Buzz
For adults:
- Firstly, it's advisable to purchase a JR pass (available at: https://www.japan-rail-pass.com).
- Next, consider renting a pocket wifi device. This compact gadget, similar to a power bank, can last nearly a day on a single charge, ensuring seamless 24/7 online connectivity. Rent one here: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html. Priced at 5,600 Japanese yen, it's convenient to pick up and return at any airport, such as Osaka's, and drop it off at Narita without hassle.
- Travel insurance.
- Passport and cash. Travelling with a baby requires ample cash preparation.
- Medication: Ensure to pack various types of medication like vitamin C, headache relief, and nasal decongestants. It's crucial to maintain good health beforehand, especially when caring for young children. In Vietnam, obtaining medication without a prescription is feasible, unlike in Japan where pharmacies mainly stock herbal remedies, and language barriers pose additional challenges as English isn't commonly spoken.
For babies:
Sharing insights about my 18-month-old son who still enjoys porridge and soft foods. In Japan, he can also indulge in soft rice, noodles, and various delicacies during our day-long outings. However, traveling to countries like Thailand or Singapore makes feeding much simpler and worry-free.
- Porridge: Opting for 250ml packs of fish, crab, or chicken-flavored porridge, priced at 95,000 VND each, ensures a nutritious meal. To add variety, I include soft rice, udon noodles, or Japanese rice which are easy to digest.
- Travel high chair: Bringing along a compact, lightweight high chair that fits in the suitcase simplifies mealtime. Our household rule is once it's mealtime, he sits in his chair and eats without much fuss. This portable chair saves a lot of time. Our little one, Hehe, eats like he's checking in for a flight, ensuring he finishes his meal before we proceed with our outings.
- Mug, spoon, and thermal flask: These essentials make it easy to carry porridge everywhere, allowing him to eat conveniently, whether in the park sitting on the stroller or on-the-go.
- Warm clothing: Never trust friends or the weather; I always pack warm clothes for my child to ensure they stay cozy. This extra layer is never redundant, especially during colder seasons.
- Anti-rash spray, diaper rash cream, baby wipes (since we'll be on the move a lot, I prefer not to rely solely on wet wipes), bottle cleanser, wide-neck bottles (easy to hand wash without needing a bottle brush), baby shampoo, lotion for body and face, insect repellent...
- Diapers: Bring plenty along; don't assume Japan has all types of diapers available. It's a common misconception as it depends on the drugstore. Pack at least enough for the first 4 days in case of climate changes or stomach upsets causing diaper rash.
- Formula milk (my child drinks Glico), fresh milk is widely available there, giving two boxes a day and pure juice from there.
- Medication:
- Physiological saline nasal spray, nasal aspirator (forgot to bring initially, had to use mouth suction), saline nasal spray.
- Probiotics, fever reducers, antibiotics (I know many advise against using antibiotics, but in this situation, being in a foreign country, it's necessary. It's best to check health conditions before traveling and seek advice from a doctor). Cough syrup isn't necessary to bring along because if it's a mild cough, you can easily buy Muhi at the drugstore, the red bottle type.
- Wet wipes are available everywhere, no need to worry.
- Baby masks are widely accessible.
- Allergy medication is crucial. During our trip, Hehe developed an allergy, requiring two doctor visits costing 15,000 yen (around 3 million VND) and 56,000 yen (around 11.2 million VND) respectively, all due to pollen allergies. Having allergy medication on hand would have resolved everything. Symptoms of pollen allergy include watery eyes, swollen and red eyes, runny nose, frequent sneezing, and mild fever. Additionally, even in hospitals here, hardly anyone speaks English except for international hospitals, making medical consultations and treatments very challenging.
2. Other Small Notes:
Story 1:
One person in our group ran out of phone battery and asked a woman if they could share a charging port for a bit, but she bluntly replied: No!
On the first day, due to not having a thermos and being out all day, I went to 3 places to ask for some hot water to warm up porridge, but was bluntly told: No!
A child in our group wanted to eat spaghetti but only the pasta without sauce, struggled to order, with some restaurants even saying: No! and refusing the request.
Or when our group wanted to take leftover noodles from a restaurant, they also said: No!
In general, I've noticed that Japanese people won't help if it involves responsibility or future consequences, or simply if it's too much trouble. So, it's best to prepare everything yourself. Actually, I think it's because of their discipline that their country has developed to this level. There's nothing we can do if we don't prepare adequately and end up bothering others.
Story 2:
Both hotels I stayed at in Kanazawa and Tokyo didn't clean the rooms thoroughly like in other countries; they only made the bed and took out the trash. And the trash must be placed inside the bin; they won't pick up trash left outside. The same policy applied when I stayed at the Nikko Hotel (a Japanese hotel) in Taiwan.
Guest privacy comes first, and everything must be in its proper place.
Story 3:
People with tattoos are often stared at here. My husband once frightened an old lady, who reported to the police, and two officers questioned him in Tokyo just because of his tattoo. The hotel in Kanazawa even prohibited tattooed guests from using the hot spring, depriving us of this experience. Quite upsetting.
Story 4:
There are some truly culture-shocking moments for me.
When dining in Kyoto, we encountered a restaurant with a sign outside stating: “Foreigners visiting ban! you guys are not so welcome”.
Furthermore, no noise is tolerated. Once, while on a train from Kanazawa to Tokyo, I played YouTube for Hehe as he wasn't feeling well, but even at volume level 3, which wasn't loud, I still got cautioned.
In some places, squat toilets are still common. However, on the bright side, public restrooms always have spacious diaper changing rooms equipped with changing tables, sinks, and sanitation facilities.
Convenience stores are abundant everywhere, ensuring no one goes hungry or thirsty. They've established a system where everyone can manage their own affairs without needing assistance.
If it were just a normal vacation for a romantic couple, I would really love this country, I think. But with a baby and encountering troubles, everything becomes a different story. You encounter a more demanding, unfamiliar Japan.
Everything has its pros and cons. Here, I feel at ease knowing I won't be cheated, I don't need to be constantly vigilant, and I don't have to be on edge all the time. I still appreciate and like Japan, and I'll come back again to enjoy what I missed.
According to Ngôi Sao
***
Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourMay 27, 2016
