Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about traveling to Japan with kids. We visited Tokyo with our two boys, and we have some tips for other parents who may be interested in a family trip to Japan.
Japan is Very Safe
One of the reasons that Japan is a great family destination is that it’s very safe. If your kids are a bit older, you can easily give them a bit more freedom than you might in other cities, and they don’t always have to be right by your side. Even when walking near traffic, it’s not like other countries in Asia. The drivers in Japan are very orderly, and pedestrians have the right-of-way. The biggest concern is probably the bicycles, so just make sure your kids are aware of bikes and listening for the bells to get out of the way.
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Japan is Very Quiet
Japanese culture is very quiet; you won’t hear much talking on trains or in public. This can be hard for kids, especially if you’re on a long Metro journey. Talking quietly is ok, but we all know how hard that can be for children. If you know any silent games that can occupy them, it will help pass the time on public transportation.
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Japan is Very Clean
Another thing we loved about Japan is the cleanliness. As a mom, sending boys into a public bathroom can be a gross experience sometimes, but not in Japan. Bathrooms are typically spotless, and so are the streets. It’s rare to see trash on the streets in Japan. It’s astounding that a city of 35 million people can be so clean! That said, it’s not easy to find trash cans, so if your kids snack a lot, make sure you have a Ziploc bag to gather all of your trash until you can find a bin.
Expect a Lot of Walking
A lot of the sites in Japan are spread out, and you will do a lot of walking during your trip. Of course, there is public transportation, but you’ll still be walking a lot. So, it’s important to have comfortable shoes for you and your kids. Many places in Japan request that you remove your shoes before entering, so it’s best to have slip-on shoes for your kids that they can easily take off and put back on throughout the day.
Plan Downtime for Play
Although Japan is very clean and orderly, most of the cities are still huge with massive amounts of people. Touring sites can be exhausting, so it’s important to let your kids run a bit each day. It’s pretty easy to find a local park where they can run and play and burn off some energy. This is really important no matter where you are traveling, but especially in huge cities like those in Japan.
Balance the Temples and Shrines
The temples and shrines of Japan are really cool, and even the kids enjoyed them. However, like castles and churches in Europe, you really have to balance out your activities to avoid “temple burnout.” Even adults can get burned out, so imagine how the kids feel. This is why it’s important to allow time to run and play and incorporate some sights of their choosing as well. Japan has amazing toy stores! We also found a really cool drum museum in Tokyo that the kids loved.
Explore Pop Culture
In addition to ancient shrines and temples, Japan has a lot of cool Manga and pop culture attractions that the kids will love. Cartoons and anime are everywhere in Japan, and the kids will love it. Along with the huge toy stores, there’s a lot to keep the kids entertained.
Eating in Japan with Kids
If you have a picky eater, traveling in Japan will be a challenge. You may want to try introducing some foods before you leave, like rice or noodles. You may also end up relying on the convenience stores in Japan, where they have lots of great options for snacks and food. They are way more elaborate than convenience stores anywhere else in the world.
If you have food allergies, have someone write them out on a piece of paper in Japanese!
Visit the Amusement Parks
Tokyo has a few amusement parks nearby. Our kids were so happy we planned a kid-centric day at the amusement parks. There’s a Universal, Tokyo Disney, and Joypolis. There are also several zoos in the area, so it’s really easy to plan a kid-centric day that they’ll enjoy. The lines can be super long, so if you can visit during the week, that is better than visiting on the weekends when all the locals are also out.
Japanese Hotels with Kids
Hotel rooms in Japan are quite small; depending on the size of your family, you may need to get more than one room. For a family of four, you will typically need to get two rooms or consider staying at a Ryokan. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese guest house, and you’ll typically have futon mats on the ground. Don’t expect typical Western-style hotel rooms in Japan. In Kyoto, we actually rented an apartment, which is always a great option when traveling as a family.
Pharmacies in Japan
Pharmacies are readily available in Japan, and you can easily get diapers, baby food, over-the-counter medications, and other things you might need. However, if you need a prescription filled in Japan, you need to have your prescription with you, especially for things like pain killers, which are highly controlled.
Japan is Expensive
Traveling in Japan is quite expensive, but you can get discounts for children. Plan to spend a bit more on hotels and dining out than you would on a usual family vacation. Many places have reduced fares or free admission for kids under a certain age, so that helps balance out the budget. Most of the shrines and temples you visit are free, so that also helps.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
I hope this helps you feel more confident about planning a family trip to Japan. It’s really a wonderful place to bring your kids as they can experience a vastly different culture in a very safe destination. International travel with kids can seem overwhelming if you’ve never done it, but we’ve had so many unique family vacations. Not only are you teaching your kids how to be good travelers and global citizens, but you’ll create an incredible family bond through travel experiences. For more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts: