From its sushi to its snow, Japan is the greatest family-friendly destination you’d never even thought of. Read our list of Japan’s top 10 resorts for for families to start planning your next escape now.
From its sushi to its snow, Japan is the greatest family-friendly destination you’d never even thought of. Read our list of Japan’s top 10 resorts for for families to start planning your next escape now.
Strap on your skis and slide into your winter gear, because at Club Med Tomamu the slopes are just seconds away. Located on 145 hectares at Tomamu Mountain, Club Med Tomamu has plenty on offer with an all-inclusive package that includes a lift pass and group lessons. Beyond the slopes there are cooking lessons, fitness classes and Mina-Mina Beach, Japan’s largest indoor wave pool. For parents wanting to tackle more difficult ski runs, the kids’ club offers exciting activities for ages two to 17. And if the thrill of the snow is keeping you out longer than expected, the Club Med Pyjamas Club will have you covered with an evening group childcare service.
Dreams do come true at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel where the fun from Tokyo Disneyland flows straight into the hotel, just a minute away. Some rooms are themed, from Alice in Wonderland and Tinkerbell to Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, making for a magical stay, A day at Disneyland Tokyo is sure to work up a hunger which can be satisfied at one of the three hotel restaurants, all with kids’ menus. Make sure to make a serious to-do list so you can tick off all the fantastic features of the hotel including the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Misty Mountains Pool, Fantasia Court, Alice’s Garden, Mickey & Friends Square and Sherwood Garden.
Located 30 minutes from central Tokyo and a stroll away from Tokyo Disneyland, Hilton Tokyo Bay is the perfect place to put your feet up after a long day of taking in the sights, whether that’s the bustling city streets or high in the sky on a rollercoaster. Little ones will love a stay in one of the themed rooms and parents will be equally delighted with the pool, fitness room and relaxation salon. There is also plenty of choice for dining and a kids’ menu on offer. A stay at the Hilton Tokyo Bay removes the stress and replaces it with excellent service, friendly staff and an unforgettable family escape.
Kids of all ages are catered for at Hoshino Resort Tomamu The Tower, where a ‘mum-friendly committee’ helped create a toddler-friendly room for families to check in to. A no-shoe zone, this room provides a useful set of amenities where guests can easily access the washing machine, dryer, microwave and free diaper corner. The Yukku Yukku café also features a unique experience as you can browse more than 800 books and magazines while you enjoy a bite to eat.
With majestic views of Mount Yotei, The Westin Rusutsu Resort offers a serene and stylish escape, all year round. The resort is a winter wonderland of epic proportions, with the area receiving 14 metres of snow annually. The ski-in, ski-out facilities make it all the more easy to experience this powdery paradise. From late April to mid-October, thrill seekers can head to the resort’s amusement park, where eight roller coasters will keep the older ones entertained. The Kids Land, meanwhile, is the perfect escape for younger children.
Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido has you covered when it comes to all things snow, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned skier or a beginner on the slopes. With dedicated kids’ clubs up to the age of 17, snow sports are on the agenda with lessons in skiing and snowboarding for the older ones and walks, creative workshops and sensory activities for the tots. If you’re travelling with a baby, the hotel also includes all the essentials, from baby lotion to bottler warmers and strollers.
Located in the heart of the Hokkaido Golden Triangle, the Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort has ski-in, ski-out access to Kiroro resort, making it the perfect balance of action and après-ski relaxation. The snow park for children and the ski and snowboard academy will allow the kids to enjoy the slopes, so make sure you reserve some time to enjoy the nearby Kiroro Onsen Hot Spring for the ultimate unwind.
Got some Hello Kitty lovers in the family? Then you can’t go past the Keio Plaza Hotel, with 10 themed rooms that are as kawaii (cute) as they come. Located in the urban heart of Tokyo, the hotel is within easy reach of popular attractions. But if you need a break from the hustle and bustle, you can unwind in the Sky Pool or take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Explore Roppongi, Toranomon, Kasumigaseki and Otemachi and immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Tokyo, knowing that home is never far away at Tokyo Prince Hotel. With its central location and proximity to subway and train stations, the property offers a convenient stay with a little bit of added luxe. During summer, escape to the garden pool while the little ones enjoy the kiddie pool, or swap swimsuits for shopping bags at the Prince Shopping Arcade located in the basement of the hotel.
Located 2,000 metres above sea level at the foot of Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Area, Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel offers spectacular views over the site where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held. The West Building is perfect for families, offering a range of reasonably priced rooms. For an extra charge, the hotel also provides guides to take you on a snowshoe or back-country tour.
It’s a tremendous achievement to have your property recognised by the people who matter most: the families who stay there. We love seeing how many wonderful options there are for travellers with kids in tow all across the world, and every year the list is expanding.
As you can probably imagine, it’s a massive job to compile the Top 10 each year, and the Holidays with Kids team has been hard at work for the last few months compiling all the survey responses and sorting them into categories.
Holidays with Kids was the first travel magazine in Australia to do readers’ choice awards all the way back in 2001, our editors are pretty much certified experts in this field.
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