2 weeks in Japan with a toddler and a baby
Jul 8th, 2012, 09:30 PM
#1
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2 weeks in Japan with a toddler and a baby
Hello! We plan to spend two weeks in Japan in October with our 3 year old son and (then) 7 month old baby. We will be spending 4 days in Tokyo, 3 days in Takayama and the remaining in Kyoto. At the moment we plan to use the train to get to Takayama from Tokyo. Is it a good idea (or possible at all) to hire a car when we leave Tokyo and drive to Takayama and from thereon to Kyoto and drop off the car at Kyoto? We just thought it would be easier to get to Takayama with a car (considering we will be traveling with a stroller and more luggage).
Any ideas / thoughts / suggestions will be very helpful!
Thank you!
Any ideas / thoughts / suggestions will be very helpful!
Thank you!
Jul 9th, 2012, 01:21 AM
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I think you may find the rental car drop off charge to be high, but you'd have to check carefully into it. Then factor in the cost of gasoline, tolls, parking, rental fee...it might end up much more than the train.
Takayama is well served by train. You might consider sending your baggage by delivery service (takes an overnight), keeping with you what you need for just two days. Your hotel can send it for you to your next hotel.
You also might consider using a backpack for the 7 month old (assuming the 3 year old will walk) to free up your hands. Strollers aren't especially easy in stations when you aren't familiar with where you are going due to the often elusive location of elevators and crowds. Sightseeing spots are not all that easy with strollers either due to stairs and gravel in many places. When my daughter was a baby we used a stroller for shopping but a backpack for everything else here. Tip - don't skimp on the backpack...get the best one you can with the best support system for you and baby for both of your comfort...with a good one you can carry it around all day and not feel it on your shoulders because the weight it transferred to your hips. If when you try it you feel shoulder pressure it needs adjusting or it's not the right one.
Takayama is well served by train. You might consider sending your baggage by delivery service (takes an overnight), keeping with you what you need for just two days. Your hotel can send it for you to your next hotel.
You also might consider using a backpack for the 7 month old (assuming the 3 year old will walk) to free up your hands. Strollers aren't especially easy in stations when you aren't familiar with where you are going due to the often elusive location of elevators and crowds. Sightseeing spots are not all that easy with strollers either due to stairs and gravel in many places. When my daughter was a baby we used a stroller for shopping but a backpack for everything else here. Tip - don't skimp on the backpack...get the best one you can with the best support system for you and baby for both of your comfort...with a good one you can carry it around all day and not feel it on your shoulders because the weight it transferred to your hips. If when you try it you feel shoulder pressure it needs adjusting or it's not the right one.
Jul 9th, 2012, 07:32 AM
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There was a very good trip report on this forum on a trip similar to your w/a baby a few yrs. ago. Good discussion of challenges of traveling w/baby there, Japanese diapers, etc. I'll try to find it and post the link here for you.
Jul 9th, 2012, 07:22 PM
#5
Maybe it was this one:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-with-baby.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-with-baby.cfm
