Japan family holiday, private departure
More info
This private tour incl.
flights from the UK costs from £3,995 per person/£3,917 for 12-15 year olds/£3,525 for under 12s.
Excl.
flights £3,295 per person/£2,895 under 12. We recommend booking early for the best prices (you can book with a deposit).
flights from the UK costs from £3,995 per person/£3,917 for 12-15 year olds/£3,525 for under 12s.
Excl.
flights £3,295 per person/£2,895 under 12. We recommend booking early for the best prices (you can book with a deposit).
Offers
We have availability in all months of 2026 for last minute holidays! Or take advantage of our special deal and secure your 2027 holiday now with a deposit based on the 2026 price. Looking to travel in May 2027? Then book now to save £50 per person.
Description of Japan family holiday, private departure
A 2-week family tour of Japan including sights, fun family-friendly activities and delicious Japanese food.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly from the UK. If you live in another country, you are welcome to arrange your own flights or we may be able to help. Just make an enquiry. |
| Day 2: | Arrival in Tokyo. You'll be met at the airport. Transfer to the city to your comfortable hotel. Evening at leisure. Check out your handy travel pack for our tips on restaurants within walking distance. |
| Day 3: BLD | This morning, you'll be picked up one of our expert guides who will take you to visit one of the most renowned ancient temples before fun and frolics in the Kappabashi district, home to the making of doll-sized replica plastic food that Japanese restaurants use to showcase their wares. Then it's time for lunch, usually tempura as it's a favourite with children and adults alike! Some free time before an evening food safari! (B L D means meals included today are Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). |
| Day 4: B | More fun for all the family this morning, learning how to draw manga. Did you know this art is actually centuries old? You'll learn in a private class with an expert teacher and you'll be amazed at what you can achieve. Afternoon at leisure to explore Tokyo, check out our handy tips in your pack. |
| Day 5: B | Today, you'll take a day trip to Hakone to see Japan's famous icon, Mount Fuji. You'll see this perfect-looking volcano from different angles including a ropeway/cable car, a park and a cruise on Lake Ashi. |
| Day 6: B | Time to leave Tokyo. You'll be taking one of Japan's famous bullet trains to the pretty castle town of Kanazawa. |
| Day 7: BL | Explore Kanazawa with one of our expert local guides. A castle, a bustling fish market where you can watch sushi masters at work and trying your hand at making traditional Japanese sweets are some of the highlights. |
| Day 8: B | Time to take a train again. Today, you're off to Hiroshima, a vibrant city with welcoming people, fantastic restaurants and museums. |
| Day 9: BL | A history lesson with a positive outlook visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park and the Children's Peace Monument. You'll also visit Hiroshima castle, with a break for lunch, trying out the speciality of okonomiyaki, a type of pancake with different fillings. |
| Day 10: BL | A day to nearby Miyajima, an island with tame deer and a famous torii gate, at high tide it looks like it's floating on water. Then trek or take a cable car up Mount Misen. |
| Day 11: BL | We've saved the best for last. Your final bullet train ride is to charming Kyoto, some areas are a real step back in time. Settle into your hotel before a special experience. You'll visit a Japanese home and learn how to make bento boxes for families including colourful character bento. |
| Day 12: BL | A day with a private guide again, this time exploring Kyoto. You'll visit the famous sites as well as get an insight into local life in modern times. |
| Day 13: B | A day to relax. Or if you are feeling active, have a look in your pack for tips and guides on things to do including a day trip to Osaka, visiting famous Nara, or hiking up a mountain to see monkeys. |
| Day 14: B | Shuttle transfer to Kansai airport to fly back to the UK. |
Price information
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
The choice is vast, and you really don’t have to be super fit to do them either.
From bullet trains to bubbling hot springs, we show you why Japan is such an interesting and unique country to visit.
Reviews
2 Reviews of Japan family holiday, private departure
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 29 Aug 2024 by Jeremy Gillman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lots of highlights so difficult to pick one - perhaps the food tour in Tokyo?
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don’t go when it is quite so hot - we had a few 40 degree days with high humidity.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - it benefited local people
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - well done the operator
Reviewed on 13 Aug 2023 by Alison Pearce
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The tour operator arranged for an additional day so that we could travel to Hakone and see Mt Fuji. We were extremely lucky to see a fantastic view as we ascended and at the top of the mountain. This moment and the beautiful nature around Hakone was exquisite. We loved listening to the birds and cicadas and walking in the beautiful gardens. This is one of the many memorable moments as Japan and our holiday was full of them.. The cities, the nature and the art. We did not have one experience that we did not enjoy. Even some of the activities that we were unsure about, enriched our holiday. We were amazed that within 2 hours, we drew a manga cartoon that looked like a person. Second favourite might be Miyajima island with the beautiful Shinto shrine & sacred mountain, but so hard to choose!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We paid for our suitcases to be sent on to our next hotels which was a small cost and made subway and train travel so much easier. If you want to make any amendments, talk to the tour operator. They will advise and were very helpful in their suggestions. For example, wanted to see the Japanese macaques and they gave us an option which was the most cost efficient.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We had lots of local guides and we appreciated their knowledge and enthusiasm. The tour operator explained that they used larger hotels in Japan compared to other countries due to the resources within the hotels and this fitted with our needs. After long days on tours we were very grateful for our comfortable beds and options of a Western breakfast.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic. We had been looking forward to this holiday for a couple of years as our initial plans with the tour operator had fallen through due to COVID. They were very flexible in rebooking and changing our destination. Japan did not disappoint and everything in our itinerary worked to plan. No stress and lots of fun. Exceeded our expectations
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
This family holiday uses the efficient public transport system of Japan for inter-city journeys on the famous bullet train. We avoid travelling at peak times of the day so as not to take seats from commuters. Most sightseeing is done on foot, aside from using public transport such as local trains and even a ferry to an island.All travellers receive one of our unique packs which include travel and cultural guidelines. These include tips for family-friendly activities in free time and we recommend restaurants within walking distance of accommodation. Our recommended activities will be easy to get to by public transport (by foot, or in at least one case, by rental bike).
Whilst in Japan we have to work with larger hotels than the intimate style we prefer in other countries, we aim to use those with good environmental policies. We are also working on finding family-run inns which have enough rooms with private bathrooms.
People
On this family holiday, all travellers receive one of our unique packs which include cultural as well as travel guidelines. We include a handy language guide to learn some Japanese. Whilst you are usually with a guide, we think it’s good to learn the local language, it fosters goodwill.When you are with a guide, you’ll be with a local guide in each area, rather than have one guide from the 'big city' taking you around Japan. This gives you a localised experience as well as putting money into local pockets. We also work with people and communities who don't always benefit from tourism dollars. We believe in meeting people on an 'equal' basis rather than only meet people who serve you. As an example, on this trip, you can benefit from our relationships to learn how to make bento boxes in a private Japanese home.
On the topic of food, also check your pack for our restaurant recommendations. What better way to really know a country than through its food? You'll be eating where the locals eat.
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