Japan blends ancient ritual with high-tech ease. Samurai castles and cedar-forested shrines sit a train ride away from neon districts and anime arcades. Centuries-old crafts—like hand-forged knives and tea ceremony—live alongside the world’s fastest urban rail.

Across 12 days you’ll savor Tokyo’s energy, Kyoto’s temples and gardens, and Osaka’s big-hearted street food. We’ve threaded in family-friendly hikes, relaxing spas, coffee stops, and reliable gluten-free dining. You’ll also visit renowned knife shops in each city, from Kappabashi to Nishiki Market and Osaka’s blade quarter.

Practical notes: most soy sauce in Japan contains wheat—carry a small bottle of tamari and a Japanese allergy card. Trains are punctual, cashless IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) work on transit and vending machines, and convenience stores are your best friend for snacks and ATMs.

Tokyo

Tokyo is an ever-shifting mosaic: serene shrines in forested pockets, skyscrapers with sky decks, and neighborhoods that each feel like their own city. It’s the best place to warm up to Japan’s rhythm, slurp your first bowls, and ride the world’s most efficient trains.

Families love Asakusa’s lantern-draped Senso-ji, Ueno Park’s museums, and Sumida River cruises. Teens gravitate to Harajuku’s pop fashion and Akihabara arcades. Everyone lights up at Shibuya Crossing’s cinematic flow.

Where to stay (family-friendly, budget-conscious options)

• Hotels (Tokyo): Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value, easy trains), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla head, lively area), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (spacious family rooms, kid amenities), Hilton Tokyo Bay (great if you plan Disney days).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Tokyo | VRBO: Tokyo

Getting there & around

• Flights: Compare fares into HND or NRT on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Haneda is closer to central Tokyo.
• Airport transfers: Haneda–Tokyo Station via Tokyo Monorail/Keihin-Tohoku (~30–40 min, ~$6–8). Narita–Tokyo via Narita Express (~60 min, ~$25).
• Local transit: Use Suica/PASMO for subways/buses. JR Yamanote Line loops major sights.

Days 1–5: Tokyo neighborhoods, knife shopping, family hikes, and Mt. Fuji day trip

• Asakusa & Ueno: Walk Nakamise-dori to Senso-ji’s Thunder Gate, then Ueno Park’s zoo and National Museum. Lunch tip for celiac travelers: opt for sashimi bowls (kaisen-don) with plain rice; use your own tamari.
• Shibuya & Harajuku: Cross the famous scramble (iconic since the 1930s cinema boom), peek into Yoyogi Park, and visit Meiji Shrine’s towering torii. Grab coffee at Onibus Coffee Nakameguro (beautiful roastery & terrace) or Blue Bottle Shibuya.
• Knife shop stop—Kappabashi Dogu Street: Visit Kamata Hakensha for expertly ground blades and optional name engraving. Staff can explain steel types (Aogami, VG-10) and home care; bring your hand size for handle fit.
• Light hike—Mt. Takao: A 1–2 hour summit on Trail 1 with cable car option, soba shops at the base, and clear-day views of Fuji. Great for kids; stop at the monkey park and yatai snacks near the station.
• Family spa time: Soak at Spa LaQua (Tokyo Dome City)—indoor/outdoor baths, rest lounges, and kid-friendly dining. Check age rules for certain zones.

Tokyo tours you can book

• 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour — Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree admission, and a Tokyo Bay cruise in one family-friendly sweep.

  

• Tokyo: Mt.Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko 1-Day Bus Tour — Arakurayama pagoda views, lakeside stops, and photogenic villages without the logistics.

  

• Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show — Watch practice bouts in a real dohyo and pose for photos; a hit with kids and sports fans.

  

Tokyo eats and coffee (gluten-free aware)

• Gluten Free T’s Kitchen (Roppongi): 100% gluten-free Japanese comfort dishes—safe ramen, karaage made with rice flour, and yakitori-style plates. Reserve for dinner.
• Sushi strategy: Choose sashimi and nigiri without sauces; request salt, wasabi, and your own tamari. Conveyor-belt chains like Kura Sushi are fun—stick to plain items and verify ingredients.
• Yakitori with “shio” (salt) only: Family-friendly skewers of chicken, vegetables, and rice—ask staff to avoid tare (soy) glaze.
• Coffee stops: Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro), Koffee Mameya Kakeru (for tasting flights), and Blue Bottle Shinagawa for a calm mid-city break.

Tokyo → Kyoto (Day 6 morning)

• Shinkansen: Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on Nozomi (~2 hr 15 min, ~$95–110 one-way). Book seats on Trip.com trains. Aim for a morning departure to maximize your first Kyoto afternoon.

Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s old soul: vermilion gates threading up a sacred mountain, lantern-lit alleyways where geiko glide past machiya townhouses, and gardens that quiet the world. The city rewards early starts and slow wanders.

Families can mix temples with hands-on stops: kimono dressing, tea ceremony, or river boats in Arashiyama. Light hikes at Fushimi Inari and the bamboo grove keep active kids engaged.

Where to stay

• Hotels (Kyoto): Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya (value, easy buses), Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (quiet, spacious), Piece Hostel Sanjo (budget, family rooms), Kyoto Brighton Hotel (great service, residential vibe).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Kyoto | VRBO: Kyoto

Days 6–9: Torii paths, bamboo groves, Nishiki knives, and riverside sunsets

• Fushimi Inari: Start early to walk through 10,000 gates. Hike 30–90 minutes to quieter overlooks; snack on yakitori and inari sushi at the base (confirm ingredients for GF).
• Kiyomizu-dera to Gion: Stroll historic lanes (Sannen-zaka/Ninen-zaka), pottery shops, and Yasaka Pagoda. Evening Gion is lantern-soft and magical.
• Knife shop stop—Aritsugu (Nishiki Market): Established by swordsmiths in 1560, famed for professional-grade gyuto and usuba. Staff can help pick a blade for home cooking; on-the-spot name engraving is a memorable keepsake.
• Arashiyama day: Bamboo grove at dawn, river boats, and the easy walk to Iwatayama Monkey Park. Finish with a foot bath at Arashiyama Station’s scenic platform.
• Local bathhouse: Funaoka Onsen, a classic neighborhood sento with mosaics and electric baths—great cultural stop if your family enjoys hot springs.

Kyoto tours you can book

• PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour — Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and more without transit puzzles; ideal for families covering ground.

  

• Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour — An evening walk decoding geiko and maiko traditions, theater, and teahouse etiquette.

  

Kyoto eats and coffee (gluten-free aware)

• CHOICE (near Sanjo): Plant-based café with clearly marked gluten-free options—pastas, pancakes, and light bowls.
• TowZen (Shugakuin): Beloved vegan ramen using rice noodles; rich sesame “tan-tan” style without wheat—call ahead for hours.
• Kaiseki with notice: Many kaiseki restaurants can adapt menus if you notify them when booking; ask specifically for gluten-free soy/tamari substitutions.
• Coffee: % Arabica (Arashiyama river view), Kurasu Kyoto (near Kyoto Station, excellent pourovers), and Weekenders Coffee in a hidden garden lot off Teramachi.

Kyoto → Osaka (Day 10 morning)

• Train: JR Kyoto → JR Osaka (~30 min local, ~$4) or Shinkansen Kyoto → Shin-Osaka (~15 min, ~$15). Book on Trip.com trains.

Osaka

Osaka is the street-food capital—cheerful vendors, neon canals, and a knack for fun. It’s also a great base for day trips to Nara’s deer park and the blade-making city of Sakai.

With kids, pair Dotonbori’s animated signs with the world-class Osaka Aquarium and a sky view at Umeda. For a green break, try the easy Minoo Park waterfall walk.

Where to stay

• Hotels (Osaka): Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (steps from Dotonbori), Universal Bay Condominium (apartment-style near Universal, great for families), Swissotel Nankai Osaka (on top of Namba transit hub), Hotel Taiyo (budget base).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Osaka | VRBO: Osaka

Days 10–12: Dotonbori vibes, Nara deer, knives in Sakai, and spa time

• Dotonbori & Kuromon Market: Try grilled scallops, fruit sticks, and tamagoyaki; for GF, choose plain grilled seafood, rice bowls, and salt-only yakitori skewers. Snap the Glico Man at night.
• Osaka Castle & Umeda Sky Building: Samurai-era stone walls plus a dramatic rooftop observatory. Kids love the floating garden escalators.
• Knife experiences—Sakai or Namba: Head to Sakai’s blade district to browse professional gyuto and deba at dedicated shops and small forges, or visit Tower Knives Osaka (clear English explanations and sharpening demos).
• Minoo Park: An easy forest walk to a 33m waterfall; seasonal autumn leaves are spectacular. Street stalls near the entrance sell snacks—verify GF.
• Spa World (Shinsekai): Themed baths from around the world, family areas, and relaxation floors—a fun soak after a big sightseeing day.

Osaka tours you can book

• Osaka Food Tour – 13 Dishes at 5 Eateries — Explore backstreets with a local; advise the guide of gluten intolerance in advance for substitutions.

  

• Nara Early Morning Tour (from Osaka) — Beat crowds at Todai-ji’s Great Buddha and feed the friendly deer in peaceful morning light.

  

• Optional Long Day Trip: Hiroshima & Miyajima — If you add a day, this guided route covers Itsukushima Shrine’s floating torii and peace memorials.

  

Osaka eats and coffee (gluten-free aware)

• Yakiniku with salt-only cuts: At popular spots like Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M, request plain salt seasoning and separate grill space; pair with rice and salads.
• Shabu-shabu: Boil meats and vegetables at the table; ask for a simple kombu broth and avoid ponzu if it contains wheat—use salt and citrus (yuzu) instead.
• Allergen-free curry: Many CoCo Ichibanya branches offer an “allergen-free” curry option—confirm availability at your chosen location.
• Coffee: LiLo Coffee Roasters (espresso flights), Takamura Wine & Coffee (big roastery), and Brooklyn Roasting Kitahama (riverfront vibes).

Departure

• Fly out of Osaka (KIX) or return to Tokyo by Shinkansen (~2 hr 30 min). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Budget pointers (42/100)

• Use business hotels near major stations for value and space efficiency; mix in VRBO apartments for family kitchens and laundry.
• Leverage convenience stores for breakfasts and snacks (onigiri with plain fillings are often safe; always check labels for wheat 小麦).
• Prioritize 2–3 paid experiences (e.g., Fuji day tour, geisha walk, aquarium) and fill the rest with superb free sights.

In twelve days, you’ll taste three faces of Japan—gleaming Tokyo, meditative Kyoto, and fun-loving Osaka—without rushing. With knife-shopping stops, gluten-free know-how, and kid-friendly hikes and spas, this trip balances depth with delight. You’ll leave with a sharper blade, a clearer palate, and a softer spot for Japan’s everyday magic.