14 Best Days in Japan: The Ultimate Honeymoon 2.0 Family Itinerary
Exploring The Country That Has Our Hearts Hostage
Japan is a dream destination that perfectly blends ancient traditions with futuristic technology. After a three-year delay due to the pandemic, we finally embarked on our “Honeymoon 2.0” in May 2023. This time, we were joined by our 1.5-year-old daughter. While we were nervous about traveling with a toddler, Japan proved to be the perfect host.
From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, here is everything you need to know about planning a 14-day trip to Japan, including essential travel passes, luggage hacks, and the best Halal-friendly food. To read our guide about navigating your trip in Japan with ease, click the link here.
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Arriving in Tokyo
- Via Train & Bus: Tokyo is the ultimate transit hub of Japan, offering seamless connections to Yokohama, Hakone, and Kyoto. Whether you’re looking for the speed of the Shinkansen or the affordability of a highway bus, you can compare schedules and secure your seats through 12Go Asia here.
- Via Flight: Most travelers arrive at Narita (NRT), which handles the bulk of international long-haul traffic, or Haneda (HND), which is closer to the city center and serves both domestic and premium international routes. To find the best airfare across both major hubs, search and book here.
Planning Your Tokyo Trip
- Where to Stay: Finding the right base is key for families. Book a hotel here.
- Connectivity: Stay connected as soon as you land with a local eSIM. We recommend:
- Airalo for budget-friendly and basic plans. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Getting Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
After 24 hours of travel, we landed at Narita. A rough landing led to a stressful “vomit” situation with our toddler at the airport, but the Japanese medical team was incredibly kind. We took a taxi to our hotel and slept for 12 hours to recover.
Day 2: Anime and Shibuya
We started at the Ghibli Museum (reserve tickets months in advance!). Our daughter loved the soft play area. We also visited the Suginami Animation Museum and the Mugiwara Store in Shibuya for One Piece fans. We ended the day watching the chaos of Shibuya Crossing.
To read more about our Tokyo adventures in detail, please visit the link here.
Day 3: Ashikaga Flower Park
We took a two-hour train ride to see the stunning Wisteria. The park was breathtaking, and we highly recommend the delicious “Fuji” (Wisteria) flavored ice cream.
To read our detailed blog about our day-trip to Ashikaga Flower Park, please visit the link here.
Day 4: Fujikawaguchiko and Mount Fuji
We traveled by bus to the Mt. Fuji region for ¥2000. We visited the Fujikawaguchiko Masjid, Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park, and the Fujisan World Heritage Center. We stayed overnight in a traditional Ryokan for an authentic Japanese experience.
To read our detailed blog about our time in Fujikawaguchiko, please visit the link here.
Day 5: Arakurayama Sengen Park and Osaka
We climbed toward the Chureita Pagoda. Although it was cloudy, the views were still breathtaking. Later, we took the Hikari bullet train to Osaka and immediately went to Rikuro’s for their famous “cloud-like” Japanese cheesecake.
Day 6: Osaka Castle and Hiroshima
To read our detailed blog about our time in Osaka, please visit the link here.
After exploring the Osaka Castle complex and the vibrant Dotonbori district, we took the Sakura bullet train to Hiroshima and tried the local Momiji Manju cakes.
Day 7: Hiroshima Castle and Itsukushima Shrine
To read our detailed blog about our exploration of Hiroshima, please visit the link here.
We explored the history of the Samurai at Hiroshima Castle before taking a ferry to Itsukushima Shrine to see the famous floating Torii gate.
Day 8: Peace Memorial Park and Kyoto
A visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was a sobering experience. After paying our respects at the Atomic Bomb Dome, we traveled to Kyoto.
Day 9: The Temples of Kyoto
To read our detailed blog about our time in Kyoto, please visit the link here.
We tried 1000-year-old mochi at Ichimonjiya Wasuke, then visited Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji (Rock Garden), and the vibrant Kiyomizu-dera.
Day 10: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tokyo
We walked through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and browsed the food stalls at Nishiki Market before taking the Hikari bullet train back to Tokyo.
Day 11: Senso-ji and Tokyo Skytree
To read our detailed blog about our time in Tokyo, please visit the link here.
We stumbled upon the Sanja Matsuri festival at Senso-ji Temple. We also visited Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views of the city before traveling to Kamogawa.
Day 12: Kamogawa Sea World and Rice Fields
To read our detailed blog about our day-exploration of Kamogawa, please visit the link here.
We visited Oyama Senmaida (rice terraces), Oyama Temple and Kamogawa Sea World, where we saw Orcas and Beluga whales, then headed back to Tokyo.
Day 13: Pokémon Center and Akihabara
Our last full day was dedicated to “geek culture.” We visited the Pokémon Center Tokyo DX and explored the electronics and anime shops of Akihabara.
Day 14: Fly Home
We took the airport shuttle to Narita, ending our incredible 2-week journey.
The Ultimate Halal Guide: Where to Eat in Japan
To read our detailed guide about Halal restaurants in Japan, visit the link here.
Finding Halal food in Japan is a wonderful adventure.Here are the restaurants we visited:
- Halal Wagyu Yakiniku Gyumon Shibuya: A small, authentic spot for grilling your own premium Wagyu. Reservation recommended.
- Ayam-ya Halal Ramen Tokyo: Delicious Spicy Tori Ramen Shoyu and Gyoza. We went twice!
- Alladin Indo Restaurant (Fujikawaguchiko): Affordable and authentic Indian curries and tandoori mix.
- Fujikawaguchiko Masjid Cafe: Tasty wraps in a beautiful, spacious setting.
- Halal Restaurant Naritaya Osaka Minami: Incredible Wagyu beef rice bowls and spicy miso ramen.
- KARSIYAKA (Hiroshima): A Turkish restaurant offering an Ankara course and falafel.
- Arash’s Kitchen (Kyoto): Great Persian and Indian food (they even deliver to your hotel!).
- SamaSama Indonesian Restaurant Kyoto: Cherished experience with chicken satay and nasi goreng.
- Halal Ramen Ayam Ya Karasuma Kyoto: Divine spicy ramen that we could not get enough of.
- ASAKUSA SUSHI KEN (Tokyo): The first Halal-certified sushi restaurant in Japan. The fatty tuna is a must-have.
- Moses Kebab AKIBA Sta. (Tokyo): A quick and delicious bite in the heart of Akihabara.
- Halal Wagyu Yakiniku Panga (Tokyo): High-quality premium Wagyu cuts. Our favorite meal of the trip.
- Kineya Mugimaru (Narita Airport T1): Perfect light udon noodles before a long flight.
- 7-ELEVEN Gems: Our daily stop for fish Onigiri, Prawn Burgers, Melonpan, and Souffle Cheesecake.
Final Remarks
Our two-week journey through Japan was the longest we have ever spent exploring a single country for tourism. Even though the trip was packed with activities and constant hopping from one city to the next, we never grew tired of the routine. Jetlag didn’t bother us much. We were up by 8:00 AM every day, energized and ready to discover new corners of the country.
We fell in love with every facet of Japan: the bustling city streets, the quiet countryside, the majestic mountains, and the towering skyscrapers. We were equally captivated by the serene temples, the efficiency of the bullet trains, and the incredible food.
We like to call this vacation “Honeymoon 2.0.” It is the best location we have ever visited, and we would return in a heartbeat.
Enjoyed reading about our exploration of Japan? We’d be happy to build a personalized itinerary just for you! Head over to our Custom-Plans page to get started.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Japan stroller-friendly?
Mostly yes. Most stations have elevators, though some sites like Hiroshima Castle have stairs where you will need to leave the stroller at the entrance.
Is the JR Pass worth it?
For our circular route from Tokyo to Osaka, Hiroshima, and Kyoto, it was definitely worth it for the ease of travel.
Do I need to book Ghibli Museum tickets in advance?
Yes, tickets must be reserved online in advance and they sell out very quickly.
