I've been working on this itinerary for quite a while. I booked a JAL open-jaw flight into NRT from LAX and leaving from ITM>NRT>LAX. I originally wanted to fly into HND but the price difference was about $400+ per ticket. I ended up paying $3.9k for 4 tickets (economy JAL)
My hotels are already booked with the exception of the Motoyu Ryuusenkaku Ryokan since it's too far out to book. I'm pretty set on these hotels since I'm primarily using points. We'll primary be eating breakfast at the hotels.
In terms of activities, Am I being overly ambitious on the amount of activities I could do with young children? Is there anything glaring that I could add to make this trip even better as a first time visitor? Any advice is greatly appreciated. TIA!
May 24 (Sun) – Tokyo – Conrad Tokyo (Easy Arrival Pace)
Arrival at NRT 5pm, check-in, explore hotel/lounge
Dinner: hotel or Tsurotontan Udon Noodle Brasserie.
May 25 (Mon) – Tokyo – Conrad Tokyo (Temple + Tower Views)
Morning: Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street.
Afternoon: Tokyo Skytree.
Lunch: Solamachi Dining Floor (Musashi Sushi / Tsukiji Tamazushi).
Dessert: Tokyo Banana.
May 26 (Tue) – Tokyo – Conrad Tokyo (Art + Market + Food Hall)
Morning: teamLab Borderless.
Late morning: Toyosu Market.
Afternoon: Azabudai Hills Market.
Lunch: Sushi Daiwa or Sushi Yamato.
Dinner: Nabezo Shinjuku (shabu-shabu wagyu).
May 27 (Wed) – Tokyo – Conrad Tokyo (Pokémon + Gourmet)
Morning: PokéPark KANTO.
Afternoon: Nihonbashi Pokémon Center DX & depachika.
Lunch: Park food court.
Dinner: Tempura Kondo (Michelin, kid-friendly option).
May 28 (Thu) – Tokyo – Conrad Tokyo (Shopping + Pokémon)
Morning: Kiddy Land Harajuku & Takeshita Street.
Afternoon: More Pokémon shopping or Ginza stroll.
Lunch: Pokémon Cafe (book 31 days ahead).
Dinner: Kyubey Ginza (kid-friendly sushi).
May 29 (Fri) – Maihama – Hilton Tokyo Bay (Disneyland Half-Day)
Transfer in morning; Disneyland with Premier Access.
Lunch/Dinner: Inside park (Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall / Eastside Café).
May 30 (Sat) – Maihama – Hilton Tokyo Bay (DisneySea)
Rope drop DisneySea.
Lunch: Magellan’s.
Dinner: Light bites at hotel/park.
May 31 (Sun) – Kyoto – Hilton Kyoto (Relaxed Transfer Day)
Relaxed morning, checkout, Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Lunch: Shinkansen bento.
Dinner: Omen Kodai-ji (Kyoto udon).
June 1 (Mon) – Kyoto – Hilton Kyoto (Gentle Intro to Kyoto)
Easy start: Nishiki Market stroll, evening Pontocho Alley.
Lunch: Nishiki stalls.
Dinner: Kichi Kichi Omurice (book ahead).
June 2 (Tue) – Kyoto – Hilton Kyoto (Scenic + Kids’ Play Space)
Golden Pavilion + Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens.
Lunch: Okonomiyaki Katsu.
Dinner: Gion Tanto.
June 3 (Wed) – Kyoto – Hilton Kyoto (Nature + Light Kaiseki)
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove + Monkey Park; optional boat ride.
Lunch: Arashiyama Yoshimura (soba).
Dinner: Gion Nanba.
June 4 (Thu) – Kyoto – Hilton Kyoto (Scenic Tea Town)
Half-day trip to Uji (Byodo-in Temple, tea shops).
Lunch: Itohkyuemon (matcha soba & desserts).
June 5 (Fri) – Arima Onsen – Motoyu Ryuusenkaku (Rest Day + Onsen)
Travel to Arima; check-in.
Dinner: Kaiseki at ryokan.
June 6 (Sat) – Arima Onsen – Motoyu Ryuusenkaku (Rest Day + Optional Kobe)
Relax in town; optional Kobe city stroll.
Lunch: Kobe beef at Steakland (optional).
Dinner: Kaiseki at ryokan.
June 7 (Sun) – Osaka – Conrad Osaka (Arrival + Wagyu)
Travel to Osaka; check-in; relax.
Dinner: Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M.
June 8 (Mon) – Osaka – Conrad Osaka (USJ)
Universal Studios Japan.
Lunch/Dinner: Inside park (Three Broomsticks / Mario Café).
June 9 (Tue) – Osaka – Conrad Osaka (Sea Life + Harbor Stroll)
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan + Tempozan Harbor Village.
Lunch: Tempozan Marketplace (Kuma Kafe).
Dinner: Mizuno (okonomiyaki).
June 10 (Wed) – Osaka – Conrad Osaka (Kid-Friendly Shopping + Play)
Expo City Park & Lalaport Mall.
Lunch: Mall food court.
Dinner: Takoyaki Juhachiban.
June 11 (Thu) – Osaka – Conrad Osaka (Final Souvenirs + City Sights)
Dotonbori stroll & shopping.
Lunch: Kani Doraku (crab).
June 12 (Fri) – Osaka – Conrad Osaka (Departure)
by rekon32