Japan Off-the-Beaten-Path Family Adventure - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Family Friendly Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in Tokyo, Japan's capital city. Here, you'll find a blend of modern and traditional, with neon-lit skyscrapers and historic temples, all topped off by plenty of family-friendly activities. Your private driver will transport you to your hotel, and once you've checked in and had a chance to regroup, start your immersion into Japanese culture with a family foodie tour through the dazzling Shinjuku district. 

Meet your guide and head to Shinjuku, a hotspot for shopping, entertainment, and endless opportunities to sample Japanese cuisine. Walk around and let the little ones soak in the atmosphere, then visit a sushi restaurant for authentic omakase sushi prepared right in front of your eyes. Afterward, head to another spot for Wagyu beef yakiniku (thinly sliced and grilled meat), where you'll cook your own food tableside. Finish at a Japanese snack restaurant and let the kids try local desserts and other treats.

Day 2: Full-Day City Tour: Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo National Museum & Senso-ji 

Today begins with a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, where you'll find locals making their daily purchases and vendors hawking their wares. Dating all the way back to the Edo period, around 400 shops and restaurants are crammed into the narrow lanes here, trading all kinds of fresh and dried seafood, traditional snacks, and cooking ingredients. Roam around the market as your guide explains Japan's culinary culture and points out different kinds of fish and seafood to you and your curious kids, then try some fresh seafood for breakfast. 

Continue to Senso-ji, which dates back to the seventh century and is considered one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples. Visit the temple's main hall and pray to the Kannon deity enshrined there just like the locals do, or pick up an omikuji (fortunes written on strips of paper). Take a walk along Nakamise-dori, a street adjacent to the temple lined with shops and food stands. Let the kids pick out souvenirs for family and friends back home or grab a snack from one of the vendors. 

End the day with a stop at the Tokyo National Museum, the oldest and largest of Japan's top-level national museums. The six-building complex features an expansive collection of art and artifacts, including nearly 90 national treasures. See Japanese artwork from ancient to early modern, as well as items from other countries such as China, Korea, and India. Afterward, head back to your hotel or continue your exploration of the city on your own. 

Day 3: Transfer to Hakone, Discover Mount Fuji & Lake Ashinoko

Trade the city for the countryside today as your driver picks you up for the scenic two-hour transfer to Hakone, a mountainous resort town in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Upon arrival, start your tour of the region with a cruise around Lake Ashinoko (or Lake Ashi), a crater lake that lies along the southwest wall of Mount Hakone, with incredible mountain views and lush greenery. On a clear day, you may be able to capture a photo that shows an inverted reflection of Mount Fuji.

Afterward, stop by Hakone-jinja, a peaceful, tucked-away Shinto shrine with large lakefront torii gates, then head to Mount Komagatake Ropeway. Ascending to nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 m), the ropeway takes you from the shores of the lake up the side of Mount Komagatake. The kids will love riding in the glass-windowed cabin, and the ropeway's upper station is one of the best places to see views of Mount Fuji. After the tour, you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Hakone for the evening. 

Day 4: Family Wood Mosaics Workshop, Free Afternoon to Explore

Learn more about Japan's traditional arts and crafts with a wood mosaics workshop. The forests of Hakone produce a rainbow spectrum of wood, including white dogwood, brown camphor, red cashew, purple linden, and greenish magnolia. The Hakone wood mosaic, or yosegi-zaiku, is a craft that involves gathering wood from these precious trees to create intricately patterned boxes, a Japanese form of marquetry. You and the kids will have a chance to create your own mosaic piece, working with trained artisans and ending with a gorgeous piece of art to take home. 

Spend the rest of the day seeing more of the sights around Hakone. You can ride the Hakone Ropeway to take in incredible views of the Owakudani Valley or visit museums such as the Hakone Open Air Museum, which has an expansive collection of works by artists from around the world, or the Hakone Museum of Art, where you'll find displays of Japanese ceramics from prehistoric times through the Edo period. The museum also has a pretty moss garden with stone paths that wind through shady maple trees—a perfect spot for the kids to run and play!

Day 5: Yunessun Spa Resort, Train to Takayama

Make the most of your last morning in Hakone by taking advantage of the hot springs this region is known for. Visit Yunessun Spa Resort, a theme park with upward of 25 different spa experiences. Swim and soak in the various pools, which, alongside traditional spa baths, include options like green tea baths, wine, or ramen broth. The kids will love splashing and playing in the pools; each has its own whimsical and fun artwork. 

This afternoon, you'll make your way to Hakone's Odawara Station to catch the Shinkansen train to Nagoya, connecting from there to the mountainous city of Takayama, located in Japan's Gifu region and known for its Edo-period homes and rural beauty. The ride takes about four hours, including transfers, and once you've disembarked, you're free to head to your hotel and relax. 

Day 6: Morning Market Tour, Matsuri Yatai Kaikan & Sannomachi Street 

Meet up with your guides after breakfast to begin your exploration of vibrant Takayama, starting at the Morning Market, where you can mingle with the locals, get a close look at their daily lives, and stop at stands selling local crafts, snacks, and fresh produce. The kids can spend some of their pocket money on souvenirs or purchase some traditional food items to snack on.

Continue to Nakabashi, a traditional-styled crimson bridge spanning the Miyagawa River, surrounded by fragrant cherry blossoms in spring. Set against a beautiful background of traditional houses, the bridge makes a great spot for family photos. From here, head to Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan Museum, where you'll find exhibits of floats featured in the Takayama Matsuri festival, one of Japan's most visually stunning events. 

End with a walk down Sannomachi Street, located in the Old Town district. See the historic homes, take in the relaxing atmosphere, and stop in at one of the saké breweries that line the narrow street, where the adults can try various sakés and the kids can enjoy soft drinks or juice. If you'd like, the family can even rent kimonos and stroll around the neighborhood in traditional attire! 

Day 7: Bus to Kanazawa with Stops in Historic Suganuma & Shirakawa-go

This morning, you'll make your way to the bus station with your local guide for the one-hour ride to the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Suganuma, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995. See the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, characterized by steep thatched roofs that resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. Some of these charming cottages date back more than 250 years, and you'll all have the opportunity to learn more about the community's history and customs as your guides take you through what remains a relatively unspoiled landscape.

After the tour, continue on your own to Kanazawa, a bus ride of approximately 1.5 hours. Known for its well-preserved Edo-era neighborhoods, museums, and regional arts and crafts, you'll find plenty to do with the kids here. From the bus station, make your way to your hotel, then set out to explore the city on foot or enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 8: Kenroku-en Garden & Kanazawa Castle, Kids Craft Experience, Train to Kyoto

This morning, take a guided tour of Kanazawa's most historic sites, starting at the gardens of Kenroku-en, which were constructed during the Edo period by the Maeda family, former rulers of the area. This beautifully preserved space features quiet pathways with bridges, fountains and other water features, teahouses, and flowers, all designed to reflect the traditional attributes of the perfect Japanese landscape garden.

Next up is Kanazawa Castle, once the seat of the mighty Maeda clan. Though only two structures of the original castle survive to this day, other parts were carefully restored using traditional techniques and materials. Roam around the complex to appreciate its beautiful design and intricate decorations, a sign of long periods of peace and prosperity during the Edo period, as the whole family gains a deeper understanding of the country's heritage.

Later this afternoon, it's time for some hands-on family fun as you learn about Japanese art with some of Kanazawa's Samurai-inspired craftworks. Choose from myriad creative activities, all of which culminate in you bringing home a tangible reminder of your time in Japan. You can visit NOSAKU Lacquerware and let the kids color their own lacquer tray, or they can try their hand at ceramics at Kutani Kosen Kiln. Alternatively, you can learn to paste gold leaf, color silk, or see the intricacies of tying a mizuhiki knot. Afterward, head to the train station for the 2.5-hour journey to your next destination, Kyoto. 

Day 9: Cultural Wonders of Kyoto, Nishiki Market Foodie Tour

Kyoto is a city known for its historic traditions, geisha entertainers, and numerous temples and gardens. This morning, your family will experience some of these renowned sites with a guided city tour. You'll start at Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple with a large golden pavilion. Walk the grounds, and be sure to take the kids to the temple's top floors, which are covered in gold leaf. Then, visit Nijo Castle, once the residence of the first shogun of the Edo period. See the palace's grand design and take a stroll in the gardens, where you'll find blossoming cherry flowers in spring.

Your final stop is the famed 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. The whole family will be entranced by the brightly colored gates, and you can all stroll through them at leisure. If you and your kids are physically active, you can also take a light hike, following the torii-lined route up the mountain for views of the surrounding countryside.

Tonight, take the family out on the town for a tour of Kyoto's 400-year-old Nishiki Ichiba Market. More than 100 stalls and shops are crammed into this long, narrow street, selling anything and everything. Try delicious street food such as soy milk doughnuts, skewered baby octopus, sticky rice cake, or homegrown pickles, sating your appetite and immersing yourself in local life. The kids can pick from a wide array of sweet and savory treats, and your guide will be happy to share information on the different local foods and their cultural significance. 

Day 10: Rickshaw Tour Through Arashiyama, Monkey Park & Tenryu-ji Temple 

Today's adventure takes you to the scenic district of Arashiyama, located on the outskirts of Kyoto. Start with a guided rickshaw tour through the Sagano Bamboo Grove, a natural bamboo forest that encompasses more than 3,800 acres (1,537 ha) and has paths that traverse serene greenery and towering stalks. See the Togetsukyo Bridge, whose name translates to "Moon Crossing Bridge," and the Nonomiya Shrine, a sacred place where unmarried princesses once stayed for purification. Your guide will regale the kids with tales about Japanese mythology as you all learn about the cultural significance of the shrine. 

After your ride, visit Arashiyama Monkey Park, sure to be the highlight of the day for the little ones! See adorable monkeys roaming freely through the park, and allow the kids to observe and interact with these curious creatures. Do keep in mind that while the friendlier among them may come within close distance and your family could have the chance to feed them, they're still wild animals, and you should never try to touch/pet them. 

Your final stop is at the temple gardens of Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned as one of Kyoto's finest Zen temples. Relax here for a bit before returning to the city, where you can enjoy dinner out or perhaps some shopping at local Kyoto markets.

Day 11: Tea Ceremony & Ninja Museum, Train to Osaka, Food & Fun in Dotonbori 

Today, the whole family will experience the time-honored traditions of the kimono tea ceremony, a highly ritualized practice born and curated in Kyoto. Visit a tea house where you'll all don kimonos and get introduced to the history of the ceremonies as you sip fragrant tea and watch a geisha dance performance. Then, walk to the Samurai & Ninja Museum, where you can try on armor and see what it was like to be one of the most prestigious ruling classes of old Japan. The kids can practice holding and sheathing a katana, and you'll all learn more about this military nobility. 

Afterward, you're off to the port city of Osaka, Japan's third-largest city and a commercial hub known for its sleek architecture, historic sites, and hearty street food. Make your way to the train station for the quick train ride, and once you've settled at your accommodations, set out with the family on a self-guided food tour.

It all happens in the Dotonbori district, a high-powered sensory overload of neon, modern buildings, and throngs of people. Nicknamed "Osaka's Times Square," you'll find an endless assortment of shops, bars, and restaurants here, making it a great spot to grab a bite to eat after a long day. Try dishes such as grilled crabs, takoyaki (balls filled with vegetables and seafood), and or kid-friendly taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries) from various eateries, and take in the energetic atmosphere. Once everyone is fully satiated, end with a walk along the canal under the glow of the neon lights.

Day 12: Osaka Castle, Aquarium Kaiyukan & Ferris Wheel

Meet up with a local guide this morning for a family-friendly city tour. You'll begin at the iconic Osaka Castle, where you'll find a wealth of information on Japan's rich history, including dioramas that depict various battles. From here, move on to the Umeda Sky Building and take the elevator to the 39th floor of this more than 500-foot (173 m) building. The kids can look down on the ant-sized pedestrians, and the adults can take in the panoramic views.

Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan next, where you'll be awed by the colorful marine life, including a whale shark that roams freely in the central water tank. The kids can see a multitude of tropical fish and other underwater creatures, and you'll all enjoy learning about the different animals that call the aquarium home. Finish the day with a sky-high ride on the Tempozan Ferris wheel next to the aquarium. The giant wheel is more than 350 feet tall (112 m) and offers incredible views—catch a ride at sunset for sparkling city lights! 

Day 13: Day Trip to Hiroshima: Itsukushima Shrine & Memorial Park Tour

Spend your last full day in Japan with a day trip to Hiroshima, the historic city that was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Take the bullet train from Osaka, a ride of about 1.5 hours, and start with a ferry ride out to the World Heritage Site of Itsukushima-jinja, a shrine built over water with boardwalks connecting its main hall, prayer hall, and other buildings. At high tide, the giant red-orange torii gate appears to float in the ocean, and during low tide, your family can walk all the way to the foot of the gate to see it up close.

Return to Hiroshima and visit the Peace Memorial Park. Featuring original photography, detailed explanations, and artifacts recovered from the atomic bombing, the Peace Memorial Museum within the park serves as a somber reminder to never take peace for granted, and the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building still left standing from the bomb explosion, is a disturbing but important testament to the horrors of war. Return to Osaka after your visit to rest up for tomorrow's travels.

Day 14: Depart Osaka

It's time for your family to say goodbye to beautiful Japan. After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels! 

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