Terrible advice for those travelling in Japan with kids and how to fix it!
Here is the bad advice for families in Japan and the remedy to fix it!
1. Definitely don’t have 2-3 parks, playgrounds or playcentres ready to go at all of the places you visit in Japan at all times.
All the well-travelled parents in Japan have a “get out of jail free” card at all times.
Search on this site by city or area in for my detailed area guide so you are always prepared.
For example? Here is my Shinjuku with kids guide.
Here is my Osaka with kids guide.
Here are my favourite playcentres in Tokyo.
Here are my favourite retro playgrounds in Tokyo.
Here are my favourite children’s museums all over Japan.
The search function on this site will show you options for every area and city that I cover.
2. Definitely don’t have 2-3 restaurants (and then even more as a back up) ready to go at all of the places you visit in Japan at all times.
A back up for your back up is a good option as kids change their minds on what they like to eat and sometimes feel hungry in the areas that you didn’t plan to have lunch. The search function on this site will show you options for every area and city that I cover.
All of my area guides cover child-friendly yummy restaurant options for families but if you JUST wanted an example of some of the restaurants in certain areas – here are:
My favourite sit-down restaurants in Harajuku for families
30+ places to eat with kids in Shinjuku
20+ places to eat dinner with kids in Ueno
Where to eat in Osaka with kids
Where to eat in Kyoto with kids
3. Definitely don’t have 2-3 random “oh so Japan” or rainy day options wherever you go as a backup
All the well-travelled parents in Japan have a “get out of jail free” card at all times and some fun random options for fun kid-friendly activities.
Search on this site by city or area in for my detailed area guide so you are always prepared.
My Shibuya with kids article, in particular has lots of lovely surprises that you wouldn’t know about, had you not lived in Japan -as does my Harajuku with kids area guide.
Many of my area guides have karaoke options even places like Koenji. See here for my tips on how to do karaoke in Japan with kids and why it can also be right in the middle of the day!
4. Be sure to use ChatGPT to plan your travel in Japan with kids!
This is such bad advice. You guys should see the MONSTER MESS of itineraries people send me – not only are they unrealistic, the pacing is off and none of it is actually enjoyable for kids or parents! Also it advices terrible advice like staying in the middle of Shinjuku with children or to visit Ueno Zoo.
If you’d like a premade itinerary I have made a few here for Trip To Japan you can check out anytime. However, I also recommend starting here and leaning into your own family interests – choosing what kind of trip you would like and then using my area guides to sprinkle through restaurants who welcome kids and parks etc.
5. Don’t use Google Maps to make your life easier for all logistics and directions
This is terrible advice as google maps in Japan is ELITE! It will tell you which platform to board at, even which carriage is closest to the exit you need. If travelling with a stroller or large pieces of luggage – use the wheelchair access function to find the elevators easily too! I speak more about Google Maps in Japan here.
6. Completely forget that Japan has supermarkets and just only ever shop at supermarkets
I get messages all the time – “where is the fresh fruit?” “We could only find one kind of apple juice?” and then I work out that they are only looking at convenience stores. And, I get it, the convenience stores and bright and shiny and are so easy to spot (they also have so many yummy treats and I talk about my love for Japanese convenience stores here). But the supermarkets are INCREDIBLE! Affordable fresh produce, multiple types of everything and, the best bit? Deli sections with freshly made meals, salads, rice balls, bread and bento options. See here for my guide to Japanese supermarkets. Google “Supermarket near me” to find one near your accommodation once you have arrived in Japan.
Top shelf is Crunchy Granola with Almonds, Wholegrain unsweetened Corn Flakes.
Second shelf: All Bran Fruit Mix, All Bran Choc Bran Flakes, All Bran ”Take a Moment” Chocolate
Third shelf from the top: Fruit Granola Choc Banana Flavour, All Bran Bran Flakes, All Bran Bran Rich
Bottom Shelf: Unsweetened Corn Flakes, Corn Frosties, Chocowa (Chocolate Hoops), Choc Krispies.
7. Only start getting ready to get off the bullet train as it’s arriving at the station
Schoolboy error! These trains are on a strict schedule – down to the minute! You’ll miss your stop! Start getting ready about 5 mins before you arrive- not sure when that will be ? Look on your ticket – it has a departure AND an arrival time. I explain more about this tip and many others in my Shinkansen with kids article here.
8. Just take the bullet train with all of your luggage!
This is bad advice seperates the well researched, experienced Japan traveller from the newbie who just boarded the plane. The luggage forwarding system in Japan is a game changer – you can travel hands free AND you don’t need to wait for space on a shinkansen with a free luggage spot. I explain how to forward luggage in Japan here (and my trick on sending it to every second hotel and sending it the night before we check out.)
9. Pay extra for the green car as it’s a more luxurious way to travel as a family on the bullet train
It sounds like a good idea, in theory. But the green car on the shinkansen is mostly used by business travellers. This means it is a lot of pressure for kids to be completely quiet – we don’t need that additional pressure. Get a normal carriage (reserved seat) instead. The carriages are still spacious (way more seating space than on a plane or bus). It’s great.
10. Choose to stay at an airbnb or a hotel without a manned reception desk!
This is another peace of advice that sounds great if you haven’t stayed in city centres with kids before. These places are rarely that spacious, require quiet for the neighbours, strict rules regarding rubbish and then you’ve got no way to forward luggage, noone to book a restaurant for you (or a doctor, if required.) It is also quite unsettling to not have anyone looking out for you if there is an earthquake. I speak more about this topic in more detail here.
Where to stay instead then? You can search my site by city or area for my list but here are some articles to get you started:
Where to stay in Tokyo based on budget, interest and ages of kids.
Japan accommodation for families of 5 or more.
