Japan Family Adventure
Many of the Selective Asia team will tell you that Japan is their ultimate family destination. It’s safe and fun, with a high-tech culture that feels familiar from afar and yet astonishingly different in reality. There’s a plethora of delicious food, reassuringly fastidious hygiene, and a feeling of genuine reciprocity wherever you go.
As well as being a favourite Japan family itinerary, this journey is a fantastic classic route though Japan for any first-time visitors, taking in our top picks of the country’s highlights at a smooth pace, with plenty of culture and history to delve straight into.
You might assume it’d be tricky to get teenagers excited about a tea ceremony or calligraphy class, but there’s something in the air that makes it all slightly mesmerising and aspirational, even to very young minds. We pepper each family itinerary with a few lighter experiences too, such as a day at Disney, a samurai swordplay class, or creating a kawaii character bento lunch. Many families return to Japan for a second helping, as you’re unlikely to see everything on your wish list in just a couple of weeks, but it’s enough time to get a thrilling taste of what’s on offer and dive into some truly memorable experiences.
Family is so important in Japanese culture, and visiting families often report back to us on their delightful experiences of feeling truly welcomed.
We know there’s no such thing as ‘fun for the whole family’, and there are always compromises to be made in a country with such a wealth of choice (more time in Tokyo Disney or extra days on an Osaka foodie frenzy?) but Japan genuinely delivers on that overused travel cliche ‘something for everyone’. If you want a gentle couple of weeks on a beach, this might not be the place (though Japan does have a few excellent beaches...) On the other hand, if you’re eager to take your family on a multi-stop cultural and historical adventure, Japan hits all the right notes.
Raitsu, Kamera, Akushon!
Boom! You’ve arrived in Tokyo - Japan’s iconic capital - and although it feels like a weird whirlwind, you instantly love it. Head out for dinner at one of the hundreds of eateries right in front of you... and above and below too! Never dismiss what looks like just an office block - there are amazing restaurants and experiences hidden behind unassuming exteriors all across the city. Family-friendly foodie tours and theme cafes are popular for that first night wow factor, giving you the chance to sample plenty of delicious dishes with a side of your favourite video game or anime characters!
Take a peek at the world’s largest fish market, marvel at the austere beauty of Meiji Shrine, and delve into the eccentric subculture of the Akihabara and Harajuku neighbourhoods; the gaming centres are a must, even if you don’t play. Bag some kawaii merchandise on the UFO catchers, or step into a virtual reality zombie apocalypse at Joypolis indoor theme park. Do you do Tokyo Disney now, or give it a miss and head for a locally-grown option, such as Ghibli Park, later in your trip? Whatever you choose, we’d recommend at least three nights in Tokyo to sample its delights without complete exhaustion! Whoever you are, Tokyo will blow your mind.
Fuji-san afresh
Hugging the shores of one of the Five Fuji Lakes, Kawaguchiko offers a more laid-back experience of Fuji-san than high-profile Hakone. If you’re lucky with the weather, Kawaguchiko is one of the best places in Japan to see Mount Fuji, with the peak’s iconic black cone and snow-dusted summit reflected in perfect symmetry in the lake’s still waters. This hot-spring resort has fewer traditional ryokans than some, with a mix of larger hotels, high-end ryokan and glamping options stepping up as cosy bases for those who hope for a glimpse of the mountain through the clouds.
Raise the action levels a notch with a ride on the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway cablecar to look down over the town and lake from a lofty observation platform near the summit of Mount Tenjo. On a clear day, this is the place for perfect views of Fuji-san. Take your family of explorers out on conservation-focused guided hikes into the wider countryside to discover secluded shrines and natural treasures, exploring ecosystem restoration in the oak and moss-laden glens surrounding Lake Saiko. Back at ground level, explore galleries and museums to inspire your family’s fashionista with elegant kimonos, and gaze upon dozens more artists’ impressions of Fuji for the full mountain-saturation experience.
Look back in time…
Arriving into Kyoto’s modern station you might find yourself thinking, ‘This isn’t what I expected!’ Contrary to much imagery of the city, large parts of Kyoto are strikingly modern, but you’ll soon discover those timeless pockets that everyone talks about. They start to open up until you are tracking a seam and can see it all around you. The soul stirring beats of traditional Taiko drumming feel more appropriate here than anywhere else, and your instructor will make sure you get the basic rhythms of this highly-skilled art just right. Gion - always busy with like-minded travellers looking to catch a glimpse of an exquisite geisha or maiko san - is a unique place for an evening stroll through ‘the floating world’.
The UNESCO-listed castle is fantastic, with its working nightingale floor (designed to detect intruders) adding a level of intrigue to the atmosphere. The gleaming golden Kinkakuji temple, even if seen only from a distance, is utterly perfect. Wander through Arashiyama’s iconic bamboo grove, taste some of the area’s famous unagi (grilled eel), and have your favourite ‘go to’ cartoon characters in mind to make from edible treats in a Kyaraben character bento class. There are so many family-friendly things to do in the cultural capital and we’ll help you choose the best times to visit each area to avoid the crowds.
Remembrance
Hiroshima is, naturally, a main sight on the trail. Many families are hesitant about visiting, which is understandable, but we do recommend a stay. It’s an effervescent, friendly and beautiful town, and the shinkansen journey from Kyoto is short and easy.
It’s utterly sobering to try and comprehend the horror and destruction visited on this city, but visiting the Peace Park and museum at the site where the bomb struck is an important and extremely moving thing to do. School children from across Japan make pilgrimages to Hiroshima to remember, as the number of survivors to tell the story has dwindled. These devastating events are still perhaps the single biggest influence on the Japan we see now and, though very emotional, a guided visit to understand through the eyes of the city’s citizens is an important moment.
Round off your visit with a gentler activity, by taking a kayak out to the island of Miyajima and its UNESCO-listed shrine, and float through one of Japan’s most photographed scenes: the red tori gate which marks the entrance to the sacred space.
Relax and celebrate
Another burst of shinkansen hyperspeed and, before you know it, you’re rolling into Osaka for a bit of indulgence to finish your Japan family adventure. Brash, flamboyant, amusing and a challenge to many preconceived ideas about Japan, Osaka - unquestionably Japan’s foodie capital - is home to everything you could possibly want to eat. It might not have the diverse sights of Tokyo, but it is very, very cool; a really relaxed, fun place to spend your last nights in Japan.
Dotonbori is insanely retro, colourful, noisy and boisterous; a real crowd pleaser, and the perfect place for an inexpensive street dinner. Takoyaki are the city’s speciality: small, fluffy, doughy balls filled with octopus meat, which are usually served very hot, garnished with delicious sauce and mayonnaise, and (if you’re old enough!) accompanied by a super cold Asahi Super Dry. If you’ve got the flexibility to stay for an extra night, then perhaps squeeze in a visit to the nearby Universal Studios Japan, or a session of supervised shuriken star throwing at the nearby ninja museum.
Other places to consider...
We don’t want to over-prescribe your trip for you, and almost anything is possible, so any or all of the above can be changed. If you’re a super-outdoorsy family, you might want to do some hiking in the central alps, or join the locals and make your Japan holiday one of complete beach bliss by heading to Ishikagi in subtropical Okinawa ... the list goes on, so let’s talk.
A note on cost…
The guide price of £4,390US$5,590 is a per person price (not including international flights) staying a total of 4 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Kawaguchiko, 3 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Hiroshima and 1 night in Osaka, all in our favourite mid-range hotels.
The exact shape of your trip is up to you - our tailor-made specialists work with you to create your perfect journey.
