Family-friendly holidays in Japan
Japan
Explore Japan with your family
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world; families and women can walk around and travel safely, even at night. The railway system in Japan is punctual and safe – the country’s fast trains are not only speedy, but lots of fun for kids!
Japan has four distinct seasons with Spring and Autumn being the best times to travel. Summers on the Pacific Coast are generally hot and humid, while winters are cold and dry. Areas closer to the Sea of Japan have mild summers but receive heavy snowfalls in winter on the ranges. The south-west experiences heavy rain in spring with typhoons in autumn.
All Japan Stories
Your Japan family holiday guide
Top family attractions in Japan
Ghibli Museum - Mitaka
Japanese animation genius Hayao Miyazaki has been captivating audiences worldwide since the global release of the magical film Spirited Away almost 25 years ago, but his legacy of films goes back much further. The amazing Ghibli Museum is full of miniature magical machines, dioramas and gyroscopes, imagined in his animated features and brought to life.
Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park - Nagano
If you’re taking the family skiing in one of the Nagano ski resorts, it’s definitely worth visiting the snow monkeys outside onsen town Yamanouchi. These adorable creatures keep themselves warm in winter by soaking in hot volcanic springs.
Tokyo Disney Resort - Tokyo
The first Disney theme park built outside the United States, the twin parks of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea have all the rides and characters you’d expect to see, plus a few more such as the Jules Verne-inspired Journey to the Centre of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea rides.
Takeshita St, Harajuku - Tokyo
A wander down this iconic street is a must – especially for tweens and teens, to check out the Harajuku ‘punks’ who hang out here after school (and Saturday afternoons). Be sure to grab one of the delicious crepes on sale there too.
Shirakawa-go - Gifu
This World Heritage-listed village lay hidden in the remote mountains of Gifu Prefecture for hundreds of years, until early last century when tunnels connected it with the modern world. The fairytale-like houses here are still thatched in the traditional way and they have a look that makes you think Hansel and Gretel might peek out the windows.
Himeji Castle - Hyogo
One of very few (12) entirely original castles left in Japan, the beautiful Himeji Castle, also called the ‘White Egret Castle’ has plenty of tragic stories to tell, like the broken-hearted Princess Sen, who lived here in the 1600s. On nearby Shikoku Island, there are several more castle towns to explore.
Entry requirements for travel to Japan
Australian tourists are eligible for visa-free stays of up to 90 days in Japan. If you hold a non-Australian passport, check your visa exemption eligibility here.
If you have a layover or stopover in Japan and need to change airports in transit, you’ll need to enter Japan, so be sure to check if the visa exemption applies to you.
Japan resumed visa-free travel and uncapped tourist numbers on 11 October, 2022. As of April 2023, there are no proof of COVID-19 vaccination or PCR testing requirements to enter Japan. It’s highly recommended to buy comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for COVID-19-related expenses.
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Opening image: A girl enjoying a tea ceremony in Japan. © Depositphotos