Manifesting Japan This Year? Parents Share Their Ultimate Tips And Must-Haves

There are many reasons why Japan is a must-visit place with your family this 2024. For one, the Tokyo DisneySea will open its Fantasy Springs on June 6, and it includes a Frozen Kingdom as one of its main attractions. 

If Japan is part of your bucket list for places to visit with your family this 2024, then here are some helpful tips from parents who've recently visited the Land of the Rising Sun.

Traveling to Japan with kids tips from parents

1. Secure a visa.

First things first. If you are traveling to Japan for the first time, you need to apply for a Japan visa. Smart Parenting Village dad Chester Emnace says, what helped them to secure Japan visas was finding a reputable travel agency.  "Yes, you definitely need to get an agency. In our case we got the services of Universal Holiday Inc. (UHI). Nung time na nag-apply ako ay naka-promo sila for the Multiple Entry visa. Php399 per head lang. Ang regular rate nun I think is Php1,500 per pax. So nakatipid na agad ako. They will pre-assess your documents online, before mo ipasa yung hardcopy sa office nila."

2. Check the weather.

If you are traveling to Japan with your kids one of the important things to decide on is when is the best time to go. According to Live Japan, the periods between March to May and October to November have the best weather, when its spring and mostly autumn. This is when you should travel if you want to see the cherry blossoms. Nevertheless, traveling to Japan any time of the year would be awesome!

YouTube content creator Vien Iligan of Team Payaman recently travelled to Japan with her family. In her vlog, she shared tips for parents who are traveling with kids, "'Wag magpack ng super daming damit, baka may magustuhan kayo, or depende sa weather, baka di naman super lamig." Their family visited Japan in November, during autumn season.

Daddy Chester meanwhile shares this tip for booking tours, "Yung mga theme parks na outdoor, pwede mo siya i-book sa Klook kahit sa day na mismo na pupuntahan mo yung theme park. Para kung sakaling hindi pala maganda yung weather sa day na yun, e pwede mo pa mabago yung itinerary for that day na walang nasasayang na pera." If you plan to visit the Mount Fuji, Daddy Chester suggests viewing the live forecast to ensure that you can view the Mount Fuji in its full glory, "So pwede ka magdecide sa mismong araw ng punta mo if tutuloy ka or imove mo to a different day."

3. Bring travel essentials for the kids.

Based on our interviews and research, parents consider bringing these two things a must-haves when traveling with kids to Japan: foldable strollers and medicine kits.

For Vien who travelled to Japan with her 5-year-old son Mavi and 11-months-old baby Viela, they made sure to bring two separate strollers, and two separate medicine kits for each child. 

Mommy Anne Yap, who went to Japan last December with her three kids, including a 4-year-old, said, "Pocket stroller was a life saver for us. Even if your kid is used to walking expect them to say, "I don't want to walk anymore!"

Daddy Chester meanwhile recommends the GB Pockit Stroller, which he learned from the Facebook group for dads, Dadbud PH. He adds, "Recommended din na magdala siyempre ng baby carrier with hipseat. Importante 'yun para kapag nagshopping kayo e sa stroller niyo ilalagay lahat ng pinamili sa mga shopping districts, while si baby nasa hipseat. Haha. Grabe mga budol sa Japan. Ang mura kasi kumpara dito sa atin."

Mommy Anne meanwhile shared what's inside her medicine kit: first aid kit and medicines with Doctor's prescription, e.g for fever, cough, colds, allergies, probiotics (for tummy-related sickness), portable nebulizers, thermometer, oximeter, ointments for rashes, insect bites or skin allergies, band aids, etc.

She added another must-have for kids especially if you will travel to Japan during the winter season, "Moisturizers are a must. Bring different kinds, light and thick ones, because there will be days light moisturizers wont work anymore."

6. Plan your kid's meals.

For Mommy Vien, she shared a food preparation tip for parents of kids below 1 year old.

"Kung naka-Airbnb ka, sa toddler walang problem, pero sa estado ko na mayroon akong 11 mos old, mahirap na pakain ng mga pagkain sa labas kasi may mga seasonings. Mag-grocery nalang at lutuan ang bata para makakain siya sa labas," she advised.

She recommends going to Dohtonbori or Ichiran as the best places to eat in Japan.

7. Travel smart.

We love this realistic tip for parents from Mommy Anne, "Even if you plan ahead like us, 95 percent sure it won't happen the way you wanted them to. Like for itineraries, there will be days you wont be able to visit all of them, so prioritizing is a must. Do not overload your itineraries per day. Also prepare your positive mindset everytime there are unexpected events. You really need it. Or else it might ruin your entire trip."

For Daddy Chester, they booked their transportation tickets like airport transfers and unli pass in trains and subways in advance via Klook. "'Yung sim card, bumili din kami sa Shopee prior to our trip. 10gb na highspeed internet valid for 30days. Gagamitin mo lang naman iyang mobile internet mo for navigation. Kasi halos lahat ng public places sa Japan e may wifi naman, nag-e-expire lang siya every a certain number of minutes so you need to reconnect. Pagdating mo ng hotel may wifi din naman na malakas na tuloy-tuloy."

He also recommends using a Child Switch/Rider Switch card when visiting Universal Studios and Disney Tokyo Resort. "Pagpasok ko sa bawat attraction, halos ako na agad ang isasalang while yung papalit naman sa akin na si Mommy Regine, ay waiting sa isang comfortable room kasama ang baby. Right after ko mag-ride, siya na agad sasakay and ako naman bantay kay Rielle. Hindi na niya need pumila. Yun nga lang, hindi kami sabay makaka-experience ng ride. Pero okay na din dahil sulit na sulit namin ang regular day pass sa theme park."

8. Ask for help.

Family vacations should not be a source of stress for parents! Mommy Anne has this important message: "Don't be a supermom all the time to the extent that you are in-charge of everything."

She explained, "Assign each one of your family members a task, even for your toddler. Navigation, where to eat, what to wear, packing, schedules, etc. Our toddler's tasks? Aside from behaving every time we switch cities, she's in-charge of giving us ideas what to eat."

Daddy Chester meanwhile shares, you can also ask help from the locals, "Nakapunta na kami sa ilang asian countries, pero extra challenging ang pagsakay sa trains ng Japan. Kasi sa isang station, sobrang daming biyahe. So nakakalito at malaki ang chance na magkamali ka ng masakyan na train. Good thing na lahat, as in lahat ng subways and train stations ay may mga elevators. And lahat ng train cars ay may space for babies on a stroller. And sobrang accommodating ng mga Japanese, kapag nag-ask ka ng help lalo sa directions, sasamahan ka talaga nila hanggang ma-figure out mo paano ka makakarating sa pupuntahan mo."

Must-visit places in Japan when traveling with kids

For parents with big kids, it's advisable that you plan your itinerary based on their interests. It's also good practice to ask your kids what places they want to visit. Here are the most recommended places to visit if you are traveling to Japan with kids

1. Osaka Aquarium, one of the world's largest aquariums, with over 600 species of animals. Book tickets via Klook

2. Nara Park, for a chance to feed the tame 'nodding' deers. Book tickets via Klook

3. Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO world heritage site, and see the traditional houses. Book tour via Klook

4. Universal Studios, for Harry Potter fans. Book tickets via Klook

5. Tokyo Disney Resort Park. Enough said. Book tickets via Klook

Finally, remember this tip from Mommy Anne: "Choose your itineraries wisely. Prior to our trip, I've researched already what places we want to visit that are near to each other. So you can put them all together in one day. It will save you time, money and energy. And best of all, enjoy!!!"

Given the chance, would you like to migrate to Japan? Join the conversation at the Smart Parenting Village.