I’m so happy to share Amy Ballantyne’s story. She traveled to Japan with a child at 7.5mos pregnant and together with her 16-month-old son. They’d a good time!
Japan with a Child…
What a tremendous place to journey. It has been a 12 months since we traveled to Japan with a child however an expertise we are going to always remember. Japan is crammed with type, beneficiant, and useful individuals. They had been excited to deal with the vacationers to their stunning nation.
10 Days in Tokyo
We travelled to Tokyo for 10 days for a baseball match and determined to deliver our 16 month-old with us (together with Grandma and Grandpa!). He was the right 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 motels we used had been the Tokyo Prince Lodge and the Prince Park Tower Tokyo. Each motels had been very good and the employees had been distinctive at making us really feel welcome. They helped us discover our approach in a metropolis with little to no English and helped us keep cool within the excessive warmth. Because of the concierge’s help we might navigate the intricate subway and rail techniques utilized by tens of millions every day.
These two motels had been within the stunning 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 vital. We used Pleasant Airport Limousine buses. The Narita airport is positioned 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 hire a automobile so we used the subway and rail system. It’s a tremendous system however you need to pre-plan routes to the locations you need to go to. It’s so intricate and complex that you would grow 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 often there may be simply the Japanese symbols. Acquaint yourselves with the maps and when you’ve got an thought of the place issues are, the Japanese persons are fast to rescue vacationers who look misplaced. A bit of outdated woman who might inform we had been misplaced tried to supply instructions utilizing the maps and physique language since neither of us might communicate the identical language.
Think about additionally that the subway and rail techniques are under floor (typically very, very far down) and typically there aren’t 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, deliver a gentle, small stroller! We continuously noticed Japanese ladies 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 number of diapers. I led to 45+ for the flight and transition and the primary few days. It was completely not possible to search 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 value 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 (an attractive metropolis with quite a few sights to see) that we discovered a drug retailer near the subway station. They’d a package deal of diapers (about 35 or so) for $10 USD. Thank goodness for that retailer! We had been on our previous couple of diapers and I used to be beginning to fear. They acquired 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 rather straightforward to search out acquainted meals in every single place in Tokyo. And most locations put up footage of the meals they provide exterior the eating places so you’ll be able to 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, components, and apple sauce to final the complete 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 popular on file that Tokyo had seen in a few years. We bought a major quantity of water and tried to remain cool any approach we might. Be suggested that even when your lodge has a pool it probably isn’t included in your value. We needed to pay to swim and solely did so on in the future due to the associated fee.
Typically Japan is a really child and kid-friendly place. A couple of 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 youngsters areas for kids to let free, play, and have some enjoyable.
Out and About in Tokyo with Child
On the Roppongi Hills mall there have been a couple of child/youngsters places that had been outfitted with change tables, microwaves, snack spots, toys, breast feeding rooms, and extra. Additionally at this mall we discovered an open out of doors space the place over 100 Japanese youngsters had been enjoying with water toys donated by a toy firm for the youngsters to ‘take a look at out.’ My son liked enjoying facet by facet the Japanese youngsters!
On the Narita airport we had been so blissful to search out one other youngsters space just like the mall that had every little thing our son may wish throughout 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 problem in any respect. I used to be not capable of eat any sushi however that was straightforward 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 numerous strolling and it was sizzling! I used to be certain to reap the benefits of 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. Nonetheless, in subway station washrooms, malls, and lots of different places, you’ll solely discover the normal Japanese squatting holes. This was a bit difficult 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 dad and mom. Taking them with us was completely superb! Touring to such a distinct place, it was nice to have consolation and safety each step of the way in which.
Some favorite places 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 purchasing centre.
Remaining 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 are going to always remember. Positive, the flight was lengthy, the climate sizzling, and the language difficult to study. 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 together with her at AmyBallantyne.com.
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