Our Family Trip to Japan

From the sights, the accommodations and of course, the food, I’m sharing everything that goes into traveling to Japan as a family of six.

An Unforgettable Experience

Japan was truly the trip of a lifetime for our family. We flew from Dallas to Tokyo and spent two unforgettable weeks exploring Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hakone, before returning to Tokyo for a few final days before heading home.

It was exciting, overwhelming, beautiful, delicious, educational, and unlike anywhere we’ve ever been. The culture and visual busyness took some adjusting, but there was such a beautiful calm to the crowded craziness. Everything was so clean, orderly, and efficient, and the people were incredibly hospitable and eager to help.

We worked with Kiersten with The Curator as our travel planner for this trip. I highly recommend a travel planner for a trip to Japan, especially when traveling with kids. A trip like this requires so much research, scheduling, transportation planning, restaurant coordination, and attention to detail. We booked some meals and activities on our own, but having a planner help with the bigger picture — and having local guides scheduled for experiences where translation was needed — made the trip so much smoother and more meaningful.

I’ve linked many of the hotels, restaurants, activities, and experiences we enjoyed throughout this post so you can easily save them for your own trip. And for those of you who have already been asking, here’s the link to the luggage and travel essentials we used throughout the trip and here’s the link to everything I packed and wore on the trip.

You can also find all of the Instagram stories I shared during our adventure in my Japan Story Highlights: Part 1 and Part 2.

Tokyo

We began and ended our trip in Tokyo, staying both times at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi. The city views were incredible and the breakfast was one of our favorites of the trip. We fell in love with their Japanese French toast and I’m on a mission to recreate it here at home. Brandon and I also loved slipping away to Virtù for cocktails overlooking the city.

Tokyo was sensory overload in the best possible way. Between the neon lights, bustling intersections, endless shopping, arcades, food halls, and hidden alleyways, there was always something new to discover.

One of our favorite experiences was a private samurai sword lesson at Samurai Artist Kamui. We dressed in traditional hakama and learned the art, discipline, and techniques behind samurai swordsmanship. It was active, educational, and such a unique way to experience a piece of Japanese culture.

We loved teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art museum where every room feels like stepping into a different world. The exhibits constantly change and react to visitors, making it one of the most interactive experiences we had in Japan. Shibuya Sky was another highlight, offering breathtaking panoramic views over Tokyo from above the city. Even though our sunset was hidden behind clouds, the views were still unforgettable.

Shopping quickly became one of our favorite ways to explore Tokyo. We loved wandering through Ginza’s beautiful department stores and food halls, browsing the endless toy stores and specialty shops throughout the city, and discovering fun little trinkets and souvenirs around every corner. Don Quijote was sensory overload in the best possible way, filled with colorful displays, snacks, gifts, and all kinds of uniquely Japanese finds. Of course, we also couldn’t leave Tokyo without a stop at Onitsuka Tiger, where we picked up some of the famous sneakers that I’ve been wearing nonstop ever since. We also loved exploring Takeshita Street, which was packed with fun treats, quirky shops, and some of the city’s most colorful energy.

The kids especially loved visiting the animal cafés, including the Hedgehog Café Harajuku HARRY and mipig cafe. Both were such unique experiences and hilariously fun. They also couldn’t get enough of the arcades, claw machines, and exploring neighborhoods like Harajuku, Shibuya, and Ginza.

We also participated in a plastic food-making class, where we learned how the incredibly realistic food displays found outside restaurants throughout Japan are made. We melted and shaped plastic into tempura and lettuce replicas and left with souvenirs we made ourselves.

Another favorite was an origami workshop with a professional origami instructor who taught us traditional folding techniques. Brookie loved it so much that we brought home supplies and have continued making origami here at home.

Food was a huge part of our Tokyo experience. Our very first bowl of ramen in Japan was at Kagari, and it set the bar incredibly high. Their rich, comforting chicken ramen was the perfect introduction to Tokyo’s ramen scene. We also loved wandering through Tsukiji Outer Market, sampling fresh sushi, seafood snacks, strawberries, matcha treats, and all sorts of foods we had never tried before.

We participated in several hands-on culinary experiences that ended up being some of our favorite memories of the trip. At The Sakai Roppongi, we learned the techniques and artistry behind crafting beautiful sushi and enjoyed some of the best sushi we had on the entire trip. We had an equally incredible experience with Baba Ramen, where we spent several hours making ramen and gyoza completely from scratch, from the noodles and broth to the fillings and toppings. It was far more involved than we expected and the finished meal ended up being the best ramen and gyoza we ate in Japan. We also loved visiting Aoyama Beniya, a fourth-generation family-owned wagashi shop, where we learned how to make traditional Japanese sweets and savor them alongside freshly prepared matcha. It was such a warm, personal experience and a wonderful glimpse into a treasured Japanese tradition.

We also quickly became huge fans of Japan’s famous fluffy pancakes and made sure to order them whenever we spotted them on a menu, no matter the time of day. They’re unlike any pancakes we’ve had before—tall, airy, cloud-like, and almost soufflé-like in texture. A Happy Pancake was our favorite spot for these dreamy stacks, and they absolutely lived up to the hype.

Savoy served what may have been the best pizza we’ve ever had. The restaurant is tiny and intimate, with only about 10 seats, and our family of six filled most of them. We sat just steps away from the pizza oven, watching pizza after pizza being stretched, topped, baked, and served as we kept ordering one after another. The quality of the ingredients, the perfectly blistered crust, and the simple yet incredible flavors made it one of the most memorable meals of the trip.

Gyo Pao delivered unforgettable soup dumplings around a tiny table squeezed together as a family of six, and I’m Donut? completely lived up to the hype. The donuts are somehow airy, chewy, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth all at once. We also ended our trip with an incredible meal at Fuku Yakitori, where we enjoyed an endless parade of perfectly grilled skewers ranging from chicken and seafood to vegetables. It was the perfect final dinner and such a fun, lively way to wrap up our time in Tokyo.

If we returned to Japan tomorrow, we’d absolutely spend more time in Tokyo. Between the food, shopping, neighborhoods, and endless things to discover, we felt like we’d barely scratched the surface.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa was a beautiful change of pace after Tokyo. We spent two nights at the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa and enjoyed exploring the city’s gardens, traditional districts, and slower pace.

Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle were stunning, and we loved wandering through the historic Higashi Chaya District while enjoying gold leaf-covered soft serve.

The kids also loved visiting the Ninja Weapon Museum, where they tried their hand at throwing shuriken, and we all enjoyed a Kutani pottery painting experience that gave us a meaningful souvenir to bring home.

Food was another highlight of our time in Kanazawa. We loved the tonkatsu pork curry at Kitchen Yuki, which was rich, comforting, and absolutely delicious. The standout meal, however, was dinner at Wagyu Steak Kappo Daisuke. The Noto wagyu we enjoyed there was hands-down the best steak we’ve ever eaten. It was one of those meals we’ll be talking about for years.

Looking back, this is probably the one stop we would shorten if we were planning the trip again, but we’re still glad we experienced it.

Kyoto

Kyoto completely stole our hearts.

We stayed five nights at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto and loved every minute of exploring the city’s temples, rivers, markets, hidden alleyways, and historic neighborhoods. Kyoto felt more traditional and peaceful than Tokyo while still offering endless things to do.

One of our favorite family experiences was a cycling tour through Kyoto’s backstreets. We rode through Gion, along rivers, past temples and shrines, and got to see parts of the city we never would have found on our own. The kids still talk about stopping for 7-Eleven snacks and hopping across the famous stepping stones in the river.

We visited iconic sites like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari’s famous tunnel of thousands of torii gates, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Monkey Park Iwatayama. Monkey Park Iwatayama begins with a scenic uphill walk, and at the top we were rewarded with incredible panoramic views of Kyoto and the opportunity to observe and feed wild Japanese macaques in their natural habitat. Watching them interact with one another while overlooking the city was such a memorable experience for all of us.

The Nintendo Museum was easily one of the biggest hits of the trip. The kids absolutely loved it, and honestly, Brandon and I may have loved it just as much. It was such a fun mix of nostalgia, interactive exhibits, games, and Nintendo history. We spent hours exploring and could have stayed even longer. If Nintendo played any role in your childhood—or your kids’ childhood—it’s a really special experience. Tickets are very difficult to get and require entering a lottery system months in advance, so definitely plan ahead if it’s on your wish list.

We also had the opportunity to meet privately with an apprentice geisha. While enjoying matcha and traditional sweets, we learned about the years of training, traditions, and discipline required to pursue such a unique cultural role. It was a fascinating glimpse into a centuries-old tradition that we knew very little about before visiting Japan.

We loved wandering through Nishiki Market, often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” sampling local specialties like baby octopus stuffed with quail eggs, grilled seafood skewers, golden sesame curry buns, brûléed matcha cream treats, and, of course, plenty of soft-serve ice cream along the way.

Kyoto also delivered some of our favorite meals. Our first shabu-shabu experience at Yamafuku quickly became one of our family’s most memorable meals of the trip. The kids loved cooking their own meats and vegetables at the table, and we loved how interactive and delicious the entire experience felt. One of my favorite parts was the noodles served at the end of the meal. They’re cooked in the richly flavored broth that’s been building throughout the meal and then enjoyed with a selection of dipping sauces. It was such a simple yet incredibly satisfying finish and one of the reasons we kept seeking out shabu-shabu experiences throughout the trip.

Brandon and I also enjoyed one of our favorite Michelin dining experiences ever at LURRA. We sat at the intimate chef’s counter and watched each course come to life right in front of us. Every dish felt thoughtful, creative, beautifully executed, and absolutely delicious. It was one of those meals where you never wanted the evening to end.

The rest of our time in Kyoto was filled with memorable food discoveries. The wagyu ramen at Gyumon Kyoto was one of our favorite bowls of the trip—rich, comforting, and topped with crispy chicken. We loved stopping at ChiChi for soft-serve ice cream served in flaky croissant cones and visiting 21-ji ni Ice for their beautiful late-night soft-serve parfaits piled high with toppings. Imo Pippi Kyoto Gion was another standout, serving brûléed roasted sweet potatoes and sweet potato desserts that were every bit as delicious as they were beautiful.

Of all the cities we visited, Kyoto may have been our favorite.

Nara

Nara made for an easy day trip from Kyoto and ended up being one of the most exciting days of the trip.

The famous bowing deer were every bit as charming as we’d heard. There were hundreds of deer roaming freely throughout the park, creating a truly unique experience. Interacting with them was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. They were incredibly smart, surprisingly polite, and seemed to understand exactly how the bowing-for-crackers system worked.We also visited Todai-ji Temple, enjoyed a fun lunch at Totogin Sushi Go Round, where colorful plates of fresh sushi circled the restaurant on a conveyor belt, and then made our way to Nakatanidou to enjoy fresh mochi while watching it being made by hand. The warm mochi was easily the best we had during our entire trip. We finished the afternoon with a sake tasting at Harushika Sake.

Osaka

Although we only spent one evening in Osaka, we absolutely loved it. Since we were staying in Kyoto, we made a day of it by visiting Nara first and then continuing on to Osaka before returning to Kyoto later that night. It ended up being one of the most fun days of the trip. The energy was contagious from the moment we arrived.

A local guide took us through hidden alleyways and neighborhood izakayas, introducing us to some of the city’s most famous foods. Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and teppan-grilled noodles quickly became favorites, and the lively energy of the city felt completely different from anywhere else we visited.

The kids loved the energy of Osaka, especially the arcades, bright lights, and wandering the lively streets while grabbing treats late into the evening. If there’s one thing we’d change about our itinerary, it would be spending at least another night or two in Osaka.

Hakone

Hakone was perfectly timed within our trip. After days of exploring busy cities, staying at Gora Byakudan felt like stepping into another world. Surrounded by nature, we spent our time soaking in onsens, wearing yukata robes, enjoying massages, and slowing down.

The traditional ryokan experience was one of the most unique parts of the trip. We enjoyed our first Kaiseki meal, a beautifully presented multi-course dinner focused on seasonality and craftsmanship. It was definitely adventurous for the kids, but such a special cultural experience for all of us. The kids especially loved discovering the giant box of Japanese candies waiting for guests in the lobby each evening.

Despite rainy weather, we visited Owakudani, a dramatic volcanic landscape known for its steaming vents, sulfur springs, and famous black eggs said to bring seven years of good luck. We also spent an afternoon at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where the kids loved climbing, exploring, and interacting with art throughout the beautiful grounds.

One of our favorite meals was in Hakone at Gora Brewery & Grill, where we enjoyed sushi, crispy rice bites, and one of my favorite drinks of the trip — a matcha mojito. It was the perfect balance of elevated and relaxed after a rainy day of sightseeing.

Hakone was peaceful, restorative, and the perfect place to reflect on everything we’d experienced.

Final Thoughts

Japan surprised us, inspired us, and gave us memories we will never forget. It was such a gift to experience a completely different culture and have the opportunity to learn, explore, taste, observe, and appreciate a new way of life.

Watching our kids embrace new foods, traditions, and experiences was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire trip.

It was busy and beautiful, unfamiliar and incredibly welcoming, high-energy and peaceful all at once. We came home grateful, full of stories, and already dreaming about when we might go back.

I hope this answers all of your questions and gives you a glimpse into our family’s once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Japan.

xoxo,