{"id":79758,"date":"2026-08-25T05:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T05:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/79758\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T05:16:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T05:16:53","slug":"a-mom-son-japanese-odyssey-rediff-com-get-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/79758\/","title":{"rendered":"A Mom-Son Japanese Odyssey – Rediff.com Get Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

Researching Japan was like going down a rabbit hole. There is just so much to see and do, but I finally decided we would stick to the ‘Golden Route’ of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, , notes Radhika Mittal.<\/p>\n

\"Family<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A peaceful family moment amid the landscaped beauty of Shinjuku Gyoen.<\/p>\n

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Japan has been one of those bucket list destinations which kept getting pushed for later.<\/p>\n

With our sushi, ramen and Anime obsessed 10 year old’s school holidays coming up it seemed to be the perfect time to go, and since the spouse was stuck in a work project we decided it would be a Mother-Son adventure!<\/p>\n

The timing was not ideal — Sakura (Cherry blossom) season was over and June was rainy — but a friend in Tokyo advised we should go ahead before peak summer set in.<\/p>\n

ANA was offering great discounts on tickets, including complimentary domestic flights with an international booking so we planned a 2 week trip starting towards the end of June and going into July.<\/p>\n

Key Points<\/p>\n

A two-week mother-son adventure covered Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto along Japan’s popular Golden Route.
\nTokyo offered neon-lit neighbourhoods, anime attractions, gardens, museums and family-friendly experiences across the sprawling city.
\nOsaka combined street food, pop culture, aquariums, markets and a memorable day trip to Nara.
\nKyoto balanced traditional temples and shrines with immersive digital art and interactive activities for children.
\nAdvance bookings, public transport, comfortable shoes and accommodation near stations made travelling with a child easier.<\/p>\n

Researching Japan was like going down a rabbit hole — there is just so much to see and do, but I finally decided we would stick to the ‘Golden Route’ of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.<\/p>\n

We built our own itinerary and booked online without using any travel agent and our itinerary included many kid friendly activities while ensuring we also covered the major cultural and ‘must see’ attractions.<\/p>\n

Many attractions sell out weeks and sometimes months in advance so you need to plan and book early.<\/p>\n

To keep a 10 year old engaged our pace had to be more relaxed and less travel intensive. At a broad level this is what our plan looked like:<\/p>\n

Days 1-2: Tokyo
\nDays 3-6: Flight to Osaka, 4 days in Osaka including a day trip to Nara
\nDays 7-9: Train to Kyoto, 3 days in Kyoto
\nDays 10-14: Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo, 5 days in Tokyo. We allocated one of these days for a day trip to either Hakone or Kawaguchiko to view Mount Fuji<\/p>\n

Japan With Kids<\/p>\n

Tokyo<\/p>\n

Tokyo is huge and one of the most populated cities in the world.<\/p>\n

Seeing Tokyo has to be planned by area and where you stay, else criss crossing the city to get to the main sights takes up too much time.<\/p>\n

Using public transport (rail, subway, buses) is the most efficient way to move around.<\/p>\n

Taxis are outrageously expensive and only make sense if you take them for short distances, so be aware that you will need to walk (A LOT) and navigate your way through the rail and subway system.<\/p>\n

It was confusing at first especially since we were based at Shinjuku which has one of the largest stations in Tokyo, we kept getting lost the first couple of days but then got the hang of figuring routes using Japan Transit and Google Maps apps.<\/p>\n

Shinjuku is one of the most popular areas to stay in for tourists and very well connected for travel.<\/p>\n

Travelling with a child, I wanted to keep things as simple as possible and we based ourselves in this area for our entire Tokyo stint.<\/p>\n

All through our trip, proximity to the main station was the biggest criteria when it came to choosing a hotel.<\/p>\n

\"Godzilla<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Taking in the bright lights of Shinjuku with Godzilla watching over the city.<\/p>\n

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Shinjuku<\/p>\n

Day 1 was spent in Shinjuku settling in, recovering from travel and getting the hang of things but we did manage to pack in quite a few activities.<\/p>\n

Don’t expect peace and quiet here — it is crowded, buzzing 24×7, full of shops, restaurants and arcades and by night it transforms into a vibrant, neon lit entertainment district with tons of bars, clubs.<\/p>\n

Just walking in this area is entertainment in itself. But there are some adult oriented areas which are best avoided when travelling with a child.<\/p>\n

\"Godzilla<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Godzilla looms over the Shinjuku skyline from the iconic Hotel Gracery.<\/p>\n

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Our first sight of the 3D cat billboard was hugely exciting and a picture with the Godzilla head in the background was another classic Shinjuku experience.<\/p>\n

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden was an oasis in the middle of the city, we made it a point to visit the Japanese garden in it and enjoyed the tranquil and beautifully maintained grounds.<\/p>\n

The observation deck and the sound and light show at the Tokyo Metropolitan building are highly recommended and are free of cost.<\/p>\n

We did go there but unfortunately the show was cancelled due to rain.<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A happy moment with a furry friend at a Tokyo dog caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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A visit to a dog caf\u00e9 was one of the highlights of the trip for my son where we spent time with a bunch of adorable dogs.<\/p>\n

He also discovered Gachapon — these are vending machines where you get capsule toys and after that we made it a point to go to Gacha stores in every city we went to!<\/p>\n

\"Whimsical<\/p>\n

IMAGE: The whimsical exterior of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo.<\/p>\n

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Mitaka<\/p>\n

Our sole reason to venture into Mitaka was the Ghibli Museum.<\/p>\n

Tickets have to be booked nearly two months in advance and are tough to get, I was up at 6 am to book online and still found 15,000 people ahead of me in queue.<\/p>\n

By the time my turn came all my preferred slots had gone but I managed to get an evening booking.<\/p>\n

With my son having been introduced to Ghibli at an early age by his aunt, this place was a must-visit for us!<\/p>\n

\"Film-strip<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A closer look at the distinctive film-strip tickets from the Ghibli Museum.<\/p>\n

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The museum is in a quiet neighborhood and getting there involved a train ride and a bus ride (plus getting lost at Shinjuku station).<\/p>\n

The museum itself is small but beautiful and full of studio memorabilia, exhibits showing the animation process, storyboards etc.<\/p>\n

\"Robot<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Standing beneath the iconic robot soldier from Castle in the Sky at the Ghibli Museum.<\/p>\n

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There is a giant rooftop Robot Soldier from Laputa and a nice caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

We loved the physical keepsake tickets they gave us at the entry — made of real 35mm film strip and the short animated film they showed before entering the museum.<\/p>\n

Tokyo Travel Guide<\/p>\n

Osaka: Day 3-6<\/p>\n

Many people advise making either Osaka or Kyoto the base and taking trips into the other from there but we loved both cities and I am glad we split our stay.<\/p>\n

Osaka is more relaxed than Tokyo and is known for its incredible street food and vibrant nightlife.<\/p>\n

Travel around the city was mostly by trains and on foot, occasionally taking short taxis rides.<\/p>\n

\"Visitor<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Posing in front of the giant lion-head structure at the Namba Yasaka Shrine.<\/p>\n

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Our itinerary included the Namba Yasaka Shrine, known for its iconic giant lion’s head that is believed to bring good luck.<\/p>\n

It made for a quick visit since it was only a 5 minute walk from our hotel.<\/p>\n

\"Neon-lit<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Osaka’s dazzling Dotonbori district comes alive with neon lights, restaurants and crowds.<\/p>\n

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Dotonbori is perhaps Osaka’s most famous tourist areas – it is along the canal, filled with bright, neon signs including the famous Glico running man, and jam packed with shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n

\"Family<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A family moment beneath Osaka’s iconic Glico Running Man sign in Dotonbori.<\/p>\n

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You can also do a Dotonbori canal cruise which we skipped it since it was raining.<\/p>\n

Shinsaibashi-suji is a covered shopping street that leads upto Dotonbori. If you don’t mind the crowds these are both fun areas to walk around, eat and shop.<\/p>\n

Kids may also enjoy the Don Quijote Ferris wheel but we were tired and didn’t do it.<\/p>\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A Pok\u00e9mon fan poses among some of the franchise’s most popular characters.<\/p>\n

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Japan is paradise for Pokemon fans so we had to visit the Pokemon centre at Shinsaibashi. The boy went crazy looking at the range of merchandise available.<\/p>\n

We also visited Shinsaibashi Parco mall which had an entire pop culture floor which was so fun to explore — his mother went crazy here looking at the Ghibli and Snoopy stores!<\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A close-up encounter with a curious penguin at the aquarium.<\/p>\n

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\"Rays<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Watching rays and marine life drift through the enormous aquarium tank at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.<\/p>\n

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\"Whale<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A whale shark glides through the vast blue waters of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.<\/p>\n

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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was one of the places we had booked well in advance and we both enjoyed it.<\/p>\n

They have hundreds of aquatic creatures including dolphins, manta rays, hammer heads, penguins but the main draw is the two whale sharks.<\/p>\n

The area near the aquarium also had the Tempozan Giant Ferris wheel which we skipped having done the Singapore Flyer on a previous trip.<\/p>\n

The Santa Maria bay cruise takes you around the harbour in a replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship but we decided not to do that either.<\/p>\n

Kuromon market also known as ‘Osaka’s Kitchen’ is a 600 metre long covered arcade selling sea food, meat, produce and traditional sweets.<\/p>\n

While prices are inflated since it caters mainly to tourists we still enjoyed trying out many different types of food at different stalls.<\/p>\n

\"Colourful<\/p>\n

IMAGE: The colourful streets of Osaka’s Shinsekai district, filled with signs, food and local character.<\/p>\n

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Shinsekai has a very colourful and retro feel and is nice to walk around and grab some snacks.<\/p>\n

\"Visitor<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Taking on the thrilling Tower Slider ride at Osaka’s Tsutenkaku Tower.<\/p>\n

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We went up to the observation deck of the Tsutenkaku Tower and had a panoramic view of the city, but the real highlight was the Tower Slider, a 60 metre long slide that wraps around the side of the tower.<\/p>\n

\"Tsutenkaku<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A closer view of the Tsutenkaku Tower surrounded by the colourful streets of Shinsekai.<\/p>\n

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You are put on a mat with a safety helmet and sent down the cylindrical chute — the ride down lasts only 10 seconds but is thrilling.<\/p>\n

\"Tsutenkaku<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Osaka’s iconic Tsutenkaku Tower rises above the lively streets of Shinsekai.<\/p>\n

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Is Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower a must-do? Probably not, but we enjoyed it.<\/p>\n

\"Visitor<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Exploring Japan’s instant-noodle culture at the Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka.<\/p>\n

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Did you know that cup noodles were invented in Osaka?<\/p>\n

The Cup Noodle Museum is an interactive experience and lets you make your own cup noodles and carry it home.<\/p>\n

We decorated our cups, got noodles filled, chose our soup flavour and toppings and got the cup sealed.<\/p>\n

We then packed it in an inflatable bag and took it with us.<\/p>\n

Kids really enjoy the place and so did I.<\/p>\n

Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky building were on our list but the boy wanted some free time and had no interest in seeing views from the top of a building so we skipped these.<\/p>\n

\"Visitor<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Stepping into the colourful world of Japanese anime at the JUMP SHOP.<\/p>\n

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Universal Studios is top on most travelers’ lists but after reading about the long queues at the entry and for rides we decided to save it for another trip.<\/p>\n

\"Deer<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Deer roam freely across the green lawns of Nara Park.<\/p>\n

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Osaka Family Adventure<\/p>\n

Day trip to Nara<\/p>\n

Nara is a 45 minute train ride away from Osaka and famous for its bowing deer at Nara park.<\/p>\n

We walked out of the station and were so excited to see deer on the road to the park and as we reached there were hundreds of deer roaming freely.<\/p>\n

There were hundreds of tourists too posing, petting the deer and feeding them with special crackers that can be bought from vendors.<\/p>\n

It was chaotic, the deer do get aggressive sometimes and try to head butt people to get more food so we found that walking further into the park where crowds were less made for a calmer and more enjoyable experience.<\/p>\n

\"Great<\/p>\n

IMAGE: The Great Buddha of Todai-ji, one of Japan’s most iconic Buddhist landmarks.<\/p>\n

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We also visited the beautiful Todai-ji temple which is over 1,270 years old and home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha.<\/p>\n

Its main hall is famous for being one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.<\/p>\n

\"Traditional<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A traditional mochi-making demonstration in Nara.<\/p>\n

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After discovering a love for mochi (a Japanese sweet made of glutinous rice) watching mochi pounding was one of the top things to do for my son, so we headed to a famous shop called Nakatanidou near the station.<\/p>\n

Here they put on a show where they pound the mochi at high speed using large mallets which was really fun to watch but the cherry on the cake was the mochi which was one of the best we had during our trip!<\/p>\n

\"TeamLab<\/p>\n

IMAGE: TeamLab: Surrounded by shimmering lights and colourful reflections in an immersive digital art space.<\/p>\n

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\"Visitor<\/p>\n

IMAGE: TeamLab: Balancing through a vibrant, ever-changing digital landscape.<\/p>\n

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\"Visitor<\/p>\n

IMAGE: TeamLab: Exploring a surreal world where art comes alive around every step.<\/p>\n

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\"Immersive<\/p>\n

IMAGE: TeamLab: An immersive journey through a glowing landscape of colours and reflections.<\/p>\n

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\"Dreamlike<\/p>\n

IMAGE: TeamLab: Stepping into a dreamlike world of light, colour and digital art.<\/p>\n

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Kyoto Must-See Attractions<\/p>\n

Kyoto: Day 7-9<\/p>\n

Kyoto is charming, full of temples and shrines so definitely go there if you want a glimpse of traditional Japan.<\/p>\n

Exploring Kyoto’s temples is probably best done at a slower pace, but convenience tends to take precedence when travelling with a child, so I booked a one-day bus tour via Klook which covered 4 major attractions.<\/p>\n

\"Vermilion<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Walking through the iconic tunnel of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha.<\/p>\n

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We started with Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine whose thousands of vermilion torii gates are one of the most famous images of Japan.<\/p>\n

The entire circuit around the mountain can take 2-3 hours but we did a much shorter trail, and in spite of the crowds the atmosphere was magical and the views beautiful.<\/p>\n

\"Colourful<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A colourful walk through the Kimono forest of Arashiyama.<\/p>\n

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Our next stop was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the surrounding area and we also experienced an elaborate Japanese lunch.<\/p>\n

We started with the Togetsu-kyo Bridge which had pretty views of the river and took a few pictures, then walked down the main street to the grove.<\/p>\n

The actual grove is not very big and while it’s visually beautiful and great for Instagram pictures, I found it a tad underwhelming.<\/p>\n

\"Towering<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Looking up at the towering bamboo in Kyoto’s famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.<\/p>\n

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\"Quiet<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A quiet moment by the Katsura river in Arashiyama, Kyoto.<\/p>\n

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The main street had some interesting shops and we stumbled across the kimono forest, a unique art installation of kimono fabrics in hundreds of tall cylinders.<\/p>\n

Other popular attractions in this area include the Arashiyama monkey park, Tenryu-ji temple and the Sagano scenic railway which we were unable to cover.<\/p>\n

\"Vibrant<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A closer look at the vibrant pagoda and traditional architecture at Kiyomizu-dera.<\/p>\n

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\"View<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Taking in the spectacular view from the wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera.<\/p>\n

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\"Golden<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Kyoto’s celebrated Golden Pavilion reflected in the tranquil waters of its garden pond.<\/p>\n

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The golden pavilion at the Kinkaku-ji temple was beautiful as were the gardens surrounding it and after a short stop here and we headed to the Kiyomizu Dera temple.<\/p>\n

The temple is over 1,200 years old and famous for its wooden stage that juts out over a cliff, there are also a number of shrines, other temple buildings and even a water fall in the grounds.<\/p>\n

After this long sightseeing day the boy was ‘templed out’ and refused to visit Nijo Castle which we had planned for the next day, but was happy to do some of the kid friendly activities on our itinerary.<\/p>\n

Unlike Tokyo and Osaka, we found that buses were the best way move around in Kyoto and we used them a few times.<\/p>\n

Teamlabs Biovortex Kyoto, which is the newest and largest Teamlabs in Japan, was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.<\/p>\n

Bookings need to be done well in advance and do estimate about 3-4 hours exploring all the different sections.<\/p>\n

It is a unique, highly immersive digital art experience and the Kyoto one has over 50 installations, As we visited each section we just kept going “wow” and wanted to take pictures of everything!<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A young traveller steps into the world of samurai during an interactive experience in Kyoto.<\/p>\n

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The Samurai Ninja museum is another great family friendly activity especially when booked in combination with a ninja or samurai experience.<\/p>\n

We booked a ninja experience which involved us dressing up as ninjas, learning to throw a shuriken and using a ninja blowdart. For our anime fan this was a dream come true!<\/p>\n

The museum tour is also fun with samurai and ninja weapons and costumes on display.<\/p>\n

\"Yasaka<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Kyoto’s timeless streets with the five-storey Yasaka Pagoda rising above the traditional neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

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Participating in a tea ceremony and dressing in traditional kimonos are other popular activities in Kyoto but we did not cover these in our trip.<\/p>\n

The rest of our Kyoto stay was spent visiting the Gion Geisha district, eating at Nishiki food market and shopping at Shinkyogoku shopping street.<\/p>\n

The food market was fun and we tried out all sorts of traditional desserts and bought Japanese condiments to take home.<\/p>\n

We spotted a micro pig caf\u00e9 in the market and it turned out to be a super fun experience to do with kids.<\/p>\n

Of all the cities we visited, Kyoto had the best shopping for traditional souvenirs and most of our shopping for friends and family was done here.<\/p>\n

\"Standing<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Standing before the striking five-storey pagoda at the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa.<\/p>\n

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Japan Travel Tips<\/p>\n

Tokyo: Day 10-14<\/p>\n

Kyoto to Tokyo was by the Shinkansen (bullet train) and such a smooth experience — we covered 450 kms in just about 2 hours 10 minutes which left us a substantial part of our day for exploring Tokyo.<\/p>\n

\"Rows<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Rows of colourful sake barrels line a path near Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu shrine.<\/p>\n

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\"Entrance<\/p>\n

IMAGE: The imposing entrance to Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo’s best-known Shinto shrines.<\/p>\n

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\"Lush<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Walking through the lush forest surrounding Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu shrine.<\/p>\n

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Harajuku & Shibuya<\/p>\n

It’s hard to believe but the Meiji Jingu shrine is in a forest in the middle of busy Tokyo.<\/p>\n

We in fact got lost and wandered around for an hour before reaching the shrine but it was so green and peaceful that we didn’t really mind.<\/p>\n

Harajuku station was the closest to the shrine so we roamed around Harajuku, visited a few cafes and shops before heading to Shibuya.<\/p>\n

\"Paying<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Paying a visit to Tokyo’s beloved Hachiko statue in Shibuya.<\/p>\n

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Shibuya is best seen by night when the colourful neon lights add to the vibe of the area.<\/p>\n

We crossed the Shibuya crossing (the world’s busiest pedestrian scramble) with hundreds of people, took pictures with the Hachiko statue and also visited the Shibuya Parco complex for another dose of pop culture and anime.<\/p>\n

Shibuya Sky (observation deck with views of Tokyo) is a popular attraction but we skipped it since the boy was not interested.<\/p>\n

\"Main<\/p>\n

IMAGE: The vibrant main hall of Senso-ji, Tokyo’s historic Buddhist temple in Asakusa.<\/p>\n

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Asakusa & Akihabara<\/p>\n

Asakusa is Tokyo’s historic district where you can get a glimpse of old Tokyo and it is famous for the Senso-ji temple.<\/p>\n

You can approach the temple via Nakamise street which was full of shops selling souvenirs and traditional snacks.<\/p>\n

\"Capybara<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Capybara Caf\u00e9 — A fun encounter with a relaxed capybara at a Tokyo animal caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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Asakusa was probably one of my favourite places in Japan for the street food and we tried out so many different snacks and desserts here.<\/p>\n

I had also done an advance booking at a Capybara caf\u00e9 in Asakusa — my son absolutely adored petting and feeding the Capybaras and didn’t want to leave when our time was up!<\/p>\n

While walking around the area we passed by the Sumida river and saw the Tokyo Skytree from a distance but chose not to visit it.<\/p>\n

The ‘Electric town’ Akihabara is known for its gaming dens, electronics, manga, anime etc. and was on our itinerary after Asakusa.<\/p>\n

But we were so tired by then that we decided to save it for another visit.<\/p>\n

\"Fantastical<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Coming face-to-face with one of the fantastical creatures from the Harry Potter universe.<\/p>\n

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\"Atmospheric<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Walking through the atmospheric streets and sets of the Wizarding World.<\/p>\n

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\"Intricate<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Getting up close with the intricate props and sets of the Harry Potter universe.<\/p>\n

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\"Grand<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Exploring the grand interiors inspired by the wizarding world of Hogwarts.<\/p>\n

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\"Detailed<\/p>\n

IMAGE: A glimpse into the richly detailed world created for the Harry Potter films.<\/p>\n

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\"Immersive<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Exploring the magical sets and immersive details of the Harry Potter universe.<\/p>\n

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\"Warner<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Stepping into the magical world of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros studio tour in Tokyo.<\/p>\n

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Nerima<\/p>\n

If you are visiting Japan with kids and if you are a Harry Potter fan then make sure you book the Harry Potter Studio Tour in advance. It is the largest Harry Potter attraction in the world and an absolute must visit!<\/p>\n

There are huge detailed sets and the experience is designed to be immersive and interactive — some of the sets like the great hall, Diagon alley, the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 \u00be, the forbidden forest and the Ministry of Magic were magical and transport you to the world of Harry Potter.<\/p>\n

We had a mug of Butterbeer at the caf\u00e9 and best part was that we got to take the tankards home!<\/p>\n

Don’t plan any other major activities the same day, we spent 4 hours at the studio despite rushing through a few sections.<\/p>\n

Ginza<\/p>\n

Ginza is an upscale shopping and dining area but we visited it primarily for Itoya which is a huge 12 storeyed specialty stationery store.<\/p>\n

The store is a treat for artists, craft enthusiasts and anyone who loves stationery, even if you don’t buy anything it is a delight to see all the beautiful products.<\/p>\n

Tokyo Hands which is at both Ginza and Shinjuku was another store that had a very good stationery and craft section.<\/p>\n

We had a couple of very good meals and though I would have liked to spend more time here browsing shops it is difficult to do so with a kid complaining that he is bored.<\/p>\n

Disneysea, Mount Fuji<\/p>\n

Visiting Disneysea needs a lot of planning, early bookings and stamina!<\/p>\n

We debated a lot about including it in our itinerary but finally decided to keep it for another time since we already had so much to cover.<\/p>\n

We had reserved a day, for a trip to either Hakone or Kawaguchiko to see Mount Fuji but the weather was not in our favour.<\/p>\n

We monitored the weather and Mount Fuji’s visibility throughout our trip and since chances of viewing it were very low decided not to book the tour.<\/p>\n

But honestly I wasn’t disappointed — there will hopefully be another trip where we get to see it.<\/p>\n

After all of this whatever little time we had in Tokyo was spent shopping and stuffing ourselves with all the food we wanted to try again before we left.<\/p>\n

We ate so much on this trip that I was worried we would have put on a few kilos by the time we came home but all the walking we did (average 15,000 steps a day) made sure that didn’t happen!<\/p>\n

I went to Japan expecting a blend of traditional culture and modern high tech cities and Japan was all of that and more!<\/p>\n

It was clean, super efficient and the people hospitable and helpful — it was truly one of the best destinations we have been to and I hope we can visit it again soon!<\/p>\n

Tips<\/p>\n

Depending on your airline you will land either at Haneda (28 kms to Shinjuku) or Narita airport (77 kms to Shinjuku). Taxis are expensive and the airports are well connected by trains which most travelers prefer to use. The limousine bus is another great option and takes you right into the city without having to navigate your luggage through the train station.
\nA JR pass is cost effective only if you plan to do multiple journeys by the Shinkansen (bullet train). We only used the Shinkansen once so it did not make sense for us.
\nPublic transport is the most efficient way to move about.
\nBuy a ‘Welcome Suica’ card at the airport and load some cash on it (or get it on your phone). We used it in all public transport across cities and in the convenience stores.
\nGoogle Maps\/Japan Transit is you best friend! Follow instructions exactly, including which entrances and exits to take and you will be able to navigate seamlessly. You will also often be standing in the middle of the pavement turning around in circles trying to figure which direction to go in!
\nLine up on the sides of the doors of train carriages to board and exit from the centre. Allow people to disembark before you board.
\nGet used to standing in queues — whether it is restaurants, attractions, stores, stations — you will have to queue up everywhere!
\nBe ready for crowds. Every place is super crowded so keep that in mind and reach all your bookings early.
\nBook hotels near stations, your feet will thank you!
\nLeave those cute sandals at home! You will walk a lot so make sure you carry good walking shoes.
\nThe check in time at hotels is 3 pm. Most places will not allow an early check in but will let you store your luggage there.
\n‘Konbini’ or convenience stores are everywhere — 7 Eleven, Lawson & Family Mart. They are one-stop shops offering a variety of services. The egg sandos, onigiri, ice creams, smoothies etc were so good that I plan not to book breakfast at the hotel on our next trip.
\nLuggage forwarding is a boon! For a reasonable fee your hotel (or a convenience store) will forward your luggage to the next city you are visiting while you travel comfortably without lugging around heavy bags.
\nKids love the conveyor belt sushi restaurants like Sushiro and Kura Sushi. Chains like Ichiran Ramen and Coco Ichiban are also quite kid friendly allowing for standard customisations.
\nVegetarian and vegan food is available but you will need to research and identify places in advance
\nTrash cans are difficult to find. If you buy food at a street vendor or convenience store its better to finish eating there and dispose the trash otherwise you will need to carry your trash in your bag till you get back to your hotel.
\nMost popular attractions need advance bookings — sometimes months earlier. Do your research and book as much as possible before your trip — spontaneous visits will only end in disappointment!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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