Day 1 – Welcome to Osaka
Today you will arrive in Osaka! Known for its vibrant street food stalls, giant neon signs and bustling city atmosphere, Osaka is one of Japan’s most lively cities. You will be staying in either a family-friendly hotel or a spacious apartment located in the city centre, making it easy to get around and explore the highlights of Osaka. After checking into your accommodation, you could visit the Osaka Castle and learn about the local history, or enjoy incredible city views from the observation deck of the Umeda Sky Building. End your day with a delicious, fresh bowl of ramen at one of the bustling noodle bars tucked away on a side street.
Day 2 – Street food tour in Osaka
Today, you’ll be introduced to the famous local cuisine on a street food tour in Osaka. Over the next three to four hours, you will dive into the city’s buzzing food scene, exploring the most famous street food districts in Osaka. The tour will start at Kuromon Market, before moving on to various locations, where you’ll sample treats along the way, and finish with a delicious okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) in Dotonbori. If you’d rather enjoy this tour in the evening, we can arrange this for you.
The food tour is suitable for children aged 5 years+
If you’d prefer something a little more creative, we can arrange a decorative sushi workshop, or if you’re more of a thrill-seeker, then you can head to action-packed Universal Studios Japan.
Day 3 – Explore Osaka
Today you have time to explore independently. Start the day at Osaka Castle, wandering its park and climbing the tower for city views, then stop by Shitenno-ji, Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple with peaceful pagodas and gardens. In the afternoon, head to the Umeda Sky Building to see Osaka’s skyline from the open-air “Floating Garden” observatory, or browse the quirky underground malls nearby. As evening comes, dive into the energy of Dotonbori—all neon lights, giant signs, and buzzing streets—then slip into the narrow lantern-lit lanes of Hozenji Yokocho for a more atmospheric finish.
Day 4 – Travel to Koyasan for Temple Stay
Today you will leave Osaka behind and travel to Koyasan for a very special stay. High in the mountains lies Koyasan, the spiritual home of Shingon Buddhism which follows centuries-old traditions. You’ll learn more about the monks that live the simple Shingon Buddhist life by staying overnight in a temple. This trip is perfect for families with teenagers who want to step away from the buzz of the big cities and experience the peace, calm and spirituality of temple life.
You’ll be welcomed by the monks who will explain the customs of the Shukubo (temple). You’ll sleep in the traditional way, on futons laid out on tatami mats. The bathroom and onsen are shared with other guests. In the afternoon, you can explore the temple where you stay. There are other temples nearby that you can visit or wander through the atmospheric Okunoin Cemetery, with its mossy statues and towering cedar trees. In the evening, enjoy a delicious vegetarian dinner served in your room. We can also arrange a guided walk to help bring the stories of this unique place to life.
Day 5 – Morning temple rituals & depart for Kyoto
Rise early and join the monks for their morning ritual — a magical experience to share as a family. Afterwards, you’ll be served a vegetarian breakfast of dishes like tofu cake, miso soup, and bamboo-carrot salad. You’ll have time to visit more temples or wander once more through the cemetery.
You’ll arrive in Kyoto by train (it’s the best way to get around Japan after all). From here you’ll make your own way to your family friendly accommodation near the centre of the city. The rest of your day is free for you to explore. Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japan with golden temples, Zen gardens and atmospheric alleyways to discover. Take a stroll through the Gion district and along the Kanawaga River. Or stroll through the Nishiki Market and arcades and take a break in one of the cafés.
Day 6 – Pedaling through Kyoto
This morning you’ll hop on bikes and see Kyoto from a different angle – on two wheels. We’ll arrange a private tour so you can go at your own pace, stop whenever you like, and chat with your guide about the best route. Over about three hours you’ll cover around 14 kilometres, pedalling along quiet backstreets that lead to some of the city’s highlights. Depending on the age of your children, we can arrange child seats or children’s bikes.
The afternoon is yours to explore together. If you fancy a slow-paced afternoon, head to Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, a leafy escape in the middle of the city. There’s plenty of space for the kids to run around whilst you relax.
Day 7 – Free time to explore
There’s so much to discover in and around Kyoto so we’ve planned an additional day for you and your family to explore. You might like to join a hands-on workshop to create your own colourful bento lunch box, or take part in a traditional tea ceremony where you’ll learn the rituals and etiquette behind this age-old practice. There are a few suggestions below…
Nara is a great family day trip from Kyoto. Kids will love meeting the friendly deer that roam freely around Nara Park. You can also step inside Todai-ji Temple to see the world’s largest bronze Buddha or visit the Nara National Museum for a look at ancient Samurai armour. Also popular are the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, where towering green stalks create a walkway, and the Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine, famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates winding up the hillside.
Day 8 – Travel to Matsumoto
It is time to continue your family adventure and head for Matsumoto. Set in the Japanese Alps, is best known for its striking black-walled Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s most beautiful originals, surrounded by a moat and mountain views. The city is easy to explore on foot, with charming historic streets like Nakamachi and Nawate lined with old merchant houses, cafés, and quirky shops, while museums such as the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum and the Matsumoto City Museum of Art (with Yayoi Kusama’s work) add cultural flair. It’s also a great base for day trips into nature, with the alpine valley of Kamikōchi and traditional post towns along the Nakasendō Trail just a short journey away.
Day 9 – Explore Matsumoto
Spend today visiting the iconic sights of Matsumoto, starting with Matsumoto Castle, which is one of Japan’s best-preserved castles and great fun for families to explore. With six different floors to discover, bridges to cross and a wide moat surrounding the property, there is plenty to keep to kids entertained. For a more active day, hop on a bus or train to the idyllic Kiso Valley, home to the atmospheric towns of Magome and Tsumago. Here, you can wander through the stone-paved streets of Magome, passing traditional wooden houses and waterwheels, and feeling as if you’ve stepped back in time. Next, you can take the walking trail to Tsumago, which takes around 2-3 hours and should be manageable for most families, as it’s mostly downhill, and then you can choose to catch the bus back.
Day 10 – Hiking in the Japanese Alps
Today, you’ll hop on a bus to Takayama, stopping along the way in Kamikochi, a small resort town with a picturesque mountain backdrop, often called one of Japan’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Kamikochi is part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, where no cars are allowed, so it really feels unspoilt and perfect for families who want to spend some quality time in nature. There is a great mix of easy riverside walks and longer forest hikes, but all of them provide incredible mountain views, so you can select a trail that suits your family and still be immersed in the untamed wilderness of this beautiful region. In the afternoon, you will continue by bus to Takayama, where you’ll spend the next two nights in a small-scale hotel.
Kamikochi can only be visited between April and mid-November. The rest of this bite-sized trip is easily accessible all year round.
Day 11 – Free time in Takayama
After an adventure in the mountains, you’ll spend some time exploring this beautiful, preserved mountain town, often called Little Kyoto. Spend the morning visiting one of Takayama’s lively markets, passing vibrant stalls of fruit, pickles and handmade crafts, before wandering through the historic streets of the old town, where traditional wooden houses sit alongside sake breweries.
From Takayama, you can take a day trip to the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago, where you’ll see traditional Japanese houses with thick thatched roofs that can withstand heavy snowfall in winter. Take a walk to the Shiroyama Tenbodai viewpoint at the top of the village and enjoy the panoramic views over the town and lush green landscapes.
While you’re here, we can arrange a ninja experience or a food tour through Takayama. Speak with your travel specialist for more information below.
Day 12 – Travel to Kawaguchiko
Today, you’ll travel to Lake Kawaguchiko, at the foot of Mount Fuji. If you’re coming from Tokyo, we will arrange a bus for you, and in just under two hours, you’ll be looking at the iconic Mount Fuji (if the weather is on your side). For the next few days, you’ll stay in a holiday home just outside the town, giving you a taste of a typical Japanese holiday. The house is fully equipped with a barbecue and kitchen for family meals, and the lake is just a few minutes walk away.
Day 13 – Canoeing on Lake Kawaguchiko
You can spend today exploring the lake, as we have prepared canoes for you to paddle across the calm waters and soak up the peaceful mountain scenery. Make sure you prepare a packed lunch so you can stop for a picnic at one of the nearby coves.
This canoeing experience is suitable for children of all ages. Children will share a canoe with an adult.
In the afternoon, you can visit Chureito Pagoda, which is one of Japan’s most iconic viewpoints, known for the incredible backdrop of Mount Fuji. It’s a bit of a walk up the hillside to reach the viewpoint, but manageable for most families with well-maintained paths and plenty of rest stops along the way. There is also a huge amusement park for those adrenaline seekers, with a great mix of extreme rides and more gentle coasters for younger children. Many of the rides at Fuji-Q Highland have jaw-dropping views of Mount Fuji, if you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open!
Day 14 – Lake Kawaguchiko to Tokyo
Today you will travel to your final stop on this family holiday – Tokyo! We’ll arrange a family friendly hotel or a comfortable apartment, depending on your preferences and the size of your family. The rest of your day is free to settle in, explore your local surroundings and acclimatise to this crazy capital city. If you want an easy place to eat with kids, a kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant is a fun place to start, and many have English menus.
Day 15 – Explore Tokyo with a guide
Tokyo can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially for younger visitors. So today you’ll join a few other families and a local guide for an introduction to the city. You’ll wander through trendy Harajuku, walk across the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing in Shibuya and explore Nakano with its quirky subculture and toy-like shops. The exact programme is determined on the day, but you’ll always get a taste of both traditional and modern Tokyo. Along the way, your guide will share handy tips on local customs and Japanese etiquette that’ll be useful for the rest of your journey, and there will be a stop for lunch. The tour wraps up early afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace.
The walking tour is suitable for children aged 3 years+
Day 16 – Explore Tokyo independently
Today you’ll have a full day to discover Tokyo on your own. It’s a huge city but don’t let that put you off — it’s surprisingly easy to get around. The metro is quick and simple, with coloured lines to help you find your way. We suggest picking just one or two neighbourhoods to explore today so it doesn’t all feel too much.
If you want some help planning your time in a bit more detail then we’ve got plenty of family friendly experiences we can arrange. Watch a sumo training session, become a samurai in a hands-on samurai training workshop, or take a guided walk through neon-lit Akihabara with its anime and gaming culture. SSpeak with our Travel Specialists for more information and they can help build your Tokyo trip exactly how you want it.
Day 17 – Time to head home
Tokyo is packed with family friendly activities and you could easily spend a week here. If you have more time and would like to extend your stay in this buzzing city, just ask your Travel Specialist. Otherwise it’s time to head for the airport in time for your international flight home.
Accommodation
