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Back when I was carefree and child-free, I left planning to the minimum. I felt that I had to be so responsible and follow organisational protocols and abide by best practices during my working life. When it came to those precious holidays where I could breathe and finally be my authentic self, I’d rather just go with the flow, like sats finding a route.
That was then.
Next month, I will spend some time in glorious Japan. Among the things I could do include a day trip to Kamakura. I have a back story for this.
You see, when my brother-in-law got married in Tokyo, my wife and I flew there to join my parents-in-law and attend his wedding. Since we had made it to Tokyo, we wanted to visit Kamakura, the ancient capital.
Just that on the day when we intended to explore it, it rained cats and dogs. Plan scrapped.
Many years later, I still endeavour to visit Kamakura - but with my two kids in tow. This necessitates some changes. First, I got to do research before the trip instead of arriving at my destination and just winging it on the stop.
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
  • DIY. Easily accessible via trains
  • Don’t drive. Route R134 is known for traffic jams.
  • But note that there are two 2 Kamakura Stations (JR & Enoden, both in the same location)
  • The Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass will take you to Enoden Kamakura Station, so it is not applicable for you if you intend to take the JR line
  • Hilly area, so lots of slopes and stairs. Take a bus whenever you can.
  • Lots of cafes to take it easy
  • Engage a volunteer guide here: https://kamakurawelcome.guide/en/
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple is within the vicinity of Kamakura Station. Then take a stroll on the Komachi dori back towards the station. You can enjoy street food here
  • Cyclists can rent electric bikes near the station and ride to places around Kamakura and the beachside path.
  • Travel from Kamakura to Hase via the Enoden Line (https://www.enoden.co.jp/en/train/station/hase/ ) to see the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) and go window shopping. Proceed to Hasedera which showcases a panoramic view of the coast.
  • Itinerary offered by Odakyu Railway (https://www.odakyu.jp/english/sightseeing/itineraries/Enoshima_kamakura_1day/)
Next, when it comes to Kamakura, it seems that the Great Buddha is a must-visit. But looking at the train schedules and considering the fatigue involved with handling two kids, I don’t think we have the capacity to travel to see the Great Buddha, even though it’s actually not situated very far from Kamakura Station. I will probably alight at the station and visit the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple and the adjoining shopping street, Komachi dori. Taking it slow, chilling at a cafe or two, tucking into snacks before rushing back to Tokyo.
The windows of opportunity are closed to travelling parents because they have to prioritise the welfare of their kids and calibrate their energies accordingly.
Are you able to travel as you used to before you became a parent? Have you taken to this new way of travelling because at the end of the day, the quality time spent with your kids trumps all?
It's harder up until they're out of diapers and car seats. Thankfully, it's a lot easier than it used to be, especially with food delivery and uber-like services everywhere. Use AI if you want ideas, and google translate to read menus and signs, airalo (and some bitcoin version, too but I forget) to get e-sim data for whatever country you're going to cheap.
There are definitely downsides to traveling with kids, like cost and having to accommodate their tastes, but there are upsides, too. You get a lot of discounts, for example, especially at museums and such in countries with few kids (like Japan!) It's also fun being with them and giving them memories. A picture in front of some iconic place is a lifetime memory. It's also really good for them to get exposed to different cultures.
Anyway, it's going to be harder, no doubt, but it's also more meaningful because you're doing the activity as a family. And don't underestimate how you'll look back on it. A trip like that is something that you'll be referencing for the rest of your life.
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Indeed, it’s fun to see the world anew and afresh through a kid’s eyes. Thanks for your perspective
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South Korea has a lower fertility rate than Japan. Many pediatricians will have to retire or change specialties
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Surprisingly, not that much. Maybe a little bit more planning, but having only one kid, it hasn't been that much of a hassle. Maybe the first 2 years before potty-training were bit more difficult, but now, closing in on 5 years of age, it's pretty much the same as before. We do a bit more activities that he likes, but even museums, expositions and other adult stuff, he has to put up with it if we as parents decide it is something we want to do. We're drinking less alcohol than before, too, but that's not necessarily because of the kid.
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That’s nice! I think what we do is to plan our travel schedule around the interests of our kids (Anpanman Centre, Pokemon Centre). I need to discuss your way with my wife at an appropriate time haha
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We go nowhere and do nothing, now.
However, our daughter's finally old enough that traveling is less of a pain, so we're going to go on our first real vacation this winter.
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Congratulations! I think waiting till she is independent enough might be worth it. I still have trauma left over from taking charge of luggages and TWO strollers on Shinkansen 🚅rides last year. So glad that the son doesn’t need a stroller this year.
Going on a skiing vacation, I presume.
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No, we're going to the beach.
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Enjoy!
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You too!
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The hard part is car seats in foreign countries
Domestic is easy
In Mexico they offer free car seat but when we called their bluff they didn’t know how to install it since they don’t have the latch system.
Indonesia said, hold my beer, baby
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Really? Isn’t Indonesia a Muslim country - and beer is supposed to be haram then?
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Tell me you haven’t been to Bali without telling me! Haha
But yes the rest of the country is Muslim
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I'm lucky cause I am still single. My travelling habits haven't changed a lot so ce I started travelling on my own.
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Amazing! What precautions do you take to preserve your own safety during your solo travels?
I loved travelling alone by myself too. I still did that when I was married haha
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24 sats \ 1 reply \ @gnilma 21 Nov
I don't think we really change anything before or after having kids. My wife and I had always thought that our decisions and activities shouldn't be made surrounding our children and that our children should accommodate us instead, because we are in charge. That had been the way they were raised and I guess there isn't much they can do about it.
We brought them on long hikes that tire them out to their bones, but they are running and jumping again after a good night sleep. We brought them on long road trips where we drove over 10 hours a day, several days in a row; they just sleep in the car when they get tired and talk with each other or stare out the car window when they get bored.
I do add in stops like playgrounds or science centers during trips to let them have fun, but that's after we visit the places my wife and I want to visit.
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I think it’s great that your children work out their muscles via hiking. Many young kids these days lack physical fitness and rigour due to their sedentary lifestyles
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i have often fantasized that my kids will be sent off to various countries for immersive education asap. i want them to learn how to remain mobile and think on their feet in order to escape human farming, which will no doubt escalate in the near future.
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Easy. Marry someone who is a foreigner.
That’s why my son gets to play in a Japanese kindergarten every December. Not that doing so will help him get out of the fiat system (since it’s just change of ingredients without changing the soup base), but at least he is exposed to different ways of thinking haha
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that's an excellent idea, private kindergartens with children from various backgrounds.
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Before I had kids, travelling meant hitchhiking. Going out on the road for weeks or months at a time with just a backpack and a small sleeping bag. Having kids changed EVERYTHING. Now I have a mini van and we stay in hotels, or camp out.
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Do you miss the old days sometimes?
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Used to, but not anymore. 8 years ago, when my wife and kids went out of state to visit my in-laws, I took one last hitchhiking trip. (this was before I has my minivan, or any car still) It was fun but it's amazing how a lot of people treated me like I was some sort of vagrant.
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