I couldn’t be more thrilled to write a monthly column for SavvyTokyo on parenting in Japan. The culture and community mindset is so fascinating to me, and I see so much I’d like to emulate in raising my own children. Teaching them to be confident and independent is a major quality we noticed right from…
Category: Japan
Traveling with Two Through Tokyo
Things are looking a bit different in our household lately, with the arrival of a daughter! A second child also meant that traveling around to Japanese adventures became much, much harder. My son is still young enough that walking around to activities all day still wears him out, and he often wants to be carried…
Making Umeshu
In mid-June, we took part in one of my favorite Japanese traditions: making something to eat and drink. Japan is hugely focused on seasonal foods and treats, and umeshu (plum wine) is one of them. By June, all the ingredients to make your own plum wine at home were front and center in Japanese groceries. I…
Hakone Open Air Museum
About an hour or so outside Tokyo is Hakone, which might as well be another world. Nestled in the mountains and accessed by winding roads, Hakone is quite simply stunning. We took off on a gorgeous late Spring day for the Hakone Open Air Museum, which had come highly recommended. It didn’t disappoint. The day was…
Hattori Farm in Kanagawa
Just a short drive from Tokyo, we entered into what felt like another world with Hattori Farm. I’d been enticed by the rumor of pony rides, but when my friend and I arrived with our sons, we learned that they didn’t start until later in the season. Luckily, I hadn’t mentioned pony rides to my…
Taking a Toddler to Tokyo Disneyland
Disney is something of a running joke in our family. MBH grew up not far from Anaheim, home to the OG Disneyland, and I grew up not far from Orlando, home to the best one. When we first began dating and I lived in Los Angeles, we double-dated with two Disney-obsessed friends to both parks,…
Summer Treats in Japan!
Enjoying all the delicious treats we can find in Japan!
Spring & Summer Festivals in Japan!
Experiencing spring & summer through Japanese festivals!
Mario Kart in Tokyo!
If it’s ever been your dream to drive through the streets of Tokyo on a go-kart, dressed as a character from a video game, this post is for you! I’d seen this in the news well before we knew we’d ever move to Japan, and thought ‘how awesome.’ Little did I know that less than…
Learning Japanese at a Yochien!
Enrolling our son in a traditional Japanese yochien!
Kate Has Thoughts 