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Traveling with children is a great way to get away from everyday life and refresh both parents and children! The experiences children gain from experiencing new places and cultures will have a big impact on their future development. Many parents probably want their children to experience a variety of places from as early as possible.
However, traveling with children is bound to come with some mishaps. Traveling with a baby is especially new for both parents and can be quite stressful. In order to enjoy a safe trip with small children, it's important to understand the precautions and make sure you have everything you need.
This time, we'll explain in detail the key points to consider when traveling with a baby and what to pack! We'll also introduce recommended travel spots for different age groups, from small children aged 0-2 to elementary school students. We'll provide useful information for those planning their first family trip, those feeling a little anxious, and those who are unsure about their travel destination, so please feel free to use it as a reference.
Summer vacation trips are a special time for children. To create wonderful memories with the whole family, make sure you prepare well and enjoy a safe and enjoyable trip. Reading this article will surely help you plan your trip smoothly.
Enjoying travel with your baby
Traveling with small children is often a new experience, so it can be a little stressful. Use the following tips to plan a safe and enjoyable trip.
Things to keep in mind when traveling with a baby
1. Health Management
Babies are sensitive to changes in their environment. Make sure they get plenty of rest before traveling and try to keep a schedule that is not too strenuous during the trip. It is especially important to take adequate rest if the trip is long.
2. Diet and breastfeeding
Consider meal and feeding times when you're traveling. It's a good idea to check in advance whether restaurants have nursing rooms or children's menus. If you bring milk or baby food with you, it's convenient to use packs that are easy to carry.
3. Selecting your mode of transportation
When traveling by plane, bullet train, or car, consider the convenience and impact on your baby. When traveling by plane, breastfeeding or using a pacifier is effective for ear clearing. If traveling by car, don't forget to install a car seat.
4. How to choose a place to stay
Choose a hotel or inn that is baby-friendly. Accommodations that have baby cribs and rental items are a good option. Also, if the room has a kitchen and microwave, it will be easy to prepare milk and baby food.
5. Safety Measures
To prevent accidents at tourist spots and accommodations, be sure to take proper safety measures. Use strollers and baby carriers to ensure your baby's safety.
Summer travel tips and things to bring
In hot weather, it can be difficult for babies to regulate their body temperature, so frequent hydration is essential to prevent heatstroke. Also, because there is a big difference in temperature between air-conditioned rooms and the outside, it is a good idea to carry a thin jacket and hat. Sunscreen is also an essential item. Be sure to reapply sunscreen for babies frequently.
It's also a good idea to bring along some insect repellent spray that's gentle on your baby's skin. When traveling, try to use a sunshade for your stroller and take breaks in the shade to reduce the burden on your baby.
Packing list
It's a good idea to bring this in addition to the items you normally bring when going out.
- Sunscreen : Use a sunscreen that is gentle on baby skin.
- Hat : Protect yourself from the sun.
- Lightweight cardigans : To protect against air conditioning.
- Water bottle : Stay hydrated. Get a baby water bottle.
- Folding fan or handheld fan : To beat the heat.
- Change of clothes : Bring plenty in case you sweat.
- Insect repellent spray : Use a gentle one with baby-friendly ingredients.
- Blanket : To regulate body temperature while traveling or indoors.
- Wet wipes : Convenient and versatile.
- Favorite toy : For when they get fussy.
Reference: National Center for Child Health and Development, "Heat Stroke (Heatstroke)," July 10, 2024
Recommended travel spots for families with children, by age!
We will introduce recommended travel spots for each age group, from small children to elementary school students. If you are unsure where to go on your trip, please use this as a reference.
Recommended travel destinations for 0, 1 and 2 year olds
Recommended leisure spots
Anpanman Children's Museum (5 locations nationwide)
The Anpanman Museum is the perfect museum debut for everyone. There are plenty of activities that even small children can enjoy intuitively.
Sendai: https://www.sendai-anpanman.jp/
Yokohama: https://www.yokohama-anpanman.jp/
Nagoya: https://www.nagoya-anpanman.jp/
Kobe: https://www.kobe-anpanman.jp/
Fukuoka: https://www.fukuoka-anpanman.jp/
Adventure World (Wakayama)
Attractions include Safari World, where you can encounter animals in their natural state while riding in a car, and the Fureai Hiroba, where you can interact with small animals.
The baby care room is equipped with a water heater and there is space for dads to use too.
https://www.aws-s.com/
Recommended accommodation
Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel (Chiba)
All rooms have Hollywood twin beds, with two beds joined together from the start. The bathrooms come with a spacious washing area.
There is also a wide variety of baby equipment available for rental, including baby guards, blankets, bedwetting pads, children's pajamas, and children's toilet seats. Strollers are also available for rental, so you can keep your luggage compact on the way to and from the park.
https://www.maihamahotel.jp/
Hotel Wellseason Hamanako (Shizuoka)
This hotel has been certified as a "Baby Welcome Inn" and is fully equipped to accommodate those traveling with babies.
Bed-joining service, kids' chairs, baby cribs, baby bath products, milk pots, children's toilet seats, etc. are available free of charge. The warm wooden kids' space "cotocco" is also one of the attractions.
https://wellseason.jp/
Recommended destinations for 3-6 year olds
Recommended leisure spots
Legoland (Nagoya)
A theme park where you can enjoy the world of LEGO expressed through blocks.
There is a wide variety of attractions, many of which can be enjoyed by children under 90cm tall. The workshops include programs where children can assemble themed creations, stimulating their imaginations.
https://www.legoland.jp/
Moomin Valley Park (Saitama)
This Moomin theme park is fun for both children and adults. Immerse yourself in the world of Moomin in a soothing space surrounded by flowers and greenery. The Moomin House, a faithful reproduction of Moomin's house from the story, is a particular highlight.
There is also a well-equipped kids' space and play area where even small children can enjoy themselves.
https://metsa-hanno.com/
Recommended accommodations
Nikko Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki (Tochigi)
"Opuro" is a hot spring where you can swim in your swimsuit and is fun for both adults and children.
There are pools on the rooftop and indoors, so children will never get bored.
https://www.mikazuki.co.jp/kinugawa/opu-ro/
Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Atami (Shizuoka)
There is a ball pool overlooking the ocean, a playroom with a climbing wall that even small children can enjoy, and plenty of activities for small children to enjoy, such as a stamp rally that can be enjoyed while walking through the forest.
https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonareatami/
Recommended travel destinations for elementary school students
Recommended leisure spots
Kids Plaza Osaka (Osaka)
This is an experiential museum for children where they can learn while playing.
You can experience a variety of subjects, including social studies, computers, chemistry, and culture, so you can learn while having fun.
https://www.kidsplaza.or.jp/
Little World (Aichi)
This open-air museum allows you to experience the ethnic cultures of the world. There are rows of houses from around the world, and you can experience gourmet food and traditional costumes. It's perfect for those who want their children to learn while having fun.
https://www.littleworld.jp/
Recommended accommodations
Spa Resort Hawaiians (Fukushima)
This Hawaiian-style indoor theme park combines a hotel, theme park, and hot spring. Its total floor area is the largest in Japan, equivalent to six Tokyo Domes! The gigantic pool has a variety of water slides, an aquarium pool, and many other attractions that children will experience for the first time.
https://www.hawaiians.co.jp/
Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort (Okinawa)
With plenty of beach activities to enjoy, this hotel is especially recommended for summer vacations. It also has a huge garden pool and a large observation bath, making it a hotel that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The concept rooms, which are based on the themes of gingerbread houses and the sea, are also attractive and will delight children.
https://kariyushi-oceanspa.jp/
The POMULU 2WAY hip seat is great for travel!
The POMULU 2WAY Hip Seat can be used as both a hip seat and a shoulder bag, making it easy to both carry your baby and go out, making it a great ally when traveling with children.
It's great for when your child gets tired and wants to be held, when you want to travel safely and avoid crowds, and when traveling by bullet train or airplane. It's great for keeping all your luggage together in one place, making your trip much more comfortable. Here are some of the convenient features of POMULU:
Easily converts from a shoulder bag to a hip seat. 2-way use.
When traveling with lots of movement, children use up a lot of energy, so there are bound to be many occasions when they ask to be carried. Regular baby carriers and hip seats require time and effort to put on, but with POMULU, there's no need for any complicated preparations. Simply place your baby in the carrier, which quickly transforms into a hip seat, so it's hassle-free and there's no need to carry a separate baby carrier or hip seat.
Large capacity to fit all your essentials
Traveling with children can be overwhelming with the amount of luggage you need. POMULU has a large capacity so you can pack your luggage as compactly as possible. Since all your carry-on luggage can be packed into one place, you'll be able to travel lighter than usual.
The soft material and increased width reduce strain on the shoulders
The soft urethane material reduces the burden on your shoulders, making it less tiring to hold your baby for long periods of time. If your baby suddenly asks to be held while traveling, you can quickly pick them up.Unisex design
Its simple design makes it easy to match with any outfit, so it can be shared by the whole family. With just one POMULU, mom and dad can take turns carrying the baby while traveling, making it extremely convenient.Click here for the POMULU 2WAY Hip Seat product page
> Have a fun and safe trip and create memories with your kids ♪
In this column, we've provided detailed information on travel tips and packing lists for babies aged 0 to 2. We've also introduced recommended travel destinations for children up to elementary school age, categorized by age.
Advance preparation is important for a safe and enjoyable trip for the whole family. Make sure you know what to bring and what to be careful of, and create wonderful memories on your summer vacation trip with your family. We hope your trip is filled with smiles!
