A Family Friendly Stay in Japan

Intro

Travelling is all about making memories - never more so than when you’re holidaying with your family and where better than the beautiful country of Japan? Vibrant and diverse, modern and historic, Japan has been one of the world’s most in-demand travel destinations for many years, but you might be surprised to discover that it’s also one of the most family friendly countries to visit.

Japan is the perfect place to stay for families of all ages, whether you’re travelling with young children, teenagers, siblings, or older relatives. It’s safe, clean, welcoming, and absolutely packed with fun things to see and do. From theme parks to luscious green spaces, animal encounters to undersea adventures, quirky museums to unique Japanese sports, castles to computer games, sumo to samurai, Japan has something for children of all ages - and big kids too. In our latest JapanDen guide, we’ll take a look at why Japan is so great for families, our recommendations for the family friendly activities, and places to stay, from modern hotels to traditional ryokans.   

Japan for Families

Why is Japan such a family friendly travel destination? Japan is near the top of most people’s dream travel bucket list, and for good reason - it’s an amazing country to visit, offering a host of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Japan truly is beautiful and unique. However, it might not be the most obvious choice for families. Travelling as a family, especially with young children, teenagers, or older relatives, can be tricky, so it’s important to choose a destination that will make your life easier rather than harder. After all, many of us go away to relax and escape our day-to-day lives. Therefore, when travelling with children or older family members, you want somewhere that’s safe, clean, with welcoming, friendly, and polite people, excellent customer service, modern technology, and a ton of activities for all ages to keep everyone entertained. Well, Japan has all of this in abundance! Japan’s trains for instance are so clean, modern, spacious, safe, and efficient, you’ll be able to sit back and relax as you travel from one amazing place to the next. The country’s world-famous shinkansen bullet trains are also a treat for children and adults, bringing out the big kid in all of us, as well as being the fastest and best value way to get around and make the most of your stay in Japan. The same goes for accommodation. Whether you’re planning to stay in one of the country’s modern and dynamic cities or you yearn to experience a more traditional, rural setting, you’ll find hotels and ryokans suitable for families of all ages.    

Family Friendly Activities in Japan

Whether you’re staying in a major city like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, or more off the beaten track locales like the northernmost island of Hokkaido or subtropical Okinawa in the south, this list has something for you and your family to enjoy during your stay.  

1. Green spaces and the great outdoors

From green spaces in the heart of Japan’s biggest cities like the famous Yoyogi Park in Tokyo (perfect for family picnics), to the country’s 34 national parks, and remote, off-the-beaten-track adventures in dense forests and woodlands, white sand beaches to winter sports resorts to rival anywhere in the world, Japan’s unique and unforgettable landscape is perfect for families. Outdoor activities include walking and hiking, boating and canoeing, swimming and fishing, paragliding and windsurfing, cycling, snowboarding and skiing, and much more. Japan’s National Parks are ideal for families who love nature and the great outdoors, while those seeking adventure should look no further than the likes of the epic Kurobe Gorge in the northern Japanese Alps or Yakushima and Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine - the real-life inspiration for the magical fairy-tale forests of Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpiece Princess Mononoke.

Meanwhile, for young children, how about strawberry picking at a local farm? The aptly named Mother Farm can be found in Chiba Prefecture and is the perfect destination for families, with lambs, ducks, pigs, cows and even alpacas. It’s so big that cute animal-themed sightseeing buses are needed to help you get around, and as well as petting animals you’ll also get to pick your own fruit, including strawberries, blueberries and kiwi. There is also a spectacular flower trail including 25,000 petunias.

2. Ghibli Park and Ghibli Museum

Studio Ghibli’s incredible animated films have become one of Japan’s most famous and celebrated exports over the last 30 years. For several years, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan, was one of Japan’s most in-demand attractions. However in 2022, the studio opened an even more impressive and elaborate celebration of its films - Ghibli park.

Unique to Japan, Ghibli Park is an immersive and interactive experience that allows visitors to step inside the magical worlds created by the films of Studio Ghibli. At Ghibli Park, there are no roller-coasters or traditional funfair rides. Located in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, Ghibli Park is designed much more as a magical experience - a unique, interactive adventure - like finding a portal into your favourite animated films. From visiting the life-size home of Satsuki and Mei from My Neighbour Totoro to sitting in a real-life and very soft-looking Catbus, to eating food inspired by scenes from the films, such as dining in the yatai from Spirited Away, or sitting on the train next to the iconic No Face from the same film, the list of incredible experiences goes on and on. Ghibli Park brings these magical animated films to life, as only Studio Ghibli could, for you to explore and enjoy. 

Ghibli Park Key Facts

• Opened on 1 November 2022.

• Located in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture.

• Covers 7.1 hectares of land. 

• There are five main areas - Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Ghibli Grand Warehouse, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches.

• Photographs are permitted at Ghibli Park - unlike the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo.

• You can find the park’s official website here: https://ghibli-park.jp/en/

 Since its initial opening in 2022, Ghibli Park has now fully opened all five of its main areas to visitors and has been hailed as one of the most special, magical, and immersive ‘theme’ parks in the world, drawing children, adults, film and anime fans from all over the world to Japan. 

3. Castles and samurai

Japan’s ancient warriors, the samurai, have captured the imagination of people the world over, children and adults alike. The country’s castles - so different to those in the west - are among the most spectacular in the world too. These historic structures are the perfect place for curious and imaginative families to step back in time to ‘old Japan’. Visiting castles and looking at preserved samurai relics is an activity that will entertain and inspire both the young and old. Fans of the samurai might also want to check out Sengakuji Temple in Tokyo, which has a breathtaking story to tell - the 47 Ronin who avenged their master.

4. Sports

From winter sports to water sports, sumo to baseball, Japan has sports and activities for the whole family. If you’re visiting in winter then the country is renowned for its skiing and snowboarding with some of the best slopes (and best snow - nicknamed ‘Japow’ - in the world), while sun worshippers will find some of the world’s best beaches and watersports destinations in Japan. The country is also a hidden gem for surfers. However, if you prefer to watch sports, then Japan really has some unique sights - your family will never forget attending a traditional Japanese sumo tournament. And for something different, how about baseball? While baseball did not originate in Japan, it has become one of the country’s favourite and most enjoyed sports. If you want to see the Japanese people having fun and letting their hair down, then attending a baseball game is a great way to do it. 

5. Snow Monkeys

Animal attractions abound in Japan thanks to its diverse wildlife, but arguably the most famous animal in Japan is the snow monkey, or Japanese macaque. And one of the best places to see these beautiful creatures is when they’re taking a bath at the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park! Known as the ‘Paradise of the Monkeys’, this unique park is located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Yamanouchi, northern Nagano. It is a large park that is best known for its open-air hot spring bath, which was built for the snow monkeys to bathe in. Each year, millions of people travel to Japan just to see this incredible sight. The monkeys are used to human visitors and interaction, so they can come quite close. Even the park’s sometimes large crowds (up to 500 visitors-a-day during peak season) don’t faze these confident and fun-loving creatures. You’ll have a great time, just remember not to touch or feed the monkeys. Jigokudani Monkey Park opens at 9am daily and closes at 4pm with extended hours from 8.30am to 5pm seasonally. 

6. Aquariums

Thanks to its amazing location, Japan is surrounded by seas. This gives the country an incredible diversity of sea life and this is reflected in the country’s aquariums, which are arguably the best in the world. Aquariums make a great day out for children and families - it’s educational and exciting - with the chance to come face to face with sea creatures you would never get to meet in the wild. One of the biggest and most spectacular aquariums in Japan is Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, which is home to an incredible 30,000 marine animals from across the Pacific Ocean. And if Osaka isn’t in your family’s travel itinerary then you have plenty of other amazing aquariums across Japan too.  

7. Theme parks

Japan adores theme parks and boasts some of the best in the world. As well as traditional Japanese theme parks, funfairs, and arcades, Japan offers big names like Disney, Universal Studios, and more. Tokyo Disney resort is home to the twin theme parks of Disneyland, and completely unique to Japan – DisneySea. Alongside Disney, the Universal Studios theme park in Osaka is also a huge international attraction. As well as all of Universal’s attractions, it’s also home to the world’s first Super Nintendo World theme park. This recently added a new Donkey Kong area, which has expanded Super Nintendo World at Universal by an impressive 70%! With rides themed around Mario Kart, Yoshi, Bowser Jr, and many more characters, the attraction has a reputation as being one of the most fun and family-friendly theme parks of its kind.

8. Computer Games, Manga and Anime

Teenagers and adults with a taste for gaming, manga, and anime will be in heaven in Japan. Whether you’re a fan of Sony, Nintendo, or Sega, Japan is the spiritual home of computer games, from the latest cutting-edge consoles and gaming technology to old-school arcades, gaming is a way of life here. Similarly, Japan is also the birthplace of manga and anime - storytelling art forms that have become popular all over the world over the last few decades. For fans and readers of manga and anime series, Japan offers a dazzling array of wonders - ideal for imaginative teens and big kids who still love games and comics. 

On the subject of Nintendo, as well as the Super Nintendo World theme park in Osaka, in 2025 the company opened the world’s first and only Nintendo Museum in Kyoto. This unique and interactive museum dedicated to the long, colourful history of Nintendo opened to global headlines and is set to attract millions of visitors, especially video game loving families. 

9. Nara Deer Park

Nara Park offers families a number of great activities rolled into one. First off, Nara is a beautiful historic destination, with temples and shrines. It’s the ‘old Japan’ of your imagination. Nara is also known for its green spaces, in particular Nara Park - a 660 hectare that’s home to some of Nara’s most prestigious attractions, including Todaiji, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. And finally, Nara is famous for something else that’s sure to prove popular with families - free-roaming deer.

While these deer are not necessarily to be petted by small children, they do make an adorable sight for families enjoying Nara’s greenery and serenity. You can even feed them! Specially baked senbei cookies are sold for 200yen per pack by locals, and the deer absolutely love them. They’re actually so good that they are good for human consumption too. The beautiful town of Nara is located in the Kansai Region, and makes for a great day trip from Kyoto or Osaka by train.

10. Trains

Children of all ages love trains (including us big kids) and Japan’s trains are the best in the world. Just travelling from A to B on one of these futuristic trains is an attraction in itself, especially in a country as spectacular and different as Japan. Whether it’s the country’s newest and fastest bullet train, the N700S Shinkansen, or something more colourful like the Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty trains, the country’s rail network will delight families. You can even get special Japanese lunch boxes called Ekiben to enjoy on your journeys. As well as state-of-the-art trains, Japan also offers some of the world’s most scenic and spectacular rail journeys for you and your family to enjoy. The country’s domestic rail network is the best way to get around and a brilliant travel experience for families to do together.

Why Japan Is Perfect For Young and Older Travellers

If you’re travelling to Japan with young children, teenagers, older siblings, or even your elderly relatives, you’ll be pleased to know that the country is one of the best places for families to visit. We’ve touched on this already, but let’s look at some of the main reasons one more time:

• Safe

Japan is consistently ranked as one of the top ten safest countries in the world - a key priority for young travellers (and their protective parents back at home!). 

• Clean

The country’s streets and public spaces are exceptionally clean. Japan places a huge importance on cleanliness. It is central to both Shinto and Buddhist religions, and taught in schools and homes from a young age. The benefit for visitors is a super clean country.   

• Polite, friendly, and welcoming

Famously polite, friendly, and welcoming, the people of Japan are good-natured and hospitable. Japan’s etiquette may appear daunting, but it’s very easy to follow, especially if you do a little research beforehand. 

• Excellent public transport

Japan’s domestic rail network is arguably the safest, most efficient, and fastest in the world - ideal for young travellers making their way around. It’s also incredibly good value if you buy a Japan Rail Pass for unlimited travel on the country’s domestic rail network, which is perfect for budget conscious youngsters and families. Visit our sister company www.jrpass.com for more information. 

• Modern, state-of-the-art amenities and facilities

Japan is world-famous for being one of the most modern and technologically advanced countries on the planet. 

• Good for accessibility

The country’s investment in new technologies extends to its accessibility, particularly on public transport and in public spaces such as modern shopping centres and museums etc. 

• Full of history and culture

Interesting and enlightening for people of all ages.  

• Japan has one of the oldest populations in the world and an innate respect for its senior citizens and visitors

Japan is known around the world for the emphasis it places on younger people to honour and respect their senior counterparts - it’s a big part of family life and Japanese culture as a whole. This extends to international visitors who happen to be a little older and is another very important reason why Japan is a great place to visit for young and old alike - and families generally.     

Useful Links 

Ready to start planning your family holiday in Japan? Alongside our carefully curated selection of hotels and ryokans, we hope to provide everything else you need to plan your visit, from in-depth travel guides to 24/7 customer assistance, as well as our upcoming community forum. We can also point you in the right direction for the most cost-effective and enjoyable transport, portable Wifi devices, and partner services to ensure everything goes smoothly during your time in Japan:

• Looking for accommodation in Japan? Visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• If you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best place to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• And if you’re looking to explore Japan then the country’s train network is the way to go. Japan’s railways are renowned as being the fastest, cleanest, and safest in the world. The country’s rail network is so vast and interconnected that it can help you reach almost any corner of Japan you’d like to visit. Furthermore, with a Japan Rail Pass you can enjoy unlimited travel on the majority of the country’s trains, including the famous Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. The JR Pass is by far the most cost effective and flexible way to get around Japan. Find out more by visiting our partners at www.jrpass.com today.

• Do you want to use Google Translate to support your language skills? Or Google Maps for live train updates? What about posting photos to social media or keeping in touch with home? For all this and more, you’ll need a PocketWifi device like those from Ninja Wifi. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your Wifi with your travel companions, and more, renting a PocketWifi is highly recommended. Our Pocket WiFi guide has everything you need to know.   

• Finally, if you’re looking for information about Japan and want to speak with expert travellers who have been there and done that, then you should join our Community. This welcoming and friendly forum is the place to go to share stories, knowledge, and experiences about Japan, ask questions, make new connections, and find travel inspiration.