Itinerary advisory for Tokyo, Kyoto/Osaka

Hi,
My family of 4 ( 2 adults & 2 children age 12 & 15) is planning to visit Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka/Hakone. We will be arriving Narita on 7th at 1700hrs & departing from Narita on 15th at 2050hrs. We are planning the following itineraries and would like to know how should I arrange it in order to be time & travel distance efficient.
Would also like to know of any outlet mall that is a must-go. Especially interested to know where to get discounted price for the blue label bags. Appreciate the advice.

Tokyo (day1-4 & lodging at Shinjuku sunroute plaza)
1. Tokyo Metro Government Towers
2. Disneyland
3. Asakusa Kannon Temple
4. Diet building & Imperial Palace
5. Ginza
6. Shinjuku
7. Shinsaibashi
8. Harajuku
9. Asakusa

Kyoto/Osaka (day 5-7 & Kyoto century hotel)
1. Kiyomizu Temple
2. Otowa-no-taki
3. Togenzaka, Sanenzaka & Ninen-zaka
4. Heian Shrine
5. Arashiyama (Hanatoro)
Osaka
1. Universal Studio
2. Tenjinbashi-suji
3. Dotonburi

Hakone (day 8 & hakone-machi hotel)
1. Hot spring ?

Would also like to know of any outlet mall that is a must-go. Especially interested to know where to get discounted price for the blue label bags.

Go to Gotemba Premium Outlets when you are in Hakone:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5213.html
http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/gotemba/

They have a Burberry store but I am not sure that they will have the Blue Label discounted there or not.

Tokyo (day1-4 & lodging at Shinjuku sunroute plaza)
1. Tokyo Metro Government Towers

See this one evening, last entry is 10:30pm so we usually go after dinner. You can walk from your hotel/Shinjuku Station.

2. Disneyland

All day by itself. I would try and do it on the 10th if you can as you don't want to go on the weekends.

3. Asakusa Kannon Temple
9. Asakusa

4. Diet building & Imperial Palace
5. Ginza
7. Shinsaibashi


You can do the above together in one day. I'd probably go to Asakusa first I think.

6. Shinjuku
8. Harajuku

I would do these on Dec 9th as it is a Sunday. I'd also see Mieji Jingu and Yoyogi Park. If you have time and feel like continuing to sightsee I would go to Shibuya, see Hachiko and Hachiko's crossing and possibly do some shopping and/or have dinner there.

Kyoto/Osaka (day 5-7 & Kyoto century hotel)
1. Kiyomizu Temple
2. Otowa-no-taki
3. Togenzaka, Sanenzaka & Ninen-zaka
4. Heian Shrine

Do all these on one day.

5. Arashiyama (Hanatoro)

Do this on one day and possibly include Kinkakuji in the morning.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html

Osaka
1. Universal Studio
2. Tenjinbashi-suji
3. Dotonburi

Might be able to squeeze this into one day. Depends how long you want at Universal Studios. Although awkward, maybe you could do Tenjinbashi in the morning of the day before, then see Arashiyama in the evening. Dotonbori is fine/best at night.

Hakone (day 8 & hakone-machi hotel)
1. Hot spring ?

Sounds fine, just note time to get to your hotel etc. You could include Gotemba Premium Outlets here somewhere.

Enjoy your trip!

Looks like I'm set with my itineraries.
Thanks :)
1 more question, do they accept credit cards or in general just Cash ?

do they accept credit cards or in general just Cash ?

"They"?

Hotels in general yes.
Ryokan sometimes no.
Major theme parks in general yes.
Shrines/temples in general no.
Restaurants sometimes yes, sometimes no.

In general try and have enough cash to cover you at all times.

Ok thanks..
What about Akihabara & Shinsaibashi , is it something that I can also include during 1 of the vist to the Harajuku or Asakusa ?

What about Akihabara & Shinsaibashi , is it something that I can also include during 1 of the vist to the Harajuku or Asakusa ?

Yes, maybe after Harajuku and before Shibuya makes sense as they block the cars off in Akihabara on Sundays I think. It is not really that logical transport-wise but should be possible.

You may be able to do it after Asakusa/Ginza but that day looks pretty busy.

Hi GC3, thanks for the information provided. Looks like I'm set to go :)

What about Akihabara & Shinsaibashi , is it something that I can also include during 1 of the vist to the Harajuku or Asakusa ?

Sinsaibashi is in Osaka, not Tokyo.

Kyoto/Osaka (day 5-7 & Kyoto century hotel)
3. Togenzaka, Sanenzaka & Ninen-zaka

Togenzaka? Maybe Dogenzaka in Shibuya, Tokyo?

Have a nice trip!

Hey, i'm in the midst of checking out the direction and train route via hyperdia for my hotel accommodation but wasn't able to. Can you help ?
I will be leaving Kyoto century hotel to Hakone hotel
(Address: 65 Hakone-Machi, Ashinoko, Hakone).

Kyoto century hotel to Hakone hotel

Kyoto century hotel is near JR Kyoto station so that you should walk to the station where you can catch
Shinkansen to Odawara.

From Kyoto to Odawara.

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KYOTO&arv_node=...

Hakone Hotel (Fujiya hotel lake view annex) offers free shuttle bus from JR Odawara station (depart 11:30, 14:00 and 16:00, reservation needed. About 40 min ride. Tel 0460-83-6311).

http://www.hakonehotel.jp/access/index.html

http://www.hakonehotel.jp/access/images/hh_bus.pdf

Although the hotel has English pages, but I can not find descriptions about the free shuttle in English.

http://www.hakonehotel.jp/en/access_en.html

By the way, Hakone hotel is not accessible by train. Hyperdia deals with train ride only.

Hope this helps. Thank you for coming to Japan! Enjoy your trip!

Hi you mentioned that I will need reservation for the free shuttle bus at JR Odawara station. Do you know if I can reserve via online ? Or I have to call while I'm there ?

Do you know if I can reserve via online ?

Yes, you can. Access

https://asp.hotel-story.ne.jp/fujiya/inquirynew/inquiry001.asp?cod2=00...

Have a nice trip!

hi frog1954,
thanks for your information. i did the reservation online and pending their response :)
btw, i checked that the current temperature is at avg 10 degree celsius , would a short sleeve T-shirt with a down jacket & jeans suffice ?

hi frog1954,
thanks for your information. i did the reservation online and pending their response :)
btw, i checked that the current temperature is at avg 10 degree celsius , would a short sleeve T-shirt with a down jacket & jeans suffice ?

Hi angel,

I guess you arrived at Narita today. Welcome to Japan!

would a short sleeve T-shirt with a down jacket & jeans suffice ?

It depends on the person, but most locals wear something more at this time. Actually, within the building, down jacket might be too much, but I do not see anyone wear only short sleeve T-shirt.

It is exceptionally cold this year, but fortunately weather forecast says it will be sunny in Tokyo area for a week. Enjoy your trip in Japan!