My toddler’s jet lag had us roaming Tokyo before dawn. We saw a side of the city most tourists miss.
A parent recounts the challenges of traveling from the US to Tokyo with a toddler while dealing with severe jet lag. The article highlights the difficulties of navigating a foreign city with a young child on a disrupted sleep schedule.
Why it matters
It provides practical insights and relatable experiences for parents planning international travel with young children.
The author flew form the US to Japan with her toddler. Courtesy of the author I traveled from San Diego to Tokyo with my 4-year-old daughter. Jet lag meant predawn convenience-store runs, naps, and a few public meltdowns. Waking early also let us experience a quieter side of Tokyo that most tourists miss. At 3:47 a.m., my daughter sat fully upright in bed, wide awake and ready to start the day. It was still dark outside our hotel room in Tokyo , but trying to explain time zones to a 4-year-old is futile. I've never struggled with jet lag. I run on caffeine and enthusiasm until my circadian rhythm catches up, and within a day or two, I've adjusted.
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