Navigating Japan with a Toddler: Essential Tips and Tricks
Traveling with a Baby in Japan: Your Guide to the Land of the Rising Sun
Heading to Japan with a new addition to the family? Embrace the adventure! Japan, including bustling Tokyo, is an unexpectedly family-friendly holiday destination. Here's a rundown of 7 practical tips to ensure a fantastic family trip to Japan!
- Packing Smart
- Comfortable Lodging
- Navigating Public Transportation
- Baggage Shipping Service
- Baby Essentials
- Exploring Baby-Friendly Spots
- Planning Ahead
- Family-Focused Tours
Packing Smart
Travel simplification is key to a stress-free journey. Bring 4-5 sets of clothing for each family member, including a lightweight jacket for temperature differences between indoor and outdoor areas. If you're journeying during winter, pack thermal clothing – you can find 'heat tech' at Uniqlo at an affordable price.
Comfortable Lodging
Smaller, business-style hotels may not be suitable for families. Instead, opt for spacious family rooms or even entire apartments or houses through services like Airbnb, especially if you prefer cooking your meals. Luxury ryokans are also comfortable options for families.
Navigating Public Transportation
While renting a car is possible, traveling by train is recommended for families with young children. Japan's train and bus travel is convenient, comfortable, and surprisingly affordable. Longer distances are typically covered by the super-fast bullet train (shinkansen), which boasts ample space and can alleviate restlessness in children.
Baggage Shipping Service
You don't have to worry about hauling large suitcases with a baby in tow. The Takuhaibin service allows you to ship your luggage from one accommodation to another for around 1500 JPY.
Baby Essentials
Bring a baby carrier to navigate crowded regions, historical sites, and staircases where a stroller may be challenging. Depending on your baby's age, you might find a combination of a carrier and a lightweight stroller to be the perfect pairing.
Exploring Baby-Friendly Spots
Newer toilets in parks, shopping malls, and other public spaces have been designed with families in mind. Expect clean, spacious accessible toilets, diaper changing stations, and small seats for young ones. Nursing rooms can also often be found near the toilets, though breastfeeding in public is generally acceptable with the use of a blanket for discretion.
Planning Ahead
Allowing extra time in your itinerary gives you room to deal with unexpected situations that may arise with a baby. Instead of trying to cram as many activities as possible, limit your city visits to 2 per travel week and make day trips to easily accessible locations.
Family-Focused Tours
Hiring a private guide for a day or more can make your trip even easier. Companies like us can arrange the tour to suit your family's needs, ensuring a delightful, informative, and educational experience. We offer tours in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more!
As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, the safety of traveling with children is becoming more promising. Loveholidays penned this guide to help parents prepare for an international adventure with their little ones.
Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more travel inspiration. Or share your family's adventures and be featured!
Happy traveling!
Stefanie Akkerman, a Dutch expat living in Japan, shares her passion for the country's sights and activities. She loves Japanese cuisine and enjoys exploring through diving, snorkeling, cycling, or hiking.
Sources:[1] Mamamap (https://www.mamapapamap.com/en)[2] Best Japan Travel (https://www.best-japan-travel.com)[3] Family Travel in Japan (https://www.familytravelinjapan.com)[4] Wanderlust Journey (https://wanderlustjourney.net/family-travel/)[5] Japan Travel (https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e202205a03.html)
- For a stress-free journey with a baby in Japan, consider using a baby carrier to navigate crowded areas, historical sites, and staircases where a stroller may be challenging.
- Opt for spacious family rooms or even entire apartments or houses through services like Airbnb for comfortable accommodation during your family trip.
- Japan's public transportation is convenient, comfortable, and surprisingly affordable, making train and bus travel a recommended option for families with young children. Longer distances can be covered by the bullet train (shinkansen), which offers ample space.
- To avoid hauling large suitcases with a baby in tow, consider using the Takuhaibin service, which allows you to ship your luggage from one accommodation to another for a reasonable price.
- Plan ahead by allowing extra time in your itinerary, limiting your city visits to 2 per travel week, and making day trips to easily accessible locations. This approach gives you room to deal with unexpected situations that may arise with a baby.
