Japan is Child-Friendly
Don’t be afraid to take your young kids to Japan! With their delightful culture, delicious food, and endless sights, it’s a family-friendly destination that your little ones will love.
The Stroller Struggle is Real
We took our 5 and 7-year-olds to Japan, clutching our trusty double stroller like a life raft. Prior to our trip, I did my research, opting for a double long stroller that wouldn’t block the entire sidewalk. Sometimes I don’t give my kids enough credit, I am sure they were more than capable of walking on this trip.
Our first challenge was after we landed, we took the N’EX from NRT to Tokyo Station (Don’t get me started on the train station – I see the elevator DOES exist). The kids fell asleep in the stroller and we searched endlessly for a ramp or elevator to get out onto the street. We even asked some people who worked in the station and they were not aware if one existed. So, we hauled one sleepy child out and she walked up the stairs, and carried the other up the stairs inside the stroller. This theme continued throughout our trip. A lot of stroller carrying up and down stairs.
The One Place it was the MVP: Disney Tokyo
If you want to survive a Disney rope drop without losing your mind (or your children) the stroller may just be a “must”. We speed-walked our way to Fantasy Springs through a literal sea of people. Left to their own devices, the kids would have wandered off to inspect a shiny wrapper, but the stroller kept them locked, loaded, and moving. The rest of the day was a casual mix of on-and-off riding, but that morning sprint cemented its MVP status.
So, lesson learned: while Japan is a fantastic destination for families, perhaps leave the stroller behind—or at least prep for some serious cardio!