20 day itinerary
Japan, Tokyo To Nara
Personalized with:Make it family friendlyInclude parks and green spacesSuggest local activitiesMake us stay in ryokansMix higher and lower budget stays
Itinerary
Japan is a fantastic destination for families, and with 20 days to explore from Tokyo to Nara, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the culture, nature, and delicious food. Let’s dive into a fun and family-friendly itinerary that includes parks, green spaces, local activities, and stays in ryokans.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Morning: Arrive at Narita or . Check into a family-friendly hotel or ryokan in Tokyo (consider a mid-range ryokan like ).
- Afternoon: Explore . Visit the and the .
- Evening: Dinner in , where you can try street food like takoyaki and yakitori.
Day 2: Tokyo - Shibuya and
- Morning: Visit and take a family photo at the .
- Afternoon: Head to for a picnic. Let the kids run around and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Evening: Explore the vibrant streets of . Consider a budget-friendly izakaya for dinner.
Day 3: Tokyo - Asakusa and
- Morning: Visit in Asakusa. Don’t forget to try some ningyo-yaki (sweet cakes) from the stalls.
- Afternoon: Head to . Visit (an interactive art museum) and enjoy the seaside park.
- Evening: Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant in with views of the .
Day 4: Tokyo - Day Trip to Nikko
- All Day: Take a day trip to Nikko (about 2 hours by train). Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites, including . Enjoy the natural beauty of the area, including waterfalls and lakes.
- Evening: Return to Tokyo and relax at your ryokan.
Day 5: Tokyo to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1.5 hours). Check into a ryokan with onsen (hot springs), like .
- Afternoon: Visit the and enjoy the beautiful sculptures and nature.
- Evening: Relax in the onsen and enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner at the ryokan.
Day 6: - and Views
- Morning: Take a boat ride on and enjoy views of .
- Afternoon: Visit the and explore the surrounding forest.
- Evening: Return to your ryokan for another night of relaxation.
Day 7: to Kyoto
- Morning: Travel to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours). Check into a ryokan like .
- Afternoon: Explore the and visit the .
- Evening: Dinner in the Gion district, where you might spot a geisha.
Day 8: Kyoto - Temples and Gardens
- Morning: Visit and stroll through its gardens.
- Afternoon: Head to the and its beautiful park.
- Evening: Enjoy a family-friendly dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Kyoto - Day Trip to Nara
- All Day: Take a day trip to Nara (about 1 hour). Visit , where you can feed the friendly deer. Explore and its giant Buddha statue.
- Evening: Return to Kyoto for dinner.
Day 10: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari and Local Culture
- Morning: Visit and hike through the iconic torii gates.
- Afternoon: Participate in a family-friendly tea ceremony experience.
- Evening: Dinner at a local izakaya.
Day 11: Kyoto to
- Morning: Travel to (about 30 minutes). Check into a family-friendly hotel or ryokan.
- Afternoon: Visit and its surrounding park.
- Evening: Explore for street food like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.
Day 12: -
- All Day: Spend the day at . Enjoy the rides and attractions, especially the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Evening: Dinner at the park or nearby.
Day 13: to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1.5 hours). Check into a ryokan like .
- Afternoon: Visit the and Museum.
- Evening: Try -style okonomiyaki for dinner.
Day 14: - Miyajima Island
- All Day: Take a ferry to Miyajima Island. Visit and hike up to for stunning views.
- Evening: Return to for the night.
Day 15: to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1 hour). Check into a ryokan.
- Afternoon: Visit and .
- Evening: Enjoy a local dinner.
Day 16: to
- Morning: Take a short trip to (about 30 minutes). Explore the historic with its beautiful canals.
- Afternoon: Visit the .
- Evening: Return to for the night.
Day 17: to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1 hour). Check into a ryokan.
- Afternoon: Visit , one of Japan's most beautiful gardens.
- Evening: Try for dinner.
Day 18: to
- All Day: Take a ferry to , the art island. Visit the and explore the outdoor art installations.
- Evening: Return to for the night.
Day 19: to Nara
- Morning: Travel to Nara (about 2.5 hours). Check into a ryokan.
- Afternoon: Visit again for a leisurely day with the deer.
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Nara.
Day 20: Departure from Nara
- Morning: Last-minute shopping or a stroll in Nara.
- Afternoon: Head to for your departure.
Tips:
- Transportation: Consider getting a Japan Rail Pass for convenient travel between cities.
- Food: Don’t miss trying local specialties in each region!
- Parks: Always check for local festivals or events happening in parks during your visit.
This itinerary balances cultural experiences, nature, and family-friendly activities while allowing you to enjoy the unique charm of ryokans. Have a fantastic trip! 🌸