Tokyo + Kyoto?

[jpopsurfer]

Hi all,

Appreciate your advice please.

My family (myself, spouse, 2 kids of 3+yrs old and 1+yrs old, 2 parents) are going to Japan in 2019, early April.

I have booked air tickets (ANA). Reached Haneda airport on 3 Apr 7pm and flew out from Heneda airport on 16 Apr 11pm.

Initially I wanted to stay in Tokyo after reading forum to take it slow esp with old folks n kids.

However, my friends share I should venture out to some places.

What's your thots? Thanks.

 

[purpleberry]

Depending on your speed, I would suggest Tokyo and surrounding regions only. Plenty of areas to explore for 12 full days. Wait for your kids to get older and you can visit Kyoto and Osaka at another time.

 

[Mergui219067]

1st time ?
Tokyo + nearby towns.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Bring them go Disneyland(1 day), Disneysea(1 day), day trip to Hakone(1 day or even stay for a night), go Gotemba Premium Outlet shopping(Just about 3/4 day gone)..Add in the rest, just about right. Not rush, nice and slow pace

 

[Mergui219067]

Disney Parks are not cheap.
Your parents would mostly end up paying to ‘sit down in the Parks taking care of your strollers / belongings only ‘ mostly.
Queues are long too .

 

[Gixxerfied]

Yup, not cheap but might be the only chance they will go and experience the sights..

 

[wongkc]

its always a challenge balancing the parents and kids if u are to bring them along for a tour... kids stuff the elderly will not enjoy... sight-seeing the kids will be bored... need to walk long journey both parents and kids will be tired...

but good thing is u have a lengthy trip... can take things slow...

disney park as pointed out... will just be an experience for both the elderly and kids that young... a lot of the rides will not be suitable for them... but at 1+ and 3+ the kids will be quite excited meeting all those disney characters and kiddy rides... but i believe the grandparents will be equally happy seeing a happy 3 generation having fun together...

another good kiddy place to go is Sanrio Puroland... got more attractions that are suitable for young kids in my opinion...

in April u might even have a chance of experiencing the sakura... or u can travel further north to experience it if u missed it in Tokyo...

surrounding areas that are still within easy reach are Yokohama (cup noodle musuem), Nikko (waterfalls, shrines), Hakone (mt Fuji, onsen), Gunma (onsen) etc...

 

[thwysg]

Tokyo and a few day trips are good enough. Day trips - Yokohama, Kawaguchiko, Hakone.

Bring them to the parks - Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Showa Kinen Park (I love this one, always a lovely sight to see so many families hanging out and picnicking), Ueno Park and Inokashira Park (sakura trees).

Take the direct buses if you’re unfamiliar with the trains for some locations. If you liked shopping, there’s lots of shopping malls everywhere.

I once met up with a friend who brought his wife and his 2-yr old gal during some parts of my Tokyo trip some years back. We only managed to watch three shows (two outdoor, one indoor) and no rides in DisneySea. They did manage to take pictures with some Disney characters during greeting sessions. Didn’t do much when we were in Odaiba, we did go onto the Ferris Wheel and let the couple walk around Venus Fort while my mister and I took care of their little gal. They didn’t manage to venture much but I felt it was alright, especially when they had a young one with a stroller.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Showa Kinen nice? Wife pointed out to me recently, still thinking if we should drop by during our trip later this week for a walk.

 

[purpleberry]

Showa Kinen looks very good! On the same line as Mitaka and Kichijoji. Anyone tried Showa Kinen Park Rainbow Pool?

 

[Mergui219067]

Haha .
Wonder how many teenagers,adults or elderly are still interested in Micky Mouse or Donald Duck .

Free or cheap okay but it is not.

Yup, not cheap but might be the only chance they will go and experience the sights..

 

[evilerniex]

Haha .
Wonder how many teenagers,adults or elderly are still interested in Micky Mouse or Donald Duck .

Free or cheap okay but it is not.

me.. hahaaa
once in awhile, it is nice to let loose and let out the inner child in u. while i am not really interested in mickey or donald, the theme park is still a very magical place to relive ur childhood memories

 

[purpleberry]

Haha .
Wonder how many teenagers,adults or elderly are still interested in Micky Mouse or Donald Duck .

Free or cheap okay but it is not.

me.. hahaaa
once in awhile, it is nice to let loose and let out the inner child in u. while i am not really interested in mickey or donald, the theme park is still a very magical place to relive ur childhood memories

*raises hand*

Perhaps I grew up with Disney unlike kids these days who are into Harry Potter and stuff. You might be surprised that some elderly enjoys it too as Mickey was the one of the few cartoons in black and white. If you intend to go Disneyland, you acn try to book at those restaurants with live shows. Quite fun to watch.

 

[Ruriel]

Haha .
Wonder how many teenagers,adults or elderly are still interested in Micky Mouse or Donald Duck .

Free or cheap okay but it is not.

My mom is 66 this year and she still enjoys her Disney trips when she goes Tokyo. She had been there many times and still finds it enjoyable every time she visits.

Don't be such a stereotype and assume elderly won't enjoy it.

 

[apeape]

Showa Kinen looks very good! On the same line as Mitaka and Kichijoji. Anyone tried Showa Kinen Park Rainbow Pool?

has the colour already changed in this park?

 

[Mergui219067]

2nd childhood & rare indeed.
Does she wear those Mickey Mouse ears on the head & carry those Mickey Mouse backpack ?
Japanese meimei like to do that .

My mom is 66 this year and she still enjoys her Disney trips when she goes Tokyo. She had been there many times and still finds it enjoyable every time she visits.

Don't be such a stereotype and assume elderly won't enjoy it.

 

[thwysg]

has the colour already changed in this park?

Do yourself a favor. Next time google for the parks’ official homepages and check the statuses.

Updates on the things to see in Showa Kinen Park.
http://www.showakinen-koen.jp/info-flower/

 

[Gixxerfied]

2nd childhood & rare indeed.
Does she wear those Mickey Mouse ears on the head & carry those Mickey Mouse backpack ?
Japanese meimei like to do that .

You mean one has gonna dress like that to enjoy Disney?

 

[thwysg]

Showa Kinen nice? Wife pointed out to me recently, still thinking if we should drop by during our trip later this week for a walk.

Depends on the season you’re visiting. I went in May and September this year for poppies, nemophila, cosmos and red spider lilies.

 

[snap99]

Early April good chance to catch cherry blossoms .....