Japan with a 7 year old

We're looking to travel to Japan with our daughter who will be 7/8 at the time. We're going to do some Disney and would like to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Is there anything that you would recommend / definitely not recommend doing in Japan to entertain a child? Also we're looking around UK school holidays, so Feb/Easter/May/July/August/October - when might be the best time to visit?
Thanks :)

Weatherwise, Easter/May and October would probably be the best. Those seasons can be busy: later on in May (after the first week) and earlier on in October would be best to avoid the worst of the crowds. Summers are very hot and humid in Japan. February's a bit chilly, but if you don't mind the cold, it's a nice time to be in Japan, with plum blossoms in bloom.

Can't help with entertaining a 7 year old I'm afraid...

Well, you know your daughter best, and what she likes and what not so much. We dont know you and your daughter at all, so giving advice is not really possible. Also, how much time will you have in Japan ?

So just a couple of ideas from my point of view:
- the aquarium in Osaka is great, and for kids who like fish and animals, certainly worth a visit. If you go there, consider going on a boat trip (the boats leave from the aquarium) as well
- in the Government Metropolitan Building in Tokyo you can get up to the 45th floor and enjoy great views over the city for free
- Hakuru is a fun district to walk around, with quirky boutiques and crepe shops
- if your daughter likes Sushi, I would eat at a conveyor belt Sushi restaurant
- I know, extremely touristy, but still.... in Tokyo and Kyoto, you can dress up as a Geisha (rent the kimono for the day)

Every western parent I ever met was being driven mad by their child adopting the behavior of Japanese children they met along the way, some of the most indulged/spoiled, wild, and unchecked brats you'll ever encounter. Behavior that would not be tolerated in most western countries is considered OK while a child is young and before the child is considered responsible for acting in the very reserved and controlled manner expected of Japanese adults. Most parents couldn't wait to get their kids out of Japan! LOL

OP, I would ignore #3 if I was you, one of the more bizarre posts that I've ever read on here...

Thanks so much, I appreciate the help. Late May might work out well for us. I'd expect we'll have approximately two weeks, three at the very most.

As for the indulged children thing, I guess having an only child who's going to Japan at the age of 7 might be some peoples idea of indulged anyway, so I'd imagine we'd be fine! I haven't been to Japan, but I have been to China (not that I am equating them) and I have to say one of the most pleasant things I noticed about my time was the positivity and devotion that people demonstrate towards their children - I attributed this possibly to most families only having one child.

Dear katie_may,

Japan has a huge range of activities to offer. With my children, we've done a lot of outdoor activities, taking advantage of Japan's natural beauty - hiking to the top of volcanoes, seeing the island that inspired Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke, snorkeling, watching snow monkeys, etc. In Tokyo, we've also participated in kendo and judo classes, seen a baseball game, and even just enjoyed afternoons in the park.

I've tried to plan our trips around a combination of what we're interested in, and what is particularly special about Japan.

Thus, if you were comfortable giving us a better sense of your interests, that would probably help us come up with specific suggestions.

Best,

Colin

Hi Colin - I don't wish to hijack someone else's post :) but I am also going to Japan with my 7 yr old daughter (in Jan) and I was interested that you said that you'd participated in kendo and judo classes. Was that just for one class? is there somewhere that does that in Tokyo? I think my daughter would love that as she is currently learning martial arts in Australia. Any details?

I was also wondering about visiting Temples and Ryokan - did you find it problematic with children who may not be the greatest at being quiet and still? (if you have any such children like that ....)

thanks - Julia

Hi jc_pyjamas:

I apologise for a brief reply: I'm squeezed right now, but:

1. judo: the Kodokan was very welcoming to my children when we visited, helping them feel welcome in spite of never having practiced judo before. It was also nice to watch the elderly black belts file in afterwards, and see what centuries of experience look like. http://kodokanjudoinstitute.org/en/

2. kendo: the Budokan is both a striking building to see, and - again - a friendly place for a first lesson in kendo. http://www.nipponbudokan.or.jp/english. Kendo can be booked via http://smilesports.jp/item/88/5.html; I used the automatic translation features to read the page.

In both cases, yes, a single class.

1. temples and ryokan. We've never attended a service in a temple. We've tended to see them when hiking, and are typically among the only people there. Thus, fidgeting, etc. hasn't been an issue. I've not found the ryokan any different than a hotel, although some may feel more fun (thus, conducive to a desire to run) as they're usually less sterile. So, yes, I find myself uttering that parental mantra, "no running..." but no major incidents.

Thanks so much Colin, I think my little one isn't super keen on walking or hiking, but perhaps I can train her up a little. I also think it might be useful to introduce her to some Studio Ghibli before we go too as she's not seen any as yet. I'm interested in temples, but neither my daughter or husband are likely to be very keen, so I'll probably try to select a few 'must see' places.
We're all enthusiastic about meeting people and getting to know more about other cultures, maybe a judo or kendo lesson could be one really fun way to do this.
jc_pyjamas, please don't worry at all about hijacking my thread. I'd be really interested to hear how you get on and what sorts of things your daughter enjoys on your travels.

thanks so much for your comprehensive response colinrowat - i love that idea for my daughter of going to a class in judo or kendo - even just watching the classes would be interesting. I hadn't even thought of doing that, so I've added it to the list of things to do.

Glad to hear you had no major incidents, that gives me hope for a smooth (ish) journey. I hope we will get to do some hiking but we will be there in wintertime so I'll have to check out the conditions and our climatic adaptability! thanks again for your help.

haha thanks katie_may - yes I'll try to remember to post about it when we get back. It seems like there are so many options of things to do and places to go and experiences to be had in Japan for kids (and adults), I'm really looking forward to it.

@katie_may: a good way to meet people is in the communal kitchen in a hostel. The Japanese hostels we know have had private rooms, which we've stayed in. I was also struck by the openness of people in Ueno Park in Tokyo (although we were in a group that included Japanese speakers).
There are walks and hikes of all distances: we've been on a 'haunted Tokyo' walk in Tokyo; there's a 7-8km hike that's quite straightforward between two of the old postal towns on the Nakasendo; not far away, you can take the ropeway most of the way up Mt Ontake (an active volcano) and then decide how much further you want to go. It erupted some years back, so you can see photos of the site covered in ash.

Sorry if you don't believe me and find what I say bizarre, but that was my personal experience with a number of visiting parents and little kids, while living/working for 2 years in a small town in Gifu-ken and traveling fairly widely up and down the country.
Kids in Japan are, by the standards of many other countries, spoiled and indulged (perhaps because behavioral standards are so rigid when they become older). For example, a child having a lie-down-and kick-legs-and-arms tantrum on a train because the suitcase full of candy his mother brought does not have the exact item he wanted is tolerated by mom and not commented on by spectators. Kids are allowed to run wild in homes, endangering valuable antique items. When interacting with Japanese kids, the non-Japanese kids quickly picked up that this was OK behavior for them too, much to parents dismay. At least one parent commented that she couldn't wait to get her two kids out of the country.

If you have different personal experiences with your own young children, please recount them.

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