Japan itinerary- 8 days

[DaysofHoney]

Hello,

We are thinking of heading to Japan in early October, will stop for 2 nights in Singapore and have 8 nights in Japan. Tokyo, Kyoto, and probably Osaka on the list (we will fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka), and we’ll get the bullet train pass for the week.

Please hit me with your top tips, places to stay, great things to do with kids (12 and 10), and anything we should know before we book?

And also any family friendly tips for Singapore?

many thanks!

hope someone will be along soon with advice but seems a long way with jet lag to go for a week.

I should have said, we live overseas, close enough that jet lag not so horrendous!

There is a very useful thread running at this moment: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5152514-japan-planning-thread?page=1

I have found Japan Guide useful for planning: https://www.japan-guide.com/

We did 10 days. It was me and an 18 and 22 year old. 2 days in Osaka only because we wanted to go to Universal but eldest also went to Osaka Castle. 3 days in Kyoto. Went to see the monkeys at Aryshiama, the Imperial Palace, the Manga Museuem and just wandered round the shopping areas. In Tokoyo we did Disney, Teamlabs which I loved and I think children would too. Went to Studio Ghibli Museum but it’ really difficult to get tickets. You can only buy them the month before and they go within minutes (you’ll have to google the time and date). I missed out but managed to find a walking tour which included the museum ticket. We went to Shibuya just to see the mad crossing. It’s meant to be good for shopping but it wasn’t really our thing. We also went to the Skytree which is fab and you can see the whole city from on high. There was a good quirky shopping mall there too as well with a great food hall.

Dd loved Disney sea, Osaka aquarium, universal studios and the dotombori district. We also visited Nara and she loved feeding the deer.
edited to add - she also loved the umeda sky building.

Joining as going to Japan as a first timer in June!

Going for 10 days - 4.5 days in Kyoto, 5.5 days in Tokyo. Planning on day trips to from Tokyo, also possible Disney.

Any advice or suggestions?

@DaysofHoney did you end up going to Japan? Children similar ages and thinking of taking them this year. How was it? And if you could share itinerary and any tips that would be great! Single parent and nervous!

@Wanttobeanonhere88 You might want to join us on https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5312855-japan-planning-thread-part-2?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

It’s a fairly active thread and lots of people on there have travelled with kids. We’re currently in the inbetweeny times as thread 2 still has to fill up the last handful of posts but Thread 3 has been set up for when it fills up so they are both currently active.

Thank you @Takoneko