Japan is enjoyable, fascinating, and secure, making it one of many world’s finest locations for household journey.
Whether or not you’re touring with infants, younger youngsters, youngsters, or all the above, Japan’s partaking and eclectic tradition has one thing for everyone.
That will help you plan your journey, we’ve put together this checklist of 25 family-friendly actions in Japan. Take pleasure in memorable adventures as you expertise Japan’s awe-inspiring bullet trains, magnificent castles, digital artwork reveals, theme parks, and unbelievable meals (from ramen and sushi, to burgers, pizza, and the whole lot in between) wherever you go.
While not as off the overwhelmed path because it was, most households nevertheless overlooked Japan in favor of extra “typical” household journey locations. Learn on to be taught extra about what makes Japan such an interesting vacation spot for each children and adults.
Initially written in 2014, this submit was up to date and republished on December 21, 2022.
Why Households Love Japan
Japan is an impressive household vacation spot for most of the identical causes we love Japan normally.
It’s Secure and Handy
Japan is maybe the most secure giant nation on the planet, making the US and Europe look fairly harmful as compared.
It’s surprisingly straightforward to get round, even if you happen to don’t converse the Japanese language.
One other shock spotlight for therefore many vacationers is how superbly and effectively issues are likely to work in Japan:
- Japanese trains are spotless and depart and arrive on time
- Japanese customer support is great, and persons are shockingly useful
- And, in fact, your children (and also you) will love using the shinkansen (bullet prepare)
On high of all this, Japanese individuals cater exceptionally properly to youngsters and love household vacationers!
Youngsters Love Japan
If you happen to’re a dad or mum studying this, it’s attainable you had not more than a passing curiosity in Japan till your youngsters advised you they needed to go to. For a lot of you, it’s a dream journey… in your children!
Why do younger individuals love Japan a lot?
Japan is the house of so many issues children love: quick trains and robots, ninjas and samurai, anime (animation) and manga (comedian books), Nintendo, and Hi there Kitty.
It goes properly past the floor, too. Japan is an intellectually curious youngster’s dream, with a beguiling fashionable but conventional tradition and engaging current and historical historical past.
Adults Love Japan
One key to a profitable household trip is guaranteed everybody — mother and father included — felt concerned and engaged.
Together with guaranteeing your children have a good time, it’s a significantly better expertise for all if the adults are actually having fun with themselves as properly.
In case you are an grownup, we expect you’ll discover a number of possessions you’ll need to do in our assortment of bucket list-worthy Japan experiences.
Most are extra nice with children!
25 Household-Pleasant Actions in Japan
If you happen to’re one in every of our vacationers, we’ll provide extremely customized recommendations, mainly planning based in your and your children’ priorities, all through the method of your Japan journey.
Even if you happen to’re not one in every of our vacationers, we hope you’ll discover Japan journey inspiration within the checklist of family-friendly actions beneath.
Understand that we suggest leaving not less than a little bit unstructured time, although some households do higher with out construction than others.
Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are excellent for a little bit of aimless wandering. You’re nearly assured to encounter distinctive issues to see and do (and revel within the discovery). It definitely helps that Japanese cities are usually terribly secure.
Even if you happen to love your free time, we discover that youthful vacationers thrive with not less than some construction — and please extra keep in mind that most of the experiences listed below are finest organized with advance reservations.
We can assist you create a steadiness of high-energy actions, exploration, and downtime — and make all of the preparations. However we hope you and your children discover inspiration in our recommendations beneath, whether or not you’re employed with us or not!
Listed below are 25 family-friendly actions in Japan to encourage your itinerary:
- Trip the World-famous Shinkansen
- Go to the Snow Monkeys in Nagano Prefecture
- Attend a Sumo Basho
- Take a Taiko Drumming Class
- Mingle with Deer in Nara or Miyajima
- Spend the Evening at a Buddhist Temple
- Discover the Whimsical Ghibli Museum in Tokyo
- Expertise World-Class Aquariums in Osaka and Okinawa
- Climb Mount Fuji
- Stroll Via Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest
- Immerse Your self in teamLab’s Digital Artwork Installations
- Expertise Cosplay
- Play a Conventional Japanese Instrument
- Discover a Medieval Japanese Fortress
- Ski or Snowboard in Japan’s Legendary Powder
- Soak in Akihabara’s Neon, Arcades, Electronics
- Cycle Throughout the Shimanami Kaido
- Spend the Day at a Japanese Theme Park
- Take a Village-to-village Hike Via the Japanese Countryside
- Attend a Japanese Matsuri
- Expertise a Tea Ceremony
- Stroll Via Colorful Markets
- Go to the Artwork Island of Naoshima
- Keep at a Conventional Ryokan within the Countryside
- Be taught to Make Sushi or Japanese Consolation Meals
1. Trip the World-famous Shinkansen
For most children, using the bullet preparation is a “should,” and happily for folks, it’s extra often probably the most handy solution to journey from metropolis to metropolis.
The shinkansen isn’t solely quick and environment friendly, however it’s extra an absolute pleasure to experience. Be sure to choose up an ekiben (prepare station bento field), as consuming and ingesting on the preparation is a key part of the expertise!
Do you have to get the Japan Rail Cross ?
2. Go to the Snow Monkeys in Nagano Prefecture
Watching the snowy faces of untamed Japanese macaques peer by way of the steam from heat onsen swimming pools in Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey Park) is likely one of the highlights of touring to Japan in winter.
Positioned within the Japanese Alps of Nagano prefecture, we suggest spending not less than one or two nights within the area to have the ability to go to the well-known monkeys with out dashing.
3. Attend a Sumo Basho
Sumo is maybe Japan’s best-known but enigmatic sport. In case your schedule permits, attend an official sumo basho (event). They happen six occasions a year, starting in January after which each different month by way of November.
In case your dates don’t align with a basho , by all means, attempt to attend a morning follow at a sumo-beya, the place wrestlers each stay and prepare.
4. Take a Taiko Drumming Class
A hands-on taiko drumming class presents the most effective of each worlds: interact in a centuries-old cultural follow and expend some critical vitality within the course of. Take a household class and be taught why it’s such a big aspect of people traditions and matsuri (festivals) throughout Japan.
5. Mingle with Deer in Nara or Miyajima
There are two locations price testing if you happen to’d prefer to spend a while with Japan’s native sika (deer).
The primary is Nara Park within the metropolis of Nara, lower than an hour away from each of Kyoto and Osaka. Buy some shika senbei (deer crackers) from the close by stalls and see how shortly you can also make a gang of four-legged associates.
If Hiroshima is in your route, make sure to pay a go to close by Miyajima Island, house to greater than a thousand tame sika coexisting with island residents.
6. Spend the Evening at a Buddhist Temple
Deep in Wakayama Prefecture, south of Kyoto, the mountaintop group of Mount Koya is house to dozens of temples the place you may keep in a single day in a shukubo (temple lodging).
While these conventional lodging are fairly rustic and spartan, you’ll have the prospect to work together with resident monks and luxuriate in Buddhist vegetarian delicacies throughout your keep.
7. Discover the Whimsical Ghibli Museum in Tokyo
Dive into the imaginative world of Studio Ghibli and iconic director Hayao Miyazaki, finest recognized for movies together with “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” On the Ghibli Museum, you may immerse your self within the magical exhibitions devoted to the studio’s productions.
8. Expertise World-Class Aquariums in Osaka and Okinawa
At Kaiyukan Aquarium in Osaka, the ecosystems of the Pacific Rim areas are dropped at life. You possibly can work together with creatures within the contact pool and expertise the paranormal evening aquarium expertise the place technicolor sea creatures drift by underneath subdued lighting.
The Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa presents a glimpse into the waters, ecology, and life surrounding the island. Expertise monumental whale sharks, manta rays, and different giant species within the aquarium’s huge tanks.
9. Climb Mount Fuji
Mountaineering up Mount Fuji is a terrific problem for affected households. This journey is the finest undertaken through the official climbing season, which generally begins in early July and ends in early to mid-September.
If summiting Fujisan sounds too daunting, however you’d prefer to plan for a day in nature, contemplate one of many extra accessible day hikes close to Tokyo (Kyoto can be house to many glorious day hikes).
10. Stroll Via Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest
Positioned on the western outskirts of Kyoto, the picturesque Arashiyama fills up with vacationers for good motive. With its meandering river and beautiful mountains, it’s one of many metropolis’s most scenic districts, and at its coronary heart is the famous photogenic bamboo forest.
Anticipate crowds, although even when it’s full of admirers, it might provide an ethereal expertise. You’ll need to spend not less than a half-day (or longer) exploring this glorious nook of Kyoto.
11. Immerse Your self in teamLab’s Digital Artwork Installations
The digital artwork collective often called teamLab has taken the world by storm. There’s no higher place to expertise their wondrous digital worlds than Tokyo, the place teamLab presents a rotating mixture of non permanent and semi-permanent reveals.
12. Expertise Cosplay
If you wish to take dress-up to the subsequent stage, Japan is the place. Whether or not you’re dressing up as Pikachu to sing karaoke or studying tips on how to correctly put on a proper kimono, each whimsical and culturally fascinating choices abound.
13. Play a Conventional Japanese Instrument
Together with taiko (see above), there are many different wagakki (conventional Japanese devices) you may strive your hand at while exploring Japan. Well-liked choices for single-day classes embrace the stringed shamisen and koto and the shakuhachi flute.
14. Discover a Medieval Japanese Fortress
European castles don’t have anything on their Japanese counterparts: turrets and towers have been constructed of medieval supplies like wooden and stone, and moats protect the expansive grounds. You possibly can virtually hear the armies of samurai as they descend on the fortresses.
While some castles (like Osaka Fortress) look good on the surface, for a deeper expertise, we suggest visiting the superbly preserved castles of Himeji, Hikone, or Matsumoto to get an actual glimpse of life because it was in feudal Japan.
15. Ski or Snowboard in Japan’s Legendary Powder
Households with a love of winter sports activities can build an route round snowboarding or snowboarding in one of every of Japan’s famous ski areas.
Hokkaido, the northernmost island, is a winter wonderland famous for its ample snowfall and premium powder, whereas Tohoku and the Japanese Alps additionally provide an array of worthwhile winter resorts.
16. Soak in Akihabara’s Neon, Arcades, Electronics
Players of all ages can lose themselves within the five-story arcades of Akihabara in Tokyo, every flooring that includes a unique style and highlighting probably the most iconic titles ever produced. Past the video games, Akihabara can be a paradise for electronics lovers.
17. Cycle Throughout the Shimanami Kaido
For an escapade on two wheels, pedal throughout the Shimanami Kaido, Japan’s hottest biking route and a bucket checklist experience for cyclists worldwide.
While traversing the 47-mile island-hopping stretch between Onomichi and Imabari, you’ll move by way of quaint Japanese fishing villages the place you may cease and refuel with native delicacies, together with recently grilled seafood and mandarin gelato.
18. Spend the Day at a Japanese Theme Park
If high-adrenaline rides and rollercoasters are extra your velocity, Japan has world-class amusement parks, starting from the classically whimsical to a thrill-seeker’s nirvana.
A few of Japan’s best-known theme parks embrace Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, Common Studios Japan, Sanrio Puroland, and Fuji-Q Highland.
19. Take a Village-to-village Hike Via the Japanese Countryside
Strolling alongside historic trails is an unforgettable solution to immerse your self within the countryside and get a style of previous Japan.
The Nakasendo Street was utilized by samurai to journey between Tokyo and Kyoto through the Edo interval. Even if you happen to’re not up for a multi-day hike, it’s attainable to stroll alongside a brief part of the street in as quickly as a half-day, spending time within the meticulously preserved village of Tsumago.
The distant Kumano Kodo is finest skilled as a multi-day hike by way of the UNESCO-recognized area of Kumano, with its abundance of historic and religious websites. You’ll move by way of charming villages and delightful landscapes, stopping to take pleasure in unbelievable onsen and native delicacies.
20. Attend a Japanese Matsuri
Matsuri (festivals) are ubiquitous all through Japan. These celebrations are stuffed with high-energy dancing, vibrant colors, and vigorous chanting and sometimes contain processes the place locals carry big, intricately embellished mikoshi (moveable shrines).
At most matsuri , avenue meals can be a spotlight!
21. Expertise a Tea Ceremony
You may spend a lifetime practicing tea, however even vacationers can get a style of Japan’s conventional tea tradition. In Kyoto and past, there are charming, old style tea homes that provide abbreviated but elucidating tea ceremonies for curious vacationers.
It’s necessary to notice that if you happen to or your children can’t sit though for an hour or so, this expertise might not be for you!
22. Stroll Via Colorful Markets
Japan’s bountiful markets are a veritable sensory overload, with a few of our favorites together with Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, Kyoto’s centuries-old Nishiki Market, and Omicho Market in Kanazawa.
23. Go to the Artwork Island of Naoshima
Naoshima, popularly often called Japan’s “artwork island,” is a mecca for artwork lovers of all ages.
Benefit from the scenic landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea, soak up a mixture of surreal and sumptuous artwork and structure, and soak within the laid-back island vibes of the area’s quaint fishing villages.
24. Keep at a Conventional Ryokan within the Countryside
Staying at a standard ryokan (Japanese-style inn) for an evening or two is an excellent expertise for adventurous household.
Japanese household sometimes all share one room together when staying at a ryokan, although this isn’t required. Whenever you verify in, you’ll depart your footwear on the entrance, and as soon as in your room, you’ll shed your avenue garments in favor of yukata robes.
Highlights of a ryokan keep embracing sipping tea, soaking in onsen , and unbelievable multi-course meals. It is a stress-free and intense expertise for a lot of household, but when your loved ones likes to maneuver quickly, then one evening might be greater than sufficient!
25. Be taught to Make Sushi or Japanese Consolation Meals
Whether or not you like to cook dinner or just desire an enjoyable exercise to maintain your children engaged (and properly fed), personal cooking lessons are an effective way to spend a couple of hours.
Choices vary from studying to arrange sushi with a grasp chef to extra casual house cooking lessons with pleasant locals.
Household Journey in Japan: Different Logistical Issues
Listed below are a few different household issues ought to take into account when planning a go to Japan.
Strollers and Automotive Seats and Diapers, Oh My!
Since there may be limited area for big gadgets on trains, we sometimes suggest touring with a compact folding stroller.
This can show extra handy not solely on long-distance trains but additionally on public transit, in taxis, and in addition when strolling by way of slim streets or coming into small retailers and eating places.
Thankfully, Japan’s roads and sidewalks are usually splendidly maintained, which helps make strolling round with a stroller a breeze.
Whether or not or to not journey with a seat automobile is as much as you. Sometimes, taxis in Japan don’t require youngsters to experience in automotive seats, although for longer transfers (for instance, airport transfers), it’s price asking your transport supplier if they’ll present an automotive seat or not.
As for providing, similar to diapers? We often counsel bring a very good provide to not less than get you began, because it’s not all the time straightforward to search out the precise provisions you will have in your child as soon as on the bottom.
One “trick” we suggest is to utilize Japan’s glorious baggage forwarding companies. This manner, you may convey one suitcase devoted to child provides with out having to hold it all over the place.
For extra ideas, see our Professional Suggestions for Your Japan Packing Checklist .
Are There Youngster Reductions in Japan?
Briefly, certainly, although solely to some extent.
For instance, at many lodging houses, youngsters do pay much less (relying on their ages on the time of journey), however it’s not all the time the case in any respect resorts or ryokans.
As for transport, youngsters aged 11 and underneath do pay much less for trains and bullet trains, however these 12 and over pay the total grownup fare. Excursions and experiences are usually related, although it varies by service.
Aside from lodging, excursions, and transport, you’ll virtually definitely find yourself spending much less on the bottom in the case of meals, for instance (be taught extra about how a lot issues price in Japan).
Embark on an As soon as-in-a-Lifetime Journey to Japan
We consider your journey ought to replicate your private sense of journey and magnificence and that no two households (or itineraries!) are the same.
In case you are seeking to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Japan, now we have sources that may assist. Begin by testing our pattern journey itineraries and studying about our trip-planning course of.