Experience Japan with your family, traveling by bullet train from Kyoto and Tokyo to the lively towns of northern Honshu, and encountering the timeless ways of samurai warriors, geisha, and ninjas—as well the modern arts of anime and manga.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 Traditional family dinner in Japan
Traditional family dinner in Japan
 The Fushimilnari Gate, Kyoto
The Fushimilnari Gate, Kyoto
 Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto
 Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, Nara
Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, Nara
 Nara, the ancient capital of Japan
Nara, the ancient capital of Japan
 Japan's bullet train with Mt. Fuji in the distance
Japan's bullet train with Mt. Fuji in the distance
 Evening panorama of Tokyo
Evening panorama of Tokyo
 Odaiba, Tokyo
Odaiba, Tokyo
 Aomori, Japan
Aomori, Japan

Japan for Families: A Tailor-Made Journey

11 days from $6,950

Experience Japan with your family, traveling by bullet train from Kyoto and Tokyo to the lively towns of northern Honshu, and encountering the timeless ways of samurai warriors, geisha, and ninjas—as well the modern arts of anime and manga.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690
Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Machiya Residence Inn - Ayaginu

Kyoto, Japan

This traditional holiday house is conveniently located near to the central Kyoto Station.  Blending traditional design with modern amenities, take in the custom artwork, beautiful fabrics, a traditional garden, and a Japanese ‘tatami’ room.  There is an elegant kitchen and modern bathroom with heated flooring to ensure a very comfortable stay.

The Gate Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Set on a city street, this striking, upscale hotel is a 3-minute walk from Hibiya train station, 1 km from Tsukiji Fish Market and 3 km from the iconic Tokyo Tower. Modern rooms offer minibars, Nespresso machines and teamaking equipment, as well as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, stereos and desks. Upgraded rooms add canopy beds, sitting areas and/or floor-to-ceiling windows with city views. Suites provide separate living/dining rooms and terraces. Amenities include a sophisticated restaurant/bar, a top-floor beef and seafood eatery, and an airy lobby piano lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace.

The Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai

Sendai, Japan

A 3-minute walk from downtown area Ichibancho, Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai features a relaxing hot public bath, a restaurant, and free WiFi.  Wood paneling gives the compact rooms a warm touch, while a large window offers views of the city skyline. All rooms have a wall-mounted LCD TV, a fridge and an air humidifier/purifier, while a personal safe and a trouser press are provided.  Guests can unwind in Spa Yugetsu’s spacious public baths on the top floor. Ristorante Barolo features a selection of Italian wines and dishes inspired by authentic Italian cuisine. The breakfast buffet offers a wide range of Japanese and Western fare.

Sunroute Aomori

Aomori, Japan

A 4-minute walk from the Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center, this hotel is located in a commercial district. Low-key rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges, plus tea and coffeemaking equipment. Some have tatami floors, futons, and traditional short-legged tables. Amenities include three down-to-earth restaurants, including a warm eatery serving classic seafood dishes, along with coin-operated laundry facilities. Parking and massage treatments are available for a surcharge.

Gift Membership – Friends of Smithsonian

When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include:

  • A Smithsonian annual engagement calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall.
  • Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history. Early access to Smithsonian magazine produced events.
  • Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts.
  • 10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
  • Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll, displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center
  • Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
  • Free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
  • A complimentary copy of the annual Smithsonian museum guidebook.
  • Invitation to a special welcome event for new members at a Smithsonian venue.

*Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members. 

Reading List

Highly Recommended

An Introduction to Japanese Society
By: Sugimoto, Yoshio
A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun
By: Clements, Jonathan
Japan: Travel for kids: The fun way to discover Japan (Travel Guide For Kids)
By: Publishing, Dinobibi
DK Eyewitness Japan (Travel Guide)
By: DK Eyewitness

Also Recommended

Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook & Dictionary 9
By: Abe, Yoshi, Hagiwara, Keiko
Japan - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (114)
By: Culture Smart!, Norbury, Paul
Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen
By: Denson, Abby
Japan: A Traveler's Literary Companion (Traveler's Literary Companions)
Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival
By: Pilling, David
Japan's Cuisines: Food, Place and Identity
By: Rath, Eric C.
A Traveller's History of Japan [Paperback] [2008] 4 Ed. Richard Tames
Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan
By: Feiler, Bruce
Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye: A Journey
By: Mockett, Marie Mutsuki
The Inland Sea
By: Richie, Donald
Pachinko (National Book Award Finalist)
By: Lee, Min Jin
My Travel Journal 1 (Lonely Planet Kids)
By: Kids, Lonely Planet, Baxter, Nicola
The Travel Book: A journey through every country in the world (Lonely Planet Kids)
By: Kids, Lonely Planet
24x36 World Wall Map by Smithsonian Journeys - Tan Oceans Special Edition (24x36 Laminated)

*As an Amazon Associate, Smithsonian Journeys earns from qualifying purchases.

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.

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