Non train related things to do while in Japan?

[katoftw]

So I recently watched Tokyo Eye 2020 on NHK about some of the islands south of Tokyo.  Kozushima I really found appealing.  As a Japan traveller that would most likely travel with my wife and 3 boys for the next few visits.  I'm on the lookout of non train related things to do.  Or maybe more wife friendly family orientated things to do.

 

Below is a link to the shows, part 1 and 2:-

 

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/vod/tokyoeye2020/20151111.html

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/vod/tokyoeye2020/20151118.html

 

So my questioning becomes as to what else similar around Japan is like places like this.  Easy walks (not big hikes), kid and wife friendly mixed gender bathing suit required onsens etc?

 

Also a link for Kozushima thing to do for those curious:- http://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/english/island/kozushima/#map09

 

edit/  Looking for things you normally wouldn't find on regular tourist maps.  Most regular stuff is about sightseeing.  Kids also need activities.

Edited November 22, 2015 by katoftw

[kvp]

Probably well known, but imho also a nice island to visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tashirojima

Not for swimming or an island, but it would be a must see for me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himeji_Castle and it also comes with a whole city to see and although the monorail was discontinued ages ago the hilltop amusement park should be still around.

Speaking of amusement parks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanayashiki it's in Asakusa, so you can see the temple complex and then take a train to the Skytree all within walking distance.

And if you want a beach near Tokyo, the Enoden runs along a nice sandy beach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoshima_Electric_Railway and if you are there, you can also see some shrines around the area.

[miyakoji]

I have some vague one-week itineraries, and other than the JR museums, visiting people, and specific shopping, I've got castles.  I'm especially interested in the non-reconstructions, although some of those are worth seeing too like Nagoya and Osaka.  If you're in or around Nagoya and Kansai, you can probably get to some of these: Matsumoto, Inuyama, Hikone (not Hakone), Nijo, Himeji, Ako, Okayama. Depending on how much time you've got, there are some further-out ones like Matsue, Tsuyama, Bitchu-Matsuyama, Marugame, Imabari, Matsuyama, etc.  I'm not too familiar with other regions but of course there are castles everywhere.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan's_Top_100_Castles

 

kvp mentioned temple complexes which is another good option, particularly if you're around Kyoto or Nara.  There are such things elsewhere too, but I'd think that English-language information will be dominated by Kyoto.  Looks like Wikipedia has individual temples grouped by prefecture :): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Buddhist_temples_in_Japan

 

info on shrines exists but looks less complete: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Shinto_shrines_in_Japan

[katoftw]

Thank you for your suggestions.  I probably should have been more specific in my original post/questioning.  While castles, temples and shrines are nice.  They are well know tourist destinations within Japan.  I'm looking for things more unknown that you might miss on regular Japanese tourism websites.  Most regular info points you towards sightseeing spots like castles, temples and shrines.  Kids need activities also to keep the tide of boredom away.

 

For anyone reading and interested in the info you might find.  I find shrines and temples not really little kid friendly.  While little kids might handle being reserved for a temple or two.  Don't go seeing too many in one day.  They fail to be reserved more towards the end of the day.  Trust me, I tried it with a 3 and 5 year olds.

 

I climbed to the top of Kumamoto Castle once with a 10kg baby strapped to the front of my chest.  7 floors. I got a workout.  haha  Castles are pretty good for entertaining boys as they are ninja and samurai related.

 

Some things my kids liked doing that weren't train related were walking around Akihabara in the late arvo into evening for dinner and shopping.  With the lights on, the kids go wow.  Get some kid entertainment done while having dinner and getting some shopping done.  While Akihabara is normally advertised as a great shopping area.  It is a great entertainment area also for children.

 

Some places of interest that have found that might be family/kid friendly are:-

 

Aoshima, Miyazaki - Island with a temple in middle.  Devils washboard rock formation for kids to explore.  Nice sandy beaches close by.

Hamadera Koen, Osaka South - Waterpark, walking tracks, mini rail rides.

Shirahama, Wakayama - Awesome beach, mixed gender public bath w/ beach views, theme parks close by.

Edited November 23, 2015 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

I was going to suggest onsen and I saw your last post... Salute the bravery!

 

Onsen is one of the most, if not the most unique and important thing to do. It's not only just an experience, it really benefits the health! We could feel our blood circulation much better after soaking in it for around 20mins, but be sure not to over-soak yourself!

 

Do you guys like sushi?

 

There are a lot of nice AND fun sushi shops around Tokyo, like this one:

 

 

The one with the plate lucky draw certainly is fun!

[katoftw]

Yes onsen is a must do.  And I didn't do it last trip.  Which is a playing point in my mind.  I wasn't aware of the mixed gender bathing suit required versions out there at the time of travel.  I wasn't prepared to split up the family to try it.

 

But in the videos I posted and others around Japan I have since found suitable.  Next visit they will be done.

 

Sushi is a staple in our household.  4 out of 5 eat it once a week.  If I had my way, we'd eat it more.  Ramen comes up a lot in the colder months.

Edited November 23, 2015 by katoftw

[railsquid]

Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa (Tokyo) has some family-friendly possibilities. Huge park close to Tachikawa station, though maybe not worth visiting unless you're in the general area.

 

For some hands-on family activity why not check out one of Tokyo's many sewage museums? I'm actually kind of serious, have visited the latter in Kodaira, it looks like the kind of place kids would love and you can even descend into a platform within the main sewer (not very smelly). I don't think there was much info in English however.

Edited November 23, 2015 by railsquid

[katoftw]

That Showa Kinen Park reminds me of Toneri Park on the Nippori-Toneri Liner Line.

[Nick_Burman]

Have your children watched Hayao Miyazaki's animes? What about taking them to the Ghibli Museum? Easy to get to - Chuo Line to Musashi-Koganei Mitaka + museum shuttle bus. You'll have to book tickets beforehand and turn up at the museum gate at the appointed time though. I wanted to go there on my trip but Tokyo is so chock-a-block full of things to see that I had to sadly give it a miss...

 

 

Cheers NB

Edited November 29, 2015 by Nick_Burman

[railsquid]

Shurely you mean from Mitaka station? It's about halfway between there and Kichijoji station, a reasonably pleasant walk from either too in decent weather.

[katoftw]

The kids are too young for Miyasaki's works.  I did watch The Borrower Arreitty last night for the first time.  And Ponyo,  Kiki, Howl and Tottoro are all previous watches.  The wife actually really enjoys these.  So the Ghibli Museum could be interesting one morning.  Good suggestion.

 

She tolerates my Initial D and Wangan Midnight.  And when I was younger I was into Macross, Ghost In A Shell etc.  Other anime not related to Miyasaki.

Edited November 29, 2015 by katoftw

[katoftw]

Tokyo Anime and Manga Tour - Tokyo Eye 2020

 

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/vod/tokyoeye2020/20151125.html

[toc36]

Watch some of the videos on this site:  http://kydeanderic.com/

 

Off-beat and cheap.

[Jcarlton]

Odaiba, especially if there's a big show.  Even if there's not a show there's the maritime museum, the Toyota Center, the Museum of Science and innovation, an Amusement park and a bunch of malls.

https://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/areas/areamap/odaiba.html

I'm also going to add that the Ghibli Museum is great even if the kids are too young for most of Miyazaki's movies.  There's even a giant cat bus to crawl on.

As for places off the beaten path, well there's the Meiji Mura museum.

http://www.meijimura.com/english/

which is outdoor  and has  a bunch of stuff.

Tomonoura.

https://theartsmechanical.wordpress.com/2015/10/25/tomonoura/

Kakunodate.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html

[Jcarlton]

You can mine this channel for ideas:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxMEpfzdJ2dkrplSWehgcA