Japan with Kids: The Complete Family Travel Guide (Babies, Toddlers & the Japan Preschool Exchange)

We’ve taken our kids to Japan three times. The first time, we had a baby and a toddler. Then we went for a full month living slowly in Hokkaido. Most recently, she attended the Japan Preschool Exchange, where she attended a real Japanese preschool for two weeks. Every single time, Japan made us look like genius parents. Because the country basically does the hard work for you.

Why Japan Works So Well for Families with Young Kids

Also, this isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the actual guide we wish we’d had, with real hotel recommendations, a day-by-day itinerary that works with little ones, and everything we know about traveling Japan purposefully, not just as tourists.

In fact, whether you’re doing your first trip with a baby, planning a month of slow travel, or considering the most immersive thing you can do with a young child (spoiler: Japan Preschool Exchange), this is the guide for you.

Our Three Japan Trips: What Each One Taught Us

In practice, the first time, we went for two weeks with a baby and a toddler. The second time, we spent a month living slowly in Hokkaido. The third time, we enrolled our daughter in a real Japanese preschool through the Japan Preschool Exchange.

Here, each trip taught us something completely different about what Japan offers families willing to go deeper than the temples and the ramen.

Japan Preschool Exchange: The Most Purposeful Thing We’ve Done as a Family

If you follow us, you’ve heard me talk about the Japan Preschool Exchange. I talk about it constantly because it is, genuinely, one of the best things we have ever done as a family.

Here’s what it is: your family travels to Japan, and your child, ages 2 to 12, attends a real Japanese preschool for one to two weeks. Not a tourist activity. A genuine preschool, with actual Japanese children and Japanese teachers. Pure, joyful, educational chaos.

When our daughter came home from her first day speaking Japanese words she didn’t know that morning, bowing to the teacher, trying to talk to kids who didn’t share a language with her, we understood something about children that no book had ever told us. They don’t need a common language. They need a common curiosity.

Notably, japan gave her that. JPE structured it. And the two weeks we spent there were the best two weeks of any Japan trip we’ve done.

What JPE Looks Like Day to Day

While your child is at school, you explore Japan like an adult, which, if you have a toddler, you haven’t done in years. You visit the places that require quiet. Restaurants with no high chairs suddenly become an option. Sitting in a park and doing absolutely nothing is genuinely on the table. It is genuinely restorative in a way that family travel rarely is.

In general, at pickup, you get a version of your child that has been fully absorbed by Japanese preschool culture for eight hours. They’re tired. Happy. Clutching a piece of origami someone made them. And they will not stop bowing at dinner.

Who JPE Is For

• Families with children ages 2 to 12
• No Japanese language required, for you or your child
• Works for 1 week or 2 weeks
• Multiple city options, Kyoto being the most popular
• Rural village programs are some of the best, your child is often the first foreign student that school has ever seen, and the immersion goes even deeper
• Gives YOU a Japan that most tourists never access

How to Book JPE

Go to preschool-exchange.com and use code JPEFAMILY_MARAE when you register. JPE now has programs beyond Japan too, Costa Rica is now active, with other locations expanding, but Japan is the original, and nothing else compares to the cultural depth of putting your child inside a Japanese school.

Tours with Kids in Japan: Meet a Local Family

For reference, one of the most meaningful things we did in Japan wasn’t on any tourist map. Global Family to Family connected us with a local Japanese mom, and what followed became one of the most talked-about memories from our entire trip.

In our experience, we made sushi together in her home. Our kids played with hers. On another leg of the trip, they matched us with a second family and we spent the whole day at the zoo together, all the children running around, zero language barrier. It’s the kind of real cultural connection that no guidebook can give you.

Before you go, global Family to Family matches visiting families with local Japanese moms for 4-hour cultural experiences. The kids are close in age to yours. The activities are real, not tours, not performances.

Their experiences include:

• Cook and Eat Together in a Japanese Home, our personal favourite
• Customized Private Tour Just for Your Family
• Join Seasonal or Community Events

👉 Check out their available tours at globalfamilytofamily.com
Follow them on Instagram: @globalfamilytofamily, message Yoko directly with any questions.
Mention my name (MARAE) for a discount!

The 2-Week Japan Itinerary with Little Kids

In short, this is the itinerary we followed on our first trip, adapted from our 21-day original. It moves at a pace that works with small children, staying long enough in each place to actually feel it, not racing through temples to hit a number.

We book all our hotels through Booking.com. All hotel links below use my affiliate link, same price for you, small commission to me that keeps this guide free.

Days 1–5: Kyoto

Overall, start in Kyoto. It will feel overwhelming for about 24 hours, and then it will feel like the most logical city you’ve ever visited. The train system is clear. Taxis are spotless and have automated doors. Even konbinis have everything your child might need at 2am. Start here.

Where to Stay in Kyoto with Kids:

• Framboise Kyoto, Family-friendly, central, genuinely comfortable with little kids.
• Marufukuro, A ryokan experience worth every yen. Traditional tatami rooms, private onsen, extraordinary food.
• Kyoto Hatoya Zuihokaku, Family onsen hotel with private baths available. Kids love onsen once they understand what it is.
• Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo, Near Nanzenji temple. Exquisite traditional experience.
• Kyo Yunohana Suisen, Onsen ryokan worth a splurge night.

With kids in Kyoto, prioritize: Arashiyama bamboo grove early morning (before crowds), the first stretch of Fushimi Inari gates (kids go wild for them), Nishiki Market for food exploration, at least one private family onsen experience, and a hands-on cooking class. Several Kyoto operators offer wagashi (Japanese sweets) or ramen-making classes designed for families with children , kids actually cook and eat what they make, and it is one of the most memorable hours of the whole trip. Book one through Klook or GetYourGuide , search “family cooking class” and filter by minimum age.

Days 5–7: The Nakasendo Trail

Additionally, the Nakasendo is one of the great surprises of Japan for families. An ancient mountain road connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, and the most beautiful section, between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago, is absolutely doable with small children. The walk is 8km through cedar forest, past old farmhouses and rest stops. We did it with a baby in a carrier. It was the quietest, most magical day of the whole trip.

Where to Stay on the Nakasendo:

• ONN Nakatsugawa, Modern, clean, great base for the trail.
• Hotel Hanasarasa, Family-friendly option in the area.
• Taoya Kisoji, Resort-style onsen hotel near the trail.
• Magome Chaya, Traditional guesthouse IN the post town of Magome. The most atmospheric option.

Days 7–10: Hakone

Furthermore, hakone is where you exhale. The pace drops. Mount Fuji appears (weather permitting). Onsen are everywhere. If your kids have been troopers through the cities, Hakone is their reward, and yours.

Where to Stay in Hakone with Kids:

• Hakone Suisen, Stunning ryokan, private onsen available, phenomenal food. A splurge worth making.
• Hakone Suimeisou, Family rooms, beautiful onsen, lake views.
• Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu, Large resort with extensive facilities. Great for families with active kids.
• Yoshimatsu, Intimate ryokan, beautiful tatami rooms.
• Henn Na Dinosaur Hotel Hakone, Robot dinosaurs check you in. Your child will talk about this for years. Fully worth it for the experience.

Meanwhile, in Hakone: take the Hakone Ropeway, visit the Open Air Museum (giant outdoor sculptures kids can climb, genuinely one of the best museums in the world for families), and ride the pirate ship across Lake Ashi.

Days 10–13: Tokyo

For those wondering, tokyo is sensory overload in the best possible way. Kids find it endlessly fascinating, the vending machines, the convenience stores, the train doors that open with such ceremony. Don’t try to do everything. Pick a neighborhood and live in it for a day.

With kids in Tokyo:

• Ueno Park, panda at the zoo, paddleboats on the lake, massive open space to run
• teamLab Borderless or Planets, digital art that children experience as a fairyland
• Shinjuku Gyoen for open grass and picnic space
• Asakusa for the sensory experience of Senso-ji and the Nakamise market
• Skip Disney unless it’s specifically the reason you came, the rest of Tokyo is more interesting

Worth noting: for Tokyo hotels, location matters more than anywhere else in Japan. I recommend searching Booking.com filtered by Shinjuku or Asakusa for first-time family visits.

A Month in Hokkaido: Slow Family Travel Japan

Good to know: hokkaido is a different country from the rest of Japan. Less polished, more wild, quieter, colder. When we spent a month there, it was the closest we’ve come to understanding what Japan is beneath the tourist infrastructure. If you want to move slowly, ski, eat the best seafood of your life, and have ryokans mostly to yourselves, Hokkaido is it.

Rusutsu

Pro tip: world-class skiing, genuinely some of the best powder on earth. The resort is enormous and uncrowded by Western standards. Ski school here is excellent with young children.

• Westin Rusutsu, Ski-in/ski-out, family rooms, the obvious choice at Rusutsu Resort.

Hakodate

First, one of Japan’s most beautiful cities. The morning market alone, fresh crab, sea urchin, grilled corn, is worth the entire detour. The Motomachi historic district is walkable and stunning.

Lake Toya

Next, a volcanic caldera lake ringed by mountains. Extremely peaceful. Onsen here are exceptional, and in summer you can take boat rides to the islands in the middle of the lake.

• Yoturelo Toyako Onsen, Beautiful lakeside onsen hotel.

Otaru

Then, the canal town. Glassblowing studios, incredible sushi (some of the best in Japan), and a pace that feels like a century ago. Kids love the canal.

Jozankei

Finally, onsen town 30 minutes from Sapporo, surrounded by forest. Perfect for a quiet few days before the city. One of the most underrated spots in Hokkaido.

Sapporo

Also, hokkaido’s capital. Sapporo-style miso ramen is unlike anything. The city functions like a quieter, more manageable Tokyo.

• House of Stone and Iron, Unique boutique stay in Sapporo.

What to Pack for Japan with Kids

In fact, japan is very stroller-friendly in urban areas but train station stairs catch you off guard. A good carrier is non-negotiable. Everything we actually travel with is on our Amazon storefront. The short list:

• Structured baby/toddler carrier, for train stations, shrines, mountain paths
• Lightweight rain layer for each person, Japan weather changes fast
• Reusable tote bags, you will buy things constantly at konbinis and markets
• Kids’ chopstick trainers, every Japanese child uses them; yours will want to try
• Pocket WiFi or Japan eSIM, navigation is everything in Japan; don’t skip this
• Portable white noise machine, for jet lag recovery and hotel room naps

Practical Japan Tips for Families

Getting Around

For example, get a Suica card (IC card) on arrival at any major train station. Load it with ¥10,000. Tap in and out of every train and bus, it works everywhere, including convenience stores and vending machines. Children under 6 ride free.

Importantly, for long-distance routes, book Shinkansen in advance. If you’re doing multiple long-distance legs, evaluate whether a JR Pass makes sense for your itinerary, it doesn’t always, so check the math first.

Food with Kids

In practice, japan is paradoxically one of the easiest countries for picky eaters. Plain rice, miso soup, udon, edamame, soba, tempura, most children find at least three things they love immediately. Konbinis (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) are your best friend at 6am and 11pm. The food quality is genuinely remarkable.

Here, for restaurant reservations in Kyoto and Tokyo, use Tabelog, TableCheck, or Gurunavi. Many good restaurants require advance booking.

Jet Lag with Kids

Notably, it’s real. The time difference from the US West Coast is 16-17 hours. The best strategy: don’t fight it for the first two days. Stay outside during daylight, eat on Japan time from day one, and accept that 4am is going to happen. My Japan Trip Planning Toolkit includes a 5-day pre-trip jet lag system that significantly reduces transition time, the single most useful thing in the toolkit if you’re coming from the Americas.

Japan with Kids: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to take kids to Japan?

Japan works at every age but shines at different moments. With babies and toddlers, Japan is surprisingly manageable: clean facilities everywhere, baby formula widely available, and Japanese culture is genuinely warm toward small children. Ages 4 to 7 are golden for Japan: kids are curious enough to engage but not yet too cool for it. The Japan Preschool Exchange is specifically designed for ages 18 months to 6 years. Older kids love the tech, the food, and the anime culture. There is no wrong age, just different versions of the same magic.

Is Japan safe for families with young children?

Japan is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world for travelers and is exceptionally family-friendly. Crime affecting tourists is extremely rare. Public transport is reliable and stroller-accessible in most major cities. Lost items are almost always returned. The main practical challenge for families is navigating some older temples and rural areas where steps and uneven surfaces make stroller use difficult. Carrier wearing is your best friend in Japan with kids under 3.

Is Kyoto good for kids?

Yes, genuinely. Kyoto is slower and more atmospheric than Tokyo, which actually works in families’ favor. Kids respond strongly to Fushimi Inari (the thousands of torii gates are literally a tunnel you walk through), Nishiki Market (the food market on a covered lane), and Arashiyama bamboo grove. The Japan Preschool Exchange has a school in Kyoto (Koutoku Preschool) for families who want their child to experience Japanese preschool in one of the country’s most beautiful cities.

How long should families spend in Japan?

Two weeks is our recommended minimum for a first trip with kids. It allows time to settle, cover Kyoto and Tokyo, add a day trip or two (Nara for the deer, Hakone for Fuji views), and not feel rushed. If you are doing the Japan Preschool Exchange, build the program week into your itinerary first, then plan the travel week around it. Longer is better: Japan rewards slow travel, and kids genuinely settle in to a routine after the first 3 to 4 days.

Travel Insurance for Japan with Kids

In general, japan has an exceptional healthcare system. As a foreign visitor you pay out of pocket and claim back, and with kids, something will happen. One ER visit for a fever, one lost bag with all the formula, one travel delay from a typhoon. Travel insurance is not optional when you travel with children.

We use SafetyWing Travel Insurance for international family trips. Straightforward to buy, covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and travel delays.

Want a Purposeful Japan Trip Built Around Your Family?

Travec creates culturally immersive travel plans for families, from one week to several months. They handle the logistics so you can focus on the experience. If you want a Japan trip that goes deeper than a highlight reel, use code BRAVEFAMILY for $200 off your booking.

The Japan Trip Planning Toolkit

For context, i made this because families kept asking me for my exact Japan planning process. So I packaged it into one document:

• 5-day pre-trip jet lag survival system + hour-by-hour 3-day schedule
• Four editable itinerary templates (7, 10, 14, and 21-day Google Sheets)
• Kid-Friendly Japan Food Guide, picky eaters, allergies, breastfeeding
• Pre-Trip Checklists, 3mo/1mo/1wk/day-before
• Budget Tracker

More Japan Resources

• Japan with a Baby: The Complete Guide, our original post, specific to the 0–18 month stage
• Japan Preschool Exchange, enroll your 2–6 year old in a real Japanese preschool (code: JPEFAMILY_MARAE)
• Japan Trip Planning Toolkit ($27)
• SafetyWing Travel Insurance
• Travec, purposeful family travel planning (code BRAVEFAMILY, $200 off)
• Our Amazon Storefront, everything we actually pack for Japan

Shop Our Japan Picks

For reference, everything we actually packed and used on our Japan trip with kids, organized into one list:

• Japan With Kids 2025, our complete Japan packing list, tested on the ground
• Worldschooling Supplies (Ages 2–8), what we brought to the Japan Preschool Exchange
• Browse all 13 lists, Spain, Italy, toddler travel, and more

🇪🇸 Thinking about relocating your family to Spain? PUENTE is our programme that handles the legal and logistical side, visas, schools, banking, housing, for families who want to actually make the move. Learn about PUENTE →

🇮🇹 Want to experience Italian village life first? ROOTS Italy brings worldschooling families to Ormea, Piedmont for 10 immersive days, cooking with a local nonna, language sessions, real village life. Learn about ROOTS →

In our experience, flying to Japan with kids? Our Toddler Flight Activities list on Amazon has everything that keeps little ones sane on long-haul flights.