Tokyo with kids is one of those trips that is difficult to explain until you have actually been there. It is enormous, incredibly busy and, at first glance, almost a little overwhelming. Then you turn a corner and suddenly there is a tiny shrine tucked between two buildings, a quiet garden hidden behind a wall, or a little ramen restaurant with only a handful of seats.
That contrast is what makes Tokyo so fascinating.
For us, Tokyo was the beginning of our Japan adventure, and it was probably the best possible introduction to the country. The girls were fascinated by absolutely everything. The vending machines, the trains, the Japanese sweets, the lights in Shibuya, the strange-looking snacks in convenience stores and, of course, the fact that there seemed to be something exciting happening on every street.
Tokyo isn’t necessarily a city where you need to keep the kids entertained every minute. The city itself does a pretty good job of that.
And although three weeks in Japan gave us plenty of time to discover more of the country, Tokyo was the place where we first realised just how different, exciting and wonderfully unpredictable travelling around Japan with kids could be.
Arriving in Tokyo with Kids
After a long flight, arriving in Tokyo can feel like stepping straight into another world. The airport, the signs, the trains and even the quietness of people around you are different from what you may be used to at home.
One of the first things I would recommend arranging before you leave is your internet connection. Having mobile data from the moment you arrive makes everything so much easier, especially when you’re trying to navigate the train system, find your hotel or work out which exit of a station you are supposed to take.
We used an eSIM for Japan, which meant we didn’t have to search for a physical SIM card after a long flight.
Airalo Japan eSIM is an easy option to arrange before your trip. https://airalo.tpk.lu/icA4nRUO
And trust me, Google Maps becomes your best friend in Tokyo.
Not just for finding restaurants or attractions, but for navigating the stations. Tokyo’s public transport system is fantastic, but the stations can be enormous. Sometimes getting from one platform to another feels like a small adventure in itself.
The good news is that once you understand the system, travelling around Tokyo with kids is surprisingly easy.
Where to Stay in Tokyo with Kids
Choosing the right area to stay can make a huge difference when you’re travelling with children. Tokyo is massive, so you don’t want to spend your entire holiday travelling from one side of the city to the other.
Two areas that work particularly well for families are Shinjuku and Asakusa, although they give you very different experiences.
Shinjuku is everything you probably imagine when you think of Tokyo. Neon signs, huge department stores, restaurants, busy streets and people everywhere. It is exciting and incredibly convenient for getting around, but it can also be quite intense.
Asakusa feels much more traditional. This is where you get a glimpse of an older Tokyo, with temples, smaller streets and traditional shops. For families, I really like the contrast of staying somewhere that feels a little calmer after spending the day surrounded by Tokyo’s bright lights and crowds.
When choosing a hotel, I would also pay attention to the size of the room. Japanese hotel rooms can be considerably smaller than many European or American family rooms, and after a long day of sightseeing, having enough space to actually open your suitcases can make life much easier.
We always prefer having a practical family room or somewhere with enough space to organise our luggage rather than choosing purely based on how beautiful a hotel looks in the photographs.
If you’re still looking for somewhere to stay, you can have a look at family-friendly hotels in Tokyo on Booking.com. https://booking.tpk.lu/fXErmS1n
Shibuya Crossing: Tokyo’s Big Moment
There are some places that you visit because they are famous, and then there are places where you actually understand why they are famous once you’re standing there.
Shibuya Crossing is definitely one of them.
We had seen the photographs and videos before going, but nothing quite prepares you for standing above the crossing and watching thousands of people move in every direction as the lights change.
And then, of course, you have to cross it yourself.
The girls thought this was hilarious.
It sounds simple — wait for the light, walk across the road — but when you are surrounded by hundreds of other people all doing exactly the same thing, it feels like you’re part of a perfectly organised dance.
Once you’ve crossed, take some time to explore the surrounding area rather than simply ticking Shibuya Crossing off your list. There are plenty of shops, cafés and places to stop for a drink, and the whole area has that unmistakable Tokyo energy.
If you want to combine Shibuya with other Tokyo highlights, there are also plenty of guided experiences available. We found that booking a few activities in advance was useful because some of Tokyo’s most popular attractions can sell out.
You can browse Tokyo experiences and tours on GetYourGuide. https://getyourguide.tpk.lu/OrKGbkZY
Harajuku and Takeshita Street
If Shibuya shows you the modern, energetic side of Tokyo, Harajuku takes things in a completely different direction.
Takeshita Street is colourful, busy and full of shops selling things you probably didn’t know existed until you walked through the door.
For kids, it is brilliant.
There are Japanese sweets, enormous colourful treats, quirky fashion stores, character merchandise and plenty of things that immediately make you reach for your phone because you’re thinking, what on earth is that?
The girls loved wandering around here, although I quickly learned that “we’re just going to have a look” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re leaving without buying anything.
One of the fun things about travelling with kids in Japan is that food becomes part of the experience. You don’t necessarily need to sit down for a big meal every time you’re hungry. Trying a little snack from a street vendor or a shop can become an adventure in itself.
And Japan is a fantastic country for this.
teamLab Planets: One of Those Places You Have to Experience
There are plenty of attractions in Tokyo that look impressive in photographs, but teamLab Planets is one where the experience itself is what makes it memorable.
You walk through rooms filled with light, water, mirrors and digital art, and the boundaries between the artwork and the space around you start to disappear.
The girls absolutely loved it.
It is one of those attractions where you stop worrying about taking the perfect photograph because you are too busy looking around and wondering what you’re going to discover next.
For families, I think this is a great choice because it doesn’t feel like a traditional museum where children are expected to quietly look at things behind glass. You are actually part of the experience.
Do book ahead, though. Popular Tokyo attractions such as teamLab can get busy, particularly during school holidays.
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
If your children love Disney, you probably already know that Tokyo has not one but two Disney parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
And yes, if you’re wondering whether they are worth adding to a Japan itinerary, I would say absolutely — especially if your children are Disney fans.
Tokyo DisneySea is particularly special because it is unlike any other Disney park in the world. Even if you’ve visited Disneyland Paris or one of the American parks before, the atmosphere and details here feel different.
We also found that a Disney day can be a nice break from sightseeing. Tokyo involves a lot of walking, trains and new experiences, and spending a full day somewhere where the kids already know what to expect can give everyone a chance to simply enjoy themselves.
If you’re planning a Disney day, check tickets and availability well ahead of your visit.
You can look at Tokyo Disney Resort experiences and activities through GetYourGuide. https://getyourguide.tpk.lu/OrKGbkZY
Eating Your Way Through Tokyo
One of my favourite things about travelling through Japan with kids was how much food became part of the adventure.
We tried things we would probably never have ordered at home simply because they looked interesting.
Ramen quickly became a favourite, and the girls loved the little restaurants where you order your food and watch it arrive through a small opening in the kitchen.
Then there were the convenience stores.
Japanese convenience stores are on another level.
They became almost impossible to walk past without buying something. Onigiri, unusual drinks, little desserts, Japanese crisps and snacks that we couldn’t always identify but obviously had to try.
And that’s one of the things I would encourage you to do in Tokyo: don’t plan every meal.
Some of our favourite food moments came from simply walking into somewhere because it looked good.
You don’t need a fancy restaurant every night, especially when you’re travelling with children. Sometimes sitting down somewhere small and local with a bowl of ramen is much more memorable.
Day Trip from Tokyo: Mount Fuji and Hakone
Tokyo is such a huge city that it can be tempting to stay within the city limits for your entire visit, but there are some fantastic day trips nearby.
Mount Fuji is obviously the big one.
Seeing Fuji-san for the first time is one of those moments where you understand why this mountain has become such an iconic symbol of Japan. The problem is that the mountain doesn’t always cooperate with your plans.
Clouds can roll in, visibility can change and suddenly the perfect view you were hoping for has disappeared.
That is simply part of travelling in Japan.
Hakone is another popular option and can make a wonderful combination with Mount Fuji. You can experience beautiful scenery, hot springs, lake views and some of the more traditional sides of Japan without having to move hotels.
For families, I would seriously consider booking a tour if you want to combine several locations in one day. It saves you the hassle of figuring out every train, bus and connection yourself, particularly when you’re travelling with children.
There are several Mount Fuji and Hakone day trips from Tokyo available through GetYourGuide. https://getyourguide.tpk.lu/OrKGbkZY
Another Day Trip: Nikko
If your family enjoys temples, nature and a slightly slower pace, Nikko is another great option from Tokyo.
It feels completely different from the city.
Suddenly the skyscrapers are gone, the pace slows down and you’re surrounded by forests, mountains and beautiful historic sites.
For us, this was one of the things that made Japan so interesting. You can go from a city where giant screens and neon lights surround you to a peaceful temple surrounded by trees, all within the same trip.
That contrast is one of the reasons Japan works so well for a longer family holiday.
Practical Tips for Visiting Tokyo with Kids
Tokyo involves a lot of walking, even if you use public transport for most of your journeys. Comfortable shoes are therefore absolutely essential.
And don’t underestimate how much walking happens inside the train stations themselves.
We also found it useful to plan our days around neighbourhoods rather than trying to see attractions scattered all over Tokyo. Spending a morning in one area and exploring it properly is much more enjoyable than spending half the day travelling between different parts of the city.
Give yourself some flexibility, too.
The first couple of days can be tiring because you’re dealing with jet lag, a completely different environment and a city that is much bigger than most European cities. You don’t need to see everything immediately.
Some of the best moments happen when you leave a little room in the itinerary.
And if you’re travelling with younger children, snacks are your friend. Always have something in your bag for those moments when everyone suddenly becomes extremely hungry at exactly the same time.
Tokyo Was Just the Beginning
Looking back, Tokyo was the perfect introduction to our Japan adventure.
It gave us the big city experience, but it also gave us our first taste of the traditions, food, politeness and attention to detail that would become such a big part of the rest of our journey.
From Tokyo, we continued exploring Japan, discovering completely different sides of the country as we travelled.
If you’re planning a longer family trip, don’t stop at Tokyo. Japan is incredibly diverse, and the contrast between the cities, countryside, temples, islands and mountains is what makes travelling through the country so special.
We’ve put together our Japan with Kids: The Ultimate 3-Week Family Travel Guide, which is a great place to start if you’re planning your own trip.
You can also continue exploring our Japan adventures with:
Kyoto with Kids: Temples, Geisha Streets & Magical Moments
Osaka with Kids: Food, Fun & Universal Studios Japan
Hiroshima & Miyajima with Kids: History, Hope & Island Adventures
Japan with Kids: Our Complete 3-Week Itinerary
And there are more Japan stories coming, including Tokyo Disney Resort with Kids and our experience visiting Mount Fuji with the girls.
Would We Recommend Tokyo with Kids?
Absolutely.
Tokyo is big, busy and sometimes a little overwhelming, but that is also exactly what makes it so exciting.
The girls never seemed to run out of things to look at, ask questions about or photograph. One minute we were standing in the middle of one of the busiest crossings in the world, and the next we were walking through a quiet temple or sitting down with a bowl of ramen.
That’s Tokyo.
It isn’t one single experience. It’s hundreds of little experiences happening at the same time.
And perhaps that’s what I loved most about our first few days in Japan. We arrived expecting Tokyo to be futuristic, colourful and enormous, but we left realising that the city is so much more than that.
It is modern and traditional, chaotic and incredibly organised, loud and surprisingly peaceful.
And for a family discovering Japan together for the first time, I can’t think of a better place to start.
