Epic Family Tour Across Japan: Futuristic Fun, Culture, History & Beaches - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Visit TeamLab Planets & Miraikan Museum

Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in Tokyo, Japan's capital city. Here, you'll find a blend of modern and traditional, with neon-lit skyscrapers and historic temples, all topped off by plenty of family-friendly activities. Once you've checked in at your hotel and had a chance to regroup, head out to see more of this fascinating urban metropolis.

Start with a visit to TeamLab Planets, an interactive and immersive art exhibition that gives new meaning to the term "modern art." Walk barefoot through the exhibits and be prepared to follow art as it moves along the walls! Then, head to the high-tech district of Odaiba and the Miraikan Museum (officially the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation), where you'll find zones dedicated to science, nature, and technology. The kids can say hello to the museum's resident robots, see weather patterns on the blue planet globe, and experience what it's like inside the International Space Station.

If the youngsters aren't too tired from the long day, finish with a walk through the whimsical Harajuku District, known for its vibrant street art and edgy youth fashion. Tweens and teens in your group will love shopping at some of the ultra-trendy boutiques, and you may even catch a glimpse of the famed "Harajuku Girls." You can also grab dinner at a local restaurant here before heading back to your hotel. 

Day 2: Tokyo City Tour: Markets, Temples, "Electric Town" & Afternoon Tea

Your day begins with a family tour of Tsukiji Fish Market, a lively shopping spot where you'll find locals making their daily purchases and vendors hawking their wares. Around 400 shops and restaurants are crammed into the narrow lanes here, trading all kinds of fresh and dried seafood, traditional snacks, and cooking ingredients. Roam around the market as your guide explains Japan's culinary culture and points out different kinds of fish and seafood to you and your curious kids, then stop at a restaurant to try some fresh seafood for breakfast. 

From here, continue to Senso-ji, which dates back to the seventh century and is considered one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples. Visit the temple's main hall, and if you like, you can pray to the Kannon enshrined there just like the locals do or pick up an omikuji (fortunes written on strips of paper). Walk along Nakamise-dori, a street adjacent to the temple lined with shops and food stands, and let the kids pick out souvenirs for family and friends back home or grab a snack from one of the vendors. 

For an immediate immersion into Japan's animé and manga culture, head to Akihabara, or Electric Town, a busy district packed with themed cafés, electronics stores, arcades, and more. As you walk, you'll come across enthusiastic cosplayers in elaborate costumes and wigs, making you feel as if you've stepped right into the pages of a manga—the kids can even get some pics with their favorite characters! End the day with afternoon tea at one of Tokyo's luxury lounges, which offer panoramic city views and delicious treats that the whole family can enjoy. 

Day 3: Family Animé Day: Ghibli Museum & Pokémon Center

Kickstart the morning with a visit to the Ghibli Museum, where you can learn more about classic animé films such as "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away," and see exhibits and interactive displays that showcase the creations of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The kids will love the tiny doors and winding staircases around the property, and you can all take in the views from the rooftop garden.

Afterward, let the little ones realize their Pokémon Master dreams at the Pokémon Center TOKYO DX. Spreading across nearly 14,000 square feet (1,300 sq m), the store is the largest of its kind in the country, offering plenty of chances for the kids to capture cute images of Pikachu, Mew, Snorlax, and more. You can purchase everything from plush Pikachu dolls to rare trading cards, and there's a Pokémon-themed café right next door, where you can try cute and delicious sweet treats and beverages. 

Day 4: Day Trip to Mount Fuji, Cruising on Lake Kawaguchi

Explore the landscapes beyond Tokyo with a day trip to the Mount Fuji region. Fuji-san, as the locals call it, is the country's highest peak, stretching into the sky at more than 12,000 feet (3,776 m). A common pilgrimage site, it's considered one of Japan's three sacred mountains. After breakfast, your guide will collect your family from your Tokyo hotel for the scenic 1.5-hour drive.

Day 5: Kid-Friendly Japanese Cooking Class, Free Afternoon to Explore

Take a delicious deep dive into Japanese cuisine today with a family cooking class. Learn the secrets behind the preparation of traditional dishes, which include Wagyu sukiyaki, a hot pot dish of the popular thinly sliced beef that comes from Japan's own Wagyu cattle, as well as classic recipes such as dashimaki tamago (pan-fried and rolled eggs), miso soup, and kuzu manju, a sweet jelly dessert served with matcha syrup. 

Together with your instructors, you and the kids will make each dish as you learn about the history behind the ingredients and how they tie into Japanese culture. Even the littlest ones in the group will have fun chopping vegetables and stirring soup. Afterward, sit down to enjoy a delectable meal that you all worked to create together. 

This afternoon, step out on your own to see more of the city. You can visit the lively Shibuya district, which has high-end shops, boutiques, and restaurants, or take a stroll through Shinjuku Gyo-en, a large park and garden in the Shinjuku district that offers a peaceful respite from the urban city vibes. End with a visit to the Tokyo Tower, an Eiffel Tower-inspired communications and observation tower that ascends 1,092 feet (333 m). Take the elevator to the main deck for gorgeous panoramic views of the brightly lit city—if the visibility is good, you may even see Mount Fuji in the distance! 

Day 6: Train to Kyoto, Kimono Tea Ceremony & Samurai Ninja Museum 

Gather up the family and make your way to the train station to depart for Kyoto, a cultural powerhouse known for its historical traditions, temples, gardens, and palaces. You'll be traveling on a Shinkansen bullet train, a quick two-hour ride. Once you've checked in at your Kyoto hotel, meet your guide and head to Kyoto's captivating Gion district for a traditional kimono tea ceremony.

Day 7: Guided Tour of Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Railway Museum 

See some of Kyoto's most important historic sites today, starting at Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple with a large golden pavilion. Walk the peaceful grounds, and be sure to take the kids to the temple's top floors, which are completely covered in gold leaf. Then, visit the Kyoto Railway Museum, one of Japan's top three railway museums. Budding railroad historians will enjoy seeing the more than 50 retired trains, which range from steam locomotives to modern electric and Shinkansen trains. The kids can also drive a train simulator and learn the ins and outs of being a conductor! 

Your final stop is the famed Fushimi Inari-taisha. Featured in the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," this shrine has more than 10,000 picturesque red torii gates, all donated by individuals and businesses as a sign of appreciation to the god Inari for the blessings received. The whole family will be entranced by the brightly colored gates, and you can stroll through them at leisure. If you and your kids are physically active, you can also take a light hike, following the torii-lined route up the mountain for sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

Day 8: Meet the Deer of Nara, Green Tea Ice Cream in Uji

Head out with your local guide today to the peaceful greenery of Nara, known for its historic sites, gardens, parks, and friendly local deer. There are tons of walking trails around the park area, one of which takes you through Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest and features more than 175 different types of trees. Visit the Todai-ji temple, home to the giant Daibutsu Buddha statue, and let the kids visit with the deer, who are quite likely to approach and let you feed them! 

After you've spent some time hiking around Nara, your next stop is Uji, known for its green tea production. Here, you can start with a visit to Byodo-in, a Buddhist temple that's depicted on the 10 yen coin. Originally built as a rural retreat, it was later turned into a temple by a member of the powerful Fujiwara family. 

Everyone has probably worked up an appetite by now, so take a break at one of Uji's many traditional stores and try some of their quality green tea products. Taste refreshing green tea ice cream, chewy, matcha-flavored dango (dumplings made from glutinous rice), or deep-fried croquettes stuffed with matcha. Finish the day in the Byodo-in Omotesando neighborhood, the best place to go for dinner and souvenir shopping.

Day 9: Transfer to Osaka, Cup Noodles Museum, See the Neon Lights of Dotonbori 

You're off to Osaka, the country's third-largest city and a top destination for travelers around the globe. After checking out from your hotel, a private driver will collect your family for the one-hour drive. Once you've settled in at your Osaka accommodations, head out for a guided family tour of the city.

Start with a visit to the iconic Osaka Castle, where you'll find a wealth of information on Japan's rich history, including dioramas that depict various battles. From here, move on to the Umeda Sky Building and ride the elevator up to the 39th floor of this more than 500-foot (173 m) building. The kids can look down on the now ant-sized pedestrians from the glass windows, and the adults can take in the endless, panoramic views. 

Next up is Osaka's Cup Noodles Museum. Dedicated to the origins of instant ramen, exhibits include a reproduction of the research shed where instant ramen was born, a cup-noodle-shaped theater, and a ramen "tunnel." The museum also features a cup noodle workshop, where you'll be able to make your own noodles from selected flavors. End in Dotonbori, a sensory overload of neon lights, shopping, and restaurants. This is a great spot for dinner, with conveyor belt sushi, grilled crab, takoyaki (balls filled with vegetables and seafood), and kid-friendly taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries) available from various eateries. 

Day 10: Family Fun at Universal Studios Japan

Make today all about the kids with a visit to Universal Studios Japan. Opened in 2001, this is one of six Universal Studios parks in the world, with exciting rides, captivating shows, and, of course the beloved characters of Universal movies and shows. Visit Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, ride the "Forbidden Journey" ride, and sample a pint of the famed butterbeer. Then, walk through the shops of the Hollywood-themed area and watch some of the live entertainment that takes place here.

Day 11: Fly to Okinawa, Visit Shuri Castle & Makishi Public Market

After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport, where your family will catch a two-hour flight to the island of Okinawa, part of the group of islands known as the Okinawa Prefecture. Here, you'll find a relaxed, beachy feel, with blue ocean waters, coral reefs, and a wealth of history and culture. You'll arrive in the capital city of Naha, and after you check in at your accommodations, take a guided tour around the island with the kids. 

Begin at Shuri Castle, a historic site dating back to the 14th century. Walk the grounds and make note of the incredible blend of Japanese and Ryukyuan architecture while your guide shares insight into the significance of this important landmark, intriguing the little ones with tales and legends from ancient times. 

Next, visit the halls of Makishi Public Market, a busy local space where you and the kids can see residents shopping for freshly caught fish, local produce, and all manner of dried and preserved delicacies. Your guide will happily explain the local culinary culture and what different ingredients are used for, and you'll be able to stop in at the shops that interest you. Finish at the food court on the top floor, where you can dine at one of the several small restaurants serving udon (thick noodles in broth), sushi, grilled seafood, and other specialties.

Day 12: Ocean Expo Park: Cultural History & Marine Life

Gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between Okinawa's past and present with a visit to the Ocean Expo Park, located in northern Okinawa and considered an essential destination for anyone wanting to learn more about these beautiful islands.

The park's main attraction is the Churaumi Aquarium, which is widely considered Japan's best. See the massive Kuroshio Tank inside, named for the warm Kuroshio current, which has helped facilitate the wide variety of marine life in Okinawa. One of the largest tanks in the world, the kids can explore the huge range of fish and other sea life here, including giant whale sharks and manta rays.

Visit the park's Oceanic Culture Museum, which has ship replicas and informative displays about the ocean-based cultures of Asia and the South Pacific, and the Native Okinawan Village, a small open-air museum with over 20 residences and other buildings from different periods and regions of Okinawa. Finally, the family won't want to miss the Tropical Dream Center, a botanical garden with a wide range of tropical trees, colorful plants, and an observatory tower built to resemble the Tower of Babel.

Day 13: Beach Day in the Okinawa Islands

Make the most of your last day in Japan with some family beach time! Okinawa is known for its pristine beaches, and you can start with a visit to Mibaru Beach, where you can take a glass-bottomed boat tour of the shallow offshore reef, soak up some sun, or enjoy a relaxed picnic among local beachgoers. With white sand, turquoise waters, and greenery-topped karst rock formations mushrooming out of the water, it's the perfect spot to relax and let the kids play on the beach.

You can also take a ferry from Naha and see some of the Kerama Islands. Visit Zamami Island, where the family can rent cruiser bikes and ride along flat roads to Ama Beach, a haven for grazing sea turtles. There are boat dives and other underwater exploration available here as well, and depending on the season, you can even go on whale watching tour. If you want a truly remote feel, stop by Aka Island, a small, quiet island with shallow waters that cater to the little ones and make for excellent snorkeling. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Naha tonight before you rest up for your flight home tomorrow. 

Day 14: Fly to Tokyo, Depart

Your fantastic two-week family journey through Japan ends today. After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport to catch a flight back to Tokyo airport for your journey home or to your next destination. Safe travels! 

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