What I wish I'd known before Japan with a kid: 10 things
Book the timed tickets before you leave, learn to look for exit numbers in stations, keep a few coins for gachapon and vending machines, and carry your trash. Leave room in the plan too: near the end of our trip our flight home changed and we had to rebook.
| Days in Japan | 11 |
|---|---|
| Cities slept in | 2 (Osaka, Tokyo) |
| Rainy days | 1, the day we changed cities |
| Flight changes | 1, near the end of the trip |
1. Exit numbers matter more than station names
Big stations like Umeda or Shinjuku have dozens of exits, and the wrong one can mean ten minutes of walking above ground. Before we leave for a place now, we look up the exit number too. Our son became the exit finder, which he loved. More in trains in Japan with a kid.
2. Book timed tickets before you go
teamLab, Universal Studios Express Passes and sunset slots on the observation decks are sold for a date and a time. Popular ones sell out. We booked some on the way and wished we had done all of them at home.
3. One big thing a day is enough
The days we tried to fit in two big sights were our worst. One big thing, then a slow lunch and a walk, made for happier evenings. Our full plan is in how many days you need in Japan with kids.
4. Carry your trash
There are almost no bins on the street. We kept a small bag for wrappers and bottles and emptied it at convenience stores.
5. Coins buy happiness
Gachapon capsule toy machines and some vending machines take coins. A small coin purse for the kid, with a set number of coins per day, saved a lot of discussions.
6. Convenience stores save evenings
On tired evenings, dinner from a konbini was a gift: rice balls, fried chicken sandwiches, fruit, a seasonal parfait. Nobody had to sit still in a restaurant. More in eating in Japan with a kid.
7. Rain happens, umbrellas are everywhere
It rained on the day we moved from Osaka to Tokyo. We carried bags through wet streets in West Shinjuku. Every convenience store sells umbrellas, so you do not need to pack one, but do plan a move day with rain in mind: a taxi for the last part is fine.
8. Leave room for plans to change
Near the end of our trip, our flight home changed and we had to rebook and adjust the last days. It worked out, and we flew home from Tokyo, but it cost us an evening of searching. A flexible fare, travel insurance you have actually read, and one free day near the end make this much less stressful.
9. Do not walk and scroll
Signs in Tokyo ask people not to walk while using a phone. With kids it is also simply safer: stop at the side, check the map, then walk.
10. Look down, too
Many cities have manhole covers with pictures: castles, flowers, local symbols. Our son started collecting them with the phone camera. It turned long walks into a treasure hunt.
Before you book
Read Japan with a 9-year-old for the big picture and Japan in late February with kids if you are going at the same time of year.
Official links
What we'd do differently
- We would write down the exit number of every place before we leave the hotel. Big stations have dozens of exits.
- We would book a flexible fare and check our travel insurance before the trip, not during it.
Where to stay in Japan with kids
By area, not by hotel. We don't rate hotels.
- Osaka, Namba: Dotonbori and street food at the door, direct trains to Kansai Airport.
- Osaka, around Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka: Fast starts for day trips to Kyoto and Himeji.
- Tokyo, Shinjuku: The biggest train hub in Tokyo, lots of choice, Omoide Yokocho five minutes away.
- Tokyo, Shibuya: Right by the crossing. Busy and bright, kids usually love it.
Kids Take Over
Today the kids are in charge. One day of missions where your child leads the family.
Questions parents ask
Is Japan kid friendly?
Very. Clean toilets everywhere, safe streets, polite crowds and food that kids can see before ordering. The hard part is the distance and the long days, not the country.
Do you need cash in Japan?
Less than before. Cards worked in most shops, restaurants and hotels for us. Keep some coins and small notes for gachapon, some vending machines, small shops and shrines.
Are there trash cans in Japan?
Very few on the street. Carry a small bag for wrappers and bottles, and use the bins at convenience stores and stations.
What should I pack for Japan with kids?
Very good walking shoes, a small bag for trash, a light umbrella, and layers. If you go in late February, see our seasonal answer for the weather.
Is travel insurance worth it for Japan?
Our flight home changed near the end of the trip and we had to rebook. Check what your insurance and your airline cover before you leave.
Should kids use phones while walking in Japan?
No. Signs in Tokyo ask people not to walk while looking at a phone, and in crowded stations it really is safer to stop at the side.
Written from our own trip. We use AI to help with writing and checking; every fact, number and photo is from our family. How we write