The reason why Japan should be at the top of every family’s bucket list

We think Japan is an amazing destination for everyone, especially families because it’s safe, clean, and packed with fun things to do. Japan might not immediately come to mind as a top family vacation spot, especially in the UK, where family holidays are usually sold as beach trips to Europe or theme park escapes to the U.S.

However, there is a whole world out there and Japan offers a mix of modern fun, rich culture, and plenty of activities for kids—making it an exciting and fresh alternative for families looking for something different.

Japan can often seem an intimidating place to visit, especially with kids, as it is such a different culture and can seem mysterious and difficult. however we honestly believe the opposite to be true and think it is a truly brilliant and family friendly destination. We hope that this post gives you some ideas of places to visit and activities to do with the kids when visiting Japan, and maybe some inspiration of trying somewhere a little bit different with the kids for your next family holiday.

Reasons why Japan makes for a great family holiday

The public transport is easy to use – it is clean, efficient and it always runs on time
Japanese people are incredibly welcoming to families.
Kids can experience a mix of nature, culture, and adventure, all in one trip.
It is safe – Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, and its healthcare is advanced and robust.

In the post below, we’ll share what made us fall in love with Japan and why we think it’s the perfect destination, starting with the things my kids would absolutely love and what we are planning on doing with them when we return to Japan.

Things my kids would love in Japan

Tokyo Disneyland – this one needs no explanation, right?!
The Ghibli Museum. An animation museum showcasing everything from the famous anime films, including my old childhood favas, Totoro and Kiki’s delivery service to name but a few. There is also a Ghibli Theme Park at Aichi in Nagoya!
Nara. Seeing the free roaming friendly deer at Nara is a delightful activity to do with the children.
Robots and Anime. The robots and anime characters of Akiharbara district. Akihabara is a fun district in Tokyo that’s perfect for kids who love anime and video games! Known as the “Electric Town,” it’s filled with colourful shops, themed cafés, and exciting arcades. Kids can explore everything from action figures to plush toys, and the lively atmosphere makes it a great place for families looking to dive into Japanese pop culture.
5. Visit the playground – as always, the number one thing to do with kids anywhere in the world, and they are free! We always use Google to incorporate a local playground in our day out. Our kids have played in playgrounds all over the world – it’s a great way to see the local culture, and Japan has some great and unique adventure playgrounds for the kids.
The snow monkeys of Nagano. Like a wildlife park, seeing the monkeys enjoying the natural hot springs and having their own spa day is such an amazing experience for children and adults alike.
Kawaii Culture – a Japanese work meaning cute or adorable. From hello kitty to Pokémon, kids will totally adore kawaii culture in Japan, where everything is cute and colourful. From lovable characters to fun-themed cafés and adorable snacks, there’s cuteness everywhere you look. It’s full of plush toys and playful fashion that kids will love.
Castles. There are so many castles to visit in Japan, with tales of ninjas, warriors, and samurai.
Animal cafes. We visited a cat café, and a bunny hotel while we here and now I have two boys I know they would absolutely love this. They also have reptile café and even micro pig cafes!

There are lots of activities for kids to explore in Japan, but what makes Japan a truly special place to visit for families is the warmth of the hospitality, the amazing food, the complex culture and the fascinating history. Keep reading to find out what we loved so much about Japan and why we plan on returning again and again.

The hospitality

Hospitality is a huge part of Japanese culture, and it really shines through in the concept of “omotenashi.” This isn’t just about being polite; it’s all about going the extra mile to make guests feel welcome. Whether you’re at a restaurant or a hotel, you’ll find that the Japanese always try to anticipate your needs and make sure you’re comfortable.

It creates such a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes your trip to Japan feel extra special!
The hospitality we experienced in Japan was unlike anywhere else we’ve been. Everyone we met went out of their way to be kind and welcoming, even when the language barrier made it hard to communicate. People showed us around, offered us food, and made sure we felt at home—whether they were working in cafés, restaurants, or even just passing by on the streets! In the hostels and guesthouses, the friendliness continued, with staff doing everything they could to make sure we had the best time. We truly felt like honoured guests everywhere we went. We had some unforgettable moments due to the Japanese people and their hospitality.

Some memorable experiences include:

A train driver getting out of the train, climbing on to the track and picking up my sunglasses to me which I had dropped before boarding the train (he even cleaned them before returning them to me!)
A fellow traveller in a youth hostel preparing us regional specialities from her home town for us to try
The hostel owners singing a goodbye song to us, complete with guitar and tambourine, and continued as we walked down the road until we we’re out of sight!
Asking for directions to a restaurant in a shop, and the shop owner closing the store to take us to said restaurant personally (a 10 minute walk away!)

These experiences and a million other small kindnesses to us made us absolutely feel welcome and led to us having such an amazing trip. I can imagine with kids or a young family this kind of thoughtful consideration would go a long way to making a holiday amazing and memorable for all the right reasons.

The Food

Before we visited Japan, all I knew about Japanese food was Sushi – which I had tried and thought was OK, but the sushi in Japan was SO DELICIOUS. Half the time, I didn’t even know what I was ordering, just pointing to pictures, but everything we ate was beyond incredible (apart from Miso soup I have to say – not a fan)

We went to so many cool little spots, tucked away where it seems nobody would find them, but were so busy and popular when we got inside! We felt like we got the real local inside info of these places from the hostel staff who recommended great places to eat – it felt pretty cool. We had some amazing food experiences this way which we would never have known to try. We were also taken on some awesome food tours when staying with a local family through the couch surfing website (another example of the wonderful hospitality). Some food you must try on your trip to Japan

Udon noodles – we went to some great Udon bars where you could top your noodles and soup with eggs, tempura, or Katsu to name but a few. So good.
Takoyaki – fried octopus balls served with various sauces and toppings – I know what it sounds like but they were actually so good. Often served in a food van as a takeaway type fast food.
Okonomiyaki– the tasty cabbage and egg pancakes that are cooked on a hot plate at your table and served with various sauces and toppings. My favourite – absolutely delicious.
Okoge – burnt or scorched rice that has a nutty flavour and sticky texture. I don’t know why it is so good but it is! We went to a famous restaurant that only served Okoge and had one of the best meals of our entire trip here.
Ramen. Everybody knows Ramen is amazing right? Well, yeh. We had some divine Ramen bowls as you would expect.
Sushi – the same goes for sushi- love some some rice and raw rice. Plenty of soy a wasabi. We had plenty of tasty sushi on one of the many Sushi trains we visited!
Katsu curry. I love this mild and sweet curry that comes with crispy pork or chicken cutlets fried in panco breadcrumbs. Yum.

Worried about what to feed fussy eaters in Japan? My kids can be particular and they don’t tend to eat a lot of Asian style food so I am a little apprehensive about what to feed them when we visit Japan; however if they balk at the idea of sushi, curries, okonomiyaki and ramen which are our go – to staples when in Japan, we will probably just get plain food while we are out, like plain rice, noodles and tempura chicken. We will stock up on snacks and lunch box items for 7- eleven and Lawson as well (well know chain convenience stores in Japan).

Also in the big cities and tourists hotspots you can always find a burgers, pizza or a Starbucks so there are lots of options when feeding picky children!

The history

Japan’s history is a big part of what make sit such a cool place to visit. We love visiting all the temples, shrines, and getting a sense of this ancient culture. You can visit ancient temples and samurai era castles on the same day and they are not only beautiful but so interesting to learn about and hear all the fascinating stories from the past.

Japans blend of old and new adds so much depth and character to every trip you take when you are about and about exploring. one moment you can be exploring a centuries old shrine, the next looking at a robot convention on the bustling streets of Tokyo!

The culture

We found the Japanese culture to be absolutely fascinating; noticing the differences and similarities of foreign cultures to our own is one of the joys of travelling and what it is all about for us. Japan was isolated for thousands of years during the Edo period, which allowed Japan to develop a totally unique traditional culture which is both captivating to observe and experience.

From ancient traditions steeped in ritual such as the famous tea ceremonies, to modern quirky phenomena such as the high tech toilets, even the mundane becomes interesting on a trip to Japan. (Read our Japan Do’s and Don’ts to find out more about our experiences with Japanese culture!)

Our love for Japan stems from its incredible blend of rich history and vibrant culture, and of course how family friendly it is as a travel destination. We have felt more welcome in Japan than anywhere else we have ever visited and the warmth and politeness of the Japanese people, along with their unique customs and traditions, create an atmosphere that makes every visit special. From ancient temples and castles to peaceful zen gardens, to the energetic city streets bursting with modern technology, there is something for everyone to enjoy.