2 Weeks in Japan - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family Fun & Culture in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka

Perfect for families visiting Japan for the first time, this two-week highlights tour promises a delightful mix of urban adventures, theme park visits, and kid-friendly cultural experiences. Young ones will be ecstatic when they discover they'll spend full days at Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Universal Studios Japan, and Nijigen no Mori Animé Park. In between, enjoy serene days in Kyoto, discovering temples and shrines and attending a traditional tea ceremony.

Welcome to Japan! Your family adventure begins in Tokyo, the perfect place to introduce young travelers to the country's bustling yet respectful culture. Spend your first evening tucking into tiny eateries off Nakamise-dori, then enlist the help of a private driver, who'll whisk your family between city highlights. Next, ramp up the fun during all-day visits to Disneyland Tokyo and Tokyo DisneySea, and in between, enjoy a relaxed cruise on Lake Kawaguchi under the prominent Mount Fuji. Following five delightful days in Tokyo, it's time to board a bullet train bound for Kyoto.

Kyoto is renowned for its tranquil temples and shrines, and during your four-day stay, you'll watch your little ones embrace the city's long traditions. As a family, take part in a geisha tea ceremony, spend an afternoon strolling Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and visit the friendly, deer-filled town of Nara. Then, catch a bullet train to Osaka, where you'll wrap up your trip with three days of pure fun. Visit Nifrel, an interactive zoo experience, dedicate an entire day to Universal Studios Japan, and delve into the world of animé at Nijigen no Mori Animé Park—all before prepping for your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Active Family Tour of Japan: Culture, History & Nature

Discover Japan's natural and cultural wonders on this fast-paced trip crafted for active and outdoorsy families. From engaging food tours in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka to delightful moments immersed in nature, your family can look forward to experiencing a bit of everything together. Cruise under Mount Fuji, attend a tea ceremony, hike between traditional post towns, and plenty more on this well-rounded adventure.

Your trip begins in Tokyo, where you'll treat excited young ones to a family foodie tour in Shinjuku and a full-day guided city tour featuring Tsukiji Fish Market and Electric Town. Next, get all ages involved during a cooking class and an interactive visit to TeamLab Planets before transferring to Hakone. An overnight in this mountainous town ensures everyone has time to rejuvenate while taking in magnificent views of Mount Fuji. Then, catch a bullet train to Kyoto and spend your time here discovering intricate temples, biking through an idyllic bamboo grove, and attending a tea ceremony.

The second half of your itinerary takes on a faster pace, starting with a bullet train to Osaka. Here, embrace the city's lively atmosphere during a family-friendly city tour before continuing to Nagoya for an educational day learning about the Toyota company's origins. The following days feature the historic town of Magome, where you'll embark on a kid-friendly hike and visit Kiso-Fukushima, a quaint town dotted with traditional wooden houses. Then, prior to your return to Tokyo, let little ones embrace their inner explorers while hiking in Yabuhara and roaming Matsumoto Castle. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Japan Off-the-Beaten-Path Family Adventure

Introduce your family to Japan's unique sights, sounds, and flavors on this immersive cultural itinerary, covering major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, as well as lesser-known gems like Hakone and Takayama. Ideal for families seeking authentic interactions, you can look forward to mingling with locals at fish markets, admiring 250-year-old cottages, and joining a traditional tea ceremony. Other kid-friendly highlights include visiting the laughter-inducing Arashiyama Monkey Park, time at the wondrous Aquarium Kaiyukan, and a ride on the Tempozan Ferris wheel. 

Upon arriving in Tokyo, your family trip kicks off with a Shinjuku food tour, followed by a full day discovering the city's lesser-visited highlights. Next, transfer to Hakone and enjoy watching young ones embrace their curiosity while cruising Lake Ashinoko and exploring the town's museums. Delving deeper off the trodden path, you'll spend two nights based in the mountainous city of Takayama, an excellent place to rent kimonos and stroll along historic streets. Afterward, pause to admire Suganuma's thatched-roof farmhouses and the intricate Kanazawa Castle on your way to Kyoto.

With three days set aside in Kyoto, you'll have plenty of time to let budding foodies taste unusual dishes at the Nishiki Ichiba Market and learn about time-honored traditions during a tea ceremony. Then, switch things up with a transfer to the energetic city of Osaka. Spend your first evening here sampling street food while enjoying Dotonbori's lively atmosphere, followed by a fun-filled day in the city featuring a ride on the Tempozan Ferris wheel and a visit to the massive Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Lastly, dedicate a day to exploring Hiroshima's memorial sites before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Epic Family Tour Across Japan: Futuristic Fun, Culture, History & Beaches

Ideal for families eager to experience both Japan's modern attractions and historical sites, this city-and-beach adventure combines energetic metropolises, insightful museums, and the paradise-touched island of Okinawa. Starting in Tokyo, delight young travelers with visits to TeamLab Planets, the Pokémon Center, and themed cáfes, then switch gears and delve into traditional culture in Kyoto. You'll next spend a day at Osaka's Universal Studios before the fun wraps up with plenty of time to hop between the white-sand beaches of the island of Okinawa.

Start your two weeks off in Tokyo, where any lingering travel weariness will quickly fade as you enjoy interactive play at TeamLab Planets and hop between Electric Town's themed café. Then, with three more days based in the capital, you'll have time for a kid-friendly tour of offbeat highlights and take a trip to Lake Kawaguchi to cruise under Mount Fuji. Next, zip to Kyoto aboard a bullet train and settle in for a three-day stay. Here, watch your young ones' imaginations go wild as they try on traditional armor at the Samurai Ninja Museum, roam the Kyoto Railway Museum, and feed the friendly deer of Nara.

Just over the midway point of your trip, it's time to board a bullet train to Osaka. Deemed the "kitchen of Japan," it only makes sense to kick off your stay with a visit to the Cup Noodles Museum and dinner at one of Dotonbori's kid-favorited restaurants. Then, wake early to conquer everyone's favorite rides at Universal Studios Japan before prepping for the following morning's flight. Your final destination is the island of Okinawa, where you'll have heaps of fun as a family visiting the Churaumi Aquarium, cycling around Zamami Island, and snorkeling Aka Island's shallow waters. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Japan City & Nature Tour for Families: Osaka, Kyoto, Hakone & Tokyo

Created with older children in mind, this flexible family vacation pairs thrilling nature excursions and unique city highlights with free time to explore independently. Highlights include a tour of Osaka's ancient landmarks, time to reflect in Hiroshima, and a hike up Mount Takao. Throughout, there's also plenty of time for kid-approved fun, with a sushi-making workshop, a cruise onboard a replica pirate shop, and a chance to interact with cheeky monkeys in Arashiyama on the agenda.

This family tour begins with a leisurely day in Osaka, giving everyone a chance to settle in while relaxing at the hotel and delving into the city's mouthwatering cuisine. Next, ramp up the pace over the following two days as you hop between city sites, such as Osaka Castle and the Umeda Sky Building, and visit Hiroshima and the temple-filled island of Miyajima. Then, after a free day to tick off kid-approved activities, you'll continue to Kyoto. Numerous family-friendly excursions await here, including a guided tour of the serene Arashiyama district and the 400-year-old Himeji Castle. 

Midway through your adventure, head to Hakone for an exhilarating day in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, where you'll explore by scenic cable car and replica pirate ship. Then, wake early to explore the Fuji Five Lakes area, as that evening, you'll continue to Tokyo. With four days in the energetic capital, you'll find plenty of time for activities, promising something special for everyone. Watch your young foodies explore Tsukiji Fish Market and learn sushi-making secrets, enjoy a hike up Mount Takao, and marvel at the city's panorama from Tokyo Skytree, all before preparing for your departure. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Japan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other two-week Japan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.