Here is some context for my decision to make a journey to Japan. The trip was in my thoughts because of my daughter’s (D) and son-in-law’s (SIL) encouragement over the last five years. It wasn’t until they had a baby late in life, that I believed it might be a good opportunity to join them for a portion of their long trip back to Japan. My little granddaughter (GD) was born in March, so that made her a bit over 6 months when we started our trip and it was very different from any other for me, not just because it took place in the Far East and I had never been there, but because I was traveling as a family unit with an infant.The only other time I traveled with an infant was nearly 50 years ago when my oldest daughter was 11 months old and we flew from Honolulu to New York.
SIL is fluent in Japanese - he taught English in Japan during his last couple of college semesters. My daughter knows some of the language, but relies on her husband to translate. This trip was my daughter’s third one to Japan after meeting her husband. They are traveling in Japan for 1 1/2 months; my trip was 7 days on the ground.
Flying direct on All Nippon Airways (ANA) from SeaTac to Haneda was a breeze, even with an infant. D and SIL booked bulkhead seats where a drop down bassinet for baby was provided. My chosen aisle seat was 3 rows back for ease in offering help if needed.
We chose mostly business type hotels for their proximity to train stations and for all the amenities with fantastic buffet breakfasts.The Onsen hotel in Akiu was great for relaxing after two chaotic days in Tokyo. We all had JR (Japan Rail) passes for ease in accessing the trains we needed. We also traveled by local bus and taxi.
Tokyo 9/29-10/1
Accommodations:
Etsu Apartments, Family Suite: Western Queen for me (I don’t sleep on the floor anymore), Five futons for D SIL and GD, great kitchenette if we wanted to cook, divider doors between my bed and the futons
Meals that stood Out:
chefs choice meal w/beautiful pottery, udon at government cafeteria
Events/Activities:
Kitchen street shopping, Imperial Palace walk, chefs choice meal date w/SIL, admiring outside of Tokyo station
Akiu 10/1-10/3
Accommodations:
Taoya Akiu Onsen, very nice room w/Japanese screen, comfortable bed, choice of pretty robe for Onsen bath; drinks and snacks offered in the expansive lobby from 3-5 pm; fabulous breakfast buffet
Meals that stood Out:
Onsen provided buffet breakfast was outstanding; Japanese and Western style along with sake, champagne, whisky, various choices of juice/water, coffee
Events/Activities:
Enjoying the Onsen baths with my daughter, massage chairs in quiet area of hotel overlooking gardens, Nikka Whisky Distillery tour, Traditional Craft market creating kokeshi doll, lunch with friend, Shota, and apple orchard farm tour by Shota
Sendai 10/3-10/5
Accommodations:
The One Five Sendai, comfortable bed, fantastic breakfast for $13
Meals that stood Out: oysters in Matsushima, beef tongue late night dinner, Ekiben (train bento box) lunch for train ride
Events/Activities: babysat GD while D and SIL went to a sake bar then we met for a late night dinner; day trip by train and ferry to Matsushima, then had refreshing beer and fresh oysters, enjoying park for GD to crawl around and for beautiful photos