I’m a working mom at a financial company. Even with a busy career, travel has always been an important part of my life.
In my twenties, I wandered all over Europe with nothing but a backpack. I got lost in new cities and made friends with strangers in faraway countries, and that’s how I fell in love with travel.
Then time passed, I got married and had a child. Busy with day-to-day life, I suddenly wondered: “I still love traveling, but I’m not alone anymore. What does traveling with my son mean?”
At first I was worried. Could I really take a trip with just my child? Wouldn’t it be too hard? Could I do it well?
But once we went, I had my answer: I can do this. And traveling with my son is far more fun than I expected.
As of 2025, my son Yans, nine at the time, and I had traveled to more than 20 cities together, including Japan, Vietnam, Guam and Eastern Europe.
And I became convinced that a trip with your child isn’t one where only the parent suffers. Parents can have plenty of fun too, and being with your child creates even more special moments.
So I decided to write down our story. “Traveling alone with your child isn’t hard!” That’s the message I wanted to share with as many parents as possible.
“Mom, Where Are We Going Next?”
“Mom, where are we going next?” “Osaka and Kyoto!” “There again?”
I chuckled. Yes, there again. Osaka and Kyoto aren’t places you visit only once. In fact, is there a better destination for traveling with my son, just the two of us?
- The flight is short, so he doesn’t get bored.
- Hotels and public transport are convenient, so getting around is easy.
- There’s plenty of food kids love, so meals are never a worry.
- It has activities for kids and beautiful scenery for everyone.
Osaka is great for city sightseeing, and Kyoto is perfect for slowing down and soaking up the atmosphere. Pair the two, and a trip with your child becomes even more special.
Still, the first time I went there traveling with my son on my own, I was honestly nervous.
Our First Trip to Osaka and Kyoto
From the moment we landed at Kansai Airport, my mind started running through every scenario. How would I carry all the bags? Would getting from the airport to the hotel be a hassle? What if my son suddenly got sick?
And then the worry came true. On the first day, in Dotonbori, my son started coughing. With his weak bronchial tubes I’d half expected it, but I was still scared. On the second day, walking through Arashiyama in Kyoto, he suddenly sat down and said he was too tired.
When your child gets sick somewhere unfamiliar, you feel like you’re carrying every worry in the world. Is there a hospital nearby? Will I understand the doctor in English or Japanese? What if it gets worse?
But one thing was clear: I had to be able to handle moments like this. So I switched to plan B right away.
- Bought fever and cough medicine at a nearby pharmacy
- Rested at the hotel instead of pushing through the schedule
- Rearranged the next day’s plans so we wouldn’t overdo it
That’s when I realized travel isn’t about making the perfect itinerary. It’s about building flexible experiences together with your child.
Osaka and Kyoto With a Child Aren’t Hard
People often ask me, “Isn’t it hard traveling alone with your child?”
I’d be lying if I said there were no hard moments. But what matters is that hard doesn’t mean impossible.
- Japan is a short flight away, so it’s easy with kids.
- Osaka and Kyoto have great public transport.
- There are plenty of family-friendly hotels.
- Korean kids enjoy a lot of Japanese food.
On top of that, you can spend a day at Universal Studios and enjoy a quiet traditional teahouse in Kyoto. Osaka and Kyoto make the perfect trip for both parents and kids.
Not Just “For My Child” but “Fun for Me Too”
This is what I most want to say: a trip shouldn’t be only about your child. When parents are happy, kids are happy too.
If you’re hesitating about traveling with your child, I hope this gives you a little courage. Don’t hold back. Once you go, you’ll see that far more wonderful moments are waiting than you imagined. That’s what traveling with my son has taught me.
So, shall we go together? “Mom, where are we going next?”
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in February 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.