21 days with toddler + 15 month old

Travelers: 2 adults + 3-year-old + 15-month-old

Arrival: Osaka KIX, April 23

Departure: Haneda Tokyo, May 13

Background: Hi! We travelled to Japan last year while I was pregnant and we loved it so much we are going to go back this time with our toddler AND a 15 month old. We would love any suggestions that will make our trip easier. We will use a luggage forward company to transfer luggage to the next city. Last time we only did 3 nights in Kyoto and felt like it was not enough so we maybe 6 nights will be better this time? We have never been to hakone or Mount Fuji, so we added that.

Kyoto – 6 Nights (Day 1–Day 6)

• Day 1 (Thu): Arrive Osaka → Kyoto; evening stroll Shijo/Kawaramachi

• Day 2 (Fri): Kiyomizu-dera + Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka lanes; optional Kyoto Aquarium; Pokémon Center Kyoto

• Day 3 (Sat): Arashiyama boat ride → Bamboo Grove → Togetsukyo Bridge

• Day 4 (Sun): Philosopher’s Path → Kyoto Botanical Garden / Imperial Park

• Day 5 (Mon): Uji day trip: Byodoin Temple, tea tasting, river walk

• Day 6 (Tue): Free day: Nishiki Market, Gion, Pontocho Alley, Teramachi street

• Day 7 (Wed): Travel to Lake Kawaguchiko/Hakone (3–3.5 hrs); stay at Fuji-view ryokan

*** Lake Kawaguchiko / Hakone / Mount Fuji – 4 Nights (Day 7–Day 10) base either in Lake Kawaguchiko or Hakone (any suggestions? Should I have an additional day here and take away a day from Tokyo?)***

• Day 7 (Wed): Arrive → onsen & kaiseki dinner

• Day 8 (Thu): Mount Fuji sightseeing: Ropeway, Oishi Park, Lake Kawaguchi boat ride

• Day 9 (Fri): Hakone day trip: Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Ashi Pirate Ship, Hakone Shrine

• Day 10 (Sat): Hakone Open Air Museum; optional Thomas Land

• Day 11 (Sun): Morning in Kawaguchiko → Travel to Tokyo/Yokohama; Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo (Ikebukuro)

Tokyo / Yokohama – 6 Nights (Day 11–Day 16) base in Shibuya or Shinjuku

• Day 11 (Sun): Check-in hotel, explore Shibuya & Harajuku

• Day 12 (Mon): Yokohama day trip: Chinatown, Cup Noodles Museum, Minato Mirai

• Day 13 (Tue): Shinjuku Gyoen; shopping

• Day 14 (Wed): Ginza: shopping & cafés

• Day 15 (Thu):  Sunshine Aquarium, Namja Town, Sunshine City

• Day 16 (Fri):Tsukiji/Toyosu Fish Market; last-minute shopping

• Day 17 (Sat): Tokyo Skytree; Sumida Aquarium, Solamachi shopping, Sky Arena

• Day 18 (Sun): Pack and transfer most luggage to Haneda airport move to Sheraton Tokyo Bay Hotel

Disney Area – 3 Nights (Day 18–Day 21)

• Day 18 (Sunday) : arrive in Sheraton Tokyo bay by evening ; visit Pokémon Center Tokyo Bay (Lalaport Toyosu)

• Day 19 (Mon): Tokyo Disneyland (full day)

• Day 20 (Tue): Tokyo DisneySea (full day)

• Day 21 (Wed): relax or go back to Tokyo for last minute souvenirs / leave by 5pm → arrive at airport 6:30pm Haneda flight 9:30 pm (1h 5min shuttle bus)

by Msbbt