๐ In this guide
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Two weeks is the sweet spot for a familyโs first trip to Japan. Itโs enough time to see the highlights without dragging tired kids from city to city every other day. This route flies into Tokyo and out of Osaka (Kansai), so you never backtrack.
Route: Tokyo (5 nights) โ Hakone (2 nights) โ Kyoto (4 nights) โ Osaka (3 nights)
Days 1โ5: Tokyo
Follow the best bits of our 7 days in Tokyo itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive, Asakusa and a river walk.
- Day 2: Ueno Park, the zoo and the science museum.
- Day 3: Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea.
- Day 4: teamLab Planets and Toyosu.
- Day 5: Yoyogi Park and Harajuku. Send big luggage ahead to Kyoto tonight.
Days 6โ7: Hakone (Mt Fuji views & hot springs)
- Take the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku. Kids love the front observation seats, so book early.
- Ride the Hakone loop: mountain railway, cable car, ropeway over the volcanic valley and a pirate ship across Lake Ashi.
- Stay in a ryokan with a private onsen (family bath). Public baths can be tricky with small kids.
Days 8โ11: Kyoto
- Day 8: Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto. Afternoon at the Kyoto Railway Museum.
- Day 9: Sunrise at Fushimi Inari (beat the crowds), then a nap, then Nishiki Market snacks.
- Day 10: Arashiyama: bamboo grove early, the Monkey Park (carrier only) and a riverside lunch.
- Day 11: Day trip to Nara (45 minutes). Bowing deer, the giant Buddha at Todai-ji and flat park paths.
Days 12โ14: Osaka
- Day 12: Short train to Osaka. Kaiyukan Aquarium (fully step-free), then Dotonbori street food.
- Day 13: Universal Studios Japan. Get timed entry to Super Nintendo World on busy days.
- Day 14: Osaka Castle Park playground, then fly home from Kansai (KIX).
Getting around
| Leg | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo โ Hakone | Odakyu Romancecar | ~85 min |
| Hakone โ Kyoto | Bus/train to Odawara + Shinkansen | ~2.5 hrs |
| Kyoto โ Nara | Kintetsu or JR Nara line | ~45 min |
| Kyoto โ Osaka | JR Special Rapid | ~30 min |
| Osaka โ KIX | Haruka Express / Nankai | ~50โ75 min |
Read our full Japan with kids guide for food, baby rooms and packing tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Japan Rail Pass worth it for families?
For this route (Tokyo โ Hakone โ Kyoto โ Osaka) individual tickets are often cheaper since the 2023 price rise. Use a JR fare calculator to compare. Under-6s ride free either way.
How do you move between cities in Japan with luggage and kids?
Use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) to send big suitcases to your next hotel, then ride the Shinkansen with just a day bag and stroller.