3 weeks with kids in Japan Itinerary Check. Tokyo – Kyoto – Kanazawa – Takayama

Hi! I'd like to share my draft itinerary for our trip (we leave in 3 weeks!) My husband and I are travelling with our kids 7yo, 4yo, 2yo and later joined by my 70yo dad.

We had to split up our trip a bit to match up with my dad, thus the two parts in Tokyo. Our accomodation is already booked.

Tokyo (2 nights in Ginza)

Day 1 – Arrive 6am, can drop off luggage early.
Very flexible day – Pokemon centre, afternoon in Hibiya park.
*luxury shopping not our thing – suggestions around Giza?*

Day 2 – Morning around Meiji Shrine, picnic in Yoyogi Park.
Afternoon around Harajuku shopping and Shibuya crossing.

Kyoto (4 nights in Higashiyama Ward)

Day 3 – Train to Kyoto booked arriving midday. Lunch near accomodation.
Late arvo: Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka lanes. Possibly Kiyomizu-dera
Temple. Nishiki market for easy dinner.

Day 4 – Explore Gion: Kenninji temple, Tatsumi Bridge, Hanami-koji Street.
Afternoon: Playground Umekoji Park

Day 5 – Morning: Tenryuji Temple gardens then Arashiyama bamboo groves
Afternoon: relax.

Day 6 – Fushimi Inari-taisha,
Arvo picnic in Maruyama Park

Disney (2 nights in Tokyo Disney accom- joined by grandparent)

Day 7 – Train from Kyoto to Tokyo Disney booked.
Evening pass to Disneyland, electric parade

Day 8 – Disneyland day

Day 9 – DisneySea day, finish 4-5pm, back to Tokyo accom

Tokyo (4 nights in Asakusa)

Day 10 – Morning – Team planets.
Lunch/afternoon open – Ueno park or local sumida whale playground.

Day 11 – Sensoji Temple + the food street Nakamise-dori.
Option: Sumida river walk
Date night while grandparents babysit – Bar High Five? 🙂

Day 12 – Day out in Daikanyama ? (*Maybe this can be the afternoon activity instead of Ueno park)
OR: Morning in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo
Metropolitan Government Building, 
Afternoon omoide yokocho

Kanazawa (2 nights in Ishikawa)

Day 13 – Train from Tokyo to Kanazawa. Arvo:  Ninja Temple, Onosho canal.

Day 14 – Kenrokuen gardens /Kanazawa Castle.
Higashichaya District. *More detail here would be great. Food or streets to visit?*

Takayama (3 nights outside of town) 

Day 15 – Car rental. Drive via Shirakawago: drive up to the observatory, cross Deai Bridge, visit one of the gassho houses.
Afternoon – relaxing
Day 16 – Drive to Hida folk village, craft centre
Optional hike up Mt Matsukura OR Hirayu Otaki Falls

Day 17 – Miyagawa Morning Markets, walk down Sanmachi Suji (beautiful Old Street). Slow afternoon. 

Fly home (1 night hotel airport)

Day 18 – Drive Takayama to Kanazawa. Train Kanazawa to Tokyo Haneda airport hotel. 

^^
I’ve attempted not to pack out the day and have some picnic/park/playground afternoons.
Any blind spots? Things that don't make sense? Side quest ideas that we might be missing or should prioritise?
We are slight foodies – if you have a favourite cafe or dinner spot feel free to share! We deliberately had a bit more time in Takayama to slow down at the end. 

by Individual-Aerie4657