Ultimate Twin Centre Holiday in Japan and Hawaii

 

From Disney Magic to Waikiki Sunsets: The Ultimate Family Holiday in Japan and Hawaii

Ask most families to describe their dream holiday and you’ll hear the same wish list: theme parks for the kids, something a little more meaningful for the grown-ups, and a proper beach break so everyone comes home relaxed. Our Japan and Hawaii twin-centre ticks every box in one 13-night trip.

Start with two days of Disney magic

Your holiday begins with a direct British Airways flight to Tokyo and three nights at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, an Official Hotel of Tokyo Disney Resort. A free shuttle connects you to the Disney Resort Line monorail, so you’re never more than a few minutes from the parks, and breakfast is included each morning to fuel those busy days.

Tokyo Disneyland will feel familiar in the best way, with classic rides, beloved characters and spectacular parades. Tokyo DisneySea is the real showstopper, though. Found nowhere else in the world, it’s built around beautifully themed ports, from a Mediterranean harbour to a mysterious volcano, and many visitors call it the most impressive Disney park on the planet. With a 1-day ticket for each park included for the whole family, you’ll experience both.

Bullet trains and bowing deer

Next comes a moment every child remembers: boarding the shinkansen, Japan’s famous bullet train. Watch the countryside rush past and, on a clear day, look out for Mount Fuji from your window.

In Kyoto, you’ll stay three nights at THE BLOSSOM KYOTO, a stylish hotel one subway stop from Kyoto Station, with a quad room so everyone stays together. Kids love racing through the endless red gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine and spotting the towering bamboo at Arashiyama, while parents will enjoy the hotel’s relaxing Japanese-style public bath after a day of sightseeing.

A guided half-day tour to Nara, with lunch included, is often the highlight for younger travellers. Hundreds of friendly deer roam freely through Nara Park, and some have even learned to bow politely in exchange for a deer cracker. Nearby, the enormous bronze Buddha inside Todai-ji Temple is guaranteed to impress.

Then, a week to unwind on Waikiki

After the excitement of Japan, a direct flight whisks you across the Pacific to Oahu for seven nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Spread across 22 acres on Waikiki Beach, it’s a resort designed for families, with five pools, water slides, a kids’ pool and a saltwater lagoon perfect for paddling and snorkelling.

Days can be as lazy or as active as you like. Join hula lessons and lei making at the resort, catch the Friday night fireworks over the beach, or venture out to hike Diamond Head, snorkel at Hanauma Bay or visit Pearl Harbor.

Why this order works so well

The beauty of this itinerary is its pacing. You tackle the busiest, most exciting part of the trip first, while everyone’s energy is high, and finish with a full week of sunshine and slow mornings. By the time you fly home, jet lag is a distant memory and the whole family is properly rested.

Start planning your family adventure

Every Charter Travel holiday is tailor-made, so we can add extra nights, upgrade hotels or include Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. Call our team on 01635 551011 or enquire online to start planning your Japan and Hawaii adventure.

Why Autumn is the Perfect Time for a Japan Holiday

 Japan is a fascinating destination at any time of year, but there is something particularly special about visiting during autumn. The summer heat begins to disappear, the countryside turns spectacular shades of red and gold, and Japan's temples, gardens and historic streets take on a completely different atmosphere.

An Autum Japan holiday takes you from Tokyo and Kyoto to travelling through the mountains and discovering traditional villages, this is a season that lends itself perfectly to a varied itinerary.

A country transformed by autumn

Autumn foliage, known as koyo in Japan, is an important part of Japanese culture. As the leaves change colour, people travel across the country to enjoy the seasonal scenery, a tradition known as momijigari, or autumn leaf viewing.

What makes Japan particularly special is the variety of landscapes you can experience. One day you could be walking beneath colourful maple trees beside an ancient temple, and the next you could be surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Experience traditional Japan

Autumn is a wonderful season for exploring Japan's cultural side. In Kyoto, historic temples and gardens are framed by vibrant foliage, while smaller destinations offer a glimpse into a more traditional way of life.

Consider visiting Nara, where ancient temples sit among spacious parks and curious deer roam freely. Further north, the historic village of Shirakawa-go provides a completely different experience, with traditional gassho-style houses surrounded by mountains and seasonal colour.

For a memorable stay, add a night or two in a ryokan. These traditional Japanese inns are an experience in themselves, often combining tatami rooms, Japanese cuisine and access to relaxing hot spring baths.

Autumn in Tokyo and beyond

Tokyo may seem an unlikely place to enjoy autumn scenery, but the capital has plenty of beautiful parks and gardens. The contrast between colourful trees and the city's modern skyline makes for some fantastic photographs.

After experiencing Tokyo's bright lights, shopping and incredible restaurants, travel beyond the capital to discover a slower pace of life. The Japanese Alps are particularly impressive in autumn, with mountain towns, forests and traditional villages providing a completely different perspective on the country.

Kyoto at its most beautiful

Kyoto is arguably one of the highlights of an autumn Japan holiday. The city's temples and gardens become even more atmospheric when surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage.

Take a walk through Arashiyama, visit the temples around Higashiyama or simply explore the quieter streets away from the main tourist areas. Early mornings can be particularly rewarding, giving you the chance to enjoy some of Kyoto's most famous sights in a calmer atmosphere.

Make your Japan holiday your own

One of the best things about travelling around Japan is how easy it is to combine completely different experiences in one holiday. You can enjoy the energy of Tokyo, the culture of Kyoto, the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps and the history of Nara as part of one tailor-made itinerary.

You could also extend your trip with Osaka, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji or even a few days in the Japanese countryside. With Japan's excellent rail network, travelling between destinations can be part of the experience rather than simply a way of getting from A to B.

Whether you're looking for an autumn adventure filled with sightseeing or a slower journey combining culture, food, scenery and relaxation, Japan offers plenty of possibilities.

Speak to our Japan travel specialists and we'll help you create a tailor-made autumn holiday designed around the places and experiences you want to discover.