Japan is an ideal destination to visit with the little ones at home. Beyond its imposing temples, relaxing bamboo fields and beautiful cherry blossoms, the country has many places where children will have a lot of fun. From its museums dedicated to anime and manga drawings and its theme parks to its technology centers, there are activities for all tastes and ages.
Most of the leisure and entertainment plans are found in Tokyo. Cradle of the latest technological advances, the Japanese capital has decades of history behind it and has many spaces for family fun. However, beyond Tokyo, Japan also has many other towns and cities that are worth discovering with children. Without a doubt, a perfect opportunity to familiarize the little ones with Japanese culture and give them an experience they will never forget.
What to see in Japan with children?
1. Discover their culture
Japan is a country of customs and traditions that children will be delighted to discover. You can start your tour in Tokyo by visiting some of its Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines such as the Sensō-ji and Tsukiji Hongwan-ji temples and the Meiji-jingū shrine, which are a true reflection of the religious beliefs of the Japanese. However, if you want to get to know Japanese culture in depth, there is nothing better than getting lost in some of the authentic Japanese towns outside of Tokyo, such as Takayama, a small city located in the Japanese Alps where you will get to know the typical Japanese houses.
Another of the places that you cannot miss is Miyajima, an island declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with buildings dating back to the year 600 that houses one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in all of Japan and impressive toriis in the water to which you can access when the tide goes out in the afternoon. If you find the history of the samurai interesting, take a jump to Nagano or Kanazawa, some authentic little samurai villages that even today retain the same appearance as centuries ago. Of course, you cannot leave without visiting the historic village of Shirakawa-go, one of the most beautiful and best preserved traditional Japanese villages in the country.
2. Explore your most technological side
Did you know that Japan, especially Tokyo, is known as the country of robotics? The Japanese capital exudes innovation and technology everywhere, in fact, it is not uncommon to find toilets whose lids rise and fall on their own, automatic fast food restaurants or robots that act as waiters or tour guides. However, if you want to go a step further so that the little ones interact with technology, you can visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation where they can meet Asimo, Honda’s humanoid robot, and participate in some of the exhibitions about robotics they organize.
To continue the tour you can go to the Toshiba Science Museum, where you can not only learn about Toshiba’s history but also interact with technology, or visit the Toyota Mega Web, a mini amusement park where little car lovers can discover technology Toyota uses in its cars, take your first test drive or venture into a simulator. And, if you still have the energy for more, go up to the Sky Circus Sunshine 60 observatory from where you can not only enjoy wonderful views of the city but live a complete sensory experience flying over Tokyo and trying out cutting-edge Japanese technology.
3. Bet on fun
In Japan, leisure and entertainment are never lacking, so you will have no problem finding spaces and activities to have fun with the children. Without a doubt, one of the places that you cannot miss is the Akihabara neighborhood, the old technological neighborhood of Tokyo transformed today into the anime and manga neighborhood. One of its most characteristic symbols are its buildings full of billboards, neon lights and animated characters that little ones won’t be able to look away from, although what children will like most are its many museums about the world of manga and its different video game rooms.
Of course, in Japan there are also many amusement parks such as Universal Studios in Osaka, Legoland Park in Nagoya or Fuji-Q Highland, located at the foot of Mount Fuji. For little lovers of ninja culture, there are also various spaces where they can learn a little more about these characters , such as the Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura theme park or the Kids’ Ninja Village where they can also see representations of ninja combat. And, so that you can take a nice souvenir home, have a purikura, a kind of photo booth to which you can add special effects and lots of fun details.
Where to stay in Japan with children?
In Japan there are various accommodation options adapted to families with children. In big cities like Tokyo , Osaka or Kyoto you can find hotels with all the Western comforts you are used to. In fact, many of these hotels have cots on request, family rooms so you can have children close by, and comfortable beds for adults.
However, if you want to get to know the most traditional Japan, you can also stay in a ryokan or minshuku, traditional Japanese accommodation. In the main cities you can find some of these accommodations, although they are usually more common in smaller cities and towns. In this type of establishment you will have the opportunity to sleep on a typical tatami or futon, wear an authentic kimono and even celebrate a tea ceremony with the little ones at home.
Where to eat with children in Japan?
If the little ones at home are familiar with Japanese cuisine, you will have no problem eating in Japan as there are many restaurants in the different cities. From classic sushi and ramen to takoyaki, yakisoba or okonomiyaki, there are options for all tastes. Of course, it is convenient that you have a translator at hand since many of the Japanese restaurants only have the menu in Japanese.
In any case, if the little ones do not like Japanese food very much or are not familiar with it, you can also find many fast food stalls, bakeries and small establishments that have sandwiches, hamburgers and other western dishes that will be more interesting for you. relatives.