Japan Highlights Family Holiday

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.8

2 Reviews

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Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Grab the kids and head to the place where spiritual tradition meets modern tech – Japan of course! Start in Tokyo, where you’ll explore the Harajuku district, kawaii culture and ancient shrines.

Highlights

Explore Tokyo's eclectic youth subculture in Harajuku and take a class in Taiko drumming.
Discover Kyoto’s history with its many shrines, geishas and temples. Then, snap the perfect family picture at the iconic red gates of Fushimi Inari.
Support the future of inclusive employment and support a good cause with a visit to an experimental cafe, where the robot waiters are controlled remotely by staff living with disabilities.
Spend a night in a traditional Japanese guesthouse in the beautiful Fuji Five Lakes region. Learn about local customs and Japanese Buddhism with a temple visit, then make Hoto noodles for dinner.
Indulge in the city’s food scene on your final night with a fun Osaka-style group dinner – a great way to celebrate your final night on this family adventure.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Metro,Local Train,Bullet Train

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Tokyo, Japan

Finishes

Osaka, Japan

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Family

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore including fascinating museums, world-class shopping centres and neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. If you arrive early, maybe wander through the Hama Rikyu Garden, visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum or explore Ueno Park. After your meeting, join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Activities:

Tokyo - Welcome dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel Monterey Hanzomo (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Tokyo

Get ready for a day of fun as you head out to explore the Harajuku area – a district known for its colourful street art, youth fashion, vintage clothing shops and tasty treats. Visit Takeshita Street – the birthplace of kawaii culture. For an introduction to Jfapanese culture, you'll also visit Meiji Shrine and take part in a hands-on, heart pumping Taiko drumming class. Learn how to play these traditional instruments before having a go yourself. Later you'll have an opportunity to visit Shibuya, the well-known crossing between two of the busiest railway stations in the world before enjoying a free evening to find the perfect dinner spot.

Included Activities:

Tokyo - Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo - Harajuku Walk & Meiji Shrine Visit
Tokyo - Taiko Drumming Experience

Accommodation:

Hotel Monterey Hanzomo (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Tokyo

This morning you'll head out on a walk through the weird and wonderful Akihabara Electric Town – this is the centre of Japanese otaku culture and a favourite for anyone who loves gaming, manga and anime. Stop for a drink at a social enterprise robot cafe, where people living with disabilities work as staff by remotely controlling robots from their homes or hospital beds. Learn how staff are able to interact with customers through the robots’ operating system and maybe have a go at operating one yourself! The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe head across town to Shinjuku or visit Asakusa.

Included Activities:

Tokyo - Dawn Avatar Robot Café
Tokyo - Akihabara walking tour

Accommodation:

Hotel Monterey Hanzomo (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Fuji Five Lakes

After breakfast, travel to Oshino Hakkai Village – a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, named after its eight crystal-clear spring-fed ponds. When you arrive, be greeted with a welcome ceremony, then head to your Minshuku accommodation (Japanese guesthouse). Later, walk to a nearby local temple for a Japanese Buddhism experience of meditation and calligraphy painting. For dinner, you and your family will learn how to cook Hoto noodles (a rustic noodle soup made with flat, wide wheat noodles simmered in a miso-based broth) and onigiri rice balls.

Included Activities:

Oshino Hakkai - Japanese temple experience
Oshino Hakkai - Hoto noodle making

Accommodation:

Oshino Hakkai Minshuku (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Kyoto

This morning, have breakfast at the Minshuku guesthouse then watch the Japanese countryside pass you by as you travel by bus and train to the vibrant city of Kyoto. If the weather is clear this morning, you’ll be able to see Mt Fuji. When you arrive, you'll have time to check into your hotel before heading out for a walk with your group through Gion – Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Listen to stories from the area as you pass temples and historic sites. Tonight is free for you to enjoy, you might like to head to a local restaurant for dinner or visit a show.

Included Activities:

Kyoto - Gion Walk

Accommodation:

Park Hotel Kyoto Oike (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Kyoto

Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari this morning – the head shrine of the kami Inari with the classic red design. This afternoon is free for you to choose your own adventure. The kids might like to explore the International Manga Museum or become a samurai for a day and learn about the history of ninjas and samurai in Japan (while wearing some traditional garb and trying out some cool moves, of course) - your leader will have the best recommendations!

Included Activities:

Kyoto - Fushimi Inari - Taisha

Optional Activities:

Kyoto - International Manga Museum (1200 JPY)
Kyoto - Authentic samurai experience (10000 JPY)

Accommodation:

Park Hotel Kyoto Oike (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo and is popular for its modern architecture, family-friendly activities and delicious street food. When you arrive, you'll have some free time in the afternoon to explore – maybe visit the Osaka Castle or pick up some souvenirs from the famous Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street. Come together tonight with the other families for a traditional Osaka style dinner to celebrate new friendships and your Japanese whirlwind adventure.

Included Activities:

Osaka - Farewell Dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel Agora Regency Osaka Sakai (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Osaka

After breakfast your trip comes to an end and you are free to depart Osaka any time today. If you’d like to spend more time in this cultural hub (and why wouldn’t you?) just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $5,715

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Grab the kids and head to the place where spiritual tradition meets modern tech – Japan of course! Start in Tokyo, where you’ll explore the Harajuku district, kawaii culture and ancient shrines.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 25 Sep 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Elham

Traveled, April 2024

04/29/2024

The accommodations were good the food was excellent and the tour was exactly what I wanted it was an active tour that we spent most of our time out doors and in smaller cities and towns Our tour guide Toshi was excellent

5.0

Claudia

Traveled, April 2024

05/03/2024

Sehr gut ausgewählte Ziele! In der Kleingruppe hatte man das Glück, trotzdem individuelle Erlebnisse und Freiraum zu haben.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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