The Ultimate 11-Day Japan Itinerary for Families with Teens

Eleven Days: Tokyo & Kyoto

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Where We Stayed

Tokyo (4 nights) – Mimaru Suites Shinjuku West

We based ourselves at Mimaru Suites Shinjuku West, which is perfect for families, offering apartment-style rooms with space to spread out, as well as a convenient location for exploring the city.  We absolutely loved this hotel for our family.  It was so nice to have a kitchen table, refrigerator for all our 7/11 hauls, and even bunk beds for the kids.

Kyoto (5 nights) Hilton DoubleTree Kyoto Higashiyama

We stayed at the Hilton DoubleTree Kyoto Higashiyama, a peaceful spot near some of Kyoto’s most iconic sights. After the bustle of Tokyo, it was the perfect change of pace.  We booked two rooms at a fantastic price.  The hotel is beautiful, comfortable, and offers a fantastic breakfast buffet.  It also has a wonderful onsen, which was a godsend to my aching muscles each night.  Oh, and I have to give a shout-out for the hotel’s cutest and comfy matching jammies!

Tokyo (1 night) The New Otani

We returned to Tokyo for our final night and stayed at The New Otani, mainly for the pool, which was 100% worth it on a hot summer day.  It is located in Akasaka, a central area that is somewhat less congested than other areas.  The hotel itself is enormous and offers a wide range of amenities.  It was a great place to unwind and relax (especially poolside) before our long flight home the next day.

Tokyo Highlights 

Asakusa and Sensoji Temple

A great mix of old and new. Our visit to Senso-ji Temple provided us with a glimpse of traditional Japan amidst the bustling atmosphere of Tokyo.  Asakusa is also a great spot to take in the beautiful views of the Tokyo Skytree and visit one of the best Mega Don Quixotes

Harajuku and Shibuya

We started the day in Harajuku and ended it in Shibuya.  These two areas are close to each other and can be easily combined in a day. Harajuku was all about shopping, crepes, and people-watching galore. It’s chaotic in the best way, and your teens will love the fashion scene. My daughter spent several hours (and dollars) exploring Takeshita Street.

Once we made it to Shibuya, we did even more shopping, crossed Shibuya Crossing, and snapped a photo with the statue of Hachiko, an Akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty, before making it to our Shibuya sky reservation.

Animal Cafes

We visited Mipig Cafe (mini pigs!) and the Owl Village Cafe, both located in Harajuku, and both were a big hit with our animal-loving crew.  The kids enjoyed interacting with the animals.  The pigs came right up and cuddled in our laps, sometimes multiple at a time.

We also purchased a feeding session at Owl Village.  We enjoyed getting up close and personal with the beautiful owls.

Akihabara + Ikebukuro

A dream for anime, gaming, and fans. These neighborhoods are filled with arcades, themed cafés, and quirky pop culture shops. We all ended up preferring Ikebukuro to Akihabara; it felt a little more manageable and just as much fun, plus it had my son’s favorite Pokémon Center, which featured a Pokémon Go Lab.

Shinjuku

Since this was where we were staying, we naturally explored the area each night, trying multiple restaurants, visiting the 3D Cat Billboard, and wandering through Omoide Yokocho, also known as “Memory Lane,” which offered irresistible street food.

teamLab Planets

This immersive digital art exhibit was mind-blowing and, honestly, hard to describe. You just have to experience it. It was a great way to escape the summer heat for a couple of hours.

A couple of pro tips: wear shorts or pants that you can roll up, as you’ll be wading through some installations! Also, be sure to wear pants or shorts.  Many of the exhibits have mirrored floors, so be mindful of wearing skirts or dresses.

Shibuya Sky at Sunset

An absolute must. The panoramic views of Tokyo as the sun goes down are unforgettable, and our teens loved the rooftop vibe. Tickets go on sale at midnight (local time) 14 days prior to the event. The sunset and evening slots sell out fast, so if you’re hoping for that golden-hour view, be sure to book early!

Disney Sea 

We didn’t spend a full day here, but even a few hours were enough to soak in the magic. It truly is unlike any other Disney park. In the summer, they offer a greatly reduced evening passport, which we took advantage of. For us, it was a great way to get a taste of the park. That said, DisneySea is huge, and I’d definitely recommend a full day if you have the time.  It really is a beautiful and unique park, next time I’d prefer to allot an entire day to fully experience it.

Kyoto Highlights 

Arashiyama

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Nara Day Trip

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Gion

Nishiki Market

Kibune + Kifune Shrine

Getting Around

Dining

Yakiniku Honma (Akasaka, Tokyo)

Hananoi (Gion, Kyoto)

This was hands down the best sushi we’ve ever had. We did a kaiseki meal (chef’s choice) and it was beyond exceptional, fresh, beautifully presented, and an experience in itself. Every course felt like a work of art, and it was a highlight of our stay in Kyoto.

Gion Tanto (Gion, Kyoto)

A Happy Pancake (Kyoto)

Sushi Tetsu (Pontocho Alley, Kyoto)

Curry Udon (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Di Punto (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Denny’s

Yep, the same Denny’s as back in the States, but with a welcome twist of Japanese flair.  The menu features a variety of comfort dishes from back home, as well as traditional Japanese cuisine, and everything we had was delicious.  Denny’s ended up being my daughter’s favorite place to eat during our trip.

Kyo Baum (Arashiyama, Kyoto)

Our rickshaw guide recommended this spot, and it absolutely delivered. The matcha soft serve here was hands-down the best we had the entire trip, rich, creamy, and not too sweet. A perfect treat after walking through the bamboo forest.

Final Thoughts