We (F35/M39) have been staying in Tokyo since March, and next week my in-laws are visiting for 2 weeks. It’s their first time in Japan. They’re both 65+, fairly active and curious, but I know the heat is going to hit my father-in-law quite hard, and my mother-in-law will probably need regular afternoon naps.
My SIL joins us halfway through the trip, which will help a lot since they’ll be able to revisit favourite places with her while we work a bit. We’ll also do Kyoto together for 3 days later on.
The idea is to keep things relatively light: around 2 major things per day, lots of coffee and cake stops, AC breaks, taxis when needed…
Would love feedback from older people or those who’ve travelled with their parents in Tokyo before! Especially regarding pacing, heat management, or whether some of the days below sound too ambitious.
Day 1 (Tue) – arrival day
- Pick them up at Haneda in the morning
- Taxi from Hamamatsucho station to Nezu
- Shower/rest at home
- I'll prepare a little welcome kit with wagashi (they have a sweet tooth), cooling wipes, hand fan, tenugui, Airism clothes, UV umbrella for my MIL… let me know if there are any other summer essentials I should get!
Early afternoon:
- Local sashimi lunch next door if they're up for it, if not we'll just make something at home
- Nap / escape the heat
Late afternoon/Evening:
- Explore Nezu
- Walk to Ueno (~18min, so they learn the route)
- Bus/taxi home + dinner at home
Day 2 (Wed)
- If jet lag wakes them up super early, maybe encourage them to try and go to Senso-ji on their own at dawn (FIL has an excellent sense of direction and they’re tech-savvy enough to manage Google Maps and a 3-stop ride in Ginza line, after walking to Ueno, or take a taxi)
- Mid-morning rest/nap
- Lunch at Daikanyama T-Site (the food at Starbucks Reserve is easy and surprisingly good)
- A couple of nice design shops in Daikanyama after the bookstore
- Visit Former Asakura House and garden
- Slow walk along Nakameguro river, coffee etc.
Day 3 (Thu)
- Walk to Hokusai Exhibition at National Museum of Western Art (Ueno)
- Chiyoda line to Tempura lunch near Nezu Museum
- Visit the museum, especially the garden is very much worth it
- Aoyama / Omotesando / Harajuku if it isn't too rainy
Day 4 (Fri)
- Meguro Sky Garden
- Green walkway towards Setagaya
- Sushi no Midori lunch
- Gotokuji nearby
- Back home to rest
Day 5 (Sat)
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Ramen Afro Beats for lunch
- Meiji Jingu
- Rest at home
- Walk through Ueno/Akihabara at night
Day 6 (Sun) Sister-in-law arrives
- Oedo Antique Market/Imperial Palace area
- Ginza (MIL will love the multi-story Muji)
- Mitsukoshi depachika
- Back home for naps
- Explore Yanaka
Day 7 (Mon)
- Akihabara by day (electric supplies stores and hobby/kit stores my FIL will love)
- Japanese confectionery and tea house
- Craft shops in Kuramae
- Skytree
Then after that we'll slow things down as hosts, and they have a couple “free days” where they explore/rest alone. We'll also do
- Kawaguchiko day trip
- Kyoto for 3 days
Any suggestions for:
- things older visitors particularly loved?
- areas that are specially pleasant in summer?
- good places to cool down/rest between walks?
- A recommended kissaten that isn't too formal?
I've been in Japan with my mother when she was 65 a few years ago, but we were trying to squeeze everything in as customary for a first time here. It was also April, so heat wasn't a problem. We went to Nikko which we both thought was worth it, but I'm a bit unsure we should include that day trip, since we'll be doing temple hopping in Kyoto.
I was in Tokyo in May/June last year and only really remember the heat creeping in around June, so I wasn't expecting it so soon. I was also here during June&July two years ago and it was hell. I barely remember anything besides constantly drinking water, eating ice cream, and going into shops mainly as an excuse to get under the AC. Hopefully it won't get that bad for too long.
Thanks!
by tootsieyo