I’ve been reflecting on my trip to Japan as it is nearly a whole 12 months since we departed! I was so unbelievably excited to be going as I had wanted to go for such a long time. I uploaded my Japan posts relatively soon after we got home and it only dawned on me this morning that I haven’t done a post on my top things to do in Tokyo with kids. So here it is, I’ve enjoyed writing and remembering my favourite parts of Tokyo with kids. (more…)
There are so many hotel options when travelling to Tokyo and to be honest it can seem a little overwhelming. The city is so big and hotels are notoriously expensive and the rooms are reportedly small. After plenty of research I also found that family rooms are difficult to come by and are on the expensive side. Deciding where to stay in Shinjuku is definitely a big task and for us, it was based on cost. (more…)
Alannah has to be the biggest fan of Harry Potter so when we decided we were going to Japan I knew Universal Studios was going to be top of the list. Universal Studios Japan was celebrating it’s 15th birthday during 2016, with Harry Potter World opening in July 2014. I can’t explain how excited Alannah was when we arrived so Harry Potter world was first cab off the rank. (more…)
Wow, so its Christmas week already, it feels like yesterday I was excited about heading off to Cambodia at the end of July. We have had so many amazing experiences this year and it’s going to be hard to top in 2017 but I’ll give it a red hot crack! So I thought this week we would wrap up the highlights of 2016, including our favourite hotels in each place. (more…)
DisneySea is one many Tokyo theme parks, it’s one of a kind and opened in September 2001 in Urayasu, Chiba just outside Tokyo. It is located right next to Tokyo Disneyland in the Tokyo Disney Resort and is accessible on the same train network. DisneySea was celebrating it’s 15th anniversary while we were there. We were very restricted time wise and were only able to visit DisneySea. We chose DisneySea purely because it is the only one.
If you’re planning to move between cities in Japan you’re best off purchasing a Japan Rail Pass, or JR Pass, it will save you a huge amount of money. We will help you with where to buy Japan Rail Pass, as it also includes some local travel in the cities which will also save you some money. Working out the rail system in Japan will take a little while but once you get the hang of it it’s fairly easy to navigate. Well lets say you will navigate it with minimal hiccups!! (Yes I’m giggling right now!). (more…)
Through my contact with other travellers on Instagram, I was given the ‘heads up’ about a fantastic group of volunteers conducting Kyoto walking tours. The Good Samaritan Club are a group of university students that love their city and like to practice their english skills. Out of that need, a brilliant initiative was born for all tourists visiting Kyoto. (more…)
If you are going to visit Kyoto, firstly I suggest that you don’t do what I did and try to see it all in one day. Kyoto is the cultural centre of Japan and the spot that the Japanese visit on their holidays to experience to learn the traditions and history of old Japan. Here’s my one day Kyoto itinerary for those that only have a short amount of time in possibly the best city in Japan! (more…)
I have to be honest, I never even considered not taking Alannah to Hiroshima on our recent visit to Japan. Since then a lot of people have actually queried whether I took her or not making me start to wonder why I never gave it a second thought. I even had an older American lady approach me at Hiroshima and thank me for taking her. She said it is something all children can learn from. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is one of the best attractions in Hiroshima and must not be missed. (more…)
I had always considered Japan to be too expensive for a family of 5 so when the prospect of a girls trip was floated I knew I had to convince the others that Japan was the perfect spot. Luckily it didn’t take too much convincing. First thing on my bucket list for Japan ia a Kyoto Geisha experience. (more…)