Family Trip to Japan!
Its actually our first time travelling together as a whole (including our partners) and I’m sooo looking forward to it yet stressed at the same time! As usual, I am always the one planning the itinerary *insert roll eyes* and you can download the itinerary at the end of this post!
Before we start, here are some tips:
- Buy the JR pass at JTB Singapore (located in Taka) before you head there. I got the 7 days pass cause we are only travelling around Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo in the first 5 days. If you are planning to just stay in Tokyo (refer to another post here) then there is no need for the JR Pass as its only worth it for long distances. Else, just get the normal single trip metro tixs as it will be cheaper. You can also purchase theme parks tickets at JTB Singapore in advance to avoid queues on the day itself.
- Try not to squeeze in too much things to do within a day even if the places are located near each other. I had totally forgotten to factor in the traveling time and some train ride may take 30mins-60mins although its just a few stop. Our trip in between places were pretty rush and I believe you will want to avoid that if you are travelling with your entire family.
- Airbnb are much cheaper as compared to hotels in Japan unless you are ok with motels or capsule hotels. Transports are also pretty convenient with subways and JR lines(all interconnected actually). Note that cabs in Japan are slightly more ex.
Day 01
Our flight was from Singapore to Tokyo so once we landed in Narita, we took the Narita Express straight to Tokyo Station to take the bullet train (a.k.a Shinkansen) to Osaka. Train ride was about 3-4 hours.
Checked into our Airbnb, and its out to explore Osaka! As we were only left with half a day after all the travelling and settling down, I didnt plan much on that day so its just off to Dontonburi to walk around and have dinner.
Back to our airbnb to rest after that to prepare for a long day the next day.
Day 02
Off to Kyoto for the day! Places to cover were Tofuku-ji Temple, the famous Inari Shrine and the Arashimaya Bamboo Forest.
We didnt really explored the entire Inari Shrine as its huge(est will take half a day to walk the entire place) and we wanted to head to the Bamboo Forest before the sky turn dark. As its their “winter”, the sky turned dark at around 5pm.
Back to our Airbnb neighbourhood for dinner before calling it a day. In Japan, any shop also sells pretty good food so you can just try any shop that attracts you. We had yakiniku with beer at a random shop and its soo good.
Day 03
Didnt plan Universal Studio Japan cause its actually my 2nd time to Japan and I had been there once before. Also, I dont think my parents will be interested to go to Theme Parks so I decided to plan a trip to Kobe for the 2nd half of the day. Anyway with the JR pass, it doesnt matter to make long travels to and fro as its “free”.
Before that, Osaka Castle + Nara Park as there was no time to squeeze them in yesterday. Yes, I regretted planning everything so tightly and thank god we had some extra time today.
Took the train to Nara Station and took the bus to Nara Park!
We also went the Golden Pavilion to have a look too. But, I will say there is no need to head there if you do not have the time as you can only view the pavilion from afar. There is no way to enter it.
Also, its located pretty far in and not very accessible we have to take a cab to and fro the train station..
Kobe Town was pretty interesting and there were quite a lot of shops as well as a place like a Marina walk with Ferris Wheel.
Unfortunately, it was already night time by the time we reached there so we just head to the Chinatown to have some Kobe beef… treated by Thye! Aww!
Honestly, I will recommend 1/2 a day there if you have nothing else to do! (Note that its a separate town itself and is not anywhere near Osaka nor Tokyo)
Back to our Airbnb and K.O after dinner cause we headed out at 8am-9am and reached our apartment at 9pm-10pm almost everyday for the past few days.
If you have additional days to spare, I would say you can spend 4D3N in Osaka/Kyoto with a visit to USJ and take your time to explore the places.
Day 04
Headed back to Tokyo for the rest of the trip! For Tokyo, it was mainly more of shopping + eating instead of sight-seeing. Those of you who prefer more sight-seeing places then I will advise to stay more days in Osaka/Kyoto than Tokyo.
Honestly speaking, its also my 2nd time to Tokyo and I find 5 days are more than enough. Read my another post here on just Tokyo itself.
Spent the entire day in Harajuku area after checking into our Tokyo Airbnb (also 2pm-3pm by then).
Places near Harajuku were Meji Shrine > Yoyogi Park > Harajuku shopping street. Note that shops in Tokyo mostly close by 7pm (some latest 8pm) so do start your shopping early if you dont wish to miss out on any shops!
Dinner at a famous tonkatsu restaurant recommended by a friend and its not bad. But prices are not cheap. Link of the dinner venue below:
This guy got hungry in the middle of the night so we head to the 7-11 nearby our airbnb for supper in our pjs.
Day 05
A day trip to Hakone! You can get the Hakone pass(inclusive of all the transportation in the area) at the JR station before embarking on their Tozan train and ropeways to explore the entire Hakone.
You can also have a view of the Mt Fuji from certain parts in Hakone on days with clear weather but unfortunately, it was pretty misty on the day we went so we din manage to see the mountain.
If you have extra days, I will strongly advise you to book a hotel for a night rest in Hakone while exploring the place. I regretted not doing that and the entire family had to rush around points to points with me just so we can clear everything before the last Cruise back.
I very much wanted to bring the parents for Onsen at Hotel Green Plaza but due to time constraints, we had to skip it. If only I booked a night there.. you can see Mt Fuji while soaking in the outdoor onsen!!!
Mode of transports in Hakone:
Point 1: Odawani Valley a.k.a the Sulphur Valley.
Its said that the eggs cooked there will turn black and eating it will lengthen your life.
Point 2: Cruise on Lake Ashi
Point 3: Hakone Shrine Gate
The transfers from point to point took about 30mins-60mins each so I’ve totally underestimated the traveling time.
It was already 6pm-7pm by the time we were done with all the above. Took the bus back to the main train station and its back to Shibuya area for dinner.
Till date, I’ve no idea what is the restaurant name called for this seafood BBQ but I know its somewhere right opposite Atmos Shibuya.
Day 06
Woke up even earlier than the rest of the days cause… we were going to the Tsukiji Market! Actually, its not very early as compared to other people as normally people head there at 4am-5am to queue.
As expected, we were too late for Sushi Dai nor Sushi Daiwa cause the queues were like 3-4hrs long even thou we were there at 7am+.
But its fine, cause we explored the entire market and get to try many other yummy food too!
Chanced upon this omakase (10-course sushi) restaurant and its good!!!!
Shinjuku and Harajuku again for shopping. Ichiran Ramen for dinner after that.
Day 07
A day in Disney Sea!! Was looking forward to this day cause they say Disneyland/Sea is one of the happiest day in the world!
Its also our “date” and personal time cause only Thye and I went. Although I am not really a disney land(too many kiddy rides) person, but Disney Sea is really a different place as compared to Disney land and I really feel like a kid the entire day!
However, the queues were pretty insane and some rides took up to 1-2 hrs if you do not have express tickets! Thankfully, we met a couple of girls who were too afraid to take one of the rides (Tower Terror) and gave us 2 express tickets for it!! Oh, their express tixs are paid per ride which you can get it off a tix machine near the respective ride.
Back to Shibuya for dinner and shopping after an entire day in Disney Sea. Had dinner at one of Thye’s fav restaurant…. Standing Sushi Bar!! Its literally standing sushi bar in Japan as you have to stand and eat. Also, the sushi are sooo good! The sashimi and ingredients are very fresh!!
Its so good that Thye dabao a bento of sushi back to our apartment. Oh yes, if you are thinking of getting sneakers, get them in Japan! The prices are cheaper and the designs are newer too.
Day 08
Its our last full day in Japan! Took a train all the way to Asakusa for some kimono-dressing. Got my whole family to dress up too. Note there are ALOT of different kinds of Kimono rental in Japan so it really depends on what you want.. for me, I do not wish to have any make-up but at the same time, I will also like a Japan hairdo together with the Kimono experience.
Made some research on Kimono rentals in Tokyo and decided upon this: http://asakusa.kimono-koto.com/english.html
The shop is located somewhere right opposite of the Namitse Shopping Street in Asakusa. You can head to the shopping street and the temple nearby for photo-taking after changing into the Kimonos.
Back to change out of the outfits and off to Tokyo Tower which was also our last itinerary of the trip! There is a straight train to Tokyo Tower from Asakusa area. However, we didnt head up the tower cause there was a snake queue and the tickets aint cheap either.
So, we just hanged at the shopping mall below it. Dinner at some random shop near our airbnb subway station – Yakiniku + beer = perfect for the cold weather.
Back to our Airbnb early after dinner cause we gotta pack our luggage cause its back to Singapore the next day 🙁
Day 09
HOME SWEET HOME. Overall, Japan is really a nice country and I totally love the people and the place there! Definitely wouldnt mind heading back there again anytime soon!
For those who are interested to explore the places we went to, do feel free to download the detailed itinerary below:
[…] The place here is pretty much like the sulphur valley I’ve went to in Hakone(read post here) just that for this, there is no sulphur smell and the snow makes the place 10x more […]
[…] mentioned in the previous Japan post here, if you’re just intending to travel around in Tokyo area, you DO NOT need to get the JR pass […]