CaliforniaMama

Hello! My husband and I are traveling with our 13 month old to Japan at the beginning of November, Our 7 day itinerary is completely open. We are thinking of spending 2 days in Tokyo and 5 days in Kyoto. So far, we have the Tokyo fish market and Nature Aquarium Museum on our list. We would love to see some scenic and historical places in Kyoto. Since we are traveling with a little one and are looking for a more leisurely experience, we are aiming to do or see one or two things a day. Does anyone have any travel tips or recommendations? I am concerned about traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto (via train?) with 2 suitcases, a car seat, stroller and a newly walking baby!

On another note, is organic whole milk readily available in markets? I am considering bringing boxed milk for the trip so I don't have to worry about her milk needs.

Thank you!

Lolazahra

Hi -- use the luggage forwarding service to get your suitcases from Tokyo to Kyoto. I traveled with 4 kids and that's what we did. And frankly what a lot of people do even without children. It is awesome and made the train so much easier. The trains are comfortable -- just bring your diaper bag with some books and toys and you will be fine. Here's a link on Japan guide about luggage forwarding but the concierge at your Toyko hotel can arrange. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html.

Also check Japan Guide for things to do in both cities. It's a great resource. FYI -- the fish market is hectic inside on the floor. I had to keep a tight hold on my youngest at the time who was 5. Less hectic outside where the restaurants and vendors are. You all may have to take turns going inside or definitely holding the baby. Other than that I think you can enjoy all there is to see and do in both cities with your baby. Good luck!

Boveney

You might find the Best Living Japan website useful - aimed at expat families, very child-centric tips (sample article:Top tokyo restaurants with play areas for babies and kids aged 0-6). https://bestlivingjapan.com/
Organic whole milk? No, not readily available. But you will have a wonderful trip - your little one will attract lots of friendly attention and people will extend themselves even more readily than usual to be of help.

BigRuss

Our 7 day itinerary is completely open.

Japan-guide.com

Start there.

Go back there.

Repeat.

thursdaysd

If you want organic milk because of bovine growth hormone I believe Japan has banned its use.

mrwunrfl

There are two pictures of organic milk here:
http://www.simplyoishii.com/milk.html
and one of them says "organic milk" on the label.
and here:
https://www.tokyourbanbaby.com/2013/...milk-in-japan/

This describes luggage delivery:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Kyoto:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html

>>Tokyo to Kyoto (via train?)
Yes, on the shinkansen, the bullet train.

mrwunrfl

The Takanashi brand organic milk is easy to identify.

Only question is does this label say it is whole milk:
https://www.tokyourbanbaby.com/wp-co...from-Japan.jpg

I am guessing yes. Maybe that is what it says around the "100%".

CaliforniaMama

Thank you so much for all the useful tips!

Boveney

The organic milk link posted above dates from 2013. The question was: is organic whole milk READILY AVAILABLE. The answer is: No.

The following which has examples of milk labels may be of interest. Not sure when it was posted though. I have to shop around for our preferred 'low fat'milk here in Tokyo but after four years, I know which neighbourhood stores carry it. Most stock only whole or no-fat. Here's the link: http://www.simplyoishii.com/milk.html

mrwunrfl

Boveney, that link you gave is one that I gave. I didn't take the question quite as literally as you did.

The unasked next questions are: "Is it available at all?" [yes] and "Is it worth it to bring our own one week supply instead of buying it there?" [I hope so]

That webpage does say that Organic milk（有機） is not readily available and mentions prices.

The Tokyo Urban Baby link offers this:
<i>Available from the online shop here (also available in high-end supermarkets such as the one on B1F Tokyo Midtown)</i>

I checked the Tokyo Midtown website and the store might be Precce Premium Food Market.

I found a link to order it only at only 518 yen for a liter. (There is a phone number on the page too)
http://www.takanashi-milk.com/shopde...1/page2/order/

mrwunrfl

[I hope so]
should be
[I hope not]
!!

CaliforniaMama

If organic whole milk is not readily available, then is plain whole milk readily available in Tokyo and Kyoto supermarkets? I'm willing to forgo the organic part if it means leaving behind 20 lbs of boxed milk!

If someone knows the translation to organic whole milk and whole milk, I can just print it out and show a local, hoping that someone will point me in the right direction!

mrwunrfl

I will let Boveney answer the "readily" part.

If you had looked at the link that Boveney gave then you might have seen

Milk (Gyunu - 牛乳)

is whole milk.

I figured it would be about 5.5 lbs for 84 ounces (12 oz per day for 7 days).

mrwunrfl

Google translate says this (from the same webpage) means organic:
有機
Yūki, yuuki
(its a longer u sound than yuki=snow)

mrwunrfl

This is printable:

https://www.google.com/search?source....0.iavyAK-QCHU

and this:

https://www.google.com/search?source....0.m0eNEFaTmMU

mrwunrfl

rats, that didn't work

copy and paste this into translate: 有機 牛乳
and this: 牛乳

Boveney

Look at the links that have been posted here. All the kanji is there plus photos of labels/cartons. You can easily get whole milk - just be careful it's not UHT. If you think your child won't adjust to the difference between Japanese whole milk and the organic you use now, bring your own. It is only a week's supply and though of course it is additional weight, you will then have the corresponding space in your suitcase to take back purchases from Japan. I travelled all over SE Asia with two small children - it is not worth the trouble trying to source a food staple a child relies on - bring your own as it's only 5 days unless you are confident the child can adjust.

bussa17

Traveling with a baby can be really tiring but a lot of fun if you pln it properly.
Japan is a very good choice as services there are amazing and socially speaking, their ethic is fantastic.
For a 1 week itinerary i would stick with kyoto and tokyo alone.

CaliforniaMama

Thank you all for your wonderful insights. With five non-travel days in Japan, we've decided to skip Tokyo and focus on Kyoto with possible day trips to Nara or Osaka.

After speaking with our pediatrician, we've decided to bring some boxed milk and find whole milk when we reach our final destination. I will definitely refer to the links above so many thanks again!!

charleene

Hi there,

I also want to thank everybody for your advice as my husband and I are planning a trip for March.
A lot is already planned.
We decided on bringing a baby sling instead of a buggy, it's the easiest to get around in the city when using public transport!
For the flight the baby is on our lap anyways but for the cab ride we are bringing our own baby seat!
We are also bringing sanitary products with us and also we are going to bring the organic formula from https://organicbaby.la because our baby is used to it and also because of the topics already discussed. When traveling with a baby I want to reduce every possible complication in advance and than it's going to be really good and relaxing. Things are happening anyway

Yours,
charleene