15 Family Tours in Japan That Earn the Train Fare

1.Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $47Our pick

At Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO in Asakusa, you’ll learn about ninja tools and samurai armor, dress in a ninja outfit, practice with ninja stars and other weapons, pose for photos, and join a treasure hunt. The 75-minute activity suits families with children age 3 and up, with adults required to accompany children.

“Fantastic experience. We used a blow pipe, a ninja star. The tour (in English) was interesting and informative. The staff were great. I loved it and so did my 7yo son. Well worth the money and time spent. Would definitely recommend!”

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2.Samurai Sword Experience (Family Friendly)at SAMURAI MUSEUM TOKYO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $65

At Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa, you’ll dress in hakama and samurai gear, learn three safe sword movements with an instructor, pose for photos, and try rubber ninja stars. Guides including Ryo, Kenny, Momo, and Jack have led sessions in clear English. The experience begins at 2:00 pm and returns to the meeting point.

“Excellent experience for families specially with small kids. We had so much fun with the sword training and learned a lot about samurai and ninja culture.”

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3.Family-Friendly Kimono & Yukata Experience at WARGO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $31

At Kimono Rental Wargo, choose a kimono or yukata from more than 1,000 designs, then let the staff dress you in traditional layers and accessories. Pick the Gion store for Hanamikoji Street and Kiyomizu Temple, or Kyoto Tower for easy rail access. Standard and deluxe plans are available, with simple hair styling included.

“Fantastic experience! The people working at the store was so nice and helpful, they really provide a great service and the clothing was beautiful, with so many options to choose”

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4.[1 Group Only] Tokyo Shinjuku Food Tour for Family

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $66

Spend three hours exploring Shinjuku with a private guide such as Yosuke, Akari, Ken, or Atsu. Make okonomiyaki and monja-yaki, eat local dishes, visit Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai, play arcade games, take Purikura photos, and add sake tasting. The route can suit families, food preferences, and dietary needs.

“We had such a wonderful time during this bar hopping tour with Ken! During the tour we got to try three great local bars. We tried Japanese sours, beer, wine, and sake, and even got to make our own okonomiyaki! We had great conversation with Ken and he gave us recommendations for places to explore during the rest of our time in Japan. He was very friendly and made our experience wonderful!”

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5.Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum KYOTO

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $56

At Maikoya’s Kyoto Ninja Experience, you put on a ninja outfit, practice shuriken throwing and blowgun shooting, learn simple stealth and sword techniques, and watch a sword demonstration. Samurai dress-up and a museum visit are included. The small group size is capped at four, though the museum is in another building.

“This was such a fun experience! The instructor was nice and everyone was very accommodating. We got there about 20 minutes past our time and we were still able to join.”

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6.Samurai Residence Remains Nomura Family admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 111 reviews · 1 day · from $3Best value

Visit the Nomura Family Samurai Residence in Kanazawa’s Nagamachi district. You’ll see a 400-year-old samurai home, a peaceful Japanese garden, family artifacts, and finely crafted architectural details. Admission is valid for one day. Remove your shoes, leave large bags behind, and keep photography flash-free.

“Szörnyű be se engedték, senki se vegyen itt jegyet. Nem kaptunk QR kódot így sehova se jutottunk csak az ajtó elé.”

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7.Family Sumo Workshop & Live Wrestling Show with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 99 reviews · 1h 45m · from $60

In Ryogoku, an English-speaking MC introduces you to former professional wrestlers, who demonstrate shiko, teppo, and suri-ashi before inviting volunteers into the ring. You can watch, train, or challenge a wrestler in a padded suit, then share a mini chanko hotpot lunch. Vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly meals require advance notice.

“This was an awesome tour for the family. Informative and physical. With great wrestlers and careful demonstrations. The food was amazing as well.”

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8.Samurai Sword Experience (Family Friendly)at SAMURAI MUSEUM KYOTO

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $65

At Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum, you’ll hear a short samurai history lesson, put on traditional clothing and armor, pose for photos, and practice sword movements with a wooden sword after a demonstration. The two-hour family activity suits children and adults, with morning and afternoon time slots.

“We had a really great time with the Samurai experience. We got to dress up and learn a form with a wooden sword. Our sensi was very good and very patient. Which I really appreciated. The explanation of the history of the Samurai was also very interesting. I definitely recommend the Samurai experience.”

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9.Kyoto Family Kitchen Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $96

Spend 2.5 hours with Anthony and Naomi’s family in their Kyoto home, preparing an everyday Japanese meal from scratch. You’ll work with dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sake, then sit down for dinner and conversation. This private, family-friendly class welcomes children, vegetarians, and curious cooks.

“The experience last night was sensational. Really enjoyed the space with the Host and family. It truly felt like a beautiful home to interact with other people, whilst learning to cook and eat traditional Japanese meals. 100% would recommend doing it again in the future.”

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10.Tokyo Shinjuku Food Tour for Family [1 Group Only]

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 42 reviews · 3h 30m · from $70

Spend 210 minutes exploring Shinjuku with an English- or Japanese-speaking local guide. Cook okonomiyaki and monjayaki, taste yakitori and seafood, sample sake, play Taiko and Mario Kart, and take Purikura photos. The group is limited to nine, with guides such as Lax, Yosuke, Ken, Sato, and Akari praised for friendly, flexible help.

“Perfect way to start your visit in Tokyo. Lux, our guide, was just perfect. Taking us to great places which we would never find. And even if you find them, you will probably not know what to do with the food. Thanks a lot Lux for the great evening!”

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11.Private Japanese Cooking Class in Hiroshima with Machiko’s Family

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $108

Meet Machiko in her Hiroshima home for a private, 3-hour cooking visit. Learn 2 to 3 homestyle dishes, using techniques such as grinding sesame with a mortar and pestle, then eat with Machiko, Daishi, and possibly their children. Vegetarian and vegan menus are available.

“Welcomed into Maiko and daishi's home warmly an amazing experience would highly recommend , we cooked together and ate with all the family while discussing travel experiences”

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12.2 hours family fishing in Okinawa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $36

Meet your captain at Kadena Fishing Port for a shared two-hour boat trip in Okinawa’s clear coastal waters. You’ll receive a rod, bait, life jacket, and simple instruction before fishing several spots. Captains such as Ryu and Goya are praised for helping first-timers, and a local restaurant can prepare your catch for an extra fee.

“What a fun experience. Crew was exceptional and we had a great time. Caught several fish and the amount of time was just perfect.”

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13.Enjoy Sushi & Market Tour! Best for Family & Couple!

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking guide near Shijo Station for a hands-on Kyoto food class. Visit Nishiki Market to see fish prepared, then make vinegar rice, nigiri, temari, temaki, dashi, and miso soup. You finish with dessert and coffee, with sake or beer available for an extra charge.

“The Instructor was not very engaged with the the group. I expected more interaction and hands on experience. The fish we got from the nearby market was great but did not justify the steep prize.”

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14.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour ( Infants & Kids )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews

Ride about 7 km through Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Monkey Park Iwatayama, the Bamboo Forest, Kameyama Park, and Kimono Forest. Child bikes, seats, tag-along attachments, helmets, snacks, and drinks are included. The tour requires at least one child under 12.

“Top-class experience led by experienced and knowledgeable team, enjoyed by three under 10s and mum and dad. From the first contact, the KBT team were responsive and flexible. Bikes were new and tailored to the ages of the kids. Peter toRead more”

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15.Family-Friendly Sword Lesson at Samurai Ninja Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $66

Spend two hours at Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum with an English-speaking instructor such as Ken, Raito, Nobu, or Jukia. Wear hakama, armor, and a helmet, learn basic katana movements, visit the museum, try ninja shuriken, and take themed photos. Children under 3 cannot enter.

“Abbiamo partecipato alla lezione di scherma con il Maestro Ken, che ci ha vestiti, ci ha insegnato 2 kata (sequenze di movimenti) con la katana e ci ha fatto sentire dei veri Samurai. Inutile dire che i bambini erano entusiasti e anche per noi adulti é stata un’esperienza indimenticabile. Poi ci siamo spostati al museo dei Samurai e dei Ninja: la visita guidata é stata molto interessante ma la parte più divertente é stata il tiro al bersaglio con gli shuroken dei ninja e fare le foto vestiti da samurai e ninja.. Portiamo a casa un bellissimo ricordo.”

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