Family holidays to Japan

Even if you’ve never travelled here before, you’ll be familiar with the iconic scenes of Japan. There are the futuristic neon skyscrapers of Tokyo and there are exquisite ancient temples and torriis. You will see avenues of cherry blossom in spring and ruby red maples in autumn. There are snow monkeys warming up in hot springs in Yadanaka and painted geishas walking around Kyoto. And there are bullet trains that speed across the country, linking not just cities but also centuries.

Why take the kids to Japan?

Kids will adore a family holiday in Japan. Whilst it’s almost as far-flung a destination as it’s possible to visit, Japan is reassuringly modern, clean and safe. It’s also well geared up for tourists and not as culturally different as some other Asian countries.

The country is intriguing, enchanting and inspiring. On a family holiday to Japan, we’ll show you the highlights as well as some captivating off-the-beaten-track places too. This is a country that is so much more than a sum of its parts. Less prohibitively expensive than it used to be, it is a country thoroughly deserving of the tourist upswing of recent years and a new favourite for a family holiday.

Family-friendly activities in Japan for all ages

As tempting as it may be to hop from temple to temple, your kids won’t thank you for it after the third one. Luckily, thanks to the Japanese tendency to ace just about everything they do, there’s a whole host of family-friendly attractions for all ages. These will keep even the non-manga-reading or anime-watching members of the family entertained. Amongst many others, there are theme parks (and yes, that does include Disneyland), ski slopes, and animal and sea-life sanctuaries. Be inspired by our Japan with Kids Top 21 feature.

Alternatively, you can slow the pace down and learn about traditional Japanese culture. For maximum playground bragging rights, we can’t think of anything more compelling than learning how to use a samurai sword. You can also engage in less terrifying propositions, from dressing up as a traditional geisha in Kyoto or learning to cook sushi and tempura.

Feeling more Zen-like? Japan’s beautiful surroundings are also a boon for those who love the simple things in life. On a family holiday in Japan, you could partake in the Japanese healing art of ‘Shinrin-yoku’ (forest bathing) or relax in some hot springs. You could also enjoy a simple hike in the stunning countryside for restful, reflective days, and recharge your batteries.

For more inspiration and photos, check out our top things to do with kids in Tokyo.

Family holiday itineraries to Japan

Most of our tailor-made tours in Japan operate differently from holidays in the other destinations we offer, as much of the trip is self-guided. See our example Japan itineraries for more information on how this works, or jump straight to Highlights of Japan -14 Days or Japan in Nine Days. If you would prefer to be guided and escorted throughout, this can also be arranged; simply ring us or email via our contact page. We’d be delighted to help.

You can also read more about Places to Visit in Japan and check the weather on our handy chart.

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