Looking for recommendations in Japan to visit in March for 2 weeks. What cities do you recommend and how many days per city, this is a family trip with 2 teenagers. Thank you

5 -7 days Tokyo 3 days Osaka 2 days kyoto 2 days nara

Kyoto, and try the ninja school! lots of fun

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Just returned from Japan on Sunday, strange feeling to arrive home 2 hours before you left?? Due to time zones etc. we did 3 nights in Tokyo, 1 in Hakone, 2 in Kyoto and 2 in Takayama. Obviously Tokyo and Kyoto are huge cities but be impressed by cleanliness and civility they really are very nice people. Ride the busses, ride the trains and purchase a Japanrail card before you go it saves so much time. We also had a night in a Ryokan, the traditional Japanese guesthouse complete with natural spring outside bath don't know wether the kids would appreciate a naked soak with mum and dad!! The is a Samurai museum in Tokyo just off Shinjuku. The food is amazing as well. Check out the passes though - big saving.

Derick where was the Ryokan you stayed at?

Diane Hokane

Derick what was the name of it please.

Harajuku

We were there this spring and spent almost 2 weeks before getting on a cruise around Japan. There is so much to see and do and the Tokyo area. We stayed in the Shinjuu area and love it there. Definately see mount Fuji and area. Lots of temples and shrines to see everywhere. Lots of areas ie kitchen area, electronic area etc. Buy a suica pass don't be afraid of taking trains and subways, people will always help you if you need it. A rail pass is also very handy definately take a ride onthe bullet train. Koyota is wonderful stay at least 2 days. Osaka is great but we were only there 1 day, not enough. Kamakurra is also very interesting, lots of beaches and the giant buda, 1 day is oka for there. We can't wait to go back and see things we missed, have a great trip

Tokyo Disney seas is well worth a day

Japan is one of the most amazing countries I have been to - I had 12 days and is was not enough - the country is spectacular and the people so kind and helpful - you are getting close to Cherry Blossom season if you go at the end of Mar so things will book up fast in some areas. Tokyo is so big it is better to focus on one or two areas rather than try and to do it all, Kyoto 3 days minimum....a big thing locals do is rent traditional dress and walk around for the day. I loved Hiroshima and Kanazawa. Research a Japan Rail pass which you must purchase before you leave as it will be cheaper if you are traveling by rail. The country is clean and safe and you should have no problem travelling around. And check out Miyajima an easy 1 hr from Hiroshima by tram and ferry. Voted lonely planet do not miss! Floating Torji and Daisho-in. Stay overnight if you can.

Susan continue to Nagasaki ..stay 3 days..and train up to Nagano 2 nights...to see the Snowmonkies....
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Kobe is beautiful and you have to try the Kobe beef if you’re a meat eater.

Hiroshima and if you can get the teens to read John Hershey’s book “Hiroshima” all the better. Then a half hour bus ride and a ferry will take you to Miyajima island. I recommend this trip all the time - I loved it and so does everyone else. My favorite memories of Japan.

Agreed!

Thank you everyone for your inputs. I love them

On my bucket list!!!!

All visitors that have come to Tokyo I recommend to them to take a one day city tour.. it goes to all the major sights and areas then afterwards you can decide which areas you would like to explore more... don’t worry in Tokyo most restaurants have English menus enjoy

Scott can you recommend a city tour?

Diane

Scott thank you. I’ll look into it.

https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?sub_lang=nosub
Download this app it is for subways and trains in English

One more for WiFi I recommend purchasing from Japan wiifii they will deliver to your hotel includes a battery pack very reasonably priced

If you want a rural hiking experience, the Kumano Kodo is magical. It is an area of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to and joining together three of Japan's most important temples and shrines. Most accommodation in the villages there is traditional style, and meals are traditional koseke. Onsens abound, even some carved into the river banks (best to read up on onsen etiquette before you go)! If you like you can even take a tram up the side of a mountain and stay with the monks in a temple. It is a wonderful experience. By the way, Japan has an awesome luggage transfer system. You can hand over your large bag to your hotel or to a small 7/11 type shop, keeping only what you need for the next few days in a small pack you will take with you. You then have the big one sent ahead to the next hotel, or airport even, and it will be waiting for you the next day or whenever you get there. It's great!

In Tokyo kids will love the Robot Restaurant - touristy but a lot of fun

We were told by others that while the robots were novel the food was crap!!

Right! Show great and breathtaking experience. Eat before you go.

Oh yeah, show only

Oh, if you like cycling, there's a great bike route , Shimanami Kaido Cycle Route, hopping from island to island through the Seto Sea. Rent a bike at one end in the morning, return it at the other end later that day. About 70-80 kms, stunning ride between Imabari and Onomichi. I think the Giant shops have the best bikes. Cycle Hotel in Onomichi is awesome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8hFIdCC11E

Maricar Shinagawa in Tokyo was so much fun, teens will love it! (Check for min age requirements). Rent ebikes in Kyoto, great way to get around. Fish market tour in Tokyo is fun, and the new market just opened.

Definitely rent a pocket wifi - you can connect multiple devices, delivered to your hotel before you arrive, drop off in airport when leaving and google maps is great for getting around with it
We loved Hiroshima (such an impact - be sure to do a tour to get all the info) and you can hike the mountain on miyajima island for another day too. There’s deer that follow you on that island (we didn’t go to Nara)
Hakone for onsen (hot springs) was nice and we spent a night at a ryokan at snow monkey park in shinbuonsen area near Nagano which was a fun experience. Tons of monkeys just walking around you and bathing in the hot water. Kanazawa was nice too if you have the time.
Osaka is more modern with yummy food great castle and Kyoto has gorgeous temples. Tokyo has limitless things to do - the anime district may be cool for teens if they’re into that. We loved the big sumo tournament but not sure if teens would be into that or not.
And definitely buy a Japan rail pass in Canada before going if you travel to lots of cities!! Major money savings and super neat to go on the bullet trains
Have an amazing trip!!

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I would say with teenagers if you did Tokyo, Osaka (Kobe,Nara Kyoto) and Hiroshima (miyajima)your gonna get a really good idea of both the modern and traditional parts for Japan. For sure going to rural parts is always a treat and great but for teens not much to do unless that is their thing.
Also Japan rail pass is amazing. You buy it before you go from a travel agent and you can start using it the day you get there from the airport. It is good for all JR trains and buses. It is one of Japan’s largest transportation company’s. This includes some of the Shinkansen (not the fastest one) but the others and they are still super fast and easy to get around Japan with. That is my recommendations. Apps for trains and wifi once you are there is also a good idea
Have fun! I lived and traveled and did university there. Super amazing place. Enjoy!

I’d spend a day at most in Hiroshima. If you’re there definitely go over to Miyajima for a day also.

Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Taisha is a must see. Takes about 3 hours to go to the top and back

We were in japan for almost a month a few years ago.
- Tokyo is immense and not everyone's cup of tea. Do your research and spend more time in Kyoto or Osaka unless you specifically love big cities.
- be open to places that look like holes on the wall. Some of the best food we ate there was in teeny 8 seat restaurants.
- check out www.reddit.com/r/japantravel for itinerary ideas.
- my favourites, in no particular order, was the Arashiyama neighborhood in Kyoto, Nijo castle (absolutely rent the audio guide- English signage is nonexistent), Himeji castle, Going to the Tokyo Skytree at sunset then eating different types of cheesecake in the mall underneath and going to kinosaki onsen.

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Nagoya

I beg to differ with one comment above. Osaka is similar to Tokyo in size, etc and there is no need to visit it if only in Japan 2 or 3 weeks. Yes the display of samurai armor in
Osaka Castle is interesting but unfortunately the interior of the building had been completely modenized. Skip Osaka but definitely do not miss Kyoto.

http://xn--duncontinentlautre-qrb.com/japon/honshu-2016/

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3 nights in Tokyo, 3 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Osaka, 1 night in Nara, 4 nights in Tokyo + some day trips from Tokyo (i.e. Kamakura)
As many have mentioned, Tokyo and Kyoto are huge. It depends on what time you will be in to/out from Kyoto, you might want 4 nights in Kyoto (if you like to enjoy "Zen")

I wouldn't bother with Osaka, or keep it to one day if you have to transfer through there. It's just a big city. Good day trip from Tokyo is Hakone - take a day to do their ring tour and pick a ryokan with onsen. Also Fuji is very close to Hakone, maybe stop there on the way to Kyoto.

We went for 10 days in October. We spent half the time in Tokyo and half in Osaka. With a daytrip to kyoto while in Osaka. It was fantastic! I highly recommend osaka, especially if you enjoy lots of casual food, markets, museums, Osaka castle. Tokyo has a good mix of older and newer neibourhoods. We really enjoyed odaiba, asakusa, Harajuku and the akihabara area!

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Agustin Adi Putri

Tokyo is huge I recommend all that come to visit to book a 1/2 day or full day bus tour of Tokyo. Takes you to all the major sights. Then you can go back and spend more time at your favourite spots later on.

https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?sub_lang=nosub
This site is a must to help you get around in Tokyo type in starting point and destination tells you what train/subway to use

Oh my god Kyoto for sure!