The perfect blend of Nintendo magic, martial arts heritage, and cultural discovery awaits your family. This meticulously planned itinerary maximizes your children's interests in gaming and judo while providing rich cultural experiences for adults, all structured around practical family travel needs. Your timing is exceptional - you'll experience the grand opening of Nintendo Museum and potentially the Tokyo Game Show, making this a once-in-a-lifetime gaming pilgrimage. GamesRadar+
The itinerary follows a strategic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route with minimal hotel changes to reduce travel fatigue while maximizing regional exploration. Each day balances either one major attraction or two complementary smaller activities, ensuring manageable pacing for children ages 6 and 9.
Morning: Arrive Narita 09:45 AM. Take Narita Express to Tokyo Station (60 minutes, ¥3,070 adult, ¥1,540 child). Tokyo Airports Guide +2 Check into Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Shinjuku - family rooms with connecting options, kids welcome packs included. TripadvisorKlook
Afternoon: Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street. JapanGOOD LUCK TRIP Perfect gentle introduction to Japanese culture with the children. Purchase goshuincho (stamp books) for temple collecting activity throughout the trip (¥1,000-2,000 each). Japan
Evening: Traditional tempura dinner at nearby restaurant. Early rest to combat jet lag.
Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (¥20,000/night) - connecting family rooms
Morning: Nintendo Store Tokyo in Shibuya Parco (10:00 AM opening). Arrive early to avoid crowds - collect timed entry tickets at 8:00 AM if needed. Life-sized Mario, Link, and Princess Peach statues provide perfect photo opportunities. NavitimeTruly Tokyo
Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing experience and Meiji Shrine visit. The shrine offers peaceful contrast to gaming excitement, plus opportunity for goshuin stamp collecting.
Food: Lunch at Shibuya department store food court, Time Out Tokyo dinner at family-friendly ramen shop.
Transportation: Tokyo Metro 72-hour passes (¥1,590 adult, ¥800 child)
Morning: Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo (Sunshine City) - largest in Japan with life-sized character statues and Pokemon GO Lab. Tickets in Japan Perfect for both boys' ages.
Afternoon: Akihabara Electric Town exploration focusing on family-friendly gaming culture. Visit Yodobashi Akiba (10 floors of electronics) and Namco Akihabara arcade. GamesRadar+Plan My Japan
Evening: Early dinner in Akihabara, return to hotel to organize Pokemon purchases.
Major Activity: Mount Takao hiking expedition. Take Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station (50 minutes, ¥430). Japan-guide Use cable car for ascent, hike down Trail 1 (family-friendly paved route). Japan-guide +4 Perfect half-day nature experience with Tokyo views and possible Mt. Fuji sighting. Japan-guide
Afternoon: Return to central Tokyo, rest time at hotel, explore nearby Shinjuku area.
Food: Lunch at Mt. Takao summit food stalls, dinner at hotel's family restaurant.
Morning: teamLab Borderless (new Azabudai Hills location) - early 10:00 AM entry. Klook +2 Interactive digital art perfect for children. Focus on "Sketch Ocean" exhibit where kids create digital fish. HYPER JAPAN
Afternoon: Tokyo Skytree and Pokemon Center Skytree Town. The KitcheneerGOOD LUCK TRIP Combine iconic Tokyo views with exclusive Skytree-themed Pokemon merchandise. Tickets in Japan
Food: Lunch at teamLab café, dinner at Skytree Town restaurants with Tokyo views.
Major Activity: Full day at Tokyo Disneyland. Arrive at park opening (9:00 AM) for shortest wait times. Priority attractions: new Fantasy Springs area, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean. Japan-guideShow Them The Globe
Strategy: Purchase Disney Premier Access for popular rides. Take breaks in shaded areas during afternoon.
Food: Disney character-themed meals within park, special treats like Dole Whip and Mickey-shaped snacks.
Morning: Kodokan Judo Institute visit - the birthplace of judo worldwide. Wikipedia Museum exploration (11:00-18:00, free admission) and dojo observation from spectator area (16:30-19:30). Japan-guideWikipedia
Afternoon: Samurai Museum Tokyo (Shinjuku) - sword demonstrations at 14:00, 15:00, 16:00. Try on samurai armor, perfect complement to judo cultural education. Martialarts-japan
Food: Traditional Japanese lunch near Kodokan, dinner at hotel focusing on Japanese specialties.
Morning: Train to Kamakura (JR Tokaido Line, 1 hour from Tokyo). Visit Great Buddha statue Ciao Bambino! and explore Kuzuharaoka-Daibutsu hiking course - gentle family-friendly trail connecting temples. Jigsaw Japan
Afternoon: Hase-dera Temple with its eleven-headed Kannon statue and beautiful gardens. Collect goshuin stamps at multiple temples. Jigsaw Japan
Evening: Return to Tokyo, traditional kaiseki dinner experience adapted for families.
Morning: Pokemon Center Tokyo DX + Café (Nihonbashi). Advance reservations for Pokemon Café - unique dining experience with Pikachu and Mew photo opportunities. Tickets in Japan
Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Shibuya and Harajuku. Visit Takeshita Street for quirky Japanese pop culture items appealing to children.
Evening: Pack day bags for Tokyo Game Show, early dinner, rest for big gaming day.
Morning: Tokyo Game Show 2024 at Makuhari Messe (public day, perfect timing!). Experience latest gaming technology, Nintendo demonstrations, cosplay culture. JapanTravel Children under elementary age enter free. GamesHubPlayasia
Afternoon: Return to Tokyo, collect luggage, take Shinkansen to Kyoto (2h 40min, ¥13,320 adult, ¥6,660 child). Klook Travel Check into Sowaka Luxury Ryokan Style Hotel - family-friendly traditional accommodation in Higashiyama district.
Evening: Quiet traditional dinner at ryokan, early rest after exciting day.
Accommodation: Sowaka Hotel Kyoto (¥25,000/night) - Junior Suites for family of 4
Morning: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) early arrival (9:00 AM) to avoid crowds. Klook TravelU.S. News & World Report Children love the "golden castle" concept. 5 Lost Together Follow with nearby Ryoan-ji rock garden for contemplative contrast.
Afternoon: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - magical 500-meter walkway through towering bamboo. 5 Lost TogetherJapan Experience Complete with Tenryu-ji Temple visit and traditional garden exploration. Japan
Food: Traditional tofu cuisine lunch in Arashiyama, kaiseki dinner at hotel adapted for children.
Morning: Fushimi Inari shrine - climb through thousands of torii gates U.S. News & World Report to Yotsutsuji intersection (45 minutes up, family-friendly pace). 5 Lost Together Fox statue spotting game for children. Japan-guide
Afternoon: Explore Fushimi sake district and traditional wooden buildings. Cultural walking tour focusing on traditional crafts and architecture.
Evening: Return to central Kyoto, dinner in Pontocho Alley atmospheric dining district.
Morning: Kiyomizu-dera Temple via historic Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka streets. Famous wooden stage provides panoramic city views, Tripadvisor traditional shops offer cultural shopping.
Afternoon: Gion district exploration - traditional wooden architecture, possible geisha sightings. On Points With Kids Visit traditional tea houses and cultural workshops.
Food: Traditional Kyoto obanzai lunch, Magical Trip Media family-adapted kaiseki dinner experience.
Major Activity: Nintendo Museum Kyoto grand opening visit! This perfectly timed once-in-a-lifetime experience requires advance lottery tickets. Nintendo +2 Interactive exhibits using digital coins, Nintendo hanafuda card-making workshop, Nintendo Museum exclusive museum merchandise. NintendoJapan Experience
Transportation: Kintetsu Railway to Ogura Station (30 minutes from Kyoto Station), 5-minute walk to museum. Nintendo Museum
Evening: Celebration dinner at Pokemon Center Kyoto, purchase Ho-Oh mascot and Heian period costume Pikachus (exclusive to Kyoto). GaijinPot TravelTripadvisor
Morning: Day trip to Nara (45 minutes by train). Nara Deer Park - over 1,000 sacred deer roaming freely. Purchase deer crackers (¥200 per pack) for interactive feeding experience. On Points With Kids +2
Afternoon: Todai-ji Temple with giant 15-meter bronze Buddha statue. On Points With Kids Children's highlight: crawling through wooden pillar hole for "enlightenment" Bon TravelerVisitnara - perfect size for ages 6 and 9.
Food: Nara specialty lunch, return to Kyoto for traditional dinner.
Morning: Traditional martial arts experience at Butokuden - Japan's oldest martial arts hall (built 1899). Observe kendo, judo, and aikido training sessions. BudojapanBlogger
Afternoon: Hands-on cultural workshops - choose from kimono wearing, tea ceremony, or traditional calligraphy. Perfect family cultural immersion experience.
Evening: Farewell Kyoto dinner at traditional restaurant, pack for Osaka transfer.
Morning: Train from Kyoto to Osaka Station (30 minutes, ¥560). Check into Hotel Universal Port - official USJ partner hotel with Minions-themed rooms, family accommodations for 3-4 kids.
Afternoon: Osaka Castle visit (¥600 adults, ¥300 children - increasing to ¥1,200 in 2025, visit before price change!). Museum exhibits showcase samurai history, Nishinomaru Garden provides beautiful views. Tickets in Japan +2
Evening: First taste of Osaka cuisine in Dotonbori district - famous Glico running man sign, giant animated crab, takoyaki street food tasting. MATCHA
Accommodation: Hotel Universal Port (¥18,000/night) - family rooms with USJ views
Major Activity: Full day at Universal Studios Japan focusing on Super Nintendo World. Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Klook Yoshi's Adventure, Power-Up Band interactive experiences. Tripadvisor +2 Purchase Express Pass for guaranteed entry and skip lines.
Strategy: Arrive before 6:00 AM, run directly to Super Nintendo World for optimal experience before crowds arrive. An Orcadian Abroad
Food: Themed meals at Toad's Café, Super Cute Kawaii!! character-themed foods throughout park.
Morning: Minoo Park waterfall hike - perfect family nature experience. 3km paved trail along river to 33-meter waterfall. ms travel solo +3 Try seasonal momiji tempura (fried maple leaves). ms travel solo
Transportation: Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Minoo Station (25 minutes from Umeda, ¥280). ms travel soloEnjoy-osaka-kyoto-kobe
Afternoon: Kuromon Ichiba Market exploration - "Osaka's Kitchen" with fresh seafood tasting and interactive market culture. Budget ¥2,000-4,000 per person for market food sampling. MATCHA
Evening: Traditional Osaka okonomiyaki and kushikatsu dinner in Shinsekai district.
Morning: Contact local Osaka judo dojos for observation or participation opportunities. Visit martial arts equipment shops for authentic Japanese judogi shopping. Kodokan Global
Afternoon: Pokemon Center Osaka (Daimaru Umeda) - exclusive Takoyaki T-shirt Pikachu merchandise only available in Osaka. Jw-webmagazineFandom Final Pokemon Center shopping spree.
Evening: Farewell dinner cruise on Osaka Bay or traditional Osaka kappo cuisine experience.
Morning: Day trip to Himeji Castle (1 hour from Osaka by train) - UNESCO World Heritage original wooden castle, considered Japan's finest surviving example. Family-friendly with elevator access to multiple floors.
Afternoon: Return to Osaka, final souvenir shopping, pack for departure. Rest at hotel.
Evening: Final family celebration dinner featuring all favorite Japanese foods discovered during the trip.
Morning: Hotel checkout, luggage delivery service to airport (¥1,500-2,500 per bag recommended). Light breakfast at hotel.
Final Activity: Pokemon Center Osaka DX + Café for farewell breakfast reservation, last-minute gift purchases.
Transportation: Haruka Express from Osaka Station to Kansai International Airport (45 minutes, ¥2,330 adult, ¥1,170 child). Japan-guide Depart hotel by 7:30 AM for comfortable 11:00 AM+ international flight departure.
Total Transportation Budget: ¥115,000-155,000 ($767-1,033 USD) - 25% savings vs JR Pass Accommodation Budget: ¥420,000 ($2,800 USD) for mid-range family hotels Activity Budget: ¥180,000 ($1,200 USD) including Nintendo experiences, Universal Studios, temples Food Budget: ¥210,000 ($1,400 USD) for family of 4 including special dining experiences
Essential Advance Bookings:
- Nintendo Museum tickets (lottery system, book 3 months ahead) Klook
- Pokemon Café reservations (both Tokyo and Osaka locations)
- Universal Studios Japan Express Passes
- Tokyo Game Show tickets (if attending public days) GamesHubPlayasia
Daily Structure Achievement: Each day features either one major attraction (Disneyland, Universal Studios, Mt. Takao hiking) or two smaller complementary activities (temples + cultural sites, Nintendo stores + neighborhoods), perfectly balancing family energy management with comprehensive cultural exploration.
This itinerary delivers the complete Japanese experience your family seeks - Nintendo gaming culture, authentic judo heritage, family-friendly hiking, cultural immersion, and practical logistics optimized for traveling with children ages 6 and 9. Japan-guide +2