20 day itinerary
Japan
Personalized with:Travel with a kid of 8No hiroshimaRobot
Itinerary
Japan is a fantastic destination for families, and I’m excited to help you plan a fun-filled 20-day itinerary that’s perfect for you and your 8-year-old. Let’s dive in!
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Morning: Arrive at . Take the Narita Express or Limousine Bus to your hotel.
- Afternoon: Settle in and explore your neighborhood. If you’re near Shinjuku, check out the for a free view of the city.
- Evening: Dinner at a family-friendly izakaya or a themed restaurant like Robot Restaurant (it’s a fun spectacle!).
Day 2: Tokyo - Asakusa & Ueno
- Morning: Visit in Asakusa. Don’t forget to try some traditional snacks at Nakamise Street!
- Afternoon: Head to . Visit the and the .
- Evening: Dinner in Ueno. Try some delicious ramen!
Day 3: Tokyo - &
- Morning: Explore , the mecca for anime and gaming. Check out the various shops and arcades.
- Afternoon: Head to . Visit (an interactive art museum) and enjoy the seaside park.
- Evening: Dinner at , where you can see the giant Gundam statue!
Day 4: Tokyo - Disney Resort
- All Day: Spend the day at or . Both parks are fantastic, but is unique to Japan!
- Evening: Stay for the nighttime parade and fireworks if you can!
Day 5: Tokyo - Shibuya & Harajuku
- Morning: Visit the famous and take a photo with Hachiko.
- Afternoon: Explore Harajuku. Check out for quirky shops and crepes.
- Evening: Dinner in Harajuku. Try some delicious okonomiyaki!
Day 6: Day Trip
- All Day: Take a day trip to (about 2 hours from Tokyo). Visit the stunning and enjoy the beautiful nature.
- Evening: Return to Tokyo and relax.
Day 7: Tokyo to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1.5 hours). Check into a ryokan (traditional inn).
- Afternoon: Visit the and take a dip in an onsen (hot spring).
- Evening: Enjoy a kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.
Day 8: to Kyoto
- Morning: Take the Ropeway for stunning views of Mt. Fuji, then head to Kyoto via Shinkansen (bullet train).
- Afternoon: Check into your hotel and explore the .
- Evening: Dinner in Gion. Look out for geisha!
Day 9: Kyoto - Arashiyama
- Morning: Visit the and the .
- Afternoon: Take a boat ride on the .
- Evening: Dinner in Arashiyama. Try yudofu (tofu hot pot).
Day 10: Kyoto - Temples & Shrines
- Morning: Visit and .
- Afternoon: Head to and walk through the iconic torii gates.
- Evening: Dinner in Kyoto. Try some Kyoto-style sushi!
Day 11: Kyoto to Nara
- All Day: Take a day trip to Nara (about 1 hour). Visit and , where you can feed the friendly deer.
- Evening: Return to Kyoto for dinner.
Day 12: Kyoto to Osaka
- Morning: Travel to Osaka (about 30 minutes). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit and its beautiful park.
- Evening: Explore for street food. Try takoyaki and okonomiyaki!
Day 13: Osaka -
- All Day: Spend the day at . Don’t miss the !
- Evening: Stay for the nighttime show.
Day 14: Osaka to Himeji
- Morning: Take a day trip to Himeji (about 1 hour). Visit , one of Japan’s most beautiful castles.
- Afternoon: Explore nearby.
- Evening: Return to Osaka for dinner.
Day 15: Osaka to Okayama & Kurashiki
- Morning: Travel to Okayama (about 45 minutes). Visit and .
- Afternoon: Head to Kurashiki to explore the historic .
- Evening: Return to Osaka.
Day 16: Osaka to Kanazawa
- Morning: Travel to Kanazawa (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit , one of Japan’s top three gardens.
- Evening: Explore the and try some gold leaf ice cream!
Day 17: Kanazawa to
- Morning: Travel to (about 2 hours). Check into a ryokan.
- Afternoon: Explore the old town and visit the .
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional dinner at your ryokan.
Day 18: to
- All Day: Take a day trip to (about 30 minutes). Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and its thatched-roof houses.
- Evening: Return to for dinner.
Day 19: to Nagoya
- Morning: Travel to Nagoya (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit and the .
- Evening: Try Nagoya-style chicken wings for dinner!
Day 20: Departure from Nagoya
- Morning: Last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Nagoya.
- Afternoon: Head to for your flight home.
And there you have it! A fun-filled 20-day adventure in Japan that balances culture, nature, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to take lots of pictures! If you have any questions or need adjustments, just let me know! 🌸✈️