u/Designer_Deal_1515

Hi everyone,
We are planning our first family trip to Japan this November and would love some feedback on our itinerary.
We are 2 adults traveling with a 6 year old and an infant. We know our pace will be slower because of the kids, so we have tried to include breaks on some of the longer days.
We are vegetarian and particularly enjoy photography, autumn colors, temples, night walks, and evening illuminations.

Nov 20: Arrive in Tokyo, check into our hotel in Shinagawa, easy dinner and early night.

Nov 21: Meiji Jingu, Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue, Omotesando and Shibuya. Shibuya Sky around sunset and Shibuya Crossing after dark.

Nov 22: Kawaguchiko day trip. Oishi Park and Momiji Kairo Maple Corridor. Hoping to stay until the beginning of the evening illumination if everyone is doing well.

Nov 23: Travel to Kyoto. Check into Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae, rest, then To-ji autumn illumination in the evening.

Nov 24: Arashiyama early morning. Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Shigetsu lunch, and hopefully the Sagano Scenic Railway. Hotel break, then a Gion history walking tour in the evening.

Nov 25: Tofuku-ji in the morning, then AONIYOSHI to Nara. Nara Park and Todai-ji. If the kids still have plenty of energy in the afternoon, we may continue to Osaka for Dotonbori. Otherwise we will return to Kyoto.

Nov 26: Fushimi Inari early morning at a relaxed pace. Long hotel break in the afternoon. Eikan-do autumn illumination in the evening.

Nov 27: Hokan-ji / Yasaka Pagoda early morning, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Hotel break in the afternoon. Kodaiji autumn illumination, Yasaka Shrine and a short Gion night walk.

Nov 28: Return to Tokyo and stay in Ginza. Easy evening around Ginza, Kabukiza and Ginza Six rooftop.

Nov 29: Senso-ji and Asakusa very early in the morning. Relaxed Asakusa day, possibly Tokyo Station / Marunouchi later depending on the kids.

Nov 30: Tokyo Disneyland.

Dec 1: Flexible shopping day, probably Ginza and/or Shibuya. Tokyo Night & Light in the evening.

Dec 2: Easy final morning.

The main things I would love feedback on:

Does the Kyoto portion feel too ambitious with a 6 year old and infant?

Is there anything you would cut rather than add?
Are there any days where the routing or pacing looks unreasonable?

We are not trying to see everything. The goal is to experience autumn Japan, get some good family and travel photos, and still keep the trip enjoyable for the kids.
Thanks

Hi everyone,
We are planning our first family trip to Japan this November and would love some feedback on our itinerary.
We are 2 adults traveling with a 6 year old and an infant. We know our pace will be slower because of the kids, so we have tried to build in hotel breaks on some of the longer days.
We are vegetarian and also really enjoy photography, fall colors, night walks, and evening illuminations.
**Nov 20:** Arrive in Tokyo, check in at The Prince Sakura Tower, Shinagawa. Easy dinner and early night.

**Nov 21:** Meiji Jingu in the morning, Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue, Omotesando and Shibuya. Shibuya Sky around sunset and Shibuya Crossing after dark.

**Nov 22:** Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko day trip by private car. Oishi Park and Momiji Kairo Maple Corridor.

**Nov 23:** Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Kyoto. Check in at Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae, rest, then To-ji autumn illumination in the evening.

**Nov 24:** Arashiyama early morning. Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Shigetsu for lunch, and hopefully the Sagano Scenic Railway. Hotel break, then a Gion history / walking tour in the evening.

**Nov 25:** Tofuku-ji in the morning, then AONIYOSHI train to Nara. Nara Park and Todai-ji. If everyone still has energy around 3:30 pm, we may continue to Osaka for Dotonbori and dinner. Otherwise we will return to Kyoto.

**Nov 26:** Fushimi Inari early morning at a relaxed pace. Back to the hotel for a long afternoon break. Eikan-do autumn illumination in the evening.

**Nov 27:** Early morning Hokan-ji / Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera, followed by Sannezala and Ninenzaka. Hotel break in the afternoon. Kodaiji autumn illumination, Yasaka Shrine, and a short Gion night walk in the evening.

**Nov 28:** Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Check in at Hotel Grand Bach Tokyo Ginza. Easy evening
around Ginza, Kabukiza and Ginza Six rooftop.

**Nov 29:** Senso-ji and Asakusa very early in the morning, then a relaxed Asakusa day. We may add Tokyo Station / Marunouchi later if the kids are doing well.

**Nov 30:** Tokyo Disneyland.

**Dec 1:** Flexible shopping day, probably Ginza and/or Shibuya. Tokyo Night & Light projection at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in the evening.

**Dec 2:** Slow morning, then head to Narita for our evening flight.

A couple of things I would especially love opinions on:
Does the Kyoto portion feel too ambitious with a 6 year old and infant?
Is Arashiyama + Sagano Scenic Railway + evening Gion tour realistic in one day?
Would you keep the optional Osaka evening after Nara, or skip it completely?
Are both Eikan-do and Kodaiji night illuminations worth doing on consecutive nights?
Is there anything major in Tokyo or Kyoto that we are missing?
Are there any days where the routing does not make sense or where you would remove something?
We are intentionally not trying to see everything. We would rather have a few great experiences, enjoy the fall foliage and evenings, and keep the trip manageable for the kids.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions