Prince Hotel BlogsIf you’re looking for a family-friendly destination to visit with something for everyone, then Japan is one of the best places in the world to head to. The country has plenty to offer and experience, whatever your age, from exciting and quirky technological innovations, to natural wonders, stunning scenery and some enchanting historical sights.
If you’re planning a visit to Japan with the family soon, look out for great deals at the comfortable and inviting Forest House Hotel, and read on for some fantastic suggestions on what you can discover around the country.
Located near Kyoto, Nara Park is one of the most magical spaces for a family to visit in Japan, with a very special attraction. The park is found within the city of Nara, and is home to hundreds of deer, freely roaming around.
The deer have long been considered to be messengers from the gods, and wander freely around the park, having done so for yours. You’ll find that the deer are beloved by the city and have even been adopted as the city’s mascots, so you’ll see plenty of deer-shaped icons around the area. The deer within the park are fairly tame, and you can even purchase special crackers to feed them, for a unique and memorable experience.
If you’re visiting with children, be sure not to tease or harass the deer – while they are friendly, they can become aggressive if threatened, so always supervise children when feeding or interacting with them. As well as the charming deer, you’ll also find several beautiful shrines and a variety of plants and trees, making up a picturesque and tranquil space to visit.
If you’re visiting the Forest House Hoteland are keen to get to Nara, it’s easy to reach via train, with a change at Kyoto to get you straight to the park.
The Ghibli Museum on Tokyo is a must-visit destination for any fan of Studio Ghibli animations, and a great place to explore as a family. Located in Mitaka, it is a great place to head to for a day trip from the Forest House Hotel, and features a wonderful variety of attractions and exhibitions related to some of the most well-known Studio Ghibli movies, as well as more fascinating items to discover too.
Look out for regular exhibitions that feature behind the scenes looks into the work of the animation studio, with a chance to look at some of the breath-taking artwork that goes into making each feature film. The museum also holds regular screenings of Ghibli films, including many of their famous classics, as well as a variety of short films and lesser known works.
You’ll also find special, life size recreations of scenes and characters from some of the studio’s most popular films, including the iconic Catbus. While you’re at the museum, be sure to spend some time in the charming and whimsical café, which provides the perfect place to relax and enjoy a tasty snack, and it’s hard to resist purchasing a few special souvenirs from the museum’s gift shop.
The Ghibli Museum is an enormously popular activity, and tickets are often extremely hard to get hold of. If you’re planning a stay at the Forest House Hoteland want to make sure you can see the Ghibli Museum during your time in Japan, then it’s best to book online as soon as you have the dates for your trip. The museum releases a limited number of tickets online, and they will usually sell out months in advance, so it is virtually impossible to purchase a ticket closer to the time of your planned visit. While tickets might be hard to get hold on, the visit is always an extremely memorable and special one.
It’s hard not to fall in love with the adorable snow monkeys that reside at the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, in Nagano, near the Forest House Hotel. The park features a hot spring pool, which has some very special guests during the cold winter months – the sweet and shy Japanese Macaque monkeys that reside within the park throughout the year, and love to enjoy a warm dip when it’s cold outside.
The monkeys live within the nearby forests, and the park itself features some specially built pools, where you will often catch a glimpse of the monkeys bathing. While it’s forbidden to touch or attempt to feed any of the monkeys, watching them interact with each other is always an exciting and fun activity, and children often adore the sight of the monkeys calmly bathing in the warm pools.
While the park is open all year round, it’s most exciting to visit during the colder, winter months, as the snow on the ground gathers and monkeys ease into the hot water. If you’re tempted to try some traditional bathing too, you’ll find plenty of onsens around the area, all serviced by the same local volcanic hot springs.
For families staying at the Forest House Hotel, a visit to Japan’s most renowned theme park will always ensure a wonderful holiday. Japan’s Disneyland attraction is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, with the impeccable level of service provided by staff, combined with some spellbinding attractions.
The park covers over a hundred acres and is close to Tokyo, and features many of the popular attractions that Disney theme parks are famous for. You’ll find exciting parades, Disney characters and some amazing rides that bring the world of Disney to life. For fans of Winnie the Pooh especially, Tokyo’s Disneyland has an exclusive feature not found anywhere else – a special honey hunt where you can find yourself exploring a special area alongside characters from the iconic children’s stories, in search of honey pots. There are also plenty of great places to eat and drink, as well as fantastic gift shops filled with special souvenirs to remember the experience.
The cherry blossom is a quintessential symbol of Japanese culture and the country’s natural beauty, and the custom of celebrating the spring season with cherry blossom viewing parties has been taking place since the 8th century. While cherry blossoms can be seen all over the world, in Japan these delicate soft flowers, and the short […]