I’m so happy to share Amy Ballantyne’s story. She traveled to Japan with a child at 7.5mos pregnant and along with her 16-month-old son. That they had a good time!
Japan with a Child…
What an incredible place to journey. It has been a 12 months since we traveled to Japan with a child however an expertise we’ll always remember. Japan is full of type, beneficiant, and useful individuals. They had been excited to handle the vacationers to their lovely nation.
10 Days in Tokyo
We travelled to Tokyo for 10 days for a baseball match and determined to convey our 16 month-old with us (together with Grandma and Grandpa!). He was the proper age for this journey. He nonetheless wasn’t strolling however realized in Tokyo. And he would he eat just about something we gave him.
We stayed proper within the coronary heart of Tokyo and the inns we used had been the Tokyo Prince Lodge and the Prince Park Tower Tokyo. Each inns had been very good and the employees had been distinctive at making us really feel welcome. They helped us discover our manner in a metropolis with little to no English and helped us keep cool within the excessive warmth. Due to the concierge’s help we might navigate the intricate subway and rail programs utilized by tens of millions every day.
These two inns had been within the lovely Shiba Park space and near one of many historic ZoJo-Ji Buddist temples.
Getting Round Tokyo with a Child
A few factors to notice when touring to Tokyo, Japan with a child. First, utilizing a shuttle to get from the airport to your lodge is important. We used Pleasant Airport Limousine buses. The Narita airport is situated a long way from downtown Tokyo. After a really lengthy flight and transition of roughly 20+ hours, take a dependable shuttle and don’t sweat determining the subway or rail system. To not point out determining the language whereas sleep disadvantaged.
Second, we determined to not lease a automobile so we used the subway and rail system. It’s an incredible system however you have to pre-plan routes to the locations you need to go to. It’s so intricate and sophisticated that you possibly can turn out to be simply misplaced and there may be little English out there.
Navigating the Tokyo Subway with a Child
Some stations have maps that embrace written phrases for the station, however normally there may be simply the Japanese symbols. Acquaint yourselves with the maps and if in case you have an concept of the place issues are, the Japanese persons are fast to rescue vacationers who look misplaced. Just a little previous girl who might inform we had been misplaced tried to offer instructions utilizing the maps and physique language since neither of us might converse the identical language.
Take into account additionally that the subway and rail programs are beneath floor (generally very, very far down) and generally there are not any elevators. We needed to carry our child, the stroller, the diaper bag, and the rest we had up and down the steps. In different phrases, convey a gentle, small stroller! We ceaselessly noticed Japanese girls carrying their strollers up and down the steps on their very own. Spectacular!
Discovering Diapers in Tokyo
Lastly, I’m glad I adopted somebody’s recommendation about packing a lot of diapers. I caused 45+ for the flight and transition and the primary few days. It was completely unattainable to seek out diapers that weren’t ridiculously overpriced in downtown Tokyo. I used to be capable of finding two diapers (sure, simply two) within the lodge retailer. It was going to price me about $10 USD for these two diapers.
We searched close by grocery shops within the Nakamise-dori Asakusa Market and within the grocery shops close to our lodge however discovered nothing. It wasn’t till we went out of the metropolitan of Tokyo to a metropolis known as Yokohama (a good looking metropolis with quite a few sights to see) that we discovered a drug retailer near the subway station. That they had a package deal of diapers (about 35 or so) for $10 USD. Thank goodness for that retailer! We had been on our previous few diapers and I used to be beginning to fear. They obtained us by the rest of the journey and our flight residence.
Meals in Japan with a Child
So far as meals goes, it shouldn’t be a priority in any respect. It is extremely simple to seek out acquainted meals in all places in Tokyo. And most locations submit footage of the meals they provide outdoors the eating places so you may see what the meals appear to be. We discovered grocery shops and had been capable of eat very North American meals for many of the journey. We did attempt some meals (that was scrumptious) right here and there. And I discovered some child meals at a grocery retailer for my son, however we had packed sufficient jars of meals, puffs, Cheerios, method, and apple sauce to final your entire journey.
Every day we’d purchase bananas and apples on the grocery retailer and sandwiches for lunch on the bakery within the foyer of our lodge. Having the shop and bakery within the lodge foyer was a godsend for meals we knew and never having to go far to get it.
Enjoyable Issues to Do in Japan with a Child
The July we visited was the most well liked on file that Tokyo had seen in a few years. We bought a big quantity of water and tried to remain cool any manner we might. Be suggested that even when your lodge has a pool it seemingly is just not included in your worth. We needed to pay to swim and solely did so on in the future due to the fee.
Basically Japan is a really child and kid-friendly place. Just a few highlights embrace: seats for child to sit down in contained in the washrooms at baseball diamonds, shops, airports, and extra. At shops (i.e. MYLORD) we discovered children areas for kids to let unfastened, play, and have some enjoyable.
Out and About in Tokyo with Child
On the Roppongi Hills mall there have been a couple of child/children areas that had been outfitted with change tables, microwaves, snack spots, toys, breast feeding rooms, and extra. Additionally at this mall we discovered an open outside space the place over 100 Japanese kids had been taking part in with water toys donated by a toy firm for the kids to ‘check out.’ My son liked taking part in aspect by aspect the Japanese kids!
On the Narita airport we had been so pleased to seek out one other children space just like the mall that had all the pieces our son may wish through the lengthy wait.
Journey Whereas Pregnant in Japan
Along with having our toddler with us, I used to be additionally 7.5 months pregnant. This was not a difficulty in any respect. I used to be not capable of eat any sushi however that was simple since most menus (even within the rural areas we visited for baseball) had English translation underneath the meals on the menu.
Having nice footwear was vital as we did a number of strolling and it was scorching! I used to be certain to benefit from the precedence seating on the subway/rail system for the pregnant and people touring with a toddler! Lastly, many spots in Japan have ‘western’ bogs. Nevertheless, in subway station washrooms, malls, and lots of different areas, you’ll solely discover the standard Japanese squatting holes. This was a bit tough as a pregnant particular person however I needed to attempt it anyhow!
Touring with Grandma & Grandpa
My husband and I had been very fortunate to journey together with his mother and father. Taking them with us was completely superb! Touring to such a unique place, it was nice to have consolation and safety each step of the way in which.
Some favorite areas we visited included: ZoJo-Ji Temple, Nakamise-dori Asakusa Market, Tokyo Tower, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Yokohama park and stadium, the MYLORD division retailer in Atsugi, Meiji Jingu Stadium, the Imperial Palace in Kokyo and the Roppongi Hills procuring centre.
Closing Ideas on Visiting Japan with a Child
I’m so grateful that we had the expertise of a lifetime touring to the attractive nation of Japan. The individuals had been superb. The sights and tradition was spectacular. It was a visit we’ll always remember. Certain, the flight was lengthy, the climate scorching, and the language tough to be taught. However I’d 100% advocate touring to Japan (even pregnant and/or with a child) if given the chance!
Amy is an govt, life, and wellness coach and a former private coach. Join along with her at AmyBallantyne.com.
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