Japan with Kids | A Family Trip survival guide
Here’s how we planned our 12-day family trip to Japan with two kids and actually survived. How? Thanks to this, this, and this. If you’re a parent planning a trip to Japan with your kids, you are not alone. I was right there juggling excitement and nerves. Japan is amazing. safe, clean, full of wonder, but it’s far. The flight is long, the culture is different, and your kids might suddenly become picky eaters when there’s no pizza or chicken nuggets around. In this video, I’ll share what I personally learned planning a family trip to Japan, and how to make it a smoother ride for everyone. Our flight was 14 hours straight. I remember my youngest asking, “Are we yet?” And we hadn’t even left the runaway. We booked a night flight and brought melatanine gummies for the kids. That plus familiar bedtime routines like reading their favorite book actually helped them sleep for most of the flight. I packed a special bag for them. Portable console snacks mini version of board games. It turned the flight from a potential disaster into something surprisingly smooth. And yes, the plane’s entertainment system helped, but don’t rely on it alone. Think of it more as a backup than your plan A. Our apartment in Tokyo looked great online until we opened the door and left. The two double beds in it were filling the whole room. You look for options which are familyfriendly like we did in Osaka. bunk beds, a small kitchenet, and enough room for everyone to spread out. It was a game changer. Plus, the hotel had a kids corner at the reception, which can be a plus for younger children. When booking your accommodation, look for listings with square footage and photos of the actual layout. In Kyoto, we chose a Rioan. We were worried about it, but it turned out the kids loved the whole traditional experience. We tried to plan kids friendly activity in each city. In Mitaka, the Gibli Museum was like walking into their favorite movies. My youngest one couldn’t stop talking about the life-sized cat boobs. And Kyoto’s Nintendo Museum, it was like watching them step into their favorite video games. Their faces said it all. Tip: These places book out fast, so lock in tickets early. And between the big hits, leave room for surprises like theme cafes and Pokémon centers that you just stumbled [Music] across. My kids were skeptical at first until they saw sushi arriving on a conveyor belt at Sushi Hero. Suddenly, dinner was a game. Some places give capsule toys depending on how many plates you order, which turned my piggy eater into a sushi fan overnight. One night we tried Shaboo Shaboo. Cooking our food at the table was part dinner, part science experiment and totally unforgettable. And when we needed quick bites, we hit convenience stores. My kids still talk about the Egg Mayo sandwich. Simple winds. Tokyo stations are massive. One morning we walked what we felt like a mile just transferring lines. Imagine it with a stroller, which we likely didn’t need. I can only suggest bringing a compact foldable one that fits well in trains and buses, and it is easy to lift. Getting the kids their own IC cards, Hikoka in our case, was a fun moment. They loved tapping them like grown-ups. Don’t forget their passports to get the child 50% discount at ticket offices for under 12. After walking through temples, shrines, landmarks, and train stations, energy drops fast. What saved us? Stamp rallies. Each station and also famous landmark and temples had a unique stamp. My kids turned their notebooks into treasure maps. We also budgeted 500 yen a day for Gashapon toys. Those little capsule machines. They became our end of the day reward. and worked better than any bribe I’ve ever used. Between stamps and capsule toys, exploring Japan turned into an adventure they couldn’t wait to continue each morning. Traveling to Japan with kids, it is not just possible, it can be magical. With a bit of planning and the right mindset, what could be stressful becomes something your family would talk about for years. Thanks for watching. If this helped, subscribe for more real world travel tips from your plan. [Music]
Planning a trip to Japan with your kids? Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, navigating Japan as a family can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.
In this video, I share our real experiences traveling to Japan with children, including:
– Surviving long-haul flights with minimal meltdowns
– Finding family-friendly hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto
– Visiting kid-approved attractions like the Ghibli Museum, Nintendo Museum
– Dining out with kids—even picky eaters
– Using Japan’s clean and efficient public transport with little ones
– Keeping your kids engaged with stamp rallies and Gashapon machines
Japan is full of wonder, and with the right plan, it can be a magical adventure for the whole family.
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Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:48 – Flights and Jet Lag
01:34 – Where to Stay
02:16 – Kid-Friendly Activities
02:56 – Food and Eating Out
03:31 – Transportation and Strollers
04:07 – Keeping Kids Motivated
04:48 – Final Thoughts
Follow along for more travel planning tips!
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