Traveling to Japan with a Baby - Preparations (English)

Hello everyone! We've also reached the point of planning our first family trip, which happens to be none other than Japan. We might have bitten off more than we can chew, as our daughter will only be four months old at the time of the trip. For the past two weeks, we've been diligently organizing, searching for accommodation and plane tickets because our journey is set to take place quite soon, in October of this year. Given the current situation, there are a few more things to pay attention to when traveling to Japan, so I thought I would write a blog post about the preparations. Our trip will revolve around the three major cities. We'll start the first few days in Tokyo, then make a short visit to Osaka, and finally spend a week in Kyoto. The entire trip will last for 14 days, which I believe is enough to explore the country's main attractions.

Visa Application

The first and most crucial step is applying for a visa, which, before the Covid situation, wasn't mandatory for Hungarian citizens. However, due to the tightened regulations, currently, entry is permitted only for group travel (organized by an agency) or for work-related purposes. My husband is invited to a conference in Kyoto, so the organizers will assist in obtaining our visas. Unfortunately, the process doesn't end here, as about a month before the trip, it's advisable to request an appointment with the Japanese consulate if we want to receive the documents on time. Keep in mind that the necessary information for entry may change, so please always check the consulate's official website for the latest updates: [LINK]

You should always bring the following when visiting the consulate:

• ERFS registration (to be requested from Japan)

• 1 copy of the visa application form, completed and signed.

• 1 passport-sized photo

• Valid passport with enough space for the visa and Japanese entry stamps

• Valid Hungarian residence permit

• Address card

• Money for the visa fee, if required

 Visa Application, Japanese Consulate, Flight Tickets

Buying Airline Tickets with a Baby Under 2 Years Old

Once the Japanese ERFS document has arrived, the next step is to arrange for flight tickets and accommodation. (The ERFS registration requires information about accommodation and the expected arrival of the flight, but don't worry, these are just "approximate" details. Payment for the flight or accommodation in advance is not a requirement since, if there were any issues with the visa, the incurred costs would not be refundable.) I checked for flight tickets on the Skyscanner and Ita Matrix websites. Unfortunately, we missed the "discounted" price, as new relaxations were announced, causing the chosen flight from Budapest to suddenly skyrocket. Therefore, we opted for a Vienna - Taiwan - Tokyo (Narita) route because it was the cheapest option, even though it still incurred an additional cost of about 100,000 forints, as if we had bought the tickets earlier. Lesson learned: no, flights to Asia won't get cheaper, buy them well in advance. At least 3 months ahead! Tickets for children under 2 years old cost 10% of the regular fare, although this may vary depending on the airline. In the baby's ticket, one diaper bag and one checked baggage are included, such as a stroller or a car seat (checked baggage is usually not included in the fare, only the carry-on). It's not mandatory to check the stroller; you can hand it over at the aircraft door. In fact, if you have a very small stroller, they may allow you to bring it on board if there's enough space.

Accommodation Booking - Budget Version

I booked our accommodation through Airbnb. We've used Airbnb approximately 10 times in the last four years, and we've never had any issues. It's worth reading the reviews because you can discover information that hosts may not include in the description. For example, it was important for us to have an elevator or, if not, accommodation on the first floor. Additionally, due to the baby, it's crucial for public transportation to be easily and quickly accessible. I particularly like Airbnb because many hosts provide personal items such as a stroller, pocket wifi, or other baby essentials. It's always worth asking, as they are very helpful and willing to provide specific items for your convenience (if it's not a hotel). If Airbnb doesn't suit your needs, then check out Booking.com, where you can find great deals as well. It's better to use the mobile app, as it automatically gives a 10% discount per booking, and there are exclusive accommodations only accessible through the mobile app.

Cheap Accommodations : Airbnb, Booking

Tickets for the Shinkansen - The Famous High-Speed Train

In our case, we need to use the Shinkansen, the high-speed train, as we'll be traveling from Tokyo to Osaka in the first few days. Tickets can be purchased at the railway station or online. If you buy online, there's a good chance you can get "early bird" tickets if you do so 21 days before the journey. This increases your chances of securing a good seat on the train. This is important because if you plan to travel during peak hours in the morning, there's no guarantee there will be enough seats available where you can stow your stroller and luggage. These seats must be reserved in advance as designated seat reservations. You can purchase tickets for the train through the smart-ex application. The tickets cost roughly 13,000-14,000 yen per person.

Pocket Wifi, SIM Card

One of the most crucial aspects of our trip to Japan is the internet issue, as our European SIM cards won't work there. There are two options if you want to stay connected: 1) Pocket Wifi and 2) SIM Card. Both can be purchased/rented at the airport, but I recommend ordering them online. There are often online promotions, and watching some vlogs on YouTube may reveal codes for 10-30% discounts, which is not bad at all. I've checked about 10 websites, and on average, pocket wifi costs range from 350 to 700 yen per day, while SIM cards start from 22 euros. One of the major companies is Japan Wireless, but if you search for "best pocket wifi in Japan," you'll find several companies and price comparisons.

Themed Cafés? Reserve Your Table in Advance!

If the idea of traveling to Japan has crossed your mind, then I assume I don't need to introduce the fact that Japan (especially Tokyo) is the stronghold of themed cafes. You can find Pokemon cafés, Alice in Wonderland cafés, Stranger Things-themed cafés, various animal cafés like cat, owl, reptile, pig, Shiba-Inu, and, of course, various Sanrio and Anime characters that change monthly. If you dream of visiting such a place, be sure to book your spot online, as popular spots like the Pokemon Cafe are already fully booked even for September, and without a reservation, you won't even be allowed into the shopping area.

+1 Tip for Traveling with a Baby

For travelers with young children, a good tip is to bring a stroller that you wouldn't mind getting a bit beaten up. Unfortunately, the risk of strollers getting damaged during the trip is still quite high. So, we decided to buy a cheap and lightweight used stroller specifically for the journey, which we wouldn't feel as bad about if it got a little roughed up, unlike our expensive PegPerego, which was a small fortune. :D

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