Japan Family Adventure

Welcome to Japan! After arriving at Narita Airport, an assistant will meet you and accompany you to the hotel by Limousine Bus. Upon arrival at the hotel, feel free to relax and enjoy your time as you wish.

For dinner, we suggest visiting Nishiazabu Gonpachi. This is the place where the Kill Bill music video by SZA was filmed. They serve all types of Japanese food. We call it the Izakaya (Japanese pub).

Accommodation: Asakusa View Hotel  -  Deluxe quadruple room, non-smoking

Meals: N/A

Today marks your first day in Tokyo. After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, make your way to Asakusa.  Highlights of today include:

·         Ascend Tokyo Skytree for a 360-degree view of the city.

·         Visit Asakusa and explore Sensoji Temple, a 7th-century Buddhist temple.

·         Shop at Nakamise, a street with traditional shops.

·         Have lunch at a local tempura restaurant.

·         Explore Ueno Naka-dori, known for clothing stores and old-fashioned cafes.

·         Visit Akihabara, Tokyo's vibrant 'geek city' famous for anime, manga, and electronics.

·         End the day at TeamLab Planets, experiencing their full-body, multi-sensory art displays.

Accommodation: Asakusa View Hotel

Meals: B

You are free to explore Tokyo at your own pace today.

Suggestions for family-friendly things to do:

·         Immerse yourself in Okutama, a remote area of Tokyo on a guided adventure filled with local flavor! (If you are interested in this visit, a reservation is needed)

o   It is said to be the hidden area for Ninja to make potions of disappearing powders and sleeping pills because of its rich soil and full of natural herbs grown in the area.

o   Explore Okutama with your guide and meet David who has harvested Wasabi since he was in his early 20s. Listen to his story in a place full of nature and clean water and visit his wasabi garden. It's always great to try some fresh wasabi on site!

o   Wagyu is famous around here so you might want to munch at one of the famous wagyu restaurants.  

·         A favorite for families with young kids: Visit the world's famous theme park, Tokyo Disneyland! It opens from 9:00am and closes at 9pm. There are fireworks at the end of the day if the weather is well.

Accommodations: Asakusa View Hotel

Meals: B 

Today, you will enjoy a day trip to Kakone, near Mt. Fuji. 

Highlights of today include:

·         Begin with a visit to Mt. Fuji 5th Station at 2,300 meters (7,546 feet) for breathtaking views.

·         Enjoy lunch with a Taiko Drum performance, featuring powerful and emotional rhythms.

·         Explore Lake Ashi on the Cruise Ship Sorakaze, offering beautiful views of the lake and Mt. Fuji.

·         Visit Hakone Komagatake Ropeway and take a cableway ride to Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya.

·         Experience your first Shinkansen (bullet train) ride back to Tokyo.

·         Return from the tour at 5:30 pm with the evening free.

·         Options for the evening:

o   Spend time in Shinjuku.

o   Take the train to Shibuya, famous for its Scramble Crossing and Shibuya Sky for a 360-degree view of Tokyo.

o   Explore Shinjuku Golden Gai with over 200 independent bars for an authentic Tokyo nightlife experience.

 Accommodation: Asakusa View Hotel

Meals: B, L

·         Transfer from Tokyo to Kyoto today via the Shinkansen

Highlights of today include:

· Upon arrival in Kyoto, an assistant will meet you at the platform to guide you to the correct exit at Kyoto station and give you tips to visit the city (Assistant available until 1pm).

·         Experience Kyoto's unique food culture, including options like a tea ceremony with a Geisha or Maiko.

·         Try on a kimono for a traditional tea ceremony experience.

·         If time permits, take a scenic stroll through Gion, passing Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and Sanneizaka, leading up to Kiyomizu.

Accommodations: Nol Kyoto Sanio

Meals: B

Today is your day to explore Kyoto freely!  Below are some suggestions for you:

·         Discover Nara, Japan's first permanent capital, starting with a stroll through Nara Park.

·         Visit Todaiji temple, home to the famous Great Buddha statue, or Kasuga Taisha Grand Shrine with its vermilion-lacquered buildings.

·         Encounter friendly deer roaming the park—consider buying crackers to feed them.

·         After Nara Park, explore Naramachi, the former merchant district.

·         Visit Nakatanidou to witness the traditional mochi-pounding process known as mochitsuki.

Accommodations: Nol Kyoto Sanio

Meals: N/A

Start your day by meeting your tour guide at 9am for an authentic Kyoto experience!

Highlights of today include:

·         Begin at Nijo Castle, renowned for its unique squeaking floors designed to alert against intruders.

·         Continue to Shijo-Kawaramachi via Nishiki Market, a bustling arcade with 130 shops offering diverse foods.

·         Explore Shijo-Kawaramachi, Kyoto's main downtown shopping area, surrounded by the scenic Kamogawa River.

·         Your tour guide will conclude the tour after sharing valuable tips on navigating Kyoto.

Consider visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates.

·         Enjoy a breathtaking sunset view halfway up the mountain (30 minutes walk), where a resting point awaits.

Other notable spots include the tranquil Kyoto Imperial Palace with its expansive gardens, or the interactive Kyoto Railway Museum.

Accommodations: Nol Kyoto Sanio

Meals: N/A

Pack your bags and check out—it's time for Osaka!

Highlights of today include:

·         After storing your luggage at the Osaka hotel, hop on a couple of trains to Universal Studios Japan.

·         Dive into the Japanese charm of Universal Studio and explore until you're fully satisfied! (USJ operates from 8am to 9pm, and remember to download the USJ App on your mobile for easy access to maps and daily event schedules.)

Accommodations: Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka

Meals: N/A

Explore Osaka's vibrant culture and landmarks at your own pace today!

We recommend visiting:

·         Start with a visit to Osaka Castle Park, an iconic landmark in Japan.

·         Next, head to Dotonbori, one of Osaka's lively districts. Don't miss lunch at Kuromon Market nearby.

·         Enjoy some free time before heading to the Umeda Sky Building.

·         Experience a breathtaking 360-degree view of Osaka from the Kuchu Teien Observatory.

·         Until August 8th, immerse yourself in the Tanabata Festival's festivities; check out today's events.

·         Consider dining at Takimi Koji, a charming retro Japanese restaurant alley beneath the Umeda Sky Building.

Accommodations: Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka

Meals: B, L

Regrettably, today is your final day in Japan. After checking out, head to Kansai Airport for your flight home. We sincerely hope you've had a wonderful trip and wish you a safe journey.

Thank you for choosing Japan as your destination, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future!

Have breakfast at your hotel, before checking out. Arrive at Koyasan Station. 

Explore and discover Koyasan. Here are some recommendations on where to visit: 

• One of the highlights of the Daimon is the Dairomon, a two-story, two column gate with three five-story doors. With its red color and large scale (25 meters high and 21 meters wide), the gate is a sight to behold. 
• There are more than 100 temples in Koyasan, and Kongobu-ji Temple is the head temple of the Shingon sect founded by Kobo Daishi, its founder. The head temple of the Koyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism was first established on this spot in 816 by the priest Kukai (known posthumously as Kobo Daishi; 774-835), the founder of Koyasan. 
• Those who visit Okuno-in Temple during the daytime can also see a fantastic Okuno-in Temple that is different from the one during the daytime. Koyasan ascetic monks and former chief priests of Shukubo temples provide guided tours. You will learn about legends,buddhist history and "Kobodaishi Kukai" the founder of the Shingon Buddism. 

After your tour, walk to Okunoin Mae bus stop. The guide will take you from Gokusho to the bus stop after your tour ends. Take the bus to Shukubo, and get off at Renge dani. Walk to Shukubo.  

Accommodations: Koyasan Shukubo Fudoin

Meals: B 

Begin the day in Koyasan. You may choose to join in on a morning religious service in your shukubo. It will take place every morning before breakfast. This ceremony is to show daily appreciation to Buddhist saints and also to hold an ancestral memorial service. 

If you are interested, you may also engage in sutra copying. You can have a quality time and find peace of mind by copying the 262 characters of the buddhist sutras (Hanya Shingyo). This is offered by your accommodations. 

Enjoy your morning in Koyasan before returning to Tokyo, for your flight out of Japan tomorrow. 

On your final afternoon of the trip, you may choose to visit any spots in Tokyo that you did not get the chance to see at the beginning of your trip. 

Accommodations: Hotel the Celestine Tokyo Shiba 

Meals: B 

Asakusa View Hotel

Welcome to Asakusa View Hotel. This hotel has nice restaurants, banquet halls, meeting rooms, and much more. Rooms are available on the Sky Tree View Side, overlooking Tokyo Sky Tree and the streets of Asakusa that unfold below, and the City View Side, boasting a panorama of central Shinjuku and beyond to Mount Fuji. Have a wonderful, unforgettable time at Asakusa View Hotel that overlooks Tokyo Skytree.

Nol Kyoto Sanio

Nol Kyoto Sanjo represents a new style from the ancient capital. Even now, after many eras, the ancient capital of Kyoto continues to send out new culture. Nol Kyoto Sanjo continues to be such a space, inheriting the good old Japanese culture and transforming it into a new form. Contemporary artists have created new ideas while inheriting the traditional townhouse culture and preserving the comfort of a 'mature' space.

Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka

Respire combines the meanings of the words "rest," as in to take rest, and "inspire," as in to have one's senses stimulated and be filled with vitality. Respire also means "to breathe." Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE aims to offer guests a place where they can rest and be revitalized for tomorrow, giving them the sensation of having taken a deep breath of fresh air. Despite being situated in the heart of Umeda, Osaka, Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA, the brand's first hotel, is designed in a way so that guests will be made to forget the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and can enjoy their stay without stress. It also includes features inside the hotel so guests can enjoy the charm of Japan and Osaka's unique character.

Global Family Travels’ vision is to unite humanity and inspire travelers to take responsibility for the challenges and opportunities facing our increasingly interconnected planet.  Our mission is to Learn, Serve and Immerse, using travel as a means to build cultural bridges and to foster global citizens. Using tourism to help solve community challenges, we organize sustainable travel opportunities in partnership with local and global non-profit organizations and support many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more about Global Family Travels here!