From Narita or Haneda, take Narita Express/Keisei Skyliner or Airport Limousine / Tokyo Monorail + JR to central Tokyo (Shinjuku or Shibuya recommended for 5 people). Buy Suica/Pasmo cards for local travel. Reserve airport → hotel transfer time depending on arrival.
Check into a family-friendly hotel or book an apartment/2 rooms (for 5 people) — recommended areas: Shinjuku (easy transport) or Shimokitazawa (vintage vibe). Ask hotels about early-luggage hold.
Stalls and small restaurants offer fresh seafood bowls, grilled items and dairy-free side options; T's Tantan (Tokyo Station branch) is a vegan ramen alternative if you prefer plant-based. Market typically 8:00am–3:00pm; individual stalls vary.
Historic Senso-ji temple and bustling Nakamise shopping street; great introduction to Tokyo and souvenir/vintage small-stall hunting. Temple area open early (approx 6:00am–5:00pm for main grounds); shops often 9:00am–6:00pm.
Ameyoko street market near Ueno Station has secondhand clothing stalls and retro finds; cross-check small vintage stores on Ueno's side streets for bargains. Shops typically 10:00am–20:00pm.
Ain Soph. Journey (Ginza/Shinjuku branches) and T's Tantan (Tokyo Station) have clearly dairy-free / vegan options and friendly staff; great for groups with dairy-free needs. Confirm branch opening hours (often 11:00–22:00).
Short evening stroll to see neon districts; vintage lovers will appreciate late-night browsing in Harajuku or Shimokitazawa another day. Area is always open; individual bars/izakayas vary (usually late-night open).
Try grilled fish bowls at Tsukiji or a fully vegan cafe such as “Ain Soph.” (dairy-free options). Markets/open-cafes typically open 7:00–9:00 onward; check specific cafe hours.
Peaceful Shinto shrine surrounded by forested park — a calm counterpoint to busy Tokyo. Shrine grounds are open ~5:00am–6:00pm (hours shift by season).
Harajuku side streets and nearby Omotesando contain small independent vintage shops and curated boutiques (e.g., Chicago/Flamingo-style shops in Harajuku/Shinjuku). Shops typically open 11:00am–20:00pm.
Afuri and many specialty ramen shops offer dairy-free shio or shoyu broths; Afuri is known for lighter broths and yuzu accents. Typical lunch service 11:00–15:00.
Shimokitazawa is Tokyo’s top neighborhood for curated vintage and secondhand stores; plan to browse small shops, record stores and thrift boutiques. Shops generally open 11:00–20:00.
Try a modern izakaya that can accommodate dairy-free requests (ask staff) or a vegan restaurant such as 'Nagi Shokudo' for hearty dairy-free meals. Dinner usually 17:30–22:00.
Many Tokyo cafés offer almond/soy/lactose-free drinks and vegan pastries — ask staff; good prep for a day of shopping. Cafés typically 8:00–11:00 for breakfast.
Koenji is a top neighborhood for hardcore vintage, thrift, and rock culture items — excellent for unique denim and retro finds. Shops usually open 11:00–20:00; morning arrival gives less crowds.
Try Monjayaki (Tokyo specialty) in Tsukishima — request dairy-free preparation; or pick up a vegetarian/vegan bento for dairy-free assurance. Monjayaki restaurants often open 11:30–22:00.
Ginza's select shops and department store vintage corners (and Omotesando's upmarket boutiques) are great for higher-end secondhand finds. Stores generally 10:00–20:00.
Short bar-hopping walk in Golden Gai or catch a small live band in Koenji/Shibuya — fun end to a vintage-fueled day. Bars open late-night (many 19:00–late).
Take Tobu Express or JR (via Utsunomiya) to Nikko — approx 2h from Tokyo. Use reserved seats on express trains. JR Pass may not cover some Tobu lines; check pass coverage.
UNESCO World Heritage complex (ornate shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu). Best seen in the morning to avoid crowds. Typical hours 8:00–17:00 (seasonal variations).
Scenic waterfall and nearby lake for mountain scenery; allow transit time (local bus 40–60 minutes). Falls area 8:00–17:00; boat/tours season dependent.
Choose a nearby restaurant with dairy-free labeling (many places can omit butter/cream if asked); speak to staff or use translation card. Typical dinner hours 17:30–22:00.
Take Hikari or Kodama shinkansen to Kyoto (approx 2h15m). If using a 7-day JR Pass, activate it today for the Kyoto–Hiroshima–Osaka legs; reserve seats in advance.
Iconic shrine with thousands of torii gates; open 24 hours so late-afternoon visits are great for photos with fewer people. Walking the full trail can take 1.5–2 hours.
Kyoto has excellent tofu-based kaiseki and vegetarian restaurants (e.g., shojin-ryori/temple cuisine) that are dairy-free by nature. Many places require reservations; typical dinner 17:30–21:00.
These arcade streets have secondhand stores, curated vintage and antique shops; great to find kimono fabrics and retro clothing. Shops generally open 10:00–19:00.
Short train ride from Kyoto (approx 45m); JR or Kintetsu lines both connect — Kintetsu is slightly quicker from central Kyoto. Check timetable for express services.
From Hiroshima Station take JR Sanyo line to Miyajimaguchi then ferry to Miyajima (Itsukushima) — ferry runs ~7:00–20:00 frequently. Visit Itsukushima Shrine (torii) and island trails.
Stay overnight on Miyajima in a ryokan for a traditional experience; many ryokan include kaiseki dinner (ask for dairy-free kaiseki). Ryokan check-in commonly 15:00–18:00.
Inform ryokan in advance about dairy-free dietary needs; many will prepare tofu-based and vegetable courses that are dairy-free. Dinner typically served 18:30–20:00.
Amerikamura is Osaka’s vintage and youth-fashion hub—look for hidden secondhand boutiques and curated stores along Amerikamura streets. Shops usually 11:00–20:00.
Try takoyaki (ask for no mayo), yakiniku or dairy-free okonomiyaki — vendors and restaurants vary on dairy use so ask staff; Dotonbori area lively to late-night.
Osaka cafés commonly offer soy/almond milk and dairy-free pastries; perfect fuel for castle or vintage exploration. Cafés open ~8:00–11:00 for breakfast.
Himeji Castle (UNESCO) is ~1h by train from Osaka; recommended in the morning to avoid crowds. Castle hours usually 9:00–17:00; allow 2–3 hours including transit.
Nakazakicho’s alleys house creative ateliers, vintage shops and cozy dairy-free-friendly cafés — great offbeat area to explore. Shops typically 11:00–18:00.
Historic Osaka neighborhood with retro Showa-era vibes; interesting for vintage photo ops and local street food. Area is open publically; shops/bars vary by hours.
Osaka has a growing vegan scene—book a plant-based restaurant or request dairy-free modifications at an izakaya; many staff speak limited English so show allergen card. Dinner hours 17:30–22:00.
Grab a final dairy-free-friendly breakfast; many convenience stores also stock dairy-free sandwiches and drinks for last-minute needs. Shops open early (7:00+).
Take Nankai or JR + Haruka express to KIX depending on ticket/rail pass — allow 1–1.5 hours for transit and 2.5–3 hours for international check-in recommended.