Travelling or living in Japan with young children? Here are some great ideas from Japanese mothers of fun places to visit…
And Assist and TS Japan Rail, both Japan based companies asked some Japanese mothers what their families and children liked doing that may be of interest to foreign residents and tourists also with young children.
And here are the And Assist mothers ideas for fun places to visit with young children….
(they are in no particular order… they are all good!)
Place / Activity:
Kodomonokuni (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Pref)
Reason:
There are many “Kokomo no Kuni” Parks (Children’s Land Parks) in Japan, but this one on the outskirts of Yokohama city is a huge park, with lots of playgrounds, a petting zoo, a farm, a cycling course, a mini suspension bridge, and even a mini amusement park. The mother who recommends it has been there countless times, and her kids always have fun!
Best way to get there:
Train – Kodomonokuni Station, on the Kodomonokuni Line is right in front of the main entrance to the park. Changing at Nagatsuta, it can easily be reached from Tokyo on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line, and from Yokohama on the JR Yokohama Line.
Internet Links:
Age Group:
Elementary School (6-11 years)
(picture credit 子どもの国)
Place / Activity:
Hanamaki Toy Museum (Tohoku, Iwate Pref, Hanamaki-city)
花巻おもちゃ美術館
Reason:
There are lots of Wooden toys and games etc. and my son would stay there more than 2 hours. Nice atmosphere and good location where our favorite restaurant “Popeye” is nearby. Popeye is a Hamburg restaurant, they use Hakkinton-pork (白金豚) which is so delicious.
Best Ways to Get There:
Car
Internet Links:
Age Group:
2 years and under
(picture credit Otomo Lumber Co., Ltd / Hanamaki Toy Museum)
Place / Activity:
Nasu Tochigi Prefecture
Reason:
Many places fun for children such as safari park, zoo, amsement park, farms, etc. Food is nice. Many good restaurants are available. It’s always exciting to buy some vegitables and fruits back home.
Good for nature and food
Best Ways to Get There:
Train / Car
Internet Link:
Age Group:
All age groups
(picture credit 那須塩原市観光局 Nasushiobara City Tourism Bureau)
Place / Activity:
Kidzania (Toyosu Tokyo)
(Kidzania is primarily to help young children to learn English through play, particular “work role playing. It is open to all children including native English speakers)
On Wednesday, they have what they call English Wednesday and more activities are available in English.
Reason:
The children’s eyes sparkle as they challenge work experience. English support available.
Good opportunity to mix with Japanese and other children.
Best Ways to get there:
Train / Car
Internet Link:
Age Group:
Elementary School (6-11 years)
(picture credit KCJ GROUP INC)
Place / Activity:
Nagano Skiing and Hiking
Activities:
Hiking:
This mother has climbed Happo One with her kindergarten senior and third grader. She says it was just the right level for children to climb while their parents, who are not athletic enough, huffed and puffed. It was just right for a family challenge. She recommends the experience of eating lunch together as a family while feeling a sense of accomplishment as a family on top of the mountain and taking in the amazing views. She also gives advise that the key to choosing the right hotel is whether the inn will take you to the entrance of the climb, whether they will drop you off any time you want, or whether they will only pick you up and drop you off at a set time.
Skiing:
On skiing, this mother recommends Prince Hotel ski resorts (Karuizawa and Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama) because it is a big company and has everything, it is flexible, so it is safe even for beginners with children. The ski slopes are right in front of the hotel and there is also ski equipment rental.
Best Ways to get there:
Train / Car
Internet Link:
Nagano Prefecture tourist information
Age Group:
Elementary School (6-11 years)
(picture credit Nagano Tourism Organisation)
Place / Activity:
Heiwa no Mori Park (平和の森公園 in Tokyo’s Ota City)
Children’s Parks (Heiwa no Mori Park (平和の森公園 in Tokyo’s Ota City)
Reason:
Heiwa no Mori Park is in the Heiwajima area of Tokyo’s Ota-ku and is provided by the Ota City Government. It has extensive play areas for children to play on, climb on etc. (this is one good example of such parks, they also exist in many other cities. There are some small fee applicable to try the obstacle course.
Best Ways to get there:
Public Transport / car
Internet Link:
Tokyo Ota city Heiwa no Mori Park
Age Group:
All age groups
(Picture Credit Ota-ku)
Place / Activity:
Bandai Namco “Tondemi Space Athletic”
(Tokyo Heiwajima)
(also at Chiba Makuharai, Yokosuka, Ehime Masaki)
Reason:
There are many trampolines, not only for children but also for adults!
Best Ways to get there:
Public Transport / car
Internet Link:
Age Group:
Elementary School
(Picture Credit Bandai Namco)
Place / Activity:
“Risonare Yatsugatake Hoshino Resort“
(Hokuto, Yamanashi Pref)
Reason:
Yatsugatake is a mountainous area spanning across Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures which is good for nature and skiing.
The Hoshino Resort hotel “Risonare Yatsugatake” located in Hokuto is a very family friendly hotel with many fun things that can be done in the hotel grounds
Best Ways to get there:
Rail & car
Internet Link:
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Yatsugatake
Hokuto City – Yatsugatake Tourist Guide
Age Group:
Elementary School
(Picture Credit Hokuto City)
Place / Activity:
Mikazuki Japanese Hotel & Spa
Mikazuki Ryugujo Spa Hotel Mikazuki – Kizsarazu, Katsuura Kamogawa
Reason:
Ryugujo Spa Hotel Mikazuki – Kizsarazu is one of the largest hotel spa resorts in Japan. It is on the other side of Tokyo Bay from Tokyo on Chiba’s Boso Peninsular. It is easily reached by train, expressway bus and car.
There are also Mikazuki hotels in Katsuura and Kamogawa also on the Chiba Boso Peninsular
All of these hotels have a free shuttle bus services for hotel guests between the nearest stations and each hotel. The hotels are family friendly with swimming pool and spas which are fun for kids. The rooms are big and comfortable, and the price is reasonable.
Best Ways to get there:
Rail / Expressway bus & car
Internet Link:
Mikazuki Ryugujo Spa Hotel Kisarazu
Age Group:
Elementary School
(Picture credit Mikazuki Hotel & Spa)
Place / Activity:
Fujisan Camping
Recommended Camp sites:
One of our survey participants enjoys camping with her young family around Mt Fuji and recommends these camp sites:
- Mount Fuji Camping Resort: High standard. High standard, very clean water supply. Convenient power supply in the site. One plot is huge. Glamping available.
https://mtfuji-camp-resort.jp/ - NELO Gotemba: Simple campground with no showers. Mt Fuji can be seen from the site to the base of the mountain.
https://challengeoutdoor.co/nelogotemba/ - Lake Yamanakako Fuji no Mori: Another simple campground with no showers. They make campfires. Close to nature with deer in the connected forest.
https://fujinomori.business.site/
Some other sites that are on this family’s places to camp at are:
- PICA Fuji-Gurinpa: Cottages available https://www.pica-resort.jp/grinpa/
- Recamp Lake Yamanakako https://www.recamp.co.jp/recamp
Age Group:
Elementary School
(Picture credit JNTO)
Place / Activity:
Okinawa
Reasons:
One family highly recommends Okinawa and these places:
- Churaumi Aquarium is always fun no matter how many times we go.My children’s enjoyment of the aquarium has changed from when they were small children to now. They used to just look at the swimming creatures, but now they learn about them by reading the explanations and observing their ecology. https://churaumi.okinawa/en/
- Motobu Genki Mura (Genki Village).The main attraction is the dolphin petting experience, where you can actually go into the water and swim with the dolphins. It is a very spacious place where you can spend the whole day with other animals and activities (crafts, snorkeling depending on the season, etc.). https://owf.jp/english/
- For a walk, Shuri Castle and the ruins of Nakijin Castle left a good impression on this family’s eldest daughter, who is a history buff.
- Travelling with children, the beach and pool at the hotels are also enough to enjoy Okinawa.
A good website for information on Okinawa is VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN
Age Group:
Elementary School age
Picture Credit Churaumi Aquarium
Other places young Japanese families like to visit / do
| Tokyo Disney Land | Tokyo Disney Land: Of course Japanese children enjoy Tokyo Disney Land and it appears in our mini survey. |
 | Asakusa – Yes it is not just foreign visitors who like Asakusa; this family from Kansai enjoy visiting Asakusa (Picture Credit Japan guide.com) |
We hope these ideas from Japanese mothers are helpful for you when you are planning your trip to Japan or planning your next excursion!
And a big thank you to the And Assist staff / mothers for their ideas for this post!
 | And Assist are multi-talented, well-educated Japan-based Virtual Assistants with extensive professional experience. They will remotely support your business and everyday needs of foreign residents in Japan. Find out more here |
 | TS Japan Rail is a travel consultant / travel planner specializing in Japan rail travel for both the general tourist and rail enthusiast, including foreign residents based in Japan. Find out more here |
