Traveling to Japan with kids can be an unforgettable adventure, but finding family-friendly activities is key to making the trip enjoyable for everyone. We went on a trip to Japan with our 4 kids ages 5 and under. On our trip we discovered that there are so many ways for little ones (and parents!) to experience Japan together. Here are some of the best activities to do in Japan with kids that will leave you with plenty of memories.
Related: Japan with young kids
Japanese words:
Here are some great phrases to teach your kids before you visit Japan.
Thank you- arigato
Hello- kon’nichiwa
Delicious food- Oishi tabemono
I’m sorry- gomen’nasi
Excuse me- sumimasen
Toilet- toire
Activities
Toy museum- this museum has lots of interactive toys and games for children to play with. There’s even a toddler room, but you have to sign up for a space.
Tokyo Disney Sea- Disney Sea, is a unique experience. We enjoyed it, but it was quite busy and we didn’t exactly know what we were doing with the technology of using the app on your phone.
Tokyo sea life center- this aquarium is beautiful and full of sea life. There’s a space to touch some sea creatures, see penguins, and see a huge tank full of sharks.
Mipig cafe- if your kids are anything like mine, they will squeal with delight as the pigs line up in their laps and snuggle together.
Ueno zoo- This zoo is a lot of walking, but there are lots of animals, and exhibits. Make sure you go to the gates that are actually open. We ended up going on a day when it was free, so it was quite busy.
Legoland discovery center- this interactive Legoland was fun for the kids. It wasn’t our favorite and we might not go back if we return in a few years, but it was a fun thing to do.
Pokémon center- we went to all of the Pokémon centers in Tokyo. Our kids kind of became obsessed. They loved looking at the unique Pokémon sculptures, art, and all of the Pokémon merchandise. We probably spent way too much money at these centers, but they were fun to visit.
Parks
Tatsumi-no-mori beach park – this park had golf, a bouncy dragon fly, and a really cool tree pagoda
Shinjuku gyoen national garden- this garden had a beautiful multi-level greenhouse, and lots of cherry blossoms if you go in season
Komagome park- Komagome park had a really cool climbing structure that you could slide down and a bouncy panda
Sudo park- this park was so cute, it had lots of stairs with a small playground and a shrine & pond to walk around
Tabata park- this park had a cool tunnel and climbing rocks
Komagome Higashi Park- this park had fake grass, and a bridge with some great climbing rocks up the side of a small hill
Iriya minami park- this park had a climbing structure, and a tunnel
Food
羊炭長 – here you cook your own kabobs for an incredibly affordable cost. They have a cute lamb mascot and they were helpful to our kids. However there was no changing table in bathroom.
Crystal cafe- Near the aquarium, this cafe had lots of options and it has a kid play area. My 2 year old asked us to read a Japanese Dr. Suess book to her here since she recognized the cover.
Totti candy factory shop- My kids were excited for the giant cotton candy for months before our trip and now, months after, they still talk about it as their favorite part of the trip.
DiningCafeフルスイング- this was near the toy museum and they were very kid friendly.
龍翔堂 上野店 Ryushodo uenoten – we actually went here over 3 times during our 1 month trip. We loved the chocolate milk with boba. It was rich and delicious.
Oreryushio Ramen – There are a few locations, the one we went to was near harajuku station. The ramen was delicious and they were very kid conscientious.
7/11 or Lawson station or family mart or newdays- All of these convivence stores are all quite similar, however 7/11 has the best steamed buns and selection of onigiri. The food is affordable and quite tasty for a quick meal or snack
Sanrio cafe- this hello kitty cafe had lots of cute hello kitty themed treats. They have an option to dine in and one for to go. The steamed buns were tasty and adorable
Things we want to do when our kids are older
Ghibli museum
Harry Potter studio
Universal studios
Team lab planets
Team lab borderless
Joypolis
Tea ceremony
Samari experience
Sanrio puro land
Pokémon cafe (only because we didn’t book a reservation in advance, otherwise we would have gone this last trip)
Kidzania
Ramen/cup of noodles museum
Parks for next time
Kōnan Ryokusui Park
Oi Park
Tennōzu Park
What not to do:
Skip Okachimachi Park- it’s full of smoke walk the extra distance to Kojima Park, it’s cute, larger, and doesn’t smell of smoke.
