Going in less than a week to Japan and scared...

[TinyTear]

First long haul holiday in ages (probably 15 years (pre-kids) and I am scared
Been exhaustively planning since we booked it in April and probably researching way before if I am being honest.

Kids are 13 and 10 and also super excited.

It will be Japan, with 3 cities in the itinerary and I have a good list of stuff to do, but not too full and tiring that we will be rushing from place to place without appreciating things...

But what if? what if? what if?
what if things go wrong? what f we get covid on the flight (might take masks)? what if kid 1 gets sick as she tends to get car sick and sea sick and plane sick even short haul...

What if we can't find foods she will eat? what if we get bad stomachs? what if the heat is too much?

Please talk me down!

I have researched and researched , i will buy cooling wipes and UV umbrellas and Pocari Sweat and so on...

• please reassure me?

If you have been before - give me hints and tips - even if just for me to say "yes I know that, I read that, I am prepared!!"

Thanks!

It's a civilised country with amazing food, sights and culture.

You have insurance I presume so just go and enjoy it!!

you won’t get bad stomachs - the food is great.

It’s a fantastic country. Lived there in my early twenties. Where are you going?

Yes, we do have insurance, bought it as soon as we bought the flights

I know, everyone likes Japanese food (although sometimes eggs disagree with me but I want omurice) apart from one kid - but she does love Japanese Rice so should be ok and not starve

Going to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto - the usual

Day trips to Nara and Yokohama

I have been to Japan several times. I have never had stomach issues from food. Get travel sickness pills and/or wristbands for your daughter. Take sick bags and a change of clothes for you both in hand luggage.

It is hot, but there is shade, inside spaces, And the country is set up for hot weather.

Lots of places do Western food, and there is always McDonalds if you get really desperate.

She also doesn't like McDonalds

Thanks anyway, I need a slap to help me be rational!

It's the ADHD talking - print outs, hotel details, emails, bookings , GAH! Do I have ti all?

Chill! It's probably the safest country you can ever visit. The food is amazing.You will be able to get all sorts. My friend and I are vegetarian and were well catered to everywhere, there is also a lot of western food, bakeries, coffee shops, etc. Ice cream vans. Every where is so clean, and people are so polite and helpful. Have a great time, I would go every year if I could afford it!

Planning is good. A lot of attractions you need to book in advance. I'm more of a wing it type of person so ended up missing out on a lot but just wandering around and visiting gardens was good enough for me. There's so much to look at.

You’ll be fine. Japan is a very safe place. There’s no reason why you would be more likely to get stomach issues there than anywhere else. Food safety is very good in Japan and there is great food everywhere you look.

And if someone does get ill, Japan is somewhere with very good access to medical care.

Just double-check your insurance has good natural disaster cover.

A few things:

It will be hot - take plenty of breaks for cool drinks / rests in places with aircon. Cafes that aren't international chains almost always have menus with pictures.

Food will be fine - eating well is surprisingly cheap. If you've no idea what something is, the chances are there will be a wax model of the food outside the restaurant! Domestic chain restaurants are often very good for this sort of thing.

All the places you are going are well set up for western tourists. Things can get a bit hard to follow if you go off the beaten track (no Roman character signs and nobody speaks a word of English) but this won't apply where you will be.

And don't feed the deer at Nara. They're vicious buggers.

@TinyTear are your worries Japan specific or long haul travel generally?

You will be fine. For food, you could always try Mos Burger (chain) and things like katsu curry or noodle bars. Staff in hotels will be willing to help you with any crisis. The main issue will be trying to keep cool, but you are ready for that. Go and enjoy!!

Ha I loved the Nara deer! Although I have two greyhounds who are very similar to them.

You can use google lens on your phone to translate menus etc. It worked really well for us. Also google maps works very well and the information on public transport was very reliable. We got around everywhere using public transport.

take good deodorant. I was the stinky westerner within about 15 minutes of leaving the hostel. It was 35 degrees in Kyoto and I've never sweated so much in my life. The locals looked really elegant with their umbrellas and long skirts and not a bead of sweat on them.

Covid is everywhere in Japan right now I’m afraid. I’ve received three separate messages in the past week from Japanese friends there warning me (two with Covid). Wear the best masks you can find. Dine outdoors. And definitely wear masks in the flight over and coming back.

Last long haul was my honeymoon and i guess then i was stressing about the wedding

I guess i am worried as the kids have never been long haul

it's a kind of 'holiday of a life time' thing as we won't be able to afford anything like it again in many years

and also the responsibility as my H has said "you know this holiday is more for you and the kids" - although i do try and remind him of all the other ones I went along as he wanted to climb Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike and whatever and I had to stay at the bottom for hours with one kid... - so I will half feel responsible for him not having too bad a time...

and hoping ASD kid won't have a meltdown for being so overwhelmed (although Japan and Anime are special interests so i think will be ok) and the other one with the food issues and so on...

I guess I was also so busy at work until now that it's all come crashing on me as the time of travel approaches

We have been watching the Shikanoko Noko anime, so definitely need to feed the deer at Nara!

I will check where we have all our masks, can also get some more at the airport

Thanks everyone for making me see some sense

Hi @TinyTear weve been early September so similar weather, yes it warm and humid but not unbearable. Air conditioning everywhere along with vending machines & 7/11 shops etc for snacks and water and the electrolyte drinks. Take a pocket fan, carry little baggage in the day so it’s not heavy etc and regular stops, Starbucks was everywhere and we used that as a drinks stop. Remember no eating on the streets and there’s not many bins. well stocked pharmacies everywhere too.

it’s really safe, never felt uneasy. We were there in a typhoon and was fine, trains were cancelled so we put the journey in google maps and after a soggy walk to the underground and a bus journey we got to an open train station and managed to get on the train. My DH was then adamant our stop was close so we got off a stop early and trains were every hour but there was a phone box with a taxi service and very luckily managed to get a taxi to the destination as the taxi company spoke some English.

Loads of food options including the usual fast foods, KFC, Subway etc if needs be but honestly if you and the children like rice / noodles you’ll be fine

Have a fabulous time, it’s my favourite place I’ve visited!

We had no problems feeding the deer at Nara but saw lots of other tourist getting bitten and there was a very clear pattern to the people getting bitten.

They usually had a full stack of senbei in their hands and were trying to feed them in the middle of a whole crowd of deer. The deer bite to get your attention when they are competing for attention with others. One biscuit, one deer and you’ll not have any problems.

We kept our senbei zipped away in our bags and only took out one at a time, approached a deer by itself, did the bowing thing and then give them the senbei. Then you hold up both hands to show “all gone” and they get the message. Don’t wander through the deer park with a stack of senbei in your hands.

The deer aren’t aggressive and their behaviour was very predictable.

Do take the kids to Disneyland if you have the opportunity, it’s fabulous there. Do visit the Tokyo Skytree as well if you get the chance.

There is a Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas in Roppongi if you want some western food. And it’s not noisy either if that is a consideration.

It’s very much still a cash based society but credit cards like visa are more widely accepted these days. Service in the department stores is top notch. Restaurants in stores are generally very clean and tidy. It’s been a country where I’ve never had any stomach problems either.

Japanese toilets are interesting, do press the buttons on the seat with care otherwise you could get very wet!. Some even play music as you flush.

Have never felt unsafe in any area of Tokyo, just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

If you see a branch of Daiso on your travels go inside.

Sounds a bit batshit, it's not Mars

Thanks, we are not Disney people but going to Universal

And have Skytree already booked.

Yes Daiso is on the list - kids heard their stationery is great too

Awwww my first batshit! Do I get a Mumsnet medal?

I am SO glad everything is great for you and you never get anxious or nervous when there is responsibility on your back... What an amazing person you must be!

besides, Mars probably would have equipment and signs in English
I do know some hiragana and basic sentences but will not like depending on Google translate for most...

And maybe rather than scared, should have titled this Anxious, nervous, nervouxcited...

You won't get covid. Everyone in Japan, for years, has worn face masks

I have a friend there since we left uni, that is coughing now, more than 20 years ago. She said it is so safe that women can go out in the middle of the night to their newsagents or something like that. Very lit in big cities. Wonderful food places, it is not only raw fish and rice. They have hot cooked meals of all kinds. She was blonde and said the Japanese people absolutely love, respect and adore white women, help them, invite them etc

I almost ended up there also but a man from here left me here. LOL. I only envy you. Go girl

I ate lots from the food courts at the bottom of department stores. Partner had sushi I had fancy tuna sandwiches!

I did have some digestive issues -I think it was just suddenly changing time ones and a lot of rice in my diet. More "I wasn't as regular as normal" than anything more for a week.

I had cereal most mornings for breakfast (from local department store or grocery shop -plus milk from 7/11) -helped ensure at least I had normal breakfast. Cornflakes or weetabix is sold there.