Japan For The Big Kid

Japan is well-known for its geek culture – just head to the Tokyo districts of Harajuku, Ikebukuro and Akihabara to be bombarded by gaming, technology and anime. It’s so easy to get more engrossed in this world, but if you are just interested in dabbling and having some fun, try these things for size.

This quick itinerary, themed for those who love to play like a big kid, features some of our quirky highlights and gives you an idea of the places to visit in each destination:

Japan For The Big Kid Itinerary

Days 1-2 : Depart UK and arrive in Tokyo.
Days 3-9 : Explore Tokyo, a city full of amazing activities for anyone with slightly geek tendencies. Go go-karting as a Super Mario character, visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, the Toshiba Science Museum, the Sony Explorascience Museum and Ghibli Museum and explore the city districts of Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara and Shinjuku, for the Robot Restaurant of course!
Days 10-12 : Bullet train down to Kyoto and get a dose of culture, perhaps best done dressed up as a Geisha! Don't forget to visit a few temples and explore the Geisha district at Gion.
Days 13-14 : Hop over to Osaka and enjoy some time at the entertainment-focused Osaka Bay and admiring the neon lights to Dotonburi.
Day 15 : Depart Osaka for UK.

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Highlights

These highlights have been specially picked for this themed itinerary:

Super Mario Go-Karting, Tokyo
We all know and love Super Mario Kart but how about playing it for real? Take to the streets of Tokyo, with a guide, in go karts dressed as your favourite Mario characters (other character costumes may be available too) and start exploring. This is certainly the most unique and epic way to sightsee around the city!

National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation
Also known as Miraikan, the ‘hall of the future’, this museum is the technophiles ultimate dream. Full of tomorrow’s technology, including a humanoid robot ASIMO and Otonaroid the android, there are lots of hands-on exhibits, a fantastic planetarium and technology covering seismology to geo-cosmology and everything inbetween.

Robot Restaurant, Tokyo
Located in Tokyo’s entertainment district, Shinjuku, the Robot Restaurant has to be seen to be believed. What can only be described as a robot cabaret, the show involves the female staff battling robots and also involves samurais, pandas, dinosaurs and some dancing, all backed by bright lights, techno music and a huge dose of fun.

Geisha Dress Up, Kyoto
The geisha is one of the iconic images of Japan; her hair and makeup flawless, her conversation witty and her aptitude for music and dance perfect. Whilst we can’t promise the latter two points, we can arrange to spend from one hour to a full day in full geisha regalia, which can include a photoshoot or a day of touring in the get up.