Our Japan trip with a one-year-old was 12 days long. We booked our flights to arrive in Kansai and depart from Tokyo. Our itinerary for a first-time Japan trip covered the popular areas of Japan. In 12 days we stayed in Kyoto, Tokyo and Takayama. As we were travelling Japan with our 1-year-old son we decided to rent a car so that we didn’t have to worry about bus schedules. Driving also allowed our son to nap in between destinations easily and gave us parents some quiet time.
This 12-day Japan itinerary was our personal first-time Japan trip as 2 adults with our one-year-old child.
We researched and made a list of everything that interested us, then separated it into must-see places and if there’s time. This way we got to see the places that were most important to us. There was only one planned sight we didn’t get to and it was due to me putting it on our arrival day. We did a lot of walking which allowed us to see lots of things along the way.
Often we would be in the car or walking with the stroller and our one-year-old would be sleeping, meaning we would just have to keep going for him to get the rest he needed. I think when travelling with children it’s important to plan, but also be flexible and willing to just go with the flow.
Disclaimer: links in this post are affiliate. Purchasing through them earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
First time Japan itinerary for 12 days with a one-year-old
View our other Japan itineraries 10 day Japan itinerary with Mount Fuji and our 12-day multigenerational Japan trip.
Day 1: Kyoto
Our flight arrived at Kansai International Airport. From there we took the Haruka Express train to Kyoto Station. We walked from the station to our hotel. After checking in, we walked to the Nishiki Market, an undercover walking street with stores selling a variety of goods and foods.
Read: Kyoto with kids
Day 2: Kyoto and Nara
For our first morning in Kyoto, we went to Fushimi Inari Shrine and walked the full loop up the mountain.
The rest of the day was spent seeing the deer in Nara.
Day 3: A day in Kyoto with a one-year-old
This was a full day of walking in Kyoto with our one-year-old son. From our hotel, we walked to Kiyomizudera and then along the Philosophers Path to Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion).
Day 4: Kinkakuji & Arashiyama
We caught a bus from a street near our hotel to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). After viewing the stunning Golden Pavillion, we took a tram to the Arashiyama area. In Arashiyama we visited Iwatayama Monkey Park, Tenruji Temple and the Bamboo Groves.
Read: Kinkakuji & Arashiyama
Day 5: Rental car pick up & driving to Takayama
From Kyoto, we rode a shinkansen to Nagoya Station and picked up our rental car. We then drove from Nagoya to Inuyama Castle before continuing our drive to Takayama.
Check out Rentalcars.com for rental car options in Japan.
Day 6: Driving to Shirakawa-go and a scenic road trip.
From Takayama, we drove to the world heritage village of Shirakawa-go.
After visiting the village and museum we drove along a nearby scenic road, taking in the early autumn colours and mountain views.
Day 7: Takayama to Tokyo
After breakfast at the Ryokan, we strolled around Takayama and went to the morning markets. We returned the rental car in Nagoya, then rode a shinkansen to Tokyo Station. From there we made our way to our hotel in Shinjuku.
Day 8: A day in Tokyo with a one-year-old
We visited the Tsukiji fish market at about 9 a.m. From the market, we walked through Ginza and entered the showroom at the Sony building. We then visited areas Akihabara, Shibuya and Harajuku.
Day 9: A day in Odaiba Tokyo
It was Culture Day in Japan and we chose to go to the Odaiba area of Tokyo. We walked around, looked in the shopping centres and rode on the Ferris wheel. By the time we left Odaiba, it was getting dark.
Day 10: Sightseeing Tokyo
This day was a National holiday in observance for Culture Day. We visited Meiji Shrine in the morning and then rested a little at the hotel as I wasn’t feeling well. In the afternoon we went to Sensoji temple and the National Science Museum in Ueno Park.
Read: Tokyo with a toddler.
Day 11: Tokyo Disneyland
We had pre-booked tickets and spent the day at Tokyo Disneyland.
Day 12: Tokyo and onto Narita
Our Last day in Tokyo was mostly spent in Akihabara and then rushing to get the Narita Express to stay in an airport hotel for the night before our morning flight out.
How was the flight with a toddler? What did you do to keep them entertained? Were they really cranky?
I remember it was easier to keep him entertained on the daytime flight than it was to deal with a tired cranky toddler on the nighttime flight. People kept turning the overhead lights on next to us and he would wake up.
During the day he was entertained with stickers, those colouring books that use water, and a few little toys. We had a tablet and headphones for him to watch videos.
Even if your toddler is cranky on the flight just remember it is only temporary. You will get off and enjoy your holiday.
hi! Was parking easy around Takayama? Which hotel/ ryokan did you stay in Takayama?
Hi Lynn,
You can read about our ryokan stay here https://strollingadventures.com/takayama-ryokan-with-a-toddler/. We just parked at the ryokan and walked into town from there.The streets in Takayama are quite narrow.