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It's cheaper outside of school holidays but if you're restricted then it's a good idea to keep looking for the dates you need and book your flights as soon as they are released, which is usually a year in advance. If you can be flexible, even a couple of days to play with can get you a better price. If you're happy to compromise, a lengthy wait or a connection that doesn't get you straight there can save a few hundred, especially if you're travelling in a group. We've found the best prices have been with Qatar, KLM, Air France, Finnair and Japan Airlines - every time we've been a different airline has offered the best price. The service has been similar on all of the above and we'd recommend any of them.

Each of our trips has lasted between 10 and 12 days and we've managed to fit in some of the sights and sounds of Tokyo, a trip out to Fuji or Hiroshima and come away with a list of things to do next time.

We've only ever been at Easter. The benefits are that we always get to see the cherry blossoms and the weather is reasonable - usually some sunshine with a few rain-showers and a couple of degrees warmer than the UK. The downside is that this is national holiday time in Japan so attractions are busy - possibly even busier than summer. That said, I haven't been put off so far and I'd still go back to DisneySea at this time too!

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We always stay at Hotel Edoya.

http://www.hoteledoya.com/e/main.html

Each time we go, I start a fresh search for a hotel, but I never find anywhere that includes breakfast and in such a good location for a similar price. If you do find somewhere, please let me know.

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1. It's near Ueno Park which is lined with cherry blossoms, has six museums, is home to Tokyo Zoo and right next to Ueno Train Station (connections to Metro and Japan Rail networks and Narita airport).

2. It's within walking distance of Ameyoko street market and shops, Akihabara - electronics town and some very cool toy shops and at a push you can walk to Kappabashi Street where you'll find an extensive range of catering wholesalers, including crockery, kitchen equipment and outlets selling plastic display food.

3. You're just a few minutes walk from local metro and JR stations as well as post office and local convenience stores (Lawson and Lawson 100).

4. Breakfast is included - tea, coffee, juice, bread rolls, toast, jam, yoghurt, rice, miso soup, fish, pickles and pork balls.

5. Helpful staff and international guests from all over the world create a friendly atmosphere.

6. Email enquiries are in English and booking online is clear and straightforward. This year we had a night booked in Hiroshima so we checked out, they stored our suitcases and kept them until we arrived back and checked in again - no problem.

7. It's cheap - about £110 per night b&b for four of us (two adults, two children) sharing.

8. Free internet access and lots of information leaflets, maps and guides.

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1. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park
2. Travel by bullet train
3. Eat at a noodle bar
4. Tour a fish market
5. Seek out Godzilla
6. Look at the view from the top of a tower
7. Explore theme parks: Tokyo Disney/DisneySea and Hanayashiki - the oldest theme park in Japan and oddly reminiscent of Blackpool Pleasure Beach
8. Go shopping: Nakano Broadway, Sunshine City, Akihabara, Ameyoko Market, Kappabashi, Don Quijote, 100 Yen store
9. Play Pokemon Go!
10. Cross the road at Shibuya Station

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Organised!

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Under 12 children receive reduced rate entrance and fees for most things, including transport, attractions and accommodation. So take the kids before they get to secondary school.

Use Halifax credit card for purchases - no fees. Most places take card payments. We take about £1000 in cash and buy it online in advance. We compare rates at Money Saving Expert and get this a few weeks before we go.

Buy JR Rail passes. These are good value if you want to travel further than Tokyo. You are restricted to Japan Rail services but if you get the countrywide pass, one trip to Hiroshima on a bullet train covers the price, effectively making travel around Tokyo free. We found a 7 Day Ordinary Pass was perfect for us. You need to pay for your pass online before you go. You receive a voucher to exchange in Japan. The pass is popular and only available to tourists so be aware there will be a passport check, admin. and a queue. We exchanged ours at Ueno Station.
https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/

Enjoy great attractions for free or low cost:

Tokyo Sea Life Park - U12 free, adults 700 yen (£5)

Bunkyo Tower viewing platform - free

Ueno Park - free

Kurihama Flower Park and Godzilla slide - free

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Access to information to help navigate the streets of Tokyo has improved rapidly over the past ten years.

There are many apps, mostly free, offering maps of Tokyo, JR rail networks and Metro lines. Download these onto your phones and tablets before you go.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/city-rail-map-worldwide-offline-navigation/id1032469973?mt=8

There are a number of ways to access free and paid for WiFi but I found access to the internet was intermittent using free services.

https://www.softbank.jp/en/mobile/special/freewifi/en/

A couple of times, when we really needed a website or an online map to locate our position, we couldn't get a connection so if you really need it you might want to investigate paid services. We managed though - being lost just added to the adventure.

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Eating out could cost a lot but there are noodle bars across the city, many concentrated around train and metro stations, and for £5 you can fill up on noodles, rice and tempura. These often have a vending machine outside with pictures/plastic replicas of the meals so you make your choice, purchase a token then hand over to the kitchen staff inside. Free tea is usually available too.

http://www.tenya.co.jp/english/menu/menu/

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Disney's online tickets were the best value I could find, and I did look around. I was able to print these off so we were ready to scan and walk through the turnstiles when we arrived. I did consider the couple of cheaper options for entry later in the day but I'm glad I wasn't tempted - there's no way we would have had the time to enjoy it.

Studio Ghibli - if you want to go to the Ghibli Museum you have to book online and in advance. Tickets are limited and you can't buy them when you get there.

http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ticket-information/