Les Titounes au Japon

Iconic castle with 8-floor museum inside the tower. Panoramic views from the top floor. Surrounded by Nishinomaru Garden — great for cherry blossom season. Stroller-accessible grounds, elevator inside the tower.

Subway Chuo/Tanimachi Line → Tanimachi 4-chome Stn or Morinomiya Stn, 15 min walk through the park.

Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka-Namba → Kintetsu Nara. ~35 min, ¥680. Rapid express runs every 10–20 min.

5 min walk from the station. Buy shika senbei (deer crackers, ¥200). Morning = fewer crowds, calmer deer.

World's largest wooden building. 15 m bronze Great Buddha inside. Emma can crawl through the "Buddha's nostril" pillar hole — it's said to bring good luck. ¥600 adult / free under 6.

Naramachi area has family-friendly spots. Try kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi) — a Nara specialty. Many restaurants along Sanjo-dori.

Kintetsu Nara Line to Yamato-Saidaiji, transfer to Kintetsu Nara Line (toward Osaka), alight at Ikoma. ~25 min total.

3 min walk from Ikoma Stn to Torii-mae cable car station. Two sections: Hōzan-ji Line (5 min) → transfer at Hōzan-ji → Sanjō Line (10 min). ¥500 adult / ¥250 child round trip.

Mountaintop amusement park. Free admission, rides ¥300–500 each or buy a "Tokutoku ticket" book of 12 rides (¥3,400). Panda gondola, balloon cycle, mini coasters — all toddler-safe. Great panoramic views of Osaka plain.

Same route in reverse. Sanjō Line down at :09 / :29 / :49 past each hour. Catch the 15:29 or 15:49. Last car down 18:09.

Direct Kintetsu Nara Line. ~20 min. Back in central Osaka by 16:30.

Indoor children's museum — perfect for a rainy day. Hundertwasser-designed Kids Town playground (4F) with walls, slides & bridges. Science puzzles, world instruments, TV studio. Nursing rooms, nappy-change stations, free stroller loan.

Subway Sakaisuji Line → Ogimachi Stn (exit 2), or JR Loop Line → Temma Stn, 3 min walk.

Tenjinbashisuji shopping street (Japan's longest) is right outside — plenty of family-friendly options.

Right behind the plaza. Climbing walls, sandpit, slides — good for burning off energy if the rain stops.

Kintetsu or JR from Osaka to Kyoto. ~45 min.

Check in at Maruta Lodge, Sakyō-ku. Settle in and rest.

Pick up rental bikes and explore the neighbourhood. Kyoto is flat and very bikeable — great way to get oriented.

Zen temple with iconic sand garden and moss-covered grounds. Less crowded in the morning. Stroller OK on main paths.

Scenic canal-side path from Ginkaku-ji heading south. Cherry trees, small temples, cafes along the way. ~2 km.

Plenty of options near Nanzen-ji or along the Philosopher's Path.

Nishiki Market (covered food market), Teramachi & Shinkyogoku arcades, or Shijo-Kawaramachi area.

Try yudofu (hot tofu), obanzai (Kyoto home cooking), or grab street food at Nishiki.

Huge open park — perfect for Emma to run around and ride bikes. The Imperial Palace grounds are free to enter. Gravel paths, lawns, plum & cherry trees.

Dep 11:45 → Arr 12:19 (34 min). 2 adults + 1 child.

Aonami Line from Nagoya Stn → Kinjōfutō Stn (25 min, ¥360). 40+ rides, SEA LIFE aquarium. Perfect for ages 2–12.

LEGO-themed rooms, right at the park entrance. Kids 12 & under stay free.

Iconic castle with golden shachihoko. Honmaru Palace reconstruction is stunning. Stroller-friendly grounds.

Try Nagoya meshi: miso katsu, tebasaki (chicken wings), or kishimen noodles.

Covered arcades with street food, retro shops, Ōsu Kannon temple. Fun to wander with Emma.

Dep 09:43 → Arr 11:04 (1h21). 2 adults + 1 child.

Toyota Rent a Car — Atami Station Shop. 16-63 Kasuga-cho. ☎ 0557-81-0100.

~55 min drive south from Atami via Rte 135 (~32 km). Capybaras, flamingos, hands-on animals. Cactus ice cream. ~2h with Emma.

Route 135 south from Shaboten Zoo (~40 km). ~1h10 — narrow coastal road.

Garden Villa Shirahama KOTI. Self check-in.

Unpack, explore the terrace and ocean views.

6 min walk. White sand, Shirahama Shrine nearby.

Gorosaya (book ahead) or Kinmetei. Kinmedai is the local must-try.

Dolphins, jellyfish, sea turtles. Fully indoor — good rain shelter. ~2h with Emma.

Cable car up Mt. Nesugata. Panoramic views, small temple at summit.

Ra-maru (kinmedai burger), South Cafe, or sashimi set in town.

Back to KOTI. Rest while the rain is at its heaviest (peak ~2pm).

Senninburo in Rendaiji (~10 min drive). Japan's largest hinoki cypress bath. Private family bath available. ~1.5h.

Spice Dog (curry), Tsuji (upscale seafood), or cook at KOTI.

Drive north on Route 135 toward Izu Kogen.

10 min drive. Lift to summit (¥700). 100,000 azaleas in bloom. Dinosaur playground for Emma. Mt. Fuji views.

~50 min via Rte 135 (~29 km). Return car at Toyota Rent a Car, Atami Station Shop by 16:00.

Kodama/Hikari, ~45 min. Unreserved fine.

Tokyo → Chuo Rapid to Shinjuku (14 min) → transfer to Chuo-Sobu local → Koenji (5 min). ~25 min total. (Chuo Rapid skips Koenji on weekdays.)

Ben solo. 23:00–04:30. WOMB, 2-16 Maruyamacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0044.

Pal & Look shotengai, vintage shops (Spank!, Hayatochiri), indie boutiques, record stores. Slow pace with Emma.

Tensuke (tempura), Hidakaya (gyoza/ramen), or one of the standing-room izakayas around the station.

Decompress after Izu drive day.

Short walk along the river. Cherry leaves, playgrounds. Coffee at one of the kissaten on the way back.

Pick a local izakaya — Daikichi, Bibibi, or yakitori under the tracks.

Vintage shops, Reload & BONUS TRACK complexes, indie cafes, record stores. Stroller-friendly backstreets.

Open-air food market in Motoazabu. Shimokitazawa → Motoazabu via Chiyoda/Hibiya line, ~25 min.

Move bags to the new place. TBC whether Emma can nap given the changeover — fall back to a stroller nap if needed.

Local dinner near the new Airbnb.

Immersive digital art museum. Entry slot 09:30–10:00. Barefoot experience, bring shorts/roll-up trousers.

~10 min walk from teamLab, or 1 stop on the Yurikamome to Shijo-mae.

New marketplace next to the wholesale market (opened 2024). Sushi Dai, Daiwa Sushi, kaisendon counters, market food stalls. Expect queues at the famous shops.

Glass-walled galleries above the tuna and seafood halls. Rooftop garden with Rainbow Bridge / Tokyo Bay views.

Open at 9:30 — head straight to the pandas (queues build fast), then East Garden for the children's zoo and small animals. ~1.5h, skip the West Garden walk-around.

~15 min walk south through Ueno backstreets, or 1 stop on Ginza Line (Ueno → Tawaramachi).

Tokyo's kitchen-supply street in Taito. ~1h15 — pick 2 shops max. Top picks: Kama-Asa (premium, English service, engraving), Tsubaya, Kamata Hakensha.

Tawaramachi → Ueno (Ginza Line, 2 min) → JR Yamanote → Shinjuku → JR Chuo Rapid → Koenji. ~50 min door-to-door.

Lunch at the Airbnb. Emma's nap on schedule.