A 13-Day curated Family Adventure blending Anime fun, sacred landscapes and Japan's most engaging City Experiences.
Explore the many sides of Japan’s exciting capital, Tokyo, from its anime and comic street and sushi bars and restaurants, through to digital art and technology on a ‘digital canvas’ and a return to childhood in the magical and fantastic world of Tokyo Disney Sea. This unique Japan family tour then moves on to the stunning surrounds of Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji, the country’s most famous natural landmark. From there, head into the snow-covered Japanese Alps and visit the beautifully preserved Edo-era town of Takayama. In Hiroshima, learn about the complex and tragic events of Japan’s past, before visiting the idyllic island of Miyajima, famous for its stunning natural beauty. The tour ends in Japan’s two ancient capitals, Kyoto and Nara, which are home to many of Japan’s traditional temples and shrines. Along the way, experience the fun and playful side of travel and the chance to encounter local people and places in depth. The tour will be accompanied by private transfers, to ensure you make the most of your time in each location.
What's included
Itinerary
Welcome to Japan and enjoy your family adventure in Tokyo! Japan’s capital is a whirlwind of contrasting scenes of urban energy and peaceful green spaces of historical temples, shrines and of modern pop culture. After your long haul flight into Tokyo and checking into your hotel, you will start your family adventure in Tokyo after lunch. After lunch you will make your way to the famous Shibuya area. Shibuya is known for the very latest fashion trends and of course there are plenty of shops and restaurants. It is also home to the world’s busiest crossing as well as a famous statue of a loyal dog called Hachiko. The family will then be able to appreciate some of the many gardens and parks that Tokyo has to offer such as the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen or the lovely Chidorigafuchi which is especially pretty during the cherry blossom season. In the evening the family can experience for themselves the electric world of Akihabara. Known as the Pop Culture and Anime Mecca of Tokyo, Akihabara is home to innumerable shops filled with anime and manga, huge video arcades, quirky cafes and much, much more. There’s something for children, teenagers and adults alike in this colorful area of the city.
Begin the day with a guided family visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, where narrow lanes are packed with vendors, small restaurants, seafood displays, kitchen tools and local snacks. Your guide will help bring the market to life, explaining how different ingredients are used in Japanese cooking and introducing younger travelers to the rhythm of everyday food culture. Once everyone has worked up an appetite, join a hands-on sushi-making class with a local chef. Learn how to prepare sushi rice, shape rolls and work with fresh ingredients in a fun, creative setting designed for the whole family. Later, step into TeamLab Borderless, where interactive digital installations respond to movement, imagination and play. End the day with a cruise along the Sumida River, followed by a visit to Tokyo Skytree for sweeping city views and, on a clear day, a glimpse of Mount Fuji.
Leave the city behind for a full-day excursion to the Fuji Five Lakes region. After breakfast, meet your guide for the scenic drive to Lake Kawaguchi, the largest of the five lakes and one of the most beloved viewpoints for Mount Fuji. A leisurely boat cruise offers a peaceful way to take in the lake, surrounding forests, lakeside villages and seasonal scenery. Continue to the Itchiku Kubota Museum, dedicated to the extraordinary kimono artist whose work celebrates nature, light and the changing seasons. Children and adults can admire the intricate craftsmanship of his unfinished 'Symphony of Light,' an ambitious series inspired by Mount Fuji. After lunch, enjoy scenic glimpses of Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko and the mysterious Aokigahara forest before visiting Sengen Shrine, a sacred site at the foot of Mount Fuji and gateway to the Yoshidaguchi climbing trail. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
On this day the focus is on having pure fun as a family at Tokyo Disneyland! Arrival at the park early in order to make the best use of your time to take a photo in front of Cinderella Castle. Subsequently experience all of the different lands of the park and all of the classic rides as well as the many character encounters, all of the parades of the park and last but not least all the fine details of the park. In Fantasyland you can find many of the classic Disney rides like ‘It’s a Small World’ and ‘Peter Pan’s Flight’. Additionally, in Adventureland you can find ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and in Tomorrowland you can find ‘Space Mountain’ and ‘Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin’ which is a fun intergalactic adventure. Lastly, in Toontown you can find all of the fun and whimsical rides that are fun for the younger kids in the family. Besides all the rides there are also many shows as well as meet and greets with all of the characters. On this day you can also go shopping and have dinner at one of the many restaurants in the park. If you have enough energy, it is also worth staying in the park for the evening fireworks over Cinderella Castle.
This morning, you travel from Tokyo to Takayama, a mountain city in Gifu Prefecture known for beautifully preserved Edo-period streets, traditional craftsmanship and a slower rural atmosphere. After arrival and check-in, set out with a guide to visit Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum that brings the region's mountain life into focus. The village is home to around 30 historic houses and farm structures, some more than two centuries old, built with natural materials and adapted to the region's snowy winters. As you explore, your family will see how people once lived, worked, cooked and gathered in these rural homes. Interactive craft demonstrations add a hands-on element for children, making this an engaging introduction to Japan beyond the major cities.
This morning you leave for the morning market in Takayama. On the stalls of the local producers you can find the local seasonal produce as well as pickles, handmade articles, wood carvings, take away food and souvenirs. You will visit the market along the river Miyagawa. This market can be visited in a relaxed way and you can taste and buy as many things as you like. After the market you visit Takayama Jinya. This is the last government outpost of the time of the samurai and the shoguns. You can see the offices, the living rooms and the storehouses. In the afternoon a local brewery will be visited where you can taste sake. For the children there is also soft drink available. After that you continue your trip to Hiroshima by train, via Nagoya. The journey is long and there is enough time to rest so you will arrive in good shape in one of the most important historical cities of Japan.
You’ll typically have breakfast between 7:30 & 9:00 am and your guide will meet you at your hotel to begin your full introduction to Hiroshima and all it has to offer. The peace memorial park is located near the hypocenter of the atomic bombing that took place on August 6th 1945. There are several excellent museums, memorials and many photographs and artifacts that help bring home the true devastation that all wars bring upon humans and the consequent need for peace. After your thought-provoking morning at the peace memorial park, you and your guide will take a ferry to the beautiful and historic island of Miyajima, which for centuries has been a sacred place in the Shinto religion. On this island you can see the famous and photogenic red-orange torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine that appears to be floating in the sea at high tide. At low tide you can even walk out to the gate through the sea. The island is lovely! You can take your time to explore it, visit the shrine, the many temples and other places of interest. There are also many shops, cafes, restaurants and shops where you can sample the delicious local cuisine, including maple leaf-shaped cakes made with real maple syrup that are found in many of the bakeries. In the afternoon you’ll return to Hiroshima where you can continue to explore the city and its many attractions.
Return to Miyajima this morning for a deeper look at Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO-listed building built over the water with graceful boardwalks connecting its main halls. Dating back in origin to the sixth century, with the present structure largely associated with the twelfth century, the shrine is especially striking against the forested slopes, blue sea and vivid vermilion pillars. In the afternoon, leave Hiroshima behind and travel by train to Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital and one of the country's greatest cultural treasures. After settling in, enjoy an evening at leisure. Families may choose a refined kaiseki dinner or a casual walk through Nishiki Market, where snacks such as soy milk doughnuts, pickles, skewered bites and sweets make it easy for everyone to find something they enjoy.
Today brings a guided excursion to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital and a rewarding destination for families. In Nara Park, friendly deer roam freely and often approach visitors, creating a playful contrast to the city's profound historic sites. Visit Todai-ji, home to a monumental Great Buddha and Kasuga Taisha, known for its atmospheric lantern-lined paths. Before returning to Kyoto, stop at a local brewery for a sake tasting, then continue to Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan's most iconic shrines. Its thousands of vermilion torii gates climb the mountain in a striking tunnel of color. Families can enjoy a gentle walk through the lower paths or continue higher for broader countryside views, depending on energy levels and pace.
Get some exercise on this day of outdoor activities in the beautiful Arashiyama district on the western edge of Kyoto. First you visit Okochi Sanso, the former residence of the famous samurai and movie star Okochi Denjiro. The beautifully maintained gardens and small tea houses are a serene and idyllic setting with a stunning view of the surrounding mountains. You can enjoy a cup of matcha green tea and some Japanese sweets in one of the tea houses. After that you visit the famous bamboo grove where you can learn about the local temples, shrines and customs. You can also visit the Nonomiya Shrine and the famous Tenryu-ji temple, which is one of the greatest temples of Arashiyama. In the afternoon, the schedule has a visit at the Arashiyama Monkey Park where the monkeys are living in a large outdoor area and can be observed from a close but respectful distance. In the late afternoon you take the Sagano Scenic Railway, a beautiful old sightseeing train, which runs along the Hozugawa River through the stunning mountain scenery.
After breakfast in the hotel, take a private transfer to Osaka, Japan’s commercial capital: the city of food, of humor, of entertainment and of big nightlife with lots of energy. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and set off for a tour of the city with your guide. The tour starts with a visit to the magnificent Osaka Castle. In the museum you can see dioramas, armor and scenes of past battles that bring history to life for children and adults alike. After the castle, you head to Dotonbori, one of the most famous streets in the world where you can sample all the street food on offer. You will see the famous Glico Running Man sign as well as the large Kani Doraku crab statue in the middle of the street and lots of shops and arcades. On Dotonbori you can sample all the local specialties such as the hot takoyaki balls, the fresh grilled crab or the sweet taiyaki amongst others. The tour ends with a visit to the Umeda Sky Building to admire the views from the Floating Garden Observatory.
Make your final full day all about fun with a visit to Universal Studios Japan. Opened in 2001, the park brings together thrilling rides, immersive lands, family shows, restaurants and favorite characters from film, television and games. Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Hogwarts Castle and butterbeer, step into Jurassic Park, meet characters in Universal Wonderland and discover the imaginative worlds of Super Nintendo World and Minion Park. Depending on your family's ages and interests, you can balance big rides with gentler attractions, live entertainment and themed dining. It is a high-energy finale to a journey filled with culture, nature, food and play.
Your family journey through Japan comes to a close today. After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. As you leave, you will carry home memories of Tokyo's pop culture and food scenes, Mount Fuji's sacred landscapes, Takayama's mountain traditions, Hiroshima and Miyajima's moving history and beauty, Kyoto's timeless temples, Nara's gentle deer and Osaka's joyful final days.
