How to Make a Trip to Japan with Kids Even More Meaningful (+ Family-Friendly Things to Do in Hokkaido)

Traveling to Japan with kids is honestly one of the most magical adventures you can have as a family. We recently spent a few weeks exploring Hokkaido with our two little ones (ages 1 and 4), and it was everything we hoped for — and more.

From charming towns to endless outdoor adventures, Japan is such a kid-friendly country. But if I’m being honest, after a few days of sightseeing, playground stops, and trying to keep everyone fed and happy, we started craving something a little deeper.
Something that wasn’t just “checking off” tourist spots… but actually connecting with the heart of the culture.

That’s when I came across Global Family to Family — and I have to share about them because I truly believe this is one of the most beautiful ideas for families visiting Japan with kids.

You can read about our other trip to Japan HERE

Japan with Kids: Why Cultural Experiences Matter More Than You Think

When you travel with toddlers and young kids, the “big” tourist sites can only hold their attention for so long. Temples are beautiful… but let’s be real, a 4-year-old cares more about snack breaks and playgrounds than ancient architecture. 😂

That’s why experiences that allow kids to be kids — while still soaking up the culture — are so valuable when traveling in Japan with kids.

Global Family to Family offers exactly that. They match you with a local Japanese family (with children similar in age to yours) for a few hours of authentic connection. And it’s all done by moms!
You might cook a simple meal together like sushi or tempura, play games, visit a local park, or just hang out and get to know each other. They are all over Japan, with a lot more options in the bigger cities/areas.

It’s casual, relaxed, and built around family life — not tourist life.

And the best part? It gives your kids a chance to make new friends, play naturally, and experience what life really looks like for families in Japan.

Our Experience Traveling to Hokkaido, Japan with Kids

On this trip, we spent all of our time in Hokkaido with kids, and it was incredible.
We explored cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru, and smaller areas like Lake Toya and Rusutsu — each offering their own flavor of family-friendly fun.

We rode streetcars, visited giant playgrounds, soaked in onsens (yes, even with little ones!), and spent way too much time choosing between the 500 drink options at vending machines. 😂🍹

One thing we learned quickly though: while sightseeing was fun, the moments that felt most special were the slower ones — chatting with locals at parks, watching our kids laugh with other kids even when they didn’t speak the same language, and soaking in daily life.

That’s exactly why discovering Global Family to Family made me so excited — it’s the kind of experience that adds real heart to a family trip to Japan.
(And full transparency: we had planned to join one of their tours on this last trip but had to cancel last minute due to a transportation issue. I’m still gutted about it — and it’s at the top of our list for next time.)

You can see our transportation issues HERE so you plan better than we did.

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Hokkaido Japan with Kids

If you’re heading to Hokkaido with young kids, here are a few more ideas based on our trip:

1. Explore Otaru’s Charming Canals and Glass Shops

Otaru is a beautiful, walkable town perfect for little legs. The canal area is stroller-friendly, and there are tons of cute shops where kids can watch glass-blowing demonstrations!

We stayed HERE and it was very cool. It’s a historic traditional Otaru building, turned into a vacation rental on the top 2 floors and a DELICIOUS restaurant you must try on the bottom floor.

What made our stay at Otaru Stone and Iron house so special was that it was the most space we had in our trip. We purposely opted for Japanese style bedrooms in most of our accommodation, but here we had a massive living room space that felt like we were living in Japan rather than visiting. You can book them through airbnb as well, but I believe you will get a discount if you book direct.

We also chose to stay here because of its proximity to absolutely everything you need to do and see in Otaru.

Don’t go walking around on a full stomach, as you will try some of the most amazing treats here like all the sweets at Le Tao. However, please don’t skip trying a soft serve cheese ice cream, I promise you it will be the most amazing thing ever!

Some fun things to do in Otaru, Japan with kids:

🎶 1. Otaru Music Box Museum

A magical spot filled with thousands of music boxes. Kids can enjoy the enchanting melodies and even create their own music box as a memorable souvenir. ​I wanted to buy everything!

🐧 2. Otaru Aquarium

Home to over 5,000 marine creatures, including dolphins, seals, and penguins. The aquarium offers interactive exhibits and captivating animal shows that children will love. ​

🚡 3. Tenguyama Ropeway

Take a scenic cable car ride up Mount Tengu for panoramic views of Otaru. At the summit, families can enjoy a small ski area in winter and hiking trails in summer. You can make a whole day out of this outing and it’s super fun.

🚂 4. Otaru City General Museum

Explore Hokkaido’s history with exhibits on railways, science, and local culture. The museum features interactive displays and even a real steam locomotive, making it engaging for kids. ​

🛍️ 5. Sakaimachi Street

A charming shopping street lined with glass workshops, sweet shops, and souvenir stores. Kids can watch glassblowing demonstrations and sample local treats like soft-serve ice cream. ​

Otaru was probably one of my favorite stops, and I can’t explain how cute the town is other than show you some pictures which quite frankly, do not do it justice. If you get a chance, do add a day or two here, especially since it’s such a short drive or bus from Sapporo. If you’re going by public transport, you can pick up a bus that takes you straight there in about 1 hour from the Sapporo station area in Sapporo. Super easy to find, and very inexpensive as well. 100% worth the visit.

2. Visit Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa

This is hands-down one of the best zoos we’ve ever visited. It’s super interactive (think underwater penguin tunnels 🐧) and not overwhelming in size, so it’s great for younger kids.

We had to skip out on Asahikawa due to our inability to rent a car and it being too far away from our other locations to add all that travel time with little kids. Had I known we wouldn’t be able to get a car though, I would have planned our trip differently so I could’ve visited because my daughters would have loved the zoo.

3. Take a Ride on a Vintage Steam Train

During some seasons, Hokkaido offers special scenic trains that feel straight out of a storybook. Little train lovers will be in heaven!

4. Sapporo’s Moerenuma Park

A massive, artistic park with huge playgrounds, a hill you can climb for views, and even fountains kids can splash around in. Perfect for a chill afternoon with toddlers.

5. Enjoy Local Onsens (Hot Springs)

Many onsens welcome families, and several have private family baths you can rent by the hour — perfect if you’re traveling with little ones who might not handle a public bath easily.
(We loved Noboribetsu for its beautiful nature and family-friendly onsen options as well as lake Toya area.)

If you’re visiting Japan soon and would like to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and other destinations,HERE is my blog post on those locations.  I also created a guide where you can read all the cities/towns we’ve visited in 2 different Japanese islands AND our full itinerary, hotel choice and tips. You can get the FREE guide HERE.

Why You Should Consider a Family-to-Family Experience When Visiting Japan with Kids

Traveling to Japan with kids is already amazing — but finding real moments of connection? That’s what makes it unforgettable.

Global Family to Family isn’t about tours or sightseeing — it’s about meeting a family, sharing a few hours of everyday life, and seeing Japan through real relationships.
Your kids get to laugh, play, and create memories that no guidebook could ever plan for.

And honestly, it’s also one of the best ways to break up the usual tourist routine — giving your family a slower day to just be and enjoy.

👉 If you’re curious, you can check out their available tours [right here].
And you can follow them on Instagram here: @globalfamilytofamily.

Final Thoughts on Traveling to Japan with Kids

Traveling through Japan with a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old has its challenges (hello, snack emergencies and nap meltdowns 😂), but it’s also been one of the most rewarding things we’ve done as a family.

If you’re planning your own Japan adventure, my biggest piece of advice would be this: leave space for connection.
Plan your temples and cities and playground stops — but also leave a little room for experiences that let your kids just be kids and let you see Japan in a deeper, more meaningful way.

And if you can fit in a family experience like Global Family to Family offers, I truly think it will be one of the highlights of your trip.

Here’s to making beautiful memories,
Marae 🌸