While Japan might conjure up images of frantic urban life and city hustle and bustle, Japan is actually a fantastic place to visit with kids. The culture in Japan is very kid-friendly, and most of Japan’s attractions are extremely clean and well-maintained. Japan also has lots of fun, unique places to visit that will make for an unforgettable family trip. Here we list some of the best family holiday locations in Japan for travellers with kids.
Family holidays in Japan: What to know before you go
Whenever you travel abroad, you need to understand that you will be visiting a different culture with different rules and expectations. It’s a good idea to learn a bit about the country before you go, especially when you’re travelling with kids. One thing to understand when you visit Japan is that politeness is considered very important. While kids are welcome in almost all public places in Japan, it is seen as the parent’s job to keep a close eye on them and to stop them from running around or creating havoc.
If you’re travelling to Japan with young children or babies, it’s also worth trading in your pram or stroller for a sling or baby carrier. Although the main streets in Japan are spacious, the cities have lots of narrow, crowded places where you may struggle with a pushchair. You also won’t find public transport in Japan that is very easy to use with a stroller in tow. Apartments in Japan are often quite compact too, so try to travel light or take baby equipment that can be folded up and stored away if you’re renting a holiday home.
The best places to visit with kids in Japan
Whether you love exciting theme parks or getting out and about in nature, Japan has many beautiful tourist attractions that visitors of all ages can enjoy. We run through some of the best destinations for family holidays in Japan.
Universal Studios Japan
Located in Osaka, Universal Studios Japan is one of the best places to visit in Japan for children. Similar to Universal Studios in Orlando, the attraction is a movie-themed park with rides, adventure playgrounds, and fun, interactive sets to explore. Younger kids will love the soft play areas and the street parades, while older kids can enjoy rollercoasters, arcades, and live shows.
The park is generally very busy during peak tourist season, so aim to get there earlier in the day if you want to avoid long queues. Universal Studios Japan also has on-site hotels, which is ideal if you plan to spend a few days going around the park. You will also find plenty of great, kid-friendly places to eat.
Yamanouchi
Yamanouchi is a beautiful place to visit for a winter holiday in Japan. Situated in the Japanese Alps, Yamanouchi is home to both hot springs and a large snow monkey population. Kids will love seeing these playful creatures in their natural habitat, while adults will enjoy taking a relaxing soak in the hot pools. The monkeys stay at Yamanouchi all year round, but you may see more of them frolicking about in winter.
Despite its somewhat remote location, Yamanouchi is also quite easy to reach with kids. You can take the train from Tokyo and arrive in around 4 hours. You can also drive from Tokyo to Yamanouchi at around 3h 30min – perfect if you want to spend a few nights out of the city or enjoy a day trip in the mountains.
Okinawa
Do you want to enjoy a beach holiday in Japan with children? Okinawa is an idyllic archipelago made up of several small islands, with some gorgeous beaches for swimming and sunbathing. Once you get settled in Okinawa, you can enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities, like kayaking, whale watching, or swimming with stingrays. Okinawa is also home to Shuri Castle, which dates back to the 1300s and makes for a fascinating day out.
If you’re looking for some indoor activities to get out of the sun in Okinawa, you can also visit the Okinawa Aquarium. It’s home to a variety of shark species, deep sea creatures, and tropical fish, making it a fun and educational day out for kids.
Disneyland Tokyo
One of the best family holidays in Japan is, of course, a trip to Disneyland Tokyo. Visitors here will find tons of Disney-themed rides, parades and shops to keep them thoroughly entertained. The park also offers meet-and-greets with famous Disney characters, something that little ones will absolutely love. You can expect the park to be busy during peak tourist seasons; however, Disneyland Tokyo is well-known for its exceptional customer service, so you’re sure to be looked after whenever you visit.
Once you’ve had your fill of Disneyland attractions, you can also nip over to the nearby DisneySea Park, which is located about a 5-minute drive away. This park is situated on the Tokyo waterfront and has attractions based on Japanese sea myths and magical water creatures. This is a great stop-off for families with older kids and has plenty of rides, thrills, and entertainment to offer.
Nara Deer Park
Nara Deer Park is a wonderful place for a day out with the kids. The park is home to around 15,000 wild deer, which roam freely across this beautiful rural landscape. Visitors to the park can buy biscuits to feed the deer. They are quite used to human interaction, so are generally tame and will allow you to get up close to them.
Nara Deer Park also has several historical temples that visitors can explore. You can enjoy a scenic woodland walk or grab something to eat at one of the on-site cafes and snack kiosks. Nara Deer Park is located near Osaka, and you can usually get there in just over 1 hour by taking the train from Osaka to Kintetsu Nara Station. You can also reach Nara Deer Park from Osaka by car in around 35min.
Saitama
Saitama is a great location for family holidays in Japan if you love exploring nature and finding unique, whimsical attractions. Saitama is located around 1 hour outside of central Tokyo, giving you access to both the city sites and more nature-based spaces. For instance, Saitama has several stunning parks and gardens, like Yono Park and Saitama Prefecture Omiya Park, where families can enjoy walks, picnics, and see the famous cherry blossoms in March and April.
Saitama is also home to Moomin Valley Park, which is based on the popular kids’ cartoon, The Moomins. Moomin Valley is a relaxed, outdoor attraction that kids will love. It also has numerous play areas and playhouses that are perfect for fun, imaginative games.
Jogasaki Coast
If you’ve always wanted to do a family road trip in Japan, the Jogasaki Coast is a great option for you. With miles of coastal views, stunning beaches, and family-friendly attractions, you can follow the road in a loop around the Jogasaki headland. Attractions along the way include nature sanctuaries, like Hagachizaki Monkey Bay and Izu Shaboten Zoo. You can also drive inland slightly to visit scenic spots like Kawazu Seven Waterfalls and Uehara Museum.
One spot that you don’t want to miss out on while you tour the Jogasaki Coast is Ryugu Sea Cave. The sea cave is easily accessible via a flight of well-maintained steps and is part of a network of lovely, secluded coves. You’ll also find plenty of accommodation options and places to stay along the route, making this a great location for a few days of exploring.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a lovely Japanese city filled with glorious parks, gardens, and historical shrines. It’s also one of the best places to stay in Japan with kids. The city has a relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for families that like to go slow and explore. Kyoto is also home to the Kyoto Railway Museum, where you can see historical engines and learn about the history of rail travel in Japan. The Railway Museum is also located just a few streets away from Kyoto Aquarium, which is home to penguins, seals, dolphins, and a giant salamander.
Visitors in Kyoto can also get up close with some furry critters at Iwatayama Monkey Park, which offers incredible views over the city and a chance to feed the macaques – perfect for kids and wildlife enthusiasts. Kyoto City Zoo is also an excellent spot for animal lovers and has a Ferris wheel and a train to take you past the enclosures.
Fukuoka
Another great base for family holidays in Japan is Fukuoka, located on Japan’s southwest coast. Fukuoka has excellent city attractions, like Fukuoka Marine World and the Fukuoka Tower observation deck. Fukuoka is also home to some lovely parks and gardens, including Uminonakamichi Seaside Park and Nokonoshima Island.
These parks are well worth visiting for the spectacular flower displays, while Uminonakamichi Seaside Park also hosts the Cosmos lantern festival each autumn.
Fukuoka is also an excellent city for a family shopping spree. Visitors can browse the JR Hakata City shopping centre. If you visit Fukuoka in winter, you can see the shopping centre’s impressive Christmas lights; it also has lots of great places to eat, where visitors can sample tasty Japanese food.
