Japan Vacation Planning (1 Viewer)

[Orange&Blue]

Our family of 5 (17, 11, and 11) has gone on several European trips and kids have asked about going to Japan.

I'm thinking 8 days total and most likely in Summer 2026 with a possibility of moving to fall break (2026) or spring break (2027) if I can't get the flights.

Day 0: arrive in Tokyo, most flights arrive late in the day so won't do much
Day1-5: Tokyo
Day 6-8: Kyoto and Osaka
Day 8/9: Leave for US

Thoughts on duration, areas to stay, recommendations, etc.

I've got a list of potential tokyo activities that I know is too much, but gotta start somewhere....

-Making of Harry Potter
-Teamlab Planets
-DisneySea
-Shibuya Scramble Square& Shibuya Sky
-Sanrio Puroland
-Pokemon center
-LEGOLAND Discovery Center
-A themed cafe: Pokémon Cafe, Cinnamoroll Cafe, Alice in Fantasyland Café, Moomin Cafe, or Curry Station Niagara
-Mt Fuji and Hakone
-Meiji Jingu Shrine
-Senso-ji Temple
-Imperial Palace
-Kimono Tea Ceremony
-Samurai Experience

Still working on Kyoto/Osaka planning.

 

[bigbottom]

Japan Travel app is an absolute must for navigating public transit. The single most important piece of advice we received for our trip a year or so ago.

 

[the moops]

Spring break is good timing with cherry blossoms if you can time it right.

We did a similar trip years ago with our kids (they were like 9 and 7 if I remember correctly). Did Tokyo for 5 days then Kyoto for another 5. Took some trains to other places.

Couple things. The first couple days in Tokyo your sleeping will be all messed up. We were up at 3 in the morning and in bed at some weird times. It's nice that Tokyo has stuff going on at late night early mornings.

Go see a baseball game if you can. Even if nobody is a baseball fan, the experience is incredible. I went down to Osaka and went to a game there. Super fun.

In Tokyo I would stay somewhere very central. Nice to be right in the hustle.

In Kyoto I would find an airbnb that is architecturally and culturally japanese. We stayed here and would so again https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/116044..._impression_id=p3_1764622479_P3YFh4sw3sCKtPnn

 

[nirad3]

Three of my co-workers (independently, with their respective families) are there right now. I'm sure I'll hear about some of their adventures, so if there's anything worthwhile to pass on that hasn't already been mentioned, I'll let you know!

 

[titusbramble]

Time it to go when a basho is on

 

[higgins]

It's been a couple decades for me but off the top of my head:

You need to pre-order Bullet Train (Shinkansen) passes (in order to actually buy tickets) well in advance -- I don't believe you can (as a tourist) just go to the station and purchase tickets.

There are a few destinations that are closer together regionally where it may make sense to have one be a hub by which you can do day trips to the others close by.

For example: Osaka is close to regional cities/tourist stops like (1) Kyoto, (2) Himeji Castle, where they filmed the original Shogun mini-series, (3) Kobe (as in beef....mmmm....).

I'll echo @the moops -- I went to an Osaka beisbol game as well (great time).

Go see a baseball game if you can. Even if nobody is a baseball fan, the experience is incredible. I went down to Osaka and went to a game there. Super fun.

Having a hub like Osaka gives you an opportunity to know a city better -- the activities I listed above are very doable from Osaka for day trips (of even 1/2 day trips).

 

[bigbottom]

Spring break is good timing with cherry blossoms if you can time it right.

We did a similar trip years ago with our kids (they were like 9 and 7 if I remember correctly). Did Tokyo for 5 days then Kyoto for another 5. Took some trains to other places.

Couple things. The first couple days in Tokyo your sleeping will be all messed up. We were up at 3 in the morning and in bed at some weird times. It's nice that Tokyo has stuff going on at late night early mornings.

Go see a baseball game if you can. Even if nobody is a baseball fan, the experience is incredible. I went down to Osaka and went to a game there. Super fun.

In Tokyo I would stay somewhere very central. Nice to be right in the hustle.

In Kyoto I would find an airbnb that is architecturally and culturally japanese. We stayed here and would so again https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/116044..._impression_id=p3_1764622479_P3YFh4sw3sCKtPnn

Re the bolded, we stayed at an AirBnB in the Shinjuku District. Great choice for Tokyo if you want energy, nightlife, etc.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is only an hour and a half away from tokyo

 

[Judge Smails]

Following. This is our 2027 trip (Croatia 2026). Really excited to go. I’m sure the FBG community will be a wealth of info as always.

 

[SWC]

you will be saddened to learn that parnera bread does not have any locations in japan so if you are looking to experience some real culture i suggest lovely beloit which has a parnera just up the road in scenic janesville or just down the way in wonderful machesny illinois and really who needs tokyo when you have machesney take that to the bank domo arigato mr brobato

 

[Orange&Blue]

Following. This is our 2027 trip (Croatia 2026). Really excited to go. I’m sure the FBG community will be a wealth of info as always.

oohhh.... thinking about Croatia in 2027/2028