Journal

Japan with children and grandparents: finding the pace

PlanningUpdated

In a family of several generations the same day can look very different: the children want to explore, the parents want to make the most of the time, and the grandparents value a comfortable pause. A good plan does not do everything at once; it leaves room for everyone to enjoy the day.

A deer on the island of Miyajima.

Three things to weigh first

Before choosing places, think about the time spent sitting in a vehicle, how much walking a day asks for, and where the breaks fall. Old towns such as Kyoto have many walks, slopes and steps, and mountain areas such as Nikko or Hakone can take longer to reach than expected. A focused morning and a gentle afternoon often work better than four places far apart.

Car or train

A private car helps a group with luggage or with stops far from a station; trains are often easier between large cities. Ask in advance about child seats, the walk from the car park to the entrance, the rooms and any dietary needs.

Tell us who is travelling

The ages of the travellers, and anyone who needs to walk less, shape a plan more than any list of sights. With them, a first plan can be realistic from the start.

Asahi’s note

Tell us the make-up and ages of your group at the start: it helps far more than a list of places.

Photo credits

The photographs on this page are real photographs from Wikimedia Commons, shown under the licences listed. Creators are named as they are published there. They are resized and cropped for display.