I can’t believe my family’s trip to Japan and China is next month! When I booked flights last year for this trip, it seemed so far away. We just have to get through the next few weeks of school, and then we’re on our way!
Our trip itinerary has changed multiple times. We’ve added another person to our group, added another city in Japan and a 2nd city in China. I’ve realized that we won’t be able to see everything and we won’t be able to please everyone. For example, if my son had his way, we’d do nothing but visit theme parks the entire trip. Ha ha!
This will be my 3rd trip to Japan, but my first two trips were over 20 years ago, and I only visited Tokyo. For everyone else, this is their first trip to Japan.
Japan Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo. Group 1 (my husband and 3 boys) arrives in Tokyo. Get settled into hotel and explore Shibuya area for dinner.
Day 2: Tokyo. Group 1 visits Asakusa area to see sumo wresting, Senso-ji temple and Nakamise shopping street. Group 2 (me and my daughter) arrives in Tokyo.
Day 3: Tokyo. Explore Harajuku area. Sunset at Shibuya Sky.
Day 4: Day trip to Hakone/Mt. Fuji. I booked a private van tour for the day. At the end of the tour, we will transition to a different hotel near Disney.
Day 5: Tokyo DisneySea
Day 6: Tokyo/Kyoto. Take bullet train to Kyoto and get settled into our machiya rental.
Day 7: Kyoto. Samurai lesson booked for Group 1. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, pug cafe?
Fushimi Inari Shrine. Photo by Ralph Spandl on Unsplash
Day 8: Day trip to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka to see the original and biggest Super Nintendo World (Ugh, I don’t want to go, but I was out-voted)
Day 9: Kyoto. Visit more UNESCO sites. 1/2 day trip to Nara.
Day 10: Group 1 flies home. Group 2 takes bullet train to Hiroshima and ferry to Miyajima.
Day 11: Miyajima. Take Miyajima ropeway and hike. Visit Itsukshima Shrine.
Day 12: Hiroshima/Osaka. Take ferry to Hiroshima to see Peace Memorial Park and the atomic bomb museum. Take bullet train to Osaka.
China Itinerary
Day 13: Osaka/Beijing. Fly from Osaka to Beijing.
Day 14: Beijing. Visit the Great Wall of China Mutianyu section
Day 15: Beijing. Explore The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven.
Day 16: Beijing/Shanghai. Take bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai. See Shanghai Circus acrobatic show in the evening.
Day 17: Shanghai Disneyland!
Day 18: Shanghai Disneyland (or another attraction if we don’t need a second day at Disney)
Day 19: Fly home
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
You’ve certainly got a full trip. I’m not trying to jinx you but it seems like you don’t have much down time for either exploring things you just learned about/add ons or to recover from illness if somebody gets sick.
@Christian Good point! The good news is that most of our plans don’t require advanced reservations, so we can adjust as necessary. It’s hard not to want to see it all when traveling to Asia is such a long haul.
China doesn’t welcome entitled white women. You not welcome here.
With charming and tasteful comments like that I’m sure you’re a fitting representation of the entire country.
Seems like a fun and packed trip!
Tip: trip to and back from Nara could be tiring after 1/2 day exploring Kyoto. To get to main Nara temple grounds you’d usually take taxi, train and bus each way. But you’ll enjoy the deer. Osaka castle is impressive from outside park – nice views of the city from the fortress walls. Tip: there is a nearby shopping center by Osaka castle – a lot of good eateries for lunch and dinner if you need one. I’d recommend to visit at least one Japanese garden – most included with temple/palace admission – they are beauty.
Happy travels!!
@Aleks Thanks for the advice. I hope to have time to see Osaka castle, it looks beautiful.