Japan With Kids: Must-See Destinations and Must-Do Activities
Few destinations appeal to different ages and interests like Japan. The nation contains a whopping 6,582 islands, but most people focus on the largest one, Honshu. And with good reason. There you’ll find a fascinating admixture of history, culture, and cutting-edge cities. Few places juxtapose ancient artifice with modern innovation so fluidly, which makes for a truly unique destination.
What else will you enjoy while visiting Japan with kids? Days spent wandering Zen gardens, leisure time bathing at hot springs, getting lost in the neon and pop culture jungles of Tokyo, and our all-time favorite, slurping ramen noodles. But what else can you expect from this country? Here’s what to do in Japan for an unforgettable family vacation.
Get Inspired on a Ghibli Museum Tour
What to see in Japan? One of the most whimsical and colorful locations to start your family vacation is the Ghibli Museum. There, you and your children will connect with Japanese culture through one of its finest and most well-known animation studios.
Located in the Tokyo suburb of Mitaka, the Ghibli Museum provides behind-the-scene glimpses into the magic of some of your kids’ favorite cartoon movies. Whether your children are fans of Ponyo, Totoro, or all things Studio Ghibli, there’s no end to the activities you’ll enjoy. The museum’s exhibitions are highly interactive and designed by Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli’s director.
Each room of the museum is dedicated to telling one aspect of Studio Ghibli’s history by showcasing some of its most popular films. You’ll also get to see a step-by-step exploration of how Studio Ghibli creates animated films. They include exhibits with everything from storyboards to coloring steps and sketches.
Take Tokyo by Storm in a Rickshaw
Step (or rather ride) back in time on a Tokyo rickshaw experience! Of course, there are no shortage of transportation choices available to you in Tokyo. We’re talking buses, taxis, and trains. But none of these prove quite as memorable as traveling the way people have since the mid-19th century.
The word “rickshaw” comes from the Japanese term jinrikisha, which translates as “human-powered carriage.” Nobody knows for sure who invented this technology. But some historians point to Yosuke Izumi and the year 1869. But what we do know for sure is they became incredibly popular across Asia.
You can find many variations in neighboring nations today. And they weren’t relegated solely to Japan’s elite. Instead, rickshaws once enjoyed a position as the primary mode of transportation for everybody. It’s time for you family to explore why they remained mainstream for so long.
Get Creative on a Tokyo Anime Tour
Besides ancient history, Japan is famous worldwide as the capital of anime. So, what better way to explore this facet of the nation than on a customized anime tour? Japanese anime is known for its imaginative plotlines and stunning visuals. Now, it’s time to see where the creativity begins.
One of the most important steps in the rise of this media was the release of the television show Astro Boy in the United States in 1963. By 2007, the anime market in America ballooned to $4.35 billion! On a visit, explore where many of the animation studios in Japan are located. Learn the fundamentals of animation and try your hand at creating your family’s favorite characters.
After you’ve given anime a try, it’s time for studio tours where you’ll see anime artists hard at work. The popularity of anime over the past decades has helped Westerners gain a much broader understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture, and it’s an excellent way to get your kids engaged on a Japan family vacation. Best of all, you can customize your tour to visit the studios where your family’s most beloved characters were created.
Explore Kyoto Through Manga and Trains
Did you know that the term manga dates to the late 18th century? Of course, the first Japanese manga didn’t start winning hearts and minds in the West until the mid-20th century. But this late introduction hasn’t prevented the artform from gaining a wide and ever-expanding audience. If your kids are ga-ga over manga (or maybe you are), consider a trip to Kyoto to check out its celebrated Manga Museum.
Built in 2006, the Kyoto International Manga Museum houses an impressive and massive collection of manga that remains one of its primary attractions. You’ll even find a subsection of the museum dedicated to manga from other countries and translated into other languages. The museum also explores how manga has grown in popularity worldwide over the years.
A visit to the Kyoto Manga Museum also provides an excellent opportunity to discover the Kyoto Railway Museum. Inaugurated in 2016, the museum sits on the former site of the Umekoji Train and Locomotive Museum and is a 20-minute walk from the Kyoto Station. The facility contains three floors and nearly 33,000 square feet, showcasing 50 retired trains. The trains reflect the evolution of locomotive technology over the decades, ranging from steam to electric.
Walk on the Wild Side on a Tokyo Pop Culture Tour
It’s hard to imagine a world without the influences of Tokyo pop culture. Just think brands like Super Mario, Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, and Godzilla. No matter which generation you come from, your life has been colored by at least a few of these cultural icons. What are some of the best ways to explore Japanese pop culture?
Consider a go-kart tour of Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods dressed like Mario, Pikachu, or Princess Peach! There are a variety of great tour companies who rent costumes and go-karts, but remember you’ll need an international driver’s license. Or, head to Odaiba, which has a 1:1 scale replica of Gundam, one of Japan’s most popular media franchises. Stay after dark for incredible light shows. And no trip to Tokyo would be complete without checking out the life-sized Godzilla head statue that peeks over Hotel Gracery Shinjuku’s terrace.
Once your family has worked up an appetite, head to the Pokémon Café, which is themed around the popular card game and collectible. The entire menu is organized around the characters in the franchise, which means you’ll have the chance to munch on things like Eevee-shaped chicken burgers, Snorlax hamburgers, and more. To remember the experience once you’re back home, hop next door to the Pokémon Center Tokyo DX. There you’ll find myriad Pokémon-branded memorabilia.
Make the Most of Your Vacation to Japan With Kids
On a family trip to Japan, fall in love with a nation known for its vibrant and varied culture, delectable cuisine, and harmonious scenery. Enjoy exploring ancient history, pop culture characters, and exotic natural settings. Not sure where to start? We can help you craft a highly adventurous and family-friendly vacation.
Intrigued to learn more about exhilarating, exciting activities geared for a visit to Japan with kids? Let’s talk! Contact us today to get the ball rolling on an unforgettable family vacation that’s sustainable, meaningful, and chock full of fun!
At Mi Familia Internacional, we offer luxury family vacations to over 35 global destinations. Each customized itinerary comes in both 4- and 5-star price points. Your family will enjoy opportunities to interact profoundly with a destination’s culture and people.