Hello,
Link to Itinerary Cards! If people want to see the itinerary cards, I have linked them here- I made them as I'm a more visual person and it was fun to create. The dates and photos of the airbnb were removed from them for privacy. Due to the rules in this thread I will also share the itinerary below as most do.
I (S) will be traveling with my husband (P)and 4-year-old (E). We are in our 30's. Important to note, walking any distance takes about double the time with my 4-year-old who tires easily and likes to stop and look at things (obviously sometimes he knows we need to walk and not stop so much, but I try to keep a more leisurely pace because that tends to be half the fun). He also still naps, we are okay to skip most days but I am prepared to take it easier some days.
Note about food: I have book marked options in google maps where we are staying. We like choices and flexibility so most days will not have a specific place to eat.
Note about options: Some cards/ days have options, these are not must see's but just if we have time or need choices for what to do. I like to plan more. My husband likes to plan less and have room for spontaneousness so this was my compromise.. I am not including this in the notes below so if possible I'd rather have people view the cards.
Our Interests: Nature, art (making and looking), food/ coffee, just being in a place and looking around, and childfriendly things (I enjoy just being at a playground with my son). I am vegetarian (though I've been slowly introducing meats recently) Some days we will go our own ways for shopping or food.
Day 1 (June 8th)
- Land 2:00PM
- Check in air bnb by 5:00 (near Ueno)
- Dinner
Day 2: Ueno
- Slow morning, Ueno park (kiddie park/ boats/walking) ; P will go on a different adventure for glasses.
- Nap if needed (for 4 year old)
- Ameyoko Market
- Vegan sushi close by for dinner
Day 3: Ginza
- 8:30 AM Team lab planets
- Lunch (S would love Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo)
- Shopping in Ginza (Loft, MUJI)
- Dinner in Ginza
Day 4: Kappabashi & Asakusa
- AM: Slow morning, walk to kappabashi street (S take E to playground if done with shopping)
- PM Kura Sushi flagship – (could be lunch or dinner depending on timing)
- Senso-Ji (optional)
Day 5: Tokyo;
- Flex Day (card shows options but will decided there)
Day 6: Kyoto
- 9:00 train to kyoto
- 1:00 PM drop off luggage in locker, have lunch
- Explore Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Check in at Air bnb (near Fushimi Inari) & Dinner
Day 7: Arashiyama
- 9:00 AM Taxi to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple (arrive at 10)
- 11:00 Walk to Atago-jinja–>Chicurin —> Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
- Lunch and Saga Toriimoto Street
- Return to air bnb and dinner
Day 8: Ikoma & Nara
- 8:30AM depart to Hożanji Station
- Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Car
- Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park
- Lunch in Ikoma
- Train to Nara Park (restful commute)
- Deer Park & Todai-Jii
- Snack and Aoniyoshi Train (if I can get the tickets) (latest train leaves at 4:00 so this might not be feasible)
- Dinner and rest back at air bnb
Notes: I think due to the time I am leaning towards not taking the Aoniyoshi and having more time in Nara, to head back after dinner (around 5/6)
Day 9: Yakushima
- Head to airport 7:45 to- arrive 9:15 Osaka airport, depart 11:00AM
- 2:10 Arrive Yakushima, car rental
- Head to air bnb located southern point of island- enjoy the drive and stop as desired/ for groceries.
Day 10: Yakushima
- AM: Yakusugi Land
- Lunch at Plant-based Cafe & Act (P and E goes own way)
- PM: Sarukawa Chinese Banyan Tree, Senpiro Falls, Observation Deck
Day 11: Yakushima
- Kurio Beach & Tsukasaki Tide Pool
- Picnic Lunch
- PM: Options; Oko Waterfall, Tsukasaki Coast, Nakama Beach on the way back..
Day 12: Yakushina;
- Flex day (any day on Yakushima can be rotated to try and accommodate the weather, though we understand it rains often)
- Options include local onsens, lounging at air bnb (enjoying nature close and hot spring)
Day 13: Kagoshima
- 9:30 AM drive to airport
- 10:15 drop off rental car;
- 11:45 depart to kagoshima (internal flight)
- 12:20 arrive, and head towards Ryokan Onsen (check in isn't until 3:00)
Day 14: Kagoshima —> tokyo
- Breakfast/ Relax at Ryokan, check out by 11.
- 12:50 depart Kagoshima
- Land in Tokyo at 2:30
- PM Options : Shibuya Parco, Sekaido (air bnb is in Shibuya)
Day 15: Setagaya
- Breakfast, then Gotokuji Temple
- 10:30 (optional Shiro-Higes Cream Puff Factory)
- Hanegi Park (play park and Maze) (this is flexible timing, so lunch or dinner in this area)
- Optional: PM could also include evenign in Shimokitazawa, bazz store.
Day 16: P Birthday- He choses (leaving open).
Day 17: Flex Day :
- Options: Tokyo Daibutsu, Meiji Jingu, fluffy pancased (near by) Return to any places we didn't get enough of, shopping ect.
Day 18: Depart Tokyo
- Check out by 12
- 4:00 arrive at airport to depart at 6:25.
- Optional: Haginaka Park (close to airport, good for E to play before long flight)
Feedback: Kyoto is the one I'm most confused on, we are most packed them for sight seeing but I can't decide on the Nara / Ikoma day and what to prioritize or to try to do both. I am open to general feedback and just appreciate any input. Again we have more specific options on each card and dining options are bookmarked. What is a must see that I'm missing? Where would it fit? Is it too much or not enough?
by Meeshnu_