Family Japan with Disney & Universal · 9 nights
10 days, 9 nights: Tokyo (4N), Kyoto (2N), Osaka (3N). Best time to go: Best Apr–May and Oct–Nov; avoid Japanese school holidays.
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Tokyo
- teamLab Planets / Borderless digital art · 2 h. Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.
- Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.
Local tip: Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
Tokyo
- Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
- Odaiba waterfront & Gundam statue · 3 h. Ride the driverless Yurikamome over Rainbow Bridge; best after dark.
Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
Day 3: Explore Tokyo
Tokyo
- Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum · 3 h. Ueno Park is a crowded cherry blossom picnic spot in early April; the museum is closed most Mondays.
- Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky · 2 h. Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
Local tip: Ueno Park is a crowded cherry blossom picnic spot in early April; the museum is closed most Mondays.
Day 4: Tokyo DisneySea or Disneyland (full day)
Tokyo
- Tokyo DisneySea or Disneyland (full day) · Full day. Date-specific tickets only, priced by demand; buy online and avoid weekends and school holidays. DisneySea is unique to Tokyo.
Local tip: Date-specific tickets only, priced by demand; buy online and avoid weekends and school holidays. DisneySea is unique to Tokyo.
Day 5: Tokyo → Kyoto
Kyoto · Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi ~2h15
- Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
- Sagano romantic train (Torokko) · 1.5 h. Runs Mar–Dec, usually closed Wednesdays; seats sell out in autumn, book online a month ahead. Return by Hozugawa river boat if you like.
Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
Day 6: Explore Kyoto
Kyoto
- Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
- Monkey Park Iwatayama · 1.5 h. 20-minute uphill walk; city views from the top.
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) · 1 h
Local tip: Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
Day 7: Kyoto → Osaka
Osaka · Kyoto to Osaka, JR Special Rapid ~30 min (Shinkansen 15 min)
- Dotonbori street food evening · 2.5 h. Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
- Osaka Castle & park · 2 h. The park is a major cherry blossom spot; the tower interior is a modern museum.
Local tip: Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
Day 8: Explore Osaka
Osaka
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan · 2.5 h. Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.
- Takoyaki & okonomiyaki cooking class · 2 h. Several classes offer vegetarian or Halal versions on request.
Local tip: Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.
Day 9: Universal Studios Japan (full day)
Osaka
- Universal Studios Japan (full day) · Full day. Buy dated tickets online. Super Nintendo World needs a timed entry ticket via the app on the day unless you buy an Express Pass; arrive before opening.
Local tip: Buy dated tickets online. Super Nintendo World needs a timed entry ticket via the app on the day unless you buy an Express Pass; arrive before opening.
Day 10: Depart from Osaka
Osaka
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Tokyo (4 nights): Shinjuku. Biggest rail hub: Romancecar to Hakone, buses to Kawaguchiko, late-night dining.
- Kyoto (2 nights): Kyoto Station area. Larger rooms for families with luggage; easy day trips to Nara and Osaka.
- Osaka (3 nights): Umeda (Osaka Station). Direct trains to Kyoto and Kobe; Shin-Osaka Shinkansen one stop away.