JJapan Trips

First time in Japan with parents during Golden Week 2026 – Itinerary check

  • August 21, 2025

Hi everyone! πŸ‘‹

I’ll be in Japan with my parents Apr 22 – May 6, 2026. It’s our first trip, and it overlaps with Golden Week. I’ve already booked flights and hotels, but I’d love advice on whether this plan is realistic, especially with crowds and traveling with parents.

I thought of the following stays:

  • Tokyo 22–23 Apr
  • Hakone 23–24 Apr
  • Kyoto 24–28 Apr
  • Osaka 28 Apr–2 May
  • Tokyo 2–6 May

Daily itinerary:

  • Wed 22/04 – Tokyo: Arrival at NRT
  • Thu 23/04 – Tokyo β†’ Hakone: Move to Hakone, Hakone loop (Ropeway, Lake Ashi, Owakudani)
  • Fri 24/04 – Hakone β†’ Kyoto: Morning in Hakone β†’ move to Kyoto; Gion, Pontocho Alley
  • Sat 25/04 – Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama, Yasaka Pagoda, Maruyamachō
  • Sun 26/04 – Kyoto β†’ Nara β†’ Kyoto: Nara Park, Tōdai-ji, Kasuga-taisha, Naramachi
  • Mon 27/04 – Kyoto: Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Okochi Sanso, Nijō Castle, Nishiki Market
  • Tue 28/04 – Kyoto β†’ Hiroshima β†’ Miyajima β†’ Osaka: Peace Memorial Park & Museum, ferry to Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen β†’ return to Osaka
  • Wed 29/04 – Osaka: Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market
  • Thu 30/04 – Osaka: Universal Studios Japan
  • Fri 01/05 – Osaka β†’ Himeji β†’ Kobe β†’ Osaka: Himeji Castle, Kobe
  • Sat 02/05 – Osaka β†’ Tokyo: Imperial Palace, Akihabara, Ueno, Asakusa, Skytree
  • Sun 03/05 – Tokyo: Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya SKY, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine, Omoide Yokochō, Kabuchiko
  • Mon 04/05 – Tokyo: Nikko or Yokohama day trip
  • Tue 05/05 – Tokyo: Ginza, Tokyo Tower, teamLab Planets, Odaiba
  • Wed 06/05 – Tokyo β†’ NRT: Last day shopping, flight home

My main questions

  1. Is this realistic with parents (not elderly)?
  2. Did I plan Golden Week wisely?
  3. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much! πŸ™

by JMarinG