Hey all!
We’re planning our first trip to Japan with three kids (ages 9–16) from 4/4/26–4/18/26.
Below is the itinerary we’ve narrowed down to after a lot of research and help from this subreddit. We’re hoping for final feedback on pacing, travel efficiency, and whether any days should be switched before locking accommodations and tickets.
We’re comfortable with early starts and full days, but we’re still getting familiar with transportation logistics.
We’re also open to cutting or rearranging things if needed. Miyajima was a later addition and it doesn't feel right to me how we have it, so any help there would be so appreciated. I've flagged the days with an emoji that we are most concerned about.
Thanks again for all the help this subreddit has given us! I hope to pay it forward once we’re back from Japan.
Sat (4/4) – Day 1 (Tokyo HND arrival)
Arrive mid-afternoon
Check in, rest, light walking and food
Note: We were originally just planning to take shinkansen to Kyoto here, but we were worried about how long everything would take.
Sun (4/5) – Day 2 (Kyoto – Central / North) ⚠️
Travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen (6 nights, same accommodation)
Kinkaku-ji
Nijo Castle
Samurai & Ninja Museum
Kyoto Imperial Palace
teamLab Biovortex?
Note: I'm aware this may already be a full day after travel so we're fine re-arranging or cutting a few items.
Mon (4/6) – Day 3 (Nara – Day Trip)
Nara Park
Todaiji
Yoshikien Garden
Naramachi
Tues (4/7) – Day 4 (Osaka – Day Trip) ⚠️
Osaka Castle
Kuromon Market
Osaka Aquarium?
Umeda Sky Building
Shinsekai
Dotonbori (evening)
Concern: This feels very full for a single day trip. Wondering what should be prioritized or cut. We don't "need" to see the Aquarium or Kuromon market I think.
Wed (4/8) – Day 5 (Kyoto South → Uji)
Fushimi Inari (early morning)
Nintendo HQ photo stop
Travel to Uji
Nintendo Museum (4:00 PM entry)
Thurs (4/9) – Day 6 (Kyoto West – Arashiyama)
Bamboo Grove
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Romantic Train
Hozugawa River Cruise
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji?
Fri (4/10) – Day 7 (Kyoto East)
Higashiyama District
Nanzen-ji
Philosopher’s Path
Tofuku-ji
Ginkaku-ji
Gion (evening)
Sat (4/11) – Day8 (Himeji + Miyajima) ⚠️
Himeji Castle
Koko-en Garden
Travel to Miyajima
Ropeway. Walk down Mt. Misen. Eternal Flame, town and shrines
Overnight in Miyajima, possibly at a ryokan
Concern: Is combining Himeji and Miyajima in one day realistic, especially with luggage? Would it make sense to do this a different day to spend more time here?
Sun (4/12) – Day 9 (Mount Koya) ⚠️
Travel from Miyajima area to Mt. Koya
Temple lodging
Evening cemetery walk
Concern: This seems like a long transit day after Miyajima.
Mon (4/13) – Day 10 (Mount Koya → Tokyo, possible Hakone stop) ⚠️
Travel to Tokyo (4+ hours)
Possible ryokan stay
Concern: This feels like a very long travel day following multiple heavy travel days in a row.
Tues (4/14) – Day 11 (Tokyo – Asakusa / North)
Senso-ji
Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center
Ueno Park
Don Quijote
Tokyo Skytree
Wed (4/15) – Day 12 (Mount Fuji Day Trip)
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Fuji Five Lakes area (Rent a car)
Thurs (4/16) – Day 13 (Tokyo – West / Shibuya)
Meiji Shrine
Shibuya Crossing
Nintendo Store (Shibuya)
Shibuya Sky (evening)
Sumo experience
Fri (4/17) – Day 14 (Tokyo Central)
Azabudai Hills
teamLab Borderless
Akihabara
Ninja restaurant (Otemachi)
Sat (4/18) – Day 15 (Tokyo Departure at HND)
Departure day, flights leaving around 4:35
Questions
- Is the Osaka day trip, or the Himeji + Miyajima day, too ambitious?
- Does the Miyajima → Mt. Koya → Tokyo sequence feel too travel-heavy, and is there a cleaner way to include these without changing accommodations too often?
- Where would you simplify the itinerary to reduce fatigue while keeping the highlights?
by lordgholin