Sorry for the clickbaity style headline – it’s not quite that dramatic!
BUT I have been writing my blog long enough and lived and travelled in Japan long enough to not only see some mistakes being made over and over but also to have had enough feedback from other parents on what they wish that they had done differently on their trip to Japan with kids.
So I thought I’d make a little list for those parents who are about to do a Japan holiday with their children and I hope it helps or provides some inspo for planning and packing?
1) Not making meal times a part of the Japan itinerary (especially dinner!)
I get sent so many questions about itineraries all the time “Do you think this is too much? Is this logistically possible?” and even if they are like “9am this market, 10am this park, 11am this activity…” they almost never ever include a meal “oh that’s just because we will grab it as we go and work it out.”
BUT if you ask the majority of people what they loved most about their Japan trip – a large portion of that is delicious life-changing food feedback, right?
And yes this still applies if you have super fussy/picky eaters (or kids with AFRID)! In fact, sometimes more so as it isn’t as easy to “go with the flow” sometimes. Also applies to neurodivergent kids with sensory and textural issues with different food items.
And even more again if you or your child have certain dietary requirements or allergies.
*A friend of mine shared that she tries to lean hard into when the kids are hungry outside of traditional meal times as a 3pm sushi dinner is way easier to get a table for anyway and then everyone is full and happy!
I recommend working out what part of town you are going to be in around lunch or dinner time and then mapping out some options in that area (and if your heart is set on one place – design a few of the hours around that meal time around it.
I have kind of already done this for you in my area guides to help you plan so feel free to make use of those (especially as I have only included the family-friendly options) – for example: my Shibuya with kids guide. *
*In these guides, I try to include as much information about vegan and gluten free options too.
Write down the options that appeal before you start your day so you aren’t just winging it on the go (Japanese convenience store food* is amazing and my kids would be happy to eat Lawson chicken for every meal but also it does get old super fast -and, TMI side note: almost everyone on their first trip to Japan has one person who requires constipation medicine at some point – I speak more about that here- so a proper meal at least once a day is going to make for a more pleasant trip for EVERYONE!)
*If you are stuck on the go or at a train station and needing something remotely healthy here are the healthier options that you can grab as a snack at a convenience store in Japan.
So, when planning …let’s say you’re in Harajuku around lunchtime (if you’re in busy areas of the city on weekends I recommend eating more like 11am to have more options and more table availability but you can also just try your luck if you want to) then you can look at my sit-down meal suggestions in Harajuku for that day and cross out those that don’t appeal and then select one that looks like it will make all tummies happy! (to be even more savvy, you could also look at Shibuya food options here as it’s so close to Harajuku to have an even bigger restaurant list to choose from.)
And then, if something happens like you find amazing street food or noone is hungry then you can just change plans as you go – it’s just that back up that saves someone with a hangry tantrumming toddler (or Mum…) standing on the street looking the buildings up and down and then … at the end of the trip saying “Oh I wish we’d planned to stop for tempura while on this holiday!”
In fact, if you wanted to be super nerdy… while planning your itinerary write a list of all the foods you want to try with kids in Japan.
Then see if you can sub them in … ohhh should I do a list of types of foods out and then place them into random days so that you cover as many as possible?
And, especially if you are foodies, make reservations too. (Here are some kid-friendly kaiseki options, some kid-friendly Kobe Beef, and some kid-friendly omakase options, by the way.
I will also never judge you for making restaurant choices based on the restaurants who do the cutest kids’ plates and the options with the all you can eat menus.
You can also include farmers markets like the one in Harajuku/Aoyama on the weekends or the daily markets in Takayama and get the kids to try out there Japanese skills when buying some items.
Going back to what I wrote at the start of this point one though (sorry! this is a long one!)
The main reason to prioritise dinner with kids and make it early – kids in Japan get tired. It’s not a beachside holiday so they will be doing more walking than normal. Yes you have hopefully chosen as many apartment style hotels like Mimaru so that you have a kitchenette and can cook (if you cook please shop from the supermarket not just the convenience store- although I am thinking of doing a little recipe blog on “meals you can make from convenience store food?” – but should I ? and there are some UberEats options as a back up too for the bigger cities but … still… I think it’s best to at least PLAN for eating out and using the other options as a back up.
If you’re not dinner people or little kids won’t make it that long – make lunch the real meal of the day. Reserve it in advance. Make sure that’s the meal with the veggies in it. Then, if it all goes pear-shaped from there you have the “at least they had one square meal today” feeling as you give them fries and random Japanese sweets before they fall into bed.
2.) Assuming that your kids won’t be in to the “traditional” stuff
I totally understand how this can happen. You anticipate “this is boring!” when you think of a walk through a temple or garden or some kind of Japanese calligraphy or walking tour or bathing experience.
So then I see parents sometimes ONLY book the Harry Potter studio tour experience, a super touristy ninja experience, go for rainbow fairy floss in Harajuku, a trip up to Shibuya Sky and several days at Tokyo Disney Resort (yes… you should definitely do all these things by the way) ….but then they forget everything else.
And…. (the parents who have been to Japan will back me up on this) ….Japan is THE BEST for making things fun and quick and incorporating lots of different kinds of things -even on the same block of the same city!
For example, in my Kyoto with kids guide I’ve included lots of shrines and gardens but I’ve also got “there is a playground just outside” “Did you know that around the corner from the castle there is a ramen shop where they set your ramen on fire?” “At the end of the path through the Golden Pavillion there is a pretty amazing selection of ice-cream vending machines!”
Another example: Shinobazunoike Benten-do Temple in Ueno Park is a short walk through – fabulous lily pads all round for amazing pics and UNDER those lily pads? Koi AND turtles…. and THEN behind the temple you can ride swan boats and then get kakigori (shaved ice) from a food stall. It’s all about that delicious Japan-mix of old and new that keeps Japan so engaging all the time.
I also highly recommend incorporating as much green and “traditional” Japan into your Tokyo itinerary – it’s the easiest place to mix old and new activities together. I have lots of tips on how to do this here.
Also, while walking through those gardens or shrines – exercise slow travel. This might be new to some of you who are used to theme parks or beach holidays BUT it’s actually so much fun and can change the way you travel as a family. I’m not getting all woo-woo on you but slow travel means everyone on the holiday stays curious and kids will surprise you. If you spot a koi in the pond, for little kids, play dumb “I heard that there are koi here but I haven’t seen a single one!” (and watch those kids freak out ! “Look right there!! LOOK!”
3). Not bringing some activities for in-room downtime
Even as my kids get bigger this is still important. We call them “hotel toys” (we pack “plane toys,” “hotel toys” and “restaurant toys” when we travel.). As you’ll see from my “Drama Free Flights with Kids” blog post that it is important that none of the toys are too special to potentially throw away at the end and toys that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they were accidentally forgotten either.
I talk lots about hotel toys in my blog post here – and with bigger kids it can be more drawing and colouring, a nintendo switch, a puzzle (a cheapie), a lego set from the past that you have dismantled to get some extra love one last time etc.
*Most Japanese hotels don’t have netflix or many english tv shows. So you can’t rely on tv for support like you would at home.
Then, for smaller kids it can be bath toys, cheap dollar store blocks or play sets (imitation barbie with a kitchen, a selection of pre-loved happy meal toys that you put aside, little treasures from party goodie bags, balloons, sticker books, glow sticks.)
Why can having “hotel toys” help so much?
Well, I talk a lot about kids being tired in Japan -but the adults too! It’s a lot of logistics and admin. When you’re back in the hotel you will need your own shower and bath time. Time to plan for the day. Time to put the washing in the coin laundry in the hotel etc. These toys buy you time. They can also really help you get just a tiny bit more sleep. Kids need quiet time at either end of the day and these kinds of toys help a LOT.
*I also keep a pack of UNO in my bag at all times for restaurants, flight delays. And a small pack of “concentration cards” in my purse that are from the back of a tiny teddies box. Because I’m posh like that.
4) Not learning from what works for you when you travel anywhere else (even short trips at home.)
For some reason, many families seem to think that Japan will be different to every other place they have been.
Use other shorter times away as guidance for what to pack and prepare for when getting ready with your family.
For example, my daughter LOVES carrots and, being such a healthy option, I’m always up for encouraging that! So I always pack a peeler in my bag whenever we go away (yes, yes, I know you can buy a peeler in a 100 yen store in Japan BUT I don’t fancy spending my holiday time looking for things like that!) and I also carry lots of sandwich sized ziplock bags so we can have a stash of carrots in my bag or in the hotel fridge at all times.
I also know that my kids can now take some pills but when they feel poorly they like to take the liquid flavoured type of pain relief. So I pack one bottle in hand luggage and another in the suitcase. See here for more information on things to check ahead when bringing medication into Japan as you’ll be surprised at how many “everyday” items can be illegal in Japan. I have other tips here for things to pack when travelling to Japan with kids here.
Another example, a girlfriend of mine has a little girl with hair that gets crazy tangled. For this reason, she always travels with a silk pillowcase. It just makes the whole holiday easier.
Another example, my kids LOVE to take long baths. It’s there favourite thing to do at the end of the day – especially if they have a deep Japanese bath to choose from. So before bed they each get a bath and we pull a chair up to the bathroom door with an ipad on it and they just chill. It makes the day feel a bit more lush for them and they also get some “alone” time (especially important if you’re all squished into one room together.) Sometimes they even eat “dessert” in the bath and I had them an ice-cream or icypole while they are in there.
Selfishly, this also helps me when we are in a small confined space all together as one body in the bath frees up the space for the rest of the family to stretch out too. Anyway, this might not be the case for every family but it helps us and I really really regret booking any hotel rooms that don’t have an ensuite with a bathtub- as it really works for us.
5) Forgetting the practical stuff
Sorry this is boring (even for me) as I say these over and over but let me just do a little list anyway.
In Japan, you will need
–Internet (free public wifi isn’t reliable and isn’t an option at all at places like Disney. Also because of the language barrier, you’ve never needed internet more. I explain more here)
-A stroller for any kids that will still fit and a baby carrier for any kid that will still fit (I explain more here)
–Cash (yes credit cards are used more since the pandemic…blah blah blah… you still need cash though and I explain why here)
-The good socks (shoes will come off some times .. you’ll get busted with the socks with the holes with them. Be ready.)
-The easy on and off shoes
-Plastic bags – it can be a long time between rubbish bins so make sure you have a stash
-If you’re loyal to a brand of something or your child reacts to new products … bring what you use at home- certain snacks, baby formula, washing detergent. I explain more about it here but – short story? Don’t set yourself up for failure. Make your life as a parent easier.
6) Assuming that the following things will be the same as at home
These things often catch people out (not because they are doing anything wrong- just because they don’t know that it’s different in Japan
Hotels and Pools
Japan does many things well. Unfortunately pools in hotels is not one of them.
Pool rules are super strict and weird. Hardly any pools open outside of July and August.
Hotel pools often cost money – even when you are a guest.
I explain more about Japanese hotel pools here.
Zoos
Zoos in Japan are sad. Most aquariums too (although I do have time for that massive one in Okinawa and Sumida Aquarium will always have a special place in my heart.) The rest though, for me. Ewww sad. Gross. There is a reason that the entrance fee is 300 yen – because those animals are standing on concrete or in a cage or an enclosure that is only just their body size. It’s a very different approach to zoos in Japan. I definitely wouldn’t waste my precious Japan time on zoos at all.
Controversial: but I also don’t rate the monkey parks. I feel like those monkeys are just angry and germy – doesn’t feel safe to me (but I’m in the minority on the monkey park feels, I think.)
Teppanyaki
Teppanyaki in Japan is very much fine dining (with a fine dining price tag.)
I explain about Teppanyaki here and a few ways around the price tag or the fancy vibes in case you wanted something more casual with kids.
Assuming sushi is the same as sushi at home
I’m from Australia. We have this amazing booming casual sushi industry – mostly in strip malls and shopping centre food courts. It’s really good. It’s not Japanese food at all but it is delicious. If I went to most sushi places in Japan and asked for a teriyaki chicken roll hold the avo I would give someone’s Japanese granny a heart attack.
I do talk in detail about this and some more similar options to what you may be used to in this article on Westernized Sushi in Japan (if you’d like to have a read.)
7) Not putting some museums into your itinerary with kids
I get it. On holidays it can sound a bit like a school field trip to do a museum but there are so many many amazing options. Options that grown ups will like too. I have yet to meet a parent who went to the Railway Museum in Kyoto and wasn’t like “that was actually amazing!” (also, there is a massive playground right next to the museum.)
Museums in Japan are awesome (and often incorporate art or touchy feely interactive sections) and are soooo affordable to visit.
If you have a baby or a toddler you will LOVE the Tokyo Toy Museum, for example. And did you know that the Police Museum in Ginza is LUSH for kids 2-6 years old AND its free ! (and then you can do other Ginza with kids meals and fun stuff afterwards!)
In big city areas with not much green – a museum is like a little playground. A clean playground with toilets everywhere and minimal “danger spots” so you can “loosen the leash” and give kids more freedom here too.
Here is my full list of all of our favourite museums for kids in Japan.
8) Having rainy day options at the ready
If you’re in Tokyo and the weather turns shady – here is a ready made One Day Indoor Itinerary with kids that I have created.
But not matter where you are – I would try and keep as much of your itinerary the same (as long as it is safe to do so, of course) especially if the weather is just rainy and still warm. Just keep on going but maybe cut the day in half and do just half of the outdoor things.
*You may have already noticed but Japanese people are obsessed with umbrellas the moment there is a single drop of rain. If, like us, you’re not phased – keep on moving- it makes you quicker and will keep you moving when others are running to hide from the wet weather – and that includes while at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea too (in fact, in each of my Disney blogs I talk about how rain can be a good thing for you while there!)
I recommend subbing in longer dining experiences when the weather is crappy (that means you will need to make a reservation as you won’t be the only one with this idea..) For example, go to Nabezu, Syabu-yo or Momo Paradise (use the search function on my blog to lead you to these spots) and all cook sukiyaki together at the table! These places all have all you can eat veg, salad, ice-cream, rice and curry as well as meat and soft drinks too. That turns your rainy day into a truly special and oh-so-Japan day !!!!!
I also recommend heading to Karaoke.
If you haven’t been to Japan before you might not know that it’s not a bar. It’s a private room that you rent for just you and your family. No one has to sing unless they want to. And you order food and drinks “room service style” to your own little karaoke booth room. It’s so much fun.
I recommend a popular karaoke place in Shibuya here but it doesn’t have to be here. You can also just google your closest Karaoke-kan or Big Echo as they are nation-wide and are lovely reliable brands.
No-one asked but here are some of my faves to sing at Karaoke.
Make use of Museums (like I mentioned above) but also playcentres.
Google your closest Round1.
Round1 is an amusement, sports and entertainment complex aimed at kids, teens and adults.
They are so much fun. So much so that I recommend visiting even if the weather is fine.
Round1 are all over Japan – in the suburbs and major cities. They have options (location dependent) like karaoke, batting cages, arcade games, table tennis, soccer, bowling, darts etc.
8) Obsessing over train cards and discount passes
Ignore this if this is how you like to get excited about travel BUT I stand by what I say – I wouldn’t get too worried about travel cards and discount passes so much so that it makes you lose sleep at night?
The Japan Rail Pass used to be “the thing” that everyone needed. Since prices went up ? It’s quite rare that it is cost effective for many families.
See here on how to check if a JR Pass is worth it for you or not and then put it out of your brain.
I explain the tap on and off Suica and Pasmo and other cards here but they REALLY aren’t a must. If you live in Japan are doing the daily commute – yep. Fab. But other than that, with kids? Only if you wanted to. You can buy paper tickets as you go. If you get the fare wrong you can go to the fare adjustment machine before the barriers and you’re sorted.
A 72 hour subway pass ? Might save you a few hundred yen if you go crazy on the subways – might not though too?
For a few dollars – decide whether or not you can be bothered.
A Greater Osaka Tourist Fantabulous Event Sightseeing Dip Your Head in Glitter Pass ? (Ok I made that up but I swear there is something with a name like this out there) – just don’t get too excited. Like in any country in the world – there is a reason that some of these package passes are sold. It’s usually because the sights included aren’t selling well. So unless you were going to go to all of the places included anyway? You probs don’t need it.
It sounds super geeky but my kids love helping me buy physical tickets with cash.
They help me plan the route. We use google maps or the onboard screens to count how many stations.
We also walk to the middle of the platform when we get off (don’t linger near the doors or the locals will not be happy, understandably) and find the directions to the gate out that we need.
You may also like to read my tips on train etiquette with kids here.
