14-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo

  • Day 1: Osaka Castle
    20 minutes (8.7km) from Kansai International Airport

    Start your trip with a visit to the Osaka Castle that dates back to the 16th century. Take a tour of the castle grounds, visit the museum, and stroll through the beautiful gardens.

  • Day 2: Universal Studios Japan
    40 minutes (12.4km) from Osaka Castle

    Enjoy adrenaline-pumping rides, shows, and attractions at Universal Studios Japan. Meet your favorite movie characters and experience famous movie scenes come to life.

  • Day 3: Kyoto Imperial Palace
    1 hour (60.6km) from Universal Studios Japan

    Visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace and explore the traditional architecture, gardens, and artwork that represent Japanese culture and history.

  • Day 4: Fushimi Inari Shrine
    15 minutes (6.8km) from Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Go for a hike through the Fushimi Inari Shrine's famous trails made up of over 10,000 torii gates. Take in scenic views of Kyoto city and make a wish at the top.

  • Day 5: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
    40 minutes (17.5km) from Fushimi Inari Shrine

    Walk through the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and relax with the tranquil ambiance. You can also visit the nearby Monkey Park and Togetsukyo Bridge.

  • Day 6: Kinkaku-ji Temple
    1 hour (21.8km) from Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

    Admire the gold leaf-covered Kinkaku-ji Temple and the surrounding picturesque gardens. Learn about Japanese Zen Buddhism from the temple's history and architecture.

  • Day 7: Travel Day to Tokyo
    3 hours (477km) from Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Travel by bullet train (shinkansen) to Tokyo and admire the beautiful countryside scenery along the way. Arrive in Tokyo and check into your hotel.

  • Day 8: Tokyo Tower
    30 minutes (9.5km) from your hotel

    Take in 360-degree views of Tokyo from the observation deck of the Tokyo Tower. The tower lights up at night and looks breathtaking from afar.

  • Day 9: Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku
    20 minutes (6.1km) from Tokyo Tower

    Immerse yourself in modern Japanese culture by visiting the busy Shibuya Crossing and the trendy Harajuku area known for its fashion and food scene.

  • Day 10: Tokyo Disney Resort
    1 hour (38.6km) from Shibuya Crossing

    Experience the magic of Disney at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Enjoy the rides, parades, shows, and meet your favorite Disney characters.

  • Day 11: Senso-ji Temple
    30 minutes (14.2km) from Tokyo Disney Resort

    Visit the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa and explore the bustling neighborhood around it. Shop for traditional Japanese souvenirs and try delicious street food.

  • Day 12: Ueno Park and Zoo
    30 minutes (8.8km) from Senso-ji Temple

    Relax and enjoy nature at the Ueno Park and Zoo. See a variety of animals and birds, visit the museums, and take a boat ride on the pond.

  • Day 13: Odaiba
    40 minutes (15.2km) from Ueno Park and Zoo

    Take a break from the bustling city and visit the futuristic Odaiba area. Enjoy the shopping malls, the giant Gundam statue, the teamLab Borderless digital art museum, and the scenic views of Tokyo Bay.

  • Day 14: Tokyo DisneySea
    1 hour (38.6km) from Odaiba

    End your trip with a visit to Tokyo DisneySea, a one-of-a-kind Disney theme park based on the ocean and water adventures. Have fun riding the unique attractions and watch the shows and parades.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Osaka Castle (2-3 hours, free)
  • Universal Studios Japan (1-2 days, ¥7,800 per person)
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace (1-2 hours, free)
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine (2-3 hours, free)
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (1-2 hours, free)
  • Kinkaku-ji Temple (1-2 hours, ¥400 per person)
  • Tokyo Tower (1-2 hours, ¥1,200 per person)
  • Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku (3-4 hours, free)
  • Tokyo Disney Resort (1-2 days, ¥8,200 per person)
  • Senso-ji Temple (1-2 hours, free)
  • Ueno Park and Zoo (2-3 hours, ¥600 per person)
  • Odaiba (3-4 hours, free)
  • Tokyo DisneySea (1-2 days, ¥8,200 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ¥33,000 per person (excluding accommodation and transportation costs)

Transportation

Travel between cities by bullet train (shinkansen) or bus. Consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass if you plan to travel long distances. Use local transportation such as subway and buses to get around within the cities. Taxis are available but can be expensive.

Estimated costs:

  • Bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto: ¥1,420 per person
  • Bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo: ¥13,080 per person
  • Local transportation costs vary but a one-day pass costs around ¥1,000

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to Nara to see the famous deer and the Todai-ji Temple. You can also extend your stay in Osaka and visit the famous food market, Dotonbori. If you have less time, consider skipping one of the Disney parks or the Odaiba area.

Airports

The main airports in the Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo areas are:

  • Kansai International Airport (KIX) - located on a man-made island, about 50km from central Osaka
  • Osaka International Airport (ITM) - located near central Osaka, mainly used for domestic flights
  • Narita International Airport (NRT) - located about 60km from central Tokyo, mainly used for international flights
  • Haneda International Airport (HND) - located near central Tokyo, mainly used for domestic and some international flights

The distance between Kansai International Airport and central Osaka is about 50km and it takes about 60-80 minutes by train. The distance between Narita International Airport and central Tokyo is about 60km and it takes about 60-90 minutes by train.

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