PERFECT FOR:
- Families and Couples
- Independent and Active Travelers
- Those seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations & Cultural Experiences
- Animal and Nature Lovers
- History and architecture buffs
- First time and returning travelers to Japan
A Private Japan Family Tour – Tokyo, Yudanaka Snow Monkeys, kanazawa, Kyoto & Lake Biwa
11 Days / 10 Nights – Tour Code (JPF) – Private Tour – Departs Daily
Ninjas. Snow Monkeys. Biking through the countryside. A chance to mingle with the locals. Sound like a recipe for the perfect Japan Family Vacation? Read on…
Japan is one of the most rewarding and most intriguing family travel destinations in the world. It is a land of contrasts, steeped in timeless traditions all the while constantly setting new trends for the rest of the planet to follow. This action-packed Japan family holiday features a plethora of sights, sounds and tastes available nowhere else in the world – giving your family memories of a lifetime.
With your private guide as your co-pilot, we explore Tokyo’s fantastic sights, including the world-famous Tsukiji Market, several of the city’s popular spots for Otaku (Anime), Mirakan (National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation), Sensoji Temple and its colorful Nakamise shopping street, the ultra-cool Teamlab Planets that boasts sensory experiences through creative digital art, and a glimpse of Japan’s Otaku (anime) culture.
Then, take a ride on the super fast Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Yudanaka Valley in Nagano Prefecture to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, famed for its wild Snow Monkeys. Here, enjoy an invigorating hike through the beautiful mountainscape while observing these playful creatures’ fascinating interactions with nature, humans and one another. Next, journey toward the Sea of Japan to Kanazawa, yet another castle town steeped in Shogunate Era and home to the famous Kenrokuen Garden. Here, enjoy the city’s charming Higashi Chaya District, Myoryuji – a.k.a. Ninja Temple, plus a fun-filled Japanese culinary lesson.
Last and certainly not least – Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan for more than a thousand years. Kyoto is forever known for its history and culture, casting an image of Old Japan where ancient Buddhist temples, traditional wooden houses, stunning palaces and beautiful classical gardens abound. Visit several of the city’s most famous sites, including Kinkaku-Ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Ryoan Temple. Take a trip outside Kyoto to beautiful Lake Biwa, located just 40 minutes outside the city. Here, enjoy a bicycle ride along a beautiful lakeside road up to the stunning rice terraces, where you’ll spend a day immersing in the region’s local culture, mingling and enjoying lunch with a local family, and participating in various cultivation activities such as rice harvesting, fruit picking or mochi-making.
From Tokyo’s vibrant cityscape to Yudanaka’s stunning mountainscape; giant sumo wrestlers to adorable snow monkeys; Kanazawa’s ancient villages to Kyoto’s dazzling temples; your most unforgettable Japan family holiday awaits!
TOUR INCLUDES:
- 10 nights hotel accommodations per itinerary
- Hotel breakfasts daily
- Lunch and dinners as specified per itinerary
- Seven-day Japan Rail Pass (Tourist Class)
- Private sightseeing by private guide utilizing public transport
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Separate baggage transfer service between Tokyo / Kanazawa / Kyoto
TOKYO (3 nights)
- 3 nights at Shibuya Excel Stream Hotel | Shibuya Excel in Tokyo
- Full-day tour featuring the city’s “cool places” (Mirakan, Akihabara, Harajuku, Tokyo SkyTree)
- Half-day city tour of Tokyo’s Must-Sees (Tsukiji Market, Sensoji Temple & Meiji Shrine)
YUDANAKA (2 nights)
- 2 nights at Ryokan Biyu no Yado
- Visit to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
KANAZAWA (2 nights)
- 2 nights at Mitsui Garden Hotel
- Half-day tour visiting Higashi Chaya Distrct, Ninja Temple and Kenrokuen Garden
- Morning Culinary Lesson with Omicho Market Visit
KYOTO (3 nights)
- 3 nights at Cross Hotel Kyoto
- Half-day private walking tour of Kyoto City
- Half-day private bicycle and Cultural Immersion tour in Lake Biwa
- Departure transfers to Itami or Kansai Airport in Osaka by shared shuttle van
Day 1 Arrive Tokyo
Upon arrival and after clearing Customs and Immigration, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Tokyo by private taxi for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.
Day 2 Tokyo
Today, enjoy a day of fun exploring Tokyo’s “cool” spots. Visit Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, this area was originally famous for its many electronics shops sporting the latest and greatest Japanese electronics. In addition, Akihabara has also become the center of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture, where you’ll find many anime-themed shops and establishments. Next, visit Mirakan or The National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation for some of the planet’s most advanced gadgets and technologies. Continue to the super cool Teamlab Planets, a fascinating digital art museum where visitors wade through mesmerizing light installations, interactive projections, and sensory experiences, blurring the boundaries between art and reality. (B)
Day 3 Tokyo
Today, enjoy a morning visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo’s most famous Shinto Shrine dedicated to the late 19th-century emperor who opened Japan to the West, home to a 40-foot-high torii gate and a 200-acre park made of 1,500-year-old cypress. Next, head to the Old Tsukiji Fish Market, an enormous market lined with produce and seafood stalls, sushi eateries and street food stands. Last but not least, visit Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist Temple at Senso-ji in Asakusa, followed by a stroll through the colorful Nakamise Shopping Street. Afternoon free at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own. (B)
Day 4 Tokyo / Yudanaka
This morning, board a bullet train for Nagano, followed by an express train to Yudanaka. Upon arrival, transfer to your ryokan by hotel shuttle van and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the nearby Shibu Onsen Village, which is just a few minutes from your hotel by foot or taxi. A Kaiseki Dinner (multi-course Japanese Banquet) is served at the ryokan this evening. (B,D)
Suggestion: While in Nagano between trains, suggest taking a short 10-minute bus ride to Zenko-Ji Temple located approximately 1.5 miles from Nagano Station (bus stop is located directly in front of Nagano Station main entrance/exit). Zenko-ji is one of the most important and popular Buddhist temples in Japan founded in the 7th century. It features an underground tunnel beneath the temple that is completely pitch black. Visitors can make their way through by feel, without seeing a thing. It’s a fun experience not to be missed!
Note: no guide is provided on this day. Specific instructions on getting from Tokyo to Yudanaka will be provided.
Day 5 Yudanaka (Snow Monkey Park):
After breakfast at the ryokan, proceed by hotel shuttle to Snow Monkey Park, where you’ll spend the morning exploring the park and observing the playful snow monkeys bathing, swimming and jumping in and out of the hot spring pools. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in Yudanaka. (B,D)
Day 6 Yudanaka / Kanazawa
Continue your journey by rail to Kanazawa (with connection at Nagano Station). Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon tour of the city visiting Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and formerly the outer garden to the Kanazawa Castle. Next visit Myoryuji, a.k.a. Ninja Temple, a former military outpost during the Edo Period, famed for its many deceptive defenses and secret escape routes in the event of an attack. Continue to Higashi Chaya District, Kanzawa’s beautiful old town lined with quaint shops and tea houses. Tourists have also been known to have an occasional Geisha sighting. Overnight in Kanazawa. (B)
Day 7 Kanazawa
This morning, enjoy a fun-filled cooking lesson featuring Sushi-making, Tempura-making or local Kanazawa cuisine, including a visit to the Omicho Market. Afternoon free at leisure to relax and explore charming Kanazawa on your own. (B,L)
Day 8 Kanazawa/ Kyoto
Board your bullet train for Kyoto. Upon arrival, commence sightseeing of beautiful Kyoto, visiting the Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Ryoan Temple (Rock Garden). Check in to your hotel in Kyoto for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. (B)
Day 9 Kyoto (Lake Biwa)
This morning, enjoy an invigorating cultural and scenic tour of Lake Biwa. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along a beautiful lakeside road up to the stunning rice terraces where you’ll spend a relaxing and culturally-inspiring day in a traditional farm village. The tour showcases a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path experience of the countryside to see a different side of Japan. Here, get a chance to visit a local family’s residence where a simple Japanese lunch is prepared (with your help). Depending on the season, you may participate in various cultivation activities such as rice harvesting, fruit picking or mochi-making. Return to Kyoto from Shiga Station on your own and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B,L)
Day 10 Kyoto
Full day free at leisure to relax and explore a few of Kyoto’s two thousand temples and shrines by foot or by bicycle. A visit to nearby Nara, yet another ancient capital and Japan’s first, is highly recommended. (B)
Day 11 Return Home
Transfer to Itami or Kansai Airport in Osaka by shared shuttle van for your departure flight onward. (B)
2024 Price Chart (Prices valid through December 20, 2024) | ||
| Departs Daily | Twin Sharing | Single Supplement |
| Jan. – Feb. | 5,175 | 1,695 |
| Mar. – Apr. | 5,575 | 1,945 |
| May | 5,395 | 1,875 |
| June | 5,225 | 1,725 |
| Jul. – Aug. | 5,225 | 1,725 |
| September | 5,325 | 1,725 |
| October | 5,575 | 1,995 |
| November | 5,625 | 2,045 |
| December | 5,325 | 1,775 |
| Tour requires minimum of 2 passengers to operate | ||
- Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
- Price includes entrance fees, hotel taxes & service charges
- Price excludes all airfares, personal expenses, meals not specified, beverages during included lunches & dinners
- Tour commences in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto.
- Peak Season Surcharges or blackout dates apply during Sakura season (Cherry Blossoms in late March – mid April), Golden Week Holiday (April 29-May 6) & December Holiday period (Dec. 24- Jan. 03). Please contact us for details and restrictions.
- All hotels, tours and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation
Japan Gallery
HIGHLIGHTS
- Teamlab Planets Digital Art Museum
- Electric Town & Harajuku
- Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
- Kanazawa’s Ninja Temple & Higashi Chaya Old Town
- Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Golden Pavilion
- Lake Biwa cultural experience & bike tour
Price Starting From:
$5,175
RELATED TOURS
ACCOMMODATIONS
Tokyo – Shibuya Excel Stream Hotel
Yudanaka – Ryokan Biyu No Yado
Kyoto – Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel
Kanazawa – Mitsui Garden Hotel
Kyoto – Royal Park Sanjo Hotel
WHAT PRIVATE TOUR MEANS
