We usually find ourselves near Tokyo station in the winter months. The illuminations and the festive trees pitted against the cosy street market are often enough of a drawcard to get us there, but what kept us there this year was a mix of kid-friendly interactive displays, the wholesome food and informative exhibits.

A multi-pronged approach to bilingualism has been necessary in order to grow the children’s interest in English, improve their speaking ability and in turn grow their desire to read and write. I hoped to link all these aspects of language learning, by finding online YouTube videos to support the English material I was using with them at home.

Having never been to either of Tokyo’s Disney resorts, we weren’t sure which of the two to start with, but ended up choosing Disney Sea. Here is how we maximised our fun and minimised the waiting time.

At the foothills of the mountain leading up to the snowy ski-slopes of Nagano and the well known Jigokudani Yaen-koen, famously toted for their leisurely snow monkeys, sits Shibu Onsen town. A special key gives you access to this street’s 9 various onsen.

4 of the top hair salons in Tokyo for blonde hair maintenance and image transformations. The salons all have websites and bookings can be made online or by calling the stylist.

Farmshop Restaurant and Market is renowned for their farm-to-table concept of delivering locally produced food to local consumers.

Learn Japanese phrases and get a peak into the culture with LINE stickers!

The art of second-hand shopping is fast gaining momentum in Japan. Recycle shops have ironed out the wrinkles both literally and figuratively and have an easy system that anyone, given a few pointers in Japanese, can easily manage.

With a tagline like, fresh roasted coffee and worldwide finds, you might be fooled into thinking that it is a waste of time to stop by this store on a trip to Japan. With pockets of products from all regions in Japan, it is one of my favourite shops to browse, and dare I say, dig through. Kaldi Coffee Farm is here for you!

If you are looking for a way to enjoy your time in Kyoto by looking and feeling like Japanese royalty for the day, I highly recommend taking a moment to pre-book a kimono rental experience online.

Kidzania lists itself as an edutainment center where kids can be leaders, make rules and rely on each other to join forces and build a kids-led community. The Mexico-based company now has spread across the globe and there is a strong following of little workers in Tokyo and Osaka locally and in many of the world’s top travel locations too. Just look at Kidzania London, Kidzania Seoul or Kidzania Dubai. All have ignited the imaginations of their youthful patrons and worked their way into the hearts and wallets of many doting parents.

Whether you are a daredevil or not, Mishima Skywalk in Shizuoka provides spectacular views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding Suruga Bay. Should you go, a good time to visit the Mishima Skywalk is shortly before closing where the pedestrian footfall is low and the views of the multi-Hurd sunset are the best!