For just over three weeks in February and March, Mindy and I took our little 5 month old to Japan. Yes, you read that right, we took a 5 month old baby, Cai, to Japan.

When the idea popped into my head last year, it seemed like such a good idea and I (potentially) overlooked how much work it could be. I think Cai was only 1-2 months old when we booked the trip and at the time, it was important for me to see our friends while Cai was still young so they could meet his super cute baby version. I was super genki (aka energetic) about the idea and because of that energy, Mindy was onboard.

As time inched closer to departing, I know our stress levels were increasing every passing day. Was this a good idea? How will a 10 hour flight be with a baby? Will Cai have a hard time adjusting once we arrive? Will we get to leave our rental apartment? These were just some of the unknown questions we didn’t have answers to. There were a few moments when I was tempted to pull the plug on the trip just to avoid having to deal with even more challenges.

But now, since being back, I’ve had time to reflect on this trip and for anyone reading this, I just want to say, the trip was 100% worth it. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to any parent who’s on the fence if they should travel with their baby.

If I have time later, I might go into more in depth about all the planning and research I did prior to the trip to help those who might have questions like when is a good time to go with a baby, carrying a baby in a carrier vs using a stroller, how to pack, flying and various other tips and tricks.

But for now, I just wanted to write about my feelings and overall experience before too much time passes.

First of all, I just want to thank all our friends who took time out of their schedules to share a special moment meeting Cai. My heart melted every time he met someone new, especially because all of you are so special to us. I’m so thankful for this time. This trip will always hold a special place in my heart because of this.

Secondly, Mindy. Thank you! I know it was nerve wracking and stressful leading up to the trip. With everything going on prior to departure (learning daily and keeping up with a baby is no easy task), you put your trust in me to come with me on this trip and believed it would work. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.

Cai, our little guy. He’s a superstar. I am blessed with such a great little son and I am so excited to see him grow. Everyday is so different these days. Babies do grow so fast. I have to embrace all these moments because they leave all too soon.

Oh yes, our trip. We spent a week in Tokyo, another in the Nagoya area and then one final week in Hiroshima. We took it easy everyday and really only planned one major outing. Traveling with a baby means we needed to step back with our schedule and allow for lots of extra time. This worked perfectly. We were never in a rush and this allowed us to accommodate to Cai’s needs in the moment.

In Tokyo, we got to meet some close friends of ours for lunch, a walk around Shibuya and an evening dinner back at our rental apartment. We got to see them again and a few other friends for an exciting day out at the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Hufflepuff rules!!!

In addition to those meetups, I got to see a very good friend in Odaiba for a Gundam statue meetup. This friend of mine fell in love with Cai instantly. n_n

We were in Tokyo during our wedding anniversary, so we snagged some tickets to the Studio Ghibli museum and took this sweet picture.

In Nagoya, we chilled for 4 days, ate Kishimen (flat udon noodles), went for walks and stopped at plenty of conbini (convenience stores). It wasn’t until we traveled to the nearby Okazaki where we meet up with my home-stay family from a few years ago. This family is so warm and kind, seeing them meet Cai brought tears to my eyes. This family just gives and gives to everyone they meet. And shout-out to other Kai; seeing you interact with my son makes me tear up with joy just thinking about it.

Needless to say, our time in Okazaki was splendid. We’ll be back!

Our final stop was Hiroshima and wow, what a final week it was. Our rental apartment was so spacious and felt like home. We didn’t want to leave. It had everything we needed and it was extremely comfy. I want to go back!!! Also, Japanese shower/bath rooms make family bath time one of the greatest things ever!

A very special friend came to visit us from a nearby city for two days! The very same friend we had met up with in Tokyo at the Gundam statue. By the time we met this friend later on in the week, I felt like I was a Hiroshima pro, liked I had lived there for years. So, Hiroshima became my city as I showed him around. haha

We enjoyed nice meals together, Mister Donuts and a sombre walk through the Peace Memorial Park. Hiroshima is such a bustling city that it can be easy to forget the extremely important yet terrifyingly sad history that forever looms in its shadows.

Our time together with this friend was over so quickly that I was sad when I waved him goodbye from the nearby tram stop. But I know in my heart that our friendship is strong and that we’ll see each other again soon.

Our trip was full of so many highlights and learnings that I hope to share more with you over the next little while. For those that read who have or are thinking of having a baby, I hope my posts will encourage you to take the leap and travel with your baby. And if you don’t have kids, I hope you’re encouraged to travel to those places your heart yearns for.

I’m so glad we took the leap and traveled with 5 month old Cai. Even though it was challenging and difficult at times, the memories and bonds that we built with our little one made it all worth it in the end.

n_n