Grand Getaways: How Skip‑Gen Travel is Taking Off in Japan 

• Over a third (37%) of travellers in Japan have taken - or are planning - a skip-generation holiday.
• More than seven in 10 (71%) believe family travel improves health and wellbeing for older generations.
• 43% say their main motivation for skip-gen travel is creating special memories between grandparents and grandchildren.
• Close to half (48%) say family suites or interconnecting rooms are the most important feature when travelling with multiple generations.

JAPAN - Grandparents and grandchildren are hitting the road together - and often without parents. Across Asia Pacific, skip-generation (skip-gen) holidays are on the rise - and the trend is gaining momentum in Japan. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report reveals that families are redefining how they travel, with a stronger focus on stays that foster togetherness, create lasting memories, and strengthen bonds across generations.

Skip-Gen Travel on the Rise: 6 in 10 Japanese Families Are Booking Holidays Without Parents  

Six in 10 (60%) respondents across the region report having taken - or planning to take - a skip-gen holiday. The trend is strongest in China (86%) and India (79%), where cross-generational travel has moved from novelty to mainstream. In Japan, the trend is steadily gaining momentum, with over a third (37%) saying they have taken or plan to take such a trip, including 18% in the past year, reflecting a growing desire among families to create new and meaningful experiences for grandparents and grandchildren.  

“The rise of skip-generation travel highlights a fascinating shift in how families are connecting,” said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “Hilton is committed to creating experiences that cater to every generation under one roof - from family-friendly amenities and Confirmed Connecting Rooms to wellness offerings that appeal to travellers of all ages. By designing experiences that anticipate the needs of multi-generational families, we aim to make every stay as seamless and memorable as possible, helping guests create meaningful moments together.”  

More Than a Vacation: Experiencing New Things Together Tops the List for Skip-Gen Travellers in Japan  

In Japan, nearly half of families (47%) - and 50% of grandparents themselves - point to experiencing new things together as the main reason for skip-gen trips. While across Asia Pacific the opportunity to create lasting memories is the driving force (58%), especially in India (67%), Australia (64%), and New Zealand (63%), Japanese families show a stronger preference for shared discovery and cultural exploration.  

Beyond the numbers, skip-gen holidays give grandparents and grandchildren in Japan the chance to strengthen bonds (37%). Other motivations include parents being too busy (26%) and the opportunity to turn skip-gen trips into a unique, memorable experience for the family (21%).  

Wellbeing Boost: 71% Say Skip-Gen Trips Support Grandparents’ Health  

Family holidays aren’t just about connection - they also support health and wellbeing. More than seven in 10 (71%) respondents believe that travelling with family improves the wellbeing of grandparents. For grandparents, quality time with grandchildren (50%) is the most valued part of travel, suggesting how multi-generational travel can benefit both emotional and physical health.  

Thoughtfully designed stays that include wellness amenities, accessible dining, and senior-friendly services are becoming essential in ensuring that older generations can travel comfortably while reaping the health benefits of family togetherness.  

Quality Time Over Downtime: Families Prioritise Shared Experiences Over Relaxation  

According to Hilton’s global research, respondents’ number one motivation to travel for leisure in 2026 is to rest and recharge (56%), but for many travellers in Asia Pacific these motivations are different as spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority. Six in ten (61%) say quality time matters more than downtime, with slightly more than half (52%) in Japan agreeing with this sentiment.  

When it comes to activities, culinary exploration (64%) and visits to historical and cultural landmarks (58%) lead the way in Japan, reflecting families’ desire for stays that inspire discovery, learning, and meaningful connection. This comes as little surprise given Japan’s own globally celebrated food culture, which is also a major draw for international visitors - particularly families from nearby markets such as Singapore, where food-led experiences are a top travel priority.  

Rooms for All Ages: Making Multi-Generational Travel Seamless  

Beyond skip-gen, multi-generational travel continues to grow. Nearly half (48%) of families in Asia Pacific take holidays with three or more generations at least once a year - a trend particularly strong in China (78%) and India (65%). In Japan, while still emerging, a quarter (26%) of families report traveling with three or more generations annually. The top motivations in Japan include strengthening family bonds (58%) and creating lasting memories across generations (51%), highlighting the continuing appeal of multi-generational experiences.  

Accommodation plays a crucial role in enabling inclusive stays. Nearly half (48%) of families prefer interconnecting rooms or family suites, while 36% prioritise on-site kids’ activities. Relaxation and wellness amenities (35%) are also important, underscoring the need for stays that cater to every generation.  

Tal Shefer, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “In Japan, travel is deeply rooted in family and togetherness, and we’re seeing that reflected in the continued growth of multi-generational holidays. At Hilton, every detail is designed For The Stay - so that grandparents, parents, and children alike can feel connected, cared for, and create lasting memories together. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration at Waldorf Astoria, a city break at Motto by Hilton, or a family getaway at DoubleTree by Hilton, every one of our brands is built to bring people closer through meaningful experiences.”  

Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report: Key Insights for 2026 and Beyond  

These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, “The Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point,” highlighting how grandparents and grandchildren are reshaping the way families travel. Hilton’s comprehensive survey of more than 14,000 global travellers across 14 countries, along with proprietary insights from more than 5,000 Hilton team members and feedback from 1,000 Hilton Honors members, highlights several additional trends:  

• Hushpitality: Seeking Sweet Silence: In 2026, travellers will look for destinations where they can dial down life’s distractions. Seeking calm – even moments of silence – signals a change in why people are traveling, where they're going and how they’ll relax.  

• Home Comforts are the New ‘Carry On’: Travellers are grounding their trips in familiarity, seeking comfort and a sense of home even while away. They’re bringing everyday routines with them, and as familiar rhythms help travellers feel more relaxed, many are also taking time to recharge and pursue personal passions – turning time off into time well spent.  

• Inheritourism: Travel Runs in the Family: As children grow up, many continue traveling with their parents, bringing familiar preferences shaped by years of shared travel. From hotel choices to loyalty programs, parental influence still plays a key role in moulding how travel evolves across generations.