Slowing Down as a Family in Japan and Portugal

We got the opportunity to land in Toyama, Japan for the summer, and the kids are experiencing Japanese preschool. It's been so special to slow down as a family for a little bit. The kids are loving it.

Three children walking along a grassy riverbank in a Japanese town with a bridge in the background — Exploring the riverside in Toyama

Japan's Pace

There's something about Japan that invites you to settle in. The quiet streets, the local rhythms, the way everything feels intentional. We've been soaking it all up.

Family of five sitting by the moat looking at Matsumoto Castle under a blue sky — Taking in Matsumoto Castle

Three children leaning on a railing overlooking a pond with weeping willows and a stone wall — Watching the koi at the castle grounds

Kids on Trains

The trains here have become part of the adventure. The kids light up every time we board one.

Toddler in a pink sweater reaching for a train handle while being held by her father — Our youngest learning to ride the train

Young girl with long hair posing at a Tokyo Subway ticket counter with a Hello Kitty bag — Ready for another subway adventure

Two children smiling and posing in front of a sleek JR East train at a Japanese platform — Ready to board the bullet train

Built for Family

Three kids. Both Japan and Portugal have felt like they were built for family. Whether it's a beach town like Cascais you don't want to leave, or quiet streets in Toyama, some cities just work.

Father and toddler trying Japanese capsule toy machines on a busy street — Discovering gachapon machines

Man walking through a narrow Tokyo alley lined with sushi signs and brick buildings — Wandering the backstreets of Tokyo

Little Explorers

Watching the kids navigate new places is one of the best parts. Climbing rocks by a waterfall, exploring art museums, walking through neighborhoods. They take it all in.

Young boy climbing large boulders near a small waterfall surrounded by greenery — Adventure by the waterfall

Father and son posing in front of a giant yellow polka-dot pumpkin sculpture by Yayoi Kusama — Inside a Yayoi Kusama exhibit

Young boy balancing on a concrete ledge beside a water drainage channel on a quiet Japanese street — Walking through a quiet Toyama neighborhood

What Stays

From Lisbon's pastéis de nata and seafood to three weeks of Japanese preschool in Toyama, the common thread is simple: slowing down. Some places invite you to stay. Some cities are built for family.

Mother hugging her smiling son on a train platform bench with a bullet train in the background — Train station hugs

We'll be back to both. That's what happens when a place fits your family.

I love my family. And why we travel with our 3 kids comes down to moments like these.