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Japan Highlights Family Holiday

Japan Highlights Family Holiday

From $ 5,695 AUD

Description

Grab the kids and head to the place where tradition meets modern tech – Japan of course! Start in Tokyo, where you’ll discover the Harajuku district, kawaii culture and ancient shrines. Learn to play the Taiko drums, visit a robot cafe, then travel through the countryside on a shinkansen. Spend a night in a traditional Japanese guesthouse in the Fuji Five Lakes region, explore a temple before wandering through the sights in Kyoto. End in Osaka where you’ll indulge in a traditional local-style dinner and toast to a fun-filled adventure.

Trip Name
Japan Highlights Family Holiday
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
16
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.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

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.
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 Japanese 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.
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.
Day 4 - Fuji Five Lakes
Today 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-03-202605-04-2026AUD $ 7,495-
03-04-202610-04-2026AUD $ 7,460-
05-04-202612-04-2026AUD $ 7,220-
07-04-202614-04-2026AUD $ 7,460-
10-04-202617-04-2026AUD $ 7,520-
12-04-202619-04-2026AUD $ 7,160-
24-05-202631-05-2026AUD $ 6,295-
26-05-202602-06-2026AUD $ 5,820-
28-06-202605-07-2026AUD $ 5,695-
05-07-202612-07-2026AUD $ 6,560-
07-07-202614-07-2026AUD $ 5,800-
21-07-202628-07-2026AUD $ 5,800-
02-08-202609-08-2026AUD $ 5,800-
25-09-202602-10-2026AUD $ 5,695-
27-09-202604-10-2026AUD $ 5,695-
02-10-202609-10-2026AUD $ 6,095-
04-10-202611-10-2026AUD $ 5,850-
25-10-202601-11-2026AUD $ 6,890-
26-03-202702-04-2027AUD $ 6,110-
28-03-202704-04-2027AUD $ 6,110-
30-03-202706-04-2027AUD $ 6,400-
02-04-202709-04-2027AUD $ 6,655-
04-04-202711-04-2027AUD $ 6,655-
06-04-202713-04-2027AUD $ 6,655-
09-04-202716-04-2027AUD $ 6,655-
11-04-202718-04-2027AUD $ 6,655-
13-04-202720-04-2027AUD $ 5,875-
30-05-202706-06-2027AUD $ 5,875-
27-06-202704-07-2027AUD $ 5,875-
04-07-202711-07-2027AUD $ 5,875-
11-07-202718-07-2027AUD $ 6,400-
25-07-202701-08-2027AUD $ 6,400-
01-08-202708-08-2027AUD $ 6,400-
15-08-202722-08-2027AUD $ 6,400-
19-09-202726-09-2027AUD $ 5,875-
24-09-202701-10-2027AUD $ 5,875-
26-09-202703-10-2027AUD $ 5,875-
03-10-202710-10-2027AUD $ 6,400-
24-10-202731-10-2027AUD $ 6,400-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Minshuku: traditional Japanese Guesthouse (1 night)

Transport

Metro (local train), Public bus, Shinkansen (bullet train), Taxi

Map