Spring Break 2026: Japan Bound

Disclaimer: Some of the photos in this post were taken by other family members and shared through our joint album, affectionately titled "Beh-Saka 2026."

For Spring Break 2026, we headed to Japan. Every few years, we make a point to visit my father-in-law and the rest of the family. Our last venture into Asia was back in the summer of 2024 when we visited Malaysia and Cambodia; while this trip is slightly shorter, the journey was no less of an adventure.

We flew with EVA Air—a Taiwanese airline—which meant a marathon 16-hour flight from DFW to Taipei, followed by a quick two-hour hop to Osaka. All in all, we were looking at about 20 hours of travel.

The Journey Across the Pacific

Zoe was so proud to maneuver her very own suitcase, a Christmas gift she finally got to break in. Zaylee, on the other hand, was supposed to stick to her backpack, but she quickly decided she was more interested in demanding a suitcase of her own.

Our flight departed at 10:50 p.m., and I’d completely forgotten that airline meals are usually served in sync with the destination's local time. By 12:30 a.m. Central Time, we were being served a full dinner. Zoe and Zaylee were long gone by then, blissfully passed out, so their trays sat untouched until they finally stirred hours later. I’ve always been a fan of the catering on international carriers, and EVA didn’t disappoint. It wasn’t exactly a Michelin-star menu, but it was a solid, satisfying spread consisting of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

The girls and I took over one row, while Z grabbed a seat in the row next to us. We aren't exactly "big" people, but 16 hours in an economy seat eventually starts to feel pretty cramped and exhausting.

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A Pitstop in Taipei

We touched down in Taipei around 4:00 a.m. With only a couple of hours before our connection, it was the perfect chance to stretch our legs. The airport had some wonderful kid-friendly amenities, including a play area that I really appreciated—it was a designated "no-shoe" zone, and I was impressed that people actually followed the rules.

Shops and cafes started opening up around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., so we ducked into a lounge for some snacks and a quick refresh. After that initial 16-hour haul, the two-hour flight to Osaka felt like a walk in the park.

A Noodle-Filled Welcome

We timed our arrivals so that most of us reached Osaka around the same time, giving us a few hours to relax in a lounge while we waited for Sheng to land. As usual, Zoe and Zaylee were immediately on the hunt for noodles—especially knowing we had finally touched down in Japan—so we started them off with some Kitsune Udon.

For this trip, we’re making a point to take photos of every noodle dish we try. Zoe has an upcoming public speaking project for school, and she chose a theme she’s truly passionate about: "All the noodle dishes I tried in Japan."

Settling into Osaka

Osaka is our home base for the entire trip. Nan found a fantastically spacious Airbnb where all ten of us can stay together. It’s tucked right in the heart of Koreatown with easy access to the Tsuruhashi subway station, which will be our lifeline for getting to all the spots on our list.

Speaking of the itinerary, I can’t take much credit for it. Since Nan and Audrey have been to Japan before, they took the lead on building a schedule that balances our interests, kid-friendly fun, and the must-see tourist spots for us first-timers.

Our first dinner was at Sushiro, a popular conveyor-belt sushi chain. As avid sushi lovers, we were thrilled to have sushi kick off our culinary adventures. Since it's a well-known spot

located in the high-traffic Dotonbori district, it stayed busy, but we managed to get there early enough to be seated right away. The electronic ordering system made it easy and entertaining to pick out everything we wanted to try. Even after ordering a massive spread, the total was significantly cheaper than what we would typically pay for similar quality in the States.

Unfortunately, neither of the girls managed to stay awake for dinner, despite our diligent efforts to rouse them. The exhaustion from travel and the heavy hand of jet lag took everything out of them—a trend that actually continued for our next two dinners. Thanks to that time difference, they ended up waking up around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. (lunchtime back in the US) asking to be fed. Let’s just say my sleep was very broken for those first few nights in Japan.

Zoe eventually woke up after dinner ended, so she at least saw the bustling nightlife of Dotonbori. Zaylee...not so much.