I want to plan this summer vacation within the next weeks.
This year I’ll be able to take a four or five day holiday with my family.
I heard that this amount of holidays were much less than other countries.
So I can’t go to the US or Europe because it’s very far from Japan.
Anyway I lined up a few candidates.
●Domestic
These places are popular tourist spots in Japan.
・Okinawa
This place is very popular during the summer because you can enjoy many kinds of the marine activities such as scuba diving and swimming in the sea.
・Kyoto
There are many traditional shrines and temples I like but I wonder if my children can enjoy them.
・Hokkaido
It is a cooler area even if it is the hot season in Japan.
We can eat a lot of delicious seafood and see beautiful natural scenery.
・A nearby summer resort.
I can get to a near summer resort in two hours by car.
We can stay in a cottage, pension and vacation house and we can barbecue.
It’s convenient and reasonable.
●International
I have never been to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia or The Philippines.
I don’t know them well yet but these countries seem fun.
I remembered that I had not been outside of the country in eight years.
My passport will expire before our trip!
Hmmm,
Besides there is a problem that my younger daughter, who is three years old, is allergic to egg and milk products.
It isn’t easy to decide where to go.
Life in Kawagoe 
Any of the spots you pick from you list will be fine… The most sensible one looks like Hokkaido; nearby, convenient and reasonable, family in control of their food choices to prepare, and you’d get a bit of rest and relaxation in the few days you’ll be there. Kyoto would be fun but maybe not for the kids…
Let us know what you decide and do renew your passport; next year will be here before you know it. 🙂
Of course I’ll write about the conclusion. Thank you for your advice.
I would love to visit Hokkaido during the summer.
Hope you finalise your vacation details soon! When are you going off for the summer vacation? 🙂
July or August. I have to shuffle around holidays with my colleague and families.
Yes, 4-5 days of vacation is definitely less than most countries …North America has more (2-3 weeks), and Europe has yet more (4-5+ weeks).
Looks like excellent locations in Japan and overseas. How about South Korea, which is quite close to Japan, I think this is also a very popular vacation destination for Japanese.
Really? Japanese work very many days. 😥
You really know about Japanese. South Korea is very common and popular place to visit. I’ll think about it.
Karuizawa – looks a little bit like your own house! nice – but then it is cheaper to stay home. I would avoid sea and seafood in the moment (Fukushima disaster). If leaving Japan, then maybe forever – as an architect in Scotland (you are learning English) – far away from actual nuclear problems – but they would like piano music there 🙂
My wife says the same thing that she don’t want to eat seafood.My wife and I don’t get into line about seafood. 🙂
Scotland sounds very nice. There are beautiful scenery and architectures.
Wow – that’s much less than Sweden where we get five weeks’ holiday!
Hokkaido looks nice.
Wow. I envy the five weeks holidays.
I wonder why Japanese workers weren’t angry with the short holidays.
WOW!! Okinawa is a nice place to visit!!! Especially the Hugeee Aquarium!!! 😀 Your daughters must love it, if they like fishes and the shark whales!!! I had been there few years ago and made a video. Would you like to see?
http://www.youtube.com/user/ristinw#p/u/4/0sGZT13IedE
I could see the video. Great!
I have been to Okinawa three times but I’m not bored the Okinawa.
As you say, my daughters would like sharks in Churaumi aquarium.
I have 15 annual leave days per year. Contact a travel agent and ask them how you can amuse children in Kyoto, this might help to make the choice easier. I don’t like crowds so I personally would not go to Okinawa during peak holiday times.
I’m surprised that you know the crowd of Okinawa during the summer season.
Certainly agent may tell me the place which my children can enjoy. Thanks.
I think the beach sounds like the best bet with the kids. They like to run around and play at that age and not go see tourist items. Okinawa is nice though. I think it is as beautiful as Hawaii, but less crowded.
I want to go to Hawaii but it’s a little far.
I heard about the Hawaii from my friends. They say that the Hawaii is very enjoyable and fun. There seem to be many Japanese. Hmmm.
I would pick the one that will be most relaxing for you and your family – like some of the other commenters have said already – one where the kids can play and enjoy themselves, and you and your wife can relax. Good luck with your decision!
Thanks much. I’ll hear about the travel from my children.
選択肢がたくさんあれば、頭も痛いんですね。
どこに行くかいいですか？
私なら北海道です。
おいしい海の幸を食べたいですから。＾＾
北海道には、ウニ、イクラ、カニ、シャケといろいろ美味しそうなものがあります。何を食べるか迷いそうです。
enjoy your holidays!
Thanks much. We’ll enjoy.
今年の夏は、どうしようかな。
それにしても英語でPostadayはスゴイデスね。
日本語でも四苦八苦です。
PS.ブログへのコメントありがとうございました。
いえいえ。いつまで続くかわかりません。重荷にならないよう気楽に末長くやります。。
Personally I’d like to visit Hokkaido during summer. I’d like to see stretching sunflower fields before my eyes, weather is much cooler than here, foods are delicious… these are reasons. However if I were you with very young child, I’d choose Karuizawa. I’d like to spend time leisurely at Karuizawa without the stress of long hours’ driving. Kyoto is a no-no for children in summer.
I see.Thank you for your advice. I went to Karuizawa more than five times before because my daughters were younger. There are various leisure spot to see and play in Karuizawa. I also think Hokkaido is nice.
貴重なお休みを 家族皆で楽しめる方法を考えるのは楽しいのですが、迷いますね。
我が家はいつも私が旅企画係で、家族がどれほど満足してもらえるかを目標にしているところがあります。お子さんも小さいので、無理な移動手段ではなく、夏なので水遊び。奥様も満足させれるゆっくりした場所で美味しいランチとお土産。このあたりがご主人の株をあげそうかな（笑）楽しい企画となるようがんばって下さいね！
ありがとうございます。水遊びは、いいですね。そう考えると、そんなに遠くに行かなくてもいいような気もしますが、近くは、だいたい行ったので、いろいろ迷います。