4 Proven Strategies to Make Your 2-Week Japan Trip with a Toddler Easy and Affordable
Tips and Tricks of Thriving in Japan
Japan is a dream destination, but navigating it with a family requires a smart strategy. In March 2020, we had planned a 14-day adventure that was unfortunately cancelled due to the lockdowns. Fast forward to May 2023, and we finally made it to the Land of the Rising Sun. This time, we were accompanied by our 1.5 year old daughter. While we were nervous about our first long vacation as a family of three, Japan proved to be incredibly welcoming.
To help you save time and resources, we have refined the exact logistics we used to make our long-awaited trip a seamless success.
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Arriving in Tokyo
- Via Train & Bus: Tokyo is the ultimate transit hub of Japan, offering seamless connections to Yokohama, Hakone, and Kyoto. Whether you’re looking for the speed of the Shinkansen or the affordability of a highway bus, you can compare schedules and secure your seats through 12Go Asia here.
- Via Flight: Most travelers arrive at Narita (NRT), which handles the bulk of international long-haul traffic, or Haneda (HND), which is closer to the city center and serves both domestic and premium international routes. To find the best airfare across both major hubs, search and book here.
Planning Your Tokyo Trip
- Where to Stay: Finding the right base is key for families. Book a hotel here.
- Connectivity: Stay connected as soon as you land with a local eSIM. We recommend:
- Airalo for budget-friendly and basic plans. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Getting Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
1. Master the Art of Luggage Delivery (Takuhaibin)
Moving between cities every two days is exhausting with a toddler and suitcases. We relied heavily on Takuhaibin (Takkyubin) luggage delivery services to solve this problem.
The forms were available at our hotels and we filled them in with the address of our next destination. The delivery service picked up our luggage from each hotel and transported it within the timeframe specified on their website. Overall, we found Takuhaibin to be extremely affordable and reliable. We were able to catch our bullet trains easily without the hassle of dealing with heavy bags. We highly recommend Takuhaibin to people planning to hop from one city to the next. Read more about Takuhaibin here.
2. Maximizing the JR Pass for Long Distance Travel
The aim of our trip was to arrive in Tokyo and use the bullet trains and public transport to go from one city to the next. To make our journey affordable, we bought a 14-day JR Pass for Ordinary Class for ¥80,000 per person.
Our daughter travelled free of cost. The JR Pass allowed us to carry out most of our travel for free with the exception of one or two specific bullet trains. If you are looking to move between cities, a JR Pass is definitely a must-have for your transport needs. Buy your JR Pass here.
3. Seamless Local Transit with the Welcome SUICA Card
We acquired a Welcome SUICA Card which is available for free for tourists and is valid for 28 days. This card allowed us to top up money at public transport stations and use it for subways or buses not covered by the JR Pass.
The card made it extremely convenient for us to do fast travel without worrying about cash payments. It is a perfect companion for the complex Japanese public transport system. Get your Welcome SUICA Card here.
4. Exploring the Mt. Fuji Region Effortlessly
For our travels in the Mt. Fuji region, we bought a 2-day Mt. Fuji Pass for ¥10,200 per person. The pass gave us access to unlimited usage of public transport in the region. This is definitely a must-have for affordable travel and sightseeing around the iconic mountain. To find out if Mt. Fuji Pass is worth purchasing, use the calculator here.
Final Thoughts
Navigating Japan is an incredible experience, but it can be overwhelming without a solid game plan. We’ve narrowed down the four essential investments that truly helped us travel smoothly. By securing these, you’ll save significant time, cut down on unnecessary costs, and hit the ground running.
Found these tips helpful? We’d be happy to build a personalized itinerary just for you! Head over to our Custom-Plans page to get started.
If you are looking for travel essentials, check out our Resources section for hand-picked products that make travel stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Japan stroller friendly for families?
While most major stations have elevators, it is sometimes extremely difficult to make it to your train on time due to long elevator queues. Using Takuhaibin to move luggage makes using a stroller much easier in crowded areas.
Do children need a JR Pass for travel?
Children under 6 generally travel for free on Japanese trains as long as they do not occupy a separate reserved seat.
How do I send my luggage to the next hotel in Japan?
Ask the hotel reception for a Takuhaibin form. They will help you measure your bag and arrange the courier pickup for you.
