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I’ve decided to write this blog post after seeing many people feeling overwhelmed at the very early stages of planning a Japan holiday as a family or for one parent planning to vacation in Japan with children.
I hope that this helps with that “where to start” overwhelm.
1. Plan your dates you’re available to travel
The main holidays to watch out for in Japan is a string of national holidays in Spring called Golden Week (I’ve written about Golden Week and what to do if you are traveling in Japan in Golden Week here).
There is also the New Year Period in Japan where many things shut down for the first few days of the new year – although don’t believe that these dates are a deal breaker for a holiday -but something to be mindful of for those exact days. See here for information on when Japanese school holidays fall.
It is also worth noting that New Years Eve in Japan can look different to the way it is celebrated in other countries ( although, once again, I wouldn’t let you stop you traveling to Japan – it is a magical magical time to experience the New Year’s Eve traditions in Japan.)
Read my post here if you have a few dates available to travel and would like to hear about the advantages of travelling to Japan in different seasons.
2. Cross-check those dates with Japanese holidays and airfare prices
So now that you have dates in mind – go through the flight options and see what you can line up.
Keep in mind options like flying into Kansai Airport (Osaka) and out of Tokyo or visca versa.
Also, remember that there are two international airports in Tokyo -Narita and Haneda. If you have the choice when coming to Tokyo, I highly recommend flying into Haneda Airport over Narita Airport ( but only if it doesn’t make your flights way way more expensive or give you less timing options, of course.). I recommend Haneda only because Narita is about 1.5 hours from the centre of Tokyo whereas Haneda is more like 30 minutes. That can feel like big difference when you’re jet-lagged. See here for tips on getting yourself from the airport to your accommodation in Tokyo.
3. Get realistic about your holiday budget planning
I added this point recently as I sometimes get people who are all booked but then last minute say “oh my god! I didn’t know the bullet trains would be this much!”
Japan is smaller on the map than a lot of countries but it is still big and please keep in mind that to fly from Osaka to Tokyo takes one hour in a plane (which gives you an idea of how much land you are really covering on a bullet train. An easy way to work it out is to use google maps (set the times for between 8am-8pm Japan time so that you get a good read of route options during the daylight hours.).
It is also worth working out if a JR pass will save you money – I talk you through that here.
Other alternative options to the bullet train are:
–Flights (can sometimes be a cheaper way to get around – doesn’t give as much flexibility to the bullet train because you still need to get to and from the airport at either end and need to be at the airport the amount of time specified by the airline etc. Whereas a bullet train… they are frequent .. and you step on and off.
–Driving (rarely works out to be less hassle and that much cheaper as road tolls and car hire can be expensive. Also you can lose full or half days travelling.)
–Overnight bus (so slow, so uncomfy – don’t recommend.)
I’ve written here about practical ways to keep costs down while in Japan.
4. Write down your must-do activities & time them for the least busy days of the week
For example, if you’re foodies – then write a list of restaurants or menu items you definitely want to try. Like – if you want to eat Wagyu or Kobe Beef out as a family in Tokyo- here are my recommendations.
If, rather than always eat at restaurants that welcome families, I know that parents also like to take turns going out to try out restaurants that really only welcome adults – if that’s the case, here are some of my favourite lunch spots that aren’t for children in Tokyo.
If you’re into beautiful gardens then make a list of the botanical and national gardens and don’t forget small gardens next to temples.
Don’t forget to write down 1-2 day activities such as the theme parks or the busiest touristy spots and then within your dates see if you can slot them in on weekdays ( for example, I show you how to use a crowd prediction calendars for theme parks in Japan here.
Some other activities you may want to consider when making your list… (I have an even longer list of things to book in advance for a Japan holiday here too.)
– Are you considering doing any ski trips from Tokyo? Here is a blog post on family-friendly ski trips to do with kids that are less than 90 mins from Tokyo.
– Do you want to organise a family photoshoot in Japan? ( I suggest some family photographers in my Preparing for Japan blog post here)
– Are Pokemon cafes or Ghibli Museum tickets a must for you? ( I mention this as these are notoriously hard to get your hands on so I would look online for availability before booking anything if it’s really really important for you. A little tip when booking the Pokemon Cafe, the Osaka branch is easier to book than Tokyo.)
– Do you want to stay at one of the official Disney hotels ? ( You will need to check availability and check prices as it can get very expensive very quickly. We have stayed at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel for one night and I’ve written about it here, if you’re interested.)
*Please note that Tokyo Disney Official Hotels can only be booked up to 2 months in advance*
– If interested in the Disney Parks do you want to visit Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea?
*Please note that the new section of TOKYO DISNEYSEA ( Tangled and Frozen and Peter Pan section called “Fantasy Springs” is opening on June 6th. If you decide to visit in June it can go one of two ways
1) If you are a hard core Disney fan and don’t mind waiting hours and hours – you could be one of the first people to enter this new section
2) The other areas of Tokyo Disneysea MAY be (no guarantee) less busy at this time before the focus with crowds will be on the new section so it could be a win-win if you deliberately avoid that new section
*Either way – tickets will be hard to get for this time (especially as annual passport holders will be all dying to go) so please remember to book early!
Please note that it is NOT possible to buy tickets for Tokyo Disneyland or Disneysea at the gate. This is why their crowd prediction calendars are so accurate.
See here for where to buy Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disneysea tickets.
– Do you want to book a traditional ryokan with an onsen?
-Are you all about wanting to see Mt Fuji?
– Have you considered booking in a Yakatabune experience?
– Would you like to book a miniature pig animal cafe?
–Have you considered booking tickets to the new Team Lab Borderless at Azabudai Hills?
– Japanese Museums are fabulous for children – so you may want to read here to find out more and incorporate them into your trip
I have compiled a list of places and experiences to reserve before your Japan holiday here.
Once you have decided which month you will visit Japan you may also want to visit different parks to see incredible different flowers and fields of flowers too.
See here for my list of these kinds of parks outside of Tokyo
Or you might want to check off my list for wacky, colourful and “soooo Japan” spots to visit with kids.
If you’re worried about your holiday budget -then use a different colour to add the approximate cost of each special activity to your list.
I also highly recommend checking out Japan Travel Planning for information on how to do book specific activities in Japan such as baseball games or sumo tournaments. They also have a Facebook page of the same name for the opportunity to hear about the adventures and gather inspiration from other recent Japan visitors.
5. Start planning for (and budgeting for) transportation and accommodation costs
-Work out if a JR pass ( a discounted Japan Rail pass available for tourists is going to save you money)
-Decide the kind of area you would like to stay and look for the room types you require. (Here are my favourite places to stay in Tokyo with kids.)
– Many people have asked me where they should visit between Kyoto/Osaka and Tokyo and I’ve written my answer in detail here.
Perhaps you need a room for more than 4 people?
Perhaps you need multiple rooms so that adults can stay up after kids go to bed?
Read here if you are looking for airbnb or bnb accommodation in Japan.
Something that you may be surprised about – many Japanese hotels will expect children 6 and under to sleep in the same bed as their parents so when you enter in a room for two parents and two children you may find that there are only two beds in the room. I speak more about it here and what to do about it and what options you have instead.
Perhaps you need help deciding which family friendly part of Tokyo is right for you?
If you’re planning on visiting Tokyo Disneyland, do you want to take the 30 min train ride from Tokyo or would you prefer to stay near Tokyo Disney Resort?
-Check out websites like booking.com who allow for cancellations at zero costs if cancelled by a certain date.
**Extra tip: Did you know that Osaka and Kyoto are really close together. To avoid having to pack up and move too much with kids I recommend basing yourself at one of these locations and day tripping to the other. They are only 30 mins apart on a normal train (15 mins on a bullet train but the bullet train station isn’t in a super convenient spot so it’s better to take a normal train.)**
Other than the standard Kyoto, Tokyo or Hiroshima with kids – are you sure you don’t want to venture out to Hakone? or perhaps the countryside towns like Kinosaki Onsen? Takayama? Kurashiki?
6. Time to go through your custom needs or things that may or may not hold you back or require extra research
Does someone in your group have special dietary requirements or allergies? I have written my advice for those with severe food allergies travelling in Japan here.
FYI Vegans travelling to Japan should definitely join this Facebook group. The Happy Cow app is also a fabulous source in Japan.
Gluten free travellers should join this Facebook group asap. The Find me Gluten Free app is also pretty good in Japan.
Is someone in your group needing to travel with specific medications that may or may not be allowed into Japan?
Does someone in your group have tattoos that may mean they aren’t allowed in some onsens and swimming pools? This website shows where in Japan, tattooed travellers are allowed to bathe.
Are you worried about what it is like to breastfeed in Japan?
7. Time to add the icing on the cake
I’m someone who believes in spontaneity on holidays but in a place like Japan with language and cultural differences to take into consideration – I believe in planning for spontaneity.
For example, I believe in organizing portable WIFI so that you can get lost properly in Japan. You can wander down a little laneway or get off a few stations earlier without worrying if you’ll be able to get back to your accommodation, for example.
I have a discount code and affiliate link for my favourite portable wifi provider in Japan here. I receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, when you click through and make a purchase via the link here and use my code JPW011 for 25% off.
How about working on talking through some Japanese train ettiquette as a family?
It’s also time to start researching the areas you will be exploring in more detail. For example, if you’re visiting Sensoji in Asakusa then it’s time to get your head around your food options for beforehand or afterwards.
Here are my tips on how to reserve a restaurant if the website is only in Japanese.
Here are sushi restaurants with an omakase menu that also welcome children.
Or, if you prefer not to have to search for the kid-friendly restaurants for some nights, here are my recommended babysitting agencies in Japan.
8. Taking out the anxiety and what-ifs
I have a guide for matters many people tell me they worry about – such as getting lost in Japan… earthquakes… running out of phone battery… I have written a blog post about all of this here.
If you wanted to read about what to do in a medical emergency in Japan – I have written my tips here.
If the language barrier makes you concerned – Here are some kid & baby related phrases in Japanese (including how to pronounce.)
If you are in a scenario where you are just not being understood and you can’t get your message across – here are some hacks to making yourself more easily understood in Japan.
And if you have decided you would like to properly speak conversational Japanese, here are my tips on what I would do if I were starting again from scratch.
Google Translate is also incredible in Japan. You can literally hold the app above menus and it will translate immediately.
If you have a small baby you may want to read about my experience breastfeeding in Japan or know more about where to buy nappies / diapers (as this can be trickier than many first imagine.)
And what if someone in your group has IBS or needs easy access to toilets at all times? See my tips on knowing where your closest toilet is at all times.
9. Working out what to pack
And then a few weeks out, it’s time to work out things such as what to wear in Japan and what to bring. I have written a list of things to pack and prepare ahead of time here. And I also recommend reading an additional list here if you’ll be traveling with children.
Here is a detailed list of what to pack for Japan depending on the month you are travelling.
Read here for 7 Quick Ways to Mess Up Your Tokyo Day Out
