If you've ever tried to plan a family holiday to Japan, you'll know the tricky part isn't finding things to do. It's finding things that work for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers to the adults who just want five minutes to drink a coffee while it's still hot. Trains need to be booked in advance, hotel rooms need to fit the whole family without feeling like a squeeze, and every day needs a bit of breathing room built in.
That's exactly why we teamed up with Family Fizz, one of the most loved family travel kreators in the UK, for a real-life Japan family itinerary. Because they prove a big trip like Japan doesn't have to be daunting for families, and booking it all through Klook makes it easier. Their adventurous, health-conscious approach to travel lines up perfectly with what we're all about at Klook: getting your travel right. 🤩
This itinerary covers 12 days in Japan, including their real experiences and cheat codes used! But if you're still working through the details of your Japan trip, start with our Japan cheat code planning guide first. And if you’ve already sorted the basics? Keep reading to see exactly how Family Fizz explored Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as a family, from bullet trains to bowls of matcha.
Day 1: Touchdown, Japan!
Arriving in Japan after a long-haul flight with young children is a lot. Everyone's tired, the signs are in a language you can't read, and the last thing you want is to be figuring out unfamiliar trains with a trolley full of luggage.
Family Fizz made things easier before they even left the UK by sorting Japan eSIMs in advance, one for each parent, so they both stayed connected with maps, translation apps, and messages ready to go the second they landed. Darren put it simply: "Definitely do the eSIMs on Klook. That's amazing; it really, really simplifies your process."
And if you're travelling with kids who need a bit of screen time to get through a long flight, it's worth grabbing an eSIM for a tablet too, so you can download shows and videos in advance and keep everyone entertained along the way!
They also pre-booked a private airport transfer from Haneda Airport, which meant travelling straight to their hotel without queuing for taxis or working out an unfamiliar train line with jet-lagged kids in tow. Plus, you'll be greeted by an English-speaking driver who's already tracking your flight, so even a delay won't cost you extra (depending on the airport transfer option). Just add your flight details at booking, and the rest is taken care of.
For more on getting from the airport to the city, our Japan arrival guide covers all the options.
Klook Tip: Book your airport transfer before you fly, especially if you're travelling with more than one child. It removes one big decision from an already exhausting day.
Their base for the Tokyo leg of the trip was MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station, an aparthotel with a kitchenette and washer-dryer in the room. As Darren explained, "The hotels that we stayed in had washing machines and little kitchenettes in them, so again, handy if you needed to prepare your own things." When Koa's shoes got soaked later in the trip, that washer-dryer earned its keep!
Of all the unique cafés you can book on Klook, Family Fizz chose the Micro Pig Cafe!
With everyone settled in, the family headed straight for the Micro Pig Café in Asakusa, and it turned out to be the perfect low-key way to shake off the jet lag!
Sienna’s first konbini run in Japan!
Then, cap off the day with a konbini (Japanese term for convenience store) run, just like what Family Fizz did on their first night in Japan! Stock up on some classic Japanese snacks, like beni imo (sweet potato), roasted chestnuts, and red bean mochi, which Karma and Koa particularly found interesting.
Klook Tip: Planning plenty of konbini runs and metro rides? We recommend getting yourself a Suica card. Family Fizz used theirs for both, so it’s just one card for trains and snacks and no fumbling about with cash or change.
Day 2: Getting to know Japan's culture
After a long journey, day two is all about easing yourself into Japan gently with a guided tour to Asakusa, Tokyo's most traditional neighbourhood, home to the striking red Sensoji Temple and the shopping street leading up to it.
Following a local guide made a real difference for navigating the crowds with young children in tow, and it gave the family a first proper taste of Japanese street food and history before they'd even settled into the time difference.
The almond milk soft serve at Plant More that Family Fizz loved
After a day of exploring, you definitely deserve some good food! For dinner, the family went to Plant More at Lumine Shinjuku, which ended up being one of their favourite stops of the day. The almond-milk soft-serve was the big winner, and they recommend ordering it straight away!
Karma browsing some cute stationery at Itoya Ginza
Next up was Itoya in Ginza, a 12-floor stationery wonderland packed with pens, paper and Japanese craft supplies. It had been on their bucket list for ages, and it was just as fun for the adults as it was for the kids.
Day 3: teamLab Borderless and a taste of Azabudai Hills
Get transported into a world of crystals at teamLab Borderless!
teamLab Borderless Tokyo at Azabudai Hills was one of the standout activities of the whole trip, and the family found it immersive and fun for the whole family! The digital art installations shift and respond as you move through them, which both kids and adults will find fascinating.
Sienna, Koa, and Karma in front of the teamLab Borderless entrance
The surrounding Azabudai Hills complex is worth building extra time around too, filled with restaurants and upscale shops if you fancy a bit of luxury shopping alongside the art.
Klook Tip: teamLab Borderless is one of the best places to go in Tokyo, so book your time slot in advance, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
Every Japan trip requires at least one visit to Uniqlo!
After spending the whole morning at teamLab Borderless, you can use the rest of the day for some sightseeing or shopping! Georgie and Sienna headed off for a shopping afternoon, stopping by the Uniqlo flagship store and Cosme Kitchen, a lovely organic beauty and cosmetics shop that’s well worth a browse.
Day 4: A seaside escape to Kamakura and Enoshima Island
Georgie enjoyed seeing the Japanese seaside on their Enoshima Island tour!
After a few days of full-on Tokyo, Day 4 is your chance to slow down and head for the sea. The Kamakura and Enoshima day tour from Tokyo takes you out of the city and into an entirely different side of Japan, one with old temples, a Great Buddha statue, and a proper seaside island thrown in for good measure. It's a nice reminder that Japan isn't all neon and crowds.
This was one of the family's favourite days of the whole trip. There's just something about trading the skyline for sea air that does everyone good. Enoshima Island was the highlight, with its small shops, sea views, and a much slower pace than anything else on the trip.
Day 5: On the way to Kyoto
Rise and shine; it’s another day in Japan! Today’s agenda: ride the shinkansen (Japan’s bullet train) and head to Kyoto, Japan’s old capital. But before that, how about sipping some matcha first?
Family Fizz started the day with a matcha affogato, before heading to the bullet train station
Once the matcha caffeine hits, it’s time to board the bullet train. Family Fizz pre-booked their Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen tickets in advance, bagging Green Car seats with a Mount Fuji view and a changeable option in case plans shifted. No scrambling at the station with five people and a pile of suitcases, and no squinting out the wrong side of the train hoping for a glimpse of Fuji.
Speaking of suitcases, if you'd rather not haul them all onto the train yourselves, a luggage forwarding service can send your bags ahead to your next hotel, so you travel light and pick everything up once you've checked in.
Our bullet train seat reservation guide walks you through the details, from booking shinkansen seats to luggage restrictions and reservations.
Checking in at Kyoto
Check in at MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo, another apartment-style property that keeps things comfortable and spacious. The Family Fizz described Kyoto as having a relaxed, almost hipster feel, closer to the countryside, with vinyl record shops and vegan cafés dotted between the temples.
A one-bedroom family apartment at MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo
Grab your first dinner at Kyoto
Koa enjoying his meal at Mumokuteki in Kyoto
Once you're settled in, head out for dinner at Mumokuteki, a vegan Japanese restaurant that ended up being a proper discovery for the family. It's where they tried their first Japanese parfait, and Sienna gave the tiramisu parfait a straight 10/10!
Day 6: A full day in Kyoto and Nara
Rather than juggling separate train journeys, the family joined a combined Kyoto and Nara day tour, taking in Arashiyama's bamboo grove, the free-roaming deer of Nara Park, and the thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari, all with round-trip transport included.
Koa petting one of the Nara deer
If you ask us why this tour works best for families? Aside from the seamless transfers and gorgeous scenery, it's really the memories that make it worth it. Just ask Koa from the Family Fizz; this was one of his favourite stops of the whole trip, and not just because the deer were cute. One of them got a bit too friendly and had a nibble at his mum's bottom when she wasn't looking.
Grab your lunch at Onwa
Before heading back to Kyoto, recharge for a bit and stop for lunch at Onwa, a traditional vegan restaurant in Nara.
Take a pic at Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama
Back in Kyoto, save a bit of energy for Arashiyama, where the tour wraps up. You’ll visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where stalks are packed so tightly overhead that the light filters through in thin green streaks. From there, it's a short walk to the Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River with the mountains rising up behind it.
Day 7: Kimono, matcha, and a day in Gion
Kick off day 7 with a kimono rental in Gion, where you can dress up, snap some photos, and immerse yourself in the culture. Sienna called this her favourite part of the whole trip! She got her hair styled and picked out a kimono, bag, and even the traditional split-toe socks and sandals, then strolled Gion's pretty streets all dressed up for photos.
Family Fizz’s first matcha tea ceremony experience!
And if you’ve been drinking matcha for years (just like Family Fizz), a Japanese tea ceremony and matcha tasting experience is definitely a must-do. Not only do you get to drink real matcha, you also learn how to make it from scratch, guided by a trained tea master!
Day 8: Travelling to Osaka
You can’t leave Kyoto without a little keepsake, so use today’s morning for a quick gashapon (a capsule toy vending machine) haul before you head to Osaka, just like what Family Fizz did! It’s a fun experience for the kids, and you’ll also get cute souvenirs for the whole family.
You’ll spot these gashapon machines almost everywhere in Japan!
Then it's time to say sayonara (or really, see you later) to Kyoto, hop on the shinkansen to get ready for Osaka, a city just as exciting and every bit as delicious. The journey takes only about 15 minutes, so it's up to you whether you linger a bit longer in Kyoto or get to Osaka with time to spare.
Family Fizz booked their Kyoto to Osaka shinkansen in advance, so all they have to do is scan the QR in the station and board the train! So easy, right?
A cute photo stop at Shin-Osaka Station after hopping off the Shinkansen
With so many sites to see in a new city, it’s ideal to stay in a place near the popular spots. In Osaka, Family Fizz stayed at MONday Apart Premium OSAKA NAMBA WEST, an aparthotel just a 15-minute walk from Dotonbori, an area known for its street food, shopping and the iconic Glico Man sign.
Deluxe family room at MONday Apart Premium OSAKA NAMBA WEST
Day 9: Explore Dotonbori
Dotonbori during early morning
When in Osaka, don’t miss out on Dotonbori! This was one of Georgie and Darren’s favourites because it's got the best of both worlds. At night, the main strip is busy, buzzing, and packed with street food stalls, all set along the river. But walk just one street over, and you're in a completely different scene: wide, polished pavements lined with Prada, Gucci, and every other designer name you can think of.
Dotonbori glowing at night!
And if you want more than just sightseeing and shopping, you can always go for unique experiences to make the most of Japan, such as this mochi pounding experience in Osaka! You’ll pound glutinous rice with a heavy wooden mallet inside a stone mortar, a traditional Japanese craft that's physically satisfying and delicious at the end. 😋
Day 10: Conquer Universal Studios Japan
Every family visiting Japan should tick off Universal Studios Japan at least once. But if you've been doing your research, you've probably also seen the horror stories about the crowds and the looong queues.
Good news: the Family Fizz cracked the code by booking their tickets in advance through Klook and the USJ Express Pass. They booked it for their must-do rides, including the Jaws ride (Koa's favourite, by the way), and skipped straight past the queues instead of losing hours standing around.
Klook Tip: Express Passes are released mid-month for the following month. They sell out fast, especially for Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Set a reminder so you don’t miss the release date!
Sienna at Jurassic Park in Universal Studios Japan
Want to know the step-by-step instructions on how to book your Universal Studios Japan ticket online in advance? Check out our USJ Klook guide!
Day 11: A relaxing final day in Osaka
Book a private onsen and relax with the whole fam, just like Family Fizz!
On your last full day, reward yourself and the family with a relaxing morning at Solaniwa Onsen, a large indoor onsen (Japanese hot spring) complex in Osaka designed to look like an Edo-period townscape. There are multiple indoor and outdoor baths at different temperatures, plus dry and steam saunas, and a food area serving traditional Japanese snacks.
Day 12: See you later, Japan
You can’t leave Japan without having at least one cup of matcha!
By the final day, you’ll probably have more luggage than you arrived with, thanks to souvenirs, extra clothes and perhaps the odd umbrella bought during a downpour. Darren admitted they collected several along the way, but when suitcase space ran out, they left the spare umbrellas in the hotel’s donation box rather than hauling them home.
Flying home from Tokyo? Bags measuring over 160cm in total dimensions require a seat with oversized-luggage space on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, so check the rules and reserve ahead. You could also ask your hotel about forwarding larger bags to the airport, but allow enough delivery time and confirm that your chosen airport and terminal are covered.
The family left with a lasting impression of Japan. As Georgie put it, “It’s got lots of modern, high-tech things about it, but it still feels really different.” That neatly sums up the trip: somewhere exciting and unfamiliar, yet surprisingly easy to feel at home in.
Family Fizz favourites
Family Fizz member | Favourite experience | Why they loved it |
Georgie | Enoshima Island day tour | "I loved seeing the Japanese seaside!" |
Darren | Matcha Tea Ceremony | "The matcha tea ceremony was really intentional and educational. We learned the whole process, and the lady was really friendly and enthusiastic. I also love how it's an activity that includes the whole family." |
Sienna | Kimono rental experience | "I loved the kimono rental experience because we got to choose every part of our outfit, even the kimono itself! Plus, we get to take photos outside, wearing our kimonos." |
Karma | Nara Deer Park | "The deer were cute, and it was funny when they nibble Mummy's bottom." |
Koa | Universal Studios Japan (Jaws Ride) | "I liked the ride because of the sharks. They're also a bit scary and felt real!" |
FAQs about planning a Japan family itinerary
Is 12 days enough for Japan?
Twelve full days gives you a comfortable amount of time to cover Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka without rushing between cities every day, which is exactly the pace Family Fizz used. It leaves room for at least one flexible day in each city, so you're not trying to tick off every attraction at speed with young children in tow.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are usually the most comfortable seasons for a family trip, with mild temperatures and cherry blossoms or autumn leaves depending on timing. Family Fizz's advice was to avoid summer where possible, since the heat, humidity and rainy season can make outdoor sightseeing with kids much harder going.
How much does a family trip to Japan cost from the UK?
Costs vary widely depending on flight dates, hotel choice and how many activities you book, but a family of five should budget for flights, JR travel between cities, family-friendly accommodation like MIMARU's apartment-style rooms, and a mix of paid attractions and free sightseeing. You can also read our Japan trip cost for UK travellers for more details.
What are family-friendly activities in Japan?
Japan is full of options that appeal to different ages at once, from hands-on cultural experiences like matcha ceremonies, kimono rental and mochi pounding to bigger attractions like teamLab Planets, Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disney Resort. Guided day tours, such as the Mount Fuji or Kyoto and Nara routes Family Fizz joined, are also a good way to cover a lot of ground without the stress of self-navigating with children.
Do I need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan?
No, most major stations, hotels and attractions have English signage, and staff at tourist-facing venues are generally used to helping international visitors. Having a Japan eSIM for translation apps and maps, as Family Fizz did, makes day-to-day communication considerably easier.
How do I get around Japan with a family?
The Shinkansen is the easiest way to move between major cities, and booking reserved seats in advance keeps your family sitting together. Within cities, private airport transfers are worth considering on arrival day when everyone's tired, while local trains and the occasional day tour with round-trip transport work well for full-day excursions.
Time to plan your own Japan family itinerary
Family Fizz's trip shows that a Japan family trip itinerary doesn't need to be a constant sprint between famous sights. A mix of guided tours, hands-on cultural experiences and the odd flexible, slow-paced day works well for families with a range of ages and energy levels. Whichever cities you're heading to, booking your transport, accommodation and key activities in advance will save you time and stress once you land.
More Japan travel guides for you
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