Universe of Water Particles _Kyoto Biovortex
Sydney, Australia (16 December): From pop culture, theme parks and ninja culture to Pokémon hotel rooms and Harry Potter, Japan is a dream destination for children – and the young at heart – with families embracing the country’s diverse offering which caters to everyone from toddlers and tweens to hard-to-please teens.
Having recently taken home the title of ‘Best destination for immersing in culture’ as well as earning finalist accolades for affordable accommodation, adventurous family travel, international family ski resorts and international theme parks, it’s clear there’s something to appeal to every type of family in contemporary Japan, including an array of new attractions and exhibits.
“Cultural tourism in Japan goes beyond traditional museums and castles, with a raft of cutting-edge experiences and attractions which brings Japan’s history and contemporary culture to life in fresh and unique ways which appeal to families,” said Naoki Kitazawa, Executive Director, Sydney Office, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). “We invite travelling families to explore Japan with childlike curiosity and to add an array of cultural experiences to their Japanese itinerary.”
Popular Pop Culture Picks
Located in Uji City, 20 minutes from central Kyoto, the new Nintendo Museum 
invites visitors to dive into the history of one of Japan’s gaming icons, from its origins as a playing card company to its legendary status in the modern gaming world. From rare memorabilia to famous characters and interactive exhibits such as playable consoles with giant screens, a design-your-own hamburger café and hands-on workshop to make your own hanafuda playing cards.
Fans of Studio Ghibli films including Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro can now visit a new Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture to see jaw-dropping animation mock-ups, giant toys, illustrations and life-sized recreations of popular film settings, as well as visiting the original Ghibli Museum, Mitaka in Tokyo. Please note that entry is by advance reservation only.
Movie fans of a different genre should add the Warner Bros Studio Tour – Making of Harry Potter to their Tokyo itinerary to try their hand at broomstick flying, enjoy a Quidditch filming experience, see Japan-exclusive sets and relive the magic of Harry’s adventures.
Nijigen no Mori is a sensational anime and manga-inspired theme park on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Combining the fantastical worlds of Japanese manga, anime and gaming, highlights include training like a ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village guided by characters from hit series such as Naruto and Boruto; gliding over treetops and lakes on epic zip lines in the Crayon Shin-Chan Adventure Park; role playing in Dragon Quest Land; or interacting with the park’s immense and imposing Godzilla.
Japanese comic fans should add the Kyoto International Manga Museum, to their itinerary to see everything from historical Edo period materials to the hottest new series, as well as an immersive discovery of the history of manga, including original artwork from some of the genre’s most famous authors. Kids will love the dedicated children’s library and traditional Japanese storytelling performances.
Also in Tokyo, the new PokéPark Kanto , slated for a February 2026 opening within Tokyo’s Yomiuriland Amusement Park, will take Pokémon fans inside a dedicated Trainer’s Area and Pokémon Forest to observe Pokémon as they run, battle and share berries in a spacious wilderness full of hilly paths, tall grass, rocky trails and tunnels. Please note that children under five years old aren’t permitted into the forest.
No Japanese family itinerary would be complete without adding an immersive digital art experience from teamLab, and with teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets in Tokyo, teamLab Botanical Garden in Osaka, teamLab Forest Fukuoka , which is ideal for young children with its animal and athletics themes, and the brand new teamLab Biovortex in Kyoto – the biggest in Japan to choose from, including at least one is a must…but the kids will no doubt want to see more.
Traditional Theme Parks – with a Japanese twist
Home to Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Universal Studios, Fuji Q Highland and more, Japan has plenty to offer for fans of thrills, spills and character-filled moments.
At Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, the recently added Super Nintendo World zone is delighting fans of all ages with décor and experiences designed to make you feel like you’re a real-life player in your favourite video game, surrounded by primary colours. Please note that the zone is often jam-packed, so it pays to do your research and explore Express Pass options to make the most out of every minute and enjoy ultra-popular attractions such as the Mine Cart Madness ride in the Donkey Kong Country area. Minion Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are perennially popular and well worth devoting time to.
At Tokyo Disneyland , new attractions include overlaying the eponymous ‘it’s a small world’ attraction with Guardians of the Galaxy character Groot (commencing 27 December 2025), a new interactive indoor Wreck-It Ralph experience, and a new Cinderella Castle projection show, Reach for the Stars Nighttime Spectacular mixing lighting, special effects, memorable music and beloved characters. Don’t miss the expanded Fantasyland featuring new flagship attraction, the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.
2026 will be a huge year for Tokyo DisneySea , which will celebrate its sparkling 25th anniversary with special events, entertainment, merchandise and more. This follows hot on the heels of the opening of Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs zone, which showcases rides, retail and attractions focused upon blockbusters Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan. Children will love the new nighttime spectacular Believe! Sea of Dreams which lights up Mediterranean Harbor for half an hour each evening – keep your eyes peeled for characters including Peter Pan, Aladdin, Rapunzel, Moana and more.
For a more old-school theme park with a focus on high-octane rides, Fuji-Q Highland, located at the foot of Mt Fuji is home to record-breaking rollercoasters with a close-up view of Mt Fuji. This is the place to find some of Japan’s steepest drops, tallest rides and fastest speeds – Fujiyama – King of Coasters and Takabisha are crowd pleasers.
Step Back in Time
In Edo Wonderland in Nikko, families can reimagine the characters and culture of Japan’s storied Edo Period (1603-1867) with traditional performances, an historic village, a costume rental shop, a Ninja House and a labyrinth-like ninja maze. Plus, there are comic shows and an action-packed Ninja Karasu Goten performance.
Another option for kids who fancy living out their ninja warrior fantasies is Mie Prefecture’s Ninja Museum of Igaryu where you’ll find hundreds of ninja weapons – you can even try using some – as well as a live ninja show and a Ninja House complete with traps, fake hallways and escape routes to replicate a real mission.
Out-of-the-ordinary Accommodation
Try one of Japan’s themed hotels such as Apartment Hotel Mimaru ’s Pokémon themed rooms which are a huge hit with the little ones and available at 10 locations across Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. After all, who wouldn’t like to discover a stuffed Snorlax on their bed and free Pokémon gift on arrival?
At Asakusa Tobu Hotel in Tokyo, guests can choose picture-perfect pink Hello Kitty themed rooms celebrating the iconic Sanrio character, whilst at Tokyo Disney Resort’s Toy Story Hotel guests stay in rooms inspired by movie character Andy’s bedroom and are welcomed as ‘honorary toys’ to interact with life-sized toys and figurines throughout the hotel.
Looking for convenient city hotels for family-friendly urban stays? Hoshino Resorts OMO are convenient, connected, well-priced and popular. For something more traditional, Japan’s ryokans are a hit with many families who enjoy the novelty of sleeping on futons and tatami mats, and these are among the most common accommodation options outside of the main cities.
i https://outandaboutwithkids.com.au/best-overseas-family-holiday-destinations/
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For additional information or image requests, please contact:
Anne Wild & Associates – JNTO’s PR Representatives in Australia
Emily Watters, Senior Account Manager
ewatters@awassociates.com.au +61 449 506 064
