Travel advice for Japan
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Japan
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Helen Fanthorpe
updated 12.12.2021
Be amazed by the winter activities Iiyama offers families. The city's in Nagano, easy to reach from Tokyo and one of the best winter destinations in Japan. Use our guide to find family friendly activities in liyama . The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Japan your essential guide for visiting Japan.
13 days / from3535 USD
Small Group Tour: Splendours of Japan
Discover the allure of Japan on our small group tour (max 16 guests). Unveil Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okayama through guided explorations. Immerse in tea ceremonies and relish in the captivating beauty of these iconic destinations. Regular departures ensure an unforgettable journey.
view tour ⤍14 days / from4070 USD
Small Group Tour: Secrets of Japan
Embark on an exceptional small-group tour, available monthly, unveiling Tokyo, Hakone, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and beyond. Uncover Japan's hidden gems, from serene shrines to bustling cities, and immerse in enchanting forests.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2795 USD
Small Group Tour: Highlights of Japan
Exciting small-group tour with monthly departures. Immerse in Japanese culture, challenge a pro in a sumo suit, wander Arashiyama's bamboo groves in Kyoto, and relish a kaiseki feast with Maiko entertainment - all included in this fascinating small group tour.
view tour ⤍7 days / from4000 USD
Japan highlights: Tokyo to Osaka
From Tokyo to Osaka, this Japan trip features fantastic experiences. View a sumo session, visit ancient temples, and climb the Tokyo Skytree tower. Explore the resort town of Hakone in Mt Fuji’s shadow, savor a tea ceremony in Kyoto, and see cherry blossoms, in season, to complete a wonderful trip.
view tour ⤍10 days / from3000 USD
Self-Guided Adventure Tour in Japan
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty, history, enchanting culture and warmhearted people of Japan, with our self-guided tour of Japan. Walk-through a bamboo forest, see how sake is made, join Samurai lesson, go bar-hopping in Tokyo and Osaka and extend your journey to Hiroshima
view tour ⤍10 days / from6000 USD
Culinary tour across Japan
This trip takes you from Tokyo to Kyoto, where you will experience authentic Japanese foods, visit morning markets in the local cities, learn how to make Japanese food and enjoy a unique stay at a monastery. A once in a lifetime experience.
view tour ⤍13 days / from3706 USD
Hiking the Japanese Alps
Traverse Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, hike Kamikochi's ancient forest, and marvel at Yake volcano. Explore Tokyo's palaces, Kyoto's temples, and Mt. Fuji's beauty. Relax in tranquil hot springs and discover Kanazawa's Kenroku-en Garden, along with Shirakawago's charming villages.
view tour ⤍12 days / from3415 USD
Japan Winter Tour with Monkey Onsen
Zip through snowy landscapes on a bullet train, exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa's iconic attractions. Encounter snow monkeys in Nagano, wander through Shirakawa-go's picturesque village, and unwind in a traditional onsen ryokan. Experience Japan's winter charm at its finest!
view tour ⤍15 days / from5155 USD
Family Adventures in Japan
Discover Tokyo's shrines, Hakone's Mt. Fuji views, and Nagoya's Toyota Museums. Traverse Nakasendo's historic trails, experience Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nijo Castle, and savor a traditional tea ceremony. End in Osaka with a cooking class and a visit to Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway.
view tour ⤍9 days / from2495 USD
Japan Essentials
Experience Japan's essence! From Tokyo's modernity to serene Hakone, historic Kyoto, and bustling Osaka. Marvel at Mt. Fuji, cruise Lake Kawaguchiko, stroll Fushimi Inari-Taisha's torii gates, and savor Kansai's cuisine in Dotonbori. This journey captures Japan's diverse beauty and culture.
view tour ⤍Iiyama's known as “Little Kyoto of Snow Country” and most families come here for winter sports. You'll find Madarao ski resort is particularly family friendly, with good kids' ski lessons and plenty of fun children's play areas.
Homely pensions in liyama are a great choice for family ski breaks. Tokyo's Hokuriku Shinkansen high speed train arrives in Iiyama City in just one hour, 30 minutes. Rent a car of use taxis and buses to sightsee. And for ski equipment, visit Iiyama Station Tourist Information Center.
Relaxed Madarao Mountain Ski Resort is best for families. It's in Northwest Nagano and not only provides kid's ski lessons and play areas, it also offers childcare.
A good all-rounder for skiers, it has beginner slopes, advanced skiing and off-piste terrain too. As well as group lessons, private lessons are available, with English speaking instructors. And if you're travelling with younger kids, think about staying at Madarao Kogen.
Japanese pensions are family-run and provide spacious, private bedrooms which sleep between two and four guests. Bathrooms are often shared, there's usually a communal dining room and the home cooking is always excellent. Madarao resort has several pensions close to ski slopes.
At Togari Onsen resort book Refre Inn Fukuzawa. This large pension has been run by Fukuzawa family for 60 years. It has a total of 14 rooms, sleeping up to six guests. The food is outstanding and you can look forward to fresh produce from the family farm.
Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Japan or Japan Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday. Click 'Modify this itinerary' to contact a local Japan expert.
Kamakura Village is a temporary snow village and restaurant that's rebuilt in liyama every year. Kamakura is Japanese for 'igloo', and the village comprises a total of 20 delightful Kamakura each serving traditional local dishes.
Set near the mountains, the location's idyllic. Expect lots of fun family-friendly activities during the day. But hang on for evening to enjoy huge starry skies and fireworks. For even more local charm, stay at family friendly Togari Cabin in liyama
Togari Onsen Motoyashiki is more than just a place to stay. As well as 19 traditional Japanese style rooms, this hotel also has an Onsen hot spring fed which is natural mineral-rich waters. A perfect place to soothe after a day's skiing.
The food at Togari Onsen Motoyashiki is fresh, healthy and delicious enough even picky kids will eat without a fuss. And you'll find another two public Onsen nearby, so you have a choice of après-ski family relaxation spots.
Ready to travel to Japan? Find out about the best time to go and the best places to see and things to do in Japan. For inspiration use the Japan itineraries from The Rough Guide to Japan and our local travel experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.
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written by Helen Fanthorpe
updated 12.12.2021
Helen worked as a Senior Travel Editor at Rough Guides and Insight Guides, based in the London office. Among her favourite projects to work on are inspirational guides like Make the most of your time on Earth, the ultimate travel bucket list.
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Japan