Japan is one of the easier big trips to do with kids from Australia. It’s safe, the trains run on time and the time difference is only one or two hours. Children aged 6 to 11 pay about half the adult fare on JR trains, and under-6s ride free. The April school holidays give the best weather.
This is a planning guide for families, built from transport operators, theme parks and Australian government pages. It isn’t a personal trip report. Ticket prices change by date, so use the figures here for budgeting and confirm on the official sites before you book.
When is the best time to take kids to Japan from Australia?
Match Japan’s comfortable seasons to your state’s school holidays. Spring and autumn are mild, while July and August in Tokyo average highs of 29.9°C and 31.3°C with heavy humidity, which is hard going with small children. Unfortunately that’s exactly when the Australian winter holidays fall.
| 2027 school holidays | Dates | What Japan is like |
|---|---|---|
| QLD and VIC autumn break | 26 March to 11 April | Cherry blossom season in Tokyo and Kyoto, with Easter crowds |
| NSW autumn break | 12 to 23 April | Late blossom in the north, fresh spring weather further south |
| SA and WA autumn break | 10 to 25 April | Spring weather, and you are home before Golden Week starts on 29 April |
| Winter holidays | Late June to mid July, depending on state | Hot and humid in Tokyo and Kyoto |
| Spring holidays (late September to early October) | From 18, 25 or 27 September depending on state | Tokyo highs average 27.5°C in September and 22.0°C in October, and both months are often wet |
Sources: 2027 term dates from the QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and WA education departments (VIC, SA and WA holidays worked out from the gaps between terms), as summarised in our best time to visit Japan guide; Tokyo temperatures are Japan Meteorological Agency 1991 to 2020 normals. Checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
If you’re chasing blossom, our cherry blossom 2027 guide lines up average bloom dates with each state’s holidays.
How much do kids pay on trains in Japan?
JR’s rules are simple once you know the age bands. Children aged 6 to 11 pay half the adult fare for the base fare, limited express and reserved-seat tickets. A 12-year-old still at primary school also counts as a child. Under-6s travel free, up to two per paying adult or child. A third under-6 needs a child ticket, and so does an under-6 who takes their own reserved seat.
One catch: Green Car (first class) supplements cost the same for children as adults, so first class for the whole family adds up quickly.
| Example: Tokyo to Kyoto, Nozomi reserved, one way | Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult | 14,170 yen (approx. approx. A$131) |
| Child aged 6 to 11 | About half the adult fare, roughly 7,080 yen (approx. approx. A$65) |
| Child under 6 on a lap | Free |
| Child under 6 in their own reserved seat | Child fare |
Sources: JR East, adults and children (Japanese) and JR East FAQ; adult fare from JR Group Nozomi fare table. The child figure is a half-fare estimate; JR halves the fare and express charge separately and rounds down, so the exact price can differ by a few yen. Checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
For a family with two kids under 6, that makes the bullet train surprisingly cheap. Our Tokyo to Kyoto guide covers seats, booking and luggage.
Can I take a pram on the Shinkansen?
Yes. JR Central says strollers can go in the overhead racks, the luggage storage areas or the oversized luggage spaces. If you want one of the oversized spaces, you have to reserve it when you buy the ticket. Bags with a total size over 160 cm also need that reservation, or you pay a 1,000 yen fee. A light, folding pram is much easier on trains and in stations than a big all-terrain one.
Source: JR Central, luggage information, checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
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How much are Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan?
Both parks use date-based pricing, so the same ticket costs more on weekends and holidays. Tokyo Disney Resort’s 1-Day Passport for one park starts at 8,900 yen (approx. approx. A$82) for adults (18 and over), 7,400 yen (approx. approx. A$68) for juniors aged 12 to 17 and 5,300 yen (approx. approx. A$49) for children aged 4 to 11. Kids aged 3 and under get in free. Most weekdays in late November 2026 were 10,900 yen for an adult, with Saturdays at 12,400 yen.
Tickets go on sale at 2pm Japan time for the same date two months ahead, and sales can pause once a day’s limit is reached. Each ticket is for one named park on one date.
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka also prices its Studio Pass by date. Check the official price calendar for your day before you budget.
Sources: Tokyo Disney Resort, park tickets (calendar as at 14 November 2026); Universal Studios Japan, price calendar. Checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
For other days out, browse things to do in Tokyo and things to do in Osaka on Klook. Train-mad kids will also love the Railway Museum in Saitama, north of Tokyo, with full-size Shinkansen on display.
What does a family day cost getting in from the airport?
Airport transfers are where family fares make a real difference. Child fares are half the adult price on the main airport services.
| Airport transfer | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner, Narita to Ueno | 2,580 yen (approx. approx. A$24) | 1,290 yen (640 yen fare plus 650 yen Skyliner charge) |
| Airport Limousine Bus, Haneda to Shinjuku | 1,400 yen (approx. approx. A$13) | 700 yen |
Sources: Keisei Skyliner fares; Airport Limousine Bus, Haneda and Shinjuku line. Checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney). Our Haneda and Narita guide compares every option.
How do families stay connected in Japan?
A pocket WiFi router can be cheaper than an eSIM for every phone when a family stays together. NINJA WiFi’s Infinite Unlimited plan was 1,980 yen (approx. approx. A$18) a day, and the company says one router can be shared by several people and devices. Teenagers who go off on their own are better with their own eSIM. Our eSIM vs pocket WiFi guide has the full comparison.
Source: NINJA WiFi rates and plans, checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
What should Australian families know before booking?
- Insurance: Smartraveller says to take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers overseas medical costs. Australia has no reciprocal health care agreement with Japan, and you may need to pay up front.
- Departure tax: Japan’s International Tourist Tax is 3,000 yen per departure from 1 July 2026, usually already in the airfare. Children under 2 are exempt.
- Rooms: rules on children sharing a bed, and the age limits for it, vary from hotel to hotel. Check the occupancy rules before you book, and count everyone in the party when you search.
- Pace: fewer hotel changes make a family trip easier. Our itineraries show how many moves each route needs.
Sources: Smartraveller, Japan; National Tax Agency, International Tourist Tax. Checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney). This is general information, not personal advice.
Is there a video on travelling Japan with kids?
Video published by Kensho Quest on YouTube, covering hotels, food and getting around Japan with children. Embedded only.
For costs across the whole trip, see our Japan trip cost guide, and the first-time Japan guide covers the basics.
Frequently asked questions
Is Japan good for a family holiday from Australia?
Yes. Japan is safe and clean, trains run on time, and the time difference from the east coast is only one or two hours depending on daylight saving. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons with children.
Do kids pay on trains in Japan?
Children aged 6 to 11 pay half the adult fare on JR trains. Children under 6 travel free, up to two per paying adult or child, unless they take their own reserved seat.
How much is Tokyo Disneyland for kids?
A 1-Day Passport starts at 5,300 yen for children aged 4 to 11 and 7,400 yen for juniors aged 12 to 17. Children aged 3 and under are free. Prices change by date.
When is the best time to go to Japan with kids?
The April school holidays work best for weather, and the late September to early October break is milder than summer. July and August are hot and humid, with Tokyo averaging highs of 29.9°C and 31.3°C.
Can I take a stroller on the bullet train?
Yes. JR Central allows strollers in overhead racks, luggage areas or oversized luggage spaces. The oversized spaces must be reserved when you buy your ticket.
Do children pay Japan’s departure tax?
Japan’s International Tourist Tax is 3,000 yen per departure from 1 July 2026. Children under 2 are exempt, and the tax is usually included in the airfare.
Photo credits
- Hero image: Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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