We highly recommend a visit to Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruits Park when in Yamanashi. The highest point of the park gives spectacular views of Mount Fuji on a clear day, a beautiful night view of the Kofu Basin, and has a number of activities for families throughout the park. WHAT TO …
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Yamanashi Prefecture, home to Mount Fuji, is a beautiful area to camp and take in the fresh mountain air, soak in natural onsens, sip on the area wine and go fruit picking. We stayed in the Koshu area about an hour and a half drive from Tokyo (about an hour from Fujikawaguchiko) …
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If you are looking for a great day or weekend trip from Tokyo, I highly recommend Minami Boso (the southern area of Chiba) and the Kamogawa Sea World. Kamogawa Sea World is a 1.5-2 hour trip from central Tokyo where you can enjoy the sea breeze, beach and learn about …
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Fuji Safari Park is a lovely place to see and experience animals from around the world living freely. Fuji Safari Park offers visitors 4 options to experience their safari park 1) Self-drive option where visitors can progress through the park in their own car at their own pace, 2) Jungle Bus …
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Hakone is a beautiful, mountainous area popular for it`s natural onsens, hiking and views. Only 90 min from Shinjuku, it`s a perfect long weekend getaway. Directions: Take the Romance Car from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Things to do: The Hakone Open Air Museum: A perfect place to spend the day enjoying …
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Last fall I took my two youngest kids on an Aomori 3-day trip. Why Aomori? Because my ten-year-old son asked to take the Shinkansen somewhere north, and we had never been to Aomori. It was an easy, yet exciting trip for three days. We hiked the most beautiful river I …
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Our family had a wonderful two day visit to Kanazawa last week. Wanted to share a recommended two-day itinerary. Below is the report for Day 2. To read Kanazawa Day 1, please click here. Hope you enjoy Kanazawa as much as we did! Kanazawa Day Two Begin your day with …
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Jiji (my 83-year old father-in-law) and I headed to Kamakura for a quick day trip on a lovely autumn day. Jiji had not been to Kamakura in over ten years, I seem to go in two-year cycles. Kamakura is the type of place though that you never tire. Each season …
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Kanazawa Two Day Trip – Day 1! Our family had a wonderful two day visit to Kanazawa last week. Wanted to share a recommended two-day itinerary. Below is the report for Day 1. Read Kanazawa – Day Two here. Kanazawa is a lovely city in Ishikawa prefecture (on the west …
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If you are skiing in Nagano-ken this winter, spend half a day visiting the Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑). I took the kids there and we all had a great time seeing the monkeys and hiking into the valley. It is about 25-30K from Nozawa-onsen or Shigakogen ski areas making it an …
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Nozawa Onsen is one of our top family ski locations. Easy to access from Tokyo, great skiing and above average Japanese apre ski food and activities. Our family of six are all ski lovers and have traveled all over Japan, North America and EU enjoying powder. Skiing in Japan is …
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Lake Biwa and Nagahama Japan with Kids. If you missed the cherry blossoms in Tokyo we recommend visiting Lake Biwa and the Nagahama Castle in Shiga Prefecture. Next week from April 9 – 17, 2018 the area will hold the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival. “The “Nagahama Hikiyama Festival” is a festival …
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Gifu Castle, originally named Inabayama Castle, was rebuilt in 1956 and in 2011 was designated a National Historical Site. Located on top of Kinka Mountain the castle contains a historical museum and observation deck with lovely views of Gifu city and neighboring Nagoya. There are two ways to get to there; …
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Karuizawa, Nagano is our favorite mountain resort getaway. Best part? It`s only a 1 hr Shinkansen ride from Tokyo. Step off the train, take in the gorgeous mountain views, and enjoy the numerous activities Karuizawa has to offer from outdoor sports, onsens, shopping, play areas, food and more. *** The …
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GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is one of the most convenient snow resorts to visit with little ones outside Tokyo. It`s a 75-min shinkansen ride (Max-Tanigawa or the Tanigawa) from Tokyo station and the train drops you off right inside the base of the GALA Yuzawa Resort making it ultra convenient if traveling with small …
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Hakone is a perfect location for a 36-hour romantic escape from Tokyo. Hubby and I had the luxury of leaving our four kids at home and running away for part of the weekend. If you are looking for a quick getaway for fresh air, onsens, great food, lovely accommodations and …
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Thomas Land is one of our favorite theme parks for young kids on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Thomas Land, in Yamanashi, Japan, is the world’s first Thomas & Friends Theme Park. Located a 1.5 hour drive from central Tokyo, and within the Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park, it`s a great …
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If you are planning a family ski vacation to Niseko, Hokkaido, register your children early to attend one of the top Niseko Kids Ski Schools. I was told there are over 30 ski schools in Niseko, however, after some personal research and visiting Niseko we are recommending three English language …
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If you are looking for a quick, carefree weekend trip to enjoy white beaches and blue seas visit Club Med Ishigaki, Okinawa. Only a three-hour flight from Tokyo, Club Med Kabira Beach Ishigaki Okinawa (石垣島カビラクラブメッド) offers an all-inclusive vacation package that`s great for families. The package includes buffet-style breakfast, lunch …
Read More » Karuizawa, Nagano is a beautiful mountain resort a 1 hr Shinkansen ride from Tokyo. Step off the train, take in the gorgeous mountain views, and enjoy the numerous activities Karuizawa has to offer from outdoor sports, onsens, shopping, play areas, food and more. Shopping is concentrated at the Karuizawa Prince Shopping …
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Support Fukushima through Sightseeing! Although life has returned to normal for most people living in Fukushima, tourists are still avoiding the prefecture. Radiation levels are no higher than any average city in the world, but ignorance still keeps many people from visiting and many sightseeing spots are barely surviving. For travelers who …
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Mount Gozaisho (御在所岳) in Mie is a popular location for hiking, offers beautiful panoramic views year-round of the Suzuka Mountain Range between the Mie and Shiga Prefectures and is a popular tourist attraction year round. Visitors can view the Azaleas in Spring, Red Dragonflies in Summer, White-capped mountains in Winter …
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Katashina Kogen Ski Resort is perfect for young children completely new to skiing, and for parents who want to hit the slopes sans kids. They offer a popular snow kindergarten for kids from age 4, Junior Ski School for kids up to age 12, Miffy Kids Room & Day Care (ages …
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Experience a Nikkō 36-hour adventure. The other weekend I took the two youngest children (11 & 3) on a two day, one night adventure to Nikkō. It was a great place to see foliage, waterfalls, beautiful shrines and temples, and also play at Edo Wonderland! Easy to get to from …
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We spent a lovely, long weekend in Atami on the Izu Peninsula with family visiting from the U.S. Atami is a traditional and popular hot springs resort one to two hours outside Tokyo (depending on your method of transportation). We stayed at the Atami Juraku Hotel, a 3-minute walk from the station …
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Best Living Japan – Tokyo Expat Family Guide Tokyo with Kids Guide for Globally Minded Families