Japan private family tour

Touch down in Tokyo to kick off your private family Japan tour. An assistant will be waiting in the arrivals hall to escort your family to a private hotel transfer. We’ve chosen Fairmont Tokyo for its ideal location near your itinerary’s activities and a sky-high pool the kids will love. Plus, generous suites with separate sleeping areas or connecting rooms ensure there’s space for parents to truly exhale. 

Ease into the morning at Meiji Shrine, a forest sanctuary honoring Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Pass beneath torii gates and stroll shaded paths where families pause for Shinto rituals, writing wishes on ema plaques. This afternoon, enter the kaleidoscopic world of teamLab Borderless where digital art wraps you in light, movement, and color. Wander through immersive installations that respond to your presence, blurring boundaries between art, nature, and imagination. 

After breakfast, a private driver brings you to Mt. Takao for a refreshing day in nature. Wander gentle forest trails or ride a cable car to the summit, where sweeping views stretch all the way to Mount Fuji on clear days.

Mid-morning, meet Ms. Junko Hayashi in Omori for a neighborhood market shop before being welcomed into her home kitchen. Together, you’ll make ramen entirely from scratch—kneading noodles by hand and foot(!), simmering rich miso broth, and finishing each bowl with classic toppings. After, prepare daifuku using seasonal fruit for a delectable treat. The afternoon is left intentionally open. Do some self-directed exploration or catch a nap if the kids aren’t on Tokyo time quite yet.  

Venture beyond Tokyo to Saitama for a rare encounter with a master swordsmith. Travel in comfort aboard the Shinkansen’s Green Car, arriving at Akihira-san’s workshop for an intimate introduction to the legendary katana. Tour his collection, sip green tea, and watch the forging process up close. Weather permitting, enjoy a casual garden barbecue. At the Railway Museum, discover how Japan’s famously punctual train system was engineered, then step into a hands-on simulator.

Ride the bullet train to Kanazawa, a city where samurai tradition and artisan heritage intertwine. Start at Nosaku Makie, a 350-year-old lacquerware atelier, crafting your own tray finished with Kanazawa’s famed gold powder. End in Higashi Chaya, Japan’s most storied geisha district outside Kyoto, strolling lantern-lit streets and elegant wooden teahouses. 

Step into samurai spirit today with a hands-on kendo lesson at a dojo, where kids and parents suit up in traditional armor and learn basic stances, strikes, and discipline. Visit the Nomura-ke Samurai Residence in Kanazawa’s Nagamachi district, exploring tatami rooms and preserved personal quarters to imagine how warriors lived.

Travel by private car into the Japanese Alps to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-listed mountain village famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, named for roofs shaped like hands pressed together in prayer. With a guide, kids and parents step inside preserved homes to imagine rural alpine life centuries ago. After exploring on foot, hop on e-bikes for a joyful ride along mountain roads rarely reached by visitors. 

Arrive by bullet train in Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital and cultural heart. Begin in Arashiyama with a rickshaw tour through the iconic bamboo forest (fun!), then explore Tenryu-ji’s serene Zen gardens. Meet playful macaques at Monkey Park before meeting privately with a master confectioner to create—then eat—seasonal wagashi sweets. End with hands-on fun at the Nintendo Museum, where interactive exhibits delight kids while indulging parents’ nostalgia. Six Senses Kyoto is your sanctuary for four nights. 

Travel by private car to Osaka, Japan’s fun-loving food capital. Start on Doguyasuji “Kitchenware Street,” where kids and parents create surprisingly realistic plastic sushi or ramen in a private model-making workshop. (Yours to keep.) These quirky displays are a beloved part of Japanese restaurant culture. This evening, dive into Osaka’s famous street-food scene in Dotonbori, sampling takoyaki (battered balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake) beneath glowing neon signs and larger-than-life billboards.

We hold a day for leisure, enjoying the amenities of Six Senses Kyoto. In the supervised kids club, children fold origami, craft colorful chigiri-e collages, or create cheerful teru teru bōzu charms, then burn off energy at the indoor playground or while mastering a “Ninja Star” game. With the kids contented, parents can unwind nearby with a Watsu pool spa treatment or uninterrupted conversations at the elegant Nine Tails cocktail bar.  

Your last full day in Japan unfolds in Nara, the country’s first capital. Visit Todai-ji Temple to marvel at the world’s largest bronze Buddha, then wander past Kasuga Taisha’s glowing lantern-lined paths. The real stars for kids are Nara’s friendly deer, believed to be messengers of the gods. Offer them special crackers, and watch as they politely bow before trotting alongside you. 

Enjoy a final relaxed morning before a private driver meets your family at the hotel. You’ll be transferred comfortably to Kansai International Airport for a domestic connection, ahead of your international flight home. Depart Japan carrying more than souvenirs—taking with you shared family moments, new discoveries, and memories that will linger long after the journey ends.