A list of resources to get pumped for your family trip to Japan
Having an exciting travel adventure on the horizon fills me with so much joyful anticipation. To maximize that feeling for our upcoming family trip, I like to fully immerse the family in everything about the destination before heading there. See more about why you should “do homework” for a trip.
Here is a list of resources to get even more excitement out of your trip to Japan- both from being more prepared while you’re there, but the simple joy of looking forward to experiences ahead. And for more details on a Japan family itinerary, food tour recommendations, packing lists, see here.
Books
- Honeybunny the Unipuppy Visits Japan, our book that gets kids excited for the trip ahead, eating new foods, visiting temples, and journaling on the trip. More on Honeybunny here.
- Tokyo coffee table book
- Japan coffee table book
- Lonely planet Japan
- “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee – the book is fantastic and there is a show now too
- Memoirs of a Geisha is a wonderful book that really helps get deeper into the Geisha history, and appreciate the art. The movie was ok and not true to the book, but still worth a watch.
- Pure Invention a fascinating read through how Japanese Pop culture changed the world (hello videogames, walkmans, karaoke!)
Language learning
Movies/Shows
There is endless content that takes place in Japan! Here are just some highlights
Kids
- Anything Studio Ghibli, like “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away”
- “Old Enough!” a reality TV show that follows Japanese little kids while they run errands
- Anime of course!
- Spy Family is the cutest
- Pokemon, Narturo Shippuden probably the most famous and not as violent as the others
PG 13 +
- Anime:
- We liked Demon Slayer for parents and older kids (it’s pretty violent, but has good family themes- definitely not for little ones)
- “Tokyo Vice” (for adults, HBO)
- Tokyo Drift not the best Fast and the Furious, but entertaining nonetheless. My 12 year old is super into it
- Shoplifters
- First Love
- Memoirs of a Geisha
- 13 Assassins
Other buys
- Training chopsticks (get your kids used to chopsticks! We found ourselves without forks many times )
- Japan puzzle (fun activity before you leave)
- Tokyo Treat. One fun way to prep for the trip was through a subscription box through Tokyo Treat. It was a great way to get used to new tastes and also get excited for the trip ahead. It’s also a fun box to get after your trip to reminisce.
- Anime drawing class this was a fun activity for the kids over zoom, and I’ve also given this as a gift for friends that are far away as an activity to do together. Get $20 off here
For more details on a Japan family itinerary, food tour recommendations, packing lists, see here.
Do you prep for a trip? What other resources do you use? Let us know in the comments!
