Japan

Fukuoka stands beside Hakata Bay in northern Kyushu and has long been one of Japan’s main gateways toward Korea, China and the rest of Asia. The contemporary city combines temples, shopping districts, coastal parks, street-food areas and a more relaxed urban scale than Tokyo or Osaka.

Hiroshima spreads across a river delta facing the Seto Inland Sea. The city is known worldwide for the 1945 atomic bombing, but also for reconstruction, trams, parks, food and its relationship with Miyajima.

Kanazawa lies beside the Sea of Japan between mountains, rivers and a region known for wet winters, craft and seasonal food. The city preserves samurai and geisha districts, major gardens, markets and contemporary museums at a calmer scale than Kyoto or Tokyo.

Kobe stretches between the Seto Inland Sea and the Rokkō Mountains within a narrow, densely connected urban strip. Port, international districts, modern architecture and food reveal a city open to exchange and deeply marked by the 1995 earthquake.

Kyoto brings together temples, gardens, wooden districts and a contemporary city still organised around stations, schools and shops. A family visit improves when it is planned by area, starts early and accepts that five well-understood places are worth more than a rushed collection of shrines.This part of the city deserves attention for its local meaning rather than as another item on a checklist.

Nagoya is a major Japanese industrial city with excellent family museums and simple transport. Family travel improves when only a few areas are selected, indoor visits alternate with open space and meals and rest receive real time. Its value lies in the particular relationship between landscape, history and daily life. A strong itinerary does not prove how many places were seen; it helps the family understand the destination without ending exhausted.

Nara is a small historic Japanese city where parks, temples and nature sit close together. Family travel improves when only a few areas are selected, indoor visits alternate with open space and meals and rest receive real time. Its value lies in the particular relationship between landscape, history and daily life. A strong itinerary does not prove how many places were seen; it helps the family understand the destination without ending exhausted.

Osaka is a major Japanese city of food, entertainment, museums and excellent connections. Family travel improves when only a few areas are selected, indoor visits alternate with open space and meals and rest receive real time. Its value lies in the particular relationship between landscape, history and daily life. A strong itinerary does not prove how many places were seen; it helps the family understand the destination without ending exhausted.

Sapporo works best when families organise districts, ages and realistic travel time within the context of Japan.

Tokyo works best when families organise districts, ages and realistic travel time within the context of Japan.

Yokohama works best when families organise districts, ages and realistic travel time within the context of Japan.