Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Japan is excellent for families: clean, safe, with good baby facilities in stations and department stores. This route limits hotel changes to two and builds in a rest afternoon every couple of days.
Day-by-day plan
Arrive Tokyo
Easy first day near your hotel.
Asakusa & Skytree
Rickshaw ride option in Asakusa, Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo Skytree Town.
Theme park day
Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea (book tickets online in advance).
Science & play
Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science) and Odaiba, or Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (tickets in advance).
Harajuku & Ueno
Meiji Jingu forest walk, Ueno Zoo and Park.
Shinkansen to Osaka
Kids love the bullet train — try to sit on the right side (window seat E in standard cars) heading west for possible Fuji views. Afternoon at Kaiyukan Aquarium.
Universal Studios Japan
Arrive early; consider timed-entry rules for Super Nintendo World.
Nara deer & Todai-ji
Supervise children around the deer, especially when holding crackers.
Kyoto highlights
Fushimi Inari (go only part-way up with little ones), then Arashiyama. Or Kyoto Railway Museum.
Osaka Castle & depart
Castle park, then depart from Kansai Airport.
Transport & rail pass notes
Children aged 6–11 generally pay child fares on JR (roughly half the adult fare); younger children usually ride free when accompanied, within limits. Use luggage forwarding between Tokyo and Osaka so you're not managing bags and kids on the train. Check JR's official fare rules for your children's ages.
What to book ahead
- Disney and Universal tickets
- Ghibli Museum
- Family rooms (book early — they're scarce)
- Shinkansen seats together
Ways to adapt this route
- Add a night at a family-friendly onsen hotel in Hakone.
- Swap USJ for the Kyoto Railway Museum and Nintendo Museum (Uji; advance tickets).
- Visit Legoland Japan or the SCMAGLEV museum via Nagoya.