Japan Family Icons: A 13-Day Adventure through Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Osaka
This is a 13-Day Family holiday in Japan for kids of all ages! Japan is a fantastic destination for your first family holiday. You will experience a mix of a busy metropolis, modern pop culture, delicious local food and some out of the ordinary activities and beautiful landscapes. In the Japanese capital Tokyo we recommend a gourmet food evening tour for your family. In other areas of the city your family can discover Harajuku and Akihabara, two of the city's most popular areas, as well as the world famous Ghibli Museum and the always busy Pokémon Center. Your family can also make their own sushi, create digital artwork and take a boat trip on the Sumida River to then enjoy stunning views of the city from the Tokyo Skytree. After experiencing all that Tokyo has to offer your family will travel to the town of Hakone, a picturesque town famous for the views of Mt Fuji from certain areas of the town as well as from lake Ashinoko on a pirate-ship cruise and to see the dramatic volcanic landscapes. There are also many mountain bike trails for kids in Hakone. Your family holiday in Japan continues in the cultural and former capitol Kyoto. In Kyoto you can experience a geisha tea ceremony as well as many of the city's golden temples, shrines and traditional markets. The architecture in the city is also very unique and fascinating. After exploring all the areas of Kyoto your family will visit the famous deer park in Nara with its hundreds of deer, the colorful and famous torii gates of Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, the moving Peace Memorial in Hiroshima as well as the famous floating Torii gate at Miyajima. Finally before returning to Tokyo your family will experience the many aquariums, some very unusual museums, as well as the lively food streets of the city of Osaka and then return to the Japanese capital and experience an anime-fueled evening in this vibrant capital.
What's included
Itinerary
On arrival in Tokyo, your private driver will meet you at the airport and take you smoothly to your hotel. After check-in and a little time to recharge, your family’s first evening in the capital begins with a guided foodie experience designed to introduce you to Japan in the most delicious way possible. Start in Yurakucho, where local office workers gather after the day ends for casual drinks and grilled yakitori in the atmospheric lanes often known as yakitori alley. Children can enjoy the smoky, savory skewers while adults sample local beer and take in the lively after-work scene. Continue to Tsukishima, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay known for its relaxed retro restaurants and monjayaki, a savory pancake-style dish cooked right at the table with meats, vegetables and flavorful toppings. After tasting a variety of local specialties, your guide will help you return to central Tokyo for a restful first night.
Today is dedicated to Japan’s colorful anime and pop-culture world. Meet your private guide after breakfast and begin in Harajuku, a playful neighborhood known for street fashion, bold creativity, youth culture and unique snacks. Browse trendy boutiques, look for eye-catching street style and enjoy classic treats such as crepes or giant cotton candy. Continue to Akihabara, Tokyo’s electric town, where arcades, electronics shops, themed cafes, manga stores and anime culture fill the streets with energy. Next up, you go to the Ghibli Museum where you can see the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away come to life as you make your way through the Museum’s winding staircases and tiny doors looking at the various exhibits along the way. After that you head to the Pokémon Center where children can play with Pokémon plush toys, grab some trading cards and purchase other anime and manga products. The kids can have fun while the adults are treated to beautifully presented Japanese dishes and desserts in an anime/manga themed setting at an anime cafe for dinner in the evening.
Begin with a guided family visit to one of Tokyo’s traditional fish markets, where narrow lanes are filled with seafood stalls, small restaurants, specialty ingredients and local energy. Your guide will introduce Japan’s culinary culture in an approachable way, explaining different ingredients and how they are used in everyday dishes. After exploring the market, join a hands-on sushi-making class with a local chef. Learn how to prepare sushi rice, handle fresh ingredients and roll your own creations. This interactive experience gives children room to be creative while adults enjoy a deeper appreciation of one of Japan’s most iconic foods. In the afternoon, step into the immersive world of teamLab Borderless, where digital installations, light, color and movement create an art experience that feels alive. Later, cruise along the Sumida River as Tokyo’s lights begin to shimmer, passing landmarks such as the Rainbow Bridge and the Asahi headquarters. Should the family still have energy, finish with panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree, with Mount Fuji sometimes visible on clear days.
Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo for a scenic drive to the idyllic mountain resort town of Hakone, located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Stroll around the beautiful gardens of Arakurayama Sengen Park to experience one of the classic views of Mt. Fuji from this unique perspective or hike through the volcanic landscapes of Mt. Owakudani with its sulfurous vents, hot springs and rivers. Take a cable car ride above the hot springs and sample one of Hakone’s famous black eggs boiled in the thermal waters, said to bring good fortune and a long life. Then, take a fun pirate-ship cruise across Lake Ashinoko and learn about the region’s history before boarding the Hakone Tozan train for a thrilling ride through the mountains on some dramatic switchbacks. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel in the evening.
Today brings an active change of pace with a guided mountain bike adventure through Hakone’s natural surroundings. Meet your guide at Lake Arena Hakone for an equipment fitting and safety briefing before setting off as a family through scenic areas of the Ashigarashimo district and the wider Kanagawa countryside. The route is designed to showcase Hakone’s quieter corners, open landscapes and fresh mountain air. Along the way, pause for a delicious lunch and enjoy time to take in the views, with the pace adapted to the group’s comfort level. After the ride, reward tired legs with a visit to local hot springs, where the family can soak in healing thermal waters and relax after an energetic day. The tour can be accessible for different ability levels, though families traveling with very young children should confirm bike seat requirements in advance.
This morning, you travel onward to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart and a city celebrated for temples, gardens, geisha districts, tea traditions and elegant wooden streetscapes. After the train journey, your driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, take part in a traditional geisha tea ceremony, also known as chanoyu or sado. Hosted in Kyoto, where this refined ritual has been carefully preserved, the experience introduces the family to the etiquette, beauty and quiet precision of Japanese tea culture. Enjoy fragrant tea, learn about the history of the ceremony and watch a graceful geisha dance performance. This is a memorable cultural moment for older children and adults; please note that children under seven are not permitted inside the tea house.
Follow your guide today to visit several more of Kyoto’s famed sights. The stunning Golden Pavilion known as Kinkaku-ji is the iconic symbol of Kyoto with the upper floors coated in gold leaf. The grounds of this temple are particularly suited for families with lots of long flat paths to walk on and many great places to take photos. The Kyoto palace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo period, is Nijo-jo, which was built in 1603 and is one of the best examples of Japanese architecture. It is especially famous for the ‘Nijo Corps’ of guards who would scrape their feet on the floor to alert others of an intruder. The castle is particularly beautiful in the seasons of Spring when the Cherry and Plum trees are in full bloom and in the Autumn when the Maples are on fire. In between these two seasons the Water Features and bright Green of Summer are particularly beautiful too. In the afternoon the tour will visit the famous Nishiki Market, known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’ where over 100 specialist food shops and restaurants line the narrow shopping street. Here you will find everything from the freshest of seafood, produce, pickles, Japanese sweets, sushi, cookware and many other unique items. Your guide can then lead you to Kiyomizu-dera via the quaint shopping streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka or to the incredible temple of Sanjusangendo with its astonishing 1,001 life sized statues of Kannon.
Set out by train with your local guide for Nara, a peaceful city known for historic temples, quiet gardens and friendly free-roaming deer. Begin at Todai-ji, home to the great Daibutsu Buddha and continue to Kasuga Taisha, a shrine celebrated for its bronze and stone lanterns. Walk through Nara Park, where the deer are likely to approach and can be fed with special crackers. The surrounding paths also lead toward the Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest, a lush protected area with a remarkable variety of trees and a calm, ancient atmosphere. Later, pause at a local brewery to sample different types of sake before returning toward Kyoto for one of the region’s most iconic sights: Fushimi Inari Taisha. Walk beneath thousands of vivid red torii gates donated in thanks to the deity Inari and enjoy a light hike with sweeping countryside views before returning to your hotel.
Today’s guided excursion takes your family to Hiroshima, a city whose history is deeply moving and whose present-day spirit is peaceful and resilient. After the train journey, meet your guide and begin at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, created to honor the lives lost in the atomic bombing of World War II. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, an important surviving structure that stands as a powerful reminder of the need for peace. The experience is meaningful and it can be approached in an age-appropriate way depending on the children’s ages and sensitivity. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Miyajima Island to see the UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine and its famous floating Grand Torii Gate. At high tide, the gate appears to rise from the water; at low tide, it can often be approached on foot. Enjoy time to wander the island and sample local treats, such as maple leaf-shaped cakes, before returning by train to Kyoto.
After breakfast, travel by private transfer to Osaka, Japan’s energetic third-largest city and a destination known for modern architecture, bright streets and hearty food culture. Drop your luggage at the hotel, then begin with a visit to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest public aquariums in the world. Explore displays that recreate marine environments from across the Pacific, including an underwater tunnel, a Japanese forest, penguins from Antarctica and colorful sea life that will easily capture children’s attention. Continue to the Cup Noodles Museum, a playful tribute to the invention of instant ramen. See a recreation of the research shed where instant noodles were born, walk through a ramen tunnel and take part in a workshop where the family can design and create custom cup noodles using selected flavors. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore Osaka at your own pace.
Today is Family & Fun day in Osaka! First you visit Expocity, a huge complex for entertainment and events. Then, you can visit NIFREL (Nexus of Interactive, Renewable, and Entertainment Leaders of the world) where an amazing Museum & Aquarium experience awaits you with over 2,000 animals. It’s an interactive setting as well as other creative displays and hands-on-exhibits to learn about science & nature in a fun way to amuse kids and grown-ups alike. After that you will go to VS Park which is another playground to spend some time for some interactive, highly advanced Sports Entertainment. This is a huge Game Center with virtual interactive Basketball and Soccer games (and much more) for all ages to compete against family and friends to show off one's skills. After that you will take a stroll through the city to have lunch somewhere in the city and then go to a Food-sample workshop where famous Japanese Restaurant-decorations are made out of wax and resin. Learn how to create your own wax-food-sample as a fun souvenir to take home. The day will be ended by a walk and lots of food through famous Dotonbori, one of the oldest parts of town with lots of Foodstalls, Gamecenters, Shops, Grilled-Crab- and many more food stalls with really delicious Takoyaki and also kidfriendly Taiyaki.
Today, take the train back to Tokyo and go back to your hotel to relax for the last full day of your holiday. In the afternoon you head back to Akihabara for a more in-depth look around this area of the city which is a Mecca for anime, manga, gaming, electronics, arcades and themed cafes. You can take a stroll down the colorful lit up streets of the area and look at all the different character goods that are available. There are also lots of enthusiastic cosplayers around who are happy for you to take their photos whilst they are wearing their fun costumes. Visit the largest anime and manga store in the world, Animate. This is a massive multi-level shop that has an amazing amount of goods for all anime and manga fans. After that you head to GiGO Akihabara Building 3 where you test your luck at the UFO catcher crane games as well as playing some of the other arcade games in hope of winning some fun prizes. In the evening, enjoy your last dinner in Tokyo. It could be a simple local eatery, a fun themed restaurant or even another bowl of hot delicious ramen. Either way it will be a great way to celebrate the end of a fantastic, fun and exciting family holiday.
Your family journey through Japan comes to a close today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private driver for a smooth transfer to the airport. As you depart, you will carry home memories of Tokyo’s food and anime culture, Hakone’s Mount Fuji landscapes, Kyoto’s refined traditions, Nara’s deer-filled park, Hiroshima’s moving history, Miyajima’s floating gate and Osaka’s playful family experiences. Safe travels and until next time.
