Highlights
- Master the art of sushi making with a hands-on family cooking lesson
- Tour Kyoto's beautiful countryside, temples, and scenic railways
- Discover Japan's innovative tech with visits to the MORI Museum and ExpoCity
- Experience thrilling family days out at Disneyland Tokyo and Universal Studios
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo, Discover Japan's Neon Capital | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Full-Day Family Tour, MORI Digital Art Museum, River Cruise & Sushi Making | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Visit the Wonders of Tokyo Disneyland | Tokyo |
| Day 4 | Train to Kyoto, Half-Day Samurai & Ninja Museum Experience | Kyoto |
| Day 5 | Arashiyama Adventure: Temples, Monkey Park & Scenic Railway | Kyoto |
| Day 6 | Family Day Trip to Fushimi Inari & Nara | Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Train to Osaka, Aquarium Visit & Cup Noodles Museum | Osaka |
| Day 8 | Guided Tour of Osaka's Family Highlights in ExpoCity | Osaka |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to Universal Studios | Osaka |
| Day 10 | Depart Osaka |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Discover Japan's Neon Capital
Welcome to Japan! With over 2,000 years of history, a mesmerizing blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge innovation, and a reputation as one of the safest countries in the world, Japan is a captivating destination for adults and children alike. Upon arrival at Narita's airport, you'll meet your driver for your private transfer to Tokyo—a city famous globally for its pop culture, fantastic cuisine, and rich heritage, 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.
Get your bearings 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 little ones 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: Full-Day Family 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. Your first stop is 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" roller coaster in Tomorrowland. After a day filled with meet and greets with the kids' favorite characters, and the memorable nighttime fireworks display, return to your hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the many family-friendly local or international restaurants nearby.
Plan your trip to Japan
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Get Started
Day 4: Train to Kyoto, Half-Day Samurai & Ninja Museum Experience
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.
Check in at your hotel, and once you're all settled, entice the kids out with promises of an afternoon dedicated to Japan's ninjas and samurai warriors. Your tour begins at the Samurai and Ninja Museum, where you'll learn all about the secret items, weapons, and tools of the ninja and see armor worn by samurai warriors over 300 years ago. The little ones will love being able to try on the suits of armor, and if they're up for the challenge, there are plenty of fun, interactive opportunities where they can sharpen their warrior skills and pit their wits against the adults!
Day 5: 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 guide will drive you to 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 put their newfound samurai skills to use. Finish the experience with matcha green tea and local delicacies.
Your next stop is the Sagano Bamboo Grove, a natural bamboo forest that covers 3,800 acres (1,537 ha), filled with gently swaying bamboo stalks that tower over the network of paths. Let the kids lead the way, and eventually, you'll reach the beautiful 508-foot (155 m) long Togetsuyko Bridge, which stretches across the Katsura River. Continue on to the peaceful gardens of the renowned Zen Tenryu-ji, while your guide shares 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, 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 6: Family Day Trip to Fushimi Inari & Nara
Today's trip takes you and the family on a tour of Nara, a city famous for its temples and eighth-century artwork, and Fushimi, a hilly district nestled between the Uji and Katsura rivers. Your first stop is at Todai-ji in Nara, once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples and 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 vermilion lanterns that line the pathways.
Take a break from exploring the temples with a stroll in Nara's Deer Park, full of small, free-roaming deer. Your guide will share stories of how these gentle creatures have long been regarded as sacred messengers in Japanese folklore, while the kids will have the chance to feed the animals in their natural habitat.
As your tour draws to a close, you'll make one last stop at the eighth-century Fushimi Inari-taisha. Set at the end of a walkway composed of thousands of red torii (gates), a visit to this taisha (Shinto shrine) is a memorable adventure for the whole family. Hike through forested trails with stunning views of Kyoto as you ascend the path to the temple. Afterward, relax back at your hotel before heading out to dinner and toasting your last night in Kyoto.
Day 7: Train to Osaka, Aquarium Visit & Cup Noodles Museum
Rally the kids this morning, as after breakfast, it's time to set off for the last leg of your Japan adventure. The bullet train from Kyoto to Osaka takes 13 minutes, which leaves you and the family just enough time to adjust to the change of pace in one of the world's largest cities! While Osaka is best known for its superb cuisine, it's also brimming with child-friendly activities that'll leave your little ones grinning from ear to ear. You'll hit two of the city's best spots for kids after reaching your hotel and settling in.
First up is the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan; one of the largest in the world, with an array of over 30,000 marine species found from the Pacific Rim to the Great Barrier Reef. Alongside whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of colorful fish, the kids will love seeing the adorable penguins and sea otters. With plenty of interactive displays and demonstrations, they'll come away with a deeper understanding of marine life and conservation and a fascination with the underwater world beneath the oceans.
If tummies are rumbling after this morning's tour, then this afternoon's visit to the Cup Noodles Museum offers the perfect combination of an interactive deep dive into the history of the ubiquitous instant noodle and a fun lunch. The kids will have a blast designing and decorating their own noodle cups, and then choosing the soup base and toppings to accompany their tasty meal. The museum also offers workshops where your pint-sized noodle enthusiasts can experience the noodle-making process firsthand, from kneading to steaming and packaging into sealed bags.
Day 8: Guided Tour of Osaka's Family Highlights in ExpoCity
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 take the place of screen time. 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 athletic skills, from an intense basketball match to a heart-pumping soccer game.
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 the 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, let the kids unleash their creativity as they craft two sushi-themed samples, one of which will be mounted on a keychain as a memento of your time in Osaka.
Day 9: Day Trip to Universal Studios
It's your last day in Japan, and after breakfast, you and the family will see out your adventure in style 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 the family can cool off with a splash-filled water ride, and Universal Wonderland, where you'll find characters from "Sesame Street" and "Peanuts," 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 dramatic 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 10: Depart Osaka
It's time to say goodbye as your family adventure to Japan comes to an end. Pack your bags, grab some final souvenirs and snacks, and transfer to the airport for your journey home or your next destination. Safe travels!
More Great Japan Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other Japan itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in Japanwith your family, or discover the best time to visit Japan.
A note on diacritical and retroflex markings: In order to support the best technical experience and search functions, diacritical markings have been omitted from this article.
