Tired of crowded sightseeing spots in Japan?
Have you ever planned a family trip to Japan, only to find yourself overwhelmed by huge crowds? In this guide, I’ll share how our family visited Ise Jingu, Arashiyama, and Kotohira Shrine without the stress, thanks to some simple but effective crowd tips. Perfect for family travel in Japan!
5 Family-Friendly Crowd Tips in Japan
1. Visit early in the morning
In our experience, many popular attractions started to feel crowded around mid-morning, around 9–10 am. Arriving early gives you a calm and authentic experience.
2. Leave luggage at your hotel before check-in
Most hotels allow you to drop off your large bags even before check-in. This means you can leave your luggage safely at the hotel and enjoy sightseeing hands‑free — the best way to start your day.
3. Enjoy flexible schedules with onsen ryokan
After 4 pm, we noticed many tourists begin to leave. If you stay at an onsen ryokan, you can relax in the lobby or your room during peak midday crowds, check in, and then head out again in the evening when it’s quieter. This also gives kids time to recharge their energy before a second round of sightseeing.
4. Take breaks at your hotel
When traveling with kids, having the option to return to your hotel to rest is a huge stress reliever.
5. Make the most of onsen ryokan stays
Onsen ryokan are perfect for recharging after a busy day of sightseeing. Soaking in hot springs helps everyone recover, and many Kyoritsu Resort properties offer family baths and kid-friendly meals. It’s a no-fail choice for families. Below, I’ll share three Kyoritsu Resort ryokan where we enjoyed both crowd avoidance and relaxing onsen stays.
Ise Grand Shrine – Peaceful mornings at Japan’s most sacred shrine
A serene walk before the crowds
We visited Ise grand Shrine at 6–7 am, when the grounds were nearly empty. The peaceful atmosphere made it feel truly spiritual.
Smooth experience for families
Without crowds, kids could walk freely, and even strollers moved easily along the paths.
Where to stay near Ise Jingu
Ise Grand Shrine has two main areas: the Outer Shrine (Geku) and the Inner Shrine (Naiku). The Naiku area is more popular, with attractions such as Okage Yokocho and the original Akafuku shop nearby. Because it offers more to see and tends to draw larger crowds, staying close to the Naiku is highly recommended.
For families, Ikyu ryokan is a top choice. It offers kids’ plates, private family baths, and even rooms with open‑air baths. This allows you to explore Ise at your own pace while enjoying a relaxing stay.
👉 Read our full review of Ikyu here for more details on why it’s our top family recommendation.
Hotels around Ise City Station or close to the Outer and Inner Shrines also make early morning visits much easier.
Arashiyama – The bamboo grove all to yourself
The magical morning bamboo forest
Early morning in the bamboo grove felt like stepping into another world. By midday, the paths were jammed with tourists.
A quiet moment at Togetsukyo Bridge
Usually full of people, Togetsukyo Bridge was calm and peaceful in the early hours.
Where to stay in Arashiyama
Kadensho ryokan sits directly in front of Hankyu Arashiyama Station, making it an ideal base. After arriving at the station, you can leave your luggage at the front desk and immediately start exploring. Just across Togetsukyo Bridge you’ll find a traditional shopping street, the Sagano Romantic Train, temples with stunning autumn leaves, the bamboo grove, and even Hozugawa river cruises. There are so many highlights clustered together that even with a one‑night, two‑day stay, it’s hard to experience them all.
Hotels near Hankyu Arashiyama Station or the Randen tram line are ideal for morning walks and early sightseeing.
👉 Read our detailed review of Kadensho ryokan here to see why it’s our recommended family stay in Arashiyama.
Kotohira – Climbing the steps of Konpira Shrine with ease
Family-friendly experience
Kotohira Shrine requires climbing a long flight of stone steps up the mountainside. It can be exhausting, but because our ryokan was nearby, we checked in early and enjoyed the onsen and some snacks in our room to recover. This slower pace was perfect for traveling with children.
Later, after soaking in the hot springs and relaxing in our room, we felt refreshed. Before dinner, we wandered along the approach street, browsing souvenir shops and even enjoying a retro-style shooting game. This mix of rest and light exploration made our Kotohira stay both relaxing and memorable.
Where to stay in Kotohira
Ryokan near the shrine’s approach are convenient for early morning or evening visits, with the added bonus of relaxing hot springs. While Kotohira is generally less crowded than Arashiyama or the Inner Shrine of Ise, the shrine sits on a mountainside and requires climbing many stone steps. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to reach the main hall (Hongu), and another 30 minutes if you wish to continue to the Oku‑sha shrine. Coming back down can leave you quite tired, so having accommodation nearby was especially helpful for our child. Staying close allowed us to rest quickly after the climb.
👉 Read our full review of Shikishimakan here to see why it’s our top recommendation for families visiting Kotohira.
Why choosing the right hotel is the ultimate crowd tip
Benefits of staying near attractions
We stayed at hotels close to each site, especially Kyoritsu Resort ryokan, which are more family‑friendly than business hotels like Dormy Inn, which made early visits possible.
Comforts that enhance family travel
These ryokan often provide four private, lockable family baths, so families can soak together in privacy. In addition, just before the large public baths, there are rest areas where free popsicles and lactic acid drinks are served—always a big hit with kids. Onsen baths, hearty breakfasts, and family-friendly touches turned our stays into memorable parts of the trip.
Blending comfort and crowd avoidance
The right accommodation makes all the difference: you can avoid crowds and still enjoy a relaxing stay. One of the best strategies, especially with small children, is to turn peak crowd hours into hotel or onsen time. Relax in the hot springs or enjoy your room during the busiest times, then head out again once the crowds thin. This balance is the key to making family travel fun and stress‑free.
Final Thoughts – Make Family Travel in Japan Stress-Free
By visiting Ise Jingu, Arashiyama, and Kotohira early in the morning, we avoided the worst of the crowds and enjoyed authentic, peaceful experiences. For family travel in Japan, these crowd tips—especially choosing the right hotel—will make your trip far more enjoyable.
Related Links & Recommended Stays
- 🏨 Our review of Kyoritsu Resort ryokan near Ise Jingu – Discover why staying close made early morning visits stress‑free.
- 🏨 Our family stay at a Kyoritsu Resort in Arashiyama – Perfect for enjoying the bamboo grove before the crowds.
- 🏨 Our experience at Kyoritsu Resort in Kotohira – A great base for climbing Konpira Shrine’s famous steps.
Official Information for Planning
- 🌅 Ise Jingu Sunrise & Visiting Hours (Official Website) – Check the best times to visit before your trip.
- ⛩️ Kotohira‑gu Shrine Official Website – Learn about the approach, steps, and seasonal events.
- 🚂 Sagano Romantic Train (Arashiyama) Official Website – Book tickets and find schedules for the scenic ride.
