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Japan family holidays
A family holiday to Japan is exciting - and no amount of admin should get in the way of that. We’ll take care of the planning, build a flexible itinerary and sort the logistics for you – so all you need to do is tell us what excites you most, and how your family like to travel.
We understand what “child-friendly” and “easy day trip" really mean in practice because we've been there ourselves with our own kids. Juggling jet lag, sourcing emergency snacks, finding the space and time to actually have a break.
Japan offers so much that it’s tempting to pack it all in but we’ll help you find the right pace for you, balancing the big sights with hands on fun and time to simply take it all in. Then there’s the crucial practical elements: the right accommodation, food options that work for everyone, downtime built in and smooth, simple transport.
For over 25 years, we’ve helped families experience Japan on tours that are customised to them. Every family is different and so is every itinerary we create. Our comprehensive Info-Pack supports you every step of the way with practical guidance and suggestions from how to find your platform to our favourite spot for Japanese sweets. While you're travelling, our customer service team is available 24/7. So, if you leave your passport in the back of a taxi, or your son left their teddy bear in your Kyoto hotel (it’s happened before), we’ll do everything we can to help.
Japan was made for family holidays. Any country where comic books have been elevated to an art form and even the airports have life-sized cartoon mascots is going to be a hit with kids. Alongside traditional culture, Japan is also a giant playground filled with robots, pirate ships, bizarre fashion and theme parks.
Family itineraries
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From Shogun to Shinkansen (Superior)
Travel Japan's history from samurai strongholds to modern bullet trains, with time outdoors and space for family fun.
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Recommended Family Experiences
Japan is packed with experiences that make a family holiday to Japan unforgettable, from modern, quirky fun to traditions kids genuinely love. Martial arts sessions, taiko drumming, hands on craft workshops and even Japanese archery all bring the country’s culture to life in a way that’s exciting, accessible and brilliant for all ages.
We’ve selected a handful here but these are just the start. Just ask your travel consultant, and they’ll match you to the right experiences for your family.
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The "Black Crow" Castle
Follow in the footsteps of samurai at Matsumoto Castle, one of the best preserved original castles in Japan.
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Roketsu indigo dyeing
Spend a fun morning or afternoon learning how to dye material in the traditional Japanese style at Yamamoto Roketsu Dyeing Studio in Kyoto
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Manga drawing class
Become a student of an official manga and animation school and create your own work under the watchful eye of a published manga artist.
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Asakusa geisha dress-up
Get the geisha or samurai look in Tokyo's historic Asakusa district.
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Family accommodation across Japan
Mimaru Apartment Hotel (Tokyo)
One of our favourite choices for family trips, the Mimaru offers self-catered apartment style accommodation in many of the major cities of Japan.
Azumi Setoda (Onomichi)
Located at the midpoint of the Shimanami Kaido, the Azumi Setoda is a traditional building storied with over 140 years of history, and has now been masterfully restored and opened to guests as a luxury ryokan escape
Cross Hotel Osaka (Osaka)
The Cross is a smart hotel on Dotonbori, one of the liveliest and most famous streets in Japan.
ANA Crowne Plaza (Kyoto)
The ANA Crowne Plaza is a superior grade hotel in a fantastic central location opposite Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto's top attractions.
Mimaru Apartment Hotel (Osaka)
One of our favourite choices for family trips, the Mimaru offers self-catered apartment style accommodation in many of the major cities of Japan.
Keio Plaza Tokyo (Tokyo)
The Keio Plaza is an excellent hotel at the very heart of Tokyo's bustling Shinjuku district.
Mimaru Apartment Hotel (Tokyo)
One of our favourite choices for family trips, the Mimaru offers self-catered apartment style accommodation in many of the major cities of Japan.
Mimaru apartments are modern and stylish, and many have elements of traditional Japanese architecture such as sliding doors and tatami flooring. The apartments are furnished with multiple beds, a dining area, and fully equipped kitchenettes.
When staying at a Mimaru you'll feel like a local in no time!Azumi Setoda (Onomichi)
Located at the midpoint of the Shimanami Kaido, the Azumi Setoda is a traditional building storied with over 140 years of history, and has now been masterfully restored and opened to guests as a luxury ryokan escape
Located at the midpoint of the Shimanami Kaido, the Azumi Setoda is a traditional building storied with over 140 years of history, and has now been masterfully restored and opened to guests as a luxury ryokan escape. In awe of the building's strong condition despite its age, expert carpenters from Kyoto and architect Shiro Miura worked to breathe new life into the property, mixing traditional carpentry traits with contemporary amenities. Each of the guest rooms feature comfortable traditional bedding, a large deep-soaking cypress bath, their own small outdoor area, and highlight the use of traditional materials such as cedar, cypress, washi (Japanese paper screens), and granite.
Cross Hotel Osaka (Osaka)
The Cross is a smart hotel on Dotonbori, one of the liveliest and most famous streets in Japan.
The hotel has recently been refurbished and boasts sleek, modern design both inside and out, giving it something of a boutique feel. Rooms are stylishly decorated and surprisingly generously sized for a city-centre hotel, and each bathroom offers a deep soaking tub, separate shower and a small "powder room".
The Cross has its own restaurant and bar, but its great location also means that there are a plethora of establishments to choose from on your doorstep, making this the perfect place to indulge in one of Osaka's main attractions: fabulous food and drink! A great many of Osaka's attractions are within easy walking distance of the hotel, but if you need to travel further afield, Nanba subway station is only three minutes' walk away, and Shinsaibashi is just five minutes away.
Despite its lively location, the hotel itself is a quiet and peaceful place, so should you be looking for an early night you will not be disturbed.ANA Crowne Plaza (Kyoto)
The ANA Crowne Plaza is a superior grade hotel in a fantastic central location opposite Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto's top attractions.
The hotel offers some lovely traditional touches, with ikebana flower arrangements and front desk staff dressed in kimono. The décor is a little dated, but rooms are clean, comfortable, and generously sized compared to many Japanese hotels. There is a complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and Kyoto Station, a subway stop just around the corner, and bus stops for all the main sites right outside the door.
In your room, you'll find a 'sleep advantage' package including green tea, bath powder, eye pads and different types of pillows to help you get a good night's sleep, which is a thoughtful touch. The hotel offers a range of restaurants, and there's a fitness centre with an indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna, although guests must pay extra to use these facilities.
Nijo Castle, right opposite the hotel, is one of Kyoto's most well-known sights. Quite different in appearance to any other Japanese castle, it is famous for its 'nightingale floors'; a feudal-era burglar alarm system that still works perfectly today!Mimaru Apartment Hotel (Osaka)
One of our favourite choices for family trips, the Mimaru offers self-catered apartment style accommodation in many of the major cities of Japan.
Mimaru apartments are modern and stylish, and many have elements of traditional Japanese architecture such as sliding doors and tatami flooring. The apartments are furnished with multiple beds, a dining area, and fully equipped kitchenettes.
When staying at a Mimaru you'll feel like a local in no time!Keio Plaza Tokyo (Tokyo)
The Keio Plaza is an excellent hotel at the very heart of Tokyo's bustling Shinjuku district.
This 170-metre (560 ft) skyscraper has fantastic views of the city, especially at night from the hotel's sky bar – the perfect place for a cocktail after a hard day of sightseeing! There are also no less than 22 restaurants, serving everything from teppanyaki to tempura, kaiseki, sushi, soba, French, Italian, Chinese and Korean.
What's more, the Keio Plaza frequently hosts special exhibitions of art, photography and traditional crafts. The hotel also offers various Japanese cultural experiences such as tea ceremony, trying on kimono, and ikebana flower arranging. If you fancy a little Japanese-style late entertainment, there are four karaoke rooms on the 47th floor, with spectacular panoramic views of the city, while the seventh floor hosts a gym and open-air swimming pool during the summer months for those who want to keep active.
As you would expect from a hotel of this calibre, the staff speak excellent English and the service is impeccable. All guest rooms have free Wi-Fi, in-room dining is available, and there are complimentary shuttle buses to Disneyland and DisneySea – amongst a whole roster of other services.
Family destinations across Japan
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Top 10 activities for teens and tweens in Japan
Read on to find out what Japan has to offer and how you can visit these sights for yourself
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How accommodation works for families in Japan
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Food and family travel in Japan
How do fussy eaters fare in Japan? How easy is to cater for allergies? Our experts have all the answers you need.
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10 Japan destinations perfect for families
Snow monkeys, the famous pirate cruise and street fashion hubs: family delight awaits
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Getting around Japan with kids in tow
Transport in Japan is a joy - here's why. All the options explained.
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When should you travel to Japan with kids?
Learn how school holidays line up with seasons in Japan, and the highlights of going in certain times of the year
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