Tokyo Disney, bullet trains, bowing deer, baby piglets, and a whole lot of convenience store snacks.
I have six kids. I took five of them to Japan for two weeks. Ages 4 to 15. People thought we were nuts β and honestly, there were moments where I agreed with them.
But here's the thing: it was one of the best trips we've ever taken as a family. Japan is wildly kid-friendly in ways I didn't expect, the food is amazing (even for picky eaters), and the trains run so well it almost feels like cheating. We covered Tokyo Disney, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, and Tokyo over 14 days.
Flights to Japan with a Big Family: Book Direct or Learn the Hard Way
We originally booked flights with a connection. We missed it. The airline couldn't rebook us for four days. With five kids. That was the end of connections for us.
We rebooked direct from Chicago to Haneda on United β about 13 hours, around $1,200 per person using cash and credit card points. Why Haneda over Narita: it's closer to central Tokyo. When you land after 13 hours with tired kids, every saved minute matters.
Also: iPads on the plane. Load them up, bring headphones, do not feel guilty about it for one second.
Our Two-Week Japan Itinerary with Kids
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea (2 Nights, 2 Days)
We went straight from the airport to Disney β smart move. The kids were jet-lagged and wired, and Disney burned it off perfectly. One day at Disneyland, one at DisneySea. Kids preferred Disneyland; my husband and I loved DisneySea. Do both if you can.
We stayed one night at the Tokyo Disney Hotel and one at the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay β bigger rooms, great breakfast buffet, up to five beds per room setup.
Kyoto with Kids
Shinkansen to Kyoto β my kids talked about the bullet train for days. We rented a house through Booking.com with a washer and dryer (essential when you're packing carry-on only for seven people). Highlight: a day trip to Nara to see the bowing deer. My 4-year-old still talks about it.
Osaka with Kids
Thirty minutes from Kyoto and it felt like a different country. We stayed at the SwissΓtel Nankai Osaka, right near Dotonbori. Don't miss Taito Station arcade β a completely different universe from anything back home.
Hakone (See Mt. Fuji!)
The Hakone Open-Air Museum stole the show β an outdoor sculpture park with interactive stuff for kids set against gorgeous mountain views. We also did the Hakone Loop: pirate ship across Lake Ashi, volcanic hot springs, and the famous black eggs that supposedly add seven years to your life.
Tokyo
We saved Tokyo for last. Stayed in an Airbnb near Asakusa and Ueno β great location, close to grocery stores, easy trains.
The pig cafe β yes, a pig cafe. Baby piglets. Kids in heaven.
Tokyo Skytree β unreal views, worth it.
teamLab Planets β the single coolest thing we did the entire trip. Book early. It sells out fast.
What Our Kids Ate (Honest Version)
Loved: Noodles (ramen, udon, soba), karaage, wagyu shabu-shabu.
Skipped: Sushi β tried it, not their thing, and that's fine.
Best tip for big families: mall food halls. Tons of options, casual, everyone gets something different.
Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart in Japan are on another level. Hot bao buns, onigiri, fresh bento. We hit one almost every day.
Why We Skipped the Japan Rail Pass
Buying tickets individually through the SmartEX app was cheaper and more flexible for our itinerary. We got same-day bullet train tickets every time. Download it before you go.
Packing Carry-On Only for 7 People
One carry-on per person. Laundry as you go. Pack laundry detergent sheets. For little ones: a travel stroller and Tula foldable carrier. We walked 10+ miles most days.
Tips for Traveling Japan with Kids
Book direct flights. A missed connection cost us four days.
Keep snacks on you at all times. Hungry kids = mood crash, fast.
One or two things per day. Leave room to wander.
Split up. One parent with big kids, one with littles.
Skip the Rail Pass. Use SmartEX, buy as you go.
Be patient. The stuff that goes sideways makes the best stories.
About Me
I'm Rachel Neill, cofounder of Figgy and mom of 6 in Madison, WI. I built Figgy during the pandemic while home with all my kids β it's a play couch built for exactly the kind of creative, active kids I'm always trying to keep happy, whether we're at home or halfway around the world.