyungguy on 07/06/2024 - 10:11

      +1

      In early 2019 I spent 9 nights in Tokyo & Kyoto, family of 4 in two hotel rooms, average daily spend was over $700. I'd say $4K is impossibly tight.

      • 

        donga100 on 07/06/2024 - 10:27

        In 2024 I did a 12 night trip with 2 adults + 10yr old child. Average daily hotel spend in Tokyo was $90 at Hop Inn Asakusa family room with 3 beds. The hotel only opened this year, everything clean and comfortable, wifi fast, free coffee, etc.

        Hakuba ski in/out hotel with all meals included blew out the budget but that's a different story.

        • 

          sumyungguy on 07/06/2024 - 10:32

          @donga100: What was your total spend over 12-nights? I think that number will be helpful to @weee. For families who don't travel regularly it's quite hard find this advice online.

          • 

            donga100 on 07/06/2024 - 10:58

            @sumyungguy: 4 nights Hakuba: $2900 for hotel, lift passes, transport to/from Tokyo, all meals and snacks
            8 nights Tokyo: $3700 for hotel, daily transport, meals/snacks/drinks (one premium meal per day such as sushi/sashimi/eel/wagyu), attractions/activities.

            I have excluded sumo box seats and 40kg of shopping. We could have done much cheaper meals too but we weren't trying to be frugal this trip.

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    sumyungguy on 07/06/2024 - 10:01

    I did three 42-day multi-country international trips with my family of four, last one in 2018. Excluding airfares our daily spend for everything else (accommodation, food, attractions, ground transport) was $700–$800. Mid-range hotels, no fine dining, no alcohol consumption, 100% public transit, excluding shopping merch.

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  jetM on 07/06/2024 - 10:56

  Tokyo look up teamlab planets https://www.teamlab.art/e/planets/ for a incredible experience ( book way ahead). I am taking fam back to Japan EOY
  for a second trip in 2 years. This time heading to Nagano/toyko/osaka/hiroshima.
  If you make it to Kyoto do the full tea ceremony in traditional garb. It was worth every buck for the
  memories.

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  Eeples on 07/06/2024 - 23:58

  +1

  imo you should do a day trip to Hiroshima from either Kyoto or Osaka (by speed train). Ground zero and Miyajima (go by tram and then ferry).

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    payless69 on 13/06/2024 - 15:24

    -2

    Get some survivors to help you make peace cranes!

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  Saul Goodman on 14/06/2024 - 09:19

  +1

  We did Japan a few years back. I have not read other comments to see if this has been mentioned but…

  I highly suggest you look at flights flying into Osaka and then departing from Tokyo. Flights were cheaper and meant there was no back and forth and we were able to spend more time in locations.

  It was this but we ended up reversing everything. Flew into Osaka first.

  MARCH
  SUN 3 - Tokyo (Narita) Arrive 5:30pm. *Limo Bus to Conrad Hotel
  MON 4 - Tokyo (Conrad)
  TUE 5 - Tokyo (Conrad)
  WED 6 - Tokyo (Conrad)
  THR 7 - Tokyo (Conrad) -> Kyoto
  FRI 8 - Kyoto
  SAT 10 - Kyoto
  SUN 11 - Kyoto -> Osaka (Hilton)
  MON 12 - Osaka (Hilton) *Day trip to Hiroshima and Mazda Tour
  TUE 13 - Osaka (Hilton) *Nara day trip
  WED 14 - Osaka (KIK) Depart 2pm. *Flights home

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    NelgCip on 24/07/2024 - 22:14

    We are also planning to travel in early March 2025. How did you find the weather during your trip? Thanks!

    • 

      DazMon on 25/07/2024 - 21:17

      Argh early March you will miss Hanami.

      • 

        donga100 on 20/08/2024 - 10:48

        You can see some plum blossoms which are equally as good IMO, just not as many of them.

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      Saul Goodman on 14/08/2024 - 09:37

      It was cold, jacket weather, but I think by memory it only rained on 2 days.

      Cherry blossoms were starting to show on the last few days.

      • 

        NelgCip on 11/10/2024 - 08:54

        There will be plenty of walking anyway to keep you warm. We might just bring some hand warmers. :)

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    NelgCip on 11/10/2024 - 08:52

    We have the same itinerary in terms of location. Since we will visit plenty of temples while in Tokyo, we are thinking of just staying n Osaka and then do a day trip to Kyoto to do the must see locations . This way, we don't have to change accommodations.

    Is Nara worth the trip?

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  athuntershill on 17/10/2024 - 17:02

  Harry Potter studio is Tokyo was a highlight for us.
  The big manga store in Tokyo, there's a floor you want to avoid for the 10 yrs old.
  Senso ji will be very very crowded and wasn't that interesting to us. Go early if you must.
  Not sure if you need to stay in Kyoto as Osaka is only a 40 mins train ride away and more expensive with fewer options.
  Osaka castle - great on the outside, then you will realise the inside have been rebuild (concrete and tile) due to fire damage.

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  sal78 on 07/11/2024 - 02:46

  That’s all very touristy areas and not off the beaten path at all. Off the beaten path would be hiring a car so you could get places that train does not go.

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