Holiday critique please (Japan)

[underneaththeash]

Day1: Arrive, stay Shibuya hotel, visit Harajuku (get JR pass validated at the airport)
Day 2: I will get reservations for the trains in the morning. Asakura food tours and then temple.
PM: Akihaba
Day 3: Team borderless exhibition and then Drum class.
Day 4: Sumo lunch, train to Nagono. Stay in Onsen hotel
Day 5: Snow monkey and relax
Day 6: To Kyoto, we will stay in a rented house.
Day 7: Guided market tour and ninja museum
Day 8: Cooking and manga museum
Day 9: Arashyama Area
Day 10: Hiroshimo via Himenji castle
Day 11: Mijama kayak and peace gardens
Day 12: Fly to Tokoyo and home.

We've three children aged 18,16 and 13 and one likes manga. I thought I'd get them to chose one cafe or shop each in the Harajuku or Akihaba districts which a few suggestions - they seems to have animal cafes and latte art!

There's also the Expo in Osaka, but I don't think we can fit it in.
Unfortunately it's not the time of year for sumo. I have factored in a geisha dance in Kyoto (the April one in a theatre), my boys would feel awkward at a private one. We like eating, craft stuff, experiences and not too touristy too. I think the Sumo lunch will be the most touristy thing we do.
Any recommendations? We don't mind doing a one off tour, but after one okay luxury holidays with tour operators which could have been better if they'd put bit more effort and another who just didn't book the correct flights and we lost a day of holiday, I prefer to book myself.

Ahh I love Japan! That sounds like a fun itinerary, though maybe a bit packed / too much traveling? Maybe drop Hiroshima, or swap it for Osaka?

If your kids like crafts they might enjoy this miniature food making class - we did it when we were in Kyoto and it was one of the cutest funnest experiences ever. The host is sooo amazing. She used to do a food walking tour before the class, but I think that's changed (she might arrange something private if you contact her)
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1306524

Manga Museum in Kyoto – I would SKIP this. Unless you’re a huge manga fan. It’s mostly a library, the museum itself is tiny and doesn’t explain anything..!The Akihabara district in Tokyo is better for the Manga experience.

The Sanjūsangen-dō Temple in Kyoto was v impressive.

Meikyoku Kissa Lion (Toyko) – one of the most interesting/bizarre experiences. This is a ‘listening café’, around since the 20’s. They play baroque classical music, you’re not allowed to talk. Great if you're feeling tired from sightseeing!

BTW Citymapper works well in Tokyo. Definitely have some kind of map app as it's impossible to find anywhere without one.

@letmeeatinpeace thank you.

You won’t need a JR pass for your trip.

Tokyo-Nagano Shinkansen is £45, Nagoya to Kyoto is £61, Kyoto to Himeji is £13 and Himeji to Hiroshima is £48. That’s £167.

Even a 7 day rail pass would be over £100 more than that. Your plans at the minute seem to involve a 14 day JR pass (if you are validating on day 1 and not travelling to Hiroshima until day 10) which is well over £400 pp. For 5 of you you’d be wasting well over a £1000 by buying 14 day JR passes. Buy individual tickets and get a suica card each. If you have iPhones you can put a virtual suica on your phone in seconds.

Your itinerary looks fine to me, it’s all about what you and your family enjoy.

I have a very different 12 day itinerary this April, but filled with things that me and my family want to do.

Booking things yourself is absolutely fine in Japan and generally much better value than a packaged tour.