Japan Itinerary with Kids: 7-Day Family Fun in Tokyo & Osaka

Day 1

Welcome to Japan!

Where You’ll Stay

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo 5*

The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo occupies a commanding presence in the historic Nihonbashi district, poised atop the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower (floors 30–36). Designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the hotel embodies a thoughtful “Woods and Water” design concept with spaces framed to reflect the harmony between nature and the metropolis: like a living tree with guestrooms as branches.

Guest rooms carry a calm, contemporary elegance as it blends pale wood finishes with soft fabrics and warm lighting. Meanwhile, paper lantern-style lamps cast a gentle glow across framed panels of vintage kimono silk, creating a quiet connection to local craft traditions. Bathrooms are expansive and fitted with top-tier Japanese and international amenities all designed for indulgence after days of discovering Tokyo.

For families, comfort feels personal here. There are interconnecting suites that make it easy to stay close while giving everyone their own space. On request, rooms can be childproofed and stocked with playful extras like bath miniature bathrobes and indoor play tents. This is ultimate comfort for you and your family.

Morning - Midday

Touch down at Haneda or Narita Airport and meet your private driver who will be waiting at arrivals to assist with luggage and guide you to a luxury SUV for your family. The journey into Tokyo is smooth and comfortable with the city’s skyline gradually revealing itself as you approach Nihonbashi, the historic heart of the capital. Soon, the grandeur of the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo comes into view: a sanctuary suspended high above the city in the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, designed to feel like both a vantage point and a retreat.

If you arrive before check-in, let your first taste of Tokyo be within the hotel itself. Choose between the refined artistry of Signature, the Michelin-starred French dining room, or the warm sophistication of K’shiki, where modern Italian plates are paired with panoramic city views. Both restaurants offer thoughtfully prepared children’s menus and high chairs, ensuring even the youngest travelers feel part of the experience.

Afternoon

Once you settle into your two-bedroom suite take the time to fully unwind and immerse yourself in soft neutrals and glass walls framing the Tokyo skyline. The design encourages stillness with light-drenched spaces that seem to slow time. This is your moment to recover from the long flight. You can enjoy a tea service while watching the gentle shift of daylight across Tokyo.

Evening

As night falls, opt for an early in-suite dinner from the Oriental Lounge’s all-day menu. The options cater to every mood and palate so choose between delicate Japanese dishes or comforting Western classics. It’s also gonna be easy to surrender to the quiet luxury of the moment with the city’s twinkling lights stretching out beyond your windows. Take a restful sleep to wake up, ready for your first full day of adventure.

Overnight: Tokyo

Day 2

Tokyo Disneyland

Morning - Midday

Begin your morning at a gentle pace. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the privacy of your room or in Ventaglio and its abundant buffet of Japanese and international specialties laid out like a culinary map of the world. Once ready, your private SUV is waiting at the entrance and stocked with chilled water and light snacks for the short journey. The smooth, 40-minute drive to Tokyo Disneyland offers a glimpse of the city waking up. Explore Disneyland hand-in-hand with your family and prepare to make memories of a lifetime.

Choose between a variety of places for lu At the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall, you’ll step into an Alice in Wonderland-inspired world, complete with oversized teacups and whimsical heart-shaped chandeliers. The hearty plates here include roast chicken and colorful salads. There's also Grandma Sara’s Kitchen providing a warm, storybook setting tucked along a quiet corner of the park, where Japanese and Western comfort dishes bring a sense of home to the heart of the fantasy. These recommendations are just some of the few you'll encounter.

Afternoon

The afternoon is yours to explore at your own rhythm. Drift along gentle boat rides that weave through enchanted landscapes or take in vibrant stage shows that capture both young imaginations and adult nostalgia. If you need a break, find a shaded spot along the parade route with a cool treat in hand.

Bonus: your private driver remains just beyond the gates, ready to store extra clothes or shopping bags so you can move through the park without worrying about anything and be fully focused on the experience.

Evening

After one last lingering look at the illuminated castle, you’ll make your way to your waiting SUV for the comfortable ride back to the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. By the time you step into the hushed elegance of the lobby, the children may already be dozing, dreams filled with flying elephants and castles in the clouds. Upstairs, your suite promises the quiet comfort and soft luxury that rounds off a day of pure magic.

Overnight: Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Nature, Science & Family Discovery

Morning - Midday

Wake up to another slow morning at your suite. You have the choice to eat breakfast either in-room or in the airy dining spaces the hotel has to offer overlooking the city skyline. The first part of your day is yours to savor.

First activity of the day is to stroll through the iconic Nihonbashi Bridge with elegant stone arches that have quietly watched over centuries of Tokyo’s history. This moment right here is a gentle way to connect with the city’s past before diving into the day’s adventure. Then, you can head to an origami class where you and the kids can learn the delicate art of Japanese paper folding from a skilled instructor. This is where you create colorful keepsakes to take home.

When it’s time for lunch, make your way to Tempura Kondo. This Michelin-starred restaurant is celebrated for its delicate, golden-battered seafood and seasonal vegetables. While luxurious, the atmosphere is warmly approachable and the kitchen thoughtfully adapts dishes for younger palates, so that the whole family can enjoy the artistry of tempura together.

Afternoon

Your private driver will take you to Ueno Park for the National Museum of Nature and Science. The museum invites exploration through its towering dinosaur skeletons and immersive space exhibits that children of all ages love. After a visit to the museum, head to Ueno Zoo. The place is a favorite among children for its giant pandas and well-kept habitats. Watch animals in their habitat and learn why nature is such an integral piece of Japan.

Evening

Return to the hotel and settle in for dinner at Sense. Sense is the Mandarin Oriental’s Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant known for its bold flavors and delicate presentation matched by a willingness to adapt dishes for younger diners. The evening winds down once you’re back in your suite. Sleep is quiet and sound tonight after a full day of exploration.

Overnight: Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Tokyo to Osaka via Shinkansen

Where You’ll Stay

Conrad, Osaka 5*

Conrad Osaka offers a “sky-high” retreat with panoramic views stretching from Osaka Bay to the distant Ikoma Mountains with it perched high above the city on the 33rd to 40th floors of the Nakanoshima Festival Tower West.

Its striking exterior is a glass-clad vertical statement in the heart of the city’s cultural district, while inside, a blend of contemporary Japanese minimalism and global sophistication sets the scene. The interiors balance clean architectural lines with warm natural textures and floor-to-ceiling windows in every room that create an ever-changing cityscape that turns your suite into a living canvas of Osaka’s day-to-night energy.

This 5-star property redefines luxury with an emphasis on space and sensory detail. This is the perfect spot for the second leg of your family trip in Osaka.

Morning - Midday

Begin the day with a final breakfast at the Mandarin Oriental. Take in those sweeping skyline views one last time before departure. Your private driver will be waiting in the lobby to assist with luggage and escort you to Tokyo Station. Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted directly to the platform for your reserved Green Car or Gran Class seats aboard the Shinkansen. As the train glides out of the city, watch Tokyo’s skyscrapers melt into a patchwork of rural landscape and the occasional glimpse of Mount Fuji. The ride is fast yet serene: a hallmark of Japan’s engineering elegance and takes roughly two and a half hours to reach Osaka.

Disembark at Shin-Osaka Station, where your Osaka-based driver will be waiting right at the platform exit to ensure a seamless transition. From there, you’ll head straight into the heart of Dotonbori for lunch at Chibo Dotonbori, a restaurant famous for its theatrical take on Osaka-style okonomiyaki. Chefs mix batter, cabbage, seafood, and meats right in front of you before cooking them on an iron griddle, flipping them with expert flair. The experience is interactive and lively with the aroma of sizzling ingredients filling the air. This right here is the true introduction to Osaka’s reputation as “Japan’s kitchen.”

Afternoon

After lunch, you’ll be driven to the Conrad Osaka, an urban luxury retreat perched high above the city with interiors inspired by Japanese minimalism and modern art. Check into your spacious suite that open up to sweeping views of the city skyline. Take a restful nap and take the time to freshen up or enjoy the hotel’s amenities before your next stop at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

The aquarium is completed with a world-class facility designed to show visitors different oceanic environments like the icy habitats of the Arctic and the vibrant coral reefs of the tropics. The Pacific Ocean tank, with its gentle whale sharks and gliding manta rays, is a highlight of a slow, mesmerizing encounter that children and adults alike will remember.

Evening

After a full day of activity, return to the Dotonbori district, now aglow with neon signs and the lively hum of evening crowds. Family dinner tonight is at Kanidouraku Dotombori-Honten, which you can instantly spot by its iconic giant crab sign. Here, every dish celebrates the delicate sweetness of crab that is served as sashimi or simmered in a rich hotpot. The setting blends traditional Japanese hospitality with a hint of theatrical presentation. Afterward, retreat to Conrad's serene atmosphere, perhaps ending the night with a movie night with your kids in your suite, high above the glittering lights of Osaka, as you prepare for the next chapter of your journey.

Overnight: Osaka

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Universal Studios Japan

Morning - Midday

For breakfast, you can choose between Conrad’s Japanese set with seasonal fish and miso soup or a Western spread with fresh pastries and fruit. Afterward, your private driver will be waiting at the hotel entrance to transfer you directly to Universal Studios Japan. Arriving early means you’re among the first through the gates which maximizes your time to enjoy the park before the midday crowds. The excitement begins the moment you step onto the vibrant, movie-set-like streets; a playground where beloved worlds come to life. With the convenience of private transport, there’s no need to juggle bags or jackets; your driver will store any belongings securely in the car for easy access throughout the day.

You will have a lot of choices for lunch. Our suggestion? Mel’s Drive-In where you can slide into a retro booth beneath neon lights and enjoy juicy American-style burgers with crispy fries and milkshakes. We also recommend stepping into the wizarding world at Three Broomsticks. Here, you can have a hearty British fare like roast chicken platters and shepherd’s pie. Whichever you choose, the kids will enjoy knowing its fantasy came to life.

Afternoon

After lunch, dive deeper into the park’s most enchanting zones. There’s Super Nintendo World where you can race through Mario Kart’s twisting tracks and explore the Mushroom Kingdom’s playful nooks. You can also continue to Minion Park for the mischief of the Minions that spills into laughter-filled rides and photo spots perfect for children. Between attractions, make sure to pause for snacks as there are a lot of yummy treats to choose from. And thanks to your driver holding your belongings, you can explore hands-free and without worry.

Evening

Once the evening falls and the park’s neon glows against the night, your driver will meet you at a dedicated pick-up point to allow you to leave without navigating crowds or public transport. Then, return to Conrad Osaka for dinner en-suite. The rest of the night is yours to unwind with your family.

Overnight: Osaka

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Cultural Immersion

Morning - Midday

Get ready to begin your day with a huge breakfast at the Conrad's buffet. Here, the choices are endless with bread and pastries, Japanese specialties, fresh fruits, cold cuts, and more! Once everyone is filled and ready to go, your private driver will take you to the Umeda Sky Building. This building is one of Osaka’s most striking architectural icons in which you can ride the glass elevator to the Floating Garden Observatory and marvel at the 360-degree views that stretch from the city skyline to the distant mountains.

For those interested, there’s time for a bit of shopping in the basement market area before continuing. Your driver will be waiting to whisk you directly to Osaka Castle, a gleaming white-and-gold fortress surrounded by expansive parkland. Explore the museum inside with interactive exhibits to make history engaging for younger visitors or simply enjoy the peaceful gardens, particularly photogenic in spring and autumn.

Lunch is at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M, famous for its richly marbled and tender Matsusaka beef. Families can grill thin slices to their liking, while children enjoy milder cuts with rice, vegetables, soup, or sweet corn. It’s a mix of luxury dining and shared fun, with attentive staff that ensures you have a smooth experience.

Afternoon

Continue to two of Osaka’s most historic sites. Explore serene courtyards, soak in exquisite landscape, view the five-story pagoda, and light incense for good fortune at Shitennoji Temple, Japan’s oldest officially administered Buddhist temple.

Another is Sumiyoshi Taisha, a Shinto shrine with bright vermilion bridges and distinctive architecture. Here, children will love crossing the Sorihashi Bridge while you can enjoy the quiet and calm surroundings.

Evening

Head to Dotonbori’s neon-lit streets once night falls. Your driver will drop you at Ichiran Ramen, where you can choose private booths or sit together as a family. You are free to customize your ramen with rich pork broth and tender noodles. After dinner, take a walk past Dotonbori’s iconic glowing signs and fully immerse in Japan’s nightlife before returning to your hotel for rest before your departure tomorrow.

Overnight: Osaka

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Departure from Osaka

For your final day in Japan, take the moment to savor your breakfast as you watch over the panoramic view of the city your family just made memories at. This is the time to slow down and reflect on the amazing journey you just had in the last 6 days.

Once you're packed and ready to check out, your driver will meet you one last time for a stress-free ride to the airport for your departure.  This marks and concludes your 7-day family trip in Japan.

Meals included: Breakfast