The Japan Edit

The Itinerary

Day 1: Landing in Tokyo

The excitement of landing in Tokyo was unmatched, but the 16-hour time difference hits hard. We stayed at the Westin Tokyo, which was central, spacious, and had a breakfast buffet ( a life saver every morning 😂). After a quick refresh, we met up with friends for dinner and eased into the city’s magic.

What we did:

• Checked into The Westin Tokyo (two rooms for extra space with the kids).

• Dinner at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu—the famous “Kill Bill” restaurant.

After dinner, we were completely wiped and ready to rest up for the adventure ahead!

Day 2: Markets & Family Cooking Classes

Our first full day in Tokyo was packed with amazing food, cultural sights, and even a cooking class. The kids were all in, from tasting street snacks at the fish market to making their own ramen and gyoza. We ended the day with some vintage shopping and sweet treats, balancing family time with a little mom escape.

What we did:

• Explored Tsukiji Fish Market (sushi and street snacks galore!) and Toyosu Fish Market.

• Took a family cooking class at Tokyo Cooking Studio—ramen and gyoza were a hit!

• Strolled through Yoyogi Park and visited Meiji Temple.

• Moms-only vintage shopping spree at Qoo (scored a Chanel mini bag ⭐).

• Harajuku Street for sweets and people-watching while the kids enjoyed Mipig Café.

• And a popular one amongst the kids, the Sumo Experience! Dinner and drinks while we learned about Sumo wrestling and watched a live match!

It was a full day but didn’t feel overwhelming—a perfect mix of adventure and downtime.

Day 3: Kimonos & Baseball

This day was all about diving into Tokyo’s culture and having some fun as a family. Dressing in kimonos was such a sweet experience, especially for me and Mila! Then we got tix to a baseball game in Meiji Jingu Stadium. This gave us a glimpse into Japan’s sports culture, which is very different compared to US! They’re so much more quiet and polite. Then we ended the day on a high note with karaoke—so much fun!

What we did:

• Dressed in traditional kimonos and took family photos in Shibuya.

• Guided sightseeing tour (honestly, not our favorite, but we made it work).

• Watched a Swallows baseball game at Meiji Jingu Stadium.

• Karaoke at the Rainbow Room in Jinnan with a private room, free coffee and soft-serve! I mean… it doesn’t get better than that!!! 😍 

The mix of traditional and modern experiences made this day unforgettable!

Day 4: Samurai Moves & Team Labs

Our last day in Tokyo brought out our inner warriors and art enthusiasts. From dressing up as ninjas to experiencing the immersive beauty of TeamLab Planets, the kids were fully into it! And we ended the night with a quiet Teppanyaki dinner and had an adults night out in Shibuya—a great way to wind down! 🍻🍾

What we did:

• Samurai Ninja Museum for swordplay and ninja moves with the kids.

• Walked through Ueno Park and enjoyed a cherry blossom festival.

• Immersive art experience at TeamLab Planets—a highlight of the trip! This is a MUST when in Tokyo… like plz do it!

• Teppanyaki dinner at Wakakaiseki Yamatokan with a private room (perfect for loud kiddos).

Tokyo was everything we hoped for and more, but now we gear up for Kyoto! 🤩 

Day 5: Traveling to Kyoto

We kicked off our Kyoto adventure with a relaxing 90-minute ride on the bullet train. Pro tip: Use Japan’s luggage transfer service to send big bags ahead—so much easier when traveling with kids! Once we arrived, the Hotel Mitsui blew us away with its gorgeous architecture and cozy suite, giving us the perfect home base to explore this beautiful city.

What we did:

• Traveled to Kyoto on the bullet train.

• Checked into the stunning Hotel Mitsui—a new family favorite.

• Enjoyed a private tea ceremony at Nagomi, followed by dinner at Gion Emon.

• Night tour of Nijo Castle with lantern-lit pathways and a magical light show.

The day ended with matching pajamas for the kids (so cute!) and us feeling fully immersed in Kyoto’s peaceful vibe.

Day 6: Private Onsen & Markets

Our first full day in Kyoto started with ultimate relaxation—a private onsen experience that was calming for the adults and fun for the kids. From there, we dove into the lively Nishiki Market, where we sampled incredible food and picked up some beauty products (Japan’s pharmacies are next-level! 😍 ).

What we did:

• Relaxed in a private onsen at Hotel Mitsui (quiet, serene, and just what we needed).

• Wandered Nishiki Market, trying everything from salmon sushi to sake.

• Ninja blade-throwing experience (fun but definitely a one-time thing for me).

• Dinner at Ramen (you can’t go wrong with ramen in Japan!).

It was the perfect mix of calm and adventure, setting the tone for the days to come.

Day 7: Exploring Kyoto’s Natural Beauty

This day was all about soaking in Kyoto’s famous sights. A guided walking tour took us to stunning temples, parks, and even a monkey park! The cherry blossoms were in full bloom! 🌸 

What we did:

• Visited the Golden Temple (Kinkakuji), Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Monkey Park (another kid fave btw and you can feed the monkeys!)

• Walked under breathtaking cherry blossoms at Arashiyama Park.

• Spent the evening exploring Kyoto’s quiet charm with our group.

Let me tell you… the cherry blossoms were breathtaking, even the kids were in awe. It can be hard to time it, as they can be unpredictable, but this was absolutely a highlight of the trip— truly beautiful!

Day 8: Bikes, Temples, & Nightlife

We saved the best for last with a cycling tour that took us to Kyoto’s most iconic spots. The kids were hesitant at first (Kai was not thrilled about the bike seat!) but ended up loving the ride. We capped off the trip with a parents-only night out at a local club, dancing to old-school hip-hop.

What we did:

• Cycle Kyoto bike tour with stops at Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. This was one of my fave parts of the trip!

• Explored Kyoto’s historic neighbourhoods and stunning parks.

• Parents’ night out at World Kyoto—a club with the best throwback R&B tunes!

It was the perfect way to wrap up our Kyoto adventure, blending family fun with a little adult downtime. 😊 

Okay, that’s a wrap on this Japan edit. It was jam-packed, and something that everyone in our group of twenty, enjoyed whether they were 3, 13 or 40! Hope this little run down helps when planning your trip to Japan!