Hello, we are going to Japan for the first time. We are organising our trip, that will start close to the New Year's Eve.
We are a family living in Europe, my son is 5 and loves Pokémon. We are used to go out and walk a lot, grab a coffee, eat something, we don't need to hurry, even if it means not seeing everything. I like stationary shops, books and cute shops.
I don't know if we are rushing too much at some days (or maybe in Kyoto)? We don't know also about the Hakonne day trip. I was searching for somewhere that we can see the Fuji Mountain but also see a smaller city… What do you think?
Here is our itinerary:
We will stay in Asakusa the first 2 nights.
We will probably do Senso-ji Temple + side streets + shopping on Nakamise (if open). A walk or boat trip at Sumida river.
Day 3 – Travel to Kyoto. We will arrive around 13h. We plan to walk around and know the surroundings.
Day 4 – Higashiyama + Gion Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Sannenzaka / Ninenzaka. Yasaka Pagoda and Yasaka Shrine. Walk through Gion and along the Kamogawa River.
Day 5 – Arashiyama (West Kyoto) Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Tenryu-ji Temple. Togetsukyo Bridge. Monkey Park Iwatayama or Sagano Scenic Railway.
Day 6 – Zen Temples Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Ryoan-ji (Zen garden). Nanzen-ji + Philosopher’s Path + Ginkaku-ji.
Day 7 – Sanjusangendo (1001 Buddhist statues), Kyoto Aquarium
Day 8 – We will leave at the afternoon to Tokyo. We will stay near Tsukiji Outer Market.
Day 9 – Meiji Jingu + Shibuya + Shinjuku Meiji Jingu Shrine + Yoyogi Park. Harajuku (Takeshita St.) + Omotesando. Shibuya Crossing + Hachiko. Shinjuku → free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. Building.
Day 10 – Morning: teamLab Boarderless Afternoon: Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) in Odaiba. Outing in the Odaiba area (Gundam, shops, Rainbow Bridge view).
Day 11 – Probably we will do a Hakone Day Trip (Hakone Loop): not sure yet
Day 12 – Ueno Park: National Museum of Nature and Science Walk in the park. Ameya-Yokochō (local market for lunch and shopping).
Day 13 – Imperial + Ginza + Minato Imperial Palace East Gardens, Shirokane neighborhood (Platinum St.)
Day 14 – Books, Markets, and Views Morning: Jinbōchō (bookstore/secondhand book district) and Kanda.
Day 15 – Departure from Tokyo Flight at night (not decided what to do during the day).
Thanks for your tips and advice!
by julianasenna