[Itinerary check] 9 days, Tokyo, shirakawago, kyoto, Osaka Jan last week.

Japan Itinerary Check (23 Jan – 01 Feb) – Need Advice

Hi everyone,

I’m traveling to Japan with my wife and 4 year old kid for the first time and would love feedback on my itinerary, pace, food options, and winter prep.

I’m a vegetarian from India so looking for Veg dining options also.

📅 Day 1 – Jan 23 | Tokyo

• Fly in (reaching late night)

• Hotel: Mercure Tokyo Haneda Airport

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📅 Day 2 – Jan 24 | Tokyo

• Mount Fuji day trip

• Yokohama in the evening (4 PM – 9 PM)

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📅 Day 3 – Jan 25 | Tokyo

• Sensoji Temple + Nakamise Street (9–11 AM)

• Harajuku + Meiji Shrine + Takeshita Street (12–2 PM)

• Shibuya Crossing + Hachiko Statue

• Shibuya Sky (sunset 3:30–5:30 PM)

• Roppongi area (evening)

Hotel change: ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza (25–28 Jan)

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📅 Day 4 – Jan 26 | Tokyo

• Ginza walk + Itoya stationery shop

• Akihabara shopping

• TeamLab Planets or Borderless

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📅 Day 5 – Jan 27 | Tokyo

• Full day at Tokyo DisneySea / Disneyland. Mostly Disneyland as kid will enjoy. 

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📅 Day 6 – Jan 28 | Takayama

• Tokyo → Takayama (via Nagoya)

• Takayama town + Shirakawa-go

• Stay: Mercure Hida Takayama

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📅 Day 7 – Jan 29 | Kyoto

• Hida no Sato village

• Travel to Kyoto

• Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka

• Nishiki Market

• Fushimi Inari

• Gion

Stay: Mercure Kyoto Station

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📅 Day 8 – Jan 30 | Osaka

• Kyoto → Osaka

• Osaka city tour:

• Dotonbori

• Shinsaibashi

• Namba

• Namba Yasaka Shrine

Stay: Mercure Tokyu Osaka Namba

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📅 Day 9 – Jan 31 | Osaka

• Universal Studios Japan

• (Optional: Tiger Shrine – outside only)

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📅 Day 10 – Feb 01

• Fly out

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❓ Questions / Help Needed

1️⃣ Is this itinerary too packed?

• Especially Tokyo Day 3 and Kyoto Day 7

• Any places I should drop or rearrange?

2️⃣ Winter clothing (late Jan):

• Do I need:

• Hand gloves?

• Thermals? 

3️⃣ Vegetarian food (very important 🙏):

I’m strict vegetarian (no meat, no fish).

• Are vegetarian options easily available?

• Any recommended veg/Indian/vegan restaurants in:

• Tokyo

• Kyoto

• Osaka

• Are convenience store veg options reliable?

• Any tips for reading menus / ordering veg food?

4️⃣ Travel & passes

• Any transport mistakes in Tokyo → Takayama → Kyoto → Osaka route?

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Would really appreciate advice from experienced travelers or locals.

Thanks in advance!