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!

If it helps, Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world, they are very healthy! Sounds like an amazing trip, have fun!

You will love it! My oldest attended Kyoto university and would have happily remained there. Lots of very pretty countryside and many old buildings.

Osaka for universal is great. But busy! You need express passes. Bit probably sold out already?

We also did the aquarium nearby which was nice and chilled. And the Pokémon cafe )though that's very hard to get reservation for)

@TinyTear

why is your husband saying the holiday is more for you and the kids than him?

I took my 7 month old baby to Japan. She was brilliant and ate the local food (as much as a 7 month old who is just learning to wean can).
The long haul flight was great. Japanese people are incredibly friendly.
You don't really get bad food in Japan. They are so advanced in terms of standards and processes. All the places you are going are set up for tourists. Just enjoy the holiday.

Japan is wonderful - super clean and hygienic. Food wise you can access western style food if you need to - but we ended up finding lots of Japanese style food we liked - most things are at least a little similar to what we are familiar with. For example, a Yakatori meal is essentially a meat kebab.
If you are lost and need someone who speaks a little English, go in a Starbucks (everywhere) or other place that employs University age students - they will love practicisng their English. Learn a few basic words - no one will expect you to be fluent but a friendly 'Ohayo' (Oh-Hi-Yo) as a hello and an 'arigato' (ari-gat-toe) thank you endears you to the people. Many of them will be entranced by the children - it's not meant creepily they will just find their non-Japaneseness adorable. Most restaurants have pictures or models of the food and you can simply point and say please - they will understand that.
It is a beautiful and fascinating place. Relax and accept the slight culture shock of language being so different - 99% of the people you meet will be friendly even if you cannot communicate well, and a smile goes a long way. If you are especially tall (men and women) or blonde or red haired, you may be something of an attraction, especially in less tourist dense places. Take the kids in one of the 100Yen shops (or whatever inflation has changed it to) for cheap souvenirs like pretty chopsticks, funny socks and so on. Make sure to look out for items with very badly translated English on them. I brought my family back some brilliantly funny items for so little cash. One of them was a T shirt with 'day release prisoner' splashed across the front. We assume it was an attempt on something like 'weekend party animal' 😂

Overall it is a hugely civilised country with a high safety level. enjoy!

You'll.have a great time. It's a really easy country to travel in, people are so helpful, every good is available, convenience stores do great food for on the go, just don't eat on the go!!

Wearing masks is so normal day to day.

Have a fabulous trip.

@LuckySantangelo35 because he isn't into anime 🤣

But he will have some stuff for him too... Know of a cool 3d latte art place

Thanks all again

Yes universal express pass 4 booked
Pokémon cafe didn't get a booking
Got Ghibli Museum tickets

Japan is one of the best holidays I've ever had, you'll have a great time.
It sounds like you're really prepared but you can always sort things when you're out there, people are so friendly and helpful.
Food is great but plenty of western options if you need. Mmmm Moss burger.

It will be great. Can recommend this narastudentguide.org/in-person-tour/ in Nara. Students practise their English by guiding you around. Our guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We did buy him lunch as we enjoyed his company.

I've just come back from nearly 3 weeks there with my kids (aged 12 and 16).

It was fine! No stomach issues, no covid, no masks. Very easy, safe and clean.

(Hot!)

We went to Universal and didn't have express passes and it was fine. I have read that the Jurassic Park rides are shut now though, so double check.

Also look at TeamLabs Planets and Borderless - my children loved these. (and good to get out of the heat).

We did feed the deer in Nara! Found them terrifying to start with, but kept going back with more deer biscuits.

Consider Hiroshima - my 16 year old has said that was his favourite place.

I get travel sick all over the place - could get sea sick on a lake - and had no problems at all.

You will be totally fine. Plenty of western food and comforts around if you need them, but equally the food is great.

Have you looked at the video game arcades? Kids may like that.

Also Tokyu Hands is another for stationery. And visit a donki store! And find all the good fun Kit Kat flavours 😊😊

From a fellow ADHDer 👋🏼

I haven't been but I know 2 lots of friends that have, one was a retired couple in their 70's and one was a family who have two dc under 10 years old and are vegan they had no problem with eating out and found people so helpful with menu choices. Both families had fantastic holidays and would go back in a heartbeat. Try to relax and look forward to it op.

Hygiene standards and approaches to cleanliness are much higher in Japan than here. The food is generally a healthy diet and - these days - unless your kids have a very limited diet here - they will have encountered Japanese food before.

Regarding the heat - for me 30 degrees plus is too hot. But yesterday it was 35 here in southern uk.

Japan is very modern. I guess some might be wary of cultural differences like removing shoes, politeness (there’s a modestly flush sound on some loos to disguise the noises of bodily functions). There are no street numbers. Basically, not that much to cope with.

You won’t get a bad stomach - food hygiene and standards are very high! It the only country in the world that serves chicken sashimi as the risk of catching a disease from bacteria is very very minimal

It is the most wonderful place and you will have a blast.
If you're planning to take the metro, avoid rush hour and take your time because it can get a bit overwhelming with all the different lines, but it is actually easy once you've done it a couple of times.
Agree with PP about eating in the basements of shopping centres - really good food courts and absolutely safe/top quality food hygiene.
Take a small notebook to collect stampus - they are great souvenirs and fun to find (although DH and my nephew took the competitiveness a touch too far some times!)

I'm so jealous! It's on my bucket list once I've been around Europe. Have an amazing time!!

You might never wanna come back to the UK😆

I don't particularly have anything practical to add that's not already covered by PP but did want to reassure you;

I have travelled to Japan many times for work as a solo female. It is incredible - like anywhere you get the not so good bits, but my experience was always that the people were kind and friendly (I was walking once and it started to pour with rain and a total stranger came to give me his brolly!)

Food was always great - I ate everywhere from high end to street style food and never got sick and always found something with ease that catered to a more western palate if needed. Do branch out and try local options though!

It's very clean and organised. The culture is incredibly polite and like much of Asia losing your temper is a no-no - it shows a real lack of self control and is considered embarrassing for the person doing it!

A simple "arigato" with a smile to say thank you is well received

Many people wore masks well before Covid - it's a cultural thing of not wanting to share your germs so don't be concerned if you see lots of people masked up - they may feel perfectly well!

My DC are too little currently but I can't wait to take them to Japan - it's quite possibly my favourite place I've ever been to! Enjoy!

I get terrible travel anxiety, I went to Japan in 2019 and loved it. Skytree was great, we wanted to to the super Mario cart tour but was all booked up. Food was no issue and getting around was easy. You will have a great time.

Some of my most memorable holidays from growing up are when things went wrong! Flights cancelled, messing up tickets for trains, getting lost, Iceland volcano meaning we couldn’t get home. It taught me that so long as you have your passport, phone, a credit card, insurance and a good attitude it can all be overcome.

Its made me a much more confident and independent traveller as an adult. Hopefully everything goes as planned, but if it doesn’t , your kids will have the opportunity whilst with you to learn how to handle different situations.

Absolute rubbish! They are going through another wave. Stop spreading misinformation.

Chill your beans.

Make a nice sandwich, cold drink and sit and watch a couple of movies.

Godzilla Minus One
Earthquake
Fukushima 50

It'll be fine. Everybody will have an amazing time and remember it forever. Just remember to apply sunblock and cover your shoulders/collarbones instead of wearing vest tops (partly for sunburn, partly because it's a little more exposure than is expected).

Oh my you'll have a great time. I lived in Japan for years and it's the safest place to travel with kids. If you need help ask for it, I guarantee people will go out of their way to help you 💐