@travelwithkids3: Uncomfortable truth: polite doesn’t always mean kind. If you’re travelling Japan with kids, especially on trains, public transport and in busy metro areas, this is something families need to hear — because no one really talks about it. Japan loves babies. But kids? They’re often barely tolerated. We experienced hushing, head-shaking, stares and visible frustration simply for existing as a family in public spaces. This isn’t Japan-bashing. I’ve been travelling to Japan since the 1990s and have returned multiple times with my own three kids at different ages. I love the country — the food, culture, safety and experiences are incredible. But polite ≠ kind. Much of the politeness is non-confrontational, and with overtourism increasing, that patience is clearly wearing thin — especially toward tourists and families. I’m sharing this so parents aren’t blindsided by the myth that ‘Japanese people are always kind and lovely’ and left feeling embarrassed, stressed or like they’re doing something wrong. Other countries face mass tourism too — and still manage to meet families with warmth, smiles and understanding. And despite all of this… we still love Japan and can’t wait to go back. Just with clearer expectations. Family travellers — what was YOUR experience in Japan? #JapanWithKids #FamilyTravelReality #HonestTravel #JapanTravelTips #travellingwithkids

Andy :

turn the music down

Emily Laura :

I never had a single thing like this happen when I took my twins to Japan. I think this is more about how the children are behaving, than the Japanese people.

M.pep :

I think it probably depends on how well your kids cope/behave when overwhelmed/overstimulated in crowds. I’ve taken my kids a bunch of times with no drama, but I’ve got really easy kids. I’m sure if your kids don’t handle travel as well it would be harder.

alyak :

its good to give people a heads up. Japan expects you as tourists to come and visit to experience their culture, not expect them to cater to your needs. whether thats food allergies or your expectations of how things would better suit you. children in japan have so much structure from young. kids in Australia have free reign to play and scream and be boisterous. nothing wrong with either, just very different. but it is good to manage your expectations before going there and to learn the basic polite behaviours japan expects of you. we experienced a culture shock when we got there and we thought we had done lots of research. can only do your best and be kind and try to enjoy the positives of the experience

KRS 🇺🇸🇨🇦 :

My kid is quiet and respectful (in public 😁)

Shirley 子萱 ✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮ :

It’s so weird how there are so many comments saying they rarely see children. I’ve been living here for three months now and all I see are children.

Aaron Bentley :

There also isn’t many children out and about in Japan. Even at the childish attractions, (theme parks, arcades, Pokémon centres etc) there are adults everywhere. I actually don’t think I saw any children at the Harry Potter Studios.

MISS GISELLE :

My 7yo said mama, where’s all the kids? Honestly didn’t even see that many kids at the theme parks 😅

curly.k8 :

I took my kids with zero issues, but my kids aren’t rude or loud 🤷🏻‍♀️Locals were actually friendly and talked to my kids. We went in 2023

Notherefortiktok :

I travelled with my kids, 4 and 5 and everyone was absolutely lovely. They were always surprised to see our young kids, but they were always very accommodating and lovely.

ugcbydinamarie :

My kids are 4 and 6 and we experienced this too on public transportation and once in a fast food restaurant. Despite those experiences we still want to go back too!

Dheenulmeera :

The music is overpowering

Eve Telehealth :

We just went in June and didn’t have this experience at all

bronte :

This seems like a very sad place. I used to tell my husband we should go to Japan. But I’ll skip it. Italy and Spain are family friendly and beautiful.

mewtoorad :

charleyellaulale :

I went at 17 and noticed you don’t see kids out and about much and if they are, they are to be seen and not heard. I really want to take my kids but waiting until they get a bit older so they behave and also so the can absorb more and appreciate the culture etc

tl :

Low birth rate in Japan. Also, kids in Japan are taught to be quiet and obedient when out with their parents in Japan.

KMB :

Mine were 14/11/7 and we had no issues.

KuntyKrabs :

I mean, are your kids shouting in quiet spaces?

Debatingaftershock :

To be honest it depends on where you are 🥰, definitely in public spaces (where obviously most visitors will go) they are expected to have a high maturity and follow a lot of rules. Visitors either don’t know or don’t want to help their kids know the rules (fair enough cause they are visiting). All you can do is try your best. Kids aren’t robots or pets to dominate and control. Yes we need to understand we have our own responsibility when visiting, but we can only help guide and correct kids.

Curiousintheburbs :

A Japanese family lived in our town for three years. There one child had food allergies. The mom, who was an allergist, could not get over how much kinder Americans were to her son about his allergies than people in his homeland. So this does not surprise me.

Meg :

Thank you for the heads up. It's hard with young kids, they're not robots

whiskandwardrobe :

Would you recommend to rent a car instead? My son is on the spectrum with low needs but I’m Latin and wouldn’t appreciate the disdain when he is stimming

shreemadden :

💯 agree. here at the moment and its so hard because we find our self shushing etc when actually kids arent doing anything wrong. again in saying this we love it! it feels so safe with the kids.