Day 1 – Konnichiwa Tokyo!
Tokyo is a surprising city of contrasts — where ancient temples sit alongside neon-lit futuristic skyscrapers. There’s something for everyone — from manga and anime to pop culture, shrines, and sushi. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your family friendly accommodation near the heart of the city. 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 2 – Explore Tokyo with a local
Tokyo can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially for younger visitors. So today you’ll join a few other families and a local, English-speaking 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 holiday, and there will be a stop for lunch. The tour finishes by early afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace.
Day 3 – Discover Tokyo independently
Tokyo is packed with family friendly activities and you could easily spend a week here. Today we’ve scheduled in 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. Your Travel Specialist can help build your Tokyo trip exactly how you want it.
Day 4 – To Kawaguchiko: at the foot of Mt Fuji
It’s time to wave goodbye to Tokyo. From Shinjuku, you’ll hop on a comfortable long-distance bus and in less than two hours you’ll reach Kawaguchiko. Getting around Japan by public transport is very easy and well organised, so you can just sit back and watch the scenery shift as you leave the city and the mountains rise up around you. With a bit of luck (and clear skies) you will see Mount Fuji in the distance. Kawaguchiko is the most accessible and well known of the Fuji Five Lakes. For the next two nights you’ll stay in a holiday home just outside town, within walking distance of the lake.
Day 5 – Paddle across Lake Kawaguchiko
You have the whole day to explore the lake at your own pace. We have included canoe hire so you can enjoy the mountain views from the water. After a quick intro and a few practice strokes, set off across the lake. It’s worth taking along some food and drinks so you can stop for a picnic in one of the small bays along the way. If you would prefer a guided canoe tour, just let us know.
Back on dry land, the rest of the day is yours. You could explore the area by bike, or if you’re after a bigger thrill, make your way to the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park. The rollercoasters are not for the faint-hearted – but if you can keep your eyes open, the views of Mount Fuji are unforgettable!
Day 6 – To Kyoto: the cultural heart of Japan
Today you’ll travel to Kyoto by bus and train. When you think of Japan, you might picture ancient temples, manicured zen gardens and geisha-led tea ceremonies. Well, that’s Kyoto in a nutshell! It’s the cultural heart of Japan.
On arrival, make your own way to your family friendly accommodation near the centre of the city. The rest of your day is free to relax and settle into your accommodation, or explore your new surroundings. Take a stroll through the Gion district where you might even come across a real Geisha. Walk along the Kanawaga River or enjoy a sweet treat in one of the cafes that dot the narrow streets of Nishiki Market.
Day 7 – Guided bike tour of 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 8 – Free time in Kyoto
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. Ask your Travel Specialist for more information.
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 9 – Bullet train to Hiroshima
Today you’ll travel to Hiroshima by shinkansen – Japan’s famous bullet train. We highly recommend breaking the journey for a couple of hours in Himeji to visit the Himeji Castle which is considered one of Japan’s most beautiful castles. You can store your luggage in one of the lockers at the station and walk to the castle in about 20 minutes.
Then continue to Hiroshima – check into your accommodation – and the rest of the day is free. Hiroshima is easily explored on foot and also has a great tram system. It’s hard to believe this vibrant, welcoming city was once completely destroyed. Today, Hiroshima is full of life, and the locals are known for their warm, hospitable nature. If you’re looking for a bite to eat then we recommend trying Hiroshima’s famous okonomiyaki – a savoury pancake loved by locals.
Day 10 – Historical walking tour
This morning we have arranged a guided walking tour where you will learn more about Hiroshima’s history. In 1945, a devastating atomic bomb attack took place, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction of buildings. You will visit Hiroshima’s main sights, including the Peace Museum and Peace Park. Whilst the tour is an important insight into Hiroshima and the resilience of its people, we understand that it’s not appropriate for all children. Let us know if you’d prefer to remove the tour from your itinerary.
In the afternoon you can hop over to Miyajima, a short train and ferry ride from Hiroshima (all covered by your JR Pass). Don’t miss the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine – one of Japan’s most photographed sights. You could hike (or take the cable car ) to the top of Mt. Misen for panoramic views, or enjoy a gentle walk to Daisho Temple, passing rows of Buddhist statues along the way. If you’re an active family, we can arrange a two-hour kayak trip around Miyajima Island, so you can see the torii gate up close.
Day 11 – Koyasan: overnight in a temple
From Hiroshima you will travel on to Koyasan, high in the mountains. The journey takes about four to five hours and is quite varied – you cover the last part by cable car! Koyasan is the spiritual home of Shingon Buddhism which you’ll learn more about 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.
If this doesn’t sound appealing or you’re travelling with young children, we can switch the night in Koyasan to an additional night in Osaka (which is your next stop).
Day 12 – Morning prayer rituals & on to Osaka
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 before continuing your journey. Next stop is Osaka…
Known for its vibrant street food stalls, giant neon signs and bustling city atmosphere, Osaka is one of Japan’s most lively cities. After checking into your centrally-located 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 13 – Street food tour in Osaka
Today, you’ll be introduced to the famous local cuisine on a street food tour. Over the next three to four hours, you will dive into the city’s buzzing food scene, exploring the city’s most famous street food districts. 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.
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 14 – Departure from Japan
Today your Japan family adventure comes to an end. You’ll take the train to Kansai airport in time for your international flight home.
If you’re not ready to head home we can of course extend your trip. With an extra night in Osaka, you would have time to visit Universal Studios which is a hit with kids of all ages. Of course, we can also plan extra overnight stays and/or excursions for your family at the other locations. Our experienced Travel Specialists will be happy to advise you on the possibilities..
Accommodation
