Japan With Kids: Bullet Trains, Luggage Forwarding & Gluten-Free Travel (Part 2)

Our Japan with Kids update continues with Jo from The Tokyo Chapter, sharing practical advice on changes that could affect travelling families and answering the questions she and Sally hear most often.

How do you book the bullet train (Shinkansen)? Where should you sit, and how do you take luggage on board? Or better yet, how exactly does luggage forwarding work? Jo spells it all out, breaking down the little details that make travelling in Japan with kids so much easier.

In this episode:

· How to assess whether a JR Pass suits your itinerary.

· When Jo recommends booking bullet train seats ahead.

· Travelling on the Shinkansen with luggage.

· Hotel-to-hotel luggage forwarding and alternative services discussed by Jo.

· Mount Fuji views and the pressure to book the “right” seat.

· Family carriages and feeling comfortable travelling with babies.

· Credit-card train payments and transit cards such as Suica and Pasmo.

· Babysitting in Japan, including help during a Disneyland visit.

· Gluten-free travel, restaurant research and allergy communication.

· Why supermarkets and a kitchenette can be useful for families.

· Baby equipment Jo would reconsider packing.

· Jo’s Melbourne suggestions, Japanese snack pick and upcoming Okinawa episode.

Travel rules, attraction access, prices and booking systems can change. Check the relevant official information for your travel dates.

www.Byfood.com

Babysitting services

https://www.thetokyochapter.com/babysitters-in-tokyo/

Follow Jo on Instagram: @thetokyochapter

www.thetokyochapter.com

Follow Snacks and Suitcases on Instagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast

Follow Host, Sally Stanton on Instagram:

@sallynanamis

Enjoyed the episode?

Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review to help other families discover Snacks and Suitcases.

Snacks and Suitcases is an independentAustralian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and more fun.

AND

Don't forget your snacks!

snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Planning a trip to Japan with kids? From upcoming visa changes and tourist taxes to credit card hiccups and fines for naughty tourist behaviour, there’s plenty to keep up with. But there’s also a whole lot of fun to discover! This episode covers the family travel updates you need to know now, plus new attractions and experiences to add to your Japan wish list.

Jo McGregor from The Tokyo Chapter returns to Snacks and Suitcases to help families prepare for all the above changes plus she shares new theme park advice, places to stay and explorebeyond the usual attractions.

In Part 1, Sally and Jo discuss Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea planning, Universal Studios Japan, PokePark, familyaccommodation and cultural experiences, including a sumo show where children can participate AND even the opportunity to share a meal with a Japanese family.

Whether it’s your first Japan family holiday or you’re heading back for more, this conversation offers practical ideas for building a trip around your children’s interests.

In this episode:
• Tokyo Disney planning: the app, connectivity, ride priorities and Jo’s arrival strategy
• Universal Studios Japan booking considerations and Halloween with children
• Pokémon attraction entry requirements discussed in the interview
• Why carrying cash can help families enjoy smaller shops, stalls and activities
• Family apartment hotels in Osaka and longer-stay apartments in Tokyo
• Exploring Toyosu, Odaiba and different Tokyo neighbourhoods
• Sharing a meal with a Japanese family
• An interactive sumo experience for children
• Japan travel updates, including tax-free shopping and accommodation taxes

Coming in Part 2:
The JR Pass, booking bullet trains, babysitting services in Japan and travelling with allergies.

Travel rules, attraction access, prices and booking systems can change. Check the relevant official information for your travel dates.

Follow Jo on Instagram: @thetokyochapter

www.thetokyochapter.com

Follow Snacks and Suitcases onInstagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast

Follow Host, Sally Stantonon Instagram:

@sallynanamis

Enjoyed the episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review to help other families discover Snacks and Suitcases.

Snacks and Suitcases is an independent Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destinationinspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and more fun.

AND

Don't forget your snacks!

snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

What if, instead of spending parental leave at home navigating feeds, naps and explosive nappies, you packed up the baby, your partner AND the family dog and headed to Europe?

That’s exactly what Canadian travel writer Riana Ang-Canning from the travel blog, Teaspoon of Adventure, did.

Riana and her husband used parental leave to take their baby daughter and Chihuahua Ellie on an epic nine-month adventure, including an extended stay in London and France’s LoireValley.

In this episode, Sally and Riana talk about what long-term travel with a baby is really like, from flying long haul and maintaining sleep routines to slowing down, lowering expectations and learning that sometimes one activity a day is more than enough.

Riana shares why they chose to buy their baby her own plane seat, the disastrous day in Normandy that completely changed the way they travelled, her favourite family experiences inEurope and why travelling slowly made such a huge difference.

And they tackle that comment travelling parents hear all the time:

“But your baby won’t remember it, so why bother?” Riana has the perfect answer.

In this Episode:

• Taking parental leave to travel with a baby
• Long-term travel through Europe with a baby and dog
• Flying long haul with an infant
• Baby sleep and routines while travelling
• Why slow travel works so well with young children
• Managing expectations and travel FOMO
• Family-friendly experiences in France and London
• Why babies not remembering a holiday doesn’t mean it isn’t worth taking

As Riana says, his is your first trip with your baby, not your last.You don’t have to see everything, travel for nine months or go halfway around the world to make incredible family memories.

https://teaspoonofadventure.com/

Follow Riana on Instagram: @teaspoonofadventure

Follow Snacks and Suitcases onInstagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast

Follow Host, Sally Stanton oninstagram: @sallynanamis

If you enjoyed this episode andwould like to hear more, follow Snacks and Suitcases and leave a rating or review.

Snacks and Suitcases is an Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and morefun.

AND

Don't forget your snacks!

Catriona Rowntree’s Best Family Travel Tips: Jet Lag, Screen Time & Australia With Kids

What are the best family holidays in Australia? How do you reduce jet lag, manage screen time and keep children happy while travelling?

For the Season 4 premiere of Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton is joined by Getaway host Catriona Rowntree, one of Australia’s most experienced travel presenters and a mum of two teenage boys.

After 30 years travelling the world for Getaway, Catriona has collected plenty of practical advice for travelling with babies, children and teenagers. Her number-one family holiday philosophy? Keep the kids “busy, buggered and broke!”

In this warm and wonderfully honest conversation, Catriona shares what it was really like balancing motherhood with a television career that regularly took her around the world. She also reveals the travel routine that has helped her avoid jet lag, stay healthy and never take a sick day from Getaway in 30 years! What a woman!

In this episode:

• Catriona’s “three Bs” rule for successful family holidays
• How to keep children and teenagers busy and off their screens
• The truth about travelling for work when you have young children
• Catriona’s experience travelling with a baby
• Flying with babies and helping their ears during take-off and landing
• Whether kids’ clubs are right for every child
• Her practical formula for reducing jet lag
• Packing tips from a professional travel presenter
• Why she checks Instagram before packing for a destination
• Her favourite Australian family holidays
• The best destinations for active children and teenagers
• Why travel can strengthen the relationship between parents and children

Catriona also shares some of her favourite family destinations, including Tasmania, Queenstown, the Gold Coast,Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and an unforgettable True North cruise through the Kimberley.

Plus, Sally and Catriona talk about Versailles in winter, travelling through France with children, Catriona’s fridge-magnet collection and why some of the best family memories happen when everyone puts down their screens.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Catriona Roundtree and her travel career

02:18 Reflections on the Logies and her TV career

04:13 The longevity of travel TV shows and global reach

05:45 Catriona's love for travel and her early influences

08:55 Pinch me moments and memorable interviews

10:23 Adventures and adrenaline stories from her travels

11:45 Balancing motherhood and a travel career

15:30 Traveling with children:routines, challenges, and tips

19:07 Family travel destinations and activity planning

21:56 Bucket list destinations: Kimberleys, Alaska, and more

22:35 Cultural experiences and local interactions

32:23 Favourite travel spots and hidden gems

34:20 Educational travel experiences and local tours

36:24 Visiting Versailles and other European highlights

39:10 Packing, organising, and travel hacks

41:12 Jet lag prevention and sleep tips

44:26 Follow Catriona on social media and upcoming episodes

Follow Catriona Rowntree on Instagram: @catrionarowntree

Follow Snacks and Suitcases on Instagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast

Follow Host, Sally Stanton: @sallynanamis

If you enjoyed this episode, pretty please follow Snacks and Suitcases and leave a rating or review.

Snacks and Suitcases is the Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and way more fun!

AND my last piece of advice is always ...

Don't forget your snacks!

Think packing for a family holiday is stressful? Try doing it with three kids and carry-on luggage only.

Returning guest Bianca from Travel With My 3 Kids is back on Snacks and Suitcases. After sharing her Bali expertise in her first appearance, this time she's revealing the packing hacks, travel tips and mindset shifts that make family travel easier.

We chat about the reality of travelling with kids, why carry-on only can actually reduce stress, and the items Bianca never leaves home without.

Plus, we catch up on the latest from Bali, including the island's waste challenges and how travellers can make a positive difference.

In this episode:

• Why Bianca chooses carry-on only for a family of five
• The packing hacks that save time, money and sanity
• What she never packs anymore
• How to entertain toddlers and kids on flights
• Flying with babies, toddlers and neurodivergent children
• The travel gear she actually recommends
• The surprising item she always packs for hotel rooms
• Bali's waste crisis and what tourists need to know
• Airport transfer tips that make family travel easier
• Budget travel strategies for families
• Why low expectations can make travel more enjoyable

Follow Bianca at https://www.travelwithmy3kids.com/

https://www.instagram.com/travel.with.my.3.kids/

Chapters

00:00 Packing for Family Travel: The Challenge

02:59 Traveling with Kids: Real-Life Experiences

05:50 Bali's Waste Crisis: A Tourist's Responsibility

09:10 First Flights with Kids: The Reality

11:56 Surviving Long Flights: Tips and Tricks

15:02 The Art of Carry-On Only Packing

18:01 Non-Negotiables for Family Travel

20:56 Entertainment Strategies for Kids on Flights

24:08 Adapting to Travel with Young Children

31:30 Engaging Kids During Travel

36:39 Managing Expectations on Travel Days

37:26 Health and Safety Essentials for Kids

40:08 Packing Strategies for Family Travel

46:09 Handling Airport Challenges

51:21 Travel Hacks for Parents

57:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Connect

Thank you so much for listening.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions via

• @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
• @sallynanamis
• Snacks and Suitcases Facebook Page
• Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.

AND... Don't forget the snacks.

What is it really like raising kids in India?

After sharing her flying-with-babies tips in a previous episode, listener favourite Rachel McCallum is back to give us a fascinating glimpse into her family's life as expats in Chennai, India.

Rachel, her British wife Gemma and their two boys have spent the past eight years living in one of the world's most colourful, chaotic and captivating countries. From navigating culture shocks and organised traffic chaos to raising children in a multilingual, multicultural community, Rachel shares the realities of everyday family life in India.

We chat about what surprised her most when she first arrived, why India often gets an unfair reputation, and how her boys are growing up surrounded by languages, cultures and friendships from all over the world.

Thinking of visiting India with kids? Rachel also shares some of her favourite family-friendly destinations, including the iconic Taj Mahal and Kerala's famous houseboats. Plus, we talk food, festivals, school life, expat perks and the unique experiences that make India unlike anywhere else on Earth.

In this episode we cover:

• What it's really like living as an expat family in Chennai
• Culture shocks and misconceptions about India
• Raising kids in a multilingual and multicultural community
• Family-friendly destinations in India
• Visiting the Taj Mahal with children
• Kerala houseboats and why everyone loves Kerala
• Indian food, festivals and local traditions
• International schools and expat life
• Why kids are so celebrated in Indian culture
• The realities of travelling India as a family

Whether you're considering an overseas teaching position, planning a family trip to India or simply curious about expat life abroad, this episode offers a fascinating insider perspective on one of the world's most unforgettable destinations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Expat Life in India

01:59 Cultural Insights and Realities of Chennai

04:21 Family Life and Kid-Friendly Activities

06:32 Health and Safety Concerns

09:51 Navigating the Medical System

11:20 The Role of Domestic Help

15:12 Raising a Family as a Same-Sex Couple

16:12 Multilingual Kids and Cultural Exposure

18:37 Education System in India

20:08 Identity and Cultural Integration

25:00 Traveling in India with Kids

26:46 Exploring the Taj Mahal: A Family Experience

29:15 Traveling in India: Tips for Families

32:49 Must-Visit Destinations in India

34:40 Cultural Experiences: Markets and Street Food

38:28 Understanding India's Diverse Festivals

42:10 School Lunches and Dietary Considerations in India

48:23 Navigating Allergies and Food Options in India

Connect

Thank you so much for listening.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions via

• @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
• @sallynanamis
• Snacks and Suitcases Facebook Page
• Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.

AND... Don't forget the snacks.

What is it really like to pack up your life, pull the kids out of school and spend a year caravanning around Australia?

This week on Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton welcomes back Big Lapper and now author Simone Skinner-Smith to chat about her brand new book, Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap.

Last time Simone joined the podcast, her family were still on the road travelling Australia in a caravan with two young boys. Now she’s back home in Sydney, reflecting on the adventure that changed her family forever.

In this funny, heartfelt and honest conversation, Sally and Simone chat about:

• the reality of van life and caravanning around Australia with kids
• coming home after a year on the road
• family travel challenges and unexpected moments
• the emotional side of the Big Lap
• unforgettable characters they met around Australia
• parenting, resilience and raising adventurous kids
• caravan park life, road trip hacks and travel tips
• self-publishing a book
• why social media only shows half the story

Simone also shares:

• her favourite destinations around Australia
• the truth about living in a caravan full-time
• funny travel disasters
• Big Lap packing mistakes
• caravan park hacks
• family travel advice for parents dreaming of doing a lap around Australia

Plus, Simone’s son Louis joins the conversation to answer the Kid’s Corner questions!

This episode also includes a short discussion relating to mental health and the Blue Tree Project in Australia. Please take care while listening with young children. (at approx 23.26 mark) and open your heart and mind to those needing an old fashioned chat 💙

LINKS

Follow Simone: @biglappers or @simoneskinnersmith
Book: Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap available on Amazon and Kindle.

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1923680129

Big Lap: Family Road Trip Around Australia (first episode full of tips)

https://pod.link/1819621151/episode/c2FsbHlzdGFudG9uLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tLzE4ZjdiZDkzLTg4NWEtM2I3NS1iZTIyLWU1MTIzZjFmYTg3ZA

Connect

Thank you so much for listening.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions via

• @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
• @sallynanamis
• Snacks and Suitcases Facebook Page
• Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.

And if this episode made you smile, share it with another parent who may need that gentle nudge to set off on a big lap. Because if not now, then when?

AND... Don't forget the snacks.

Hosted by Sally Stanton.

This week on Snacks and Suitcases, Sally is popping into your feed with a quick little update while the podcast takes a short mid-season breather. But no worries as she’ll be back next week with a brand new episode!

In the meantime, now’s the perfect chance to catch up on any episodes you may have missed…. like road trips around New Zealand, All Inclusive Travel, Cruising with Kids plus loads more family travel ideas and tips.

Thanks so much for all your support of Snacks and Suitcases.

Follow @snacksandsuitcasespodcast for more family travel inspiration, travel hacks and destination ideas for parents travelling with kids.

Hosted by Sally Stanton.

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