This 10 day Japan itinerary includes a drive around Mount Fuji. This trip was a lot more packed than our first Japan travel itinerary (see it here) the previous year. This is our personal Japan itinerary as a family of two adults and our 2-year-old child.
Some places worked while others we didn’t give enough time to. Combining Hiroshima and Miyajima was a good idea but I think two nights would be better in order to see both. Our time in Hiroshima was cut short as we had to get back to Osaka for the night. We did a lot of moving around and one-night stays which was a little tiring but it was fun seeing different areas.
The highlight of this 10-day Japan itinerary was renting a car and driving around the Fuji Five Lakes. We were extremely lucky to get magnificent views of Mount Fuji.
See our 12-day multigenerational Japan itinerary here.
10-day Japan itinerary with Mt.Fuji
Here is our full itinerary for 10 days in Japan with a 2-year-old.
Day 1: Narita to Osaka
Our flight arrived at Narita Airport. We took the Narita Express and then changed to a Shinkansen to Osaka. We stayed one night in Osaka in a business hotel.
Day 2: Himeji Castle to Hiroshima
After having breakfast at the hotel, we left our suitcase with them so we could travel with just an overnight bag. We were returning to this hotel. We travelled to Himeji to see Himeji Castle and also enjoyed walking through the nearby Kokoen Garden. From Himeji, we took a train to Hiroshima. We stayed in Hiroshima for one night at the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel. We booked a king room but received an amazing upgrade to a corner suite.
Day 3: Hiroshima & Miyajima
This was a rainy day so it didn’t go quite as planned. We spent the morning in Miyajima where we visited Itsukushima Shrine and an aquarium. After getting the ferry back and then a tram to Hiroshima Peace Park, we looked around and then had to leave to get back to Osaka. We stayed one night in Osaka. Read: Hiroshima & Miyajima in one day
Day 4: Osaka to Shizuoka via Nagoya
After checking out of our Osaka hotel, we made our way to the SCMaglev museum in Nagoya. We then travelled to Shizuoka, picked up our rental car and drove uphill to our accommodation. We stayed in Shizuoka for one night at the Nippondaira Hotel.
Day 5: Driving to the Fuji Five Lakes
First thing in the morning we went outside to see the view over the bay with Mount Fuji in the distance. From the hotel, we began our drive around the Fuji Five Lakes. Our first stop was Lake Yamanaka where we ate lunch while enjoying the view. The next stop was to visit Oshino Hakkai before driving to Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko. We then drove to our accommodation by Lake Kawaguchi. Our stay in Kawaguchiko was one night.
Day 6: Driving around Mount Fuji
We woke up and had breakfast while viewing Mount Fuji from our room. After checking out we went up the Kachi Kachi ropeway where we were met with an amazing view. We drove by the last of the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Motosuko, and then stopped at Shiraito Falls. After having lunch and spending time at the falls, we returned the rental car to Shizuoka. From Shizuoka station, we rode a shinkansen to Tokyo and found our Airbnb near Yoyogi station.
Read our 2-day itinerary driving around Mount Fuji.
Day 7: Day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo
As we still had a day left on our JR passes we went on a Day trip to Kamakura and Enoshima.
Day 8: Ghibli Museum
We went to the Ghibli Museum at opening time and had to leave when our 2-year-old got tired and irritable. After letting him have a quick play in Inokashira park, we then walked around Kichijoji while he slept in the stroller. We went to the Kato Hobby Centre and then Fletcher and I returned to the apartment while Tim went to Akihabara.
Day 9: Tokyo sightseeing
Our day started at Tokyo Tower. We viewed it from the outside and then went to the nearby Zojoji Temple. The 2-year-old slept in the stroller while we walked to Tokyo Imperial Palace. Afterwards, he had fun in Character Street at Tokyo Station. In the evening, Tim stayed with Fletcher while I had alone time in Harajuku.
Read: Tokyo with a toddler.
Day 10: Tokyo sightseeing
After a morning tea of Krispy Kreme’s special Halloween donuts, we went to view Tokyo from above at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building. It was a clear day and we could see a distant Mount Fuji behind the city. We walked around Shinjuku and then to Shibuya and Harajuku.
Day 11: Flight home from Narita Airport
We enjoyed our last views of Japan from the window of the Narita Express on our way to Narita Airport for our flight home.
