Looking at going on a holiday to Japan with the family over December/January for about 1-2 weeks. We have 3 kids - 6, 4 and 1. I have no idea where to start planning -...
Michelle B. replied:
Nicole Edgar she is a travel agent who might be able to assist you.
Sari K. replied:
Pauliina Kelly from Travel Managers. She's brilliant
Lauren E. replied:
If you would like to see more than just one place, I recommend flying into Osaka, staying there for a few days, then catch a train to Kyoto for a few days, then a bullet train to Tokyo and return. Nara has deer wandering around everywhere and you can buy food for the older kids to feed them. Be aware that the kids will likely have no interest in the beautiful temples. Tokyo Disneyland is great. It's well worth staying out there for a few nights rather than commuting from central Tokyo English is not spoken very much, especially outside Tokyo, and there aren't a lot of English signs. Make sure you take a translator (book or app) and a Lonely Planet guide. If you want to feed the kids cheaply, go to the food courts near railway stations and in the basement of the big department stores. Great food. The Hotel Gran Via chain has good quality hotels directly above railway stations (with double glazed windows). We got a family room with 3 beds. They're not the cheapest but hunt around for a good price. If you plan to travel by train between cities (as opposed to within cities), buy Japan Rail Pass vouchers before you leave Australia. Read the TripAdvisor forums, they provide a wealth of information. Also vet your accommodation on there before booking.
Jannette C. replied:
We went to Tokyo a few years ago when my kids were 7 and 9. Be aware if using hotels most charge extra adult over age 5, and that the rooms are extremely small unless you book a western hotel such as Hilton. They expect kids to share same bed with adults. We stayed Hilton Tokyo Bay which is part of the Tokyo Disney complex and found it a brilliant location. We were with a number of other families from Australia all there for a wedding and some days had 15 kids under 14 with a dozen boys between 5 and 10! We did Disney twice, Mt Fuji day trip, Pokemon Centre, baseball, shopping and Tokyo tower and cherry blossoms. It was wrong season for Sumo, Even in April (spring) it was still very cold. We were wearing ski jackets over polar fleece.