My toddler’s jet lag had us roaming Tokyo before dawn. We saw a side of the city most tourists miss.

The author traveled from San Diego to Tokyo with her 4-year-old daughter, experiencing jet lag that led to predawn runs to convenience stores and public meltdowns. Despite the challenges, the early morning provided an opportunity to see a quieter side of Tokyo that typically goes unnoticed by tourists. The daughter woke up at 3:47 a.m., fully awake and ready to begin the day.

The author had never struggled with jet lag before, but a 16-hour time difference with a preschooler to manage made it particularly difficult. Upon landing in Tokyo, they had to clear customs and immigration, and then drive to the city, still uncertain whether it was morning, evening, or night. Despite these difficulties, the author chose Tokyo as their first stop because of its safety and efficiency, despite the added challenge of a jet-lagged 4-year-old.

The first night was dedicated to damage control, with the daughter sleeping in a darkened room until 5 a.m. The following day, they took advantage of the early morning by visiting a convenience store for an egg salad sandwich, exploring a nearby park, and having a kimono photo shoot. The toddler's jet lag turned out to be an advantage, as they were alone at the playground, and the entire place was quiet except for a few stragglers.

After a two-hour nap, the family attended a kimono photo shoot and a karaoke session to help the daughter overcome her jet lag. However, on the second day, the author encountered a loud and overwhelming food market in Tsukiji, which overwhelmed her daughter. She hid under her mother's skirt until a tour guide offered her ice cream, which helped her become more engaged and excited for the rest of the morning.

Despite the struggles, the author enjoyed a delicious meal at a panoramic view restaurant and acknowledged that food played a crucial role in helping her toddler overcome jet lag.