10 Days in Japan - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Japan Family Highlights Tour: Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo

Perfect for families visiting Japan for the first time, this 10-day highlights tour features kid-friendly activities in three of the country's most iconic cities. Starting in Osaka, you'll introduce young foodies to new flavors and spend a day in Universal Studios. Then, delve into Kyoto's warm culture before wrapping up the adventure by zipping around Tokyo. Other family-favorite excursions include a scenic train ride, an afternoon at TeamLab Planets, and a boat ride under Mount Fuji.

Welcome to Japan! Your family adventure begins in the vibrant city of Osaka, which is the perfect place to get your bearings while surprising young ones with a fun-filled food tour. Then, enjoy an educational day of checking out the city's highlights before treating kids to a day at Universal Studios Japan. The excitement continues the next day as you board a bullet train to Kyoto, but upon arrival, you'll quickly notice this city has a more relaxed and traditional feel. Delight in watching young travelers embrace this new culture at a tea ceremony and on hikes through beautiful forests.

While in Kyoto, you'll also venture to the Arashiyama district to wander through a bamboo grove and amaze young ones with a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway. Afterward, another bullet train is on the itinerary, this one taking your family to the energetic city of Tokyo. Spend your first evening here playing at the innovative TeamLab Planets, then enjoy a leisurely morning as a thrilling city tour featuring shrines and street food is on the agenda for the afternoon. With your trip winding down, fit in an enchanting boat ride under Mount Fuji before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Tour of Japan's Hokkaido Island: History, Culture & Outdoor Fun

Ideal for nature-loving families who also get a kick out of themed activities, this outdoor-oriented trip to Japan's Hokkaido Island promises to be a memorable experience for young travelers and parents alike. Throughout, you'll hike through a geothermal wonderland, cruise around Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and ride horseback, raft, and fish in the Shimukappu region. Meanwhile, themed activities include a kid-favorite visit to Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch, time at the Ishiya Chocolate Factory, and a stop by the "Cloud Cafe" for cloud-inspired desserts.

Your Hokkaido family trip begins with a transfer from the Sapporo airport to the intriguing city of Noboribetsu. Settle in with a rejuvenating afternoon at the Daiichi Takimotokan Hotel's onsen, then wow young travelers while visiting the geothermal Jigokudani. Your next destination is Toyako, and during your overnight stay here, you'll travel up Mount Usu via ropeway and admire playful brown bears at Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch. Afterward, detour to the colorful town of Otaru for a stroll along its charming canal before transferring to Sapporo, your family-friendly base for three nights.

Kick off your stay in Sapporo by exploring the grassy Odori Park and the chocolate-themed Shiroi Koibito Park, followed by a day at the Maruyama Zoo and a salmon hot pot class taught by a local family. Next, trade busy Sapporo for the small village of Shimukappu, where you'll check into the Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu. After an evening enjoying the resort's many amenities, you'll dedicate the following day to a horseback riding tour. The fun continues right up until your flight home, with a rafting trip along the Sorachi River and an energy-burning tree-climbing adventure on the agenda. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Adventurous Family Fun in Japan: Animé, Theme Parks & Cultural Excursions

This playful, high-tech adventure promises to be a hit for animé and Disney-loving families looking to pack their trip with interactive activities. Made all the more kid-friendly thanks to limited travel time and a delve into Japan's futuristic side, you can look forward to six days in Tokyo, where you'll hop between Disneyland, Disney Sea, and kid-friendly museums. Then, speed to Osaka by bullet train and round off the family adventure with a neon-lit foodie tour and a visit to Universal Studios Japan.

After arriving in Narita and regrouping at your family-friendly hotel in Tokyo, you'll delve straight into the eccentric side of Japan while touring Akihabara district's animé-themed cafés and arcades. The excitement continues with a visit to the Pokémon Center and the interactive Gundam Base Tokyo on the agenda the next afternoon, followed by a "magical" day at Tokyo Disneyland. Then, transition to more traditional culture-inspired activities, which include a chef-led sushi-making class, a confidence-building ninja training experience, and a scenic day cruising and driving around the Fuji Five Lakes area.

On your final day based in Tokyo, delight young travelers with another Disney day, this time to the water-themed DisneySea. Then, pack your bags, board a bullet train, and speed your way to Osaka. There's certainly no shortage of kid-friendly activities to look forward to here, but first, pause for an educational day touring Osaka Castle and Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum. Afterward, spend a mind-blowing afternoon learning about virtual reality at VS Park and taste your way through Dotonbori's street food. Lastly, enjoy a family day at Universal Studios Japan before preparing for your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Fun & Culture in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka

Crafted for families seeking a high-energy trip packed with hands-on fun, this immersive highlights itinerary features numerous kid-approved activities in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. With three days in each, you'll have plenty of time to rejuvenate at your accommodations between fun afternoons at theme parks and interactive museums. Throughout, you'll also embark on a side trip to the friendly deer-filled town of Nara, visit Arashiyama's monkey park, and join a thrilling ninja experience.

With excitement bubbling over, your Japan adventure begins in Tokyo, where you'll visit the colorful Senso-ji temple and sample street food along Nakamise-dori. Then, enlist the help of a local driver to easily hop between the Mori Digital Art Museum, a sushi-making class, and the Tokyo Skytree. Of course, no visit to Tokyo is complete without a trip to Disneyland, so enjoy a full day there before catching a bullet train to Kyoto. Here, start your stay with an insightful afternoon at the Samurai and Ninja Museum, followed by a trip to Arashiyama to wander among bamboo groves and interact with cheeky monkeys. 

During your stay in Kyoto, you'll also take the opportunity to visit Nara, a beautifully preserved city with an added bonus of friendly deer, and conquer a hike to the Fushimi Inari shrine. Then, it's back to the train station for a short but speedy ride to Osaka, and upon arrival, you'll get straight to the fun with a trip to the massive Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan on the agenda. The next day, uncover Osaka's modern side while roaming ExpoCity and experiencing virtual reality at VS Park. Lastly, top off your trip with a high-energy day at Universal Studios Japan before catching your onward flight. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Japan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other 10-day Japan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family-friendly trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

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