One month in Japan with a 2-year-old : our second family trip to Japan

In April 2025, my husband, our 2-year-old son, and I boarded a 16-hour flight from Brussels to Tokyo (with a layover in Bangkok) for our second family trip to Japan.

After falling in love with Japan during our first 2.5-week trip in April 2024, exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, we knew we had only scratched the surface. This time, we wanted to go deeper. Our goal ? A full month discovering Japan, both its iconic cities and peaceful countryside, while keeping things accessible and enjoyable for a toddler.

Why travel to Japan with a 2-year-old?

Japan is an ideal destination for families. The infrastructure is reliable and clean, locals are welcoming to children, and there’s a surprising number of toddler-friendly attractions, even in temples, art museums, and nature parks.

If you’re planning a family trrip to Japan, or wondering whether to bring your toddler along, trust us: it’s more than possible, it’s magical.

Our 1-month Japan itinerary with a toddler

We designed this trip to be fast-paced, but flexible, always considering nap times, meal breaks, and recovery days.

Full Itinerary

• • Tokyo – 4 nights (jet lag recovery, slow discovery, big city energy at toddler pace)

• • Nikko – 2 nights (tranquil forests, waterfalls, and impressive temples)

• • Kanazawa – 3 nights (charming gardens + a day trip to Shirakawa-go)

• • Okayama – 1 night (convenient stopover before island-hopping)

• • Naoshima – 1 night (famous art island, yes, even with a toddler!)

• • Okayama – 1 night (back again for a good night’s sleep and great udon)

• • Fukuoka – 4 nights (one of Japan’s most livable cities, full of parks and great food)
    
    
  • Hiroshima – 2 nights (Peace Memorial and museum)
    
    
  • Kyoto – 2 nights (short revisit of this timeless city
    
    
  • Fujisawa (Kamakura / Enoshima) – 3 nights (temples, beach, and aquarium fun)
    
    
  • Tokyo – 3 nights (one last taste of our favorite neighborhoods)

Transport

We used a 21-day Japan Rail Pass, which made moving across the country simple and cost-effective, even with a toddler and luggages. The train system in Japan is incredibly family-friendly. And of course, transport is free for kids under 12.

What we packed for Japan with a toddler

We traveled light but smart, bringing only what was essential to keep things mobile and stress-free.

Our packing list for 3 people :

• • 1 cabin-friendly stroller Perfect for airports and naps on the go.

• • 1 BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One (up to 15 kg) View it here

• • 1 70L backpack (Decathlon) See the product

• • 1 90L+10L backpack (Decathlon) See the product

• • 1 Fjällräven Kånken backpack See the bag

• • 1 mini backpack for our son Camille With his own selection of toys and books for the trains and downtime
    
    
  • 1 bed « My First Ready Bed », an all-in-one kids guest bed, combining an air mattress and a built-in duvet

Flying to Japan with a toddler: our experience

The Brussels–Tokyo flight (via Bangkok) took about 16 hours total. We scheduled night flights whenever possible, brought snacks, toys, and downloaded videos. While the flight was long, having a baby carrier and travel stroller really helped at every stage.

Looking for more tips to travel with kids in Japan ? I’ll be posting a dedicated article soon!

What’s coming next on the blog?

This post is just the introduction to our 1-month family adventure in Japan. Coming soon, I’ll be sharing:

• • Detailed posts for each city and region

• • Best Japan kids activities we discovered

• • How we packed efficiently for a toddler

• • Full breakdown of our Japan Rail Pass usage

• • Family-friendly food spots and what our toddler loved eating

Planning a family trip to Japan ? Curious about traveling Japan with a baby or toddler ? Stay tuned; or subscribe for more detailed posts !

Want to know what to pack for a long flight with a baby or a kid ? Read our article here, full of great and tested tips !

We can’t wait to tell you all about the magic of Japan, seen through the eyes of a 2-year-old explorer.