The Route
Arrive at Haneda Airport
Clear immigration, collect bags, pick up Suica/Pasmo IC cards. Limousine bus or monorail to hotel (~40 min).
Check in & refresh
ANA InterContinental allows early check-in from 3 PM, but you can store luggage and freshen up.
Lunch in Roppongi
Casual ramen or conveyor-belt sushi to ease into Japan. Kids will love watching plates go by at a kaiten-zushi spot.
Explore Tokyo Midtown / Roppongi Hills
Gentle first-day stroll. Visit the Mori Art Museum observation deck for panoramic views of the city. Easy walking distance from the hotel.
Early dinner & rest
Don't fight jet lag — eat early and sleep. You'll thank yourselves tomorrow.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
Tokyo's oldest temple. Walk through the iconic Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street — great for souvenirs and snacks.
Lunch in Asakusa
Try tempura or monjayaki in the backstreets. The Hoppy Street area is atmospheric and fun for families.
Akihabara — Electric Town
Gaming arcades, anime shops, and electronics paradise. The kids (and adults) will love the multi-floor arcades and Gashapon machines.
teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills
Immersive digital art museum — an absolute must. Book tickets in advance. 75+ interactive installations of moving light and colour. Allow 2–3 hours.
Full day at Tokyo Disneyland
Arrive early for the shortest queues. Must-rides: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Pooh's Hunny Hunt. Download the Tokyo Disney Resort app to manage wait times and Premier Access (paid FastPass). The park has a uniquely Japanese flavour — don't miss the themed food and evening parade. Budget a full day here.
Meiji Shrine & Harajuku
Peaceful morning at Meiji Shrine, then Takeshita Street for teen fashion, crepes, and people-watching. Kids will love the quirky shops.
Shibuya Crossing & Lunch
Cross the world's busiest intersection, see Hachiko statue, then lunch at Shibuya Parco food hall or Genki Sushi.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Beautiful green escape in the city. ¥500 entry. Kids can run free in the open lawns. A lovely respite from the urban buzz.
Shinjuku evening — Omoide Yokocho
Atmospheric alley of tiny yakitori restaurants under the train tracks. Great for an adventurous family dinner.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tokyo's famous food market. Try fresh sushi, tamagoyaki (egg omelette), and melon pan for breakfast. The kids can sample as they explore.
Odaiba — Tokyo's Waterfront
Futuristic area with the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue, teamLab Planets (if not visited earlier), and Joypolis indoor amusement park. Great for kids 10–12.
Free time / Pack
Last Tokyo shopping at Don Quijote (kids love it), or relax at the hotel pool before tomorrow's early train.
Shinkansen to Kyoto
Buy ekiben (train bento boxes) at Tokyo Station — half the fun of the bullet train. Arrive Kyoto ~10:45. Drop bags at hotel.
Nishiki Market — "Kyoto's Kitchen"
Five-block covered market with 100+ stalls. Try matcha everything, takoyaki, grilled mochi, and pickles. Walking distance from Ace Hotel.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Iconic wooden terrace with panoramic views. Walk down through the charming Higashiyama streets and pottery shops.
Evening stroll through Gion
Kyoto's famous geisha district. Walk along the Shirakawa canal as lanterns light up. You might spot a maiko (apprentice geisha) heading to an engagement.
Fushimi Inari Taisha (early!)
Arrive early to walk through the 10,000 vermillion torii gates with fewer crowds. The first section takes ~45 mins. One of Japan's most photogenic spots.
Train to Nara (~35 min from Inari)
JR line direct from Inari Station to Nara.
Nara Park & Todai-ji Temple
Feed the famous bowing deer (¥200 for crackers). Visit Todai-ji to see the enormous bronze Buddha — the world's largest wooden building. Kids love the deer and the pillar with a hole to crawl through for good luck.
Return to Kyoto
Relaxed evening. Dinner in the Pontocho alley — narrow atmospheric street along the Kamogawa river lined with restaurants.
Day trip to Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
Kyoto → Universal City Station via JR (~50 min). Get the Express Pass for shorter queues. Highlights: Super Nintendo World (Mario Kart ride, Donkey Kong area — celebrating its 5th anniversary!), The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and the new attractions. Full day — return to Kyoto evening.
Take Haruka Express from Kyoto to KIX (~75 min). Depart early to have lunch at the airport.
Arrive Naha, transfer to Onna Village
Pre-arrange hotel shuttle or rent a car (~1 hour drive to resort). Check in, settle into your ocean-view rooms.
Sunset dinner at the resort
Okinawan cuisine: goya champuru, soki soba, and fresh tropical fruit. Watch the sunset over the East China Sea.
Morning at the resort pool & beach
Relax, swim, build sandcastles. The turquoise water is warm (28°C in July) and calm.
Snorkeling at Cape Maeda / Blue Cave
Book a family snorkeling tour (~2 hours). The Blue Cave is Okinawa's most famous snorkeling spot — an underwater cavern glowing with blue light. Tropical fish, coral reefs, and possibly sea turtles. Suitable for ages 6+.
Free time at resort
Spa, pool, or explore the Onna village area.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
One of the world's best aquariums. The Kuroshio Sea tank is jaw-dropping — whale sharks and manta rays swim past a 22m-wide acrylic panel. Also visit the sea turtle pool and dolphin show. Allow 3–4 hours.
Ocean Expo Park & Emerald Beach
Right next to the aquarium. Beautiful white sand beach, free to use. Or explore the Okinawan Village with traditional houses and cultural demonstrations.
Drive back via Pineapple Park or ice cream stop
Nago Pineapple Park is a quirky attraction with a pineapple-shaped cart ride the kids might enjoy.
Sleep in, resort breakfast
You've earned a late start. Enjoy the hotel's breakfast spread.
Kayaking or glass-bottom boat tour
Explore the coastline by kayak, or take a glass-bottom boat to see coral without getting wet. Many operators in Onna village.
Final beach & pool time
Last afternoon to soak up the Okinawa sun. Collect shells, enjoy tropical shaved ice (kakigori).
Farewell Okinawa dinner
Treat yourselves to a special resort dinner or visit a local izakaya in Onna.
Last morning in Okinawa
Check out, return rental car (if applicable). Head to Naha Airport.
Fly to Haneda, check into airport hotel
Short walk to hotel. Grab dinner at the airport restaurants — Haneda has surprisingly excellent dining options.
Last-minute shopping at Haneda
Haneda has great duty-free shops for Japanese snacks, Kit-Kats, and souvenirs.
Depart Haneda ✈️
Homeward bound with incredible memories. おつかれさまでした!
Budget Summary
| Item | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ANA InterContinental Tokyo | 5 nights × 2 rooms | US$4,351 |
| Ace Hotel Kyoto | 3 nights × 2 rooms | US$1,977 |
| Hiyori Ocean Resort Okinawa | 4 nights × 2 rooms | US$4,509 |
| Haneda Airport Hotel | 1 night × 2 rooms | ~US$250 |
| Shinkansen (Tokyo→Kyoto) | 4 passengers × Nozomi | ~US$370 |
| Haruka Express (Kyoto→KIX) | 4 passengers | ~US$110 |
| Flight KIX→OKA | 4 passengers, one-way | ~US$230 |
| Flight OKA→HND | 4 passengers, one-way | ~US$380 |
| Theme Parks | Disneyland + USJ (4 pax) | ~US$700 |
| Total (excl. food & activities) | ~US$12,877 |
Budget for food, local transport, activities & souvenirs: ~US$150–200/day for the family → ~US$2,000–2,800 additional.
Estimated total trip cost (excl. international flights): ~US$15,000–16,000