Tokyo With Kids: Best Things to Do and Family Travel Tips

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Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world for a family trip. It is very safe, spotlessly clean, full of playgrounds and parks, and the public transport is easy even with a stroller. Kids love the theme parks, anime shops, aquariums and food, and parents love that everything just works. I lived in Tokyo for three years and know the city well, so this guide covers the best things to do with kids, practical tips for trains, hotels and food, and where to stay as a family.

Best Things to Do in Tokyo With Kids

Attraction	Ages	Approx. price	Good to know
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea	all ages	adults from about ¥7,900; children about ¥4,700 to ¥5,900; dynamic pricing	book tickets online in advance
Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)	4+	adults ¥1,000, children ¥100 to ¥700	tickets only in advance via Lawson, released on the 10th of the month before
Ueno Zoo	all ages	adults ¥600, elementary school age and younger free	combine with Ueno Park museums
teamLab Planets or Borderless	all ages	dynamic; children much cheaper than adults, under 4 free	book a time slot
Pokémon Center and Pokémon Café	all ages	free entry (shop); café by reservation	Café bookings open 31 days ahead and sell out fast
Sanrio Puroland	all ages	about ¥3,900 to ¥6,900 depending on date	Hello Kitty indoor theme park
KidZania Tokyo	3 to 15	children roughly ¥3,200 to ¥6,000	role-play city for kids, two shifts per day

Anime fans of all ages will love my guide to anime locations in Japan, and kids who love Pokémon should not miss the Pokémon x Kogei exhibition when it is on. The neighbourhood around the Ghibli Museum is covered in my Kichijoji guide.

Book Tokyo family tickets and tours:

Parks and Free Activities

• Inokashira Park in Kichijoji: swan boats, a small zoo and the Ghibli Museum nearby.
• Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa: huge lawns, a giant trampoline area and cycling.
• Shinjuku Gyoen: big lawns for picnics; see my Shinjuku Gyoen guide.
• Watching trains: Japanese kids (and many adults) love trains. Station platforms and the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station are free entertainment.
• Arcades and capsule toys: gashapon machines and crane games are everywhere.

Getting Around With Kids

• Children’s fares: children aged 6 to 11 pay half price; children under 6 ride free when they do not take a reserved seat, usually up to two per paying adult.
• Strollers: allowed on trains and subways. Use elevators, shown on station maps, and avoid rush hours (about 7:30 to 9:30 and 17:30 to 19:30).
• IC cards: adults can use Suica or PASMO; child IC cards with discounted fares are available too. See my Suica guide.
• Luggage: send big suitcases ahead with luggage forwarding so your hands are free.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Baby rooms: department stores, malls and many large stations have free nursing and changing rooms.
• Food: family restaurants, food courts and convenience stores make feeding kids easy. Many restaurants have kids’ menus or will share dishes.
• Toilets: clean public toilets are everywhere, many with baby seats. Some are an attraction in themselves, like the aquarium toilet in Hyogo.
• Safety: Tokyo is very safe; see my article on whether Tokyo is safe.
• Weather: summers are hot and humid; plan indoor activities at midday. See my guide to the best time to visit Japan.

Where to Stay in Tokyo With Kids

Families often like the Tokyo Station area, Asakusa and Ueno for their calm evenings and easy connections, or Maihama if you plan several days at Disney. Many Japanese hotels let young children under 6 share an existing bed for free, but rooms are small, so look for family rooms or apartment hotels and always register the children in your booking. I compare all areas in where to stay in Tokyo, and you can compare family-friendly Tokyo hotels on Agoda.

Search family rooms in Tokyo:

Sample 4-Day Family Itinerary

Day	Plan
1	Asakusa and Senso-ji, river cruise, Ueno Zoo
2	Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
3	Ghibli Museum, Inokashira Park, Kichijoji
4	teamLab, Pokémon Center, Shibuya Crossing in the evening

Add a day trip to the beach and temples of Kamakura (or the calmer Isshiki Beach nearby) or the roller coasters of Fuji-Q Highland for older kids. More ideas in my day trips from Tokyo guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tokyo With Kids

Is Tokyo good for kids?

Yes. It is very safe and clean, has excellent public transport and countless attractions for children, from theme parks to museums and playgrounds.

Do children pay on trains in Japan?

Children aged 6 to 11 pay half fare. Children under 6 ride free when they do not occupy a reserved seat, usually up to two per paying adult.

Are strollers allowed on Tokyo trains?

Yes. You can keep them unfolded, but avoid rush hour and use the elevators.

How do I get Ghibli Museum tickets?

Only in advance through Lawson Ticket. Tickets for the next month go on sale at 10:00 Japan time on the 10th of each month.

Is Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea better for kids?

Disneyland is better for younger children, with classic rides and characters. DisneySea is more atmospheric and has more rides for older kids and adults.

Can kids sleep in my bed in a Japanese hotel?

Many hotels allow young children under 6 to share an existing bed for free. Always include them in your booking and check the hotel policy.

What is the best area to stay in Tokyo with kids?

Asakusa, Ueno and Tokyo Station are calm and central; Maihama is best for Disney.

Final Thoughts

Tokyo with kids is easier than most parents expect. Mix one big attraction per day with parks, train rides and food, avoid rush hour and the midday summer heat, and your children will talk about it for years.