Japan
Family Adventures in Japan
Japan is an amazing country to visit, and Dave was fortunate that his work took him there. The children and I couldn’t miss the opportunity, so we visited twice—first in May before Elliott started school, and again the following October to celebrate Elliott’s birthday.
We did take Elliott out of school for the second trip, and although the school couldn’t officially authorize the holiday, they were incredibly supportive. It really was an opportunity too good to miss. Looking back, we feel like we only scratched the surface of Japan, but we made the most of every moment.
Dave worked long hours during the week, so I ventured out with the kids, often feeling like a packhorse with a rucksack full of snacks, water, suncream, and spare clothes. Elliott was a trooper—walking for miles around Tokyo—and Felicity, still very much attached to me, often hitched a ride in a carrier or on my shoulders. I definitely earned the chiropractor bills that followed!
We flew into Haneda on both visits and got around mostly by train using Pasmo cards. The system was surprisingly easy to navigate, even with two little ones in tow.
One early morning, thanks to jet lag, we made it to Shibuya Crossing and were lucky enough to watch the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing from a nearby Starbucks. From there we visited Yoyogi Park and soaked up the unique buzz of the city. Despite the density, Tokyo somehow feels clean, calm, and orderly. The people were polite and kind—especially the older generation, who showed great interest in the children. Some even asked to take photos with them, especially fascinated by Felicity’s curly hair. While the idea of this might have once made me uneasy, in Japan it felt like a genuine, friendly curiosity.
We made sure to visit Tokyo’s key attractions:
Tokyo Skytree – a highlight chosen by the kids
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
Tokyo Tower
Ueno Park
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (for the views)
Odaiba – we visited the shopping malls, the now-closed car museum, and Ōedo-Onsen Monogatari (also now sadly closed).
One particularly memorable discovery was the Goshuin—shrine or temple stamps you can collect in a special book. Midway through our second trip, we learned about this tradition and started collecting them. The children were fascinated watching monks carefully stamp and inscribe the pages.
During a rare weekend off, Dave joined us for a trip to Kyoto on the Shinkansen (bullet train)—an adventure the kids still talk about years later. We visited the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (go early!) and the stunning Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). As expected, these top tourist spots got busy quickly.
Having never been to a theme park as a family, we made time for both DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland. While the atmosphere was magical, the queues were intense, and we quickly learned to prioritize must-see attractions. Even without riding everything, the kids were enchanted.
After visiting many of the key attractions, I let the children choose our next adventure—and they picked a visit to an onsen. Elliott later documented the experience in his little travel journal, simply referring to it as “the naked place.” His teachers—and a young sports coach helping in class that day—got quite the laugh when it was read aloud!
October brought Elliott’s birthday and, as luck would have it, the Japanese Grand Prix was on. Being huge Formula 1 fans, Dave and Elliott were ecstatic. We chose experiences over gifts, so the GP was the perfect birthday present. Despite the Saturday pitlane being cancelled due to a typhoon, attending the race on Friday and Sunday left us with unforgettable memories.
We also took a group tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone—not our usual style, but we made the most of it. The tour was well-organized, and we did get to catch a glimpse of the iconic mountain. While the group setting isn’t something we’d seek out again, it was a nice one-off experience.
These two trips to Japan were full of adventure, discovery, and laughter. From wandering shrines and temples to navigating theme parks and city streets with small children, we learned a lot—about Japan, about each other, and about traveling as a family.
We’d love to return one day and see even more of this beautiful, fascinating country.
