Adventure Awaits: What’s Next
My short trip to Canada last week was just an appetizer for the upcoming trip my daughter and I have been planning. Our last trip abroad was to Ireland to celebrate her college graduation so we are past due for another adventure. This time we are headed for Japan.
I only take carry-on so have begun to plan my wardrobe carefully. I find it nerve-wracking to worry about an airline losing my luggage. I also don’t want to fuss with tons of clothes while traveling.
I want to look stylish and well put together but don’t need to make any outstanding fashion statements. That means I’ll be packing non-memorable clothes that I’ll use accessories to jazz up.
I’ve reordered a fresh pair of these shoes, in black. They’re my favorite for long days on my feet. The machine washable fabric which makes them perfect for all locations but after taking them camping for several years, I think a new pair is in order for Tokyo. The fabric stretches and breathes so they always stay comfy when my feet swell during the flight.
I know that slip on shoes are a smart idea because I will be slipping mine off frequently. I’ve ordered these and these and will decide which are most comfy before we go.
While jeans play a large role in my casual wardrobe at home, I’m not sure they’ll be coming on this trip. With a limited wardrobe, I want lightweight comfort and versatility which jeans don’t always guarantee for me.
My Eileen Fisher 
This promises to be an exotic experience for us and we are beyond excited. I have some fun posts planned while away and hope to share what we see and do, so stay tuned.
Do you travel with your adult children?
Thanks for reading ladies and have a great day!
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Wow, very exciting news! Do you know you have a huge fun in Japan! Me!!!
I’ve been enjoying reading your blog more than a year. Your blog is a source of
great inspiration for me. Also a great material to learn English and build
fashion-related vocabulary. 🙂
Are you visiting the Kansai area (Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe)? If so, it would be great to
meet you even just for a bit. I’m living in the center of Osaka and am very
flexible on time and location. Let me know what you think. Thank you & Arigato.
Hi Kyomi! It means so much to me that you reached out and read my blog. We have a pretty packed agenda in Kyoto plus my daughter is battling the flu so I don’t feel right leaving her alone to come and meet you. We are loving Japan! You love in a wonderful place. I hope there will be another trip to Japan and I would love to meet you then.
Your trip to Japan sounds so fun; that’s on our bucket list. I can’t remember when you’re going, but don’t forget to layer, layer, layer because it can be chilly at this time of year.
We are leaving in 4 days. Yikes! I’m not packed. Layers are coming and lots of scarves.
Read your blog last night and admired your traveling shoes … I found a black pair in my size – never worn – at Goodwill this morning!! I would have not given them a second look if not for your recommendation. $3.89 for > $100 pair of shoes, thank you for keeping me informed! Now to plan a trip …
Lucky you!! They’re not too much to look at but oh so comfy.
A highlight of my life was a trip to Italy with our adult sons and the girlfriend of one of them. They got engaged during the trip (which he’d planned ahead of time… it wasn’t the heady experience of Tuscany that prompted the idea although that would make a better story) so that made it extra fun. We also love to travel with friends… another couple. Have done four trips so far and counting!
That’s so romantic!
I am so excited for you and your daughter! We lived in Japan for a year and have visited on several other occasions. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
We enjoy camping with our grown children and grandchildren, but we haven’t traveled with them since they were young.
How wonderful Elaine! Traveling with adult children is pretty special and I feel very fortunate.
I had a fantastic vacation with my daughter in Japan last year. You will love it! We stayed 12 days and had no problem with just a carry-on each. Are you taking a tour or traveling on your own? If you are making your own arrangements, hotels in Japan will forward your bag to your next hotel very reasonably if you want to make some stops before reaching your next destination. Get the phone app called Hyperdia to find subway or trains all over the country. Also you can carry a pocket wi-fi device to have internet connection wherever you go. Japan didn’t seem to have much free wi-fi in public areas. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
That sounds so fun, Janet! Just what we are doing. No tour just winging it. All great suggestions! I will need wifi so thank you for the heads up!!
Yes, traveled too Israel this summer with my daughter and two grandsons. It was magical. Will blog about it shortly! I took one carryon for not only the trip but a Bat Mitzvah and a Bar Mitzvah and various celebrations in between! Have a wonderful time. Isn’t it humid in Tokyo?
Your trip looked amazing! It does look humid there so I plan to layer layer layer!
I lived in Japan for 4 years as a child and I’m returning 50 years later this February with my husband. I’m beyond excited! Please do share your shoe saga, it is my biggest concern. Have a wonderful time and keep posting your trip.
How wonderful Connie!! The Rothys were a no go. I had high hopes but I seemed to be between sizes. Still waiting for the Munros. I’ll let you know.
Your photograph with your daughter is beautiful, it’s priceless! I don’t travel with my daughter yet, just local outings, but look forward to future travels. Thank you for the shoe links. And I agree on not traveling with jeans; plus, they’re heavy and add weight to the bag. I love Eileen Fisher, just wish she made pants in tall. For now, I substitute with J. Jill, Soft Surroundings, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic. Have a wonderful time, and I look forward to reading about your experience!
Thank you so much Christine! I’m short so often forget the struggles tall women have with pants. I wonder why they don’t make more tall options. There’s certainly a market for it. Hoping for good WiFi!
Slip-on shoes are very important, but don’t forget socks. Bare feet are frowned upon when visiting temples, shrines, teahouses, etc. Carrying an extra pair with you in your purse is a good idea. Even if you wear nylons, you may be expected to pull out and wear ankle socks. You can put them back in your bag afterwards.
Carry-on luggage is best for making quick train connections, etc. Trains have only short connection times and they do leave on time. Japanese people keep luggage to a minimum.
Another tip is to carry a handerkerchief in your purse for drying your hands. And tissue.
Thank you!! I hadn’t thought of tissue. I carry hand sanitizer but a scarf makes great sense. I think I need to buy a pair of thin cotton socks for my purse. Thanks for the tip!
Very exciting, the trip and that it’s with your daughter.
Carry-on only is my philosophy too. 20” makes extreme planning necessary. Once I’m there, my limited wardrobe saves the stress of getting up and dealing with multiple decisions about what to wear. I’m off for the day to experience a new country.
Shoes are the hardest part. A pair to wear, a second to give my feet a break and a pair of sandals for the hotel room. The sandals can also be for unexpected warm weather or the pool.
EF are great and as said, if only they had pockets.
My carryon is very old and just 18” so this will be a challenge. I totally agree about less choices making it easier. Thanks for reminding me of the sandals. I was planning on slippers but those make more sense.
How fun! My children are still young, but I have travelled with my mom. So much fun. My son is aching to go to Japan (he’s into the car culture) so I await hearing about your adventures. Enjoy!
I traveled a bit with my Mom too. It’s was a very special time. Thanks Jen
Yes! My youngest daughter and I traveled together for years – Italy, Austria, Chile, Switzerland, a cross country USA trip and Alaska. Loved those trips! Now she’s a new mom and they’ve been seriously curtailed. A new granddaughter? Great trade off. Jennifer – have you read, Have Daughter, Will Travel? – really fun book.
Love the picture of the two of you – such pretty happy girls.
Looking forward to you your pics of Japan. It’s on our list in the next couple years. We have a daughter teaching in Japan and look forward to getting over there for a visit.
A granddaughter is an outstanding tradeoff! Congratulations Barbara! I will order the book, it sounds right up my alley! I’m hoping we have many other adventures together.
We love traveling with our kids and grandkids! Have enjoyed our homes in France with them several times, and have met up in Rome and other cities through the years. Our daughter is in our Aix home right now and her social media posts are making me very envious!
Lucky you!! We love Aix. Such a charming town and lively shopping. The surrounding areas are so fun to explore.
Hi Jennifer, I am really looking forward to your reports on Japan – my husband and I are hoping to go next year, mainly to visit a student who lived with us for a school year 15 years ago; she now has 5 children! We plan to go with a tour first, then head off on our own to visit her in Kyoto. I know in my heart that carry-on travel is the way to go, I’m just not there yet! Our adult kids are not yet in the position to afford overseas travel, but we travelled abroad with them when they were children. I think it would be fun to go as an all-adult group.
We traveled with our kids when they were little as well, but doing it with them as adults is amazing! We’ve scheduled two days on Kyoto and very excited to see the Bamboo Forest.
Exciting times ahead! We travel with carry-ones as well. Planning and packing is always a struggle, but I find I do a better job when space is limited. On car trips I tend to overpack, and still don’t have all that I need. I’ve never traveled with my kids, I’m envious!
I am the same when we travel in our trailer…I overpack and never have the right thing. This will be a great reminder of how little I really need.
I just returned from a trip to Ireland with my recent college grad daughter – she’s considering a grad program in Dublin. I “carried on” and was very proud of myself – I love the challenge of wearing a “capsule” wardrobe while also feeling chic and worldly…have a great time!! We’re both curious travelers and adventurous, so we make delightful companions on the road – I think we could win “The Amazing Race!”
We adored Dublin! It would be a fun place to go to school. She and I get along very well so this will be a blast.
My son is stationed in Japan with his wife and 2 children. I spent 6 weeks traveling with them around Japan this year. Of course it was wonderful. I love the way the Japanese women dress, comfortable and stylish. I will look forward to your reports. You will walk a lot!
That’s very exciting! I know shoes are what worry me most.
I am so blessed with travel. 34 countries and still planning more. My kids are grown and the trip closest to my heart was our last family vacation together (Vietnam & Cambodia). Alas, my son now works in South Korea and we have only seen him twice since he left…sigh…our trip this summer will be somewhere in Asia that he can meet us. My daughter is trying to plan to come too if she can swing it. If it comes to fruitation and they both can meet us…I will have another family vacation with my adult children again. I pray it will come true. Enjoy. I believe that you should travel while your health allows you. A blessing denied to many. Anxious to hear of your adventures.
You’re so fortunate Wendy. Your trips sound amazing. Our family trip to Iceland two years ago was the best time ever. I see too many older folks with mobility issues traveling and it doesn’t look easy.
Those EF Ponte Knit pants look really comfortable, but it doesn’t look like they have any pockets. Darn! I’m a pocket girl so I really prefer to have some type of pocket in my pants for lip balm or tissues, etc.
Lack of pockets is their only downfall, I agree.
What fabulous! I love to travel with my daughter and we try to do something about every 5 years. Japan is on our list, but we really thought it would be too far and too hard. Please give details of your trip (and your clothes) as you go so we can learn from your experience.
I will share it all Cindy. Lucky you going every 5 years with your daughter!
I like the idea of bringing only a carry on for your clothes. I always have a hard time choosing and limiting the amount of clothes to bring. I could definitely use some advice on packing a suitcase.
I hope you and your daughter have a great trip!
I will share everything I pack and how I cram it into my tiny bags;) Thanks Doreen
So exciting! We haven’t done as much travelling as I’d like but have had some wonderful adventures. Italy is a favourite. Japan ought to be fascinating! I don’t have children but have travelled with my husband, sister, niece and friends and all worked out. I am not familiar with the Arcopedico brand but will try to find a pair. My feet can’t wait!
I adore Italy too! There are so many places I want to revisit or see for the first time.
I traveled through Europe with my husband and my daughter when we were all younger. So far no trips with either adult son or daughter. Sounds incredible, however. Enjoy and savor every moment! Can’t wait to see posts!
I am so very excited to experience this with her. Thanks Paulette
My husband and I travelled extensively when we were younger and he is now bored with it. These days, it is my sister, her 20s daughter, my brother and I who head off somewhere for a holiday. We have been to England, Thailand (twice) and Hong Kong. It has been fantastic having those memories and adventures together, especially my sister and I live in different countries. We would like to visit Israel and Rome next, but it is tricky sorting out when we are all available. Hope you and your daughter have a fab trip to Japan – is your hubby going as well?
That sounds like so much fun!! We are already thinking of other spots we want to visit. My husband isn’t going. He traveled extensively for work and has been to Japan many times. He has a sailing trip planned with some best buds in the Carribean while we are gone.
How exciting! Yes, I love traveling with my daughters. Please give us a review of those shoes when you return, especially the Rothys and the sneakers! I have very “needy” feet with a bunion on right foot and need good arch support when wearing a shoe all day. Hope you have a great time!
Thanks, Kathleen. My feet are a real challenge while walking long periods of time so I will keep you updated on the fit and comfort.