Japan with a 6 year old

[Caroian]

We're less than 2 months away from a two and a half week trip to Japan with our 6 year old son. He's a good traveller but Japan is actually a new country for all of us so just wondering if anyone has any top tips.

We have several days in Tokyo (starting out in a Western style hotel to lessen the culture shock) and a couple of days staying at Disneyland. We're then moving on to Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka before returning to Tokyo to fly home. We'll be staying in a mixture of Air BnB and Japanese guest houses, but not actual Ryokan as we struggled to find family friendly ones (with availability - given that it is also cherry blossom season!)

I'm particularly looking for tips regarding:
Food - our son is not the most adventurous eater although he does love rice, noodles, chicken and fish. However I'm mindful of the etiquette regarding snacking and would love to have a few good restaurant choices/recommendations up our sleeves if at all possible. Particularly for our first couple of days in Tokyo whilst we get our bearings. Do most places welcome children?

Onsen - as above, we're not staying at a Ryokan, so I think our only option will be a public Onsen. My husband won't want to go (he has a fear of water and won't even get in a hot tub). My reading suggests it is acceptable for a 6 year old boy to accompany their mother in to a female onsen? Any tips around where to go for this?

Kabuki - I think our best bet will be to try to get "single act" tickets on the day in Tokyo?

Geisha dances - we'll be in Kyoto in April however I cannot get my head around tickets for the Miyako Odori, and what the deal is with children. We're thinking of visiting Gion corner, although this looks like it is set up just for tourists. Any thoughts or experiences?

Any other general tips, must dos etc are most welcome. We've already pre-booked JR passes and have the date in the diary to book Studio Ghibli tickets.

TIA!

We’re heading to japan at a similar time with two young children. Brilliant tips, thank you!

Laughing at the poster who said they wouldn’t remember anything and therefore it was a waste! I’m genetically disposed to raging dementia when I hit around 80 years old so maybe I shouldn’t go anywhere or have any fun throughout my life! Or maybe it doesn’t matter what you remember, and simply having the experiences count for something?

It all depends if a 6 year old values the experience. In my experience 6 year olds on cultural holidays tend not to. If they are fussy eaters, prefer the iPad games and really want Disney, go to Disney! The idea of taking a 6 year old to a Geiko show is just ridiculous for example. It shows no real knowledge of Japan. Just a tick list. The idea that seeing a whale shark held captive in an aquarium is a great experience is truly shocking. Of course japan kills whales doesn’t it? Do they care about whales? Not at all. This mammal should never be in an aquarium.

Japan has more to offer an 8 year old upwards. Of course children should experience things but I think Japan isn’t the best choice for a 6 year old.

BubblesBuddy OP has her holiday booked and paid for, now about you stop raining on her parade?

Also shamelessly placemarking as we’re taking our 8&11yr olds in November! Sounds wonderful OP, I hope you have a fab time

This thread is nearly a year old and the OP's holiday has long since ended.

Japan is indeed a great country to visit.