Traveling with Food Allergies: Our Japan Journey

A travel story by Samedy Ng, Allergy Support Hub’s Family Support Counsellor

Traveling with my son, who has a wheat and gluten allergy, isn’t always easy. The extra planning, packing, and precautions can feel like a lot — and, to be honest, it can get overwhelming at times. But over the years, we’ve learned that while it takes effort and preparation, it’s absolutely worth it.

In January 2025, we spent two incredible weeks in Japan — one in bustling Tokyo and one in snowy Hakuba. We focused on experiences: wandering through temples, watching sumo wrestlers, exploring the city, and peeking into the cutest dog cafés. We built snowmen and even tried snowboarding together as a family for the first time. These are the memories that stay with us.

We made sure to pack my son’s medications (always extra), brought safe foods from home, chose accommodations with kitchens, and carried our own sauces and snacks. We booked places near supermarkets to make meal prep easier. We also used a Japanese-to-English translation app to help with reading labels and communicating with locals. Before we left, we researched nearby hospitals — just in case. These steps helped us feel more prepared and gave us peace of mind during the trip.

A pleasant surprise along the way was discovering a fully gluten-free restaurant in Tokyo. It wasn’t the focus of our trip, but it was a lovely moment — being able to eat out safely and comfortably as a family. Little wins like that add ease to the journey, but they’re not what define it.

If you’re a food allergy parent and the idea of traveling feels overwhelming, please know — you’re not alone. We’ve been there too. It’s okay to take it one step at a time. With some thoughtful planning, support, and flexibility, travel can be part of your family’s story.

Our Tokyo trip was filled with laughter, firsts, quiet moments — and not-so-quiet ones too. It was a mix of adventure, togetherness, and all the little in-betweens that make travel so meaningful. We’ve created a beautiful memory that will always stay with our family, and that’s something we’ll carry with us, wherever we go.