“Stress Free” Family travel
Adventures from Tokyo to Toyama
😅
If you’re traveling in Japan with young children, there’s one word you need to know: Shinkansen.
You probably also already know that “stress free” isn’t a thing if you’re travelling with kids.
After the chaos of Tokyo station— where my toddler tried to ride every escalator multiple times — it felt like a relief to board the Shinkansen.
All the noise just STOPS. It was glorious.
Plenty of Space to Breathe
Before boarding, I had worried about keeping baby quiet for the ride. I’d packed snacks, toys, and books. With all the space between seats and the fold-out tray, I could spread out her tiny buffet and let her be for a few moments at a time. When she got a bit wiggly we could take a short stroll down the aisle to get her settled- overall it wasn’t too bad for her!
I think it helped that we were moving so quickly she had lots of changing scenery to look at. I made a few notes for next time (to avoid disrupting others)
Quiet Voices & Consideration: The Shinkansen is known for its calm environment. Keep conversations soft, encourage your kids to use indoor voices, and be mindful of the space around you. This will help maintain the atmosphere everyone appreciates.
Keep the Aisle Clear: Store your luggage above or at the designated spots to ensure everyone can move freely. If your toddler needs to stretch, a short, supervised walk is fine—but be ready to return to your seat quickly if the train is full.
Snacks & Entertainment: Bring familiar snacks (easily eaten with minimal mess) and a few quiet toys or books. This not only keeps your child content, but also respects your neighbors who might be resting or working.
Use of Facilities: The train has clean restrooms, often with changing tables, so you can handle diaper changes or potty breaks without stress. This was so so helpful for us!
Plan for Naps: Take advantage of the train’s soothing motion. My kids almost always naps on long journeys. If you plan for it—maybe a snack first, then a story—your little one might fall asleep, giving you a chance to enjoy the view (…I’m an optimist!).
Overall: don’t let the distances deter you.
Long-distance travel in Japan IS possible with kids. Thank goodness! This leg of our trip (Toyama, Asahi, Kurobe) was by far our favourite.
