FOR THAT ANXIOUS PARENT MOMENT: A JAPAN GUIDE

I get it.
Even though Japan has such a good wrap for being soooo safe and sooo clean… it doesn’t mean you don’t worry that it will all go wrong.
Especially if you have a shocking sense of direction, like me.
And, again, if you are not used to travelling in a country where the average person may not necessarily have conversational level English.

In fact, I’m such a worry wart that I wrote this post “Moving to Tokyo with Kids: The Things I Worried About” that might ease your mind when you see where my head was at.   BUT travelling is very different to moving.
So I wanted to address the major concerns I had and I hear other travelling parents have – many times a week, even.  I just want to offer a little hand-holding and show you how it will all be fine.

So..here goes….

WHAT IF WE GET LOST?
Okay. If I can do this … you can do this!
If you spin me around 3 times in a car park , I’m that person who may never ever find their car again!

The answer is to make sure that you have internet access at all times. ( Options ? Rent portable wifi, SIM card or make an arrangement with your home country’s phone provider. I speak in more detail about the rental options here.)

For more reasons why internet is important, here is a little snippet from my Preparing For Your Trip to Japan article.

Okay. So I have travelled extensively in Japan and have met many, many different types of tourists here.  I really don’t care if you managed to climb Kilamanjaro with one spare pair of jeans and a bar of soap. You need internet here.
You need to be able to get “lost”  but still not miss a major event or a sightseeing hotspot.  Wandering is so much fun in  Japan.

Also, Japan doesn’t work in streets and numbers. Addresses are measured in segments of blocks so you may not easily find your restaurant or accommodation without it.
It would seriously limit the valuable time you have if you’re not totally connected.

Free wifi isn’t available in every part of the city so to save you jumping between hotels, Starbucks and McDonalds, I’d go for a wifi pocket rental at the airport or organize a deal with a phone provider at home first.

Google Maps is fantastic in Japan.
I use it to not only help me find little restaurants or touristy spots but also to calculate just how long it will take me to walk places vs taking the train or taxi.  It also gives me a rough idea of how much a cab and /or train might cost.
When I have two kids with me and a double stroller, I prefer to walk as much as I can.   It means we can find new shops and playgrounds along the way.

I find Google Maps does all that I need but I know other friends that prefer apps such as Navitime.

Extra tip: If you’re looking for a certain restaurant or hair salon or sightseeing spot – check their website for hints on which station exit to take… 
In big city Japanese stations, there are sooo many exits that you can pop up , not only in the wrong direction, but even as far as a kilometre from where you wanted to be.

Japanese people are very used to dealing with this issue and, for that reason, restaurant and shop websites will almost always list their closest station and exit.    For eg. 4 minutes walk from Shinsaibashi Exit A4.
Here is an example of Chanel Ginza – as I’m clearly shopping here everyday .

WHAT IF MY PHONE BATTERY DIES RIGHT AT THE WRONG TIME?
Did you know that convenience stores sell battery operated chargers? They cost around 2500 yen but they only require normal A4 sized batteries so you can charge your phone while you keep moving around (or, if you’re like me, while you’re using it.)
Its not cheap enough to want to be buying one everyday, of course. BUT I think it’s worth buying once and filling up your bag with batteries to replace as you go.
Tip: Open it and start using it IN the convenience store. The different brands have different ways of turning on and then the shopkeeper can help you.
I have come across convenience stores where they store these portable chargers behind the counter – if you can’t see them, show them this  スマホ充電器を販売していますか？= Do you sell Smart Phone Chargers?

I take one of these to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea as the only ways to charge your phones there is to leave the park and purchase one of these or charge your phone at a kiosk.   And I don’t want to miss out on cute Disney photos!  All of my Tokyo Disneyland tips are here. 

This is one type for sale.

WHAT IF I HAVE PROBLEMS COMMUNICATING?
Many people who have travelled within other parts of Asia are often surprised when they arrive in Japan and, outside of major cities or touristy spots, English isn’t spoken fluently by everyone ( which makes sense, of course, because the national language is Japanese.) That doesn’t mean that Japanese people wont do everything they can in order to communicate and help you but… I have some “hacks” to help you if you get stuck.

For all of my hacks in great details. See why post here called “When Communication Just isn’t Happening..” ( and none of these “hacks” are simply telling you basic Japanese phrases to repeat out loud. )

WHAT IF I HAVE TO VISIT THE DOCTOR OR CALL AN AMBULANCE?
I can totally understand why this would be a bit concern. Absolutely.
First thing is , of course, to have travel insurance, prearranged.
I have written a post with a breath-by-breath description on what to do if you require an ambulance in Japan here.   I mention this in the post BUT do NOT just turn up at a random hospital in Japan. The system operates differently here and will actually delay the time it takes to see a medical professional.
Also… the emergency number in Japan is 119.

WHAT IF I GET OVERWHELMED BY THE CROWDS?
This is very common concern. People love to share those crowded train videos, right?
Easy way to avoid train crowds is to avoid travelling between 7am-10am.    Maybe  take a walk between some stations between those hours or even consider a taxi if you are truly feeling anxious.
As for the touristy areas of Tokyo, I have made a list of some places for a ” quiet moment” in some of Tokyo most popular spots.   Some of these are little green wedges in the city, some rooftop gardens or cafes that are almost never busy.

WHAT IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN GET LOST?
I have had this happen once at Ikea in Chiba and it was the longest 2 minutes of my life.  We haven’t had it happen, thank goodness, at Disneyland or in a crowded place. BUT …. I will share with you what we talk about as a family incase this is ever to happen.

Our family rule is that , if you can’t see Mummy and Daddy, you are to not move far from where you last saw them.
Then, ask for help from a woman working in a shop OR a women who is walking by with her own children.  (Sorry to be sexist but this is what I feel most comfortable with. Also, mother’s worldwide are always quite alert and aware to the usual nature of a child walking alone. )
I talk about other tricky scenarios like this and some phrases that might help in my article Japanese Phrases to Help with a Potentially Tricky Scenario 

But here are some phrases you could use right away if you can’t spot your child for even a moment. Dont try and pronounce. Just point and go, okay?

My child is lost
私の（子供が）迷子になりました
Watashi no kodomo ga maigo ni narimashita

Please help me.
助けてください
Tasukette kudasai

Please do something.
なんとかして下さい
Nantoka shite kudasai

Is it possible for you to make a (lost child) announcement please?
迷子のアナウンスをしていただくことは可能ですか？
Maigo no anaunsu o shite kudasai

Please take me to the police station.
交番まで連れて行って下さい
Kouban made tsurete itte kudasai

Please call the police.
警察を呼んで下さい
Keisatsu o yonde kudasai

Please help me look.
一緒に探して下さい
Issho ni sagashite kudasai