Two Weeks in Japan with My Teen Son

Follow our 2-week itinerary through Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and Osaka, packed with food, culture, and tons of adventure. If you’re planning a parent-teen trip, or just want to get inspired for your next big family trip, this one’s for you!

Day 1: Departure from LA

We kicked things off with a long-haul flight from LAX to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. With the time change and the long flight, we technically arrived on Day 2 of our trip.

Day 2: Arrive in Tokyo + Dinner in Roppongi

Highlights:

• Hotel: Tokyo Edition, Toranomon
• Dinner: Jomon Roppongi – a lively yakitori izakaya with smoky skewers and late-night energy. (Note: 18+ only!)

We landed in Tokyo in the afternoon and checked into our gorgeous hotel, The Edition in Toranomon (we even got free breakfast, a room upgrade, plus $100 credit to use during our stay). We had incredible views of the Tokyo skyline! After a quick freshen-up, we headed out for a long walk around the famous Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple garden. We then explored a bit of Shinbashi then headed to Roppongi for dinner. 

Our first taste of Japan was full of grilled meats (for me) cooked right in front of us over an open flame and a delicious vegetarian menu with grilled vegetables, cold tofu, miso cucumbers and more for Kenya. We were pretty exhausted from our travel day, so after dinner we got a good night’s sleep so we could be ready to start our real exploring on Day 3!

Day 3: Exploring Asakusa, Tokyo SkyTree, and Go-Karts

Highlights:

• Morning: Self-guided walking tour through Asakusa and Tokyo SkyTree
• Lunch: Ramen lunch at Fuji Ramen
• Evening: Go-karting through Tokyo streets
• Dinner: The Sakai Aoyama – the most beautiful sushi I’ve ever seen! 

We kicked off the day in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most historic neighborhoods. Our walking route included:

• Senso‑ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple
• Nakamise Street, lined with traditional snacks and souvenirs
• The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for great city views
• A scenic stroll along the Sumida River through Sumida Park and over Kototoi Bridge

Next stop: Tokyo SkyTree. The views from the top were an incredible 360 degree view of Tokyo, and we followed it up with a casual and delicious lunch at Fuji Ramen, their broth totally hit the spot. Kenya said it was the best ramen he had ever tasted, made by two very cool chefs in a super low key spot that felt like a total deal. 

In the afternoon, we walked through Ueno Park, then changed gears, literally, with a Go-Kart tour through Tokyo in full costume. It was hilarious, slightly surreal, and definitely unforgettable. Don’t forget to bring your international drivers license. You can get yours in minutes at your local AAA!

We wrapped the day with dinner at The Sakai Aoyama, a modern, minimalist spot with some of the best sushi of the trip. If you’re going to treat yourself to the most insane omakase experience in Tokyo, with culinary surprise after surprise and true artistry, this is it. 

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Day 4: Sushi Making & teamLab Borderless

Highlights:

• Morning: Sushi making class in Tsukiji
• Afternoon: Matcha at Wabi Sabi + teamLab Borderless
• Evening: Stroll through the Imperial Palace Gardens at sunset
• Dinner: Daigo – peaceful and refined kaiseki cuisine.

We kicked off the day with a hands-on sushi-making class in Tsukiji. After walking through the market and learning about the incredible variety of fresh foods (and sampling a few snacks along the way), we headed to our sushi master’s studio. We learned how to prepare fresh wasabi, slice fish, make perfectly seasoned sushi rice, and roll our own sushi from start to finish!

Afterward, we grabbed a mid-day matcha at Wabi Sabi (we drank a lot of matcha on this trip!). We opted to try their variety of matcha and snack pairings. Super delicious. Next, we made our way to the teamLab Borderless, a mind-blowing immersive art experience that’s out of this world.

To wind down, we took a sunset stroll through the Imperial Palace Gardens, which was peaceful and surprisingly quiet for Tokyo. If you want to visit inside make sure to get tickets weeks ahead.

Then came one of our most elegant meals of the trip: dinner at Daigo, a serene kaiseki-style restaurant known for its beautiful seasonal dishes. My husband and I first dined there over 20 years ago, and returning felt just as special, this time in our own private room, seated on tatami mats, eating course after course.

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Day 5: Hedgehogs, Pizza, and Street Racing

Lunch: Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera
Afternoon: Harry’s Hedgehog Café
Dinner: Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST)
Evening: Tokyo Car Meet & Street Racing Tour

This was one of our most playful days in Tokyo. We started with a casual sushi lunch at Ginza Onodera, then wandered through Harajuku before visiting Harry’s Hedgehog Café. Yes, you sip drinks while holding hedgehogs, hamsters and petting baby owls. They’re adorable and everyone was so friendly.

Dinner was at Pizza Studio Tamaki, and honestly, it was some of the best pizza we’ve ever had.

The night ended with a Tokyo Car Meet tour, where we saw an incredible display of street cars at Daikoku Parking Area. It felt like stepping into a real-life video game, definitely a highlight for my son!

This day was so Tokyo. Quirky animal cafés? Check. Unexpectedly delicious pizza? Check. Ending the night with car enthusiasts and street racers? Check.

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Day 6: Off to Mt. Fuji

Highlights:

• Travel: Express bus to Fuji Speedway Hotel
• Afternoon (optional activites): Fuji Speedway Go-Karts + Fuji Motorsport Museum
• Evening: Gran Turismo Simulator
• Dinner: Robata OYAMA

We said goodbye to Tokyo and took an express bus to Fuji Speedway Hotel, where we stayed in a room overlooking an actual racetrack. I surprised my son with this, and he was in heaven!

We were able to check in to our hotel early and relax a bit, but if you can’t, check your bags at the front desk and hit the Fuji Speedway Go-Karts or visit the Motorsport Museum.

Before dinner, we tested our skills on the Gran Turismo simulator. It’s in the bar at the hotel and complimentary for hotel guests, which was awesome. We had a blast!

We ended the day with dinner at Robata OYAMA, a robatayaki-style restaurant at the hotel with grilled seasonal dishes and a cozy vibe. Fuji day 1 gave us a slower pace but still packed in the fun.

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Day 7: Fuji Speedway Track + Forest Retreat

Highlights:

• Morning: Driving experience at Fuji Speedway
• Afternoon: Check-in at Hoshinoya Fuji
• Evening: In-room Shiatsu massage + Food Smoking Workshop
• Dinner: Hoshinoya Fuji Restaurant

We started the day with a massive Japanese and western style breakfast buffet. Then, one of the trip’s biggest highlights — a drive on the Fuji Speedway track. It was fast, thrilling, and totally unforgettable. If you opt for this experience, don’t forget to get your international driver’s license before you go!

Before we departed this hotel, we both went to the onsen and enjoyed its hot springs, sauna, steam and cold plunge. It was a relaxing retreat after the thrill of driving the racecar!

That afternoon, we took a taxi and checked into Hoshinoya Fuji, a stunning glamping resort tucked into the forest. The modern cabins overlook Lake Kawaguchi and feel both remote and luxurious.

In the evening, we relaxed with a shiatsu massage in our room, then joined a food smoking workshop, where we used different wood chips to flavor local meats, cheese, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Dinner at the hotel was peaceful and seasonal, served in a gorgeous open-air setting looking out into the woods.

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Day 8: Lava Forest Hike & Pizza in the Woods

Highlights:

• Morning: Guided hike of Aokigahara Jukai and the Lava Caves
• Breakfast: Bento delivered to our cabin
• Late Morning: Forest Pizza Workshop
• Afternoon: Bullet train to Kyoto check into Genji Kyoto hotel
• Dinner: Sumi Roman

We started the morning early with a peaceful guided hike through Aokigahara Forest — a dense, lava-formed woodland near Mt. Fuji. It was quiet, cool, and completely different from anywhere else we’d been in Japan. Our guide was a local gentleman who educated us on the area and Mount Fuji. 

Back at Hoshinoya Fuji, we enjoyed a beautiful breakfast bento on our cabin deck, took a nap and then joined the Forest Pizza Workshop, where we made our own wood-fired pizzas surrounded by trees, such a fun and unique way to end our time in Fuji.

In the afternoon, we headed to Mishima Station to take the bullet train to Kyoto. Kenya had always wanted to ride the bullet train, so it was a real thrill and very relaxing.

We checked into Genji Kyoto and finished the day with dinner at Sumi Roman, a cozy, vibrant  spot with modern, seasonal Japanese dishes.

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Day 9: Shrines, Tea & Sword Making in Kyoto

Highlights:

• Morning: Guided hike to Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Lunch: IZUSEN – vegetarian kaiseki meal within the grounds of Daitokuji Temple
• Afternoon: Traditional tea ceremony in 100 year old house + Ninja sword-making experience
• Dinner: Myodai Omen Ginkakuji Honten – Cozy udon spot near Ginkaku-ji with fresh noodles and veggie tempura.

We started the day with local dairy-free miso ice cream and then a hike through Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its iconic path of red torii gates. It’s a bit of a climb, but the views and peaceful atmosphere are totally worth it.

Lunch was at IZUSEN, a tranquil temple restaurant serving a beautifully presented vegetarian kaiseki meal in a traditional tatami room.

That afternoon, we experienced a Japanese tea ceremony in a 100-year-old townhouse, then switched things up with a ninja sword-making workshop. This was one of our favorite experiences! Not only do you learn a skill from an incredible team, but you get to take home a sword that you created!

We ended the day with dinner at Myodai Omen, a cozy udon spot near Ginkaku-ji with fresh noodles and veggie tempura. Delicious!

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Day 10: Exploring Kyoto

Highlights:

• Lunch: Hirobun – famous for nagashi somen (flowing noodles)
• Afternoon: Explore Gion, Nishiki Market, and Ginkaku-ji Temple
• Dinner: Muromachi Wakuden

We kept things a little more relaxed on this day, taking time to explore some of Kyoto’s cultural and culinary highlights.

For lunch, we visited Hirobun, a scenic riverside spot known for nagashi somen, cold noodles sent down a bamboo chute that you catch with chopsticks. It’s so much fun! Super refreshing and uniquely Kyoto. Hot tip: get there early, around 10am, check in and wander around the gorgeous forest, temples and flowing streams while you wait up to 90 minutes. It’s totally worth it. 

In the afternoon, we wandered the historic streets of Gion, browsed the stalls at Nishiki Market (super affordable street food), and visited Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), a peaceful Zen temple with beautiful gardens. Kenya had heard about the beauty and amazing incense sold at Ginkaku-Ji Pavillion which was one of the most beautiful stops on our trip.

Dinner was at Muromachi Wakuden, a refined restaurant offering elegant seasonal dishes, perfect for wrapping up a laid-back and beautiful day in Kyoto.

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Day 11: Bamboo Grove, Monkeys and Off to Osaka

Highlights:

• Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove + Monkey Park Iwatayama
• Afternoon: Travel to Osaka and check into The St. Regis Osaka
• Dinner: Okazaki Sushi
• Late Night: Champagne & Gyoza Bar

We spent the morning exploring the peaceful paths of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, one of Kyoto’s most iconic and photogenic spots. From there, we made the short hike up to Monkey Park Iwatayama, where we were greeted by panoramic views of the city and a whole lot of monkeys roaming freely at the top! So cool.

Later that afternoon, we headed to Osaka, checked into our hotel and settled in for the final leg of our trip. Dinner was at Okazaki Sushi, followed by late-night bites at the cool and cozy Champagne & Gyoza Bar, a fun way to kick off our time Osaka!

Day 12: Osaka Adventures – Sumo & Bonsai

Highlights:

• Morning: Walking tour of Shinsekai & Dotombori
• Afternoon: Bonsai-making workshop
• Evening: Hirakuza Sumo Show

We spent the day soaking up Osaka’s lively street culture and local experiences. In the morning, we joined a walking tour through Shinsekai and Dotombori, two of the city’s most colorful and energetic neighborhoods. It was wonderful, and our guide shared tons of food recommendations, which you know is a major win for us!

That afternoon, we got creative with a bonsai-making workshop, learning how to prune and shape our own miniature trees. It was surprisingly relaxing and a great hands-on activity after days of sightseeing.

To wrap up the day, we went to the Hirakuza Sumo Show, and it was such a blast! The wrestlers gave us a peek into the history and rituals of sumo, with plenty of laughs and crowd interaction along the way. It was part show, part cultural deep dive and so much fun!

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Day 13: Back to Tokyo

Highlights:

• Morning: Visit to Osaka Castle
• Afternoon: Bullet train to Tokyo
• Hotel: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
• Dinner: Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera

We kicked off the morning with a visit to Osaka Castle, a great mix of history, pretty views, and one last chance to explore before heading back to Tokyo.

In the afternoon, we hopped on the bullet train for one last smooth, speedy ride. It was definitely starting to sink in that the trip was almost over!

We checked into the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, got settled, used their incredible onsen and then headed out for one of the most exciting meals of our trip: Roppongo Robataya. All of the fresh produce, meats and seafood is laid out, and you point at what you want the two chefs to cook. It’s then served to you on a large wooden paddle. It felt like the perfect way to close out our big adventure.

Day 14: Vintage Shopping + Farewell

Highlights:

• Morning: Vintage shopping in Tokyo
• Afternoon: One last stroll
• Evening: Flight back to LA

We kept our last day low-key. In the morning, we did a little vintage shopping in Tokyo, checking out some of the cool secondhand shops the city is known for. It was the perfect way to pick up a few souvenirs and squeeze in one more adventure.

Afterward, we packed up, grabbed a final stroll through the neighborhood, and tried to soak up every last bit of Japan before heading to the airport.

That evening, we boarded our flight back to LA and already were reminiscing on our incredible trip!

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Where We Ate in Japan

Just here for the food recs? I’ve got you covered From ramen to sushi (and yes, even pizza), Japan delivered on every bite. Here’s a city-by-city list of all the incredible restaurants we tried during our two-week adventure.

Tokyo

• Jomon Roppongi – Cozy, late-night yakitori spot (18+ only)
• Sakai Aoyama – Modern sushi with elegant presentation
• Daigo – Refined kaiseki dining in a peaceful setting
• Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera (we went twice!) – High-quality conveyor belt sushi
• Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST) – Incredible Neapolitan-style pizza

Fuji / Hoshinoya

• TROFEO – Breakfast with a view at Fuji Speedway Hotel
• Robata OYAMA – Grilled seasonal dishes and local flavors
• Hoshinoya Fuji Restaurant – Fine dining in a forest setting
• Forest Pizza Workshop at Hoshinoya Fuji – DIY pizza, cooked over a wood fire in the woods
• Food Smoking Workshop at Hoshinoya Fuji – Smoked snacks made with your choice of wood chips

Kyoto

• Sumi Roman – Creative, seasonal Japanese cuisine
• IZUSEN – Traditional vegetarian kaiseki inside a Zen temple
• Hirobun – Famous for nagashi somen (flowing noodles!)
• Muromachi Wakuden – Elegant tasting menu with Kyoto flair

Osaka

• Okazaki Sushi – Classic, high-quality sushi dinner
• Champagne & Gyoza Bar – Small plates, late-night vibes, and bubbly

Two weeks in Japan was the perfect mix of culture, adventure, great food, and meaningful one-on-one time with my son.

Shop My Japan Looks

To make packing easier, I saved all the outfits I wore during our summer trip to Japan in my ShopMy closet. I’m always on the lookout for comfy pieces that are cute, travel-friendly, and easy to dress up or down, from sightseeing to dinner out.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan with your teen, or just want ideas for future family travel, feel free to borrow from our itinerary. I also posted all about our travel on the Weelicious Instagram and highlighted the stories! And don’t forget to check out our past travel adventures in Iceland, Kenya, and Costa Rica.

I usually do all the planning myself, but this trip, I was crazy busy leading up to it, so I had the help of my friend Melissa at Tynan Travel who did a lot of the heavy lifting! She was incredible offering a variety of hotels which almost all came with room upgrades, breakfast included and $100 credits to use at the hotels during our stay.