Laura: How did you choose Japan?
Scheinfelds: Japan has been a bucket list for family. We wanted to experience a wildly different culture. Wanted to indulge our kids passion for fashion, design, cuisine and skiing.
Laura: Did the destination surprise you in any way?
Scheinfelds: Most definitely, we loved the modern aspects of the cities, with history, spirituality enfolded in areas everywhere we went.
Laura: What struck Brady and Neve as the most interesting, strangest, or funniest thing they experienced?
Scheinfelds: The Monkey Park in Kyoto or the private Sumo wrestling were absolutely the top two. The monkey park was about a 25 minute hike up to the park. We were all mesmerized and giggly about how human like the monkeys were, and would be inches from our feet. We have some video coverage with two monkeys wrestling and chasing one another, and Brady and Neve found that quite relatable. HA! The Sumo wrestling, while we were all mentally preparing that we would need to hold it together and not laugh, it was quite fascinating. Not sure they would want to be that close to men slapping and pushing each other until they bleed, but definitely fascinating.
Laura: What were the three trip highlights for your family?
Scheinfelds: Hard to narrow 3! We would say the Wagyu 3.5 tasting, the skiing, and the shopping.
Laura: What advice would you give other families considering Japan for a holiday?
Scheinfelds: Besides using RTLM to curate it for them? WINK. To lean into what type of things excites each family member and build from there. Would encourage them to take atleast 2-3 days in each city they travel. We don’t believe there is any city that we would say “we needed more time.”
Laura: Did the Japanese people make an impact on your family and in what way?
Scheinfelds: Their graciousness, and hospitality was always so warm and wanting to please.
Laura: Tell us more about your food experiences in Japan?
Scheinfelds: WOW…the Wagyu was by far the most insane food experience we have ever had. Fortunately, and unfortunate to our wallets, our kids love to eat, and eat anything. No meal was less than 3 courses…we all rolled home like sushi rolls. We would say Omakase at the sushi restaurants, traditional udon…dragging your noodles into the broth, adding the flavors/meat/veggies. I would say the desserts were more of a disappointment as we all have sweet tooths. But truly, by the time you got to dessert, we needed to be wheeled away because we were stuffed!
Laura: What types of families would love to visit Japan?
Scheinfelds: Families who are passionate about food, a bit of history, fashion, and some athletic activities.
Laura: What other destinations are on your family’s bucket list?
Scheinfelds: Argentina, New Zealand, Portugal…to name a few!
Laura: What is your only regret about the trip you took to Japan?
Scheinfelds: There was one restaurant that was astronomically expensive and a tourist attraction. HA!
Laura: What did your kids tell their friends or family about their trip to Japan?
Scheinfelds: They talked a lot about the food, the fashion, the monkeys, the bullet train to Sapparo, and the skiing.
Laura: How do you think these types of trips shape your kids and their world perspectives?
Scheinfelds: Great question. I believe they somewhat understand how it will be applicable in their future… meeting other people, understanding different cultures, being inquisitive and open to trying new things. I know, as an adult, and a parent, I look back on the experiences I had traveling as a child/teen, how it shaped me, and how giving our children these opportunities, it will shape them too. They just don’t know it yet. Wink.
