I wanted to share why we chose Japan for our family trip over Christmas 2024. We’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture, and experiencing it firsthand felt like a dream come true.

When I started planning our itinerary, I really wanted to make sure everyone had a “special day” that matched their interests. For the kids, the highlights were Tokyo DisneySea and the Nintendo Museum—luckily, we won the entry lottery for both! My husband, on the other hand, had his heart set on Kobe, mainly to savor the world-famous Kobe beef.

Hiroshima was at the very top of my bucket list. Honestly, it’s hard to put into words the emotions I felt while being there. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

We spent Christmas Eve in Hakone, and it was absolutely magical. Our place even had a private onsen—it was such a unique way to enjoy the holiday. That evening, we had a traditional Japanese dinner, complete with kimonos they provided us. It felt like stepping into a storybook. The next morning, after breakfast, we were taken to Lake Fuji to see the surrounding areas of Mt. Fuji. The views were breathtaking—it was one of those days I’ll always carry with me.

We wrapped up our trip in Osaka, just in time for New Year’s. Wow. The city was electric—so many people out celebrating, so much energy everywhere! The food was incredible, the streets were alive, and we made so many amazing memories.

Japan was Amazing!. I already miss the food, the walking, the trains… and I can’t wait to grab a bento box from a train station again. I know we’ll be back.