Take long, unstructured walks around Tokyo early in the morning as the city is waking up. It's an amazing place at all times, but especially in non-touristy moments such as this.
Check the weather before you go see Mt Fuji: it's often socked in with heavy clouds/fog.
Bit late to the party, but here goes. For context, I've lived in Asia for five years, with one of those in Japan. I may be in Tokyo the same time you are there, will try to check out the University talk!
To do (unfortunately a lot of indoors, but can't be avoided to see the Tokyo vibes)
- David Bull's (Youtube workhorse) woodblock print shop Mokuhankan in Asakusa
- Sega or Taito arcade in Tokyo for the 90s vibes
- Street Go Karting in Akihabara (actually driving in the streets of Tokyo)
- Any maid cafe
- Tokyo Metropolitan building for the night views
- Stationery shops: LOFT is fine, look for Hobonichi products
- Agree with Kamakura below, can do a Kamakura + Yokohama (at night) day trip
- Golden gai for the cyberpunk density look
- New York Bar in Park Hyatt Tokyo for Lost in translation nostalgia
Food:
- Ningyocho imahan - sukiyaki
- Mikawa Zezankyo - lunch set tempura
- Ichiran - ramen
- Hitsumabushi Bincho Ginza - unagi
- Matsuya - the McDonald's of Japan, worth a quick lunch or breakfast for the meme
Japan is the best country to eat in restaurants, of all levels, and definitely not just "Japanese" food. Make sure to try a random Italian place or a local burger joint. You likely won't be disappointed.
Japan is the universally acknowledged, no-competition mecca for all forms of writing instruments and stationery. This is particularly true in Kobe, Chiyoda City in Tokyo (almost entirely for Maruzen), and Hamamatsu. If you incorporate any kind of analog processes in your workflow, you may find exploring these options while in Japan to be of interest.
Teamlab is fantastic for adults and kids. Sort of an immersive multimedia experience. Teamlab Borderless is very on brand for Caplans. But Teamlab Planets also great.
maybe more later, but the first thing I'm noticing is that lots of this advice isn't taking into account that Japan has a real winter and that's going to matter if you are planning to be outdoors a lot in the winter and i'm wondering how much of the advice here was extrapolated from trips taken in the spring/summer/fall (japanese gardens in the winter can be great, but they hit different :)). other comments on the other comments: the miyazaki museum tickets require advance planning. Remember that rail pass only gets you on JR lines and that's frequently not the most convenient way to get somewhere so don't let sunk costs bite you. With that many days, I do encourage you to get out of the metropolises and meet people outside. Actual winter activities that would help you get out would be the Shirakawa-go cabins, snow monkeys, and such.
I haven't been back to Japan since 1996 but I think some things will not have changed. I saw someone suggested Miyajima, Miyajima is worth an afternoon. Don't eat snacks around the deer who are not afraid of people at all (unless you want to share). I saw okonmiyaki being suggested and each region has their own style but Hiroshima's is one of the most famous.
There is a famous eel lunch (unagi) restaurant in the park in Nagasaki. You eat it in 3 stages, as I remember it. Street food is fun to eat in the winter, at the little vending carts, good place to drink hot sake.
Even though Japan does not get as cold as most places in America, you will feel the cold more there as standing on outdoor train platforms and walking from place to place exposes you to the cold more than when Americans walk across parking lots to their cars. As you are going in the winter, go to a place with an outdoor hot bath, called a rotenburo, and enjoy a steaming hot bath surrounded by snow if you are lucky (read on how to use the bath first if you don't know). I see you might go to Kyushu, they have a lot of hot springs there. But many places have outdoor hot spring baths.
Have your son study up on his 100 most common kanji before the trip. If you find yourselves off the beaten path, recognizing those kanji as components in other more complex kanji might help you recognize and understand station names and other signs more often than hiragana will help. It might be the most effective and productive application of his 1 year of Japanese study as it is difficult to understand, speak, and read after only one year of study. Don't be discouraged, you really have to live in Japan for a year or so to develop an ear and be able to say what you want.
If you like Ghibli movies, Ghibli Park will open in Aichi prefecture (between Tokyo and Kyoto) next month.
I am a Japanese economist teaching in Arkansas but I have never heard of "economiyaki" before, that is funny, thank you Prof. Eric Rasmusen. Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima is very good. Unlike okonomiyaki in other areas, they put fried noodles inside.
-If you want a VERY unusual dinner, and aren't too picky about actual food quality, consider reserving a table at Kagaya Izakaya in Tokyo. Ideally, don't read anything about the restaurant before you go, but if you must, look it up for yourself while hiding the details from the rest of your family.
-At least one night at a ryokan is a fun experience; the single best meal I had in Japan was at a ryokan near Hakone national park by Mt Fuji. If you want to get really adventurous, do a night at a capsule hotel if you've never tried one (or maybe drop your kids off at one while you enjoy a normal room).
-If you like old temples, don't skip Nara. It's easy to hit on the way from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto.
-It's possible to do Himeji Castle and Hiroshima in a single day if you get up early and figure out what trains/buses you need to take in advance.
-If you want to avoid staying at a new hotel every single night, using Osaka as a "home base" for hitting Nara, Kyoto, Himeji, and Hiroshima isn't the worst idea. Just stay at a place close to one of the central train stations.
-People have already mentioned 7/11, okonomiyaki, and other types of Japanese food, but I also enjoyed checking out Japanese takes on foreign cuisine. Japan has a chain called Saizeriya which is Italian food that has undergone several decades of divergent evolution. Try out coffee-flavored jelly and corn pizza!
I am jealous! We vacationed in Japan in November of 2019 and we are looking forward to heading back at some point.
It is, of course, a matter of personal preferences, but I would sprinkle in some rural / nature areas. We spent time some time in the area of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, staying in a private pension with it its own (not fancy) onsen. It was one the highlights of our stay in Japan. Of course, one would have to check the weather in December. November was still fairly warm when we were there.
Take long, unstructured walks around Tokyo early in the morning as the city is waking up. It's an amazing place at all times, but especially in non-touristy moments such as this.
Check the weather before you go see Mt Fuji: it's often socked in with heavy clouds/fog.
-second the JR Pass
-if you can make it Nikko outside of Tokyo is beautiful
-also Miyajima outside of Hiroshima is worth a visit
-Nara is a worthwhile day trip from Kyoto
-I loved Himeji Castle glad to see it on your list
-the Kobe steak meal experience is worth a trek from Kyoto for dinner
-make sure to have okonomiyaki in Hiroshima
-I went in September but a trip to Fuji Five lakes might still be worth it for the view even if the climb is closed
Bit late to the party, but here goes. For context, I've lived in Asia for five years, with one of those in Japan. I may be in Tokyo the same time you are there, will try to check out the University talk!
To do (unfortunately a lot of indoors, but can't be avoided to see the Tokyo vibes)
- David Bull's (Youtube workhorse) woodblock print shop Mokuhankan in Asakusa
- Sega or Taito arcade in Tokyo for the 90s vibes
- Street Go Karting in Akihabara (actually driving in the streets of Tokyo)
- Any maid cafe
- Tokyo Metropolitan building for the night views
- Stationery shops: LOFT is fine, look for Hobonichi products
- Agree with Kamakura below, can do a Kamakura + Yokohama (at night) day trip
- Golden gai for the cyberpunk density look
- New York Bar in Park Hyatt Tokyo for Lost in translation nostalgia
Food:
- Ningyocho imahan - sukiyaki
- Mikawa Zezankyo - lunch set tempura
- Ichiran - ramen
- Hitsumabushi Bincho Ginza - unagi
- Matsuya - the McDonald's of Japan, worth a quick lunch or breakfast for the meme
Japan is the best country to eat in restaurants, of all levels, and definitely not just "Japanese" food. Make sure to try a random Italian place or a local burger joint. You likely won't be disappointed.
Japan is the universally acknowledged, no-competition mecca for all forms of writing instruments and stationery. This is particularly true in Kobe, Chiyoda City in Tokyo (almost entirely for Maruzen), and Hamamatsu. If you incorporate any kind of analog processes in your workflow, you may find exploring these options while in Japan to be of interest.
Teamlab is fantastic for adults and kids. Sort of an immersive multimedia experience. Teamlab Borderless is very on brand for Caplans. But Teamlab Planets also great.
maybe more later, but the first thing I'm noticing is that lots of this advice isn't taking into account that Japan has a real winter and that's going to matter if you are planning to be outdoors a lot in the winter and i'm wondering how much of the advice here was extrapolated from trips taken in the spring/summer/fall (japanese gardens in the winter can be great, but they hit different :)). other comments on the other comments: the miyazaki museum tickets require advance planning. Remember that rail pass only gets you on JR lines and that's frequently not the most convenient way to get somewhere so don't let sunk costs bite you. With that many days, I do encourage you to get out of the metropolises and meet people outside. Actual winter activities that would help you get out would be the Shirakawa-go cabins, snow monkeys, and such.
+ Buy the foreign rail pass
+ Go see the giant Gundam and take pictures
+ Shibuya is a blast to walk around
+ You can survive on 7-11 and have a great time
+ Avoid Roppongi
+ Gorge yourself on Ramen - Golden Gai is now a tourist spot, but fuck it, it's a fun neighborhood
I haven't been back to Japan since 1996 but I think some things will not have changed. I saw someone suggested Miyajima, Miyajima is worth an afternoon. Don't eat snacks around the deer who are not afraid of people at all (unless you want to share). I saw okonmiyaki being suggested and each region has their own style but Hiroshima's is one of the most famous.
There is a famous eel lunch (unagi) restaurant in the park in Nagasaki. You eat it in 3 stages, as I remember it. Street food is fun to eat in the winter, at the little vending carts, good place to drink hot sake.
Even though Japan does not get as cold as most places in America, you will feel the cold more there as standing on outdoor train platforms and walking from place to place exposes you to the cold more than when Americans walk across parking lots to their cars. As you are going in the winter, go to a place with an outdoor hot bath, called a rotenburo, and enjoy a steaming hot bath surrounded by snow if you are lucky (read on how to use the bath first if you don't know). I see you might go to Kyushu, they have a lot of hot springs there. But many places have outdoor hot spring baths.
Have your son study up on his 100 most common kanji before the trip. If you find yourselves off the beaten path, recognizing those kanji as components in other more complex kanji might help you recognize and understand station names and other signs more often than hiragana will help. It might be the most effective and productive application of his 1 year of Japanese study as it is difficult to understand, speak, and read after only one year of study. Don't be discouraged, you really have to live in Japan for a year or so to develop an ear and be able to say what you want.
Have fun !
https://soranews24.com/2022/10/15/travelling-to-japan-be-aware-of-the-three-small-hells-awaiting-tourists-upon-arrival/
Happy to see Harakiri and Samurai Rebellion recommended - two of the best samurai films!
If you like Ghibli movies, Ghibli Park will open in Aichi prefecture (between Tokyo and Kyoto) next month.
I am a Japanese economist teaching in Arkansas but I have never heard of "economiyaki" before, that is funny, thank you Prof. Eric Rasmusen. Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima is very good. Unlike okonomiyaki in other areas, they put fried noodles inside.
-If you want a VERY unusual dinner, and aren't too picky about actual food quality, consider reserving a table at Kagaya Izakaya in Tokyo. Ideally, don't read anything about the restaurant before you go, but if you must, look it up for yourself while hiding the details from the rest of your family.
-At least one night at a ryokan is a fun experience; the single best meal I had in Japan was at a ryokan near Hakone national park by Mt Fuji. If you want to get really adventurous, do a night at a capsule hotel if you've never tried one (or maybe drop your kids off at one while you enjoy a normal room).
-If you like old temples, don't skip Nara. It's easy to hit on the way from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto.
-It's possible to do Himeji Castle and Hiroshima in a single day if you get up early and figure out what trains/buses you need to take in advance.
-If you want to avoid staying at a new hotel every single night, using Osaka as a "home base" for hitting Nara, Kyoto, Himeji, and Hiroshima isn't the worst idea. Just stay at a place close to one of the central train stations.
-People have already mentioned 7/11, okonomiyaki, and other types of Japanese food, but I also enjoyed checking out Japanese takes on foreign cuisine. Japan has a chain called Saizeriya which is Italian food that has undergone several decades of divergent evolution. Try out coffee-flavored jelly and corn pizza!
Your kids might enjoy the Zauo Fishing Restaurant, if they have the patience for it. You fish from little indoor ponds and then eat what you catch.
I am jealous! We vacationed in Japan in November of 2019 and we are looking forward to heading back at some point.
It is, of course, a matter of personal preferences, but I would sprinkle in some rural / nature areas. We spent time some time in the area of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, staying in a private pension with it its own (not fancy) onsen. It was one the highlights of our stay in Japan. Of course, one would have to check the weather in December. November was still fairly warm when we were there.
Kamakura is about an hour or so from Tokyo. Lovely walks and very impressive shrines.