Hi everyone! I'm hoping to head over to Japan for the first time next year with my wife and my two daughters (5 and 7).
A few things to note:
- We are a Disney family ha!
- I am a Hyatt globalist so I do prefer to stay at Hyatt hotels/properties when and where possible. I have already booked the hotels that are listed below.
- We already secured flights there – i just need to get return flights as they become available.
Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo (Depart LAX Mon, Nov 2 – Arrive HND on Tues, Nov 3)
• Arrive at Haneda Airport.
• Check into hotel (Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills).
• Easy afternoon stroll: Local dinner, early bedtime.
• Stay: Tokyo-Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills (3 nights).
Day 2 | Tokyo — Modern family fun plus shopping (Wed, Nov 4)
• Morning: teamLab Planets or Borderless.
• Afternoon: Shop and sightsee Ginza.
• Evening: Dinner at Ginza Kagari Honten or checkout Tabelog for local restaurants
Day 3 | Tokyo — Day trip to Nagano or Explore Shinjuku (Thurs, Nov 5)
OPTION A:
• Early Shinkansen to Nagano (1.5 hrs each way).
• Morning: Visit old TDK factory (request of FIL).
• Lunch: Try local soba noodles.
• Evening: Return to Tokyo for dinner near hotel.
OPTION B:
• Explore and eat in Shinjuku.
• Check out Food Hall and arcade in Shinjuku Kabuchiko Tower.
Day 4 | Tokyo → Tokyo Bay (Fri, Nov 6)
• Morning: Check out of Andaz hotel and check into Tokyo Bay.
• Use as chill day
• Stay: Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay (3 nights).
Day 5 | Tokyo — Tokyo Disneyland (Sat, Nov 7)
• Full day at Tokyo Disneyland
Day 6 | Tokyo — Tokyo DisneySea (Sun, Nov 8)
• Full day at Tokyo DisneySea
Day 7 | Tokyo → Hakone (Mon, Nov 9)
• Morning: Shinkansen to Odawara, use Hakone Free Pass to explore.
• Stay: Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa (1 night). I'd like to do a ryokan with a private onsen but I believe I have to wait a few months before they become available.
Day 8 | Hakone → Kyoto (Tues, Nov 10)
• After breakfast, travel to Kyoto (~2.5 hrs via Shinkansen).
• Afternoon: Check in and stroll Gion + Yasaka Shrine.
• Stay: Hyatt Place Kyoto (3 nights).
Day 9 | Kyoto — Temples & Culture (Wed, Nov 11)
• Morning: Fushimi Inari (torii gates).
• Afternoon: Kiyomizu-dera (if kids are up for it) + Ninenzaka shopping street.
• Evening: Mellow dinner along the Kamo River.
Day 10 | Kyoto — Day Trip to Osaka (Thurs, Nov 12)
• Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka
• Morning: Osaka Castle Park or shopping.
• Afternoon: Dotonbori (street food + Glico sign) or Kids Plaza Osaka.
• Evening: Return to Kyoto for dinner.
Day 11 | Kyoto — Tokyo (Fri, Nov 13)
• Travel back to Tokyo before departing the following day.
• Pack up, get souvenirs, eat more Japanese food.
Stay: Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya (1 night).
Day 12 | Depart HND and Arrive back in LAX (Sat, Nov 14)
• Fly out of HND to LAX
Please let me know your thoughts. I'm also curious to know if you all think we may be moving around too much considering we're traveling with two children and seeing how we're only staying in Japan for 12 days.
Thank you!
by lmendoza1218