Hi,

I'd love some feedback on my itinerary. We want to try to visit USJ on a less busy day, but will get express passes. Also trying to avoid travel on Christmas day and after the 29th. We have a lot of time in Tokyo but figured there'd be more to do there over New Years, but worried there's not enough , a few things we'd like to do look like they'll be closed. Would consider Disneysea for a day but worried about crowds at that time. We're also happy just to wander the streets and eat. Thanks for your insight!

Saturday, Dec 19 – Tokyo

• Flight Sydney → Tokyo
• Check in: Shibuya Stream Hotel

Sunday, Dec 20 – Tokyo (Shibuya / Harajuku)

• Ghibli Museum – if able to get tickets (note: closed Dec 27–Jan 2)

And/or walking around various sites for the day

• Pokémon Center Shibuya
• Nintendo Tokyo
• Yoyogi Park
• Meiji Jingu
• Takeshita Street (Purikura Shop NOA)
• Harajuku
• Fender Flagship Tokyo
• Karaoke (Rainbow Karaoke Shibuya)
• Shibuya Sky – worth it at sunset?

Monday, Dec 21 – Tokyo → Osaka

• Send luggage ahead to Kyoto
• Train to Osaka in the morning
• Check in: Oriental Hotel Universal City then explore Osaka in afternoon/evening:
• Kuromon Market
• Hozen-ji Temple
• Dotonbori
• Round1 Stadium
• Silver Ball Planet
• Shinsekai
• Tsutenkaku

Tuesday, Dec 22 – Osaka

• Universal Studios Japan (full day)

Wednesday, Dec 23 – Osaka → Kyoto (+ Nara option)

• Travel to Nara for half day to visit deer and temple.
• Kintetsu-Nara Station
• Rokumei Coffee
• Todai-ji Temple
• Nekodan (Cat Stairway)

Kyoto evening:

• Nintendo Museum – late afternoon option if we can get tickets
• Pontocho Alley for dinner?

Thursday, Dec 24 – Kyoto

• Early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Nishiki Market for early lunch
• GEAR Non-Verbal Theatre (1pm or 6pm)

Anthing else we should add on this day?

Friday, Dec 25 – Kyoto (Christmas)

It's Christmas day for us so we'll have an easy morning and then visit teamLab Biovortex Kyoto. Kids would like to have KFC but also interested in a nice restaurant.

Saturday, Dec 26 – Kyoto → Komatsu

• Early morning visit to Kiyomizu-dera and Ninenzaka
• Then travel to Ryokan near Kanazawa – Matsusaki for onsen and kaiseki dinner.

Sunday, Dec 27 – Matto → Kanazawa

• Check out Ryokan and travel to Kanazawa for 2 nights

Day exlporing:

• Kanazawa Castle
• Kenroku-en Garden
• Dinner: Plat Home / Toritake

Monday, Dec 28 – Shirakawa-go Day Trip

• Bus: Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go (8:40 – 10:05)
• Return (13:50 – 15:10)

Stops:

• Shirakawa-go Village
• Pudding House

Return to Kanazawa and visit Higashi Chaya District.

Tuesday, Dec 29 – Kanazawa → Tokyo

• Visit Omicho Market and the 21st Century Museum before getting train to Ueno (1:50 PM – 4:15 PM)

Wednesday, Dec 30 – Tokyo (Ueno / Akihabara)

• Visit to Ueno Park
• Then exploring and shopping in Akihabara:
• Super Potato (retro games)
• GiGO Arcade
• HEY Arcade
• Ochanomizu Guitar Street

Thursday, Dec 31 – Tokyo (Asakusa)

• Asakusa
• Senso-ji Temple
• Asakusa Underground Street
• Hanayashiki

Friday, Jan 1 – Tokyo

• Tokyo DisneySea – bad idea?

Saturday, Jan 2 – Tokyo

Cup Noodle (if open) and Yokohama exploring

or…

• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Haibara Nihombashi
• Pokémon Center Tokyo DX
• Marvel Store (Sunshine City)

Any other area of Tokyo we've missed that we need to prioritise?

Sunday, Jan 3 – Departure

• Travel to Haneda Airport in the morning.
• Flight Tokyo → Sydney

I appreciate any comments or advice.

Thanks!