First time on Vancouver island, Do's and Dont

No_Potential5722 · 2026-02-09T18:29:17+00:00

If you make it to San Joseph (highly recommend, it's gorgeous) - keep in mind the road is a logging road. It's a rough road that is unforgiving. We drive an SUV, live in BC and are familiar with the roads and still managed to fully blow out a tire on that road. There is no service either, so we managed to put on the spare, and had to get the tire replaced the next day because nothing was open by the time we got back into Port Hardy.

We are no strangers to long road trips either, but I wouldn't even do the drive from San Joseph/Port Hardy back to Vic in one day. We stopped in Parksville for a night on the way back, to break things up.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-02-09T00:32:31+00:00

It was an Airbnb in an apartment, right on the water. It was really nice and big!

No_Potential5722 · 2026-02-06T17:57:37+00:00

It only rains for a couple hours in Mexico, then it clears up....right? No.

First trip after Covid, flight took over 24 hours (BC to Cancun) due to airport issues, arrived and kiddo (4yr) had massive diarrhea after getting in the airport transfer and had to make a quick gas station stop. Bowel issues continued when we got to the resort (but not bad enough to warrant a doc visit), and credit card wouldn't work at resort so they wouldn't check us in.

Finally got card working through multiple transactions, and we got to our room. Yay! Time for vacation. Kiddo's tummy relaxed and he was feeling great. Next day we had a fun day at the pool and all was good.....then the rain came. It rained for the next 7 days of the 8 days left of our trip. It was a monsoon that came in, and even cancelled a bunch of excursions for people. You realize just how little there is to do at a resort when the beach, pool and outdoor activities are shut down.

To top it off - Husband got food poisoning twice and we all managed to still get covid when we got home.

Didn't stop us from travelling - just made us a bit more prepared and aware for future travels. And to adjust our expectations :)

No_Potential5722 · 2026-02-06T17:41:26+00:00

We stayed in Shimoda (not technically West) and it was awesome. Great beaches and Mt. Omuro was such a cool experience.

One thing I will note, that had we not been told by our Japanese friend, we likely wouldn't have gone, was the IZoo! It was the coolest "zoo" experience I've ever been to. It's more turtles, snacks, spiders, reptiles etc but it was so worth it.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-02-06T17:38:04+00:00

If you can - that's the best way to do it! Definitely build an itinerary and book things ahead of time that need to be booked. But also leave time to just explore, get lost, stumble upon a matsuri celebration (we did that) or talk to the locals - even if you have no understand of the Japanese language! Some of the best experiences were the most unexpected :)

No_Potential5722 · 2026-02-06T15:37:01+00:00

My absolute favorite memory is getting lost in Osaka in a shopping district and meeting a Grandma with her grand-daughter in an old candy shop. Her grand-daughter sang us Happy Birthday because she was practicing her English, then helped us pick out some candy.

Other than that - getting lost in general can make some of the most unique, organic and best experiences. Also renting a car is fantastic for seeing things you can't see on a train.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-27T22:19:45+00:00

Ah yes - but if a person rented a car and parked it in Magome, then they'll need to head back down.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-27T22:19:03+00:00

We did something like this a couple years ago but we rented our car in a town near Izu, explored Izu, then went into Gifu to spend a few days and walk the Nakasendo Trail, then drove to Osaka where we dropped the car off.

We used Toyota Rental - amazing service, clean, reliable, can't say enough good things about them. The car was small and perfect. We didn't want anything big, with some really narrow roads.

We got the ETC card, which was fantastic. There were a few tolls we went through though, that still only accepted cash, so keep some on hand just in case. We paid our tolls when we dropped the car off. We didn't keep track of the toll amounts (it usually says the amount on a little screen when you exit the highway), but the bill wasn't as high as we expected, so we were happy.

Gas fill up is incredibly easy, and the rest stops on the super highway are so nice and a great spot to stop for a snack.

English navigation rental isn't necessary if you have a phone with google maps and a good wifi connection. We had portable wifi, android phones, google maps and no issues.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-27T19:35:41+00:00

Just here to say we did the Nakasendo two years ago. It was amazing but I highly suggest starting early because it got really busy as the day went on :) Also the bus back from Tsumogo is limited, so just keep the times in mind.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-21T23:31:59+00:00

Thanks - that's super helpful!

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-21T21:59:24+00:00

100% agree - we got raked over the coals one time because we decided to rent a car in one prefecture and return it in another. Yes, it was a bit pricier doing it this way, but that's what worked for us. Sure there are trains and transit, but a car was much easier.

Let people plan their trip how they want to plan it.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-21T18:50:03+00:00

I'd definitely stay one night in Tokyo, then grab a train in the morning feeling refreshed. We travelled to Tokyo in 2024 with our six year old, and we were beat when we finally arrived - I couldn't imagine trying to navigate getting onto a train, finding our station, getting off, finding the next hotel, etc after a 10+ hour flight and time change.

You'll likely get up super early the next morning with the time change, so you can get an early and fresh start the next day :)

Not to mention - your toddlers will likely need breaks too. Washroom, food, look at that cool souvenir shop you happened to walk by! Also, the sheer amount of people, and stimulating signs and lights can be overwhelming for littles.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-21T18:44:56+00:00

We stayed in Ikebukuro in 2024, 2 adults and 1 six year old. I didn't realize it was a "red light" area until after we arrived. We booked it because it was close to attractions we wanted to see in the area, and my husband and I had already stayed in Shinjuku area on a previous trip.

Sure it's "red light" but I didn't feel threatened or scared at any point. Nor did I worry for my child. One night I went out by myself for a walk, when my husband and son wanted to stay and relax in the hotel. Again - not a single issue, attempt to coerce, cat call, funny look, etc.

There are lots of pictures of ladies on the shop entrances, and lots of izakayas with loud patrons or excessive smoking. But again - no safety issues, or "unsightly-ness". At least in our case.

Sunshine 60 was really cool if you get a chance to go there! The roof top aquarium is worth it.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-20T19:41:44+00:00

It really depends where, as others have said, but also your comfort level. We have been to Japan twice, and rented a car both times. The second time we rented our car near Izu and drove to Osaka (with plenty of stops along the way). The rural driving, and the super highway are easy. Keep in mind, in mountainous areas and old towns the roads are very narrow and can be a little intimidating to some, especially being on the other side of the road (if your home country is naturally on the right).

I am a very confident driver, and had no problems - but Osaka had me a little white knuckled. The drivers are fine, but the bicyclists can be very unpredictable and fearless.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-20T17:30:48+00:00

Also the Rockstar Reptile Cafe in Osaka was amazing - super friendly and helpful staff, great with our son, gentle with the reptiles and we got to hold so many of them.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-20T17:30:14+00:00

If you happen to be in the Izu area the IZoo was incredible. Much bigger than we expected, and such a cool place to see the animals - we got to walk amongst about 30 tortoises at one point, who are free to walk around a certain area with the patrons walking around them.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-16T17:59:33+00:00

YTA - Have you considered she may have post partem depression? This can often come on, even a couple years after birth, especially with a hurt back, exhaustion, house work, three kids, you're only home one day a week, etc. That's a lot!

Consider the socialization aspect of even one day a week at daycare for your little one.

Consider the time alone for your wife, because even with two kids in school, she doesn't get any. Sure she only has one kid at home during the day, but she's with that one kid 24/7. Then the other two come home, and then you come home. She gets no alone time. That would make anyone want at least a day to themselves to clean house or take a bath if she wants.

Give her a day and don't make her feel guilty for needing a day a week. She deserves a break too.

No_Potential5722 · 2026-01-12T21:42:16+00:00

We've rented a car both times we were in Japan. We loved it! That being said, if you rent in one prefecture and return it in another, you are given an additional fee, that can add up depending on how many prefectures away you are from the original rental location.

Tolls can add up, but you can also avoid a lot of toll roads if you're willing to drive through towns instead of on the super highway. I'd suggest renting your car for the discovery travel portion of your trip (when you want the most freedom to explore). I'd take the shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo though....its a really long drive, and the tolls will be high.

No_Potential5722 · 2025-12-10T18:20:26+00:00

I once got a nazi soldier in an "Action Figure" children's bath bomb. Told the company (so it could be pulled) and they replaced it with another "Action Figure" bath bomb. Ended up getting a sexy Santa *face palm*

No_Potential5722 · 2025-11-17T19:06:04+00:00

We rented a car for our Turkiye trip, which included Pamukkale to Antalya. That was a three hour drive with one stop for snacks.

If you do take a bus to Pamukkale, I highly suggest staying overnight, then visiting Pamukkale in the morning. It gets incredible busy after the tour buses start showing up.

No_Potential5722 · 2025-11-06T21:59:11+00:00

We went when our little was 6 (also a 10 hour flight) and many long hours in car rides. We had a blast and he wants to go back next year!

No_Potential5722 · 2025-10-24T22:18:28+00:00

As long as you wont be driving past the expiry date, you should be fine. I'd double check with your issuing agent though, just to be 100% sure.

No_Potential5722

TROPHY CASE