When you have hyperactive kids of pre-schooling age, travelling far and wide to a country like Japan will possibly be the last thing on your mind. Imagine the nasty meltdowns, the rude stares from strangers when your kids misbehave on the plane, and the sheer exhaustion from handling the kids while navigating your way around! It's really enough to turn you into a grumpy bear throughout the trip and force you to limit the next few holidays to staycations or nearby destinations. But all is not lost with proper planning and research. You CAN remain sane AND travel with your kids – just follow these 11 essential tips on how to survive Japan with pre-schoolers!
1. Plan for a more spread-out itinerary, if you can afford it.
When travelling with young kids, it's important to note that they don't do very well with a busy itinerary. Ambitiously squeezing three or four attractions within a day will quickly zap the kids of their energy and make them extremely prone to meltdowns. You could perhaps aim for one or at most two attractions per day over an extended period – if you can afford the leave. At a more relaxed pace, you and the kids are most likely to enjoy the day out without having to stress with time limits and rushing between multiple attractions!
2. Avoid red-eye flights, go for day flights instead.
Almost everyone on red-eye flights will want to sleep onboard the plane. The last thing you want to happen here is for your child – who refuses to go to sleep when the lights go dim – runs amok up and down the aisle. Or screams non-stop for two hours. Or keeps pressing the call button maniacally. Or something like that, you know, the stuff of nightmares. Since Japan is most probably a good 6-to-8-hour flight from where you're at, it makes good sense to fly out in the early morning, and arrive at your destination in the mid-afternoon. So to avoid the damning glares of sleep-deprived fellow passengers, book a day flight instead!
3. Avoid evening rush hour crowds by staying the night at the airport.
We know how stressful it is to travel with young kids, what more if you land in a city like Tokyo where the infamous peak hour rush (or crush) is described at best as hellish. If you do choose the day flight to Japan and land mid-afternoon, you can avoid the peak hour crowds on subways and trains by staying the night at or near the airport. Moreover, you and your family will be well-rested by the next morning and ready to conquer the day! 
4. Don't leave the strollers at home!
It may seem like a drag to bring strollers on a holiday, but they are literally lifesavers! This is especially true when your pre-schoolers still nap in the afternoon, or when those tired legs give up after a long day out. The key is to prevent your kids from getting too exhausted, hence averting potential outbursts! And not to worry, most train stations have elevators, while the Japanese are typically quick to give a hand should you need to carry the strollers up or down a short flight of steps. 
5. Post your heavy luggage to the hotel!
Say you are travelling as a family of two adults and two children. You and your spouse would be pushing one stroller each. So who will be handling the luggage? Gasp! Ideally, cabs are the way to go when travelling with young kids and heavy luggage but then cab fares in Japan are notoriously expensive! Here's an idea...you could post your luggage to your next destination! Companies dealing in takuhaibin (goods delivery service) like Yamato Transport or Sagawa Express can be conveniently found in the arrival lobbies of most Japanese airports. 
6. Book a residence with a washing machine, or use the coin laundry service!
When travelling with young kids, it's no surprise that dirty laundry tends to pile up FAST, given their knack for messing their clothes during mealtime and playtime. But here's a tip - save your sanity and your luggage space by booking an accommodation with a washing machine, or make use of the coin laundry service found in most Japanese hotels. Coin-operated washing machines and dryers cost only about 1000yen per load – a steal considering how expensive normal hotel laundry services are! 
7. Ride the shinkansen (bullet train) for inter-city travel.
When travelling cross-country in Japan, forget about dragging your kids through cramped overnight buses or expensive domestic flights. Instead, acquaint your kids to the romance of train travel by riding the shinkansen! These high-speed trains, well-known for their to-the-second punctuality and unblemished safety records, are also very comfortable and spacious – great for families with kids who need more space to stretch and move around! Not to mention, the relatively silent cars are a boon if your kids wish to nap. Otherwise, they could simply soak up the ever-changing scenery that comes with a train journey. Lastly, don't forget to leverage on a multitude of rail passes and discounts, which is definitely very cost-effective when travelling in a larger group with kids. 
8. Keep 'em tummies full!
A hungry man is an angry man – we say a hungry child is a recipe for disaster! Let your kids fuel up on free-flow food by going for all-you-can-eat halal buffets! A popular lunch option in Japan, Viking-style buffets will keep your child well-fed throughout the day so you'll encounter less crankiness and meltdowns. 
9. Consider visiting animal attractions!
It's no secret that kids love animals. Include animal attractions in your itinerary, and watch your kids squeal with delight as they get up close and personal with all creatures great and small! We were in Western Japan recently, and these are some of our best recommendations for animal attractions here!
Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN
Rokkosan Pasture
Miyajima Island
10. Visit world-class theme parks!
If there's one thing that could make your child super-excited, it's the thought of visiting a theme park! And what's a visit to Japan without bringing the kids to world-famous theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan (USJ)? A trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without a visit to the "Happiest Place on Earth"! [Arm yourself with our 8 Tips to Planning the Perfect Tokyo Disneyland Trip]
11. Stay at a kids-themed room!
It'd be icing on the cake for a kid-friendly vacation if you choose to stay at a kids-themed room! In fact, Tokyo Disney Resort has a fine array of Disney-themed hotels like Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel, and Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta – all for your children to complete their Disney experience. However, if budget doesn't permit, we highly recommend the more affordable Happy Magic rooms at the Hilton Tokyo Bay which is located very near to Tokyo Disney Resort. 
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