Hey everyone,
My family (two adults and one 10-year-old, who is a huge gaming/manga fan) is finally taking the plunge and visiting Japan this July. I've spent a lot of time piecing together this 10 day itinerary focused on our interests (arcades, gaming, Ghibli, cool tech) while mixing in some major cultural sights.
I'm posting here for a final sanity check. If anyone has any suggestions, tips, or spots we're missing especially family-friendly gems, please let me know! I'm a bit nervous about the heat and the pace.
The Vitals:
· Travelers: 2 adults, 1 child (age 10)
· When: July
· Bases: Tokyo (Shinjuku, Days 1-5) & Osaka (Namba, Days 6-10)
· Interests: Video games, arcades, anime, manga, Gundam, Nintendo, Ghibli.
Key Questions / Concerns:
- Is this itinerary too packed, especially for a kid in the July heat?
- Any must-see family-friendly otaku spots I've missed?
- For Day 5 (Mount Fuji), is the bus + Chureito Pagoda the most efficient plan, or should we consider a guided tour?
- Are we missing any "secret" air-conditioned havens to escape the midday sun?
The 10-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival & Shinjuku Vibes
· Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Narita/Haneda. Pick up Suica/Pasmo cards. Take train to Shinjuku and check in.
· Evening: Light exploration. Hit up Taito Station or SEGA arcade in Shinjuku to get into the spirit.
Day 2 Akihabara Pilgrimage
· Full Day: Dive into Akihabara. Hit Mandarake, Super Potato, Animate, and Yodobashi Camera. Themed lunch (maybe a cafe). Arcades galore.
Day 3 Ghibli & Retro Hunting
· Morning: JR to Mitaka for the Ghibli Museum (tickets booked for opening).
· Afternoon: Relax at Inokashira Park or explore the retro treasure trove of Nakano Broadway.
· Evening: Head to Ikebukuro for the Pokémon Center.
Day 4 Odaiba & Digital Art
· Morning: Visit Zojo-ji Temple near Tokyo Tower for a cultural start.
· Afternoon: Yurikamome line to Odaiba. See the Unicorn Gundam, explore DiverCity and the Nintendo Tokyo Store.
· Evening: Timed entry for teamLab Planets.
Day 5 Mount Fuji Day Trip
· Morning: Early highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko.
· Day: Lakeside views, possible Kachi Kachi Ropeway, and the classic photo op from Chureito Pagoda.
· Late Afternoon: Bus back to Shinjuku.
Day 6 Travel to Osaka
· Morning: Check out, take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka.
· Afternoon: Check into accommodation in Namba.
· Evening: Experience the craziness of Dotonbori and its street food.
Day 7 Universal Studios Japan
· Full Day: Dedicated to USJ. Top priority: Super Nintendo World. Have Express Passes. Planning to be there from open to close.
Day 8 Hiroshima & Peace Park (Day Trip)
· Morning: Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima.
· Day: Visit the Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, and the park. (Miyajima is a maybe, depending on energy levels).
· Evening: Shinkansen back to Osaka.
Day 9 Kyoto Tradition & Manga
· Morning: Train to Kyoto. Walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari.
· Afternoon: Visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
· Evening: Brief walk through Gion before heading back to Osaka.
Day 10 Last-Minute Shopping & Departure
· Morning: Final shopping in Namba/Denden Town or a quick trip to Kaiyukan Aquarium.
· Afternoon: Train to Airport
So, r/JapanTravel, what do you think? All advice is welcome! Thanks in advance
by ZumbiExclamor