Japan is a perfect destination for a family trip. You can find a lot of attractions that you can enjoy with all the family members. And besides fun activities, there are also educational ones which your kids will love! This article presents 20 best places to go with your family in Japan.
1. Hiroshima Peace Park
Even if it might not sound like an activity you want to do with your family, it is recommendable to teach your children about the horrors of the atomic bomb. The park was created on an open space left by the explosion and houses a number of monuments such as the Peace Flame, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Memorial Mound, and the Peace Bells. There is also a museum where visitors can see artifacts that were left after the explosion and learn more about what happened during those terrible days.
Information
- Price: 50 yen
- Access: in front of Genbaku Domu Mae Station
- Opening hour: 08:30
- Closing hour: 18:00
- Holiday: December 29 to January 1
- Website: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.html
2. Nara Park
Nara Park is a large park in the Kansai area that is roamed by thousands of wild deer. It is said that deer were considered sacred and killing them was forbidden. This is why such a large number was reached. The deer are used to people and come extremely close. You can buy special snacks and feed them or take pictures next to them. Your kids will love interacting with then animals! But be careful, they are still wild and can become dangerous at any time.
Information
- Access: a 15 minute walk from Nara Station
3. Kamakura
Kamakura is a city south of Tokyo that abounds in history. Here you can see many old temples and shrines like Engakuji Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Hasedera Temple, Hokokuji Temple, Kenchoji Temple and many more others. It is a good occasion to immerse yourself into Japan’s history. And your kids will surely enjoy the walk! At the end of the day, the whole family can relax on one of Kamakura’s many beautiful beaches and watch an amazing sunset.
4. Ghibli Museum
Ghibli Museum is located in Tokyo and is dedicated to all the movies made by Ghibli Studios. Fans of movies such as My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke must visit this museum. The building has several displays on the movies and the history of the company and shows visitors some animation techniques. There are also places where kids can play like the Cat Bus, as well as several souvenirs shops and restaurants.
Information
- Price: 1000 yen
- Access: a 20 minute walk from Mitaka Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 18:00
- Holiday: Tuesdays and the year end holidays
- Website: http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
5. Mount Takao
Mount Takao is one of the closest places to Tokyo where people can go hiking. The 599 meter mountain offers amazing views from the top, including Mount Fuji on days with good weather. Other attractions include a monkey park and a temple. There are 8 trails that go to the summit. All of them are underdeveloped besides trail number 1 which is the most used by tourists, being paved until the end. The perfect place to bring your kids to nature and enjoy a family trip!
Information
- Access: Takaosanguchi Station
6. Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland is one of the most visited amusement parks in Japan. Located in Tokyo, the park is centered on movies produced by Walt Disney. It was the first Disney park built outside of United States. There are seven different parts of the park: World Bazaar, Tomorrowland, Toontown, Fantasyland, Critter Country, Westernland and Adventureland. Each part has its own theme and focuses on something specific. There are rides suited for anyone, from kids to adults.
Information
- Price: 6900 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Maihama Station
- Opening hour: 09:00
- Closing hour: 22:00
- Holiday: none
- Website: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/
7. Nikko
Located just 125 km from Tokyo, Nikko National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Japan. The park includes many attractions: Lake Chunzeji, Hangestuyama Mountain, Yumoto Onsen, Senjogahara Marsh, Kegon Waterfall, Ryuzu Waterfall, Akechidaira Plateau, Chunzeji Temple and Irohzaka Road. There are many easy trails you can do even with kids. The nature is so beautiful your family will surely love the place!
8. Nagashima Resort
Nagashima Resort is a big amusement park featuring a number of rides fitted for everyone, from thrilling rides to extreme ones. It boasts a huge roller coaster, Steel Dragon 2000, which spreads through the entire park. Nagashima Spa Land also houses hot springs and a water park with several pools and water slides. After enjoying all the rides, visitors can unwind and shop at Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima, a mall that has over 200 shops and restaurants.
Information
- Price: from 1600 yen to 5900 yen
- Access: outside Nabana no Sato bus station (take a bus bound from Nagashima Onsen from Nagoya Station)
- Opening hour: 09:30
- Closing hour: 17:00
- Holiday: irregullar days
- Website: http://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/resort/download.html/
9. Kyoto
Kyoto is one of the most beautiful historical cities in Japan. You can visit Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ginkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji Temple, Heian Shrine and many other famous sites. The city has a special atmosphere that you cannot find somewhere else in Japan. Some attractions are located close to another so you can go on leisure family walks. And not to add that the food is absolutely delicious!
10. Lake Kawaguchi
Lake Kawaguchi is one of Mount Fuji’s five lakes, which was formed after the previous eruptions of the volcano. The area around the lake is very picturesque and is the best place to see Mount Fuji up close without actually climbing it. Besides walking around the lake you can take the Kachi Kachi Ropeway and go to the observation deck of Mount Tenjo. The views are extraordinary! Lake Kawaguchi is also one of the best autumn leaf viewing spots in Japan. Few things can beat the views of Mount Fuji combined with colored leaves.
Information
- Access: a 15 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station
11. Miyajima
Miyajima is a small island near Hiroshima that has several popular attractions. Visitors can walk on beautiful wooded trails, enjoy the view from Mount Misen, which is accessible by cablecar and has a large population of monkeys, look at different kinds of sea creatures at the Miyajima Aquarium or visit the Itsukushima shrine which houses the famous torii gate that appears to be floating on water. Miyajima can be reached easily by ferry from the main island.
Information
- Access: by ferry from Hiroshima
12. Fuji Q Highland
Fuji Q Highlight is an amusement park located next to the Fuji Five Lakes area. It is best known for its breathtaking roller coasters and anime related attractions. The park has four main roller coasters: Fujiyama, Eejanaika, Dononpa and Takabisha. Each one of them beat some world record such as the fastest or the steepest roller coaster. Anime related attractions include rides based on the Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion series.
Information
- Price: 5700 yen
- Access: outside Fujikyu Highland Station
- Opening hour: 09:00
- Closing hour: 17:00
- Holiday: irregular days
- Website: http://www.fujiq.jp/en/
13. Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu is a hot spring resort in Hokkaido. The area’s main attraction is Jigokudani, the Hell Valley that appeared in the explosion crater of Mount Kuttara. Sulfurous steam is constantly coming out of the hot springs in the area, creating an eerie sight. The area offers a beauty out of this world and the trails are easy to complete. Definitely a place to go on a family trip!
14. The Railway Museum
The Railway Museum in Saitama is owned by the East Japan Railway Culture Foundation and is divided intro six zones: the “Entrance Zone”, featuring a large railway diorama, the“History Zone”, that is the main exhibition area, the“Collection Zone”, which contains a library, the “Learning Zone”, where visitors can see how trains are being constructed, the “Park Zone”, where people are allowed to drive a mini train and the “North Wing”, where children can play.
Information
- Price: 1000 yen
- Access: outside Tetsudo Hakubutsukan Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 18:00
- Holiday: Tuesdays and December 29 to January 1
- Website: http://www.railway-museum.jp/en/
15. Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The best time to go there is in winter. There are many skiing opportunities around Sapporo and the area has the best snow in the whole country. There are skiing courses fitted for everyone, including very easy ones. This means you can enjoy skiing with you children. They will definitely love the experience!
16. Enoshima Island
Enoshima is an attractive small island just outside Kamakura. The island is mostly occupied by a hill that must be climbed in order to get the south area. The hill has a Shinto shrine, an observatory and a park. The island also has a marina area with benches and a rocky coast that offers astonishing views of Mount Fuji, especially during sunset. A ferry was put in operation recently that connects the entrance to the island to the southern rocky coast.
Information
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Katase Enoshima Station
17. Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is a large theme park in Osaka Bay. It was the first Universal Studios park built in Asia. It is divided into eight parts: Hollywood, San Francisco, New York, Waterworld, Jurrasic Park, Universal Wonderland, Amity Village and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The attractions range from child-friendly ones to more intense ones like roller coasters. People can enjoy rides based on popular movies like Back to the Future, Terminator or Spiderman.
Information
- Price: from 4980 yen to 7400 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Universal City Station
- Opening hour: 09:00
- Closing hour: 19:00
- Holiday: none
- Website: http://www.usj.co.jp/e/
18. Space World
Space World is theme park located in Kitakuyshu. It features over 30 attractions ranging from mild ones suited for children and families, to more extreme ones for adults. The highlight of the park is a ride called “Venus GP”, a roller coaster that goes around the landmark of the park, a huge spaceship model. Space World is also a water park that only opens in summer, when visitors can play in the big pools or plunge in the water slides.
Information
- Price: 4420 yen
- Access: a 10 minute walk from Space World Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 16:30
- Holiday: irregular days
- Website: http://www.spaceworld.co.jp/english/
19. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Which kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is the only museum dedicated only to dinosaurs in Japan and also one of the “World’s Three Great Dinosaur Museums” along with two others from Canada and China. There are several exhibits including 40 dinosaur skeletons, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and various video materials meant to teach people about history. The museum also features a zone where visitors can touch real fossils, a movie theater, a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
Information
- Price: 770 yen
- Access: outside Kyoryu Hakubutsukan-mae bus station (take a bus bound for Nagaoyama from Katsuyama Station)
- Opening hour: 09:00
- Closing hour: 17:00
- Holiday: irregular days
- Website: http://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/en/
20. Sanrio Purorand
Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tokyo. The park belongs to the Sanrio Company and features a number of attractions and rides centered on well-known characters such as Hello Kitty, Kerroppi, Jewelpet and Cinnamonroll. Visitors can enjoy a boat ride led by Cinnamonroll which shows people the houses of various characters. There is also a gift shop with characters merchandise. Firework shows are held everyday during summer.
Information
- Price: 3000 yen
- Access: a 10 minute walk from Tama Center Station
- Opening hour: 09:30
- Closing hour: 17:00
- Holiday: irregular days
- Website: http://en.puroland.jp/
Enjoy Japan with your family!
Have a good trip and travel!
