Aleney de Winter goes beyond the dazzling sights and sounds of Tokyo, and the perfect powdery slopes of its ski towns, to explore Japan’s other holiday hotspots.
Safe, clean and more than a little quirky, Japan is a clear favourite with Aussies.
Here ancient shrines nestle humbly under the shadow of neon-lit skyscrapers. Tranquil gardens share the same address as chaotic shopping strips, and steamy onsens (mineral baths) huddle amid some of the best powder snow in the world.
Add samurais, ninjas and sumo wrestlers, a profusion of Hello Kitty and Pokémon and you have a destination that leaves families begging for more.
Most families attempt Tokyo as on their first visit to Japan, perhaps with a side trip to the incredible ski resorts. Or the other way around.
But where should you go in Japan once you’ve done that? When you’re keen to explore more, with the kids in tow.
These four destinations are clear winners with Holidays with Kids families.
Kyoto is two hours and 20 minutes from Tokyo on the Shinkansen train.
Once here you can follow in the footsteps of samurai and geisha as you walk along the old streets of Gion.
The kids can get face to face with ‘real’ samurai at Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a working TV and movie set that doubles as a unique theme park. They’ll find live ninja battles, swordfights and samurai skirmishes waiting around every corner.
If your kids would rather do than see, they can even learn the art and etiquette of the Samurai with a kembu master at Samurai Kembu Theater.
Kyoto is filled with jaw-dropping Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Fushimi Inari is the one not to be missed. Here you can keep the kids busy counting their way along the trail of thousands of bright-orange tori gates or playing a game of spot the foxes – the symbol of Fushimi Inari.
The Golden Pavillion, a glittering Zen Buddhist temple is top of most families’ lists. This incredible building is not the original, but it is seriously impressive.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is another favourite. The kids love winding their way through the paths and staring up at the seemingly endless forest of towering bamboo stalks.
Art fans will love the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
And no visit would be complete without a stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn that originated in the Edo period, where kids will love ‘camping out’ on the tatami-matted floors.
Osaka’s most famous structure is a 16th-century castle. If you go in spring, it’s surrounded by stunning cherry blossoms.
But these days the riverside city is better known for its high-tech architecture, culinary culture, and wizards.
Just minutes from Osaka by rail, the sprawling Universal Studios Japan offers visitors awesome shows, parades, cuddly characters and a huge choice of rides such as ‘Spider-Man’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Despicable Me’.
But its biggest drawcard is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The kids will love seeing Hogwarts for the first time and shopping at Hogsmeade. You can stock up on wands at Ollivanders and make magic of your own, casting spells along the cobbled pathways.
Or simply sip on a Butterbeer under the spires of Hogwarts before braving a ride on the kid-friendly Flight of the Hippogriff or the thrilling simulated ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Dotonbori Osaka, is the city’s buzzing neon-lit downtown area. Head to Dotonbori Street and both sides of the Dotonbori Canal to find famous name-brand stores, unique Japanese shops and fabulous restaurants. The local speciality is octopus balls. But the kids will prefer making their own Kit Kat at the Kit Kat store.
Stop off at the bridge in the city centre to take a photo with the “Running Man”. Trust us, you can’t miss it.
Osaka’s aquarium is another must-do with kids. This is the largest aquarium in the world. It will make every other aquarium seem small. Osaka Aquarium contains 30,000 creatures encompassing 620 different species. You can see otters, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, sharks, jellyfish, rays and loads of fish.
For dinner head to Shinsekai. This region is packed with flashing neon signs and cheap, good quality restaurants.
Japanese city planners modelled the north on Coney Island in New York and the South on Paris. The 103m Tsutenkaku Tower sits in the centre and dominates the skyline. Kids will love watching it change colours at night. The tower’s observatory (at 91m) has an open-air deck with a stunning view of the city.
While in Osaka you need to try Okonomiyaki, a savoury Japanese pancake made from batter and cabbage, topped with bacon, sweet, sticky brown sauce and mayonnaise. In Shinsekai you can make your own and cook it at the table with a grill plate.
Osaka is 2.5 to 3 hours on the Shinkansen from Tokyo. Australians can also fly direct to Osaka on Jetstar.
Central Honshu, or the Chubu, comprises nine prefectures occupying the centre of the main island of Honshu.
The region extends from the outskirts of Tokyo across the Kanto plain and the mountains of Chubu, to Kyoto.
Yamanishi, just outside the capital, is one of the most popular prefectures for local families to explore. Famous for its hot springs, five lakes and the incredible view of nearby Mount Fuji, it’s also home to Fuji-Q Highland, a theme park famous for its roller coasters.
The town of Nikko in the pretty hills to the north is home to Nikko Tosho-gu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine.
But it’s the mountains with peaks above 2500m and the Nikko National Park that most people come to visit. The Alps attract adventurous families all year round for hiking and skiing. You can soak in its hot springs and explore alpine towns.
Matsumoto, in Nagano prefecture, is a pretty mountain city with a fantastic 16th-century castle and streets of old merchant houses.
The historical city of Kanazawa, in Ishikawa prefecture, is another popular tourist destination, renowned for its preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and the spectacular Kenroku-en garden.
Okinawa is a region with more than 160 islands, 49 of them inhabited. It contains Southern and Western-most islands. From Tokyo, you will need to take a 3.5 hour flight to get here.
Known as Japan’s tropics, Okinawa stretches more than 1000 kilometres southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan. It’s best known for its subtropical climate, idyllic beaches, lush forests and rich culture.
The snorkelling and diving are among the best in the world, with warm water, incredible visibility. Visitors can see a huge variety of marine life, ranging from hammerhead sharks to turtles and manta rays.
Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama Islands is an especially popular spot for snorkelling, diving and surfing.
If you’d rather stay dry, head to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium to see thousands of fish, including two whale sharks, behind a 22.5-metre-high glass wall. If it’s the culture you seek, Shuri Castle, one of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Okinawa, is the only castle on the islands fully restored to its former glory.
Head to one of the many martial art studios to get your ‘Karate Kid’ on. The ancient martial art originated in Okinawa.
For a cultural twist, Okinawa City’s Gate 2 Street, located alongside a US military base, is ‘Little America’, with a drive-through Starbucks and diners offering homemade apple pies.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
Main image Osaka Castle ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau ©JNTO
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