I would love to get some feedback on my itinerary, please.
We'll be in Japan for 18 days in October with our 2 year old daughter and I'm a bit unsure if my plan is balanced enough or if I've planned too much or too little? We're first timers, so I kinda wanna see everything, but I know I have to be realistic about the 3 weeks.
We've all travelled before, my toddler has spent extended periods in India at my in-law's and at my parent's in Germany as well as city trips around Europe and we've done a week long solo trip to Mumbai, but never such a long time before.
I haven't planned a lot of food places yet, since my husband is a vegetarian, so I'm expecting to have some convenience store meals, and fish treats for myself, haha. We aren't looking for teamlabs or theme park experiences, but if you have any suggestions or changes, I'm totally open for those.
Especially in Tokyo, I hope I have teamed the districts together enough for it to make sense?
Also, in Tokyo I wanted to visit a Kabuki show and when I googled, there seemedd to be the possiility to visit single acts without any restrictions on age. Is that true? I won't book tickets if it's a no-no and of course, I'm aware that crying babies in the theatre are not cool, so even if we were able to get tickets, and our baby cries, I would obviously leave. If anyone has experiene, I'd love to hear it.
Short overview of cities, where we have accomodation booked: Osaka – Kyoto – Kanazawa – Shibu Onsen – Tokyo
Day 1 – Oct 4 | Osaka
- Arrive in Osaka, settle in
- Check-in hostel
- Explore Dotonbori
- Visit Hozenji Temple
Day 2 – Oct 5 | Osaka
- Drive to Himeji Castle, return in the afternoon
- Walk around Osaka Castle
- Early evening: explore Shinsekai
Day 3 – Oct 6 | Osaka
- Visit Katsuoji Temple and Minoh Falls
- Afternoon: On the way back, stop at Umeda, explore old retro street
Day 4 – Oct 7 | Osaka → Kyoto
- Morning: Kuromon Market
- Early/Afternoon: travel to Kyoto
- Check-in hostel
- Then:
- Kiyomizudera Temple (sunset for city views)
- Walk Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Streets
- OR Kyoto Walking Tour in Gion
Day 5 – Oct 8 | Kyoto
- Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, River Walk or Okochi Sanso Villa
- Kyoto Walking Tour in Gion at 10am, 2pm, or 6pm
- Visit Kennin-ji Temple
Day 6 – Oct 9 | Kyoto
- Nijo Castle tour at 10am or 12pm
- Walk around Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds
- Visit Samurai & Ninja Museum with Experience
- Fushimi Inari Night Tour at 7pm
Day 7 – Oct 10 | Kyoto
- Half-day trip to Nara:
- Deer Park
- Todaiji Temple
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- Try mochi
- Afternoon: walk Philosopher’s Path
Day 8 – Oct 11 | Kyoto
- Half-day trip to Uji:
- Visit Byodo-in Temple
- Explore town, tea museum, drink green tea
- Afternoon: visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ryoan-ji
Day 9 – Oct 12 | Kyoto → Kanazawa
- Morning: Nishiki Market
- Then train to Kanazawa
- Check-in hostel
- Explore Kenrokuen Garden and Geisha area
- Visit Kanazawa Castle (optional, wasn't planning on going inside, unless it's a must-do)
- Stop at Omicho Market (vegetarian-friendly sushi/inari options)
Day 10 – Oct 13 | Kanazawa
- Visit Ninja Temple (Myoryuji) (need tickets, am aware that babies aren't allowed, so I want to split up, first me, then husband doing tour)
- Explore Higashi Chaya District
Day 11 – Oct 14 | Kanazawa → Shibu Onsen· Train to Yudanaka
- Explore Yudanaka
- Stay at Ryokan
Day 12 – Oct 15 | Shibu Onsen → Tokyo
- Morning: visit Snow Monkey Park
- Travel to Tokyo
- Check-in hostel
- Evening: Asakusa walking tour at 7pm
Day 13 – Oct 16 | Tokyo
- Morning: Walking tour in Meiji and Harajuku at 10am
- Afternoon/Early evening:
- Explore Shibuya (Hachiko, Crossing)
- Explore Shinjuku (only walk-through: Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho Main Street, Godzilla Head at Hotel Gracery)
Day 14 – Oct 17 | Tokyo
- Organised Day trip: Hakone
Day 15 – Oct 18 | Tokyo
- Morning:
- Akihabara (fun shops)
- Ueno (Tokyo National Museum)
- Yanaka Cemetery
- Kappabashi (shopping)
- Afternoon: stroll around Ginza and Tokyo Train Station
Day 16 – Oct 19 | Tokyo
- Maybe:
- Fukagawa Edo Museum
- Sumida River walk
- Kabukiza Theatre single-act (possible with baby? I'm aware that it's theatre, and noone wants a crying baby in the audience, so if it's a no-no, I'd totally understand!)
Day 17 – Oct 20 | Tokyo
- Organised Day trip: Nikko
Day 18 – Oct 21 | Tokyo
- Depart Tokyo after breakfast
by Weeinterpr3ter