Party of 7: Journey to Japan

Jul 16

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Nothing quite compares to traveling as a party of seven. The blend of chaos, laughter, and logistics transforms each moment into a true adventure, especially when three generations gather under one itinerary, clutching carry-ons and chasing experiences—fueled by points, family, and a little bit of magic. A great trip launches with that quiet flurry: double-checking passports, scouring ministry advisories, hunting down QR codes (here’s looking at you, Visit Japan Web), and the ever-cryptic customs forms. Rolling light, inspired by Japanese hotel amenities—with almost every place stacked with washer and dryer—meant everyone agreed to compact luggage, 21-inch rollers and backpacks only, plus that extra “souvenir suitcase” prepped for Tokyo treasures.

July 14 brought two clans, two flight plans. My mother-in-law and father-in-law landed in on Japan Airlines. The kids and I were on Alaska Airlines with a connection at LAX to HND airport via Japan Airlines. Every seat booked with points, proof that spreadsheets and 1 a.m. inventory checks do pay off. I woke up the kids at 3 am to make it to our first flight at SFO. We booked 5 flights with points, specifically 238K American Express Member Reward points to Hawaiian Airlines at a 1:1 ratio and then transferring those points to Alaska airlines at a 1:1 ratio to book our family of 5 from SFO to LAX to HND, with the second leg of our trip in Premium Economy on Japan Airlines. I had 12K points already in my account to offset some of the points needed to purchase the tickets. It took $99 to make the initial transfer of points. And then each ticket was $5.60 out of pocket and 50K in Alaska Airline points. Our total out of pocket was $99 + 5($5.60) + $62.50 (partner award booking fee)= $189.50 and 250K points for 5 tickets. If we had paid for the tickets in cash, it would have been over $2k per person. I call this a points win. Remember, it’s all about the cash-flow, and I will always utilize points when I can, as it gets very costly when flying with a family our size.

We try our best not to spoil our children. This was their first international trip, outside of North America. And given we would only have roughly 10 days to explore Japan, I wanted us to be as restful as possible. Yes, I technically had enough points to book business class tickets, although that would have been challenging finding 5 business class award tickets. However, we opted for the longer leg of our trip to be one step above economy to help with jet lag and potentially get some needed rest. The kids were amazed with their seats and the service we received on the plane. And we all got some sleep before we landed. Below are some links to items that were crucial for our flight and trip:

-Eye mask to block out the light in the plane cabin

-Neck pillow. If you’re not in a lie-flat seat, this pillow by Wonder Plus is amazing. Great support.

-Compression Socks so you do not get any blood clots.

-21” luggage so you can carry on your luggage, making it easier to maneuver up and down the stairs in Japan’s subway stations.

-Portable fans that clip easily to your shirt or bag and do not get caught in your hair.

-UV umbrella that doubles as an umbrella from the rain and provides UV protection from the hot summer sun.

-UV cardigan that is thin but provides UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

-Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen or spray. This is an amazing sunscreen that is SPF 50, lightweight and does not leave a white film on the skin. It smells nice, as well.

-Lion Foot Patch for your achy feet as you will likely do 20K-30K steps per day.

-Neck cooing rings to keep you cool when the fan does not work.

-Soap sheets in case the bathroom runs out of soap or you are at a temple that simply does not provide it in their bathrooms.

-Water bottle holder with storage so you do not have to carry around a heavy purse and another bag for your water bottle or sports drink.

-Collapsible stool. We used this a few times at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea when the rides were long and our feet needed a break. Just popped it up and folded it back up within seconds.

-Foldable duffle bag 30”. I used this to store our dirty clothes in. When it got full, I ran a quick wash and dry in our in-room washer/dryer combo machine.

-Japanese coin holder. Although Japan is considered a pretty advanced country, many shops and stores run only on cash and so this handy coin holder helped me differentiate between the denominations quickly when I was in line.

-Silicone luggage tags. These are simple luggage tags that are durable and come in multiple colors.

-TSA-approved luggage locks, which are important if your luggage does not already come with a built-in lock.

-Airtag or Tile so you can keep track of where your luggage is, if you check it in.

-Reusable travel utensil set for those who cannot use chopsticks. Most places offered a spoon and fork, but there were a few restaurants that only had chopsticks.

-Airplane foot hammock is quite useful if your legs are not long enough to touch the ground and need some extra support.

-Universal travel adaptor. Japan and the USA have the same 2 prong. But this adaptor also provides extra USB ports.

-Mini portable sound machine to provide that white noise, making it easier to fall asleep.

-Hoka’s and Asics. Good shoes are essential, as you will be walking A LOT. I personally love my Hoka Clifton 9’s.

Something to note: my TV screen failed to work the entire duration of my flight. The fight attendants on Japan Airlines were so kind. They gave me a voucher that provided me a Visa gift card for my inconvenience, and also apologized numerous times. They gave my children little model airplanes. And consistently came by to see if they could provide more snacks and drinks. I am not sure if another airline would be so accommodating.

Once we landed, we met up with my In-laws, and headed on a bus to our hotel. The Hilton Tokyo Bay played host from July 15-18—2 reservations for split crews. The surprise? Pajamas provided for all (one-size-fits-most). For my 6’7” father-in-law, it fit more like an oversized shirt. Monorail trips, DIY breakfast, shared laughter over how to use the hotel toilet with its hundreds of buttons, and the first glimpse of Tokyo’s skyline at sunrise were some of the moments engrained in my mind forever.