Traveling feels significantly different once you have kids, with priorities naturally shifting. Things like safety, comfort, and costs matter in ways they didn’t before, with late nights and splurging with the budget often giving way to searching for playgrounds and affordable family accommodation.
It doesn’t make travel any less special (many would argue that seeing new places through your children’s eyes can be even more rewarding), but the way you plan, spend, and explore does come with some additional considerations.
Some good news, then, for anyone planning an adventure to the land of the rising sun: a recent study conducted by Deluxe Holiday Homes ranked the best travel destinations around the world for families, with Japan topping the list. Their research focused on several key metrics, including a country's safety index (via Numbeo), the number of family-friendly accommodation options available and the average cost of those accommodations (via Booking.com), the average price of restaurant meals for a family of four (via Numbeo), and the number of family-friendly activities available (via TripAdvisor).
Japan ranked 100.0 on their rating scale, with the next country (China) receiving a score of 85.2. The full results of their research and how the categories were weighted can be found here (in Google Docs format).
If you’ve been wondering whether Japan is a good choice for your next family trip, the data (and countless happy travelers!) certainly suggests it is. The blend of safety, affordability, and endless opportunities for family-friendly fun makes it easier to enjoy the magic of travel together, even with your little ones in tow.
