Japan With Kids: The Complete Family Guide (Everything You Need to Know)
Everything we learned from two weeks in Japan with our 5-year-old, all in one place: when to go, how to get around, where to stay, what to pack, what it costs, and how to eat gluten-free, with links to our deep dives on every topic.
How We Used Suica in Japan With Kids (Apple Wallet Setup + Tips)
Suica made getting around Japan easy for our family. Here’s how we set it up in Apple Wallet before we landed, how it worked with our 5-year-old, and the tips we’d give a friend before their first trip.
Is the JR Pass Worth It? We Did the Math for Our Family’s Real Route
We went back and forth on buying a Japan Rail Pass, then booked individual tickets instead. Once we had our real numbers, we did the math: here's what we actually spent versus what the pass would have cost.
How the Hakone Loop Actually Works (Explained Simply)
It took us way longer than we’d like to admit to actually understand the Hakone Loop before our trip. Here’s the step-by-step version we wish we’d had, plus what we’d do differently.
Luggage Forwarding in Japan With Kids: How We Sent Our Bags Between Cities
We sent our bags ahead three times on our 14-day Japan trip with a 5-year-old. Here's how luggage forwarding (takkyubin) worked, where we used it, how to arrange it at your hotel or a convenience store, and why we'd call it our biggest travel hack of the trip.
Kyoto or Osaka: Which Is Better for Families?
We spent 3 nights each in Kyoto and Osaka on our 14-day Japan trip. Here's our honest, category-by-category breakdown - vibe, cost, food, crowds, and more - to help you decide which city (or both) is right for your family.
What We Spent in Hakone: A Real Cost Breakdown
Real numbers from our one night in Hakone - the ryokan, the onsen, the massages, and trout fishing, broken down honestly.
Is Hakone, Japan Good for Kids? Our Honest Take
We did the Hakone Loop on a rainy, foggy day with almost zero views - and our 5-year-old still loved it. Here's our honest take on whether it's worth it with kids. Plus, additional stops to make the most of your time in Hakone!
Riding the Shinkansen (Japan’s Bullet Train)
Buying tickets, choosing a seat, traveling with kids, and what it's actually like onboard - everything we learned riding Japan's bullet train for the first time.
How to Get Around Japan: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Trains, Suica Cards, Google Maps & More
Trains, Suica cards, Google Maps, taxis, and luggage forwarding - everything we learned navigating Japan's transportation system as a first-time family, so you can skip the parts that intimidated us.
