Tackling Japan with your teens

By Heather Greenwood Davis

Find your family’s perfect speedin the land of the rising sun.

For teens who love tech, adventure and things that move really, really fast, Japan is a dream come true. This is the birthplace of anime and Nintendo, the home to both thermal baths and raging rapids, and the country where trains hit speeds that surpass the fastest racing car. Best of all, Japan is safe, easy to manoeuvre and welcoming to travellers. Choose the vacation activities that perfectly match your family’s preferred speed and you’ll be guaranteed a vacation to remember.

Tokyo City

SLOW: Dance and theatre are large parts of the Japanese cultural experience. Book tickets for a show at Kabuki-za in Tokyo for a sense of the classical dramatic experience that dates back to the early 18th century. Inspired? Your family will have even more respect for the work that went into life as a geisha and samurai when you sign up to dress like one for the day. From the decorative combs in your hair to the mock sword on your hip, the experience is done with respect and adherence to the ancient traditions. The result: A chance for real learning amidst the giggles. Your outfit is yours for a few hours, so make sure to head down to snap some photos in the historic Hakodate Red Brick district.

TEEN GIRLS WEARING TRADITIONAL KIMONOS

MEDIUM: Tweens and teens will love the cutesy kitsch of cosplay-dressed crowds in Harajuku, an area where anime characters come to life via the clothes and hairstyles of local youth. Walking down Takeshita Street is fantastic, immersive fun.

TAKESHITA SHOPPING STREET

Pop into the shops to buy giant sticks of cotton candy, oversized gummy bears and every imaginable variety of the funky, knee-high, five-toed socks that seem to be a Japanese teen wardrobe staple. Teenagers with souvenirs to buy or allowance to burn will have a hard time deciding between desserts that look like puppies and Hello Kitty everything.

COTTON CANDY IN HARAJUKU

FAST: Ready to kick things into a higher gear? Head to Tokyo where you can book tickets for Robot Restaurant and watch metal giants battle it out amidst a laser show and really loud music. Or head for Akihabara, where Sega gaming centres offer opportunities for video games both nostalgic and new.

VIEW OF THE ELECTRIC TOWN OF AKIHABARA

Prefer real life racing? Try your hand at the rapidly changing street crossings in Shibuya. And if you prefer your meals speedy, skip the standard fast food outlets and head for the Washo Ichiba market in Kushiro, Hokkaido.

BUSY CROSSING IN SHIBUYA

The entire market is like a salad bar – except with the freshest seafood on offer. Buy a bowl of rice and build your own “Katte don” by touring dozens of surrounding stalls and selecting the sashimi, shrimp or crab you like best.

SEAFOOD MEAL IN JAPAN

BULLET: Your teens won’t have many opportunities to ask “Are we there yet?” while riding the famous bullet trains of Japan. With speeds reaching 320 kilometres per hour, you’ll be able to watch their eyes grow as the speed of the train climbs to take you to your next destination. Not fast enough? Consider heading to Minakami, the adventure capital of Japan for some adrenaline-raising adventures. Hit the Class 4+ rapids for white-water rafting, or send them over a 20-metre high waterfall for canyoning. The adventures are led by well-trained guides who manage to stress the safety without stealing the thrill. Expect faces plastered with grins for the rest of your trip.

BULLET TRAIN PASSING MOUNT FUJI