Japan and I go way back.
I first went in 2007. Chaperone on a high school trip. I had no idea what I was walking into.
It got under my skin immediately.
It got under my husband Adam’s skin too. Japan was actually part of our story before we even knew we had a story.
In 2011 we packed up and moved there. Fujigaoka. We taught English to adults. We walked everywhere. Through snow with umbrellas. Past streets so clean it almost felt fake.
Japan is the cleanest place I have ever been. The only city that comes close is Singapore. And that is saying something.
We went back over and over when we lived in Korea. And last summer I took my son Jake, my best friend, and her daughter. Just the four of us. Walking around with zero fear of getting lost.
Getting directions though. That was another story. More on that later.
I am a certified travel advisor. I have been to 60 plus countries. Japan is still one of the first places I recommend to families.
Here is everything I know.
Why Japan works so well for families
It is safe. Really safe.
The four of us wandered around Tokyo and Kyoto without a single worry. No one is going to bother you. No one is out to get you. You can let your kids breathe.
The trains run on time. Every time. Public transport is easy once you get the hang of it. Taxis are widely available, clean, and simple to use. The drivers are professional and kind even if communication is limited. The doors open automatically by the way. Do not touch the door. Just get in.
Tap to pay works almost everywhere now. Japan has come a long way from being a cash only country. Most convenience stores, restaurants and shops accept it. That said carry some cash for smaller spots and street stalls just in case.
One thing families need to know before they go. Things in Japan are small. The rooms are small. The taxis are small. The restaurant tables are small. If you are a bigger family or you have tall people with you just be aware. It is not a problem. It is just Japan. Adjust your expectations and it becomes part of the charm.
Best cities to visit with kids
Tokyo
Tokyo is a lot at first. Then it becomes your favorite city in the world.
There is something for every single person in your family. Full stop.
Shibuya crossing at night. Stand in the middle of it. It is exactly as wild and beautiful as everyone says.
teamLab Planets. Book tickets before you go. Do not skip this. It is interactive digital art and kids and adults lose their minds equally.
Akihabara for the tech and anime obsessed members of your crew. Lights everywhere. Gadgets and games and things you have never seen before.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is my personal favorite area in Tokyo.
Everything around you is grey and black and quiet. Very Japanese. Very monochrome. Very calm.
And then you turn a corner and there is color everywhere. Neon signs. Tiny cafes packed with people. Fashion that makes you stop and stare.
Sit in a cafe in Shinjuku and just watch life happen. That is the move. Nobody is rushing you. Order something and observe.
The food stalls here are incredible. Crepes piled high with whipped cream that you eat while walking. They are as good as they look. Better actually.
Kyoto
Kyoto is where Japan slows all the way down.
Temples. Bamboo groves. History around every corner.
Fushimi Inari. Thousands of orange torii gates winding up a mountain. Go early morning before the crowds show up. The light coming through those gates is something else.
Rent bikes in Kyoto. This is not optional in my opinion. The city is perfectly sized for it. You will cover so much more ground and the kids will love it. It feels like a completely different experience than walking.
Arashiyama bamboo grove. Again early morning. Always early morning in Kyoto.
Osaka
Osaka is the food city. And all of Japan is a food city so that tells you something.
Dotonbori at night is neon and chaos and street food and pure joy.
Jake tried takoyaki here. Octopus balls. Hot and fresh from the stall.
His face said everything.
He did not like them. Not even a little. But he tried them and that is the whole point.
Hakone
Add a night or two here if you can.
Mount Fuji views on a clear day. Traditional ryokan stays. Hot spring baths. Dinner served course by course in your room.
It is one of the most memorable things I have done in all my years of travel. Kids old enough to appreciate it will never forget it.
Theme parks
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are right outside the city and they are on a lot of family bucket lists. For good reason.
DisneySea is unique to Japan. You cannot experience it anywhere else in the world. That alone makes it worth it for Disney fans.
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is another must for families. Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are both there. Kids lose their minds.
Lines are long and crowds are real. Book tickets and any special experiences well in advance. And if you want help planning the theme park portion of your Japan trip alongside everything else. That is exactly what I am here for.
Getting around
Trains and subways are your best friends. Get an IC card for every member of your family. Tap in. Tap out. Done.
Taxis are easy. Clean. Reliable. Professional drivers. Smooth rides even without a shared language.
Bullet train at least once. Get a bento box from the station. Watch Japan blur past your window. It is one of those travel moments you talk about for years.
Google Maps works beautifully here for navigation.
Asking for directions in person though. That is where things get interesting.
Most people we encountered did not speak English. Which is completely fine. Japan is Japan. But when we needed help finding something it took patience and creativity. Point at your phone. Smile a lot. Someone will always try to help you even if the communication is mostly gestures.
It works out every time. Just leave extra time and bring patience.
Where to stay
Western hotels are comfortable and easy with kids. Rooms are small. That is just Japan. A luxury hotel in Tokyo will still have a compact room by American standards. It is not a negative. It is just a different way of living.
Do a ryokan at least one night. Traditional Japanese inn. Futons on tatami floors. Yukata robes provided. Dinner and breakfast included and served in your room.
It is one of those experiences that sounds unfamiliar and ends up being one of the highlights of the whole trip.
Look for ryokan with private onsen baths if you are traveling with kids. Traditional onsen are gender separated and clothing free. A private family bath solves that completely.
Food
Even picky eaters survive Japan. Usually happily.
The dumplings. Gyoza. Street stalls. Pan fried on one side, soft on the other. They melt in your mouth.
Ramen. Every region has its own style. Every shop has its own recipe. You will not have a bad bowl. It is not possible.
Sushi on a conveyor belt. Called kaitenzushi. Plates go around on a little belt. You grab what looks good. Kids think this is the greatest invention in human history. They are not wrong.
The crepes in Shinjuku. Whipped cream. Fresh fruit. Eaten while walking. Do not miss them.
Convenience stores. 7-Eleven in Japan is not what you think 7-Eleven is. Fresh onigiri. Steamed buns. Hot noodles. Real food. My kids ate convenience store food on travel days and honestly so did I.
One note. Japan loves white bread. Soft pillowy white bread in sandwiches and pastries everywhere. Great fallback for kids who need something familiar.
Make reservations where you can. The best spots fill up fast. Really fast. If you show up without one at a popular place in Tokyo or Kyoto you will be waiting in a long line or turned away completely. Plan ahead for dinners especially.
What to pack
Comfortable shoes. Not cute shoes. Comfortable shoes. Japan is a walking country and your feet will know it by day two.
Leave the umbrella at home. Hotels all over Japan keep loaner umbrellas at the front desk. One less thing to pack.
Cash for smaller spots and street stalls even though tap to pay works most places now.
Portable phone charger. You will be on Google Maps all day. Your battery will not survive without one.
Light layers. Weather changes. A light rain jacket takes up no space and saves the day.
You do not need to overpack toiletries. Japanese drugstores and convenience stores have everything. Often better quality than what you brought from home.
Best time to go
Spring for cherry blossoms. Late March through mid April. It is as beautiful as the photos. Book everything far in advance.
Autumn is my personal favorite. October and November. Red and gold leaves. Smaller crowds. Perfect weather.
Summer is hot and humid. Start early every day and find air conditioning for midday.
Winter is underrated. Fewer tourists. Lower prices. Snow in the right regions makes Japan feel like a completely different and equally beautiful place.
What it actually costs
Flights are the biggest expense. Plan for that.
Once you land it is more affordable than people expect. Especially compared to Europe.
A bowl of ramen runs 10 to 15 dollars. Convenience store meal 3 to 5 dollars. Family dinner at a sit down restaurant 40 to 80 dollars.
Japan Rail Passes are worth buying in advance for families hitting multiple cities. They cover unlimited bullet train travel for a set number of days.
Hotels range from budget around 80 to 100 dollars a night to mid range 150 to 250 to ryokan experiences that can run 400 to 600 per person with meals included.
A family of four can do Japan comfortably for around 500 to 700 dollars a day including everything. Less if you are watching the budget. More if you want to go all in.
Real talk before you go
People are trustworthy. Nobody is out to get you. You can get lost on purpose and it will be fine. That is one of the most freeing feelings in travel and Japan gives it to you completely.
The quiet on the subway is real. Match the energy. Teach the kids before you go. No loud calls. No speakerphone. It makes everything smoother and it is a good travel habit everywhere.
The fashion in Shinjuku and Harajuku will stop you cold. Let it. Stare a little. That is part of the experience.
Learn two words before you go. Arigatou. Thank you. Say it everywhere. Every time. People will appreciate it more than you know.
And slow down. Japan rewards slow travel more than almost anywhere I have been. The best moments I had there were unplanned. A tiny shrine down a side street. A food stall I almost walked past. A local who spoke no English and somehow we figured it out anyway.
Leave room for those moments. Japan will fill them.
Ready to plan your Japan trip?
I have lived there. I have taken my kids there. I have taken clients there.
It is one of the most extraordinary places on earth for families.
And I would love to help you plan it.
Plan your Japan trip with Nicole →
Share this:
Discover more from Adventures We Seek
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.