Travel: Japan - General

[Imp75]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2084901\" time=\"1665008316\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2084901 time=1665008316 user_id=53606]
https://bestlivingjapan.com/tokyo-teen-checklist-see-do-eat/

Plenty of hotels near Shinjuku, just go to Agoda or whatever hotel booking platform to search within your budget. Then cross ref with Google maps to see how far u have to walk dragging the suitcases (I suppose one medium size each). There is a LOT of walking in Tokyo, even within the train station itself easily 1km walk.

I assume you have already heard about the 7-day Japan Rail Pass, since you seem to be planning to live near the train station & start off from there daily. Good choice. That’s what we always do.[/quote]

I also stayed in Shunjuku area previously, very convenient.
I don't think it is quite possible to find hotel quad-sharing room just because the hotel rooms are really small. Either you stay in service apartment or consider booking 2 separate rooms may be easier.
I also stayed in Odaiba before (I actually prefer this since it's quieter but not so convenient, however it's closer to Disney).
For teens, I would suggest shopping and sightseeing. Maybe Harajuku, Shinjuku, sightseeing maybe Kamakura, Fuji-san area, there are quite picturistic places in these outskirts of Tokyo that are instagram-worthy.

[GEP2KIDS]

Thanks for all the great feedback and links! Time to do the planning now!!

[zac's mum]

If your teens are into Harry Potter, can consider visiting the Owl Nest Cafe in Akihabara.


And also consider ending off the trip in Osaka (u can get there via shinkansen bullet train), Universal Studios Japan has a very good Harry Potter Wizarding World, awesome mood to visit during year-end cold weather:

https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/areas/the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter

[GEP2KIDS]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2084911\" time=\"1665020936\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2084911 time=1665020936 user_id=53606]
If your teens are into Harry Potter, can consider visiting the Owl Nest Cafe in Akihabara.

And also consider ending off the trip in Osaka (u can get there via shinkansen bullet train), Universal Studios Japan has a very good Harry Potter Wizarding World, awesome mood to visit during year-end cold weather:

https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/areas/the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter[/quote]

We are arriving late on a Friday and leaving the following week Sunday....still thinking if we should just stay in Tokyo as a base or spend 3-4 days in Tokyo and another 3-4 days in Osaka or Kyoto. I think Kyoto will be boring to the kids though with mainly shrines and more shrines.

[Imp75]

GEP2KIDS\" post_id=\"2084918\" time=\"1665022287\" user_id=\"161589:

We are arriving late on a Friday and leaving the following week Sunday....still thinking if we should just stay in Tokyo as a base or spend 3-4 days in Tokyo and another 3-4 days in Osaka or Kyoto. I think Kyoto will be boring to the kids though with mainly shrines and more shrines.

I would suggest separate trips to maximise the appreciation of the city. Tokyo area and Kyoto/Osaka. My girls preferred Kyoto to Osaka (other than USS of cos). There’s a lot of charm
Just strolling on the streets of Kyoto.

[GEP2KIDS]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2084929\" time=\"1665024441\" user_id=\"2358:

I would suggest separate trips to maximise the appreciation of the city. Tokyo area and Kyoto/Osaka. My girls preferred Kyoto to Osaka (other than USS of cos). There’s a lot of charm
Just strolling on the streets of Kyoto.

You mean spend the whole 9 days based in Tokyo? Just not sure if got enough activities to keep us occupied.. maybe will make 1-2 days out of Tokyo area.

[SG_KP1]

GEP2KIDS\" post_id=\"2084931\" time=\"1665025133\" user_id=\"161589:

You mean spend the whole 9 days based in Tokyo? Just not sure if got enough activities to keep us occupied.. maybe will make 1-2 days out of Tokyo area.

Yeah, it's kind of an awkward number of days. Very long for one stop, a bit rushed for multiple.

You could spend a night or two around Mt Fuji, but again kids may be bored. Personally, I like Tokyo much more than Osaka. Main reason to go to Osaka for me/us is kids want to go to USJ. If you can get there and back efficiently that may be worth a try (just go USJ a couple of days).

But also depends on whether you plan to go to Oaska/Kyoto on a separate trip.

[zac's mum]

Mt Fuji is always a g-mble. Majority of the time it is shrouded in fog. During our honeymoon we booked a day trip there & totally wasted cos couldnt see anything. If u cough up for an overnight stay there, also a risk unless u’re just happy to enjoy the onsen.

[sushi88]

9 days free and easy is good to cover 2 places.

Travelling should not be dashing around. Take time to appreciate everything in the culture and everything in the nature we do not have and buffer time for getting lost... We almost missed our flight back!

Our last trip to Japan was Osaska.. it looked pretty rundown with age but that's also probably a highlight for us as we looked at the city from the subway platform and imagine the years those houses have gone thru... .

And since we seldom take MRT in SG then, we were shocked to learn that one line could have 2 trains for different destination n we needed to understand Japanese in order not to hop onto the wrong train! 😳. Very educational...Only after that, we realised SG has lines like this too and we try to take MRT more often if we can. :lol:

[zac's mum]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2084940\" time=\"1665028339\" user_id=\"100857:

9 days free and easy is good to cover 2 places.
Travelling should not be dashing around. Take time to appreciate everything in the culture and everything in the nature we do not have and buffer time for getting lost... We almost missed our flight back!

Our last trip to Japan was Osaska.. it looked pretty rundown with age but that's also probably a highlight for us as we looked at the city from the subway platform and imagine the years those houses have gone thru... .

And since we seldom take MRT in SG then, we were shocked to learn that one line could have 2 trains for different destination n we needed to understand Japanese in order not to hop onto the wrong train! 😳. Very educational...Only after that, we realised SG has lines like this too and we try to take MRT more often if we can. :lol:

Yes that’s why I suggest start in Tokyo and end in Osaka.

Tokyo train system (and customer service counters) have English translations in the signs/maps + English speaking staff to answer all your queries patiently. The platform numbers and train timings may be confusing but detailed people can acclimatize quickly.

Once familiar, then move on to Osaka (more run-down, less dressy, also need own Google Translate to get around but do-able).