Here’s a breakdown of our Japan 2024 itinerary.
Travel details
Flight details
Singapore to Tokyo
Total travel time: 6hrs 45mins
Boeing 777-300ER
Tokyo to Singapore
Itinerary
Traveling with kids has taught us many things, but one big lesson is this: slow down. Give time to explore, rest, and just be. Because of that pacing, during our 2023 Japan trip, there were two places we really wanted to visit but couldn’t squeeze in — Mount Fuji and Hokkaido.
So… here we are again. Back in the Land of the Rising Sun for new adventures as a family.
28 & 29 Nov | Journey to Mount Fuji
We took an early morning flight from Singapore to Tokyo — way too early for us, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. The kids were thrilled though, happily glued to their shows for the entire flight.
We landed around 5pm, grabbed some food, sent luggage ahead to Hokkaido via Yamato, collected our rental car… and by the time we were done, it was already past 7pm. That meant a 3-hour drive to our Airbnb in Tsuru.
We chose a place way off the beaten path (read: super ulu 😅). When we arrived, it was pitch dark, 2°C, and we still had to walk about 100m from the car to the house. Doing that with three overtired kids in near-total darkness was… memorable, to say the least.
The house itself was a converted weaving factory with very high ceilings — beautiful, but freezing. It was almost as cold inside as it was outside while waiting for the heater to warm the place up. Everyone bathed with chattering teeth, changed, and promptly knocked out.
Because we arrived so late, we slept in the next morning till we 自然醒 — almost 11am. Winter mornings are slow: too cold to change, lots of moisturising, and packing a mountain of stuff before heading out. We finally made it out for lunch at 1pm.
Oh! And we had two resident goats, Latte & Mocha, just outside our accommodation. The kids hung out with them before we left for the day.
We drove around the area, found a lovely sushi place with a view of Mount Fuji, and spent the afternoon just exploring and taking photos. Our favourite shots were during sunset — capturing Mount Fuji behind us as a family 😍
A chill and laid-back start to Japan 2024.
30 Nov | Makaino Farm Resort
Makaino Farm Resort was one of those places that ticked all the boxes:
- Farm animals
- Playgrounds
- Open space
- Stunning Mount Fuji views everywhere
The kids immediately ran off to feed and pat animals — rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, cows — and even tried milking a very reluctant cow.
Things we loved:
- Endless swings, hammocks, flying fox, playgrounds
- Rolling down grassy slopes
- Dedicated photo spots with Mount Fuji as the backdrop (they even provide phone stands!)
- Wide open space where we could just take our time
If you’re exploring the Mount Fuji area, don’t miss this place. We enjoyed every minute there.
1 Dec | Gotemba Premium Outlet
This was our “shopping day” to prep for the snowboarding leg of the trip, and we knew the kids wouldn’t love it. So we planned good food to keep morale high.
Lunch was at Fukunoya, where the soba and katsu were excellent:
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/kyRs2KTXhedhkFjd7
Then off to Gotemba Premium Outlet. Sunday crowds were intense — traffic jams just to reach the carpark, followed by lots of walking. We didn’t manage to find the playground until the very end, so it was mostly… walk, shop, snap photos of Mount Fuji, repeat.
Unsurprisingly, this was voted the least favourite Mount Fuji activity by the kids 😅
But dinner saved the day.
Yakiniku at Omura, just 10 minutes away:
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/qxcdPraqc2fiZKjg7
The Miyazaki beef was incredible — melt-in-your-mouth goodness 🤤
2 Dec | Fuji Safari Park
Fuji Safari had been on my list for a long time, and it did not disappoint.
The highlight was the Jungle Bus, which brings you into the safari in a caged vehicle. We even got to feed bears, lions, and a camel.
When we arrived at 11am, the earliest Jungle Bus slot was 1.15pm, so we explored the rest of the park first — feeding capybaras, porcupines, spider monkeys, and white kangaroos.
Feeding the lion was unreal. It opened its mouth and stared right at us, waiting for the meat 😳
Even as adults, we loved this place. We frequent Singapore Zoo, but this experience felt very different. Bonus: since December is Kiara’s birthday month, she got free entry 🎉
After the park closed at 3.30pm, we found a huge playground with Mount Fuji views:
📍 Fuji Juku-no-Mori
A perfect way to end the day. Thank you Jesus for it all 🙏
3 Dec | Fuji-Q Highland
The kids were beyond excited for Fuji-Q.
We bought the afternoon pass (from 1pm), but honestly, it wasn’t enough time. Ken and I had to split up because of height restrictions, but everyone still had a blast.
Highlights included:
- Panic Clock
- Zokkon
- Eejanaika
- Cool Japan (twice!)
- Thomas Land for Kiara
Aurora was especially disappointed not to ride Fujiyama due to long queues, but overall, Fuji-Q definitely captured the girls’ hearts.
We hope we’ll be back someday 🤞🏼
4 Dec | Oshino Hakkai & Onshirin Playground
Oshino Hakkai was beautiful but very crowded with tour groups. We walked around, took photos, grabbed food, and left once it became overwhelming.
At Lake Yamanaka, Mount Fuji hid behind clouds, but we met wild swans instead.
Then we found Onshirin Garden, a massive playground with elaborate wooden structures and an insanely long roller slide. The kids didn’t want to leave — but there were no lights, so we had to drag them away at sunset 😢
Back home, we grilled fresh beef, packed up, and prepared for the next leg.
5 & 6 Dec | Goodbye Mount Fuji, Hello Hokkaido 👋
We drove to Narita for a night before flying out. Along the way, we stopped at:
📍 Koganei Park Energetic Mountain Playground
Snowboards were purchased at Murasaki Sports at the popular ski & snowboard street in Ogawamachi. We returned the rental car late (extra day paid 🥹), stayed one night at a hotel near the airport,Narita Tobu Hotel, and off we went on Peach Airlines the following day.
Landing in Hokkaido, the kids finally saw falling snow — pure joy.
Another long drive to Furano, but we made it.
7–10 Dec | Furano Ski Resort
We prayed hard for snow — fluffy snow, not icy slopes — and God answered.
Early season, but enough runs were open for the kids to practice. Everyone had their own goals, and Furano was perfect for easing back into skiing and snowboarding.
We also visited Ningle Terrace, magical both day and night.
Peaceful Airbnb, home-cooked dinners, soup curry one night — Furano treated us well 🥰
11–20 Dec | Kiroro, Lake Toya & Challenges
Driving in winter was no joke. Road closures, low visibility, skidding cars — we prayed constantly for safety.
Kiara’s birthday was celebrated with yakiniku, and we snowboarded with friends at Kiroro, including night skiing.
A heavy snowfall day brought us to Lake Toya, where we arrived exhausted but fell in love with our Airbnb instantly.
We explored Rusutsu and Annupuri, slowing down as the trip neared its end.
17 Dec | Skiing Accident
This day reminded us how quickly things can change.
Aurora fell on a gentle slope, twisting her leg badly. God’s hand was evident throughout — quick help, English-speaking staff, medical care before clinic closure, and no hospitalization needed.
We’re incredibly thankful.
18 & 19 Dec | Back to Tokyo, Then Home
On 18 Dec, we flew from Sapporo back to Tokyo and stayed one night at an airport hotel near Narita, Narita Tobu Hotel. After everything that had happened over the past few days, this stop felt necessary — no rushing, just resting, repacking, and taking a breath before the long journey home.
The next day, 19 Dec, we flew back to Singapore, bringing our Japan 2024 trip to an end. It was a long journey, filled with early mornings, long drives, snow, laughter, tears, and plenty of answered prayers.
