Japan Family Tour

  • Duration : 14 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo

Create unforgettable memories with your family on a captivating 14-day Japan adventure! 

Immerse yourselves in the dazzling lights of Tokyo, witness the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji, explore the cultural treasures of Kyoto, and feed the friendly deer at Nara Park. Wrap up your trip with a journey through historic Kanazawa before returning to Tokyo.

This tour includes accommodation in Japan Experience houses and ryokan, transportation, and two special family tours, one in Tokyo and one in Kyoto.


14-day itinerary

  • Departure city/Airport : Tokyo (Narita : NRT or Haneda : HND)
  • Tokyo (5 nights)
  • Hakone - Mount Fuji (1 night)
  • Kyoto (4 nights, including 1 day trip to Nara)
  • Kanazawa (2 nights)
  • Tokyo (1 night)
  • Return city/Airport : Tokyo (Narita : NRT or Haneda : HND)

Please find below the itinerary details.

Tour length : 13 nights / 14 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe)

PLEASE NOTE: The departure and end dates shown on this page only apply to your stay in Japan. You must therefore leave Europe the day before the first day of your tour. The date of your return flight and that of your return to Europe are identical due to the time difference.

Example : 

  • Departure from Europe : January 1st
  • Arrival in Tokyo (= the date to be selected in the calendar when booking) : January 2nd
  • Return flight from NRT or HND airport / Return to Europe : January 15th

Please note that flights are not included in the price of your tour.

This tour information was last updated on May 7, 2024.


Why this trip to Japan ?

  1. A tour in Japan specially designed for families, with appropriate accommodation and activities
  2. Welcomed at the airport by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Tokyo by shuttle bus
  3. Afterwards, a guide will accompany you for a day with a special family-oriented programme!
  4. Head to the edge of Mount Fuji for an unforgettable dinner and overnight stay in a ryokan
  5. Travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto: a guided tour of the traditional geisha quarter awaits you 
  6. In Kyoto and Kanazawa, stay in Japan Experience houses, far more spacious than a hotel room!
  7. From Kyoto, you can explore the surrounding area with your prepaid transportation card: Nara, Osaka, and more...
  8. Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to the pocket Wi-Fi
  9. If needed, contact our bilingual Japanese/English-speaking assistance team, available 7/7
  10. A number of guided days or other optional activities are available
  11. Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, leading European travel agency in Japan.

Your trip in detail

Itinerary

  • Day 1 : Wake up in Tokyo 東京

    Arrive at Tokyo airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND).
    Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!

    Be welcomed after customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.
    Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo (see details).

    The transfer is done by shared shuttle or bus, with other guests departing for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your scheduled flight arrival, and stops may be made before your hotel.

    If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the arrival of your flight, feel free to add the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option.

    Check in at Hotel OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts or similar category 3* hotel (rooms available from 3pm).

  • Day 2 : First steps in the capital

    What should you do in Tokyo on your first day?

    We recommend that you start your visit to Tokyo slowly by visiting the following districts:
    - Harajuku, the center of youth fashion and cosplay culture
    - Meiji Jingu, the imperial shrine
    - Takeshita-Dori, the must-see street full of trendy stores and crepe stands
    - Omotesando, a tree-lined avenue known as Tokyo's Champs-Élysées 
    - Shibuya and its impressive giant crossroads

    One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Tokyo (optional, from 9am to 5pm).

  • Day 3 : Now for some activity...

    This day will be spent on a guided tour of Tokyo, specially designed for families.

    Your English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel at 9am to begin the full-day tour. From Ueno, Odaiba, Shibuya, or even Ginza, Tokyo is full of attractions that will please the young and the very young.

  • Day 4 : The big loop

    For this third day of sightseeing in Tokyo, we recommend the following "loop".

    Start at Tokyo Central Station, with its original architecture, then head off to visit:
    - Ginza, Tokyo's high-end shopping district
    - Tsukiji, the outdoor seafood market
    - Hama-rikyu, a beautiful Japanese garden amid Tokyo's buildings 
    - Asakusa, a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by cruise on the Sumida river 
    - Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital 
    - Tokyo Sky Tree, 643 metres high, with its panoramic views of Tokyo at sunset

    Between Hama-rikyu Garden and Asakusa, why not enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River?

  • Day 5 : Back to the future

    There are still plenty of places to discover, depending on what you want to do: Ueno Park, Yanaka, Odaiba, and more.
    Don't hesitate to book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to visit Tokyo's less well-known areas!

    We also offer a range of optional activities:
    - Are you looking for fun? Ghibli Museum, Disneyland or Hello Kitty Park await!
    - If you're more into themed activities, book an architecture or garden tour, try home cooking or see Noh theatre.
    - Chasing thrills? Try a helicopter ride or watch a sumo tournament (seasonal)!

  • Day 6 : On the way to visit the emblem of Japan: Mount Fuji!

    In the morning, go to Shinjuku station to activate your Hakone Free Pass and board a train for Hakone Yumoto (1h30 journey, details in your travel guide, included in your package). The train leaves the Japanese megalopolis and gradually winds its way through the valleys of the Mount Fuji region. You will arrive in Hakone in the late morning. Reach Ichinoyu Shinkan ryokan or equivalent to drop off your small bag and explore the region.

    You'll be charmed by the beautiful scenery of this spa resort, Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (on a clear day...). Not forgetting Owakudani volcanic site, accessible by cable car. All transport (train, bus, cable car and funicular) is included in your package.

    If you'd like to be accompanied during this day, one of our English-speaking guides can share the secrets of the Mount Fuji region (optional).

    Come back to your ryokan at the end of the afternoon, as a traditional Japanese dinner will be waiting for you at around 6.30pm, before enjoying a Japanese-style night in a comfy futon.

    More details below on what to expect for the night in a ryokan.

  • Day 7 : The former capital

    Traditional Japanese breakfast at your ryokan.

    Head to Hakone Yumoto station and then Odawara station to board one of the fastest trains in the world: the Shinkansen! Shinkansen journey to Kyoto (direct, approx. 2h, including reserved tickets). We'll do our best to reserve seats for you so you can get one last look at Mount Fuji from the train!

    From noon onwards, you can settle into your traditional Japan Experience house. Just like in Tokyo, a Travel Angel will welcome you.

    You have 4 days to visit Kyoto.
    Start in the afternoon in the historic Gion district, close to your accommodation:
    - Kiyomizu-Dera, the impressive water temple 
    - The historic lanes of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka 
    - Kodai-ji, Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo

    Finish your day with a stroll through the Gion district and enjoy the sunset.
    Meet your guide at 7pm to start your evening walk around Gion, Kyoto's historic district.
    More details on the exact day and meeting point can be found in your travel guide.

    At the end of this 1h30 walk, your guide will be able to recommend the best places to eat dinner.
    Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take pictures in the historic district of Gion.

  • Day 8 : Gold and Silver Treasures

    For your second day in Kyoto, we recommend the following itinerary:
    - The Zen rock garden of Ryoan-ji ;
    - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion
    - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
    - The enchanting Philosopher's Path 
    - Nanzen-ji temple

    One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these iconic sites (available as an option, from 9am to 5pm).

  • Day 9 : Now for some activity...

    Continue your visit to Kyoto by heading west:
    - Nishiki, Kyoto's bustling food market;
    - Nijo Castle, former residence of the shogun
    - Arashiyama, with its bamboo grove and monkey mountain

    This is your last full day to visit Kyoto, so why not make the most of our many optional activities:
    - Want to enjoy nature? Discover our cycling activities along the Kamo-gawa river or hiking in the Takao gorges!
    - If you're more into the Japanese arts, you'll love our tea ceremony, meditation activities or private visits to secret gardens.
    - If you're in the mood for the Japanese countryside, let yourself be tempted by a trip to Ohara or try our popular activity: "On the Tea Road".

  • Day 10 : Between temples and deer

    For your last day in Kyoto and its surroundings, we highly recommend a trip to Nara, a historic city just a 50-minute journey away using your prepaid transport card.

    Visit Nara, Japan's first fixed capital in the 8th century.
    Discover:
    - The Kasuga-taisha Shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns 
    - Todai-ji, with its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate 
    - Kofuku-ji temple and its delightful pagoda

    Return to Kyoto and stop to see the sunset at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto's immense shrine with 10,000 torii gates.

    If you'd like to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides can share the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional).

  • Day 11 : Head for the Sea of Japan!

    Depart by train to Kanazawa in the morning (2 hours 10, direct train, included in your package).

    From noon onwards, you can settle into your traditional Japan Experience house. Once again, you'll meet a Travel Angel who will settle you in, and offer help and tips as needed. 

    Discover Kanazawa, between the northern sea and the Japanese Alps.
    - Kenroku-en, Kanazawa's magnificent Japanese garden
    - The Museum of Contemporary Art and its outdoor gallery
    - Omicho, a fish market selling seafood fresh from the Sea of Japan
    - Nomura House, home of the samurai, and its picturesque old quarter

  • Day 12 : Rural & Mountain

    For this day, several options are available:

    Unleash your inner explorer in Kanazawa with an optional day guided by a friendly English speaker. Alternatively, venture out with a guide to discover the captivating Japanese countryside of the Noto Peninsula. Or, delve into UNESCO World Heritage history with a visit to the charming village of Shirakawago, just a 1 hour and 15-minute bus ride away (tickets optional).

  • Day 13 : Return to Tokyo

    In the morning, relax and enjoy a scenic journey back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen high-speed train. The 2.5-hour ride is included in your package.

    Once you arrive, check into the OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts hotel or same category hotel.

    Make the most of this last day to do your last bits of shopping and start packing your bags!

  • Day 14 : Sayonara, and see you next time!

    Take a direct transfer to Haneda or Narita airport (included but not accompanied).

    This transfer is by shuttle or shared bus, with other customers departing from the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers arrive between 3 hours and 1.5 hours before the actual departure of your flight, and stops may be made before you arrive at the airport.

    If you'd prefer a private transfer at a time of your choice, direct to the airport with no intermediate stops, select the "Private Taxi to Airport" option.

    Return flight to Europe, North America, Australia.

    Don't hesitate to extend your trip by a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... Get in touch and we'd be happy to advise you!

     

    Included in your self-guided tour

  • Accommodation

    - 5 night in a 3* hotel in the heart of Tokyo, close to public transport

    - 1 night in a 3* ryokan in Hakone Mount Fuji, traditional half-board

    - 4 nights in a traditional Kyoto house

    - 2 nights in a traditional Kanazawa house

    - 1 night in a 3* hotel in the heart of Tokyo, close to public transport

    The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.

  • Transport

    - Return airport transfers <> Tokyo HND or NRT

    - Prepaid public transport card

    - Hakone Free Pass 2 days

    - Tokyo Metro Pass 3 days

    - Shinkansen tickets between :

    Odawara → Kyoto / Kyoto → Kanazawa / Kanazawa → Tokyo

     

  • Experiences and meals

    Airport welcome

    - Welcome to Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa by a Travel Angel

    - Traditional dinner and breakfast included at the ryokan in Hakone

    - Discounts at many of Hakone tourist sites

    - Unforgettable family adventure in Tokyo

    - Night guided tour of Gion, Kyoto

  • Additional services

    - Unlimited internet access with Pocket WiFi

    - A complete digital travel guide sent before your departure

    - Telephone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese (bilingual). The number will be given to you in your travel pack. This phone number is valid for telephone calls, and also for Whatsapp.

  • Not included in the price of your trip

    - Flights Europe <> Japan

    - Optional insurance

    - Personal expenses, including meals (breakfasts can sometimes be added as an option at your hotel reception, see details). For other meals, you will find recommendations from us in your travel pack.

    - Public transport once your transport cards have run out (see details)

    - Anything not mentioned in the "Included in your tour" section.

More about your trip

Your tour :

  • The prices displayed on this page may vary according to the exchange rate of the Japanese Yen (¥).
  • Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
  • Children and babies accepted. From 3 to 11 years old a child rate is offered. In each accommodation, a standard adult bed will be offered to them, and a standard seat will be allocated to them in transport. From 0 to 2 years old inclusive, a "baby" rate is offered. This price corresponds to the allocation of a cot in the majority of the accommodation of the chosen circuit. However, we cannot guarantee a baby cot in each accommodation.
  • Pets are not allowed.
  • This programme is subject to change due to circumstances such as weather conditions or any other case of force majeure. Please note that due to the current circumstances, any information mentioned is subject to change or modification.
  • Your travel documents will be given to you as follows:
    • Travel diary by email before departure, and other electronic documents 
    • Paper documents (airport transfer ticket, transportation card) and Pocket WiFi upon arrival at the airport by our airport assistant.
  • As this tour is designed for families (at least one adult with at least one child/teenager), it is not possible for solo travelers to book this tour. We recommend the "Solo Japan" tour or any other tour accessible to solo travelers.
  • Note: In very rare cases, mostly in very high season, the itinerary may be reversed. You will be informed in your travel-guide. Thanks for your kind understanding.

Your accommodation :

  • Some hotels may ask you to pay a tourist tax on arrival. This depends on the city and even the hotel, as some do not include it in the booking price. Normally, it is 200¥/night/person (about £1.37/1.93$) but can be slightly higher in 4* hotels. It must be paid in cash at the hotel reception. For traditional Japan Experience accommodations, it is included in the initial tour price.
  • Japan Experience Houses: all of them have private dining rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, in addition to the bedrooms. A washing machine and Wi-Fi are also available within the accommodation. In all houses, bed linen and towels are provided, and the price includes travel angel service, tourist tax and cleaning at the end of the stay.
  • Japan Experience Traditional houses in Kyoto: most of them are either located in the historical district of Gion, or on the edge of the Path of Philosophy and the Silver Pavilion.
  • Japan Experience Traditional house in Kanazawa: located in the city centre.
  • In the ryokan, guests sleep on comfortable futons placed on the tatami mat. The room has a private sink and toilet. As is customary in Japanese ryokan, the onsen bathroom is shared (not mixed) unless you take the "private bathroom in the room" option.
    OPTIONAL: Enjoy a private Japanese bathroom (traditional or modern onsen) in your room. This option is recommended for mixed couples, families, people who are modest or have visible tattoos.
    The 4* ryokan (see 4* option) have comfortable futons raised on either western beds or in a traditional tatami room. The bathrooms and toilets of the 4* ryokan are private.
  • Hotel in Tokyo: 
  • Room size: in Japan, a densely populated country where everything is compact, 3-star luxury hotels are of very good quality but the rooms are often quite narrow (12 to 20m2/129 sq ft to 215 sq ft) depending on the hotel. Please note the size of the single room, between 10 and 16m2 (107sq ft and 172sq ft). For more comfort, you can choose our luxury 4* accommodation upgrade option. (This option is only valid for the hotel in Tokyo, not for the traditional accommodation in Kyoto).
  • Double room: Rooms for two people in western hotels have 2 single beds (twin rooms) by default, which can usually be joined together. As an option, you can select a double room instead of a twin if you prefer a double bed.
  • Single room: People traveling alone and wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. The single room supplement is compulsory for orders with an odd number of participants. Please note that if you request more than two people in a single room, the single room supplement will be applied to all accommodation except for the ryokans (3 and 4*). In fact, as this is traditional accommodation, people with the same reservation are grouped together in spacious rooms for up to 5 people.
  • 3-person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the single supplement, a triple room will be allocated to you.
  • In the case of a group order (> 5 people), it is possible, depending on hotel availability, that not all members of the group will be accommodated in the same hotel. Nevertheless, we aim to keep you close. 
  • Names of the hotels : The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, an establishment of equivalent standing will be scheduled. Hotels, corresponding to local standards, are given as an indication and may be changed on site for hotels of a similar category.

Your transport :

  • Flights are not included in this tour. Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to include flights in your order: Flights in economy class with stopovers or direct flights, eco-premium or business air upgrades, provincial departures or abroad: we will be able to advise you.
  • The tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. You will arrive in Japan via Tokyo (Narita or Haneda airports) and will also leave from Tokyo. You will have to leave Europe the day before and land at 6:30pm at the latest to make the most of the airport services of your tour (welcome and transfer to Tokyo). The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference, with a departure time of 9am at the earliest. Please do not hesitate to consult us for any uncertainty or need for precision in the choice of international flights.
  • Airport Transfers: The shared limousine bus leaves from the airport and stops either in front of your hotel or at a stop within 1-15 minutes walk from your hotel. Our airport assistant in Tokyo will drive you to the platform to pick up the airport transfer. The transfer to the hotel is unassisted. If you wish to be accompanied from the airport to your hotel reception, please choose the option "Accompanied Airport Transfer". This transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other clients leaving for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers leave between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival and stops can be made before your hotel. If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the actual arrival of your flight, feel free to take the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option. Please note: due to the many changes in flight schedules by the airlines, if the airline notifies you of a change in arrival time less than 72 hours before your departure, and if it exceeds 45 minutes, we cannot guarantee your airport shuttle. You will then have to take a taxi at your own expense, requesting a refund from your airline for abusive schedule changes. The same applies to your return journey: 72 hours before your return flight, we cannot change the shuttle schedule. Similarly, you will have to take a taxi booked with the hotel, at your own expense, with reimbursement procedures with the airline company being the only solution. Japan Experience is not responsible for last minute schedule changes.
  • Included in your tour is a pre-charged transport prepayment card of ¥ 1,500 (around £10.30 / 14.54$) (Suica or Pasmo brand); Shinkansen tickets between Odawara -> Kyoto, Kyoto -> Kanazawa and Kanazawa -> Tokyo ; a Tokyo Metro Pass for 3 days and a Hakone Free Pass for 2 days. These cards should cover a large part of your trips during the stay. Upon using up the 1,500¥ on the Transport Prepayment Card, or if a line you are travelling on is not covered by your Japan Rail Pass, any travel will be at your own expense by recharging your prepaid transport card (at vending machines in all stations and metro stations). A metro ticket in Tokyo costs around €2, depending on the length of the journey).

Your activities :

  • The airport welcome is in English. Your airport assistant will be waiting for you at the customs exit holding a sign with the name of the reservation. They will give you your travel documents and take you to your airport transfer. They will not accompany you to Tokyo (this is possible, but optional).
  •  An English speaking Travel Angel who is a specialist in Japan will be there to welcome you to your traditional house in Kyoto and Kanazawa. They will give you the keys, explain how the house and its facilities work, give you a tour of the area (tourist sites, supermarkets, bike rental...) and answer all your questions. They will be available throughout your stay in case of any problems or questions.
  • The guided tour of Gion lasts around 2 hours and departs at 7pm. Please note that the tour will be conducted in English if your group is made up of travelers of different nationalities. More details on the meeting point are in your travel pack. Dinner is not included, but your guide will be able to recommend the best places to eat.
  • Tokyo Family Tour: Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation at 9am, and the tour will last until 5pm. Details are in your travel diary.

Your meals :

  • Breakfasts which are not included in your package can be added at the reception when you arrive at the hotel. However, you will find many cafés near your hotel serving great breakfasts, often tastier than those in the hotels, which sometimes have tight schedules and are predominantly savoury. However, if you would like to add breakfast to your stay when you make your reservation, you can select it as an option.
  • Traditional Japanese dinner and Japanese breakfast (mostly savoury) are included in your Hakone tour. Don't hesitate to let us know any dietary requirements you may have, we will pass them on to the ryokan so that they can take them into account when planning the meals. If the ryokan cannot take any of these dietary requirements into account, we cannot be held responsible and no compensation will be issued.
  • Japan Experience houses come with a fully equipped kitchens, and are located close to markets.

Your additional services:

  • A pocket wifi is included in your tour. It allows unlimited high-speed internet access. Your Pocket WiFi will be given to you at the airport of arrival.
  • It comes with a small booklet to operate your device (don't panic: it's easy to use) and a prepaid envelope to return your device at the end of your stay. Your pocket wifi will work until the last day of your trip to Japan.
  • A maximum of 5 different devices can be connected to a pocket wifi (phones, tablets, computers).
  • A single pocket wifi is provided for a tour order of 1 to 5 people. For an order of 6 people or more, a second pocket wifi will be added automatically and at no extra cost to your reservation.

When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:

Japan Experience Flex : 
Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.

Japan Experience Protect :
Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions. 

 

Frequently asked questions

Our commitments as Japan Experience, Europe No. 1 travel in Japan

  • The guarantee of the first tour operator specializing exclusively in Japan for 40 years
  • A wide range of products to let you experience Japan from the inside
  • Competitive prices thanks to a single team in UK, Europe, USA and Japan, with no intermediaries
  • Assistance is available in Japan throughout your trip
  • specialist team is available 7 days a week by phone or email
  • The best advice thanks to the 3,500 articles available on our website

Japan Family Tour

From
$2,006 per person - 2 weeks

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