Reizen naar Japan: tips voor reizen met familie
@pxfuel
Reizen met het gezin kan een van de meest lonende ervaringen zijn, vooral naar Japan. Bekijk de volgende tips om zowel volwassenen als kinderen een geweldige tijd te bezorgen!
Preparedness & Flexibility
Typically, traveling with a group of people, while undeniably a great time, comes with its share of obstacles to overcome. This can be magnified even further with families who are traveling with young children who are not used to being abroad. However, the unique experiences presented with international travel, especially to a country like Japan, present great opportunities for families as a whole to learn more about the world. However, this requires some proper planning, preparation, and open-mindedness to get the most out of the whole experience. Take a look at the following 7 tips to optimize smooth travels and quality time while traveling to Japan.
Tip 1: Do your research.
While venturing on a trip with a free-form approach can be very fun and fruitful, it’s likely not the correct way to go about traveling with a family. With a culture as unique as Japan’s, doing prior research in terms of cultural norms will assure that you and your family avoid any taboos or misunderstandings. Etiquette with train travel, religious sites (it's a common thing to visit a shrine or temple while in Japan), and in public spaces are worth prior research. While many of these standards and practices will be universal in any country, the degree of acceptability for certain things may differ.
For example, conversation on the train in many Western countries is often not seen as taboo as long as it isn’t at an overly disruptive volume. While conversation between people on the trains in Japan is by no means unheard of, typically, one will notice the volume and frequency to be lower. Families may need to adjust their typical talking volume when communicating on the train. While being 100% quiet the entire time riding the train isn't necessary, you may need to judge what is appropriate at the given moment.
To ease your means of access within Japan, helpful applications for transit such as Jorudan or the Tokyo Metro App are good to have. For using mobile data in Japan, some travelers may see a pocket wifi or Japanese SIM Card as useful things to order and utilize.
Inside the train in Japan
@flickr/ Petr
Also, do some research on translation or language applications if you or anyone in your family do not speak Japanese. For this, google translate will often suffice, but another popular app is “imiwa?” which can be used offline and provides good quality translations and keywords to use.
By no means is full fluency or proficiency a requirement for a trip to Japan, but a handful of phrases or keywords to express your intentions or any concerns in conjunction with the aforementioned language apps will help tremendously.
Tip 2: Have a safety plan.
Safety is an important priority to hold when traveling to a foreign country. Fortunately, Japan is often cited as a very safe travel destination by most, but it's important to set in place precautions to assure the security of you and your family. Stations in big cities in Japan can be very crowded and hectic. With directions and signage being predominantly in Japanese, it’s important to be prepared in case of a scenario where a child gets lost.
Do some research on who to report to in case any emergencies arise. Show your children what police officers in Japan look like as well as what station staff look like so that they know who to report to if they ever get lost. Writing a small message card for your kids to carry with a message prewritten in Japanese may be a handy thing for your children to keep on them in case of these kind of situations.
The following message (which can be copied, pasted, and printed onto a card or piece of paper) will communicate “Help, I am lost. Will you help me? (read as “Maigo desu. Tasukete moraemasenka?)
迷子です。助けてもらえませんか？
This message, along with contact information and/or hotel information, can be presented to the aforementioned police officers, station staff, or anyone who is able to help. A simple addition to pre-travel plans such as this can create a lot of peace of mind and provide an adequate safety blanket in case a situation where someone gets lost arises.
Also, establishing easy to recognize landmarks or locations to rendezvous at and specific meeting times will also do wonders for smooth travels. This can be handy at places like busy, central stations or crowded areas like Shibuya in Tokyo or Umeda in Osaka. Keep an eye out for distinctly colored or shaped buildings or signs that are easy for kids to recognize.
For more extreme situations where calling for help or authorities is necessary, be sure to remember the emergency numbers used in Japan. For the police, the number is 110, and for an ambulance and/or fire department, dial 119.
Tip 3: Travel comfortably.
Travel often comes with long days filled with activities. As a whole family, this can be a taxing, though rewarding, endeavor. It’s ideal to account for this and be sure to wear comfortable clothing, starting primarily with footwear to accommodate for long walks. Well-fitting sneakers with plush soles are ideal for cities and amusement parks. More durable boots or hiking shoes will be best for more nature-centric activities. Also be sure to wear easy-to-move-in clothing that is unobstructive.
This advice in regards to clothing is one that’s closely related to the weather conditions in Japan during the time of your visit. Japan (famous for its four seasons) has a wide range of climates that are also dependent on the region of the country.
During summer, Japan is generally very hot, the conditions heavily oppressive by the high humidity. This is made more difficult by carrying heavy luggage, long walks, and busy crowds. If travel in Japan is done during the months of July, August, or early September, be aware of these conditions, though the more northern prefectures such as Aomori and Hokkaido have more mild climates compared to places like Tokyo and the southern areas like Hiroshima or Kyushu.
Summer in Japan
@Unsplash/ Xie Iipton
On the other hand, winters in Japan present a different set of potential travel problems. While the northern prefectures have milder climates during summer, they are typically colder than other parts of the country during Winter along with having more significant snowfall. But while this may have its share of obstacles associated with it for those who are not used to colder climates/snowfall, it can also be an enjoyable and unique experience.
The transitional seasons of Spring and Fall present the most popular travel times for tourism in Japan. Along with its most mild and tolerable climates, the unique natural attractions of the sakura blooming in Spring and the color-changing leaves in Fall attract many visitors. However, airborne allergens do make themselves known during this time, so antihistamine/allergy medication is suggested for travel, though these are easily purchased within Japan as well.
While many hotels are directed towards tourism, there are a few hotel types that are more geared towards business travelers or solo travelers. These include places like business hotels or capsule hotels. Business hotels are meant to accommodate travelers who will likely be traveling for a brief period of time, often for business reasons as the name implies. The rooms at these hotels are often fairly small with minimal amenities meant for one guest. For families, even the largest rooms at these hotels may not be adequate.
Kumamoto Castle in Spring
JCS Chen on Unsplash
Visit Mount Fuji in Fall season
©Wasin Pummarin/123RF
Capsule hotels are often highlighted on social media and online. While these are often affordable, unique places to stay when traveling in Japan, the inherent nature of capsule hotels, having a single pod bedroom and public facilities, are not suggested for families. However, they may be a fun option for smaller groups with older children or independent teenagers.
Typically, hotels like ryokan (Japanese-style inns) or western-style accommodation will be good options. Traveler homes like ones hosted by Japan Experience are also great to look into, as they are spacious, private, and located in very central locations that are good for commuting.
Tip 4: Look into family-friendly attractions.
Japan has many destinations that are great for the whole family. For ones directly aimed towards children and families, one will find the many amusement parks and character-themed attractions throughout the country appealing. Amongst the most famous of these is Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, two of the most celebrated Disney amusement parks in the world. Tokyo DisneySea in particular is lauded for its unique attractions and theme.
Also within the Tokyo area is Sanrio Puroland, an amusement park centered around the array of unique characters created by Sanrio, including Hello Kitty, Cinnamon Roll, and Pom Pom Purin. This is a good choice for rainy days as it is indoors. Here, there are a number of child-friendly rides and shows, including a high-level kabuki performance featuring the Sanrio characters.
Tokyo DisneySea
@Wikimedia
On a smaller scale, take a look around the neighborhoods you choose to explore or the areas within your hotels for an open park or playground that is around. Shinjuku Gyoenmae Park and Inokashira Park are two popular destinations for families with kids in Tokyo. Kodaji Park and Arashiyama Park are very popular in Kyoto. Osaka Castle Park and Tempozan Park are well-known in Osaka and the latter even has a ferris wheel which may be appealing to kids.
Hakone in Kanagawa is a day trip away from Tokyo and is a very nature-centric location with excellent, relatively up-close, beautiful views of the famous Mount Fuji. It's definitely a lot more spacious compared to Tokyo or even Kyoto and can be a nice oasis from city hustle and bustle that will allow the kids to enjoy a more open-aired environment.
But of course, while in Japan, it’s important to try and find engaging family activities that are very authentic to the local culture. Japan is famous for its festivals, or matsuri, that are especially prominent during the summer time. Matsuri are often held to celebrate a number of things, including the commemoration of local history or holidays. These matsuri have a large number of food stalls and stands for traditional Japanese street food, like karaage (Japanese fried chicken), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes with a number of toppings), and kakigori (shaved ice). Along with this, there are stalls with games meant for kids. At these stalls, kids can do things such as catch goldfish, win prizes, or other activities. Additionally, small children will often wear traditional festival clothing like yukata or jimbei.
Japanese pop culture is also very popular worldwide. The recognizable characters and unique artstyle of things like anime and manga present a lot of fun for both children and adults alike. Within Japan there are a plethora of unique and cool stores and events centered around this aspect of pop culture. Pokemon, the most successful franchise in history, has a number of exclusive stores throughout the country called Pokemon Centers where shoppers can buy products found only in Japan. There are also a number of specialty theme cafes based on different anime and manga franchises that are sure to give you and your kids a unique and memorable experience that is distinctly Japanese.
Matsuri in Japan
@flickr/ randomised.org
Pom Pom Purin character cafe food
@flickr/ serena tang
Akihabara at night, famous for its cartoon-oriented shops and attractions
@Wikimedia
Another option would be to book a family-focused tour so that the contents of the itinerary is definitely appealing to parents and kids alike, but also largely left to an experienced and knowledgeable tour guide. But for families who wish to have this type of luxury while still operating on their own time, a family-centric self-guided tour is also an option.
Ontdek de wonderen van Japan met uw gezin: leuke tours en activiteiten voor alle leeftijden!
Creëer herinneringen die een leven lang meegaan terwijl je de Japanse cultuur, natuur en spannende avonturen verkent.
Tip 5: Know your food options
Very few destinations are as flocked to by foodies as Japan. From street food ordered at a stand to luxurious Michelin-award-winning restaurants that require reservations made well in advance, there is a wide-range of culinary experiences to be had.
In general, trying new and unique foods is a great experience for the entire family to engage in, especially when eating traditional Japanese dishes that are hard to find in your own home country. However, young children with developing or relatively picky palettes may not be keen on everything offered.
Knowing options that may be better received by your kids or any picky eater in your family in case certain foods aren’t very well received.
A good choice for food that is distinctly Japanese but easily adapted to a western palette is that of Yoshoku. The name literally translates to “western food,” and is basically food with recipes originating from western cultures but made with a Japanese twist. These dishes include things like hamburger steak, which is a steak made of minced meat served with sauce and rice. There’s also omurice, a Japanese style omelette often served with ketchup rice and sauce.
Omurice with ketchup
@Japan Wonder Travel Blog
There are many restaurants specializing in yoshoku throughout the country. Many of them are independently or family owned, allowing for a more intimate experience, but well-regarded family chain restaurants are very affordable and consistent. Examples of this type of restaurant include Coco’s, one of the most famous of these family restaurants, Saizeriya, an italian-style restaurant chain known for its very affordable prices, and Joyfull, another popular option that is known for its meat dishes.
There are, of course, an array of reliable fast food restaurants accessible throughout Japan. While they carry familiar names and oftentimes very familiar food menus, oftentimes places like McDonald's or Wendy’s will have unique offerings only available in Japan, making it a worthwhile experience for all members of the family.
Even if a restaurant such as this isn’t accessible at any given time, or if you wish to venture into some more obscure restaurants, it may be good to know some common menu options that are also good for children. For example, sushi is a very distinctly Japanese food many travelers wish to try when visiting, but raw fish is something that may be met with some hesitation by younger travelers. At many sushi restaurants there often exist a number of cooked dishes like grilled fish or fried seafood that your children can try while you indulge in the nigiri or sashimi. There are even more options for children at major chain sushi restaurants like Sushiro or Kurazushi that offer things like hamburger meat sushi, tempura sushi, and an array of side dishes.
Ramen is another popular dish amongst travelers, but if your children aren’t fond of noodle dishes, many places offer things like chashudon, which is a bowl of rice topped with grilled pork meat. Things like this are good to consider when going out to eat, but while they are common, they may not be universal, so be sure to check the menu of restaurants prior to going in or making a reservation.
Tip 6: Know how to get around
Traveling entails a lot of moving around, and keeping track of a number of people, like one will have to do when traveling with a family, has its share of difficulties to account for and adapt to.
The central hub of travel for most who come to Japan is that of the train station. Japan is world-renowned for its railway travel, but the train stations do come with a bit of a learning curve for many.
Major stations like that of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo or Umeda Station in Osaka service a multitude of lines as well as housing a number of restaurants and even department stores. They are also often made up of multiple floors and can be a bit of a maze to navigate.
Compare this to many stations in other countries that are simply two platforms and service one train line and it’s easy to be a bit overwhelmed, especially when accounting for smaller children, luggage, and or strollers.
Rush hour at shinjuku station
@Wikimedia
It is suggested to travel via these stations at less busy times. The morning rush in big cities can usually be seen from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The end-of-day crowds of commuters going home is usually from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. It’s advised to avoid traveling by train at these times for more mild commuting conditions. But if travel is an absolute necessity during this time, be sure to keep all members of the family nearby and perhaps have younger children slightly in front so that they are always within sight.
Stations in Japan will almost always have operable elevators and escalators, so for kids who grow tired more easily, long climbs up steep stairs are avoidable. These facilities are also good to remember in case you or any other member of the family may have a mobility disability. For any issues with this, station staff will be more than accommodating.
An interesting thing to keep in mind is how escalators are ridden in Japan.
There is typically a side where pedestrians will stand and wait as the escalator moves and a side where people will continue to walk up the escalator as it moves. In Tokyo, people typically stand on the left and walk up on the right side. But in Kansai, the region where cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo are, it is usually the reverse, where people will walk up on the left side and stay standing on the right.
On the note of accessibility, there are priority seats available on each train car for passengers who may need such to use. This includes those with mobility disabilities, pregnant passengers, or parent passengers who are bringing on things like strollers. If you have very young kids or babies, stroller access is fully available.
Priority seating on the train
@Wikimedia
Entering the platform area within stations is another thing that may not be intuitive for travelers and may take a bit of time for a large party. Ticket gates can be entered by inserting the appropriate ticket into the gate and then taking it out again once it's redistributed prior to fully passing through the gate. For those using an IC card like a Pasmo or Suica, simply scanning this card will allow access. For families, it’s important to know that children five years and under are able to ride for free if accompanied by an adult. However, this is only applicable for up to two children for each adult, so if one adult boards and there are three children, there will be a fare requirement for that one additional child. But in the case of two adults, up to four children five years or younger can be brought onto the train free of charge. Kids in this age group that are traveling alone are charged a children’s fare which is about half of that of regular adult fare.
For ease of use and navigation, look into getting Japan Rail Passes for the entire family, which allows unlimited access to Japan Rail Railways and other forms of transportation. The children’s pass is available for travelers who are 11 years or younger. For those with a Japan Rail Pass, entering the ticket gates operates just like an individual paper ticket, so it must be inserted then taken again before passing through. The Japan Rail Pass will allow for a lot of time saved and minimize the need for extra prior preparations.
Tip 7: Be flexible
We all know that travel seldom ever goes 100% according to plan. This can sometimes be an unexpected charm for those who embrace surprise, but for family travel, it can be less-than-ideal. But simultaneously, family travel inherently will be more prone to setbacks or plan deviations, so an open mind and flexible itinerary is the key to a successful trip.
As usual, it is always advised to have a backup plan in case of sudden closures or bad weather. Taking the time to plan multiple days within one city can be nice as then the plans for any given day can be swapped for another. It may be good to also keep backup attractions similar to the primary ones in your back pocket to maintain continuity.
Additionally, depending on the age of the children travelers, leaving a bit of the itinerary to them can encourage cultural learning and planning. As mentioned earlier, there are a medley of child focused sites and activities within Japan. Allow your kids to do their own research on what may interest them in a country as unique as Japan and take the opportunity to experience it all as a family. For families with children of varying ages especially can this be a great way to build an itinerary.
Reizen met kinderen in Japan
@flickr/ US Army Garrison Japan
Remember to relax and have fun
Japan attracts visitors from all nations and cultures for good reason. There is so much to enjoy and see and experience and its universally lauded accommodations make it a great destination for families in particular. For these families, preparation and flexibility are the key to an optimal time abroad that will for sure inspire and educate.
But the underlying basis for all of the above is to remember the enjoyment that comes with travel with the whole family and idea of experiencing new things together, so through proper implementation of these tips above and a positive mindset, your time in Japan will surely be a memorable and fruitful one the whole family will look back fondly on.
