Father-Son Adventure in Japan: The Ultimate Itinerary and First Impressions

There’s a special kind of chaos that comes with planning an overseas father-son trip. You dream of life-changing cultural experiences and Instagram-worthy adventures, but deep down, you just hope to survive sharing a hotel room without one of you snapping and throwing a suitcase off the balcony. Enter: Japan—a perfect mix of tradition, neon lights, and vending machines that dispense hot corn soup.

For context, this trip involved me (Dad, age 51, a seasoned traveler with questionable knee strength) and my 17-year-old son (a tech-obsessed teen who still occasionally rolls his eyes when I speak). Our mission? 7 days across Japan, packing in enough temples, bullet trains, and ramen bowls to last a lifetime—or at least until our next trip.

Here’s how we broke it down:

• 4 days in Tokyo staying at Prince Smart Inn Ebisu.
• 2 days in Osaka at Bespoke Hotel Shinsaibashi.
• 2 days in Kyoto, embracing traditional Japan with a stay in a ryokan-style home.

Sounds like a lot, right? It was. But if you’ve got a taste for adventure and a teen who can be dragged out of bed before 9 AM, it’s doable.

Japan 101: A Crash Course

Before we dive into the itinerary, let’s set the scene for Japan, especially if it’s your first time visiting:

1. Everything runs on time. If the train says it’s leaving at 10:32 AM, you better believe it’s leaving at 10:32:00. Not 10:33. Not 10:32 and 30 seconds. This was a bit of a shock for a father-son duo used to “fashionably late” being an acceptable lifestyle choice.
2. Cash is still king. Yes, Japan is a high-tech wonderland, but don’t expect to pay for everything with a tap of your phone. Cash is a must—especially when grabbing snacks from the aforementioned vending machines (which, I swear, are on every street corner).
3. Politeness overload. Bowing, constant thank-yous, and an entire population that seems determined to be the kindest on Earth. We could all learn a thing or two from the Japanese on how to treat strangers.

The Itinerary

Days 1–4: Tokyo – The Land of Neon Dreams

We kicked off in Tokyo, a city that feels like it was designed by a hyperactive child with a love for futuristic skylines and ancient shrines. Staying at Prince Smart Inn Ebisu put us in a prime location—near enough to the hustle of Shibuya but tucked away just enough to catch our breath at the end of a long day.

• Shibuya Crossing was our first stop. Think Times Square but with better fashion and more people crossing the street at once than you thought humanly possible. My son filmed it for TikTok. I stood there in awe, wondering if anyone had ever gotten stuck in the middle.
• Next up: Meiji Jingu, a peaceful escape from the city’s chaos. This Shinto shrine, surrounded by lush forest, gave us a taste of old Japan. We made a wish at the shrine—mine was for my knees to survive the trip.
• Sensō-ji was another highlight—a Buddhist temple that’s the oldest in Tokyo. We grabbed some street food nearby and tried our first taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries filled with sweet red bean paste). Verdict: delicious, even if the idea of eating a dessert shaped like a fish felt mildly unsettling.
• We also hit up Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Tower, and Akihabara Electric Town, where my son nearly went into a tech-induced trance from all the gadgets on offer. I, on the other hand, bought a retro game I couldn’t figure out how to play.

Pro tip: Visit the Samurai Museum for an interactive experience that lets you dress up like a samurai. My son looked fierce. I looked… well, like a dad who lost a bet.

Day 5–6: Osaka – Food and Fun Central

After Tokyo, we hopped on the famous Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. These trains are fast, clean, and shockingly quiet—like a spaceship designed by people with impeccable manners.

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen, and it didn’t disappoint. Staying at Bespoke Hotel Shinsaibashi put us close to the action, including Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.

• Osaka Castle was an interesting mix of history and reconstruction. The original was destroyed a few times, but the current version still stands tall and proud.
• At Universal Studios Japan, we geeked out over the Super Nintendo World. My son got competitive on the Mario Kart ride. I got competitive at eating all the snacks shaped like Mario characters.

Day 7–8: Kyoto – Temples, Bikes, and Zen

Another bullet train ride brought us to Kyoto, where we stayed in a traditional-style home—谷町君 星屋 若川楽水—which I still can’t pronounce but will forever refer to as “that place I slept on the floor.”

• Kyoto’s vibe was totally different—calmer, more serene, and filled with more temples than you can shake a selfie stick at.
• We visited Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, which is exactly what it sounds like: a golden temple surrounded by tranquil gardens. It’s stunning and totally worth the visit.
• The highlight for me? Renting eBikes and cruising through Kyoto’s quiet streets, taking in the city like a local.

Day 9–10: Back to Tokyo and Home

We returned to Tokyo for one last ramen fix before flying home. The flight was bittersweet—sad to leave, but happy to know we’d survived 7 days together without any major arguments (a win in my book).

Reflections and Tips for Future Travelers

• Pack light. You’ll be hauling your luggage onto trains and through busy streets. We borrowed awesome backpacks with wheels and found them perfect – although we did end up with extra bags thanks to my son’s shopping!
• Embrace the weird and wonderful. Whether it’s trying foods you can’t pronounce or spending 10 minutes figuring out how the toilet works, lean into it.
• Take it slow. Japan is packed with things to see and do, but it’s also a place to relax and appreciate the small moments.

Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll dive deeper into our Tokyo adventures—complete with photos, vending machine discoveries, and my thoughts on why Japanese convenience stores are the greatest thing on Earth.