Japan Family Holiday

📍 Narita International Airport (NRT) to Central Tokyo: 1.5 h Haneda International Airport (HND) to Central Tokyo: 50 min

Upon arrival to Tokyo’s airport, one of our representatives will be waiting to assist the family with transport into the city (either boarding the right train or finding the appropriate shuttle). After reaching the hotel and checking in, the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

Inclusions:

📍 Start (guided tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h

This morning, depart alongside the guide to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s shitamachi (old towns) where a traditional atmosphere still lingers in the air.

The first stop is Senso-ji, the most famous temple in Tokyo. The guide will explain some basic temple customs, from purifying the hands to praying and paying respect to ancestors. In the small stalls nearby, get a chance to try some Japanese snacks before moving onto the next destination.

A short walk from the temple is Kappabashi, the so-called Kitchenware Town lined with dozens of specialized stores for knives, Japanese tableware, and even food replicas. Try the art of crafting plastic replica food in one of the specialty shops, an interesting souvenir to take home!

Around noon, stop by one of the local restaurants for lunch. Although there’s a variety of food to choose from, Asakusa is particularly known for its delicious tempura.

Continue on alongside the guide to one of the city’s many pet establishments. These unique shops have quickly become a hit for many reasons, one being they’re a good place to relax and relieve stress.

In the afternoon,ride the automatic train passing among the skyscrapers to Odaiba, a man-made island with a stunning view of the city and its futuristic buildings. Conclude the tour with a ride on a giant Ferris wheel, enjoying the view of Tokyo from up high.

Overnight in Tokyo

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Today is a self-guided day.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

There are plenty of kid-friendly venues in Tokyo, such Miraikan (National Museum of Science and Innovation). Other suggestions for families include Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea.

Note: Tickets to Tokyo Disney Resort need to be arranged in advance (subject to availability).
 

Optional Activity (1): Samurai Sword Lesson

Learn how to fight with a samurai sword from some of Japan’s most famous sword choreographers at Tetsuro Shimaguchi’s Kamui Sword Artists.

Shimaguchi is the leading member of Kamui, a Japanese sword performance troupe whose unique fighting style and technique are breathtaking to watch. They often collaborate with artists from different backgrounds and genres, always offering impressive performances.

The day’s lesson will cover the basic movements of sword fighting, including drawing, posing and swinging. Then, visitors will have the chance to try out their new found skills by pairing off for some practice swordplay.

Time:

Duration: 90 min

Optional Activity (2): Cool Tokyo Cycling Tour

oday’s tour starts at 9:00 or 14:00. Meet the guide, who is sometimes accompanied by his adorable dog “Jack-san,” at Sasazuka Station, and head together to the cycling studio for a bicycle and helmet fitting. On the way, listen to some fascinating insights and entertaining anecdotes about the local neighborhood, and get some useful explanations from the guide about Tokyo’s cycling etiquette and today’s itinerary.

When everything is ready, depart for today’s cycling tour. Leave Sasazuka with the guide, and cycle to the first location, enjoying the best of Tokyo’s urban design and natural environment on the way. Depending on the season, enjoy the surrounding foliage, which is especially beautiful in the spring when the plum and cherry blossoms bloom, and in the autumn, when the trees are a blaze of color. There will be several cultural and architectural design stops along the way, where the guide will share interesting information and allow some time for photos.

Bike through Tokyo’s backstreets, local shotengai (small commercial streets) in hip neighborhoods such as Shimo-Kitazawa, and some little-known parks, seeing the guide’s favorite areas and shops, and stopping for a break at a charming café.

Finally, enjoy the ride back to Sasazuka where the bicycles will be returned to the guide. 

Time:
Start: 9:00 or 14:00
Duration: 3 h to 4 h
Journey: 10 km (mostly cycling, a bit of walking and light sightseeing also involved).

Optional Activity (3): Manga Drawing in Tokyo

Manga has been an integral part of Japanese arts and culture with roots dating as far back as the 12th century. Today, manga can be found in different types of publication, with varying genres ranging from comedy to action.

Get to know some basics of manga drawing with the guidance of a Japanese teacher. The class will take place in a Japanese school in Central Nakano, the district in Tokyo famous for anime and otaku (die-hard fans). During the 2-hour class, learn the history of manga and how to create this uniquely Japanese art form.

Time:

Duration: 2 h

Overnight in Tokyo

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 JR Tokyo Station to JR Yokohama Station: 30 min Time: Start (guided tour): 09:30 Duration: 8 h

Travel to the international port city of Yokohama, a popular out-of-town destination from Tokyo for its proximity and laidback atmosphere.

Visit Hara Model Railway Museum, home of the largest model train collection in the world. Model trains are fascinating to kids of all ages, and a visit to this museum is like a miniature trip around the world.

Next on the list is the Cup Noodle Museum, revealing the unique history behind this Japanese invention known around the world. There are fun and interactive workshops, including the Cup Noodle Factory where kids can create their own cup noodle.

For lunch, head to the Noodles Bazaar and try the noodles from eight different countries.

Within walking distance from the museum is Yamashita Park, the first seaside park in Japan that opened in 1930. Take a stroll to nearby Osanbashi Pier, a beautiful open space where the kids can run freely surrounded by views of Yokohama.

End today’s tour on a short boat ride from the park to Yokohama Station, taking the train back to Tokyo.

Overnight in Tokyo

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 JR Tokyo Station to JR Kanazawa Station: 3 h

Today is a self-guided day.

Today is free at leisure to explore Tokyo until the included afternoon train journey to Kanazawa via shinkansen (bullet train).

Overnight in Kanazawa

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Start (guided tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h

Alongside our local guide, explore Kanazawa, the castle town that thrived as the center for culture and the arts in the 17th century.

Start with the pristine Kenroku-en Garden, which is ranked as one of Japan’s top three gardens. The garden is home to the oldest water fountain in the country, a couple of teahouses, and a large villa that used to be the retirement home of one of the richest clans in Kanazawa. Adjacent to the garden is Kanazawa Castle, easily accessed through the Ishikawa-mon Gate.

Lunch will be inside Omicho Market, known throughout Japan for its fresh seafood and fine sushi. The guide will introduce a local restaurant where some fine local cuisine can be sampled.

After lunch, the children might be craving for something sweet, so head to Morihachi, an artisan sweets shop that has been around for almost four centuries. Learn how to use wooden molds in making traditional Japanese sweets that are usually served in tea ceremonies.

Finally, head across town to the old Samurai district of Kanazawa and visit Nomura House, a restored residence of a high ranked samurai family. Freshly made green tea can be enjoyed on the second floor while viewing the small Japanese garden below.

Overnight in Kanazawa

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Today is a self-guided day.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

The rest of the day is free at leisure. Enjoy shopping for some souvenirs or visit a couple more places in Kanazawa, such as:

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

The museum known for its progressive architecture and ever-changing exhibits. One of the permanent artworks in the museum is Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool,” a pool wherein people can enter and appear as if they are underwater.

Old Town of Higashi Chaya District

One of the three, well-preserved chaya districts in Kanazawa. A “chaya” (teahouse) was where Geishas used to entertain their guests with a song or a dance. Higashi Chaya has several artisan shops, including Hakuza, a specialized store that sells gold leaf products and features a tearoom covered in gold.

Optional Activity: Flavours of Kanazawa Food Tour

Optional Activity: Flavours of Kanazawa Food Tour

Today's tour will begin at 18:00. With a name which literally translates to “marsh of gold,” Kanazawa has long been considered the home of Japanese high culture and traditional handicrafts such as gold leaf crafts and kaga yuzen silk dyeing. The cuisine of the city is however, not something to be forgotten! 

Tucked in between the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Alps, Kanazawa’s cuisine leverages ingredients from both of these important locations. The freshest local seafood is complimented by premium sake made using the pure mineral water from the peaks. Enjoy a cuisine that reflects the city’s beautiful natural surroundings, and also its well-preserved traditions and rich history.

Start the tour at the back-alleys around the Korinbo District, favoured by the locals, and make your way through 3 restaurants to enjoy food and drink unique to Kanazawa. Thanks to a food-loving guide, and the distinctive atmosphere of the restaurants, the evening experience of the city is fully brought to life with this tour.

At the end of this delightful evening in charming company, either continue to explore the city or head back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest. (D)

Time
Start: 18:00 
Duration: 3.5 h

Overnight in Kanazawa
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 JR Kanazawa Station to JR Hiroshima Station: 4.5 h

Today is a self-guided day.

This morning is at leisure until the departure for Hiroshima. After the long train journey, check into the hotel and rest or start exploring this amazing city.

Overnight in Hiroshima

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Today is a self-guided day.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

We suggest heading to Genbaku Dome-mae, the nearest station to the heart-rending A-Bomb Dome, the ruins of the former Industrial Promotion Hall of Hiroshima. From the dome, crossover Motoyasu Bridge and stop by the Children’s Peace Monument that features a statue of a young girl and a number of booths filled with colorful paper cranes.

Heading towards the museum, pass by the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, designed by the 1987 Pritzker Prize winner, Kenzo Tange. Below the arch-shaped stone is a chest that holds the registry of those who perished from the bombing.

Conclude the tour with a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum, which displays the history of Hiroshima before the bombing and exhibits a moving collection of articles, from the personal belongings left by the victims to the damages caused by the bombing.

Near the park are some local restaurants where you can have lunch. We highly recommend okonomiyaki, or “Japanese pancake” with cabbage, pork, ginger, nori, and a special sauce.

After lunch, head to Hiroshima Castle, a good example of hirajiro or a castle that was built on a plain rather than on top of a hill.

Before heading back to the hotel, visit Shukkei-en, a garden with miniature representations of mountains, valleys and forests. Take a break at Sensuitei for some green tea and Japanese confectionery.

Overnight in Hiroshima

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Start (guided tour): 10:00 Duration: 8 h

From mainland Hiroshima, a short ferry ride will head to Miyajima, a small sacred island located in the Seto Inland Sea.

Together with the guide, visit a couple of shrines and temples and sample some local delicacies like oysters, saltwater eel, and maple leaf-shaped cakes. The port is also famous for its large number of tame deer wandering the area.

Start with Itsukushima Shrine, designated as one of Japan’s three most beautiful views. The shrine is designed in a pier-like structure and dates back to 6th century. Its huge, red o-torii gate seems to be floating in the water during high tide.

Walk towards the mountain to visit Daisho-in, the most visited Buddhist temple on the island located at the foot of Mt. Misen. Along the stairs, find a row of spinning sutras that lead up to the main hall.

There will also be an option to hike up Mt. Misen to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.

After a nice day spent outdoors, the guide will provide an escort back to Hiroshima and to the hotel.

Optional Activity: Kayaking in Miyajima

Another scenic option to travel from the mainland to Miyajima is via kayak.

The instructor will provide a briefing on the day’s course, and there will be a chance to get comfortable in the kayaks on the beach before entering the sea. It is possible to kayak all the way out to the Floating Torii Gate- a fantastic photo opportunity.

After snapping some photos, take a break on the shore of Miyajima. Wander through the local stores and pick up some souvenirs before paddling back across the Inland Sea.

Time:

Start: 09:30 or 13:00

Duration: 3 h

Overnight in Hiroshima

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 JR Hiroshima Station to JR Kyoto Station: 2 h

Today is a self-guided day.

Today’s destination is Kyoto, the reigning cultural capital of Japan, home to around 2,000 shrines and temples and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

There are plenty of family-friendly activities in Kyoto. Some afternoon recommendations include the Kyoto International Manga Museum and Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

Overnight in Kyoto

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Start (guided tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h *including pick-up/drop-off and transit times

Today’s tour starts with a visit to Nijo Castle, an ornamental castle that was originally built to serve as the private villa of a powerful feudal lord. The main building was completed in early 1600s and has since then been known for its Momoyama-style architecture, decorated sliding doors, and “chirping nightingale” floors.

Next on the list is the serene Ryoan-ji Temple, which is famous for its well-maintained rock garden and known to be the home of the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai Buddhist sect.

Just a short distance from Ryoan-ji is the stunning golden pavilion collectively known as Kinkaku-ji Temple. The temple grounds are relatively smaller than that of most temples and shrines in Kyoto, but what is undoubtedly impressive is the pavilion that is completely covered in handmade gold-leaf.

A visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple follows later in the day. The view from the 13-meter high building is indeed breathtaking and the fact that this veranda was built without using any nails or joiners is quite unbelievable.

The tour ends with a stroll along the busy streets of Higashiyama district, a collection of narrow alleyways lined with local stores, souvenir shops, small eateries, and even pottery centers.

Overnight in Kyoto

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍

Today is a self-guided day.

Today get on the train and visit Osaka. Start exploring the lively streets of Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

From Namba Station, walk through Osaka’s liveliest and most colorful shopping and dining streets, starting with Doguyasuji, a unique market that sells anything related to food, from pots and other kitchenware to the lifelike plastic food models widely used by restaurants.

Right across it is Sennichimae, a lane filled with small eateries that serve all the Osakan delicacies such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and the famed fugu (blowfish). Aside from the local restaurants, Sennichimae also hosts a couple of game centers and the vibrant Namba Grand Kagetsu Theater, the headquarters of the nationwide Japanese comedy brand, Yoshimoto.

Before reaching the end of Sennichimae, make a quick left turn in one of the narrow alleys to see Hozen-ji Temple, a small village temple dedicated to one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas. After offering coins, worshippers splash water on the statue of the deity before praying as a sign of respect.

Right outside the temple grounds and just across the humble yet historical Kamagata Ukiyo-e Museum is Hozenji Yokocho, a short, narrow lane lined with expensive restaurants.

From here, emerge to the very busy Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca which has long-been referred to as Osaka’s former entertainment and pleasure district. A short walk from this street leads to the touristy Ebisubashi with the famous billboard of the Glico Running Man and a view of Dotonbori River.

Overnight in Kyoto
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Central Kyoto to Kansai International Airport (KIX): 2 h

The rest of the day is free at leisure until the scheduled transfer by shared shuttle van to Kansai International Airport.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast