Hokkaido Part 1: Traveling with Kids Within Japan

    For the summer holidays, we debated whether to return to the US, go to Europe, or stay in Japan. I wanted to visit family and my dog in the U.S., but Japan was still requiring Covid testing for returning residents. With the hodgepodge masking situation there and my spouse's limited vacation days, I didn't want to risk getting infected while abroad. My parents plan to visit us soon anyways, so we decided to postpone the American trip. As for Europe, some of the the same problems applied. In addition, airplane tickets to Europe are really expensive at the moment. So Japan it was. Since we had already visited Okinawa down south, we headed to Hokkaido up north this time. 

    From Tokyo, you can travel to Hokkaido by Shinkansen or by airplane. The Shinkansen takes over four hours and stops at Hakodate, located in the south of Hokkaido. We wanted to go to Niseko, which is really far from Hakodate, so we flew. As our second time flying domestically with the kids, we knew what to expect. Plus, M is now more toddler and less baby, making travel (mostly) easier. Here are some differences I noticed between air travel here and in the U.S. 

    Airport parking costs less in Japan. If it is an option, it's totally worth it to have a family member or friend park and help you with the luggage and children. Once you are at the airport, the going is easy. Even when it is crowded, as it was during our trip, the staff is organized and willing to help. We traveled during Obon week, which is the peak week of summer travel in Japan. Even then, the lines at both baggage check and security were controlled and orderly. 

    Airport amenities in Japan are incredible. There are plenty of dining options that extend beyond fast food. Most airports have convenience stores that stock the same things, at the same prices, as their non-airport stores. You will never have to dehydrate yourself to save $5 on a bottle of water. I do wish there were more water fountains and bottle refill stations in Japan. Of course, if traveling is an opportunity to indulge, there are options for that too. I found a Baskin-Robbins vending machine! There was another ice cream machine placed strategically next to the kids' play area - a strategy of which I am not a fan. 

The child seat even reclines. 

    For parents especially, there is a lot to be optimistic about. You can find free luggage carts with child seating at various stations in the airport. Bathrooms are clean, and there are dedicated family bathrooms as well as changing/nursery rooms for babies. Although it varies, most airport bathrooms are touchless so that you can flush and open the door simply by waving your hand in front of a sensor. It's hard to take that for granted in year three of the pandemic. 

    As in the U.S. and anywhere else, families with young children receive priority boarding. Maybe I've gotten lucky, but the time between boarding and takeoff seems shorter. It's entirely possible that they really are faster here, as it is the land of punctuality. Oh, and if you are hoping that the airline will wreck an old stroller to get it off your hands, you won't be lucky. The airline staff handle things with utmost care. They lovingly wrapped our old stroller in plastic to be shipped to the destination. The care they took was nice of course; the plastic was unnecessary. 

   The actual plane ride is the same as anywhere else: a beverage service and maybe a toy gadget for the little ones. I would say that air travel with children is easier in Japan simply because there are fewer delays: the airport lines are well-managed, the processes are streamlined, and the staff is always helpful. In my next post, meet us at our destination in Hokkaido. We will drink mountain water, go to a public bath, and get bitten by an Ostrich.