Japan | Ultimate family holiday

Tokyo & Kyoto - a fusion of tradition, teppanyaki, and theme parks.

Lush bamboo forests and gleaming red shrines, soul-warming ramen and kid-friendly karaage, kawaii kitsch and of course, Disneyland. Whatever your family’s interests, you’ll find something to please everyone on this epic ten-day exploration of Japan. From Tokyo to Kyoto you'll discover ancient temples and modern pop-culture, food from source to plate, sights and activities for younger ones to teens, and insider tips from our specialist consultants, we’ll ensure you have a magical experience like no other.

Days 1-5 Tokyo: Disneyland, Pop Culture & Bullet Train

Day 1: Konichiwa Mickey

Start in Tokyo with a day at magical Disneyland, the perfect high-energy child-pleaser. The thrilling rides and joyful sights are sure to perk up even the most jet-lagged of little travellers, with classic kingdoms including Adventureland, Westernland, and Toontown among others, and unique-to-Japan rides such as Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Monsters Inc.

Stay at the Disney Toy Story hotel, which is worth its weight in gold for all the perks including “Happy Entry” – a special entry to the park 15 minutes before everyone else! Plus, to remind you where your adventures will soon go, you can enjoy a view of Mt Fuji from your hotel window.

Day 2: Find your zen at Ueno Park

Stretch your legs and soak up the culture amongst the ancient shrines dotted between zen-like lotus at Ueno Park. Known for its fairytale cherry blossom display in spring, postcard-perfect gardens, and attractions including a zoo and museum, there are plenty of activities for a family day out.

HOT TIP: Head to Nezu Kamachiku for lunch, a short walk from the park and possibly the most beautiful udon restaurant in Tokyo. Set in a restored century-old red storehouse, complete with a modern glass-box extension overlooking a Japanese garden, you’ll think you are in heaven.
Recommended by Leanne Newton

Day 3: Day trip to Odaiba 

Escape the central city for a slower pace of life at Odaiba – a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, just a short train ride from the city. Enjoy an ice cream on the boardwalk or a cocktail in the beach bar and don’t miss the giant Gundam robot (which comes to life each hour on the hour!)   Then for an incredible experience, take in epic views of sprawling Tokyo city from 451m above ground at the top of Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Japan (and second tallest tower in the world!)

For the kids, teens, and (let’s be real) millennial parents, you can’t miss the official Pokemon store, among the many shops at the base of the tower. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a river boat cruise back to Asakusa or any of the central city stops.

Day 4: Sashimi for breakfast, pop culture crave & bullet train

Your on-the-go sushi back home can’t compare to the fresh selections you’ll find at Tsukiji fish market, Tokyo’s famous bustling fish market.

Harajuku shopping street is where pop culture, anime, and fever dreams meet. Stop in at any of the quirky hole-in-the-wall cafes for delicious coffee, rainbow doughnuts, and fluffy pastel candy floss. Or find one of the animal cafes to sip your beverage with feline friends, canine companions, or even owls, lizards, or hedgehogs! 

For your final afternoon in Tokyo, take to the streets in a go-kart a la Mario and friends! Teens who love the Nintendo game will get a thrill out of dressing up and driving their own go-kart around Tokyo in a guided tour, while adults can let out their inner child.

Day 5: Tokyo to Kyoto - High-speed, high-tech, zero stress

It’s time to leave Tokyo – and do it in style – on the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train, going at top speeds of 320 kph.

HOT TIP:  When travelling west to Kyoto, keep an eye out for towering Mt Fuji on the right - for the best view make sure to book seats E (window) and D (aisle).

Watch the city blocks get smaller and give way to rice paddies and villages as you leave the capital and enter the countryside. Treat yourself to a hot coffee and some snacks from the food carts, and before you know it (2.5 hours to be exact) you’ll be in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan.

Days 6-10 Kyoto: Step back in time

Day 6: Spot the foxes among the red gates

 Wake up early to beat the crowds to the spellbinding Fushimi Inari shrine - famous for its thousands of red torii gates that snake up the hillside. Kids can keep their eyes peeled for the hundreds of fox statues tucked into the forest or covered in moss - foxes are the messenger of Inari, the harvest god that the shrine is devoted to. 

For active families (with sturdy shoes and water bottles on hand) you can climb for 1.5-2.5 hours along the winding steps to the top of the hill, while families with younger ones can still find plenty to keep them occupied in the lower sections where the ground is flatter. 

Inside the main shrine is a magic stone that can reveal the future of your wish: if you lift the stone and it feels heavy, your wish will take some time to come true, but if it feels light, your wish is destined to come true soon! 

Day 7: Search for silent ninjas in Nijo Castle

If the sun is hiding, enchanting Nijo Castle makes a great alternative. The former home of the Shogun, Nijo Castle is stately and beautifully decorated, with interesting details such as the “singing” floorboards used to detect otherwise silent ninja. 

HOT TIP: Don't miss the Golden Pavilion, a Buddhist temple coated in gleaming gold that casts a stunning reflection on the pond that surrounds it. Be sure to stop for a gold icecream! 

Finally, end the day with a free Maiko (Geisha) dance performance, hosted each night by the Touzan Bar at the Hyatt Regency.

Day 8: Check out Umejoki Park and dive into delicious ramen.

For your final day, unwind with a day at Umekoji Park, a short trip from Kyoto Station. Here you’ll find the Kyoto Railway Museum, a fascinating place for kids and adults alike. Next to the railway museum is a playground and park, and the Kyoto aquarium to satisfy any little ones who need something more lively. 

Ramen and Japan go together like Italy and pizza. You can’t visit Japan without eating this iconic dish, but how about one better – making your own ramen! Learn to make ramen with the masters, brewing your own broth, making the dough for your noodles, and arranging toppings as a final compliment. Culture: tick; education: tick; delicious lunch: TICK!

Finish your incredible adventure with dinner at one of the local restaurants, soaking up the flavours, colours and aromas of Japan one last time before returning to Tokyo and flying home.

Day 9: Back to Tokyo & Go Kart adventures. Return back by bullet train

Return to Tokyo by bullet train, and take to the streets in a go-kart a la Mario and friends! Teens who love the Nintendo game will get a thrill out of dressing up and driving their own go-kart around Tokyo in a guided tour, while adults can let out their inner child.

Day 10: Final day before flying home

Spend a final day shopping, eating, and soaking up the culture before hopping on a plane to return home. Time for one more special experience? Chat to your local House of Travel specialist to choose the perfect finale for your family.