Landing in Japan as a family can feel overwhelming. You’ve just stepped off a long flight, you’re navigating immigration and trains for the first time, and your kids may be tired, hungry, or wide awake at 3 am.
What to do in your first 24 hours in Japan so your trip starts calm, confident, and stress-free
I created my Japan Day One Survival Guide for Families to walk you through exactly what to expect in your first 24 hours so instead of feeling flustered, you can ease into Japan and actually enjoy that first day.
Why the First 24 Hours Matter
Your arrival day sets the tone for the entire trip. When the first day goes smoothly:
- kids adjust to jet lag faster
- everyone eats and sleeps better
- decision fatigue is lower
- the rest of the trip feels easier
This guide doesn’t try to plan your entire vacation. It focuses on one thing only: helping your family land well.
What’s Inside the Japan Day One Survival Guide
This free PDF walks you step-by-step through your arrival day, including:
- What to expect at immigration and customs (and how to move through both smoothly)
- How to get from Narita or Haneda Airport to your hotel
- What to prepare before you land (maps, hotel info, eSIMs, cash)
- Easy food options your kids will actually eat on night one
- What to do before bed to reduce jet lag
- How to plan your first full day without overdoing it
- Helpful phrases, apps, and tools for families
It’s the guide I wish I’d had the first time we landed in Japan with kids.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for you if:
- you’re traveling to Japan with kids
- you’re nervous about transportation, food, or jet lag
- you want practical, real-life advice (not overwhelm)
- you want your first day to feel manageable and calm
How to Get the Guide
The Japan Day One Survival Guide is completely free and delivered straight to your inbox.
Inside, you’ll find practical tips to help you navigate your first day in Japan with confidence, including transportation advice, useful apps, money-saving tips, what to do when you land, and common mistakes to avoid.
This guide will help make your first day smoother and less stressful.
Simply click below and I’ll send it right over!
Get the Japan Day One Survival Guide HERE
Planning a Trip to Japan? 🇯🇵
📍 Get my Tokyo With Kids Map with 100+ family-friendly pins, personal notes, and custom map icons to help you spend less time researching and more time exploring.
📖 Download my Family Guide to Japan on a Budget for itineraries, accommodation recommendations, transportation tips, and budgeting advice.
📱 Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM from Airalo.
📸 Capture your trip with Flytographer. We booked family photos in Tokyo and they are always my favourite souvenir.
🌎 Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Planning a Trip to Japan?
If you’re in the middle of planning a trip, I’ve put together a number of posts based on our experience travelling Japan as a family of five.
You might find these helpful:
- 2 Weeks in Japan With Kids: Our Family Itinerary + Budget
- Is Japan Good for Teens? What My Teens Loved (and Didn’t)
- Eating on a Budget in Japan with Kids
- Where to Stay in Japan with Kids: 6 Places We Loved (and What We Paid)
- Where to Stay in Tokyo with Kids: Our Family of Five’s Favourite Apartment in Asakusa
- Planning a Trip to Japan with Kids? Here’s the Exact Guide We Used
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