Family Fun & Culture in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka - 14 Days

Highlights

• Inspire young artists with a trip to Tokyo's dazzling Mori Digital Art Museum
• Treat the kids with trips to Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and Universal Studios
• Experience a traditional geisha tea ceremony in historic Kyoto
• Wonder at the majesty of Mount Fuji on a cruise across Lake Kawaguchi
• Dive into the world of virtual reality at Osaka's high-tech VS Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Discover Japan's Neon Capital

Welcome to Japan! Blending ancient tradition with cutting-edge innovation and a reputation as one of the safest countries in the world, it's the perfect destination for a family-friendly vacation. Upon arrival at Narita's airport, you'll meet your driver for your private transfer to Tokyo—a city where ancient temples stand in the shadows of gleaming skyscrapers. Check into your hotel, and when you're ready, head out with the kids to explore.

Orientate yourselves with a visit to the colorful Senso-ji in Asakusa, one of the city's oldest and most important Buddhist temples and a cultural hub offering insights into Japanese traditions, rituals, and craftsmanship. Let the kids get a feel for Japanese culture with omikuji fortunetelling (drawing a slip of paper with predictions) and stroll along the lively Nakamise-dori, a street lined with food vendors and all manner of souvenirs, sure to draw the kids' attention. It's a great spot to fill up on traditional snacks and delicious street food before making your way back to your hotel.

Day 2: Family Tokyo Tour: MORI Digital Art Museum, River Cruise & Sushi Making

Spend today immersing yourselves in Tokyo's family-friendly attractions with the added bonus of a private driver. You and the kids will get to focus on what matters most without worrying about tiring out little legs. Admire Tokyo's dazzling metropolis as you reach your first stop, the renowned Mori Digital Art Museum. Perfect for kids of all ages (and adults, too), the museum features a series of imaginative and colorful interactive installations utilizing cutting-edge technology to create dazzling light displays and vivid projections that'll inspire the whole family.

A cruise along the Sumida River is the perfect antidote to the morning's visual extravaganza, and you'll get a chance to relax and see the city's iconic landmarks from the comfort of your boat. Your next stop combines lunch and a fun, hands-on experience where you and the kids will master the art of sushi making and learn about sushi's role as a symbol of Japanese culture and identity. You'll end your tour at the Tokyo Skytree, one of the world's tallest towers. Venture up to the observation deck, and the impressive skyline is the perfect backdrop for the first family selfie of your trip.

Day 3: Visit the Wonders of Tokyo Disneyland

Whether you keep this as a surprise from the kids until the last minute is up to you, but today's tour will earn you major points as you announce an all-day visit to Disneyland Tokyo. The "magic" starts as soon as you arrive when the youngsters set eyes on the iconic Cinderella Castle. The park has seven themed zones, and you'll start at Fantasyland, where you and the little ones will enter an enchanted land filled with attractions evoking some of Disney's best-loved films. 

Follow the zones throughout the park and see the kids' faces light up as you embark on a thrilling "Pirates of the Caribbean" experience in Adventureland and experience the legendary Space Mountain rollercoaster in Tomorrowland. After a day filled with meet and greets with the kids' favorite characters and a memorable nighttime fireworks display, return to your hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the many family-friendly local or international restaurants nearby. 

Day 4: Full-Day Family Tour of Mount Fuji & Fuji Five Lakes

Experience a change of pace this morning as you swap Tokyo's neon-lit streets in favor of one of Japan's most iconic natural attractions, Mount Fuji. The country's highest peak and an active volcano, Fuji-san, as it's known to locals, towers more than 12,000 feet (3,776 m) into the sky and is considered one of Japan's three sacred mountains. After breakfast, you'll be picked up by a private driver and guide for a 2.5-hour scenic transfer to explore the astonishing lakes and countryside surrounding the revered peak.

Start with a gentle cruise on Lake Kawaguchi, banked by forests and grasslands nestled within Fuji's foothills and reflecting the volcano's reflection in its glassy waters. You'll disembark in time for lunch, and after a bite to eat and some downtime, meet your guide for a scenic drive around Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko. Task the kids with keeping their eyes peeled for a glimpse of the mystical Aokigahara Sea of Trees, a forest born from the aftermath of one of Fuji's eruptions and shrouded in intrigue.

Your tour finishes with a visit to the historic shrine of Fujiyoshida Sengen, nestled within a magnificent cedar forest at the foot of Mount Fuji. Hear from your guide how the shrine, built in 788 CE, is revered in Japanese culture as a sanctuary honoring the country's most sacred mountain. You'll have an opportunity to rest and relax on the drive back to Tokyo and absorb the wonders of the day before heading out to dinner or making use of the facilities at your hotel. 

Day 5: Day Trip to Tokyo DisneySea

If the kids loved Tokyo Disneyland, then today's trip to Tokyo DisneySea hits all the right notes. The only Disney theme park in the world to have water as its main attraction, expect an action-packed day full of aquatic fun for the whole family. You'll start your adventure at the volcanic Mysterious Island, where you and the kids will experience the thrilling "Journey to the Center of the Earth" ride. Don't miss the mesmerizing "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' voyage, where the little ones can join Captain Nemo in his search for the lost city of Atlantis. 

Day 6: Train to Kyoto, Geisha Tea Ceremony & Dance Performance

Kyoto, Japan's cultural heartland and ancient capital, lies 283 miles (445 km) west of Tokyo. This morning, you and the kids will board one of the country's legendary high-speed bullet trains, arriving in the city in just over two hours. Feeling a world away from futuristic Tokyo, this historic city is swathed in serene temples and shrines (there are over 2,000), traditional tea houses, and tranquil gardens. After a private transfer to your hotel, settle the kids and then head out to experience Kyoto's captivating sado (tea ceremony culture).

The highly ritualized tradition of sado dates back to the 12th century, when tea leaves from China were brought back by the Buddhist monk Eisai. In the late 1500s, the art of taking tea was turned into an important ritual by introducing the philosophy of "cherish every encounter" and promoting the wabi-sabi ideal of "beauty in imperfection and simplicity." Legend has it that the freshest batch of green tea from Kyoto was considered more precious than gold, and a samurai's tea caddy was valued as highly as their sword. 

You and the kids (they'll need to be aged seven or over) will discover these traditions and more with a visit to a tea house in the city's Gion district, where you'll take part in a geisha tea ceremony. Hosted by local Kyoto geishas (female Japanese performing artists), you'll sip fragrant and flavorful tea while the geishas and their maikos (apprentices) introduce you to the history of the ceremonies and how tea would be served to pilgrims visiting eastern Kyoto's ancient temples. Afterward, you'll be invited to watch a traditional geisha dance performance. 

Day 7: Arashiyama Adventure: Temples, Monkey Park & Scenic Railway

Today, you'll settle into your Kyoto experience with a guided tour of the scenic Arashiyama district. Located on the outskirts of Kyoto, your tour starts at Okochi Sanso, a villa on the slopes of Mount Ogura and once the home of samurai film star Denjiro Okochi. Spend an hour or two touring the magnificent gardens designed to show off each of the four seasons. Admire the views over Kyoto, Mount Hiei, and the Hozu River gorge while the kids explore, then finish the experience with matcha green tea and local delicacies. 

Your next stop is the Sagano Bamboo Grove, a striking natural bamboo forest that covers 3,800 acres (1,537 ha), filled with gently swaying bamboo stalks that tower over the network of paths. It's an enchanting setting to explore with the kids, and eventually, you'll reach the beautiful 508-foot (155-m) long Togetsuyko Bridge, that stretches across the Katsura River. Continue to the peaceful gardens of the renowned Tenryu-ji Zen temple while your guide shares fascinating tales of Japanese mythology with the captivated little ones.

After a delicious vegetarian lunch on the temple grounds, it's off to the Arashiyama Monkey Park. You'll find plenty of adorable monkeys here roaming freely through the grounds, and there'll be ample opportunities for the kids to get up close and personal with their newfound furry friends. A ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway caps off a perfect day of adventure as you wind through mountains and along the tranquil Hozugawa River. You'll return to Kyoto for the evening, where you'll find plenty of cozy places to enjoy a memorable family dinner together. 

Day 8: Family Leisure Day in Kyoto

After a busy first week in Japan, take today to hang out with the kids and explore Kyoto at your own pace. The historic Gion district is the perfect place to soak up the city's unique atmosphere. Start with a stroll down Hanamikoji-dori, a charming street lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and plenty of excellent restaurants. It's the perfect spot to get a feel for Kyoto's traditional and contemporary influences. 

If the kids need to burn off some steam, then Maruyama Park or Kyoto Imperial Palace Park are great options for a picnic and a run around for the little ones. Treat them afterward to delicious sakura (cherry blossom) ice cream, a Kyoto specialty and not to be missed! If the kids are older, seek out one of the nearby onsen (hot springs), where you can relax in therapeutic waters surrounded by the enchanting landscape.

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

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and pack snacks as you meet your guide for a transfer to the station, where you'll board a scenic 1.5-hour train to Hiroshima. The city's devastating history is remembered at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park; a remarkable space that was once ground zero for the World War II atomic bomb has transformed into a peaceful sanctuary dedicated to honoring the lives lost during the attack. Stroll through the park as your guide shares stories of the memorials you encounter, and the kids learn about history, resilience, and the importance of peace. 

After a thought-provoking visit, you'll take an hour's ferry ride over to the whimsical island of Miyajima. Famous for its floating Itsukushima-jinja Otorii (Grand Torii Gate), one of Japan's most photographed attractions, the island is a treasure trove of cultural and natural wonders and a great spot to capture the kids' imaginations. You'll find plenty of shrines and temples to visit here while your guide reveals the fascinating legends associated with them.

Day 10: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tour Nara & Deer Park, Train to Osaka 

Before saying goodbye to Kyoto this morning, you're off to experience its most famous landmark—the eighth-century shrine of Fushimi Inari-taisha. Set at the end of a walkway composed of thousands of vermillion-colored torii (gates), it's a memorable adventure for the whole family as you hike through beautiful forested trails and glimpse panoramic views over the city as you ascend to the temple.

Then, it's time to meet your driver and hit the road for a tour of Nara, a nearby city famous for its temples and eighth-century artwork, and Fushimi, a beautiful hilly district nestled between the Uji and Katsura rivers. Start with a visit to Todai-ji in Nara, once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples. Today, you'll find it full of intricate architecture and a giant 49-foot (15 m) bronze Buddha. There's plenty here in the temple and surrounding gardens to inspire the kids with Japanese culture, and they'll adore the nearby Kasuga-taisha shrine, famous for its thousands of red lanterns that line the pathways.

Day 11: Tour Osaka's Family Highlights: Expocity & VS Park

Get ready for an action-packed day this morning as you make your way to ExpoCity, a vast entertainment complex that fuses Japan's cutting-edge technology with art, nature, and sport to provide a huge variety of thrilling activities for the whole family to enjoy. Head first to Nifrel, a museum combining an interactive aquarium and zoo experience featuring 2,000 animals from 150 species. With an aim to redefine the boundaries of traditional wildlife encounters and engage all five senses, the kids will have a ball navigating the different exhibitions and activities.

If the little ones have been clamoring to get on their devices during the trip, then a couple of hours in the center's VS Park should do the trick. Over a two-hour session, you and the kids will enter a thrilling world of virtual reality where you'll have the opportunity to showcase your virtual athletic skills. Whether it's an intense basketball match or a heart-pumping soccer game, you and the kids will emerge exhilarated from the experience.

Break for a well-deserved lunch in central Osaka, and afterward, embark on a fascinating journey into the realm of Japanese culinary artistry. You and your family will take part in a workshop where you'll see how the remarkably realistic food displays commonly used in Japan are created using a special wax. After seeing the skilled artists at work, you and the kids will get to unleash your creativity and have a go creating two sushi-themed samples, one of which will be mounted on a keychain as a memento of your time in Osaka. 

Day 12: Day Trip to Universal Studios Japan

More theme park adventures await today with a day trip to Universal Studios Japan. First up, it's time for the kids to practice their best "expelliarmus" spells with a visit to Hogwarts Castle and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Experience the thrill of the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride, then stroll through the bustling streets of Hogsmeade and try the legendary butterbeer.

Spend the rest of the day exploring attractions, including Jurassic Park, where you and the kids can cool off with a splash-filled water ride, and Universal Wonderland, where you'll find characters from "Sesame Street" and "Snoopy," with stage shows suited to little ones and teens. After lunch (you'll be spoiled for choice with kid-friendly eateries), brace yourselves for a mind-blowing 4D experience as you navigate the streets of NYC with Spider-Man and catch a live-action show inspired by the movie "WaterWorld" with breathtaking stunts and high-speed Jet Ski chases.

Enjoy dinner on-site or at one of the superb noodle bars near your hotel, and later on, you'll have no trouble getting the spent kids to sleep while you raise a toast to your family adventure. 

Day 13: Visit Nijigen no Mori Animé Park on Awaji Island

Step into the immersive fantasy world of animé (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics) on today's trip to the Nijigen no Mori Animé Park on Awaji Island. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Awaji, where you'll have the whole day to explore the adventure park and famous animé and manga pop culture that have captured the imaginations of millions of kids all over the globe. 

Head to Shinobi Zato, an animé-inspired theme park within the complex where the kids can spot life-size replicas of their favorite characters with an area dedicated to the manga series "Naruto." You'll find all manner of fun activities to participate in, including quests, a labyrinth maze, and two impressive ziplines that offer a birds-eye view of the island as you fly through the trees. 

If you're traveling with older kids, don't miss the interactive Godzilla Zone, which includes opportunities to tame the giant lizard and ride a hair-raising zipline that flies straight into the mouth of a mammoth life-size replica measuring 65 feet (20 m) high and 180 feet (55 m) long. After an action-packed day of adventure, you'll return to Osaka, where the evening is yours to enjoy dinner and relax at one of the city's excellent eateries. 

Day 14: Depart Osaka

It's time to say goodbye as your family adventure to Japan comes to an end. Pack your bags, grab some last-minute souvenirs and snacks, and transfer to the airport for your journey home or your next destination. Safe travels!

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