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Discover the joys of Japan on a remarkable adventure through innovative theme parks and charming landscapes. Traveling in Japan means a new adventure each day. Japan is home to theme parks, rich culture, and effortless transportation between each sight. Our Wayfairer team has created this guide of eight family favorites, from Tokyo Disney and Universal to wildlife in Nara Park, beaches in Okinawa, snowy Hokkaido, and the storybook worlds of Ghibli Park. We’ll share what makes each destination great for kids (and their parents), plus simple ways to plan around seasons and crowds. Our Wayfairer travel specialists can tailor your route, book family-friendly stays, and add the little extras that will make Japan the family trip of your dreams.
Why Embark on a Japan Family Vacation?
Japan’s fascinating web of culture, history, and elaborate art heritage seems to demand a more mature vacation crowd. Rest assured, however, that Japan’s wild and beautiful qualities provide plenty of things to do with kids.
Japan’s characteristic blend of historic splendor and modern whimsicality has made it one of the world’s best family vacation destinations.
Whether you wish to stick to the traditional sightseeing in Japan or venture into something more modern and eccentric, there is an abundance of mind-blowing things to do in Japan.
Visiting Japan with Family
Generally, the best places to visit in Japan are open to all ages, welcoming young people to discover the country’s culture and history. But what is a family vacation without a generous pinch of fun?
Here are our top eight best places to visit in Japan to build a family itinerary that will educate, entertain, and inspire:
- Disneyland Tokyo
- Okinawa Island
- Universal Studios
- Happo-en Garden
- Niseko Ski Resort
- Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Nara Park
- Ghibli Park
1. Disneyland Tokyo
When your kids reflect on their time in Japan, you want their memories filled with color. What better way to animate the family vacation album than with a trip to Disneyland, where everyone’s favorite childhood movies come to life?
Located in Urayasu, near Tokyo, Japan’s Disneyland captivates the imagination of all ages, merging fantasy and reality to create a world where happiness is the currency. Seven themed lands make up the park, offering musical parades, Disney-themed dining, and thrilling attractions.
Tokyo Disneyland enchants your vacation in Japan with something special. Check out our Family Summer Vacation to Japan and include a trip to Disneyland in your next Japan itinerary!
2. Okinawa Island
A favorite among Japan’s smaller islands, Okinawa epitomizes the subtropical beauty that emerges from its geographical diversity. It appeals to those who seek Japan at its most natural state, with the enticing climate and remote sandy shores bringing a peaceful serenity to any Japan vacation.
Calming seaside walks and authentic Japanese dinners at your family resort are balanced with wildlife spotting, snorkelling, and fun water sports. Zanpa Beach is famous for being especially kid-friendly, with a low-sloped coastline and family kayak adventures.
For a glimpse of history, plan to visit Okinawa’s Nakijin Castle Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that brings the perfect overtone of culture to your thrilling Japan family vacation.
3. Universal Studios, Osaka
Another of the most beloved Japanese tourist attractions, Universal Studios is like a Disneyland for older kids, located in the modern hub of Osaka. Rollercoaster lovers are in their element at Universal Studios, but there is plenty to do to keep non-riders happy, too!
Marvel at the magnificent Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where butter beer, broomsticks, and the Hogwarts Express immerse your family in a realistic experience. Whizz around the colorful corners of Super Nintendo World, battling Bowser and saving Princess Peach before settling down for a delicious family dinner.
Sounds like something you’d like? Why not book our family summer vacation itinerary in Japan?
4. Happo-en Garden, Tokyo
Bring your children into the warm embrace of old-world Japan, where vibrant flora blooms and majestic koi fish swoop. Happo-en Garden epitomises the beauty of traditional Japanese gardens, offering scenic spots that reverberate with the Edo period’s grandeur.
Beautiful tea houses offer delectable Japanese sweets, along with dainty bonsai, colorful cherry trees, and a shimmering koi pond. Tour Happo-en Gardens, taking your little ones back to Japan’s complex history and to a place where nature holds center stage.
5. Niseko, Hokkaido
Encourage your family to unleash their adventurous side and explore a lesser-known face of the country on a Japan ski vacation. Skiing in Japan can be an incredibly memorable experience, as the country’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, is brimming with stunning landscapes that offer more than just winter sports.
Niseko is our favorite skiing destination in Japan. It combines thrilling adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding with tranquil onsen facilities (natural hot springs) and lush dining venues. The whole family can find peace, whether rushing down snowy slopes or reclining in a steamy hot spring bath.
6. Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano
This mesmerizing park is located in Tamanouchi, in the Nagano Prefecture. It is the only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs. Japanese macaques are fluffy, social primates nicknamed snow monkeys.
Walk along the entrance path past playful macaques toward the man-made hot spring bath where troops of monkeys relax and bond. Make sure to visit between December and March to unearth the celestial beauty of Japan’s snowy landscapes. Perhaps stay in a relaxing ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and soak in the hot spring baths yourself!
Speak to a Wayfairer Travel Specialist to learn more about visiting Japan in winter or browse our other family-friendly itineraries.
7. Nara Park, Nara
Nara Park inspires those families enthralled by Japan’s cultural and natural richness. The park is one of Japan’s oldest and lies at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, steeped in history and geographic curiosity. All this makes Nara Park a must-visit family destination in Japan.
Dotted around Nara Park’s sweeping green are very friendly bundles of free-roaming deer. Your children can purchase crackers to feed the deer, hopefully inspiring a close bond with Japan’s wild heart.
Nara Park also houses two Buddhist temples, Tōdai-ji and Kofuku-ji, magnificent spectacles of Japan’s ancient heritage.
8. Ghibli Park, Nagakute
Studio Ghibli represents the distinctive artistry of Japan’s animation industry, bringing us spellbinding films like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. Ghibli’s animation style has struck a chord with the entire world, stirring nostalgia in its adult audience and curiosity in children.
Ghibli Park is located in Nagakute, on the outskirts of Nagoya. Fill your day with studio secrets, exhibitions, and awe-inspiring world reconstructions. Skip along the otherworldly paths of Dondoko Forest, My Neighbor Totoro's world, and discover Mononoke Village's intricacy.
Discover the whimsical wonders of Ghibli Park as part of a riveting adventure around Japan on our Family Summer Vacation in Japan!
Plan a Tailor-Made Japan Family Vacation with Wayfairer Travel
Japan makes family travel feel easy. You can mix theme park thrills with temples, nature walks, and great food without long travel days. Start with choosing two or three regions that match your travel season, then build in downtime so kids and adults stay fresh. Reserve tickets for popular attractions in advance and choose stays near transit to reduce commute times. Wayfairer can tailor your vacation to your family, booking hotels and experiences that fit your crew. Talk to a Wayfairer Travel Specialist and discover your perfect vacation in Japan
