This summer, we’re taking a family trip to Japan—a long-awaited adventure, especially meaningful because it’s my parents’ first time here. Thanks to a special promotion by ANA offering free domestic transfers, we decided to make the most of it by visiting both Tokyo and Hokkaido. Excitement is in the air.

Our journey began at Haneda Airport, where we had a small surprise right off the bat. Instead of docking at the gate, our plane parked remotely on the tarmac. That meant disembarking via a staircase and taking a shuttle bus to the terminal. Sure, even heads of state occasionally do this, but I would’ve preferred to spare my 83-year-old parents the extra effort. Was that my mom muttering a complaint under her breath—or was I just imagining it?

I had planned something a bit special to kick off our trip: a traditional Japanese breakfast at the airport—rice with hot soup, pickles, and grilled fish. I thought it would be a warm and authentic welcome. But my parents, unfamiliar with the flavors and textures, were clearly unimpressed. This may well become a recurring theme throughout the trip—not because they’re fussy or ungrateful, but because they’re at that stage in life where they feel no need to pretend. Around family, there’s no pressure to be polite or adventurous if it’s not how they truly feel.

Traveling with seniors brings its own unique challenges and joys, and this trip is already reminding me that flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor go a long way.

Thinking about it this way actually brings a sense of comfort. It means I’ve created a space where my parents feel relaxed enough to be completely themselves—and isn’t that what family is all about? Still, it’s only human to feel a little let down when things don’t go as we hoped. I genuinely wanted them to enjoy the meal I had planned with such care, imagining their delight at trying something new. But that’s the thing about travel—and life, really—expectations don’t always match reality. And when they don’t, we simply learn to roll with it.

We checked into an Airbnb to experience life in a typical Japanese home.

The summer heat wasn’t anything new to us, but for my parents, it was overwhelming. They weren’t in the mood to explore or enjoy the festive atmosphere at Sensō-ji Temple. So our visit ended up being just a quick “hi and bye.”

Moments like this remind me how easy it is to forget that time has moved on. For the longest time, I’ve unconsciously pictured my parents as being in their 60s—agile, energetic, always ready to go. In my mind, their age seemed to pause there. So when reality doesn’t match that old mental snapshot, it catches me off guard.

But clinging to an outdated image of our loved ones—refusing to fully accept how things have changed—is a subtle form of ignorance. And like all forms of ignorance, it leads to frustration, not just for ourselves but for everyone involved.

That’s why, for this trip, we decided to rent a car. We thought it would ease the burden of walking and help them stay comfortable. In theory, it was a great idea. In practice… well, driving in Tokyo can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when you’re unfamiliar with local traffic rules. Without a good dose of mindfulness, it didn’t take long before we were snapping at each other in the car. (Shouting in traffic—just another family tradition?) I like to think this happens to other families too. Right?

Still, what matters is not the shouting but how quickly we move on. Let the moment pass. Flip the page. And hopefully, the next one brings a little more laughter than tension.

May all be well and happy.