Family Discovery of Japan: Cultural Excursions, Animé Fun & the Great Outdoors - 13 Days

Highlights

• Discover the art of sushi-making at a kid-friendly cooking workshop
• Cruise across Hakone's Lake Ashinoko on a replica pirate ship
• Learn about the world of the geisha at a traditional tea ceremony
• Dive into the world of virtual reality at Osaka's VS Park sports arcade

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Gourmet Foodie Tour

Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in Tokyo, where you'll meet your driver for your private transfer to your hotel. As Japan's capital and most populous city, Tokyo is all about the hustle and bustle, combining a decidedly urban vibe with a wealth of history and culture. The city is also known for its wide-ranging cuisine, and once you've checked in at your hotel and the family has had a chance to regroup, meet up with a local guide for an evening foodie tour.

You'll start in the Yurakucho district, where office workers relax after work with a beer and grilled yakitori (skewered chicken) in their popular "yakitori alley." Let the kids try this savory treat as the adults enjoy sampling some of Japan's local beers.

Then, head to Tsukishima, a human-made island that sits in Tokyo Bay. Here, you'll find diverse eateries and retro restaurants, all set in a casual atmosphere. The specialty here is monjayaki, a type of pancake topped with various meats and vegetables that are cooked tableside. You'll have the chance to try this and other dishes, after which your guide will return you to central Tokyo to make your way back to your hotel.

Day 2: Animé Lovers Tour: Harajuku, Akihabara, Ghibli Museum & Pokémon Center

Discover the world of animé as you and your family set out on a tour that explores this fun and fanciful part of Japanese culture. Meet your private guide after breakfast and start in the whimsical Harajuku district, known for its vibrant street art and edgy youth fashion. Tweens and teens in your group will love shopping at some of the ultra-trendy boutiques, and you may even catch a glimpse of the famed "Harajuku Girls." Snack on everything from classic crepes to giant cotton candy, and take a stroll down nearby Cat Street for hipster cafés, vintage fashion, and international brands. 

Stop by Akihabara, or "Akiba," a bustling district packed with themed cafés, electronics stores, arcades, and more. Then it's time to visit the Ghibli Museum, where you can learn more about classic animé films such as "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away," and see exhibits and interactive displays that showcase the creations of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The kids will love the tiny doors and winding staircases around the property, and you can all take in the views from the rooftop garden. 

Continue to the Pokémon Center, where your little ones can realize their Pokémon Master dreams and you can purchase everything from plush Pikachu dolls to rare trading cards. End the tour at one of Tokyo's animé cafés,  themed eateries that offer delectable treats and beautifully crafted dishes, all inspired by characters from various animé and manga series. The kids can enjoy images of their favorite characters displayed on the walls, sparking imaginative play while you all relax with a great meal. 

Day 3: Discover Tokyo: TeamLab Borderless, Sushi-Making, River Cruise & Skytree

Begin your morning with a guided family tour of one of Tokyo's fish markets, a traditional shopping spot with shops and restaurants crammed into narrow, winding lanes. Roam the market as your guide discusses Japan's culinary culture, points out different kinds of fish and seafood to you and your curious little ones, and explains how each is used in different dishes. Once you've all worked up an appetite, meet with a local chef for a sushi-making class. Discover the secrets of the perfect sushi roll and let the kids unleash their creativity as they experience Japanese cuisine.

Next up is TeamLab Borderless, an interactive and immersive art exhibition that gives new meaning to the term "modern art." Located in the Mori Building, you'll find an expansive display of exhibits and sculptures. Walk through Bubble Universe, where "bubbles" of lights intrigue and delight, Future Park, and Sketch Ocean, which allows the kids to draw their own fish and see them come to life on the walls.

Afterward, take a cruise on the Sumida River, watching the dazzling city lights come to life as you glide past landmarks such as the Rainbow Bridge and the Asahi Group Headquarters Building. If the kids aren't too tired from the long day, finish with a visit to Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting and observation tower that stretches above the city at more than 2,000 feet (634 m). Here, you'll find panoramic views, and if the weather is clear, you might even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji.

Day 4: Transfer to Hakone, Explore Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 

Trade city for countryside today as your driver collects you for the scenic 1.5-hour transfer to Hakone, a mountainous resort town located within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Upon arrival, you'll take a private tour of the region, visiting sites such as Arakurayama Sengen Park, famed for its views of Mount Fuji. You can also see the impressive Mount Owakudani, where you can ride the world's second-longest cable car up the mountain, passing over sulfurous hot springs and steaming rivers. Stop at the hot springs and try an egg hard-boiled in the waters, said to add seven years to your life if you eat it! 

Next, take a cruise across Hakone's beautiful Lake Ashinoko, formed by a volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago. You'll board a replica pirate ship, sure to be a hit with the kids, and make your way across this expansive body of water while your guides share information on the geography and history of the region. The tour closes with a ride on the Hakone Tozan Switchback train, which zigzags through the mountains and has incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Your guide will then transport you to your hotel, where the family can relax for the evening. 

Day 5: Hakone Mountain Bike Adventure

See Hakone via mountain bike on a fun cycling adventure that takes you around some of the region's most scenic areas. Meet your guide at the Lake Arena Hakone, and after an equipment and safety briefing, you and the kids will set out, cruising through areas such as the Ashigarashimo district and points of interest around the Kanagawa prefecture. Stop for a delicious lunch along the way, then end with a visit to the local hot springs, soothing tired muscles in the healing thermal waters. The tour is accessible for all skill levels, but make sure to check beforehand if you'll need bike seats for very small children.

Day 6: Train to Kyoto, Geisha Tea Ceremony & Dinner Show 

You're off to the city of Kyoto! This cultural powerhouse is known for its historic traditions, such as kaiseki dining and geisha entertainers, as well as its numerous temples, gardens, and palaces. You and your family will make your way to the station in the morning and board a train for the two-hour ride. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a driver and escorted to your hotel for check-in.

This afternoon, the whole family can take part in a traditional geisha tea ceremony. Otherwise known as chanoyu or sado, this highly ritualized tradition was born and curated in Kyoto and is hosted by local Kyoto geishas (female Japanese performing artists). Visit a tea house where you'll all enjoy a formal introduction to the history of the ceremonies while sipping fragrant and flavorful tea, then watch a traditional geisha dance performance. Parents should keep in mind that children under the age of seven are not permitted in the tea house.

Day 7: Kyoto Highlights Tour: Temples, Markets & Castles

The day begins with a guided tour of some of Kyoto's most revered historic sites. Your guide will collect you from your hotel, and you'll start at Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple with a large golden pavilion. Walk the peaceful grounds here, and be sure to visit the temple's two top floors, which are completely covered in gold leaf. Then, head to the impressive Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the residence of Edo-era shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Take in the stunning design and grand decor, and the kids can roam the expansive garden, where you'll find elegant water features and springtime cherry blossoms.

Take a walk down Nishiki Market, a narrow, five-block shopping area lined with more than 100 shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen," this lively retail market specializes in all things food-related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware. It's a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi.

You'll then have the option to visit Kiyomizu-Dera, trekking the narrow uphill alleys of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to reach the temple's hilltop location and views of the city, or Sanjusangendo temple, Japan's longest wooden structure. The temple is known for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. In the center of the main hall sits a large, wooden statue of a 1,000-armed Kannon, flanked on each side by 500 statues of human-sized Kannon standing in 10 rows—an impressive site for all ages! 

Day 8: Nara Deer Park & Temples, Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine

Head out with your local guide via train to the peaceful greenery of Nara, known for its historic sites, gardens, parks, and friendly local deer. Visit Todai-ji temple, home to the giant Daibutsu Buddha statue, and Kasuga Taisha, famous for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns. Wander the park, which has tons of walking trails, one of which takes you through Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest and features more than 175 different types of trees. The kids will, of course, want to visit with the deer, who are quite likely to approach and let you feed them. 

Stop in at a local brewery to quench your thirst and sample different types of saké, then make your final stop for the day at the captivating Fushimi Inari-taisha. Featured in the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," this shrine has more than 10,000 picturesque red torii gates, all donated by individuals and businesses as a sign of appreciation to the god Inari for the blessings received. You and the kids can take a light hike along the torii-lined route up the mountain and take in sweeping views of the countryside before returning to your hotel. 

Day 9: Day Trip to Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima Island

Today's excursion takes you to the historic city of Hiroshima. After breakfast, gather up the family and board the train for the 1.5-hour ride, meeting your guide on arrival and setting out to see some of the city's notable sites. Start at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to honoring the lives lost during the World War II atomic bomb that devastated the city.

Visit what was once ground zero, now transformed into a peaceful sanctuary. Featuring original photography and artifacts recovered from the bombing, the park's Peace Memorial Museum serves as a somber reminder to never take peace for granted, and the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building left standing from the bomb, is a disturbing but important testament to the horrors of war.

From here, take the ferry to nearby Miyajima island and visit the famed floating Itsukushima-jinja Otorii (Grand Torii Gate). This UNESCO-listed shrine is built over water with boardwalks connecting its main hall, prayer hall, and other buildings. At high tide, you can witness the gigantic torii gate appear to float in the emerald waters, and at low tide, it's possible to walk directly to the gate and see it up close. You'll have time to walk around the island and the kids can sample local goodies like maple leaf-shaped cakes before catching the train back to Kyoto.

Day 10: Transfer to Osaka, Visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Cup Noodles Museum

Your next destination is the port city of Osaka, Japan's third-largest metropolis. This busy commercial hub is known for its sleek architecture, historic sites, and hearty street food. Meet your private driver in the morning for the one-hour drive, then arrive and drop your luggage at the hotel before heading to Osaka's Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest public aquariums in the world. Exhibits include an undersea tunnel, a Japanese forest, and penguins of Antarctica. 

Next up is Osaka's Cup Noodles Museum. Dedicated to the origins of instant ramen, exhibits include a reproduction of the research shed where instant ramen was born, a cup-noodle-shaped theater, and a ramen "tunnel" the kids can explore. The museum also features a cup noodle workshop, where you'll be able to make your own noodles from selected flavors. Return to your hotel after, where the rest of your day is free. 

Day 11: Family Fun in Osaka: Expocity, VS Park & Dotonbori 

Get ready for an action-packed day as you set out on a guided excursion to some of Osaka's best family hotspots. You'll meet your guide and head to Expocity, a sprawling complex located on the historic grounds of Asia's first World Fair. Visit the NIFREL Museum, where the kids can check out the interactive exhibits and see the more than 2,000 animals that live here. 

Next, jump into the world of virtual reality at VS Park sports arcade. Transport the family to new dimensions as you show off your virtual skills, trying everything from basketball to soccer in friendly competitions that will leave everyone laughing and exhilarated. After working up an appetite, have lunch in central Osaka, then learn how those very realistic food displays you see at Japanese restaurants are made. Visit a laboratory that showcases the creation of what looks like mouthwatering dishes from special wax. You can even create some samples yourselves—a fun souvenir for the kids!

End your day in Dotonbori, a high-powered sensory overload of neon, modern buildings, and throngs of people. Nicknamed "Osaka's Times Square," you'll find enticing food stalls, game arcades, and plenty of shopping in this energetic district. This is a great spot for dinner, with dishes such as grilled crabs, takoyaki (balls filled with vegetables and seafood), and or kid-friendly taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries) available from the various eateries. 

Day 12: Train Back to Tokyo, Self-Guided Exploration of Akihabara

It's back to Tokyo today as you and your family check out of your hotel and board the train for the 2.5-hour journey. Once you've arrived at check in at your hotel, make the most of your last full day in Japan with a deeper dive into Akihabara, stopping to see some of the sites you might have missed on your earlier tour and enjoying the freedom of a self-guided exploration of this energetic district. Packed with themed cafés, electronics stores, arcades, and more, there's never a shortage of things to see and do here.

Interact with enthusiastic cosplayers in elaborate costumes and wigs, making you feel as if you've stepped right into the pages of a manga—the kids can even take pics with their favorites. Stop in at the multistoried Animate store, a top destination for animé merchandise, then end with gaming at the GiGO Akihabara Building 3, where you can test your skills on the UFO catcher crane games. Tonight, seek out dinner at a local Tokyo restaurant for a final delicious meal.

Day 13: Depart Tokyo

Your family adventure in Japan ends today. After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and take a private transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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