Mblog Notes: Traveling with baby in Tokyo Japan

From 2nd November 2010 - 20th November 2010 I was in Tokyo traveling with 10 months old baby, and I thought I share some of the experience which you may find it useful if you are planning to travel to Tokyo with baby.

1. Flight

We flew with Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 from London Heathrow to Tokyo Narita. Be sure to check-in early and if you are lucky with no other babies on board you can get the entire row DEFG for you.
Be sure to check out Seat Map link, notice access to Lavatory with baby changing table.

We didn't book infant food in advance but luckily we had enough food jars for the entire 12 hours flight, which we had to open and taste it during security check.

Some tips below:

Bassinets: Skycots are available infants up to 12 months old and Child Care Chairs are available for children ages 6-36 months; reserve one for your infant through Virgin Atlantic and confirm you are seated in the proper seating area.
Baby Changers: Diaper changing tables are available on most long-haul aircraft. Ask Virgin Atlantic for more information.
Food: Infant food is available but must be reserved before your flight's scheduled departure; request baby food at time of booking.

2. Car Seat & Pushchair

Should we take both car seat and pushchair?
We have Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix with Quinny Zapp travel system. They are both extremely versatile. Quinny Zapp can be folded into a small bag.

After checking some Car Seat Regulation in Japan we decided just took the Car Seat so we can bring an extra baggage. We also thought that it will be hassle having pushchair to go in and around Tokyo Subway, which turn out to be a good decision which I will explain later

Infant Baggage Allowance

Be sure to check infant baggage allowance according to your airlines.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/passengerinformation/baggage/allowances.jsp
Passengers travelling with children or infants will be entitled to take one fully collapsible pushchair or a car seat in addition to their free checked baggage allowance. Infants not entitled to a seat are now entitled to one piece of checked luggage weighing no more than 23 kilos. They are also entitled to one piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 6 kilos. Extra baggage cannot be purchased for infants on any route.

2. Getting around Tokyo

Tokyo is the largest metropolis in the world, so expect lots of people! but the transport system probably one of the best in the world and the train is almost never late even during rush hours!

Baby Carrier

I found the most practical getting around Tokyo in public transport is to use baby carrier which can be strapped to your chest. Get the one which can be faced forward as well as facing you. Here is picture of mine getting out from Tokyo Metro with baby carrier.

Tokyo Subway

If you are staying in downtown Tokyo, you are probably is going to use Subway a lot here are some basic information from Tokyo Metro website.
Most station has lift from lobby to platform but it's not stairs free to the street level, hence why Baby Carrier is great, the only downside is you'll get tired :-)

Inside busy Tokyo Subway

Public Toilet & Baby Changing

Most Subway station has a toilet with baby changing facility. Public toilet in tokyo is generally clean by any standards.

Taxi

Taking taxi is not the cheapest option but here are some useful tips getting a taxi in Tokyo

Fare
From the beginning of your journey, until you get to the 2km mark, the initial fare is usually ¥710. From then on, for every 274m traveled, add on another ¥80. If you get stuck in traffic, not an unheard of eventuality in Tokyo - you can add on another ¥80 for approximately every 2 minutes of being stationary.

How about the baby?
The driver doesn't seems care if you carry Baby in the backseat without Car Seat as long as the baby is strapped to you.

3. Staying

Land price in Tokyo is astronomical so expect a small room, unless you are staying in one of those luxury hotels. We're staying in Selmeas Inn Nihonbashi which is a basic economic hotel located in the central area. Some review from Trip Advisor here

The room is small but clean, it has Japanese size bath instead of shower, carpet and relatively child friendly, and it has built-in water boiler to warm up the baby food in the room. This hotel has no restaurant but they will give you 300 Yen voucher to spend at the Lawson convenient store next to the hotel every day.

4. Food

Convenient Store
Tokyo is surrounded by convenient stores, almost in every corner of the town they sell hot / cold food and drinks and bits and bobs mostly for office worker, but THEY DON'T SELL BABY FOOD AND NAPPY.

You might be able to find nappy from selected drug stores around Tokyo but I found it's not easy to find.
So be sure you bring lots of baby food at least for the first few days until you get familiar with the town.

Baby Food & Nappy

The best place to stock nappy and buy baby food is Akachan Honpo Level 5 of KiT Arcade just outside Kinshicho Station.

Sumida Ward, Tokyo Kinshi Arukakitto 5F 2-2-1 Kinshicho
Phone 03-3829-5381
Opening Hours 10:00 to 21:00