Tokyo to Kyoto: Learn the Way of the Ninja (10 Nights)

Duration: 10 nights
Best months: March–May · October–November
Country: Japan
Region: Tokyo · Hakone National Park · Kyoto

A Family Journey Through Japan’s Modern Pulse and Ancient Disciplines

This itinerary is built for families who want Japan to feel immersive, not overwhelming—balancing iconic sights with hands-on cultural moments that kids actually love. Across Tokyo, Hakone National Park, and Kyoto, you’ll explore the world of Sumo and the hidden craft of the Ninja, with private guiding, seamless pacing, and standout stays that keep everyone comfortable between adventures.

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Tokyo — The Peninsula Tokyo (4 nights)

Your first four nights are a deep dive into the capital from The Peninsula Tokyo—a polished base for exploring a city where tradition and future-tech coexist effortlessly.

One morning begins behind the scenes at a sumo stable, where you’ll watch wrestlers train up close. We can arrange a specialist guide with rare insider access—someone who can translate the rituals, the discipline, and the details that make the experience feel personal, not touristic.

Between cultural moments, Tokyo becomes a playground: the neon-and-gadgets wonder of Akihabara, followed by the slower, local texture of the Yanasen District, known for its temples, cafés, galleries, and small craft shops.

Tokyo — A Visit with a Master Sensei (Ninja Training)

This is the heart of the trip: a private session with a legendary martial arts teacher in Tokyo. As a family, you’ll explore the spiritual side of the Ninja tradition—meditation, ancestor veneration, and the concept of Ku (“no-self”)—before stepping into an authentic Ninja costume.

You’ll handle classic Ninja tools (think throwing stars and blowguns) and practice technique-focused drills: stealthy footwork, controlled movement, and the “inner eye.” It’s immersive, respectful, and unforgettable—especially for kids who thrive on learning through action.

Tokyo — Sweet Endings and Edible Art

For a softer counterbalance, spend your final Tokyo day weaving through temples, markets, and shopping districts—then take a creative detour into Japanese confectionery. At the Ameshin workshop, you’ll learn amezaiku candy-making, shaping intricate edible art under expert guidance before strolling nearby streets filled with traditional sweet shops and bakeries.

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Hakone National Park — Ginyu Hakone (2 nights)

Next, board the bullet train and head southwest for around an hour to Hakone National Park, where hot springs and mountain air reset everyone’s pace. Your two-night stay at Ginyu Hakone is designed for restoration: quiet views, ryokan serenity, and the kind of calm that makes the rest of the trip feel even richer.

If you’re feeling active, follow sections of the old Old Tokkaido Road, the historic route that once linked Tokyo and Kyoto—an easy way to add a sense of story to the landscape. And on clear days, the views toward Mount Fuji are exactly the kind of family memory that sticks.

Kyoto — Four Seasons Kyoto, Japan (4 nights)

From Hakone, continue west by bullet train into Kyoto, Japan’s great keeper of tradition. With a private guide, start in Arashiyama, where heritage temples and bamboo groves set the tone. Visit Tenryu-ji, then step into the awe of Sanjusangendo temple, home to thousands of statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Kyoto also invites a slower kind of immersion: a traditional tea ceremony in a classic tea room, a deepening look into the city’s geisha culture, and time to wander old streets at an unhurried pace. Your base—Four Seasons Kyoto, Japan—offers tranquil pond gardens and a refined retreat between outings.

To finish on a high note, join a private ramen masterclass and learn how to build the layers behind Japan’s most beloved comfort dish—then enjoy the reward immediately.

Back to Tokyo — Oedo Onsen (Departure Day Reset)

Before your flight home, return to Tokyo for a final unwind at Oedo Onsen, a hot spring park with a choice of indoor and outdoor baths. For something truly different, try the volcanic-sand bathing ritual—an unexpected, deeply relaxing finale to a trip filled with movement, learning, and shared stories.

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Signature Experiences

• Behind-the-scenes sumo stable visit with a true insider guide
• Futuristic fun in Akihabara, paired with the local charm of the Yanasen District
• Private Ninja-focused session with a legendary Master Sensei, including meditation and tradition
• Hands-on amezaiku candy-making at the Ameshin workshop
• Scenic bullet train travel with classic views toward Mount Fuji
• Hot-spring downtime in Hakone National Park with a two-night stay at Ginyu Hakone
• Kyoto’s cultural essentials: Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, and Sanjusangendo temple
• A traditional tea ceremony and a private ramen masterclass in Kyoto

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Ready for Something Extraordinary?

Tell us who’s traveling and the ages you’re designing for, and we’ll shape this Japan journey around your family’s rhythm—private guides, smart pacing, and meaningful moments that keep kids engaged without exhausting adults. Your planning and design fee becomes a clear set of deliverables: discovery, curated options, thoughtful iterations, a final itinerary with checklists, and support for changes as you travel.
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Why Travel to Japan with Escape Xperts

Japan rewards precision—and that’s exactly where Escape Xperts excels. We curate the right hotels, guides, and experiences so your family gets the real depth of Tokyo and Kyoto without the stress of juggling logistics. Expect private transfers where it matters, age-smart pacing, and access to experiences that feel “inside track,” not off-the-shelf. Our planning and design process turns into tangible outcomes: a discovery session, a curated shortlist, iterative refinement, and a final itinerary with practical checklists—plus on-trip support if plans need to shift. The result is a trip that feels seamless, personal, and genuinely memorable for every generation.