Must see Japan

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We have spent time on all four of the main islands of Japan Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Hokkaido.

While every island has so much to offer – unique culture, stunning scenery, history and culture – here I am concentrating on Honshu as it has a lot of the must visit destinations, and it is easy and quick to travel between them, saving precious travel time and money for a family travelling on a budget.

We are planning a trip to Japan next year with our kids and will be sticking to these Honshu destinations – they are our favourite and offer a lot of “bang for your buck” in terms of seeing some of the best of Japanese histroy, architechure, food and famous sights. This is perfect for us, as we will only have about 2 weeks to explore.

We can’t wait to get back to these exciting places and experience the magic of Japan with our children.

Tokyo

We’ve travelled to Tokyo 3 times, and I can’t wait to get back there – it is crazy and charming all in one, totally unique, and I imagine really family friendly! The transport is impeccably clean and effiencient, and travelling around the different districts on the subway is easy to navigate.

We will take the kids to see temples in Asakusa, Pokémon in Akiharbara, and go up the Tokyo Sky Tree in Sumida for amazing cityscape views (while near the sky tree try the Wanpaku Tenkoku wooden Fortress play area, and the Oyokogawa Sensory Water Play Park which are only 10 minutes walk away from the Sky tree).

Downtown Shibuya is the place to see the famous zebra crossing where two walls of people crossing the street look like they will collide, and the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda offers wide opens spaces, blossom trees, a stunning historical stone bridge and river to get beautiful views and offer a bit of respite from the buzzing city.

One of the many cat cafes of Tokyo will definitely be on the list to visit with the kids, or even, perhaps a micro-pig cafe!

Kyoto

We loved Kyoto – it was perhaps the best destination on the whole trip, a definite must see and if you are limited on time and have to choose just one place to visit while you are in Japan, our choice would have to be Kyoto.

People come to Kyoto to see the beautiful gardens, ancient temples, and historic geisha district. The historic heart of Kyoto feels like you have stepped back in time, particularly as you will often see people dressed in traditional kimonos and make up which adds to the atmosphere. I am not sure if many of these people are true Geisha – a traditional female Japanese performance artist and entertainer – although apparently the art form lives on, I’m pretty sure most of the people we saw were fellow tourists, Japanese and otherwise, enjoying a day out in traditional dress. Never the less, the costumes are beautiful and we enjoyed admiring them all the same.

The newer part of the city also has plenty of amazing restaurant’s and shopping, we also went to a cat café and bunny hotel here, so it really feels like Kyoto has it all! It has a charming feel and you will definitely get to experience Japanese culture a here and see some beautiful and amazing sights.

Some top things to see in Kyoto;

Zen garden and public garden; Beautifully landscaped zen gardens with raked gravel, historic Japanese style bridges, rock gardens, moss and beautiful maple and cherry trees, and lake filled with colourful koi carp- simply beautiful places to walk and admire the landscape. There is a very famous zen garden at Ryoan-ji Temple, and the Kyoto National Garden.
Gion district; Step back in time and see the traditional wooden houses, geisha culture little shops and hidden restaurants on lantern lit streets. We loved looking at the architecture – everything rom gardens to roofs had an a historic special aesthetic and feel.
Higashiyama; A picturesque district perfect for walking and marvelling at the beautiful sights. Visit Kiyomizudera temple, Nanzen- ji temple and the Philosophers path. The narrow alleys filled with shops and tea houses are a great way to enjoy an afternoon.
Shirakawa Canal; Next to the Gion district, the beautiful canal is lined with cherry blossom trees that when in bloom reflect in the water of canal and is a beautiful place for a walk and to sit out in a café if the weather is fine to enjoy the view. Don’t miss it.
Hanamikoji Street; Located in the Gion district, this cobblestone street is reported to be the best place to spot an authentic Geisha going about her business.
Arishiyama bamboo forest. Soaring stalks of bamboo reaching toward the sky on the western edge of Kyoto to experience the beauty of nature. Right next to the forest walk is the stunning Togetsukyo Bridge over the Hamo river, a place to enjoy an ice cream or drink and admire the amazing view of the historic bridge with forest and rolling hills as the backdrop – we went in spring and the cherry blossom coming in to bloom throughout the forest made it unmissable and stunningly beautiful.

There are over 2000 Buddhist temples and shinto shrines in Kyoto! That’s a lot of temples! The must see temples of Kyoto, the most famous and spectacular in our opinion are

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

Ryoanji Temple

Kiyomizudera Temple,

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Kodaiji Temple

Nikko

We had a short but culture packed trip to Nikko – we spent two days and one night here but this place is often done as a day trip from Tokyo. It was a wonderful and quirky experince ( like much of Japan espeically out side of Tokyo and Kyoto, who ge the majority of the toursits.)

There is a beautiful, very large temple complex here located within beautiful lush green forest and it took us about a day to explore – by this point we had seen a lot of temples but this place still felt special to walk around – it was very peaceful, serene and felt a bit magical, actually.

If you have more than one day like we did, there are lots of beautiful walks in the forest that will take you past waterfalls, a river gorge and traditional historic Japanese bridge. There is also a row of famous Jizu statues that are covered in moss to see which is quite impressive.

Nara

A visit to Nara is a must add to to a trip to Kyoto – It is very close and accessible by regular public transport, only 40 minutes by direct train line. Nara is a beustiful small city, very beautifully laid out with a lovely quiet and serene Shinto shrine complex to explore, set upon the hillside with a lovely view of Nara below, which looks particularly lovely at dusk as all the lanterns and streets lights of the city turn on. Nara was one of those place where i felt like i had stepped in to my favourite studio Ghibli film.

The biggest wooden structure in the world until the mid -90’s – Todai – Ji, is also here, and it really is very big and very impressive to walk around!

The best thing about Nara, though, of course are the famous free roaming deer. They really do wander wherever they like – across roads and pavements, and around the various parks and public gardens you are sure to see them. They are very friendly and you can get very close for some beautiful pictures. We found out they particularly like to eat the cherry blossom and saw them munching on happily on cherry trees around Nara, of which there are loads which made quite the spectacle in spring.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a deeply moving destination for families, offering both a powerful lesson in history and a beautiful reminder of resilience. Walking through Peace Memorial Park, you’ll find thought-provoking monuments and museums that honor the past, yet the city’s energy is warm and welcoming. The kids will appreciate the symbolic Peace Memorial Dome and the Children’s Peace Monument, while parents can engage them in conversations about peace and hope. After exploring, take a relaxing ferry ride to Miyajima Island, where family-friendly hikes and the stunning “floating” torii gate offer a serene escape from the city’s solemn history.

Osaka

Osaka is a vibrant and family-friendly city that offers a perfect mix of modern attractions and cultural experiences. Kids will love Universal Studios Japan, with its thrilling rides and beloved characters, while Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest in the world, will captivate visitors of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to explore Osaka Castle, a historical gem surrounded by lush gardens where families can picnic or stroll. In the evenings, the bustling streets of Dotonbori come alive with neon lights and delicious street food, making it the perfect spot to sample takoyaki and other local treats. Osaka’s friendly atmosphere ensures a memorable adventure for the whole family.

Kobe

Kobe is a charming city nestled between the sea and mountains, making it an ideal family travel destination. Start your visit with a ride up the Rokko Cable Car for breathtaking views of the city and coastline, perfect for a family photo. The nearby Kobe Animal Kingdom offers interactive experiences with animals, delighting kids of all ages. Don’t miss a stroll through the Kobe Harborland area, where you can enjoy waterfront parks, shopping, and dining with a view of the iconic Kobe Port Tower. Of course, no trip to Kobe is complete without tasting the world-famous Kobe beef, which can be enjoyed in many family-friendly restaurants throughout the city.

Japan is a country that effortlessly blends tradition with innovation, offering endless adventures for travelers of all ages. From the serene temples of Kyoto to the bustling streets of Tokyo, each destination has its own unique charm and cultural treasures. Whether you’re soaking in an onsen in Hakone, exploring the historical sites of Hiroshima, or indulging in the culinary delights of Osaka and Kobe, Japan’s diverse landscapes and vibrant cities promise unforgettable memories. With so much to see and do, Japan is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the perfect mix of history, natural beauty, and modern excitement.