Family Tours

14 Day Family Adventure

A two week fun-filled holiday for the active family. Perfect for the school holidays, take your family on a diverse adventure to see the highlights of Japan's major cities along with some time in Japan's breathtaking countryside.

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Arrive Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport, clear customs with your luggage and exit to the Arrivals Lobby.

Make your way to the train station downstairs and at the JR East Travel Service Centre (06:30-21:45) issue your 14 Day Japan Rail Pass to commence using immediately. You can now make reservations at any time for the journeys on your itinerary ahead.

Board the Narita Express train to Tokyo Station. (65 mins) Within the station board a local train one stop to Hachobori Station.

Your accommodation at the Mimaru Tokyo Station East is a two minute walk from here. The Mimaru is a chain of hotels in Japanese which specialises in accommodation for Families.

Stay: Mimaru Tokyo Station East - 1/4

Day 02 - Tokyo

This morning board a JR Chuo Line train from Shinagawa Station to Shinjuku Station. (15 mins) At Shinjuku Station, take the East Exit and follow the signs to a 2nd Exit named Kabuki Cho. The Hato Bus parking bay is located on the opposite side of the Studio Alta Building. Easy to navigate maps with photos and directions will be provided.

This is the meeting location for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour including lunch. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour's departure time and allow yourself plenty of time to find the pick-up spot.

At 09:10 you will be collected for your 1 Day Tour of Tokyo operated by Hato Bus with an English-speaking guide and transported by coach to the following sites:
Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge) - Once home to Edo Castle, the centre of development of Edo-Tokyo, this is now where you can find the Imperial Palace
Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street - Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, offers plenty to see including the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, a statue of the god of thunder, and a five-story pagoda. The bustling street known as "Nakamise" stretches for about 250m from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple and is filled with a variety of souvenir shops.

Your Tour will next drive past the Kabuki Theatre, Tokyo Station and the Ginza which is famous for upmarket boutiques and magnificent department stores.

(Lunch) at the Toshi Center Hotel

Visit Tokyo Tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the famous Tokyo skyline from the main observation platform.

Drive over the Rainbow bridge and past Odaiba and the Toyosu Market.
Visit the Hamarikyu Garden. Take a step into the magnificent Edo period garden (1603 - 1867) with a teahouse built to look as if it were floating on the water.
Your Tour will disband at Tokyo Station at around 5pm.

Stay: Mimaru Tokyo Station East - 2/4

Day 03 - Tokyo

Enjoy a fun, action-packed day at Tokyo Disneyland or at Tokyo DisneySea. *Please purchase your desired ticket via the Disney website. A range of tickets are available to purchase which includes Express Passes.

From Tokyo Station board a JR Keiyo Line train to Maihama Station. (15 mins)

Tokyo Disneyland's attractions include: World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Toontown & Tomorrowland.

Come nightfall, the fireworks display and Electrical Dreamlights Parade is well worth the wait should you have the energy to stay on.

Tokyo Disney Sea's attractions include: Mediterranean Harbour, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Island.

Stay: Mimaru Tokyo Station East - 3/4

Day 04 - Tokyo

Continue your exploration of Tokyo with a trip to Odaiba - the huge amusement zone where you can enjoy shopping, delicious food, entertainment, and a view of Tokyo Bay simultaneously.

From Hamamatsucho Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shimbashi Station. (2 mins) At Shimbashi Station, using your Pasmo Card, board the Yurikamome Line unmanned monorail across the 918 metre span Rainbow Bridge to Daiba Station. (14 min)

Odaiba was built on reclaimed land in the Tokyo Bay in the southeast of Tokyo. This ultra-modern island is home to the Fuji TV Studio, Toyota Motor Company Showcase, Palette Town, Giant Ferris Wheel, the Museum of Maritime Science, Odaiba Marine Park, and the Sega Game Centre.

Visit teamLab Borderless at the Mori Building Digital Art Museum, which is located on the 2nd floor of Palette Town, next to the entrance of the ferris wheel. Described as art without boundaries, a museum without a map, 'Borderless' is a vast 10,000m2 space using 520 computers and 470 projectors to create a completely new world of light and illuminations. After the huge success of its mobile exhibitions, this permanent venue has been open since June 2018.

Stay: Mimaru Tokyo Station East - 4/4

Day 05 - Tokyo - Nagano

Check-out of the Mimaru Tokyo Station East and from Tokyo Station board a Kagayaki bullet train to Nagano. (90 mins)

Board your waiting courtesy vehicle provided by the Hotel Selan which will take you to the star attraction of Nagano - Zenkoji Temple. Founded over 1,400 years ago, Zenkoji has over 8 million visitors each year.

Your excursion will next take you to the famous snow monkeys of Yudanaka. Here you can marvel at these cute monkeys that bathe every day in the local volcanic bath which has made the area famous. Your courtesy bus will next take you to your accommodation at the Hotel Selan which is located on top of Mt Kosha which is a ski resort in winter but provides amazing views and fresh alpine. Here you can try their Japanese outdoor natural hot spring baths (private rooms available for hire).

*Your stay at the Hotel Selan includes dinner and breakfast daily

Stay: Hotel Selan - 1/2

Day 06 - Nagano

Relax and enjoy during your second day in beautiful Nagano. Take advantage of the wonderful Japanese public and private onsens at the Hotel Selan.

The Hotel Selan will be happy to transfer you to Obuse which is a small town famous for its arts and crafts. They will drop you off and pick up in the early afternoon. This gives you sufficient time to explore the town and choose a restaurant for lunch.

Should you like to do an outdoor activity... tennis, trekking and mount biking riding are options. Just have a chat to the staff at the Hotel Selan and they will look after you.

Stay: Hotel Selan - 2/2

Day 07 - Nagano - Takayama

Check-out of the Hotel Selan and board the courtesy shuttle bus back to Nagano Station. From Nagano Station board a Kagayaki bullet train to Toyama Station. (45 mins) Change trains and board the Limited Express Hida Wide View train to Takayama Station. (90 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hida Hotel Plaza is a five minute walk from the station.

Enjoy an afternoon stroll around this museum like town with a number of attractions including a variety of small museums devoted to traditional crafts embodying the town's long-standing tradition of fine craftsmanship. Visit the old private houses that lie in the area between Miyagawa River and the famously lush and picturesque Shiroyama Park. This quiet, residential area has shops selling traditional wares, antique shops, Japanese-style inns, sake breweries and restaurants serving local specialties.

For dinner tonight you may like to find a restaurant which serves the locally produced Hida beef which is delicious in sukiyaki or grilled on a hot plate. Don't forget to try the Japanese Onsen bath in the Hida Hotel Plaza which is free for guests to use.

*Your stay at the Hida Hotel Plaza includes breakfast daily

Stay: Hida Hotel Plaza - 1/2

Day 08 - Takayama

This morning board the JR Takayama Line from Takayama Station to Hidafurukawa Station. (15 mins) Using the map provided and the instructions in your confirmation letter, head straight to the Satoyama Experience Front Desk. From 10:15, take a bike tour through the beautiful countryside of Hida Furukawa, past rice paddy fields and stopping at a local market where fresh vegetables and produce are sold.

After lunch, return to Takayama Station and purchase a Hida-no-Sato (Hida Folk Village) combination ticket (JPY800) which includes a return bus ride (10 minutes each way) and admission to the Hida Folk Village. Here you will find restorations of more than 30 typical old thatched-roofed (gassho-zukuri) houses, relocated here from the various places around the Hida area. The site recreates the atmosphere and scenery of mountain villages of old in a beautiful mountain setting. At the nearby Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Center, a variety of workshops can be taken without reservation. With prices ranging between JPY700 and JPY1600, visitors can try some traditional crafts including making rice crackers and Takayama's iconic Sarubobo doll.

Stay: Hida Hotel Plaza - 2/2

Day 09 - Takayama - Osaka

Check-out of the Hida Hotel Plaza and from Takayama Station board the Limited Express Hida (Wide View) train to Nagoya. (145 mins) Change trains to board a Hikari bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station. (70 mins) From here, change trains and board a local train to Osaka Station. (4 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hotel Vischio Osaka by Granvia is a five minute walk from the station.

Osaka has a long history as one of the oldest seaports in Japan and has flourished as a window open to the culture and the goods of the Asian continent is known for its bargain shopping and delicious restaurants. For entertainment and shopping the Umeda and Namba districts have it all. Umeda, centred on Umeda Station, has a number of modern arcades which are always teaming with visitors and shoppers.

The Namba area boasts a 700-metre long arcade leading to the Dotombori River, a man-made canal completed in 1615. In the Edo Period, the area along the river was the city's amusement quarter where five theatres entertained the citizens. Today, theses theatres are still there, though transformed into cinemas and comedy halls. Dotombori is even busier at night glittering with colourful neon signs, extravagant restaurant decorations and alive with pop music.

Stay: Hotel Vischio Osaka by Granvia - 1/2

Day 10 - Osaka

Continue your exploration of Osaka with the visit to the city's most prominent symbols which is Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle was built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who succeeded in unifying the entire country in the 16th Century. The inside of the castle has been made into a museum which has a number of exhibits celebrating Japan's Samurai history. A panoramic view of Osaka City can be seen from the observation deck on the 8th floor. The castle grounds now form a large tree-filled park. From Osaka Station board the Osaka Loop Line to Morinomiya Station. The castle grounds are a short walk from the station.

Take a 60-minute cruise on the Aqua Liner waterbus from the Osaka Castle harbour (where it will also return). Osaka is a 'water city' where people and culture have benefited from the access to water since long ago. The tour through the waterways presents views of Osaka Castle from every angle, Tenmangu Shrine, and Nakanoshima Island, etc.

Or

Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan. Board a train from Osaka Station to Nishikujo Station. (8 mins) Change trains and board the JR Sakurajima Line to Universal City Station. (5 min) Spend the day at Universal Studios Theme Park - the first Universal Studios to be built outside the United States. Some of the highlights include Jaws, Jurassic Park, Waterworld and Shrek. USJ opens at 10:00am and closes at 8:00pm.

Please purchase ticketing in advance via the USJ Website where a range of tickets options are available including express passes.

Stay: Hotel Vischio Osaka by Granvia - 2/2

Day 11 - Osaka - Kyoto

Check-out of the Hotel Vischio Osaka by Granvia and from Osaka Station board a JR Special Rapid Service train to Kyoto Station. (30 mins)

Your accommodation at the Mimaru Kyoto is a two minute walk from the station.

After check in, commence exploring the sights of Japan's old capital. Use your Pasmo Cards to board a Subway Karasuma Line train 2 stops to Shijo Station for the busiest shopping district in Kyoto. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. Next, walk down to the Nishiki Food Market. (10 mins from Shijo Station) Here you can try various Japanese foods from traditional sweets to fresh seafood.

In the late afternoon walk towards Gion, Kyoto's famous entertainment district which is open until late at night. Gion is the one place in Japan where you may see Maiko or Geisha scampering between appointments. As darkness falls, watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restaurants offering tempting cuisine.

Stay: Mimaru Kyoto Station - 1/3

Day 12 - Kyoto

Commence your exploration of the ancient city of Kyoto. Please make your way to the Sunrise Tours Desk (B1F) within the Avanti shopping complex and arrive 10 minutes prior to the official pick up time. Refer to your tour voucher and you will see the Avanti shopping complex is directly opposite the Hachijo East Exit of Kyoto Station. At 08:30am, you will be collected to join your Kyoto Morning Tour operated by Sunrise Tours.

Your English-speaking local guide will take you by bus to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The tour will disband at the Kyoto Station with a likely return being around 1:30pm.

In the afternoon, from Kyoto Station bus terminal board a local bus #100 or #206 and get off at the Gojozaka bus stop. From the bus stop take the 10 minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple (6am - 6pm/ JPY 300).

Walk up this attractive winding road lined with colourful souvenir and craft shops. Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its giant wooden stage overlooking panoramic views of Kyoto and its main hall purely constructed of wood and sustained by huge columns and beams without the use of a single nail, screw or bolt.

Return to Kyoto Station in the late afternoon. Be sure to visit the Sky Plaza Observation Deck on top of Kyoto Station for a free panoramic view of the surrounding area of Kyoto. This modern station also contains a large shopping mall, including hotels, theatres, specialty shops, restaurants and event venues.

Stay: Mimaru Kyoto Station - 2/3

Day 13 - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

Continue your exploration of Kyoto by boarding a JR Nara Line train from Kyoto Station to Inari Station. (5 mins)

From Inari Station visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine which was featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. It is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Kyoto which is famous for its thousand red torii gates which lead up the mountain.

Return to Inari Station and board the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station. (2 mins) Tofukuji Temple is a 10 minute walk from the station and is home to the Hojo Gardens, one of the great Zen gardens of Japan. (08:30-16:00 - JPY400)

In the late morning, from Tofukuji Station board a JR Nara Line Rapid Service train to Nara Station. (50 min)

Upon your arrival at Nara Station, walk to the picturesque Nara Park where tame deer roam. At end of the park is the World Heritage listed Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden architecture housing the giant bronze Buddha that soars 16 metres in height. (JPY600/8:00am-4:30pm).

On the way back to Nara Station, stroll through the Nara Machi (town centre) an old precinct full of traditional houses, shops and tearooms.

Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon.

Stay: Mimaru Kyoto Station - 3/3

Day 14 - Kyoto - Airport

Check out of your accommodation and leave your luggage in storage at the porter's desk for your later return.

Spend your last morning in Kyoto completing any final sightseeing or shopping.

For those departing from Tokyo, board a Hikari bullet train from Kyoto to Shinagawa Station. (2.5 hrs) Within Shinagawa Station board the Narita Express Train to Narita Airport. (65 min)

For those departing from Osaka, board the Haruka train from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport (80min).

*Please note all airport trains must be reserved in advance.

Be sure to check in for your scheduled flight at least 2 hours prior to its departure.