Travel in Japan

As a mom of four, frequent traveler, blogger, and AirBnB host I am asked at least once a day how to get to and from Haneda and Narita Airports for families. Since there are so many options, it is not an easy answer. However, the good thing is that there …

This time of year is perfect for a Mt. Takao Hike. The trip to Mt. Takao takes about one hour from Shinjuku station on the Keio Line. Mt. Takao has been a location of worship for more than 1,000 years. The main temple Yakuoin is located near the summit and is a popular place …

Many people live in Tokyo for years and never venture out to Ibaraki. We highly recommend you visit Ibaraki with kids for the day or weekend. Ibaraki is a 70 minute drive from central Tokyo (75 minute train ride from Tokyo Station to Mito Station on the Limited Express Train). …

Hakone is a perfect location for a 36-hour romantic escape from Tokyo. Hubby and I had the luxury of leaving our four kids at home and running away for part of the weekend. If you are looking for a quick getaway for fresh air, onsens, great food, lovely accommodations and …

Haneda airport is a great spot to take your kids. The International Terminal has 30 stores, 44 restaurants, and you don’t need a flight ticket to access. Also makes a great Tokyo Rainy Day activity. Haneda Airport with Kids – TOP THINGS TO DO at the INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL   View …

Experience a Nikkō 36-hour adventure. The other weekend I took the two youngest children on a two day, one night adventure to Nikkō. It was a great place to see foliage, waterfalls, beautiful shrines and temples, and also play at Edo Wonderland! Easy to get to from Tokyo. Venture out …

Nakameguro is a popular yet quiet residential neighborhood filled with unique boutique shops and cafe. The area comes alive with their Cherry Blossom festival along the Meguro River in mid spring and during their summer matsuri (festival). Wondering what to do for one day in Tokyo? Pick your favorite day …

We love this quiet, residential area in Shibuya-ku. We often often spend our day in the Ebisu Station West Exit area then walk towards Daikanyama or the East Exit towards Ebisu Garden Place. Wondering what to do for one day in Tokyo? Pick your favorite day from our Tokyo one day …

On a sunny day escape central Tokyo and head for the huge Showa Kinen Park 昭和記念公園.  Showa Memorial Park is approximately a 50-70 min trip from central Tokyo via car or train. Biking, hiking, climbing nets, bouncing on huge white soft blobs and hiding from dragons can keep the little ones …

If you have 3-5 days to spend in Tokyo, we highly recommend this one-day itinerary for Tokyo One Day with Kids – Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Aoyama areas. The Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando and Aoyama area is a great place to see the modern, hip fashion and entertainment side of Tokyo …

Here is Day 3 of our week-long road trip through the Hokuriku and Central areas of Japan. Wajima is a city in the Noto Peninsula known for their traditional Wajima lacquerware, a great side trip on the way to or from Kanazawa. Here is also our packing recommendations for your Family …

Here is the 2nd day of our week-long road trip through the Hokuriku and Central areas of Japan. Toyama prefecture is located at the centre of Japan and serves as a gateway to the Northern Japan Alps. Toyama means “rich with mountains” and is blessed stunning nature. Toyama is also …

Here is the 1st day of our week-long road trip through the Hokuriku and Central areas of Japan. Matsumoto is the second largest city in Nagano Prefecture and is a 3.5 hour drive from Tokyo. It is famous for the Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles, and …

Late June to early September is blueberry picking season in Japan. Here are our recommended Tokyo Area Blueberry Picking Locations for Summer 2020.  We have chosen six gardens for great half-day or one-day trips; two in Chiba-ken, two in Saitama-ken and two in Kanagawa-ken. Many of these gardens run through …

Try traveling on the Tokyo Water Bus (水上バス, Suijō Basu) for a fun and relaxing method of Tokyo travel.  If you are traveling to Odaiba, locations on the Bay in Minato-ku, or up the Sumida River to Asakusa, I recommend you try a Tokyo Water Bus especially between April – …

Support Fukushima through Sightseeing! Although life has returned to normal for most people living in Fukushima, tourists are still avoiding the prefecture.  Radiation levels are no higher than any average city in the world, but ignorance still keeps many people from visiting and many sightseeing spots are barely surviving. For travelers who …

Top 39 Things You Will Miss About Japan. Some people love Japan and some people can’t wait to leave, but regardless of how you feel when you’re back in your home country (in our case America) I bet you will miss the following. Just FYI 39, can be read “sankyu” …

If you are heading to the beach in Japan, here is our Family Beach Bag Packing List.  This list will differ slightly depending on the age of your kids, but I have four kids 19-6, and we still pack the same stuff. Most beaches in Japan have convenience stores and …

If you are planning on Camping in Japan with your own camping gear check out our Family Camping List. If you`re planning on heading out empty handed and let the camp grounds take care of everything for you check out our Top 5 Campgrounds near Tokyo. We`ve got glamping to …

We highly recommend a visit to Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruits Park when in Yamanashi. The highest point of the park gives spectacular views of Mount Fuji on a clear day, a beautiful night view of the Kofu Basin, and has a number of activities for families throughout the park. WHAT TO …

Eating Nagashi Somen is a summer tradition in Japan, and it’s often seen at festivals or in restaurants. What is Somen (素麺)? Somen are very thin, white noodles made from wheat flour usually served cold and accompanied by tsuyu or a dipping sauce made from soysauce and dashi. What is Nagashi Somen …

Yamanashi Prefecture, home to Mount Fuji, is a beautiful area to camp and take in the fresh mountain air, soak in natural onsens, sip on the area wine and go fruit picking. We stayed in the Koshu area about an hour and a half drive from Tokyo (about an hour from Fujikawaguchiko) …

Summer in Japan is hot and humid, but it brings plenty of opportunity for kids to go out and enjoy themselves. Here are our top five ways to protect baby this summer from bugs, heat, UV and dehydration. While kids take advantage of school vacations and longer day light hours, …

Sayama Berry Land (Saitama-ken) (狭山ベリーランド) has one of the largest blueberry farms in the Tokyo area with over 50 types of berries and 2,000 bushes. The blueberry bushes are in covered mesh houses. Here are other great places to visit in Saitama with kids They have two parking areas; one …

Zushi Beach Water Park is holding their 4th annual beach water park opening an inflatable water park at the beach now until Sunday, September 1, 2019. Zushi, close to Enoshima Islands and Caves (25 min by car), is a great day trip from Tokyo. It is the closest natural beach to …