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We just got back from an incredible 11-day trip to Japan with our kids, splitting our time between Tokyo and Kyoto. Honestly, it was one of our favorite trips ever, filled with amazing food, cultural experiences, and plenty of teen-approved adventures. But if we had the chance to do it again, there are a few things we’d definitely change about our Japan trip.
1. Book Open-Jaw Flights (Not Round Trip)
One of the biggest things I’d do differently about our Japan trip is how we booked our flights. We chose round-trip tickets in and out of Tokyo, which seemed easiest at the time. But in reality, it meant extra backtracking and breaking up our time in Tokyo. It was definitely not the best use of our precious vacation days.
A much better option is booking an open-jaw itinerary, which means flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka (or vice versa). This way, you can start in one city, take the bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto, and then fly home directly from Osaka without retracing your steps. Not only does this save time, but it can also save money. The Shinkansen is fantastic, but it isn’t cheap; a round-trip ticket on the bullet train can sometimes cost more than a one-way flight.
2. Spend More Time in Tokyo
We split our Japan trip evenly between Tokyo and Kyoto, thinking it was a fair balance. But once we were there, it became clear that Tokyo deserved more time than we were giving it, especially when traveling with teens. Our kids absolutely loved Tokyo’s energy, the quirky neighborhoods, the themed cafes, and the endless shopping.
We ended up with four nights in Tokyo at the start of the trip and just one more night at the very end. In hindsight, it would’ve been much better to do at least five consecutive nights in Tokyo before moving on to Kyoto. It would have allowed us to explore the city in more depth without feeling rushed, and still have plenty of time for Kyoto’s temples, markets, and day trips. I am by no means saying to take time away from Kyoto, because we loved having our five nights in Kyoto. I am just saying that we would have loved the same thing in Tokyo.
3. Plan a Full Day at DisneySea or Tokyo Disney
I honestly wasn’t expecting Tokyo DisneySea to be one of our favorite experiences, but it was. We bought the early evening passport, which was great for a shorter visit and definitely budget-friendly. But the second we walked in, I wished we had the entire day to explore.
DisneySea is unique; there’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world. It’s also huge. Between the incredible theming, rides, food, and entertainment, a half-day just wasn’t enough. If we go back, I’d definitely block out a full day (or two) to soak it all in.
4. Consider the Season
Here’s the truth: we went in July, and it was HOT. Like, step outside and you’re sweating hot. If we had the choice, I’d probably avoid midsummer and go in spring or fall instead. That said, summer in Japan is still better than no Japan.
We have kids, so obviously, summer is the time we take the majority of our trips. We made summer in Japan work with plenty of water, fans, cooling wipes, and UV umbrellas (a total lifesaver). And the upside of summer? Longer daylight hours, lively festivals, and a fun, vibrant energy in the cities.
Grab these before your trip!
Final Thoughts
Even with these little “do differently” moments, our Japan trip was absolutely incredible. Sometimes travel isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about learning as you go, making memories, and then sharing those lessons to help the next trip (and hopefully yours!) run even smoother.
Would we go back? In a heartbeat. Only this time, I’d book open-jaw flights, give Tokyo more love, block off a whole day for DisneySea, and maybe, just maybe, pick a cooler season. You can find our full itinerary with links to places we stayed and what we did in my blog post 11 Days in Japan with Teens.
Tips & Takeaways for Planning a Japan Trip
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Book open-jaw flights: Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka (or vice versa) to save time and money.
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Prioritize Tokyo if traveling with teens: There’s so much for them to see and do.
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Think about pacing: Consecutive nights in one city help you feel less rushed and more immersed.
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Be mindful of the season: Summer is hot, but manageable with cooling wipes, umbrellas, and lots of water.
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Block out a whole day for DisneySea: It’s a one-of-a-kind Disney park you won’t want to rush.
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Mom of two and seeking sanity in the everyday. Let’s chat about family, school struggles, travel, and living our best life. Located in the San Francisco Bay area.
