Kodomo to Tabiiku

The Best Ski Hotels in Japan for Families, Ranked

Eight Japanese ski hotels ranked after several seasons of family skiing: Park Hyatt Niseko, ANA InterContinental Appi, Akakura Kanko, LOTTE ARAI, Zao Kokusai, NASPA, Tateshina Tokyu and RISONARE Tomamu.

2026.08.12

Travel Guides

The Best Okinawa Hotels for Families, Ranked

Okinawa hotels for families, ranked after several trips: HOSHINOYA Okinawa, Hotel Shigira Mirage and Halekulani Okinawa — plus why the July to September high season is the wrong time to go.

2026.08.12

Travel Guides

How a Working Mum in Japan Stopped Dreading Dinner

Meal kits, batch-cooking services, takeaway and baby food in Japan, honestly compared by a full-time working mother who does not enjoy cooking.

2026.08.12

Other

The Two GPS Trackers We Use for Our Daughter in Japan

Two child GPS trackers we actually use in Tokyo: Mitene Mimamori GPS for location, battery life and a genuinely good app, and BoT Talk for when your child wants to hear your voice.

2026.08.12

Gear

BUB RESORT Yatsugatake: More Fun Than a Theme Park

A family review of BUB RESORT Yatsugatake: a relentless activity programme run by the crew, an old building and ordinary food — and a child who cried when it was time to leave.

2026.08.12

Travel

Lucy Kiki, Izu Kogen: Glamping Built for Children

A family review of Izu Kogen Onsen Lucy Kiki: kids glamping rooms with a tent and hammock on the balcony, resident cats, excellent food, and Izu Granpal Park to wear everyone out first.

2026.08.12

Travel

FUFU Kawaguchiko: A Hotel That Works for Adults and Children

A family review of FUFU Kawaguchiko near Mount Fuji: all-suite rooms with their own open-air baths, unusually thoughtful restaurant seating, and kayaking on Lake Kawaguchi.

2026.08.12

Travel

NASPA New Otani: Skiing Ninety Minutes from Tokyo

NASPA New Otani in Echigo-Yuzawa: just over an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen, ski-in ski-out, and a rental plan that means you can travel with no equipment at all. Skiing only, no snowboards.

2026.08.12

Travel

USJ with Kids: The VIP Tour, and Why We Stayed at the Ritz-Carlton

Why the five-hour USJ VIP tour is better value than the eight-hour one, how the wristband keeps working all day, and why the Ritz-Carlton Osaka beats the parkside hotels.

2026.08.12

Travel

WITH THE STYLE FUKUOKA: The Hotel We Go Back To

A family review of WITH THE STYLE FUKUOKA: seven minutes on foot from Hakata station, excellent food and lounge, and the one room layout to avoid if you are travelling with a child.

2026.08.12

Travel