I’m told the best time to go to Japan is in the spring. The weather is ideal, and the cherry blossoms are blooming to perfection. But for me, Japan is just a logical next adventure for my family anytime of year. Here’s why:
1. The food. We’re into it. I make onigirazu for my kids' lunch. Sushi is always the first choice when dinner out is offered, and well, don’t get me started on our love of ramen. Additionally, learning customs and etiquette from other cultures helps us all become global citizens.
2. Trains. You can travel nearly everywhere in Japan via train, which makes a laid-back journey for the entire family.
3. With samurai castles, serene forests and anime-filled cities abuzz with excitement, a trip to Japan will be like our imaginations come to life. Plus it offers a little temple serenity for an always-searching mom.
But with so much wonder to choose from, how do I narrow down the perfect journey? Well, I like to start with the best places to visit. For me, the heavy hitters are Hokkaidō (because I want to ski and see the macaques in the hot springs), Kyoto (because I want to walk the Fushimi Inari pilgrimage circuit), Tokyo (because I want to get caught up in the vibes of all these neighborhoods) and Yakushima (for the ancient cedar forests). I also want to visit the Southwest Islands but, as Coco Chanel said, you must always take one thing out. Now, to figure out this train system.
