As a big foodie, we’ve raised kids who also love food and especially trying new dishes from around the world. Traveling as a family doesn’t mean giving up food adventures—in fact, exploring Japan with kids made our journey richer. From conveyor-belt sushi in Tokyo to matcha ceremonies in Kyoto and shaved ice in Seoul, this trip was packed with flavors and memories. Here’s our day-by-day family foodie itinerary to inspire your own Japan and Korea travel with kids adventure.
Day 1 – Travel Day: Off to Japan!
We departed JFK airport, excited to start our adventure. We flew as a family to Asia 2 years ago so I knew that my kids could handle this long haul flight (14 hours!). This time, it was even easier since they each carry their own bags, know how to navigate entertainment options on the screen, and can (mostly) order their own food and drinks through the flight attendants.
TIP: I’ve tested TONS of travel “comfort” gear and here is a short list of all my travel must haves from Amazon!
Day 2 – First Day in Tokyo
We stayed to the Conrad Tokyo, our base for exploring Japan with kids. It’s a gorgeous, luxury hotel with sweeping bay views that is located closest to Ginza. We loved our stay there but I do wish we had stayed in a more central location like Shibuya to make it easier for quick excursions and down time in between activities since we were jet lagged.
Dinner: Kid-Friendly Sushi
After a long day of travel, we opted for a quick and easy dinner. The kids top request for dinner in Japan was sushi so we tried a popular revolving sushi restaurant at Tokyu Plaza Ginza (Kaiten Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru) — my kids enjoyed the experience but I felt like the sushi quality was mid. While traveling with kids, I learned early on that I had to let go of some of my expectations to do and eat everything on the itinerary. Sometimes convenience and proximity outweighed our goals for restaurants to visit.
Day 3 – Harajuku Fun & Shibuya
One of the main reasons we chose to stay here is the breakfast buffet! I LOVE Japanese breakfast buffets – they are not your usual continental spread and Conrad does it really well with options like soba noodles, congee, onsen eggs, and more. You can also order off the menu – the mango pancake with brulee topping, lobster omelette, and chawanmushi were all excellent.
We began the day at Meiji Shrine, a peaceful forested spot that balanced the city’s chaos. Visiting Japan in August means that it will be hot and humid. Many people warned us not to come in August, but we came prepared with fans, neck coolers, and lots of water so it was manageable. Still, this day was extra hot and my kids were melting in the heat and we had to pivot our plan to include more indoor, air-conditioned stops.
We walked from Meiji shrine to Takeshita Street in Harajuku—a kid’s paradise of giant rainbow cotton candy, tanghulu, and gashapon machines. This is a must visit with kids!
Lunch was at Ichiran Ramen (Shibuya) (website) where each diner gets a private booth to savor tonkotsu broth. Even though the line was long, it moved pretty quickly. There are lots of location of this popular ramen shop – perfect for a quick bite!
We went back to the hotel for a swim, sauna, and nap… and headed back out at night to see the famous Shibuya Crossing, where the kids loved the energy of hundreds of people moving at once. I went up to Shibuya Sky when I visited Tokyo in April with Amazon – but I skipped it with the kids because the lines were so crazy long and glad we did that. It’s a fun experience just being down at street level!
We walked to a nearby restaurant for the most incredible wagyu gyukatsu (beef cutlet) at Gyukatsu Motomura Shibuya – one of the BEST meals we ate in Tokyo. One thing to note about restaurants in Japan is that many are very tiny so we often had to wait and split up our group of 5 into 3 + 2. This was worth the wait!! The wagyu beef cutlet is lightly fried and you grill it on your tabletop on a hot stone plate. Every bite was delicious!
Jacob fell asleep at dinner so Brian took him back to the hotel while I took the girls for some late night shopping at Don Quixote – a wildly popular Japanese discount store with multiple floors. It has everything you can imagine from bulk premium Japanese and Korean skincare and hair brands to candy to fans to luggage. One tip about shopping in Japan is that a lot of places will have discounts or no tax if you show your passport so be sure to carry it with you.
Day 4 – Tsukiji Market & teamLab Planets
This was my favorite day in Tokyo!
Our family foodie adventure in Tokyo hit a high at Tsukiji Outer Market. The kids declared the grilled king crab at Kuoragumi Tsukiji (4-9-4 Tsukiji, Chūō-ku) the highlight of the market—air-conditioned seating made it even better. We were still pretty full from breakfast so we sampled some other small bites like sushi and matcha soft serve ice cream but made room for extra servings of the crab.
In the afternoon, we visited teamLab Planets in Toyosu, an immersive art museum where we walked barefoot through digital water and mirrored flower rooms and saw the kids own art come to life through live animation (see those smiley faces next to Jacob? He drew that, scanned it in, and suddenly it appeared flowing throughout the room on the walls and floors!). We booked tickets several weeks in advance for this experience which I highly recommend doing to get a good time spot. We spent about 2 hours here and could have spent even more – a great option especially in the summer since it’s an indoor activity.
My younger daughter heard of a cute stationary store (Kakimori) where you can make custom notebooks so we made a pit stop here in the afternoon. While the girls and I browsed and selected custom paper, cover, and bindings, Brian and Jacob walked to a local 7-11 for the infamous egg salad sandwich which was AMAZING. So, so good and the perfect snack.
My oldest daughter has been loving anime lately so we ended the day in Akihabara to check out Animate Akihabara (anime heaven with 16 floors) and the GiGO Arcade (UFO catchers, rhythm games, retro titles). This area is best for teens or older kids so we didn’t stay long. We had a long day and were also very tired so probably could have skipped this for a sit down dinner somewhere closer to our hotel.
TIP: After a lot of delicious Japanese food, we were craving something different so we used Uber Eats (yes, it works in Japan!) to order delivery of Japanese-style pizza from SAVOY Azabujuban to our room for dinner. I think this brick oven style pizza is best eaten fresh out of the oven so it was a little soggy as delivery – but we gobbled it up happily and called it a night.
Day 5 – Shopping in Harajuku and Shibuya
Pop Mart & Nike
Our family split after breakfast this morning. Our Pop Mart and Labubu obsessed Lea wanted to visit the flagship Pop Mart in Harajuku so she and Brian waited in line for 2.5 hours (got there before it opens at 11AM)… while the I took Ellie and Jacob back to Shibuya to shop. We stopped by the big Pokémon Center and Nike store. A highlight for both of them was making custom Nike shirts on the top floor of the Shibuya Nike.
You can make reservations for this experience since there are limited spots – but we were able to walk in. You choose from a variety of base shirts (t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) or you can even choose shoes or hats… and then select from a variety of decals and designs. Some of them were exclusive to Tokyo and Shibuya (like the cute basketball decal that says Shibuya for my basketball loving kid!). Super fun and unique experience.
Dinner: Ninja Tokyo
Dinner was a kid-favorite: NINJA Tokyo (Otemachi), where servers performed ninja tricks while serving dishes. It was theatrical, immersive, and surprisingly delicious. You enter through an unmarked door in an office building, walk through a secret passageway, and enter the dining space. Several courses include “ninja magic” – it felt Disney-esque with smoke and entertainment… and my kids thoroughly enjoyed it. This also requires advanced reservation due to limited spots so book in advance!
Day 6 – Next Stop, Kyoto
Bullet Train to Kyoto & Samurai Spirit
We boarded the 6am Shinkansen (bullet train) and arrived in Kyoto about two hours later. Shinagawa train station opens its gates at 5:40AM — so we had to make a quick dash to buy some sandwiches and drinks for breakfast and head to the train platform. Trains are extremely timely so leave ample time to get to the platform at your designated door.
TIP: We happened to be traveling during one of the busiest local travel times in Japan (Oban, a national holiday) so many time slots for the Tokyo to Kyoto train were sold out because I booked them about a week prior to travel and stumbled through the local train website which was very challenging to navigate. Highly recommend booking your Shinkansen tickets through Klook, a tourism company that makes it much easier to book the train tickets.
NOTE: If you have large suitcases and not just carry-on size, you’ll need to book “oversized luggage” seats. None were available but it’s common in Japan to use luggage forwarding service. I arranged this through my hotel concierge but you do need to plan in advance – it typically takes one day to forward the luggage but they told me it could take 2-3 days.
Hotel
Upon arrival in Kyoto, we dropped off our bags at our hotel – Hotel Kanra Kyoto, a modern / luxury hotel in the style of a traditional Japanese ryokan (“inn”). The rooms are beatifully designed and fit our family of 5 in one room which is rare in Japan. With a unique entrance double entrance for each room, wooden soaking tub (book early for the ones with round tubs and views – we missed out on that since max capacity is 4 for that style room), stone floors, and tatami mats, it was such a fun experience!
Photos from Hotel Kanra Kyoto
We visited the Samurai & Ninja Museum where an English-speaking tour guide gave highlights of Japan’s history. It was about one hour in total and a great way for the kids to learn history without getting bored in a huge museum. We ended by practicing throwing ninja stars!
Down the street, we experienced a matcha ceremony at Maikoya Nishiki, a hands-on cultural highlight. We booked tickets in advance directly from their website. My matcha loving daughter was a pro and it was so fun to dress up in kimonos!
I absolutely loved all the tiny shops, bakeries, and cafes dotting the streets of Kyoto near the matcha ceremony place. Coffee culture is strong here! We sampled delicious pastries, sampled miso paste from a specialty store that had dozens of unique blends, and picked up dinner to go so that we could relax back at the hotel.
Dinner was takeout Takosando sandwiches – we got the wagyu katsu and egg salad sandwiches, plus their shiso edamame which was delicious! Fun fact is that they also have a location in Brooklyn, NY.
After a short nap, we ventured out to Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets – the gorgeous, old-style buildings and stone streets. Many shops close around 6PM so I recommend leaving enough time to explore, but our main destination was Mochi Mochi at the top of the hill. You can watch this husband and wife duo making fresh mochi which was super fun!
For late night, kids were exhausted but Brian and I found a small but delicious ramen shop across the street from our hotel (New Taihou) —the spicy miso broth was perfection.
Day 7 – Exploring Kyoto
Fushimi Inari, Monkey Park & Nishiki Market
Jet lag woke me up around 5AM. My kids don’t love hikes or shrines so I decided to venture out to visit the famous gates at Fushimi Inari which was about a 10 minute taxi ride from our hotel. So glad we did this! It was nearly empty so we got to explore and enjoy the thousands of beautiful torii gates in peace. Bonus is that we got to take photos without people in them!
Back at the hotel, we were treated to another delicious Japanese breakfast buffet. The weather was rainy all day but we still headed out to the Monkey Park Iwatayama, where macaques roam with sweeping Kyoto city views below. It’s a 20 minute hike up the mountain so just be prepared for this – it was very hot and humid but a pretty hike through tall trees. At the Monkey Park, there’s a sheltered house where you can purchase apples and peanuts to feed the monkeys safely through grates – my kids LOVED this!
The Monkey Park is very close to the Arashiyama bamboo grove which we had also planned to see – but I had to read everyone’s energy level and we opted to skip it and shelter from the rain in a restaurant instead. I do wish that we had pushed through and hired a rickshaw so that we could experience it while also not having to hike in the rain.
We walked down the trail from the Monkey Park and crossed the river to find a cute little town with lots of restaurants and shops. It is touristy but still very cute. We grabbed lunch at Mendokoro Kobayashi which had a variety of noodle dishes – but the star of the show was the katsudon… the best we’ve ever had!
Everyone in my family except me was super tired so they took an extended nap at the hotel. I went to downtown Kyoto to shop and stopped by Musashi to choose a Japanese knife to take home, Rikka Ceramics – a cute hand made Japanese ceramics store where I picked up two speckled bowls, grabbed a drink at a Japanese whiskey bar, and met up with my family for a quick dinner at Nishiki Market.
Day 8 – Touchdown in Seoul
Flight to Seoul & Myeongdong Eats
We flew from Osaka to Seoul which was a short 2-hour flight. Before boarding, we grabbed an onigiri burger—a surprisingly delicious rice bun sandwich that kept everyone fueled.
We took a taxi to our Myeongdong Airbnb. We opted for a 4BR Airbnb instead of a hotel for this city because it’s very affordable compared to hotels and my niece who recently graduated from college in Korea stayed with us and acted as our personal tour guide. Plus, it was such a relief to have access to laundry machine and a big fridge for a more relaxed atmosphere for the kids.
After cooling off with mango shaved ice at Bird The Cafe, we walked around Myeongdong and did some shopping.
Dinner was at Michelin-starred Myeongdong Kyoja, a simple but legendary spot known for kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and plump dumplings. The flavors were comforting and kid-friendly, perfect for our first night in Korea!
Days 9 – Girls Shopping Delight
For breakfast, we grabbed Korean street toast from Isaac Toast. We got a few to sample and liked the ones with the hash brown inside the best!
Bead Market and Nail Mall
My niece took us to a unique spot on the 5th floor of a seemingly random building next to the JW Marriott in Dongdaemun – here’s the exact location on Google maps – Building A, Floor 5. A dream for any crafter, it was a giant floor of hundreds of stalls of cute beads – almost like wholesale style but you can buy individual beads and beading supplies to make things like phone charms, bag charms, necklaces, and more. My daughters loved it and carefully chose many favorite beads to take home.
For lunch, we tried Kyochon Chicken, one of Korea’s most famous fried chicken chains, where soy-garlic wings were crisp and addictive and their house beer hit the spot.
The girls went on to a nail mall which had wholesale supply. My nail art obsessed daughter could have spent hours here and came home with a bunch of polishes, charms, and supplies to add to her collection. You can see details of location and what to expect here.
For dinner, we met up with an old friend who is from Seoul. He took us to another Michelin starred restaurant, Pyeongyang Myeonok, famous for icy bowls of naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles). We tried North Korean-style naengmyun which is much less flavorful than traditional naengmyun; bulgogi; and a beef shabu shabu dish.
We ended the night with a cable car ride up to Namsan Tower, watching Seoul light up from above. It’s also featured in K-pop Demon Hunters so my girls loved making that connection to see the tower in person. It’s a tradition for couples to attach locks along the gate there so Brian and I bought a lock at the base station, wrote a personal message on it, and locked our love.
Days 10 – Trendy Streets & Hanwoo Feast
We wandered the artistic alleyways of Ikseon-dong, where boutiques and cafés hide in renovated hanok houses. It’s the perfect date spot too with gaming shops and cute places to get a caricature. The highlight? Buttery, flaky Korean salt bread that lived up to the hype.
In the afternoon, we explored Hongdae, a lively university district near my niece’s university. A highlight was visiting a Samoyed dog café, where fluffy white pups stole the show. Shops were filled with quirky K-fashion and accessories, making it fun for both teens and adults.
Dinner was the ultimate splurge: Hanwoo beef at Cheongdam Baeksong. Hanwoo is Korea’s answer to wagyu—richly marbled, melt-in-your-mouth, and beautifully grilled at the table. It was a highlight meal for the whole family. The naengmyun here featured a different, softer style noodle and the broth was incredible – a balance of light, refreshing, and tangy. The kids loved the japaghetti dish here too.
Day 11 – COEX Adventures & Skincare Heaven
After a quick breakfast at the Airbnb from Paris Baguette, we visited opted for an all-indoor day to avoid the rain and visited the COEX Aquarium, where sharks, rays, and schools of fish swam above us in a long underwater tunnel. The famous Starfield Library is also located in this mall – interesting to stop by but just a few minutes is enough.
Lunch was at the huge COEX food court, which features dozens of unique stalls of delicious food, snacks, and pastries. We got a mix of tteokbokki, jajangmyun, dumplings, and several pastries and snacks to take home with us. Everything was delicious! They had several international foodie stalls including one of my favorites – Bee Cheng Hiang which features grilled sliced pork (think teriyaki-like pork jerky) from Singapore.
The girls and I shopped at Olive Young, Korean’s famous skincare and makeup haven where we even tried their custom skincare analysis. My niece guided us to all the best Korean makeup and skincare products – let me know if you’d like to see a haul. This was a highlight of the entire trip for my girls! We also picked up sneakers at Onitsuka Tiger which was not busy at all and a much better place to snag these popular souvenirs than Japan.
Back in Myeongdong, we stopped by Lotte 7, a huge department store with international brands. If you are hoping to do any luxury shopping, this is a great spot because it has many brands in one giant department store and offers tax free shopping plus extra discounts.
We opted for a casual dinner at Yoogane Dakgalbi, where chicken, cabbage, and tteokbokki rice cakes sizzled in a spicy-sweet sauce right at the table. We did some final shopping in Myeongdong before heading back to the Airbnb for our final night in Asia.
Day 12 – Friday, August 15
Journey Home
We flew out of Seoul’s Gimpo Airport and back through Haneda. We had an extended layover and had to go through customs and immigration twice since we booked the flights separately. Thankfully, Haneda airport has great restaurant options outside of security so we enjoyed one last katsu lunch at Katsusen which ended up being another favorite meal.
Inside the terminal, we visited the brand new Amex Centurion Lounge at Haneda airport which opened just one month earlier. It’s a beautiful space that had a great selection of food and dessets – the tonkatsu ramen and fresh sushi were great! Brian and I also opted to take a shower before our flight to JFK which may have spoiled me forever.
Top 5 Tips on Traveling to Asia with Kids
This trip showed us that Japan travel with kids doesn’t mean compromising on foodie experiences or cultural depth. With careful planning, it’s possible to balance kid-friendly fun (arcades, animals, themed dining) with adult pleasures (tea ceremonies, whiskey tastings, shopping).
- Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible
Kids thrive on routine, but travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Build a loose daily schedule with one or two main activities (including any that might need reservations in advance), then leave buffer time for snacks, naps, or spontaneous adventures (like stumbling upon a street festival or a quirky café). - Prioritize Location When Booking Hotels
Choose accommodations near public transit, family-friendly restaurants, or major attractions. Staying central cuts down on long commutes with tired kids and makes it easier to pop back for breaks. We also opted to take taxis most places instead of spending extra time on public transit since we were short on time. - Balance Kid Favorites with Cultural Must-Sees
Pair a “grown-up” experience (like a temple visit or museum) with something the kids will love (arcades, animal cafés, or ice cream stops). Everyone feels included, and kids are more patient during sightseeing when they know fun is coming. - Include Kids in the Planning
My girls both knew about specific places they wanted to visit in Japan and Korea and felt so special when we included those on the itinerary. We gave them a lot of praise for choosing something that everybody enjoyed so they felt empowered as junior travelers. - It’s more about the shared experience than the itinerary
There were some places that I really wished I could have visited… but the reality of family travel is that you will need to move slower than going solo or with just adults. Focus on all the in between moments too – playing games to kill time at the airport; sharing excitement from going through your shopping haul once back at the hotel room; casual chats while walking down the street with no destination in mind; asking the kids what their favorite memory or meal was so far… these are all part of the experience too. Maybe even the most important. 🙂
Overall, we LOVED this trip and can’t wait to go back to Asia. This is my second time in Japan this year and I already can’t wait to go back… I’m smitten. Drop any questions in comments below or DM me on Instagram!
