u/Any_Restaurant_2784

Hi all—would really appreciate feedback on our Japan itinerary.

We’re traveling in late November (family of 4: 2 adults + kids ages 3 and 5). We’re experienced travelers, but this is our first time in Japan.

Our goals:

• Avoid the worst crowds (we know it’s peak fall foliage season)
• Keep things fun and manageable for young kids with lots of energy
• Mix major sights with a few more unique/local experiences

Current itinerary

Nov 23 – Tokyo
• Arrival + stroll at Ueno Park

Nov 24 – Tokyo
• Asakusa + Skytree

Nov 25 – Tokyo
• DisneySea

Nov 26 – Tokyo
• teamLab Planets + Pokémon Center (Nihombashi)

Nov 27 – Hakone
• Travel to Hakone + ryokan stay

Nov 28 – Hakone → Kyoto
• Open Air Museum, Ropeway, Pirate Ship
• Evening train to Kyoto

Nov 29 – Kyoto
• Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park, Sagano Romantic Train)

Nov 30 – Day trip to Nagoya
• Legoland (kids are obsessed with LEGO)

Dec 1 – Kyoto
• Fushimi Inari + Higashiyama + Kinkaku-ji

Dec 2 – Nara → Osaka
• Day in Nara, overnight in Osaka

Dec 3 – Osaka
• Universal Studios Japan (we’ve been to US Hollywood)

Dec 4 – Osaka → Tokyo
• Osaka Castle + return to Tokyo

Dec 5 – Fly home

Questions

1. Crowds / route question

I’m reading that the Golden Route gets extremely crowded during the fall foliage season.

I’m considering:
 Dropping Nara + Osaka & spending more time in Kanazawa / Hokuriku region instead

• Would this actually help reduce crowds in late November?
• Or is Kanazawa also very busy that time of year?
• Is it a good swap with young kids, or would you stick with Nara/Osaka?

2. Kid-friendliness

Are there any:

• Must-do activities we’re missing that are great for kids this age?
• Places on our list that might be less enjoyable for young kids?

Thanks!

We’re traveling to Iceland in early July (family of 4: 2 adults + kids ages 3 and 5). We’re experienced travelers, but first time using a campervan.

Would really appreciate feedback—especially on pacing and whether we’re trying to do too much in a day.

Day 1 (arrival → South Coast)

• 6:25am arrive KEF
• Pick up campervan (~8am)
• Dyrhólaey + Reynisfjara
• Fjaðrárgljúfur + Fossalar
• Sleep: Svinafell Campground

Day 2

• Fjallsárlón + Jökulsárlón (boat tour booked) + Diamond Beach
• Stokksnes (long drive there, but looks super cool)
• Sleep: Skaftafell Campground

Day 3

• Svínafellsjökull
• Kvernufoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss
• Hrunalaug (if we have energy)
• Sleep: Flúðir Campground

Day 4

• Golden Circle (Gullfoss, Geysir, Brúarfoss)
• Reykjavík pool (Laugardalslaug)
• Sleep: Reykjavík campsite (booked)

Day 5

• Reykjavík sights (Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, Rainbow Street)
• Blue Lagoon (1pm reservation)
• Flight at 7:50pm

Questions:

1. Is Day 1 too ambitious after an early flight? Kids are good at sleeping in the car, but I'm afraid of being too tired.
2. Are we backtracking too much between Days 2–3?
3. Any stops you’d skip or swap, given we’re traveling with young kids?
4. Any must-see stops we’re missing on this route?

Thanks so much!