Japan with Kids

Tani said: July 18th 2010 11:21 AM

Hi there

I was just wondering if you know of any blogs books or websites dedicated to travelling Japan with Kids? My husband and I are planning a 10day trip at the start of September with our four year old girl and 6 month old boy.

We are also doing so on a tight budget!

Any tips hints directions would be most appreciated!

Thanks

Tani

Donna @ Little Gulliver said: July 18th 2010 4:39 PM

Hi Tani,

What a wonderful place to visit! Timing wise I think your kids are at great ages, with your 4 year old able to get around well, while your baby is (probably) still not quite mobile. And travelling despite your tight budget is admirable, as so often we put things off until the ‘right’ time. One of the things I like about Japan too, is that you get to experience such a different culture and only have an eightish hour flight!

Here are some websites that may be worth a look;

• The ‘Holidays with Kids’ magazine has a feature article available online on Japan with kids and written by an expat at http://holidayswithkids.com.au/feature_stories/japan_with_kids.
• The Japan National Tourist Organisation is at http://www.jnto.org.au/ and even has an ‘affordable Japan’ section which may be of interest.
• The site Japan with Kids is aimed at locals, but is a good resource if you need info on things such as kids car seat laws and weather. It’s at http://www.tokyowithkids.com/
• Travel for Kids Japan has some listings of where to go in different cities http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Japan/japan.htm.
• Trip Advisor offers a review of Tokyo Disney (hard to pass up if your daughter is a Disney Princess girl) and also has a good ‘Japan for Foreign visitors’ section which looks at money, important phrases, tipping etc http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/AllReviews-g298184-Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

I’m wondering whether a Japan guide book, such as those from Lonely Planet, Eyewitness guides etc might give you some food for thought (just without the focus on kids). Check your local library, they may be able to reserve some for you and give you an idea of which ones you like before buying. There are also a couple of books specifically based on Japan with kids which would be a good read. They may be a bit difficult to come by locally though.

They are;

• Japan for Kids: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Their Children by Diane Wiltshire & Jeanne Huey
• Kids’ Trips in Tokyo: A Family Guide to One-Day Outings by Ivy Maeda, Kitty Kobe, Cynthia C. Ozeki & Lyn Sato

I think too, pack some disposable containers like Glad ware and some zip lock bags. If you’re staying at a hotel you may be able to grab some fruit, muffins or even toast from the breakfast buffet. This can be a great saviour on day trips and give you some options in a hunger emergency or if you come by a nice park for a play .

Tani, I hope there are some good things here that you may find useful. I’d love to hear how your trip goes and how you find your airline goes with the kids. Now I just have to get the green eyed monster off my back!

Regards,

Donna