We’ve officially made it to Week 3 of our Japan adventure travel blog, and this chapter was everything we dreamed it would be. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the bamboo forests of Kyoto, Japan gave us magical theme parks, ancient temples, sushi-making classes, and even samurai training.
After emotional goodbyes to Cambodia and Vietnam, we landed in Japan—a country we’ve had on our bucket list for years. With every stop, we found ourselves in awe: whether it was devouring wagyu, laughing at sumo wrestling shows, or bowing to persistent deer in Nara. This was a week of food, fun, and unforgettable cultural moments.
👉 Looking for family-friendly itineraries? Check out my travel planning services or browse other posts in this Asia travel blog series.
🇯🇵 Day 15: Jet Lag, Wagyu, and a Dog Café Disaster
We landed in Tokyo via red-eye and squeezed into the smallest hotel room ever. After naps and showers, we grilled wagyu, skipped an awkward dog café, and I soaked in an onsen.
📍 Read the full Day 15 recap here
🌟 Day 16: Tokyo DisneySea Birthday Magic
For my birthday, Brett and I explored Tokyo DisneySea—truly unlike any other Disney park. We rode exclusive attractions, ate curry popcorn, and soaked in the magic.
📍 Read the full Day 16 recap here
🍣 Day 17: Sushi School, Street Food, and Sumo Shenanigans
A sushi-making class, Senso-ji Temple, and a lively sumo show made this day unforgettable. The perfect mix of food, culture, and chaos.
📍 Read the full Day 17 recap here
⚔️ Day 18: Samurai Training, Harajuku Snacks, and Izakaya Adventures
We trained like samurai, ate our way through Takeshita Street, then explored Golden Gai for sake tastings and late-night laughs with locals.
📍 Read the full Day 18 recap here
🎨 Day 19: Digital Dreams, Skytree Views, and a Mom-and-Kids Day
The kids and I explored TeamLabs Borderless and Tokyo Skytree, finishing with a buffet and an overpriced parfait café. No regrets.
📍 Read the full Day 19 recap here
⚖️ Day 20: Hiroshima, Peace, and Persistent Deer
The Peace Memorial Park left us humbled. Later, Miyajima Island offered shrine visits, okonomiyaki, and pushy deer before we rode the bullet train to Kyoto.
📍 Read the full Day 20 recap here
🌳 Day 21: Bamboo Groves, Monkey Parks, and the Sleep of the Century
With the kids resting, Brett and I explored Kyoto’s bamboo grove, hiked to a monkey park, and ended with wagyu gyukatsu. It was a day of peace, beauty, and the deepest sleep ever.
📍 Read the full Day 21 recap here
Coming Up Next…
Week 4 takes us through Osaka, Nara, and Seoul—the grand finale of this whirlwind journey. Ancient temples, vibrant street markets, and more delicious food await.
If reading this Japan adventure travel blog has you itching to plan your own trip, I’d love to help. Let’s design your itinerary with all the joy and none of the chaos. 🌏✈️
