14-day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Japan

  • Day 1: Tokyo Disneyland
    1 hour (13.8 miles) from Haneda Airport

    Start your Japan adventure with a day of fun and excitement at the happiest place on earth, Tokyo Disneyland. Enjoy the different attractions, shows, and parades, and meet your favorite Disney characters.

  • Day 2: Tokyo Tower
    40 minutes (9.2 miles) from Tokyo Disneyland

    Visit the iconic Tokyo Tower and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the observation deck. You can also visit the aquarium and Wax Museum that are located within the tower.

  • Day 3: Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa
    1 hour (10.1 miles) from Tokyo Tower

    Experience Japanese culture and history in the heart of Tokyo at the Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa area. Take a stroll along Nakamise-dori street and try Japanese traditional food and snacks. You can also take a boat ride along the Sumida river.

  • Day 4: Tsukiji Fish Market and Shopping
    40 minutes (10.4 miles) from Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa

    Explore the biggest fish market in the world, Tsukiji Fish Market, and enjoy sushi and seafood for breakfast. Afterwards, get some shopping done in nearby shopping districts like Ginza and Akihabara.

  • Day 5: Mount Fuji and Hakone
    2 hours (62.4 miles) from Tsukiji Fish Market

    Take a day trip to Hakone to get a closer view of Japan's most famous landmark, Mount Fuji. Take a cruise on Lake Ashi, experience the Hakone Ropeway, and relax in an onsen.

  • Day 6: Kyoto and Fushimi Inari Taisha
    2.5 hours (222.1 miles) from Mount Fuji and Hakone

    Travel to Kyoto and visit the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine with thousands of torii gates. You can also explore the ancient capital of Japan and see Kinkaju-ji Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

  • Day 7: Universal Studios Japan
    40 minutes (11.4 miles) from Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Experience movies like never before at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or enjoy roller coasters and other attractions.

  • Day 8: Osaka Castle and Dotonbori
    30 minutes (7.8 miles) from Universal Studios Japan

    Explore the magnificent Osaka Castle and learn about its history. Afterwards, stroll along the crowded streets of Dotonbori and try Japanese street food.

  • Day 9: Himeji Castle and Kobe
    1.5 hours (44.1 miles) from Osaka Castle and Dotonbori

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, one of the few remaining original castles in Japan. Afterwards, head to Kobe to try world-famous Kobe beef and explore the city's culture.

  • Day 10: Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine
    3 hours (204.1 miles) from Himeji Castle and Kobe

    Take a ferry to Miyajima Island and see the iconic Itsukushima Shrine with its "floating" torii gate. You can also explore the island's many temples, shrines, and hiking trails.

  • Day 11: Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum
    1 hour (22.4 miles) from Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine

    Learn about the history and aftermath of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima at the Peace Park and Museum. Continue to try Okonomiyaki, a Hiroshima specialty.

  • Day 12: Takayama and Shirakawa-go
    5 hours (199.2 miles) from Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum

    Take a day trip to Takayama and see its historic streets, traditional houses, and the famous Takayama Jinya. Continue onto Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and experience rural Japan.

  • Day 13: Tokyo DisneySea
    4 hours (162.2 miles) from Takayama and Shirakawa-go

    End your Japan adventure with another day of fun and excitement at Tokyo DisneySea. Experience different lands like the Mermaid Lagoon and Port Discovery and enjoy Disney shows and parades.

  • Day 14: Shopping and Departure
    1 hour (29.9 miles) from Tokyo DisneySea

    Take some time before your departure to shop in the popular districts of Shibuya and Harajuku. Get your last-minute souvenirs before leaving Japan.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Tokyo Disneyland (1 day, 8,200 yen)
  • Tokyo Tower (1 day, 2,900 yen)
  • Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa (1 day, free)
  • Tsukiji Fish Market and Shopping (1 day, 5,000 yen)
  • Mount Fuji and Hakone (1 day, 9,000 yen)
  • Kyoto and Fushimi Inari Taisha (1 day, 4,200 yen)
  • Universal Studios Japan (1 day, 7,800 yen)
  • Osaka Castle and Dotonbori (1 day, 2,000 yen)
  • Himeji Castle and Kobe (1 day, 6,000 yen)
  • Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine (1 day, 5,500 yen)
  • Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum (1 day, free)
  • Takayama and Shirakawa-go (1 day, 10,000 yen)
  • Tokyo DisneySea (1 day, 8,200 yen)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 68,900 yen (USD 620)

Transportation

Japan has a vast network of public transportation, including trains, subways, buses, and taxis. The most cost-effective way to travel is by purchasing a Japan Rail Pass before your trip. The JR Pass allows for unlimited travel on most trains, including the famous shinkansen (bullet train), for a set amount of days. The Passes can only be purchased outside of Japan so be sure to purchase it before arriving. Taxis are available but they can be quite expensive. Travel costs and times vary depending on the mode of transportation and the distance travelled.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider a side trip to Nara or Kamakura. If you have less time, consider eliminating the Shirakawa-go day trip or the Miyajima day trip. Be aware of the weather and pack accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking.

Airports

Narita International Airport (NRT) is located in Narita, Chiba, approximately 60 km east of central Tokyo. Haneda International Airport (HND) is located in Ota, Tokyo, approximately 10 km south of Tokyo Station. Both airports have a variety of transportation options to get to the city center, including trains, buses, and taxis.

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