Day 1 (4/5): Tokyo
As this is an arrival day, we typically don't plan anything on these days. We can put something into the itinerary should you wish, or we can simply make dinner arrangements for your family.
Day 2 (4/6): Tokyo
Tokyo is massive. It really is something that needs to be seen from high up to truly appreciate, and also a great way to orientate you to your surroundings. We like to take our guests to Tokyo Sky Tree to let them truly take in the scale of the world's largest city.
We also like to help orientate our guests by visiting Asakusa's Sensouji Temple. Sensouji is a temple, but on the temple grounds there is a shrine. As you will no doubt be seeing and exploring many spiritual places as you travel, Sensouji is the perfect place to learn about the difference between Buddhist temples, and Shinto shrines. A knowledgeable guide will be able to explain the difference and give you a brief history on how Japan's spiritual system evolved to where it is today, using this historically significant temple as a backdrop. Asakusa is also home to so many different types of traditional sweets, and so I thought that adding a few stops to some of these places, and also a sweets-making lesson would e a nice way to incorporate this neighborhood's history into the itinerary. There are a lot of places that you could visit, however the one that I think your kids will enjoy most is an ice cream parlor that does ice cream flavors that are all related to a Japanese traditional sweet. They have varying 'degrees' of maccha ranging from 'weak' to 'intense'. To end this day's activities, I would like to arrange dinner on Tokyo Bay in a traditional yakatabune.
Activities (partially guided):
- Tokyo Sky Tree visit
- Sensouji Temple visit
- Asakusa Shrine visit
- Yakatabune dinner on Tokyo Bay
- Wagashi Sweets making lesson
Planner's Notes: I know that you are worried about over 'templ-ing' your kids, however Sensouji is probably the best temple to visit for an initial visit, as it is surrounded by so many food stands, and interesting little shops. In fact, the main path leading to the temple is lined with stands of all types that I think will keep your kids' attention when visiting. I wanted to incorporate food lessons of all types, and so I put the wagashi sweets making lesson into the itinerary, but if you guys aren't interested in sweets, I can replace it with another cooking experience.
Day 3 (4/7): Tokyo
I wanted to start this day with a visit to a sumo stable. Sumo matches are an amazing thing to witness as it really gives you an understanding of how much strength is required to compete in that sport. As we discussed on the phone, visiting a stable is a chance to see them practice and hold private matches for their morning keiko sessions up close.
After that, a visit to Odaiba is something I think your children will enjoy. Odaiba is a large man-made island in the center of Tokyo Bay. It houses all of Japan's concept technology, and high tech gadgetry. Even the train there is a technological feat as it is one of the only unmanned, fully-automated monorail systems in the country. Today is all about immersing in Japan's high-tech side. MIRAIKAN is the unofficial name for the exhibition hall/high-tech learning center that I've planned for this day, and the name roughly translates to the "house of the future". It houses tons of concept technology, and there are lots of hands on activities for people to explore on their own. The full name of Miraikan is the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. There are many places in Odaiba that house all sorts of high-tech gadgetry. In fact, Japan's IREX conference is held here. Sony, Toyota, and many other large Japanese corporations all have concept halls here in Odaiba, so if MIRAIKAN is something that doesn't suit your needs, please let me know.
TeamLab's Borderless exhibit, unfortunately, will most likely be closed by the time you guys arrive in Japan. However their Planets exhibit (which really doesn't actually have much to do with with solar system at all), currently has no plans for closure. I've included a picture in the gallery to give you an idea of what it's like. I personally prefer the Planets experience over the Borderless one. It includes more tactile experiences and the room that 'spins' still feels like sorcery.
Activities:
- MIRAIKAN visit
- Sumo stable visit
- TeamLab Planets exhibit hall
Planner's Notes: With this day the goal was to include things that I think your sons will enjoy, however I didn't want to overdo it. Odaiba is an amazing place to visit with children of all ages. Planets, in my opinion, is a must-visit place for teenagers, but Odaiba also has one of the largest arcades in Tokyo, Joypolis which has a lot of different types of games, and is kind of an indoor amusement park. Essentially, I've tried to minimize the amount of planned activities so that you guys have some time to explore Odaiba / Toyosu, should you wish to. Also, there is a boat that can take you guys back to Tokyo proper at night, through Tokyo Bay. The Rainbow Bridge is a nice sight on the Hotaluna ferry.
Day 4 (4/8): Nikko
Today, as an almost complete turn from yesterday's activities, the theme and focus will be on parts of Japan's past. Nikko is just north of Tokyo, and the best way to get there is by train. There is a train that actually has a private cabin (which is pretty rare for Japan), and it's the most enjoyable way to watch the landscape change from modern, to countryside. Nikko is the resting place for the shogun who unified Japan. There is a shrine there in his honor, and it by far the most ornate of any shrine I've seen in the country. The first half of this day is best spent with a knowledgeable guide who can give you all of the history of Nikko, and the shrines so that you can appreciate it best. The shrine itself is planted right in the middle of a large cedar forest, which only adds to its majesty. After that, the next stop is more lighthearted. The Edo-era theme park isn't located too far from the shrine. I love visiting here, and they usually have to kick us out, because we typically stay until closing hours. There is so much to do, see and learn while visiting. There are impromptu sword fights, hidden ninjas in the streets, areas that teach you about the crafting process of katanas (it is insanely complex), and even stations where you can try your hand at creating your own daruma dolls. It is a lot of light-hearted fun, but I can definitely understand if it isn't exactly what you're looking for with this itinerary. Please let me know what you think about it, and we can replace this with something else (Nikko has some onsen spots nearby that we could put into this day).
As transportation in the area can be very complicated, we would like to arrange a private car for you and your guide on this day (to travel around Nikko after you have arrived by train).
Activities (guided):
- Visit to Toshogu Shrine (guided)
- Visit to Edo open-air museum/theme park (or onsen)
- Private compartment train (based on availability)
- Visit to either Kinugawa or Kawaji Onsen (time permitting)
- Visit to Otaki Waterfall (tentative addition, pending final itinerary)
Planner's Notes: Toshogu Shrine is indeed a shrine, but it isn't like any other shrine in Japan. I know that you guys are not interested in having a ton of shrines and temple in your trip, but if I could only plan a single shrine/temple visit, it would definitely be this one. In addition to that, we have Edo Wonderland planned, to kind of "counter-balance" the visit.
Day 5 (4/9): Tokyo
I've somewhat planned this day for your kids, and it is also the first "semi-free" day. The only activity that I want to plan is a guided trip to Akihabara. Akihabara is kind of the anime and manga mecca of Japan. It is full of arcades, manga/comic book stores, anime toy shops, and video game stores. It's also kind of a hub for anything electronic. There's even a shrine here where you can have an electronic device "blessed" by a shinto priest. There are pro-gamers that go there to bless their computers or consoles before a competition. It is heaven and home to many different forms of otaku culture, a guide showing you a few of the highlights is a great introduction.
As you guys have mentioned having free days, I would like to make this day a half free day for you. This could also be a date night day for you and your wife. We could make a reservation at a restaurant just for you two. My suggestion is a place called Locale.
https://www.locale.tokyo/
- Kaiseki Komuro - http://kaiseki-komuro.jp/
- Kyorakutei - http://kyourakutei.com/
Activities:
- Tour of Akihabara
- Free day after the guided tour
- Dinner reservation for night out (just Paul + wife)
- Robot Restaurant - for kids' activity during date (pending them being open)
- Samurai Museum - for kids' activity during date (pending the time of the date)
- Arcade centers near TOHO cinema building or Shinjuku East
Planner's Notes: The ferry to Hachijojima is an overnight one. The plan is to reserve private rooms on the ferry for your family. I highly suggest staying up as the ferry leaves the port to take in the night views of Tokyo from the boat. It is a slightly early arrival time (around 6:30). If anyone in your family suffers from sea sickness, please bring anti-nausea medication before boarding.
Day 6 (4/10): Hachijojima (Izu Islands)
Hachijojima is excellent for many reasons. It is technically part of Tokyo, but its atmosphere couldn't be further removed from the busy city. Island lifestyle in Japan is amazing, and this island is particularly blessed. It's a set of twin volcanoes in the middle of the sea, which means that the island has an excellent natural onsen that overlooks the sea, and the larger volcano makes for a really beautiful short hike. There is actually a smaller volcano inside of the larger one, both overgrown with lush greenery.
In the past, I've sent people here for go-karts, as there is a place where you can rent them to drive around the island, so if your teenagers want to use them to drive around the island, it is a possibility. The accommodations that I've chosen for you will have a car for you to use, as there isn't much in terms of public transportation. They will also prepare breakfast and dinner. They use a lot of ingredients that they themselves grow or catch. It is an ideal island ryokan stay. International driving permits aren't too hard to get, and usually only involve paying a nominal fee, but are required for both the car rental and the go-karts.
Activities:
- Volcano hike (Mt. Hachijofuji - volcano is not active)
- Visit to onsen with view of the ocean (outdoor and indoor facilities available)
- Traditional kaiseki meal
Go-kart rentals- Car or van rental to travel the island
Planner's Notes: When we spoke on the phone, you mentioned hiking near Izu to visit the Kawazu Nanadaru waterfalls. While not quite as majestic as the 7 waterfalls, Hachijojima does have a small waterfall called Uramigataki. If you guys wanted to make this day a full hiking day, you could hike both the volcanic crater of Hachijofuji, and the area around Uramigataki. Here is a small video that will give you an idea of what the waterfall looks like:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtfxUjoDAT0
Day 7 (4/11): Hachijojima
For the second day here, I wanted to give you a couple of options. The first option is to swim with dolphins at a nearby island, Mikurajima. The dolphins are wild, they aren't captive, they aren't trained, and it's completely cruelty free. I've gone once personally with my wife, and it was a really nice experience to have them swim "through" us, and also really cool to hear them communicating with one another in the sea.
The second option is to go fishing. There is a fishing club on the island, and I'm sure it would be possible to arrange a quick day trip to go fishing out at sea with some of the members. Perhaps it may be possible to arrange a sushi making lesson with the fish that you have caught while out. However if you don't feel like this activity would best suit your family, It will still be possible to arrange a sushi making lesson, or some other sort of cooking lesson on a different day on the trip. The sea will still be a bit cold, but there is a small beach not far from the planned accommodation that is known for its beautiful volcanic black sands. I will confirm how to best plan this day with you, and then finalize the plans for it.
Per our phone call, we would schedule for a 5:30PM flight from here to get you back on Japan's mainland on this day, and head down to Kyoto via bullet train.
Day 8 (4/12): Kyoto
Traveling from Hachijojima to Kyoto would be very time-consuming if we were to use the ferry to get you and your family back to Tokyo. So we typically arrange for our clients to go back to Tokyo by plane (less than an hour flight). From there we could have a car pick you up from the airport and take you straight to the train station to get you on your first bullet train to Kyoto. This would leave some time in the day when you arrive in Kyoto for activities, however I think that after all of that traveling and getting settled into a new hotel, that this would be the perfect time to spend getting accustomed to the new city and having a little bit of free time. After which I think that this would be a good day to have a dinner reservation made for the entire family. Since there will be a bit of time available, I would like to suggest a Kyoto-style dinner tradition.
In the northern area of Kyoto, there are restaurants where the seating areas are essentially tatami mats seated on top of a river. It is a really lovely way to enjoy a meal in Spring. The meals at most of the restaurants are kaiseki/banzai-style course meals. If you are adventurous eaters, there are some places in this area that do suppon as well. Here is one of my recommendations:
- Kibune-Hiroya
- https://kibune-hiroya.com/
- Kinkakuji Temple (guided)
- Nishiki Market (guided)
- Pokemon Center
Planner's Notes: Getting to the area where these restaurants are is a small journey. I think it would be best done by car. We could hire a car to pick you guys up, take you there and then also drive you back to your hotel when you finish your meal. Alternatively, there are other restaurants that offer a similar experience closer to central Kyoto by the Kamogawa River. It isn't exactly the same, but if you did want to relax, and not have to do too much on this day, that would be another option. There would be more choices in Kyoto, but the ambiance would not be close to what is offered outside of the city.
Day 9 (4/13): Kyoto
Today is mostly about exploring the Arashiyama district. The day will start with a boat ride down the Hozugawa river. This ride however is a traditional 3-manned wooden boat, and is a portion of the route that used to be used in the past to transport cargo between Osaka and Kyoto. The ride is beautiful, and a lovely way to take in the natural surroundings of Kyoto and the beautiful cherry blossom trees that line the river. It ends in the Arashiyama district, where you will have the chance to visit one of Japan's most beautiful zen gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The garden is somehow beautiful and different in every season. It was masterfully designed. There is a path behind Tenryuji that is famous for being lined with extremely tall bamboo. I'm going to include a picture of it in the small gallery below.
The Arashiyama area also has a small mountain called Iwata that also serves as a sanctuary for monkeys. It is a really nice hike (albeit, very short), and the top of the mountain gives you a view of the entire city of Kyoto. Children typically really like this park as they get a chance to see wild monkeys up close.
There is an open air steam-engine train that is an excellent way to get to the meeting spot for taking the boat down the river. It is a beautiful way to get to the boat, however it will add a small amount of time to your overall journey. I do believe that it is worth it though! I'd also like to use this day to arrange a tea ceremony for your family as it is something that you mentioned your wife may enjoy on our phone call. I haven't added it to the list of activities, however there is a really nice temple in Arashiyama that is rarely visited. It has hundreds of statues, and each of them was made by a completely different person. One of the former head monks decided that he would teach sculpting to anyone that visited the temple and wanted to learn (this was in the 80's, I believe). All of the sculptures are spread around the temple grounds, and because he gave his students carte blanche with their designs, you'll see some of the ojizou statues wearing headphones, and holding a walkman or other contemporary paraphernalia. It is a site that is unlike thing else in Japan.
Activities (guided):
- Hozugawa traditional riverboat ride
- Short hike of Iwatayama Monkey park
- Tenryuji zen garden visit
- Torokko Steam Train
Otagi-Nenbutsu-ji
Planner's Notes: This day is best experienced guided. These are some of the temples we frequent on family trips with kids or teenagers. Otagi-Nenbutsuji is extremely unique. I can tell you that I've seen kids want to stay here for hours trying to find all of the little hidden details in the statues there, because they find it funny that something that is supposed to be old and ancient has modern-day references in it. Tenryu-ji is similar in that the visit is really more about the beautiful zen garden than it is the temple itself. The koi pond, and the peach and plum blossom trees make it really beautiful no matter what time of year you visit.
Day 10 (4/14): Kyoto
Today will mostly be dedicated to sword forging. The sword master that you will be working with will walk you and your family through the process of crafting your very own version of a small katana, or what is called a 'kogatana'. This process is quite long, and the location is slightly outside of the city, so I'd like to use the remaining time of the day to get in some of the highlights of Kyoto.
While planning this trip, I've been trying to be cognizant of not adding too many traditional locations to your itinerary, however I do think that there are some classic spots that everyone should see when visiting. Namely, Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera. Timing and the right guide are essential for getting kid to enjoy themselves at these places. Fushimi Inari never really "closes". When I was a guide, I would take my guests to Fushimi later in the day for the best experience. There are far less people there at that time, and the sunset from the top of the mountain is beautiful. As for Kiyomizu-dera, there are "love rocks" there that have a really fascinating history, and visitors are asked to close their eyes, touch one rock and then try to find their way to another rock not far away from the first one. If you're capable of doing it, then it's said that you will find love in your lifetime. I think that the reason people get 'temple'd out' is because there really is much to actually do at most of the temples and shrines that they visit. It's a lot of just... looking at things.
Another thing that I suggest for parents traveling with kids or teenager is to get them a goshuincho. This is a small book that you can get a most temples and shrines (each shrine and temple in Japan has a totally unique design that represents the unique features or history of that location), and you can get a calligraphy sign from each location that you visit by a monk or someone else who works there, and the calligraphy for each location is also completely different as well. It kind of becomes a collecting experience that kids often enjoy. This website is in Japanese, but it gives you an idea of what the books and signatures look like:
- https://gosyuinbito.com/
Activities:
- Kogatana knife forging
- Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit to Kiyomizudera Temple
Day 11 (4/15): Hiroshima
In Japan, all school students are required to visit the Peace Memorial Park, and the A-Bomb dome in Hiroshima or the park in Nagasaki. It is part of their education. So when you do visit, don't be surprised if you see herds of school children visiting with you. The Peace Memorial Park is definitely a more somber day for the itinerary, but one that is perhaps an important visit for younger people.
Today is definitely best experienced with a guide, who can either be with you while you're in the museum, and walking to the A-Bomb Dome, or just with you after you leave the museum. Many of the guides here are people who have been directly affected by what happened here. Either they have lost family members or they themselves were alive during that time, so the stories that they can impart to visitors is first-hand, or second-hand accounts of what happened that day.
After visiting the Peace Memorial Park, I would like to take you guys to Itsukushima. Itsukushima is sometimes called Miyajima which roughly translates to "shrine island", not because there are a bunch of shrines on the island, but because the island itself was seen and treated as a god in the Shinto faith. Today it is mostly known for the massive "floating" torii gate outside of the island's shrine, but in bygone era there were many strict rules concerning visiting or living on the island. This is actually one of the reasons the torii gate is not on the island itself. Another really cool thing about visiting is that deer roam the island freely. Deer are seen as messengers of the gods, and so they are left to their own devices, and will approach you as you roam the island
Hiroshima is sadly not a widely recognized city for its food. It has some of the best food in the country in my mind. Especially its seafood. This area is of Japan is often called the Mediterranean of Japan because of the similar climate and lifestyle. I definitely recommend trying okonomiyaki while there. Also, Hiroshima is not a part of Kyushu, but its proximity has had an influence on its culinary culture. If you guys are adventurous eaters, you can find things like motsu nabe, which is like a pot dish that uses the innards of different animals. I do believe you can also find gyutan (cows tongue) at some restaurants here as well. When we speak again, I would love to get to know more about whaat types of foods you and your family are most interested in trying.
Activities (guided):
- Visit to Peace Memorial Park
- A-Bomb Dome
- Peace Memorial Museum
- Visit to Miyajima
- Hike of Mt. Misen (relatively short hike)
- Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (at Okonomimura)
- Bullet from Kyoto (roughly a 90 minute journey each way)
Planner's Notes:
- https://www.iwaso.com/
Day 12 (4/16): Hiroshima - Seto Inland Sea
This is an optional addition that I want to present for your consideration. It is the Shimanami Kaido bike route. This would require you guys to stay in Hiroshima on Day 11, and wake up early to complete this route. We could do this one of two ways. We could keep the room reservation back in Kyoto, where you would leave your major things, and only take what is needed for this trip, or I could have one of our guides take your bags from you on this day, and drop you off at the starting point of the journey, and then when they collect you after the journey give you your bags and drop you off directly at Hiroshima station so you can head straight back to Kyoto. I've positioned the map for this day to give you an idea of the route (it mostly follows the major roadways in yellow). There are multiple options that we could plan for, depending on how intense or relaxed you wish for the journey to be. There are routes between the distances of 17km - 80km that we could arrange for. We could handle the bike rentals, and I do believe that we could also secure an e-bike to assist with the inclines if you are not comfortable with going uphill.
This would be a guided experience. I think that it would e best to do it that way so you don't have to worry about directions, maps, getting lost, etc. Also the guide will stop at nice places along the way for food, and also points of interest that are spread throughout the islands. The longer the journey you choose, the more places you'll be able to explore. I think that the longest route on an e-bike would probably be somewhere around 6+ hours. Alternatively, I would like to leave this as a free day in Kyoto, as you requested at least one free day in each location.
Activities:
- Shimanami Kaido bike ride through Seto Sea Islands.
Day 13 (4/17): Nara + Mt. Yoshino
Since you guys will be visiting during cherry blossom season, I wanted to plan a day that takes full advantage of that. Kyoto is Japan's ancient capital, and so I'm also trying to include some of those ancient sites, but also spread them out so that your kids don't get "temple'd out". The temple grounds of Todaiji will be the first stop, It is home to the largest bronze statue of the Buddha in the world, and much like Miyajima, it is home to many deer that roam the temple grounds freely. Visiting Horyuji, and Kasuga Taisha would be great as well (time permitting). I'd also like to plan a tea ceremony while you guys are visiting here.
After exploring the area around Todaiji, I would like to plan a hanami experience for you and your family. The hanami tradition has a very long history in Japan, and is something that is enjoyed every year all across the country to welcome the start of Spring. You will no doubt see many people enjoying the cherry blossoms with sake, and food while you are traveling across the country. Mt. Yoshino is a rare sight as it is one of the few places in Japan that is carpeted in hundreds of cherry blossom trees. I'd like to have you guys guided to a spot where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms, and perhaps enjoy a picnic there underneath them. Either way, I do think that this will be a wonderful day to experience them.
After that, when you guys make your way back to the city, I think a maiko/geisha experience would be a nice way to end the day.
Activities (guided):
- Day trip to Nara
- Tea ceremony
visit to Todaiji TempleKasuga Taisha Shrine visit (time permitting)Horyuji Temple visit (time permitting)- Mt. Yoshino hanami picnic
- Geisha experience
NOTES: Having a guide today is almost a necessity for Mt. Yoshino. Finding the right spot on Mt. Yoshino is something that a guide will be able to assist with, as the trees bloom at different times in segments across the mountain. Having a knowledgable guide who knows which area is expected to bloom at the time of your visit will make this day a lot better than going on your own. Also, this day may need to be moved to an earlier or later day, depending on the sakura forecast... I kid you not, that is a thing in Japan. At some point early next year, the national weather station will release a map with the dates that they expect the cherry blossoms to start blooming in each region.
Day 14 (4/18): Osaka
I want to start this day off with somewhat of a strange activity. I would like to plan a visit to the Cup Ramen Museum in Osaka. I know this sounds strange, but when thinking of the major places the most people visit when they come to Osaka, most are not as uniquely Japanese as this museum is. Also, it isn't really a museum in the sense that there are a lot of interactive experiences for you and your kids to partake in. You can design and create your very own flavor of cup noodles, and they'll even seal it for you there. They also have a cooking studio for chicken ramen, and a kitchen where you can try instant noodles from all over the world. It is a strange place, since all of this is dedicated to instant noodles, but I think that 'strangeness' is one of the things that makes Japan unique.
When we had our phone call you rated castle visits as a 4, so I'm purposefully leaving it out of this day's itinerary, however Day 15 is a completely open day, and it is an amazing castle, so if you do change your mind, I think it would be a nice quick stop for your family.
For this day, I really wanted to focus more on personal activities that I think you guys may enjoy as a family, together. I feel like Osaka is one of the rare places in Japan that actually comes alive at night, so there would be no need to start this day early. There is a small place in Kyoto that only does breakfast and lunch and requires a reservation in advance. When staying in larger cities one of the downfalls is the lack of access to real homestyle cooked meals. This is one of the places that is attempting to provide that style of food to its guests. I'd like to make a reservation here for you guys to start your day off before heading to Osaka. After that and the Cup Ramen Museum, I thought that a cruise of the Dotonbori canals as it is starting to light up would be a good way to see Osaka. Dotonbori is by far my personal favorite area in Osaka. Specifically the area near Shochikuza Theater. The ridiculousness of the storefront ornaments, the plethora of restaurants and the loudness of the people roaming the streets are all part of the boisterousness that is Osaka and its people. A food tour of this area is the best way to have dinner.
This next part is kind of a question rather than a suggestion, because it will really depend on the personality of you and your family. Would you guys be down to do karaoke? Maybe by yourselves, or even with the guide that you had? May be a cool way to hear some Japanese music if you do it with your guide. There are so many excellent places to go to in this area for that, and most of those places have other activities as well, so that your kids could go in and out of the karaoke booth as they please.
Activities:
- Brunch at Kishin
- This is a small breakfast/brunch-only establishment that focuses on hearty meals in Kyoto.
- https://www.kishin.world/
- Cup Ramen Museum
- Dotonbori Canal Cruise
- Street Food tour
Karaoke Booth rental
Planner's Notes: Please let me know what you think about the Cup Ramen Museum, and the karaoke booth. Again, with how close Osaka is to Kyoto, I don't foresee the need to switch hotels for this day and Day 15.
Day 15 (4/19): Osaka
I wanted to leave this day 80% free and open. You mentioned having two 'date nights' in Japan, with just you and your wife, so I wanted to plan a dinner on this day after you guys have spent time with your kids during the day. Osaka is a great place to spend a free day in. There are a lot of places you can go. Tsutenkaku, Kaiyukan Aquarium, Universal Studios Japan... Spa World. USJ has just recently opened its Super Mario World area, so if you or your kids are fans of the Mario universe, then it may be a good option. Spa World is one of the most interesting spas I've ever been to. It is absolutely massive! It is supposed to recreate the different types of spas from all around the world in one place, and some of the bathing areas are actually natural onsen water pumped from an underground source. I remember you saying that your teenage boys may be a bit shy about visiting an onsen, and to be fair, the onsen in Hachijojima will most likely be better in terms of privacy (there will be far less people), however it is an option should you guys wish to explore it.
To start the date night, I would like to organize a tour of a sake brewery. You would learn about the process of making sake, and of course get to try different varieties. There are a few in Osaka that are quite nice, and it is something that you can enjoy without the kids. After that, I would like to make a reservation for you both at a restaurant. I have a few places in mind, and Osaka is never short on delicious places to go, but I would like to speak with you about what particular type of food you think you and wife would most enjoy. When we speak next, I can go over a few options with you if you don't have anything specific in mind. Current Activities:
- Kaiyukan Aquarium visit
- Visit to Sakai area for purchasing a cooking knife and showing your kids where you stayed when you visit Osaka
- Date night:
- Sake brewery visit
- Restaurant reservation
- Half-day tickets for the kids at USJ
Day 16 (4/20): Tokyo
*This day's activity (Toyosu Fish Market + Sushi making lesson) will be moved to Day 18 - This day will have a guided tour of the Harajuku/Shibuya areas / fashion districts*
As you guys work your way back to the Kanto region, I want to use this day to book the fish market tour and sushi making lesson. We typically combine these two activities together, so usually your guide of the fish market is a sushi chef, or the same person who will also be teaching you how to make sushi. The fish that you choose at the market is the fish that you will be using to make sushi with. Your guide/chef should tell you about how to choose a good fish, and what makes a good fish, good.
There wasn't much free time in the beginning of this itinerary, and also since you guys will be traveling to Tokyo all the way from Kyoto I don't want to add too many things to this day. Thus, currently it will just be the fish market and sushi making lesson.
Activities:
- Toyosu Fish Market Tour + Sushi making lesson
Planner's Notes: The journey from Kyoto to Tokyo will be about 2 and half hours. I would prefer to book this ticket for an earlier time in the day, maybe around 7:30 or 8:00.
Day 17 (4/21): Mt. Fuji area
*This day will now be a free day spent in Tokyo*
You mentioned having a visit to Fuji-Q Highland in our call. It is definitely a place that I think your kids will enjoy as there are tons of different types of attractions and the roller coasters are the best in Japan. Currently there is an Evangelion attraction at the park, but I'm not sure if it will still be there when you guys visit, or what anime-themed attractions will be available. I do know that Fuji-Q are very consistent with their anime offerings though. A while back, there was a One Piece-themed section in the park (if memory serves me correctly), and the park also has a section called Fuji Hidden Leaf Village that is completely dedicated to Naruto and Boruto, if your kids are into those anime.
Activities:
- Fuji-Q Highland theme park
- Lake Kawaguchi cruise + dinner (tentative)
- Ice Cave tour (tentative)
Planner's Notes: Near Lake Saiko, there is a small open-air museum village that I typically send families to. The houses are all have beautiful thatch roofs, and each house has a different traditional craft that you can learn, or perhaps some souvenirs. This was something else I was thinking about for Day 18, but I think that there is a bit of overlap between it and the activities and crafts that you guys can do while visiting Edo Wonderland in Nikko. Thus, I'm leaving Day 18 open for the time being.
Day 18 (4/22): Tokyo
*Fish Market tour and sushi-making lesson moved to this day*
I want to leave this day open tentatively, pending your feedback on the last leg of the trip. If you'd prefer, we can leave this day open so that you guys can complete any shopping that you wanted to do in Tokyo before departing, or we could plan another activity for this day.
Added Activities:
- Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo
Day 19 (4/23): Tokyo
Departure from Japan.
