Elevate Destinations

Experts in socially responsible luxury travel. We design travel experiences that support conservation and local communities without skimping on comfort.

Japan: Culture and Family

Japan

An immersive, hands-on experience for the whole family

Our Family Adventure itinerary ensures that families enjoy exploring Japan’s unique nature, art, food, and culture.

We’ve focused on providing an immersive, hands-on experience that keeps the energy up but moves at a relaxed pace. It is perfect for parents who are eager to expose their families to new ideas, tastes, and ways of life. This itinerary is designed for families with children aged 10 and up.

Suggested length: 11 days/10 nights
Starts from: $15,500 per person

"Everything was done super well. The accommodations were fabulous. The train reservations and physical tickets were immensely helpful. All of our requests were heeded. We had a great time!"

Karen French
Japan

Japan: A wide stone staircase leads up to a large traditional Japanese wooden gate with a green tiled roof, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Highlights

  • Explore the hyper-dynamic neighborhoods of Tokyo.
  • Learn about mochi making (and tasting) with a national master.
  • Canoe at the Fuji Five Lakes, and cycle to iconic sites in Kyoto.
  • Our hospitality partners invest a percentage of revenue back into community and sustainability projects that focus on cultural preservation, agricultural regeneration, and waste reduction.
  • Public transportation (including Japan’s iconic “bullet train,” the Shinkansen) is used throughout the itinerary where possible, as well as a lot of walking and some cycling.
  • Multiple experiences are included that are offered by traditional craftspeople, supporting their livelihood and preserving cultural traditions.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, the world’s largest city and global trendsetter for fashion, art, and architecture. This arrival day is all about easing into the experience. After your private vehicle picks you up from the airport, you can start exploring the city or simply rest and enjoy the comfort of your luxury hotel.

Before becoming a hotel, Gajoen had a 90-year history of being an exclusive wedding and dining venue. Described as a 'Museum Hotel', the property is renowned for housing thousands of Japanese masterpieces, including opulent paintings, lacquer, and ornate woodwork from the early Showa era. The lobby is a huge complex with multiple restaurants, waterfalls, bridges, and koi ponds. On the other hand, the hotel is much more intimate. The hotel is home to only 60 suites that blend the traditional and contemporary. The rooms are very large (starting at 753 square feet) and guests can choose from Japanese-style or Western-style suites. All guests have access to a club lounge. Gajoen is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Hotel Gajoen is located in the Meguro area, close to the bustling Shibuya area but has a more residential feel.

Hotel Gajoen has its own museum called The Hyakudan Kaidan (“100 steps”), and is the only remaining part of the original building — a set of wooden stairs (there are actually only 99) leads to tatami rooms decorated by Japan’s most famous artists from the late 1920s. Each room has seasonal displays of Japanese artwork and historical artifacts and strives to educate the local community and guests.

Overnight Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Japan: A busy street in Akihabara, Tokyo, with large colorful billboards, anime posters, and advertisements on tall buildings, crowded with people under a clear blue sky.Japan: A wooden tray displays assorted nigiri sushi, including fish, crab stick, tamago (egg), and seaweed-wrapped varieties, with a small dish of soy sauce and chopsticks in the background.Japan: Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, featuring a large red gate and a five-story pagoda on the left, with a few people walking and trees in the foreground under a clear blue sky.
Day 2
Tokyo

For your first full day in Japan’s capital, look forward to a thrilling lineup of hands-on activities and sightseeing under the expert care of your guide. Ancient traditions and pop culture are both on the menu today. Learn to make your own sushi before stopping at the lively Sensoji Temple.

Enjoy a visit to the Akihabara Electric Town, Tokyo’s hotspot for anime, games, and themed cafes where you might just meet some feline friends. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a candy shop where traditional craftsmen shape handmade candies into the shapes of animals that children love.

Overnight Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Day 3
Tokyo

Dive deeper into Japanese culture with a visit to Tokyo’s famous Meiji Shrine, followed by a stroll in Harajuku, the street fashion capital of the nation and a paradise of pop culture for teens. Explore more modern marvels, and finish the day with a visit to teamLab Planets, an art space filled with interactive installations and highly Instagrammable scenery.

Overnight Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Japan: Traditional Japanese shrine with a large wooden torii gate, green-tiled roof, and decorative details, surrounded by trees and open courtyard under a partly cloudy sky. A few people are visible near the building.Japan: A white bullet train travels past green fields with Mount Fuji, its peak covered in snow, towering under a clear blue sky in the background.Japan: A group of glowing, colorful egg-shaped sculptures sits on grassy mounds at night, illuminated in shades of blue, purple, pink, yellow, and green, creating a magical and futuristic atmosphere.
Day 4
Tokyo to Kyoto

Board a futuristic bullet train and travel from the modern capital of Tokyo to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Seated comfortably in first class, you’ll fly through the countryside past picturesque rice fields, coastlines, and even the iconic Mt. Fuji before pulling into Kyoto Station after just a couple of hours.

Enjoy the rest of your day exploring the everyday sights of Kyoto.

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu opened in March 2020 in the heart of Kyoto's historical district. It has one of the best locations in the city next to the UNESCO World Heritage Kiyomizudera Temple. The hotel is housed in a former elementary school. Originally built in 1933, it is recognized for its unique architectural design and interior.

Overnight The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

Day 5
Kyoto

Accompanied by an expert guide, set out for a day of cultural and scenic highlights in Kyoto. Start with a visit of the famous bamboo forest then climb the nearby hill to a monkey park with sweeping city views. Marvel at the gilded facade of Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion before finishing the day with one of Kyoto’s oldest and most refined expressions of hospitality and grace - a private tea ceremony performed in a traditional home.

Overnight The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

Japan: A person in a floral kimono prepares tea with traditional Japanese utensils, including teapots, cups, and a bamboo whisk, arranged on a table.Japan: Traditional Japanese temple surrounded by vibrant red and orange autumn foliage at sunset, with a softly glowing sky in the background.Japan: A person rides a bicycle with a front basket along a marked bike lane on an urban street, following a painted arrow and bike symbol on the pavement.
Day 6
Kyoto

With its cobblestone streets lined with wooden teahouses, Kyoto’s eastern side is imbued with the atmosphere of old-world Japan. Be sure to give your legs a good stretch before meeting your experienced cycling guide for a fun and invigorating ride through this fascinating historical district. Stops include Nijo Castle to see (or hear) its ingenious anti-ninja warning system, Kiyomizudera Temple with its shapely pagoda and sweeping views, and other sights that are sure to delight both kids and parents alike.

Overnight The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

Day 7
Nara Day Trip

No visit to the region is complete without a trip to Nara, one hour south of Kyoto. Explore Nara Park where thousands of tame deer roam the landscape, and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest ancient bronze Buddha statue. You’ll end the day on a sweet note, with a mochi making demonstration and tasting from one of Japan’s most notable mochi masters.

Overnight The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

Japan: A group of spotted deer graze and stand on green grass in a sunlit, wooded park with trees and dappled sunlight in the background.Japan: A large bronze Buddha statue sits outdoors with blooming cherry blossoms in the foreground and green trees under a bright blue sky in the background.Japan: A wooden plate with pink and green mochi, one green mochi cut open to reveal a sweet filling. More mochi are on a nearby plate, with green leaves and a pink cloth in the background.
Day 8
Kyoto to Fujikawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes)

Today you will take the bullet train to Fujikawaguchiko, where you’ll enjoy the countryside and some outdoor recreation for the next couple of days. You can canoe Lake Kawaguchi in the early morning. Millions of years ago, Mt. Fuji was an active volcano, often exploding in violent eruptions that reshaped the nearby scenery. The five lakes ringing the northern face of the mountain were formed as lava flows cooled and blocked drainage during seasonal flooding. Kawaguchiko is the second largest of lakes, and perhaps the most picturesque. Long hailed for the views of Mt. Fuji from Kawaguchiko’s northern shore, tourists have enjoyed the shoreline for centuries. The visage of Japan’s highest peak reflected in the lake waters is one of the most stirring images in the nation. Whether visiting in spring for cherry blossoms or admiring snowcapped Fuji in winter, the views from Kawaguchiko are some of the best in the region.

HOSHINOYA Fuji is nearly hidden by the surrounding woods, located 100 meters up the slope of a mountain. Slender paths meander through a landscape of soil, grass, and tree roots between the very minimalist cabins. All cabins boast a view of Mt. Fuji (in the right season and depending on weather). Guests are encouraged to spend their time on Cloud Terrace, a series of platforms connected by stairs that have been built along the slope extending from the cabins. A variety of activities await guests on each platform, from morning wake-up sessions that involve brewing coffee in the outdoors while nibbling on seasonal snacks to enjoying a drink at night around a roaring fire, surrounded by a quiet darkness that is occasionally interrupted by music being performed inside the cafe located at the top of Cloud Terrace.

Overnight Hoshinoya Fuji

Japan: A modern cabin with large glass windows glows warmly at dusk. In front, chairs encircle a fire pit, with candles and string lights creating a cozy outdoor seating area among tall trees. Pillows are on the ground nearby.Japan: Mount Fuji with a snowy peak rises in the background under a clear blue sky, framed by vibrant red autumn maple leaves. A person stands on a boat in the calm lake below, with shoreline trees in fall colors.Japan: A wooden pathway winds through a lush green forest with tall trees, leading to a building with large glass windows and outdoor seating under beige canopies. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Day 9
Fujikawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes)

Experience the Kachi Kachi Ropeway ascends Mt. Tenjo on the eastern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, offering amazing views of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area. Then, you’ll visit a shrine that is devoted to the goddess of Mt. Fuji -- Princess Konohanasakuya. Later, see icicles and frozen stalagmites in a deep dive under the earth. The Ice Cave has been used since the early 1900s as a year-round storage facility for ice, as the temperature in the Ice Cave usually stays below freezing even during the summer.

Overnight Hoshinoya Fuji

Day 10
Fuji Five Lakes to Tokyo

This morning, your private driver will transport you back to Tokyo, where you will have the rest of the day free to explore on your own. You can spend your final afternoon in Japan exploring the capital at your own speed. This is the perfect time for last-minute shopping, sightseeing, or simply relaxing.

Overnight Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Day 11
Departure from Tokyo

Today you will be privately transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight.

Back to Main Japan Page

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