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Ok.
Can I talk about strollers in Japan for a second?
I get a message every second day recently that pretty much go along the lines of ” We should have bought a stroller! Where can I rent one? Where can I buy one? I didn’t think we would need one!”
In my “Packing for Japan with Kids” article I talk a little bit about strollers when holidaying in Tokyo, but I thought I would go into more depth about it.
I always liked getting around with a stroller with a baby carrier in the bottom and mixing it up so baby has many options.
THE REASONS YOU MAY NOT REALIZE THAT YOU NEED A STROLLER
If you have a child who is older than baby carrier age, and 6 or younger… ( I know that sounds really old but let me talk about why in a second…) I think you should consider packing a stroller to bring with you.
I have lent a stroller to a guest who even stayed with a 7 year old .
Lots of walking
In Japan, you will do a LOT more walking than normal.
Yes, your child is probably a very capable walker, but even if they walk with you to and from school or around the supermarket.. this is different.
A lot of the walking in Japan is a part of the sightseeing. So its not just asking your child to and from a destination. They will be walking through and around that destination.
My big girl is now 6 and she needs that stroller (or a little chair attached to a stroller) as a back up. She’s such a good girl but, understandly, she needs a little rest. A little sit. A little snack – and sometimes we also need to keep moving.
Still not convinced ?
Think of somewhere that is approximately 800-900 metres from your home, right now . Like a park or a supermarket . Imagine you were to walk there with your child.
They had an awesome time when you get there . Running , using energy , having something to eat. Can they still walk home without much trouble ? Without you having to carry them or have someone collect you? Then … yes…. seriously consider a stroller.
( of course , in my suggested area guides I plan for things to do along the way and rest so I’m not for a minute suggesting that kids just walk and walk with no in-built entertainment … but the example was more to help you consider things like your little one’s perseverance , physical capability and the patience of a child… and their parent .. haha.)
Lots of walking means more resting than normal required
Imagine this, you’ve been out at a shrine or a really cool museum…your 4 or 5 year old has been a trooper. But now it is time to hunt down a restaurant. They are now too tired and cranky to honestly ask them to just walk up and down the street to find the right restaurant for you. Or maybe you now need to rush them to your temporary accommodation for Icecream and a hot bath – but that means a little extra walk to catch the right bus or train .. or even to the right corner to grab a cab.
And if your child is fever-ish or you’re in the throws of jet lag? Even MORE reason.
Sometimes you need to keep moving…
If a child is having a tantrum and there is no option but to just wait til the horror is over. With a stroller, at least you can strap them in and just keep moving and get them to the nap time, to the food, to the bribery toy… whatever you need in order to make it all work.
Those backpack things aren’t really an ideal option in Japan
I know lots of people that love these baby backpacks. It is possible to use in Japan so it can work BUT there are a few reasons that I, personally, don’t think they are a good idea.
Firstly, you will feel a little like a freak in some parts of Japan. Its pretty funny but most Japanese people will have never seen one of these before. This will be unique so you may even get people taking photos.
Secondly, I speak about this a little in my article here but in Japan, it is considered rude to use a backpack on a train. In a crowded country where personal space is already limited, your backpack is making it more difficult to accommodate other train passengers. So you will have to put the backpack on the floor and will have to carry it in many public places ( or will be asked to) and it may also limit your restaurant choices as, unlike a stroller, you can’t “park” on of those babies outside.
Safety & Peace of Mind
Let’s say you’ve managed to get to a really overcrowded area and you’re worried that the crowd just isn’t able to spot this little bobbing kiddie heads…
Also, what about if you have a few minutes to wait on a busy train platform?
I get really nervous on busy train platforms – mainly because my kids LOVE trains.. and they think every train is ours. It’s just real peace of mind to have somewhere to buckle them in (or just have a spot to say ‘sit and don’t move.’
And, actually, the times that I love my stroller the most? In the flipping airport. Even if children walk between terminals for us? Then we use that trusty stroller to throw bags on … to let one child sleep on … it can be used like a high chair… etc.
I often joke that my favourite earthquake preparation “tool” is my stroller. I believe that we could use it like a mini-house for a bit if we had to.
See here for my actual family earthquake plan.
Renting a stroller isn’t really a thing in Japan
And if you are lucky enough to find a company, or a friend who will lend you a stroller in one city… what about the other cities in Japan you travel to though?
For stroller rental throughout Japan, there aren’t that many options (which is why I highly, highly recommend bringing a stroller from home) but if you’re in Japan already and you’re stuck… here are some places where you can rent a stroller in Japan.
And, actually, the times that I love my stroller the most? In the flipping airport. Even if children walk between terminals for us? Then we use that trusty stroller to throw bags on … to let one child sleep on … it can be used like a high chair… etc.
Most large department stores will rent out their strollers free of charge – but only for use in that department store ( I also find the weight restrictions to be quite limiting, regardless of the child’s age – not helpful for me when I had a gigantic baby boy.)
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea rents out strollers for 1000 yen for the day. Once again, only for use in the park.
Please note that Tokyo Disneyland do not rent out stroller rain covers so you will need to purchase ( 2000-3000 yen) or bring your own.
See here for all of my tips on visiting Tokyo Disneyland with kids (it’s a long one!)
A last minute stroller in Japan is NOT a cheap option
In the States, my in-laws tell me that its not that difficult to pick up a cheap 20-30 dollar stroller for use and then donate or throw away. In Japan? I’ve never seen anything like this.
I love my stroller that I bought in Japan ( see below) however, it did cost 20,000 yen – and you will never catch me throwing that gem away!
If you do decide to bring a cheap stroller and want to then donate it to the Salvation Army in Tokyo (you can book ahead and they will even collect the items from your accommodation – all the information is here or put them up for free on facebook group Mottainai Japan.)
If you do decide you need to buy a stroller I would start by googling your closest Toys R Us and Babies R Us, Aeon Mall, Akachan Hompo or even some BIC Camera or Yodobashi Camera stores will be able to help. It is highly unlikely that you will find a stroller under 12,000 yen ( and, if you do? Send me a message so that I can share with others.)
WHEN PACKING A STROLLER FOR JAPAN
Personally, this is my criteria for stroller selection for travel in Japan:
- It needs to fold
Japan isn’t great at providing elevators and ramps in all parts of town (Rumour has it that hosting the upcoming Olympics with help with some of this though. Yay.) Also, you’ll be limiting restaurant selection if your stroller doesn’t fold and fit in a corner. - It needs to be light for carrying
- It needs to not be your favourite/most expensive stroller – Japan is a very, very safe country. For that reason, it isn’t at all unusual for restaurants, parks, tourist attractions etc. to have a “stroller parking” section. It is highly unlikely that it would be stolen but you need to be comfortable to leave it for hours at a time.
These are the two types of strollers that I use in Japan.
This Graco Baby Double Stroller (then one kid can sit on the seat at the back and the sleepier child on the front – on the seat that can recline. I love that these strollers have snack trays and are sturdy enough to hang bags off the handle.
This stroller folds and I can carry it up stairs but I need two hands so my kids need to walk in front of me incase they fall.
- When my kids were smaller we had a double city select. ( I dont recommend side by side in Japan ever ) The kids sat in front of one another .
It was fabulous for big days of walking , not great for trains ( which is why we upgraded to the Graco when they got slightly older.)
And the other single stroller that I use (and purchased in Japan) is the Aprica.
Then, for the days when I catch the train we try and avoid a heavy stroller. I purchased a Japanese stroller – an Aprica. It weighs 3.3 kgs so I can easy carry it while holding two sets of little hands. That helps.
What about bringing a scooter to Japan instead of a stroller for bigger kids?
It’s your call, of course, but for me it’s a no.
My reasons?
-Kids on scooters are not very well received on busy streets in the big cities in Japan. In fact, it is illegal to use a scooter on a road or a footpath in Japan (even children) and you will be pulled over and fined. Scooters can be used in parks.
-Even if you decide to use them anyway – I’ve found it introduces more risk in terms of potentially getting lost or getting injured (especially if Japanese drivers are on the opposite side of the road where you are from …because even from the pavement kids won’t know which way to expect traffic to come from.
-Most shopping complexes and tourist spots won’t allow scooters inside which means you then have to worry about parking or carrying the scooter with you.
– Could you bring scooters on the train? Not during peak hour and best that they go inside a bag.
Could I bring a wagon stroller to Japan?
I think I would recommend every single type of stroller out there before I would recommend a wagon stroller (sometimes referred to as an Outdoor Wagon.) These are not practical for Japan and (apart from the fact it will limit your transportation and restaurant options) they are banned in many shopping malls, theme parks and other tourist destinations. Don’t bring a wagon stroller to Japan. Disney doesn’t allow them. Legoland in Nagoya doesn’t allow them. Trains won’t allow them. Most botanical gardens (and zoos) won’t allow them. Aquariums and most museums won’t allow them.
If I still haven’t convinced you or your partner to use a stroller in Japan – here is what you need to do if you’ve decided to go without (you’re bonkers, by the way… but whatever) …then I recommend doing these things:
– Make sure all your meals and snacks are sit down events and make sure they are frequent
-Use google maps to see if taxis can help you out for shorter distances
-Expect that you will see less places in one day
Read the items I recommend packing in Japan with children.
