Quick note before the itinerary: I actually tried posting this here once before, but it was removed right away and I’m honestly not entirely sure why. I then posted it in r/JapanTravelTips, where it was removed for being too detailed and I was advised to post it here instead. I hope this is okay now. I know this is long and that similar questions come up a lot, but since we’re traveling with a 9-month-old baby it would be extremely helpful for us if someone could quickly look over the pacing or flag anything obviously unrealistic. This is meant as a flexible framework, not a fixed plan.
Hey everyone,
we’re planning our first trip to Japan from March 9 to April 7 and will be traveling with our 9-month-old baby. We’d really appreciate some advice, especially regarding pacing and baby-friendly travel.
We plan only one main activity per day and Everything else is optional and spontaneous. We will be traveling exclusively with a baby carrier (no stroller at all). We’re trying to keep days flexible and not rushed
We’ll be in Tokyo at the beginning and again at the end of the trip. Some Tokyo sights are intentionally planned for the end to (hopefully) catch cherry blossoms.
Tokyo (Mar 9–15): staying in Akasaka
Mar 9: Arrival
Mar 10: Hie Shrine, Happo-en Garden
Mar 11: Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise Street, Tokyo Skytree area
Mar 12: Shibuya Crossing (any advives for the surrounding area??)
Mar 13: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (observation deck), Shinjuku Gyoen, Shinjuku area
Mar 14: Imperial Palace area
Mar 15: Travel day to Hakone (sending luggage ahead to Kyoto)
Possible Tokyo buffer ideas if it makes sense:
Ameyoko Market. Asakusa sumo experience. Monzennakacho. Shibamata.
Daikanyama
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Hakone (Mar 15–17)
Mar 15: Arrival, private onsen (16:00–16:50)
Mar 16: Lake Ashi boat cruise (maybe ropeway), Hakone Shrine
Mar 17: Travel to Kyoto
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Kyoto (Mar 17–24)
Mar 17: Arrival
Mar 18: Nishiki Market, Gion (Hanamikoji Street), optional Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
Mar 19: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Garden
Mar 20: Day trip to Nara (or Kinkaku-ji if Nara feels like too much)
Mar 21: Fushimi Inari, Philosopher’s Path (optional Ginkaku-ji at the end)
Mar 22: Higashiyama area & Kiyomizu-dera
Mar 23: Kawaramachi / Teramachi Streets, Maruyama Park
Mar 24: Travel to Osaka
Still undecided:
Tea ceremony in Kyoto vs Hiroshima (needs to be baby-friendly)
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Osaka (Mar 24–29)
Mar 24: Arrival, Namba & Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho
Mar 25: Osaka Castle Park
Mar 26: Day trip to Himeji
Mar 27: Umeda Sky Building
Mar 28: Day trip to Kobe (harbor area)
Mar 29: Travel to Hiroshima
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Hiroshima (Mar 29 – Apr 1)
Mar 29: Arrival, Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (maybe museum)
Mar 30 (my Birthday): Day trip to Miyajima
Mar 31: Hiroshima Castle & Shukkeien Garden (possible tea ceremony, 9am–5pm)
Apr 1: Travel back to Tokyo
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Tokyo (Apr 1–7) – staying in Asakusa
Apr 1: Arrival
Apr 2: Ueno Park & Akihabara
Apr 3: Yanaka Ginza, Yanaka Cemetery, Nezu Shrine
Apr 4–5: Open / flexible
Apr 6: Shopping day (not sure where yet, suggestions welcome)
Apr 7: Flight home
Optional day Tripsfrom Tokio : Kamakura, gotoguji (cat temple)
Is this pace realistic with a 9-month-old using only a baby carrier?
Anything that looks unnecessary, too stressful, or not worth it?
Baby-friendly tips are also welcome!
Thanks so much for your help – we really appreciate any input 😊
by Slow_Agent_8035