Planning a trip to Japan with teens and wondering if they’ll actually enjoy it?
I get it. Travelling with teens can feel like a bit of a gamble. They’re harder to impress, they’d often rather be with their friends, and the last thing you want is to spend all this time planning a big trip only for them to be… bored.
We took our three kids to Japan when they were 9, 13, and 16, and they were all really excited to go. We had watched a lot of videos beforehand and they already had a long list of things they wanted to try, especially the food.
And it ended up being one of the best trips we’ve ever taken as a family. ‘I’m bored’ was not uttered once on this trip!
Japan is often talked about as a great destination for younger kids, but I actually think it’s incredible for teens too.
Here’s what my teens loved, what didn’t land quite as much, and what I’d keep in mind if you’re planning a trip to Japan with older kids.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my family travel blog.
Is Japan good for teens?
Yes. I’d actually say Japan is one of the best destinations we’ve been to with teens!
A few reasons why:
- It’s incredibly safe, which means teens can have a bit more independence
- The food is affordable, new-to-us, and fun to try
- Every street feels interesting, even just walking around
- Built-in novelty is everywhere: vending machines, trains, arcades, convenience stores
- There’s always something new grabbing their attention, even just walking down the street
If your teen likes food, shopping, gaming, or just experiencing something completely different from home, Japan has a lot to offer.
What my teens loved in Japan
The food
This was probably the biggest hit of the whole trip.
My kids had watched so many YouTube videos and TikToks about food in Japan before we went, so they were very ready to dive in, starting with 7-Eleven!
I think one of the first places we went after settling into our hotel in Tokyo was a convenience store, and they could have stayed in there forever. Drinks they’d never heard of before, rows of snacks, onigiri, sandwiches, desserts… it was an experience in itself.
Ramen (and the experience)
Ramen in Japan isn’t just about the food, it’s the whole experience.
At many places, you order from a machine first, then sit in your own little booth with your own water tap. It’s simple, efficient, and somehow really fun. My kids loved that they could order on their own and have their own little space.
At one spot in Tokyo, we could actually watch the noodles being made through a window before we ordered, which made it even more of an experience.
It’s one of those meals that feels quick and easy, but still really memorable.
Vending machines
At home, I’m usually the parent saying water is fine. But in Japan, because it was so hot and the drink prices were so reasonable, vending machines became part of the fun.
They are everywhere. Streets, train stations, parks, even tucked into quiet neighbourhood corners, you’re never far from one.
My kids loved trying different drinks throughout the day. Teens love drinks, even at home, I don’t know what it is! Some were great, some not so much, but that was part of the experience.
You can get both cold and hot drinks, everything from soda and juice to iced tea, coffee, and even warm drinks in a can. They loved picking out something new to try every time!
Ekiben (train meals)
Ekiben were a huge hit. These are bento boxes you buy at train stations to eat on your bullet train journey.
There are so many options it almost became a problem because my kids took forever to choose! Fried chicken, rice, tempura, pork cutlet, seafood… some even self-heat, which felt like magic the first time we tried one.
Street food
Street food worked really well with teens because it was fast, casual, and easy.
They didn’t always want to sit down for a long meal, so being able to grab something quick and keep moving was perfect.
Some of our favourite areas for street food were:
- Nakamise-dori Street (Tokyo)
- Takeshita Street in Harajuku (Tokyo)
- Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo)
- Nishiki Market (Kyoto)
- Dotonbori (Osaka)
Each one had a slightly different feel, but all of them were great for trying a variety of foods in one place.
From sweet treats to savoury snacks, there was always something new to try, and it made eating feel more like part of the experience than just a meal.
And most of it is very affordable, which makes it easy to try a lot without spending a lot.
Fun dining experiences
One thing Japan does really well is making meals feel like an experience, not just something you sit down and eat.
My son actually said that all the restaurants felt immersive, and I think that describes it perfectly.
Some of the places my teens loved:
- Zaou fishing restaurant (Osaka) where you catch your own fish
- Pepper Parlour robot café (Tokyo)
- Sitting at the counter in Hiroshima watching okonomiyaki being made right in front of you
- Conveyor belt sushi (we went to Kura Sushi in Tokyo)
- Even McDonald’s, yes it’s basic but teens like McDonald’s and it’s always fun to see what’s different in another country
If you’re wondering how we kept food costs down while still trying all of this, I break it all down here → Eating on a Budget in Japan with Kids
Even simple meals felt interactive or different in some way, whether it was ordering from a machine, watching food being made, or just the way everything was set up.
It kept meals interesting and made them something my teens actually looked forward to, not just a break in the day.
Want family photos with your teens but they’re always busy with friends or activities? Guess what? Your vacation is the perfect trap, ha ha. Kidding…a bit! But on vacation you know everyone will for sure be there for photos. I LOVE getting family photos on our trips (a big part of this is so that I am actually IN some of the photos!). We always use Flytographer for our family photos when we’re away and Daniel did such a great job with our photo session in Tokyo. Click here and use code WANDERFAR for $25US off your first photo session!
Getting around (surprisingly fun)
One thing that surprised me was how much my teens enjoyed getting around Japan.
The trains didn’t just feel like transportation, they felt like part of the experience.
They loved figuring out the stations, grabbing snacks for the ride, and settling in with an ekiben. Travel days actually became something they looked forward to.
The bullet train was a highlight. They could sit back, eat their food, watch a show or movie, and relax for a few hours.
It also gave them a bit more independence. Because Japan is so safe and the system is so easy to use, I felt comfortable letting them help navigate or take the lead at times.
Arcades, claw machines, and gashapon
If your teen likes gaming, Japan is going to be a very easy sell.
Arcades are everywhere, and even just walking through them was fun. My kids loved the claw machines, the lights, the noise, and all the different games.
Some of the best areas we found for arcades and gaming were:
In these areas, you’ll often find multiple arcade buildings close together, so it’s easy to pop in and out and try different things.
Gashapon machines were another favourite. There’s something about those little capsule toys that is weirdly irresistible, even when you know exactly what’s happening.
It’s easy, low-cost entertainment and a fun break from sightseeing, especially for teens.
A bit of independence
This was a big one for me as a parent.
We felt incredibly safe in Japan. So much so that I remember saying to my husband that if one of our kids got separated from us, I wouldn’t be worried that something bad would happen, I’d just be worried they’d be scared not to find us.
We saw very young kids out on their own, walking to school, riding the trains, running errands. It’s just part of the culture there, and it really stood out to me.
Over our entire trip, I never had a single moment where I felt uneasy or unsafe.
Because of that, I was MUCH more comfortable giving my teens a bit of independence. Whether that meant letting them explore a store on their own, walk a little ahead, or run into 7-Eleven in the morning to grab breakfast, it all felt very manageable.
And for them, that independence made the trip more fun. It made them feel trusted, capable, and a little more grown up.
Of course, every family will have a different comfort level, but for us this was one of the things that made Japan such a great destination with teens.
We always use Airalo for our eSIMs when we go away. It’s reliable and worked really well for us in Japan. They have 15% off their unlimited data plans right now. Click HERE and use code UNLIMITED.
Shopping and city neighbourhoods
My teens loved the energy of Tokyo.
Neighbourhoods like Shibuya and Harajuku were a highlight. Takeshita Street especially was just fun to walk through. There’s so much going on everywhere you look, shops, snacks, music, and people.
They also really enjoyed thrift and vintage shopping, especially in:
- Harajuku and Shibuya (Tokyo)
- Amerikamura (Osaka)
- Osu (Nagoya)
- Naramachi (Nara)
If you have teens who like clothes or finding unique pieces, this was a big hit.
Even some familiar stores were fun for them, just on a completely different scale. The Uniqlo in Ginza, for example, is massive and felt more like something to explore than just a quick stop.
And then there’s Don Quijote.
This became one of their favourite places to go. It’s basically everything all at once, snacks, drinks, toys, souvenirs, cosmetics. It’s chaotic, affordable, and somehow very fun to walk through.
They also loved walking through Ginza, where you’ll find luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and Bulgari. Even without buying anything, it was fun just to look around.
If you want to see how we planned this out day by day (and what it cost), I share it all here → 2 Weeks in Japan With Kids: Our Family Itinerary and Budget
Photo spots everywhere
Another thing my teens loved was how many opportunities there were to take photos.
It felt like everywhere we went there was something cool, whether it was a street, a shop, the food, or just something unexpected.
And if your teens like taking selfies, there are so many good backdrops. Bright signs, interesting storefronts, busy streets… it never felt like we had to go out of our way to find a good spot.
It was just kind of built into everything.
Activities they loved
A few standout experiences for my teens were:
- teamLab Borderless
- Universal Studios Japan (their favourite over Disney for bigger rides and rollercoasters)
- DisneySea
- Nara deer park
- Karaoke in Shibuya
- Sumo tournament in Nagoya
- mPig café
- Monkey park in Kyoto
What I liked about this mix is that not everything was expensive or a big-ticket activity. Some of the most memorable things were simple, different, or just fun.
They also really loved visiting Miyajima Island off of Hiroshima. When I asked them one of their favourite things we did in Japan, both of them mentioned the island day trip!
What didn’t they love?
Not that they didn’t enjoy the trip, but there were a couple things that were a bit harder.
The heat
Japan in the summer is hot and humid, and that definitely wore on all of us.
By the afternoon, energy would drop, and it made longer days more challenging. If you’re travelling in July or August, this is something to really plan for.
Smaller accommodations
One thing to know about Japan is that accommodations can be smaller than what you might be used to.
Normally, I try to book places where we can spread out more as a family, but in Japan we were in closer quarters.
It was mostly fine because we were out all day, but it’s something to be aware of with teens.
If you’re trying to figure out where to stay (especially with a family), I share exactly where we stayed and what we paid here → Where To Stay in Japan with Kids: 6 Places We Loved (And What We Paid)
Temples and shrines (in moderation)
We really enjoyed visiting temples and shrines, but I do think there’s a limit, especially with teens.
A few? Great.
Too many in a row? Not necessarily their favourite part of the trip but they did enjoy the ones we went to. Getting fortunes at Sensoji Temple and walking through Fushimi Inari Shrine at night, they really enjoyed.
What stood out most travelling Japan with teens
What really stood out to me on this trip is how well Japan just works for this age.
We didn’t feel like we had to constantly entertain them or plan big activities every day. A lot of the time, just walking around, stopping into a convenience store, grabbing street food, or exploring a neighbourhood was enough.
There’s so much built into everyday life in Japan that feels interesting and different, and that made a big difference with teens.
It also never felt like we were dragging them from one attraction to the next, which, if you’ve travelled with teens, you know is not always the case!
Tips for travelling Japan with teens
A few things worked especially well for us:
- Mix structure with free time
- Let them choose some activities
- Build in downtime
- Stay somewhere convenient
- Keep the pace reasonable
Planning your own trip to Japan?
If you want a step-by-step plan including exactly what to book, where to stay, and how to plan your trip as a family I wrote a guide with ALL the information you need in ONE place. 10, 14 & 18 day itineraries, how to book trains, what activities to do, when to book them, where to eat, where exactly we stayed, etc. And everything with cost in mind. Click below to learn more!
If you’re in the middle of planning a trip, I’ve put together a number of posts based on our experience travelling Japan as a family of five.
You might find these helpful:
- 2 Weeks in Japan with Kids: Our Family Itinerary & Budget
- Where to Stay in Japan with Kids: 6 Places We Loved (and What We Paid)
- Eating on a Budget in Japan with Kids
- Japan Day One Survival Guide for Families: What to do in Your First 24 Hours
If you’d like to see our trip in live action, head on over to my Instagram @wanderfarspendless and check out my Japan Highlights.
exploring:
Leave a comment