Japan is the Now Destination to Take Your Children and Grandchildren and Here is the Best of the Best: Part II Preparation, Tips, Itinerary and Experiences That Create Memories that Last
- Mema
- Apr 22
- 12 min read
Part I is the Best of the Best Cities to Visit and Where to Stay, Selection of the Tour Company and Guides. Part II now concentrates on preparation, tips, itinerary and experiences from a recent trip to Japan with my thirteen year old grandson.
Why is Japan the NOW destination? According to the Wall Street Journal, the Japanese yen has lost one third of its value against the U.S. dollar over the past five years. The U.S. dollar has gained 15% against the yen since the end of 2023.
MORE ABOUT MONEY
Yes, your American dollars will go far in Japan. American items that are sold in Japan are
cheaper than in the United States, so price what you covet in the United States and you will buy American designers, Nike and more that cost less than at home. Yes, you need to have yen before you arrive, rather than wait until you arrive at the airport in Japan. Yes, you cannot rely only on credit cards (remember to let your credit card companies–that do not charge an international transaction fee or get one that does not–that you are going to Japan). After research, I found the best exchange rate for us was at Bank of America and they mail the yen to you.
On Amazon for $4 each, buy many “Japanese Yen Coin Holder Hard Case Organizer and
Storage for Coins Rectangle JPY Coin Organizer and Dispenser, Plastic Coin Sorter Wallet with 8 Slots.” I say buy many because our guides loved them, so I handed them out as gifts too.
You will need at least two for each person in your group, as you end up with more coins than
you want. It makes it easy to access different yen coins and tells the denomination right on the organizer. I did a small “cheat sheet” that I kept with the organizer that told me how much each coin was worth. Makes handling yen coins a breeze.
Once in Japan, some 7-Eleven stores in Japan have currency exchange machines that allow
customers to exchange foreign currency bills for Japanese yen 24 hours a day, without the need for a passport or ID.
MORE ABOUT CONVENIENCE STORES
Family Mart is a Japanese convenience store that our incredible guide brought us to
immediately to try their boneless fried chicken that costs less than a dollar each and comes in regular and spicy. With a hungry teenage boy that wants a snack every two hours, we visited more Family Marts in Japan than I can count, many multiple times in one day. I had to try the chicken and must admit it is delicious, moist and tasty.
TRAVELING TO JAPAN WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Japan has strict regulations regarding the import of medications, including prescription
drugs. You must bring medications in their original prescription bottles and with the
prescription label, even if you have a doctor's letter. I did not have a doctor’s letter. Your drug store will provide you with copies of prescriptions. I brought hard copies of prescriptions.
Some medications, like those for ADHD, may require an import certificate or be completely
banned. If you can avoid the issue and do without the medications for your time in Japan, it
saves a lot of paperwork, and even then the prescription might be prohibited.
I read somewhere that 15% of travelers are questioned. Of course, AI corrected me: “While
there isn't a specific statistic of 15% of travelers being questioned about prescription drugs,
Japan has strict regulations regarding bringing medications into the country. Travelers should be aware that certain medications are prohibited or require specific documentation like a "Yunyu Kakunin-sho" (import permit). It's recommended to check the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website for up-to-date information on permitted medications.”
WIRELESS WIFI
With a teenager in toe, or even without, having wireless wifi at all times in Japan is wonderful, and a breeze, even for those technologically challenged. Japan Wireless at https://www.japan-wireless.com/en/rates is inexpensive and convenient. You want the Premium package:
Premium Pocket Wifi Router, Unlimited Internet Data, No speed restrictions and coverage
Power Bank, 20 Hours Battery Life, up to 10 devices, USB cable, AC adapter, plastic zipper
pouch (with insurance paid).
They mailed the equipment to the hotel for us to have upon arrival and gave us return mail and instructions. You pay by the days you will use for the Premium package. It is about $75 for ten days.
DAY PACK AND GARBAGE BAGS
Not only to carry the wireless router, but to carry garbage bags with you, you need a day pack, a backpack or a tote. Japan is meticulously clean. There are no garbage bins anywhere.
Everyone carries plastic garbage bags and brings the garbage with them. On Amazon, you can get LimonLaviu Plastic Bags, (11.5”x 6.5" x 21”)(100Pack) Plastic Bags with Handles Plastic Shopping Bags for Small Business Plastic Grocery Bags for $6.99. In two weeks we used 50, carrying at least a half dozen with us every day. Another reason to use convenient stores in Japan is that if you purchase something in a convenience store, they may let you dispose of your accumulated trash on your journeys.
TIPPING
Tipping is not required or necessarily expected in Japan, but if you want to tip your guide it will likely be appreciated and accepted. We tipped one of our guides, the exceptional one, in addition to giving her gifts as described in this post. The way I was told to offer a cash tip is by slipping clean bills into an envelope, and handing the envelope to your recipient using both hands (they will also receive it with both hands). The best advice I received was to bring gifts of items unique to your local community, that would be appreciated when you want to show appreciation. I brought at least half a dozen small items unique to Florida. It made me feel like I was respecting the non tipping culture but showing appreciation for service above and beyond.
I gave gifts when we stayed in the ryokan in Kyoto for the exceptional stay with thoughtful,
personalized service, one to our room attendant and one to the proprietress. They loved having something from Florida.
COLLECTING STAMPS AT THE SHRINES AND TEMPLES
Collecting stamps or goshuin in Japanese is a great souvenir of the trip to Japan and a hobby of nearly everyone traveling in Japan at every location. I remember hearing there are 88,000 temples and 77,000 shrines in Japan or vice versa. Collecting stamps at shrines and temples in Japan is a traditional practice that commemorates a visit. Goshuin are seals that are unique to each temple or shrine and are often hand decorated by artists with calligraphy and brushwork in front of you. You receive a goshuin by paying a fee or making a donation to the temple or shrine. The fee is usually between 300 and 1000 yen. They are very elaborate. There are stamping locations in every railway station, tourist location, etc. in addition to the shrines and temples.
Stamp books are unique to Japan and some stamp book designs are unique to a specific
location, temple or shrine. I purchased a stamp book in advance of the trip on Etsy, but did not know the paper in the United States is not the same as the specific stamp book paper in Japan for the artists’ Japanese ink.
You want to wait until you arrive in Japan at the first major temple (and this should be one of
your first things to do) and purchase a Japanese stamp book which is much better. If Tokyo is
your first stop, Sensoji Temple and Kaminarimon Gate with its Nakamise Dori, an avenue of
stalls and tiny shops leading up to the entrance is where you will find a stamp book. Look for a solar ceramic cat to buy at the stalls to bring luck, happiness and good health back home with you. Also, if you go to Mt. Fuji, in addition, for a very small fee, they have their own unique stamp book to stamp on each stop on the way to the top on the cable car (it does mean you get off at every stop but it is short). I would suggest, though, that you buy and carry in your day pack stamp pads in red and black purchased in the United States as so many collect stamps that the stamp pads in railway stations and tourist locations are weak.
EXPERIENCES THAT CREATE MEMORIES THAT LAST FOREVER
Any itinerary for Japan will give you the temples, the shrines, the specific tourist areas you
should cover and can choose from. You will see that the experiences I have included are part
of a Japan itinerary and even the best place to stay in Kyoto. See also Part I.
Experiences create memories that last forever. In order to add experiences to your Japan
itinerary is why you need the amount of days I recommend, as the times are listed below for the experiences. You will see under several headings how important your guide is, as many of the Senseis and experiences were where no one spoke English. When my grandson talks about Japan, he talks about the following as the best. The order is of our personal itinerary and I have tried to note the ones he rates the top. The following were my grandson’s favorite experiences in Japan:
TOKYO
Daikoku Nights JDM and Japanese Car Culture Experience Tour
Tokyo, Japan (4 hours to 5 hours) Or call us at +1 786-321-7264
From Michael’s accurate description, “the iconic C1 Loop and Wangan highways, see
spectacular views of Tokyo, make stops at epicenters of Japanese Car Culture, the legendary
Daikoku and Tatsumi, and see a totally eclectic collection of cars from classic to absolutely
wild...almost anything can be there...” Michael is Australian and knew everyone. My grandson got to sit in luxury unique cars, speak to the owners about their customization, and take many pictures. I would recommend a Saturday night if you can do it as best.
Kendo Lesson and Match (4 hours)
We were taken to a distant Dojo, in Arakawa-Higashinippori, and my grandson was taught by a Sensei who spoke no English, so our outstanding guide was an active participant.
Description:
“Hone Your Skills Today, try your hand at Kendo (lit. way of the sword), a relatively modern
addition to the family of Japanese martial arts. Kendo is descended from a long line of
swordsmanship in Japan but was not officially established in its own right until 1920. Learn how to put on the armour first and learn about the history of the form in samurai culture before being instructed how to engage in combat. The session will finish with a match.” Check Tripadvisor for options. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g1066441-d12529824-2_Hour_Genuine_Samurai_Experience_Kendo_in_Tokyo-Arakawa_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_K.html
Anime Drawing Class (4 hours)
Manga School Nakano (check on Tripadvisor)
Just west of the city's center, Nakano is a mecca for anime culture and collectibles, before my grandson tried his own hand at ink drawing with the expert supervision of an experienced professional artist at the Manga School also in Nakano. My grandson, age 13, into anime andmanga, enjoyed his drawing lesson. The teacher, a published manga artist, was patient and caring and he came away with a masterpiece he was proud of. If you have a child or teen interested in anime and manga, this is a great experience. Again, the outstanding teacher spoke no English so having an active guide is important. https://english.nakanomangaschool.jp/
Jordan World of Flight Tokyo Shibuya (1-2 hours for this and Nissan Crossing)
Nike has opened the second worldwide location of its Jordan brand in the heart of Tokyo along Meiji-dori street between Shibuya and Harajuku. World of Flight Tokyo Shibuya is Japan’s flagship store for the brand and a must visit for basketball fans with its basketball court-style decor. The shop is stocked with athletic wear, shoes and merchandise inspired by basketball culture. You can even personalise your pick up with embossings and patches at the workshop area. There's also a content studio, where you can take pictures in your Jordan outfit and make videos showing off your basketball skills. https://www.nike.com/retail/s/shibuya-x-jordan
Nearby is Nissan Crossing. Nissan Crossing is the flagship showroom of Japan’s motorin
giant, where the flashiest concept vehicles and rare classic cars are on display. Definitely stop
at the Crossing Café, where you can order a coffee with custom latte art bearing the likeness of your favorite Nissan car or even your own face. This experience requires an outstanding guide as no one speaks English and the experience will not be the same without one to interact with the attendants and explain and make the experiences worthwhile.
Shibuya Parco. (1-2 hours)
If you go to one department store in Tokyo, go to this one. Each floor has small boutiques of
clothing, and much more. My grandson and I loved this store and highly recommend including it in your experiences, as it is an experience. There is a Starbucks in the store. “Shibuya Parco is an establishment which caters to both your Tokyo life entertainment and shopping needs.
Recently renewed 6th floor of the Parco Part 1 building. Dubbed "Shibuya Pop-Culture Market, the entire floor is now devoted to a mix of Japanese pop-culture and fashion that is becoming the representative aesthetic of the moment. There's an anime floor with a nintendo store and Pokemon.” https://shibuya.parco.jp/?utm_source=mybusiness
Omotesando Shopping Street (1-2 hours)
Definitely stroll along Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree-lined avenue home to the
flagship stores of the world’s top fashion brands. You will feel like you are on Rodeo Drive in
Los Angeles. Our guide took us into the underground garage to see the luxury cars lined up
one after another, in addition to those parked along the street. https://www.japan-
HAKONE AND MT. FUJI
My grandson loved the ride on the world’s second longest cable car up Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers in this active volcanic area and he even samples Hakone’s famous local treat, the black eggs of Owakudani, the first hard boiled egg he had eaten. The eggs are hard boiled in Hakone’s well known sulfuric hot springs, and local legend has it that eating one of these eggs will add seven years to your life. He enjoyed the ride on the pirate ship and sail across Lake Ashinoko, a lake formed by a volcanic eruption 3000 years ago. Best was actually seeing Mt. Fuji, having a rare clear day.
My grandson’s favorite store “in the world,” according to him is in the town of Hakone. Hakone Maruyama (Wood Inlay Handicraft Store, where we had a demonstration of how the inlay wood crafts are made. This is where he bought souvenirs for everyone. Again, our outstanding guide made the experience as no one spoke English Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0521, Japan
KYOTO
Ninja Experience: Ninja Dojo and Store (1-2 hours)
“Learn about ninja tricks from a Sensei (a professional ninja-master) including the different trapsand hiding spots within a ninja's home as well as various weapons specific to ninja and their uses. Discover the role meditation has for the way of the ninja, hand signs and other unusual facts about this traditional but covert type of combat. Discover secret doors at the ninja home and try your hand with some of the traditional weaponry. Your sensei will show you the correct form for throwing a shuriken, also known as ‘throwing stars’, or how to use use a traditional blowgun.”
This was an amazing experience for my grandson. He loved every minute of dressing the part, learning the information, learning to handle swords and knives and aim at targets. The hardest was explaining to him that in the United States, he would not be able to have the same experience and not purchasing what I considered the dangerous items for sale! The Sensei spoke English. https://ninjadojoandstore.com/
Sword-Making Experience (9 hours)
My grandson put this experience at the top of his list of experiences, and there were several that were at the top. The Sensei did not speak English but his assistant did. This was a distance from Kyoto in Kameoka – Hommechonishikaya, which is why the experience took all day.
Masahiro Tantojo Sword Forge in Kameoka, Kyoto. CEO Mark Zuckerburg also did a sword
making experience; I do not know if it was this one. Description: “Forge your Japanese
kogatana (small blade) with the only swordsmith of his kind in Kyoto. Learn about the traditional blade-forging process, which uses the same materials and techniques as a full-size katana. At the end of the experience, you can take the beautiful product of your creation home with you.
Meet your friendly and knowledgeable swordsmith at the forge, and begin your hands-on
smithing lesson. You'll learn about the 5-step process required for forging: 1. Hidukuri (heat iron in charcoal kiln and rough shaping), yakinamashi (heating iron up to 700 degrees, then cooling in straw to toughen iron particles), tuchitori (prepare soil to distinguish where you want to bake when quenching iron), meigiri (inscribe a name with chisel) yakiire (harden the blade edge - heat to 750 degrees, then quench with water). At the end of this process (about four hours) you will have your very own kogatana to take home and cherish.”
Even if you take a guided group tour, there is free time and you may be able to incorporate
some of the above experiences into your fully escorted group tour.
This Grandma is all about experiences and my grandson loved his time in Japan. He enjoyed
the temples and shrines and tourist locations, but when you ask him about Japan, the
experiences are what he mentions first.
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
What he mentions as the top experience is the experience of staying in Kyoto in an ancient inn, Shiraume. “Accessed by a bridge over the Shirakawa Stream, this quaint inn in an Edo-period tea house is fronted by gardens with plum and cherry trees.” https://www.shiraume-kyoto.jp/
See, Part I for more details.
Sleeping on the floor on tatami mats, eating meals on the floor at chabudai dining tables, and garden or stream views, going daily to the bathhouse with a soaking tub with massage jets, and his favorite, Kobe beef steak and Kaiseki dinner. The Shiraume, experiencing Japan as only one can experience Japan, is what it is all about with
Joy,
Mema
