Tokyo can be intimidating to visit, especially when sightseeing with family. The city is massive, the train map could pass for modern art, and the crowds are no joke. But with some precautions, it can be way easier than expected. A lot of Japanese food is already stuff kids will eat (rice, noodles, broth-based soups), the streets are absurdly clean and safe, and the city runs on a kind of quiet efficiency that makes getting around with a stroller or a tired five-year-old less painful than it sounds. But, even with this, there’s still one thing left to decide: Just what exactly do we do in Tokyo with our family? Well, fear not! We’ve covered a mix of the popular and under-the-radar spots you should absolutely take the time to see when in the country’s capital, kids or not.
Family arriving at the airport with their luggage – Credit: Kittyfly
A Few Tips Before You Go
Before you rush into things, though, here are a few things we wish someone had told us before our first trip to Japan with our families:
- Bring cash. Plenty of smaller shops and restaurants don’t take cards. You’ll find ATMs at 7-Eleven and at post offices that accept foreign bank cards.
- Kids under 6 ride trains for free. Children aged 6 to 11 pay half fare. This makes the train system surprisingly affordable for families.
- Strollers are doable but not always easy. Most major stations have elevators, but rush hour (roughly 7:30-9:00 AM and 5:30-7:00 PM on weekdays) is brutal with a stroller. Plan around it if you can.
- Department stores are your friend. Stores like Takashimaya and Isetan have clean nursing rooms, diaper-changing stations, and sometimes even small rooftop playgrounds. If you need a break, head to the nearest department store.
- Stock up on diapers and baby food at drugstores or convenience stores. Sizes are listed by weight range in kilograms. Baby food pouches are easy to find and usually clearly labeled.
- If anyone in your family has food allergies, get them written down in Japanese before you go. Your hotel front desk can usually help with this, and it will save you a lot of stress at restaurants.
Room of Sparkling Orbs display at teamLab Borderless – Credit: nightcap
Things to Do
teamLab Borderless
This is the one your kids have probably already seen on TikTok. teamLab Borderless is a digital art museum in Azabudai Hills where entire rooms are filled with interactive projections that react to movement and touch. Flowers spread across the floor when you walk, water flows around your ankles on screen, and the projections bleed from one room into the next with no clear boundaries. Even toddlers and babies get locked in, just watching the colors shift around them.
Strollers aren’t allowed inside, and even if they were, it would be hard to navigate the exhibits and crowds with one, so make sure to leave yours at the designated lockers in the entrance. If your child doesn’t handle dark spaces well, it’s a good idea to keep that in mind, as it tends to get quite dark. Make sure to book your tickets online in advance, as mentioned, this is a popular location. Finally, weekday mornings are your best bet if you’re aiming for those smaller crowds.
Location: 〒106-0041 Tokyo, Minato City, Toranomon, 5 Chome−９ Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, B1
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (last entry one hour before closing; hours tend to vary by season)
Fees: Adults (18+): from ¥3,800 | Ages 13-17: ¥2,800 | Ages 4-12: ¥1,500 | Under 3: Free
Phone: +81362309666
Website: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/tokyo/
Senso-Ji Temple – Credit: JNTO
Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street (Asakusa)
If you only have time for one “old Tokyo” neighborhood, make it Asakusa and head straight for its most famous street and temple. Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and the approach to it through Nakamise Street is lined with stalls selling snacks, toys, and souvenirs perfect for the whole family. The whole area has an energy that kids pick up on right away. There are rice crackers to taste, small wooden swords and fans to buy, and melon pan (sweet bread) to eat while you walk. The temple itself is free to enter and looks impressive without requiring your kids to be quiet or stand still for twenty minutes, which we know can matter a lot for those under eight.
We suggest going early in the morning if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. And if you’re there around lunchtime, head to one of the nearby side streets for a bowl of udon or tempura, trust us, you won’t regret it, and neither will your little ones! Right across the river, you can see Tokyo Skytree, so it’s easy to pair these two into one outing.
Location: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan (Senso-ji)
1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan (Nakamise)
Hours: Temple grounds open 24 hours. Main hall 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM (6:30 AM in winter)
Nakamise Street is open from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, 7 days a week.
Fees: Free to enter
Phone: +81338420181 (Senso-ji)
+81338443350 (Nakamise)
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/
http://www.asakusa-nakamise.jp/
Tokyo Skytree at night surrounded by summer fireworks – Credit: BaLL LunLa
Tokyo Skytree
At 634 meters tall, Skytree is hard to miss. The observation decks give you a panoramic view of the entire city, and on clear days, you can even see Mt. Fuji in the distance. The glass floor panels are the part kids talk about most. Standing on them and looking straight down at the streets below might be hard to stomach for some, but for others, it’s almost like an amusement ride, just while remaining still!
Below the tower, the Tokyo Solamachi shopping complex has over 300 shops and restaurants, including a Sumida Aquarium and a planetarium. Between the tower and the mall, you can easily fill half a day here without trying too hard, especially if the weather turns on you, which is certainly a possibility if you’re visiting in the rainy season. The aquarium is on the smaller side but has a nice open jellyfish exhibit and a penguin area that holds kids’ attention.
Location: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (last entry 8:00 PM)
Fees: Adults: from ¥1,800 | Children (6-17): from ¥950 | Preschool and under 5: Free
Phone: +81570550634
Website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps
Yanaka and Nezu Shrine Azaelias – Credit: Agoda
Yanaka & Nezu Shrine
Whilst most of Tokyo was flattened during WWII and rebuilt from scratch, Yanaka was one of the lucky ones. This neighborhood in the Taito/Bunkyo area still has narrow lanes, wooden houses, and a pace of life that feels like it belongs to a different era. It’s one of the few places in Tokyo where you can wander around and actually feel the history instead of reading about it on a plaque. The main strip in this neighborhood is Yanaka Ginza, a short shopping street with food stalls, small craft shops, and, something your kids are sure to love, an unofficial cat theme running through everything. You’ll see ceramic cats on fences, cat-shaped taiyaki (filled pastries), and actual neighborhood cats lounging on walls. Kids and adults alike can get a kick out of spotting them. In fact, we strongly suggest you make a game out of spotting “The Seven Lucky Cats” hidden throughout the street. There are cheap snacks everywhere, and the whole street takes maybe ten minutes to walk end to end, so it doesn’t require much endurance from little legs.
A short walk from Yanaka is Nezu Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo and one that barely any tourists visit. It has a tunnel of small red torii gates that are similar to the famous ones at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, but no crowds, and a hillside covered in azalea bushes that bloom throughout April and May. The shrine grounds are free, spacious, and quiet enough that kids can explore without you worrying about bothering anyone. You can pair this with a walk through the nearby Yanaka Cemetery, which, we know, sounds morbid, but hear us out! It is actually a wide, tree-lined park full of cherry trees and strolling locals. The whole area is easy to reach from either Nippori or Sendagi Station.
For the perfect family adventure through Yanaka, make sure to check out our Old Town Tokyo Tour and book in time for your next trip!
Location: 3 Chome-13-1 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan (Yanaka Ginza)
1 Chome-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0031, Japan (Nezu Shrine)
Hours: Shops at Yanaka Ginza are open around roughly 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Nezu Shrine grounds open at 6:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM (can be later in the summer).
Fees: Free (azalea garden in April: ¥500-¥1,000; kids, elementary age and under, free with guardian)
Phone: +81338220753 (Nezu Shrine)
Website: http://www.yanakaginza.com/
http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/
Giant globe at Miraikan – Credit: HknKirmizi
Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation)
This one doesn’t get as much attention as teamLab or DisneySea, but it might be the best museum for families in Tokyo. Located on the man-made island of Odaiba, Miraikan is a hands-on science museum run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. The centerpiece is a giant LED globe hanging from the ceiling that displays real-time weather data from satellites. It’s pretty awe-inspiring for people of any age.
The museum covers earth science, space exploration, and robotics across three zones. Most exhibits are interactive, and there are English explanations throughout. Honda’s ASIMO robot used to perform here but retired in 2022; you can still see exhibits about its legacy, plus newer robots and AI demonstrations. If this sounds like the spot for your family, make sure to give yourself at least two hours so you can explore thoroughly. Three if your kids are into robots!
Here’s a bonus spot, too! While you’re in Odaiba, you can also check out the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue outside DiverCity, which is free to see and lights up in the evening.
Location: 2 Chome-3-6 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Fees: Adults: ¥630 | Ages 18 and under: ¥210
Phone: +81335709151
Website: https://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/
Life-size reproduction on display in the Fukagawa Edo Museum – Credit: Jye Shen
Fukagawa Edo Museum
Most travelers have never even heard of this place, and that’s part of what makes it so good. The Fukagawa Edo Museum recreates a working-class neighborhood from the Edo period (1603-1868) at full scale, right inside a building. You walk through narrow streets, step inside the houses, pick up objects, and poke around like you’ve been dropped back into 17th-century Tokyo. Every 15 minutes or so, the lighting changes to simulate the shift from day to night, complete with the sounds of roosters, rain, and evening insects.
It’s small, so you probably won’t need more than an hour to explore the museum fully. But kids can easily stay engaged and entertained because they can touch everything and wander wherever they want! There are also volunteer guides who are happy to explain what you’re seeing. It costs almost nothing to get in, and it’s rarely crowded, making it a truly perfect stop to fuel the history nut of your family! And to keep the traditional Japanese vibe going, the nearby Kiyosumi Gardens has a pond where kids can feed the fish; in fact, the koi swarm toward you the second they see a person approaching the edge! Entry is only ¥150 for adults and free for kids.
Note: This museum has been occasionally closed for renovation in recent years. Check the website before visiting to confirm it’s open.
Location: 1 Chome-3-28 Shirakawa, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0021, Japan
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Monday – Thursday)
Fees: Adults: ¥400 | Elementary/junior high students: ¥50
Phone: +81336308625
Website: https://www.kcf.or.jp/fukagawa/
Todoroki Valley – Credit: zu_kuni
Todoroki Valley
If your family needs a break from the concrete and the crowds, this is the place to be! Todoroki Valley is a narrow ravine in the Setagaya neighborhood with a walking trail that follows a small stream through thick trees. The whole walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes and ends at a small temple (Todoroki Fudoson). The temperature drops noticeably once you step down into the valley, which is definitely a massive relief in those hotter summer months!
Surprisingly, almost no tourists come here. It’s free, it’s quiet, and you’d never guess you were standing in the middle of a city of 14 million people. The paths can be a bit uneven in places, so it’s better for kids who can walk on their own, and definitely skip the stroller. There’s a small tea house near the end of the trail where you can sit and have a cold drink, so it’s not a hard or enduring trek for all kinds of walkers!
Location: 1 Chome-22-26 Todoroki, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0082, Japan
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (temple grounds at the end of the trail close at dusk)
Fees: Free
Phone: +81337044972
Website: https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/mokuji/kusei/012/015/001/010/d00004247.html
Pink and blue hydrangeas lining the stairs leading to Asukayama Park – Credit: kuremo
Asukayama Park
Asukayama Park in the Kita ward doesn’t show up on many itineraries, but you’ll notice the difference and peaceful atmosphere the moment you arrive. No crowds, no lines, just you, your family, and the gorgeous natural scenery surrounding you. It’s been a cherry blossom viewing spot since the 1700s, but outside of spring, it’s a calm, spacious park with three small museums and a playground for little ones to enjoy. The seasonal flowers also don’t just end with sakura season; in summer, the area is dotted with beautiful Japanese hydrangeas, blooming in multiple colours, including blue and pink. One of the top highlights for kids is a real decommissioned steam locomotive (D51) and a retired city tram that they can climb on and explore!
There’s also a short monorail called the Asukayama Park Monorail (or “Asukarugo”) that takes you from street level up to the park entrance. It’s free and runs every few minutes. Kids love it, and honestly, adults do too. Finally, if you’re looking for lunch, there’s a family-friendly restaurant called Apronmark just a three-minute walk from the park.
Location: 1 Chome-1-3 Oji, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0002, Japan
Hours: Park open 24 hours. Museums 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Mondays)
Fees: Park is free. Museum entry: ¥300 for adults, free for children.
Phone: +81339089275
Website: https://www.npd.jp/asukayamapark/
Colorfully decorated archway signalling the entrance to Takeshita Street – Credit: Arigato Travel
Harajuku & Takeshita Street
Harajuku is a lot, but in a good way. Takeshita Street is the main attraction, a narrow pedestrian lane packed with shops selling everything from cotton candy the size of your head to crepes stuffed with strawberries and cream. Kids will be drawn to the bright colors, the street fashion, and the noise. Character goods stores, squishy shops, and photo booths are crammed into every available space, making it so there’s absolutely no end to the things to do. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir so everyone can remember their trip long after you’ve returned home! Takeshita is a very popular street, so it’s best to try to go before the lunch rush or late in the afternoon if you want to move at a reasonable pace. On weekends, it gets suffocatingly crowded.
After Takeshita Street, walk five minutes to Meiji Shrine, which sits inside a large forested area. The contrast is striking: you go from total chaos to tall trees and gravel paths in about two minutes! Keep an eye out on weekends because you might catch a traditional Japanese wedding procession passing through.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all the sites available in Harajuku, check out our guided experience, Crazy, Cute, Kawaii Food Tour, which goes through the famous area and is perfect for kids and those of us who are still children at heart!
Location: 1 Chome Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Hours: Shops roughly 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Meiji Shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset.
Fees: Free (shopping not included, obviously)
KidZania Tokyo – Credit: JNTO
KidZania Tokyo
KidZania is built for the 3-to-15 age range, and kids in that bracket tend to lose track of time here. The concept: a miniature city where kids role-play adult jobs. They can be firefighters, doctors, pilots, pizza makers, newspaper reporters, and dozens of other things! Each activity takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and kids earn “kidZos” (the park’s currency) that they can spend at shops inside.
Most of the activities are in Japanese, but Wednesdays are “English Wednesdays” where everything is conducted in English. Worth planning around if your family doesn’t speak Japanese. It’s located inside LaLaport Toyosu shopping mall, which also has restaurants and shops if the adults need something to do while the kids are busy working their pretend jobs.
Location: LaLaport Toyosu, 2-4-9 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo
Hours: Two sessions daily. First: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Second: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Fees: Children (3-15): from ¥3,500 | Adults (16+): from ¥1,950
Website: https://www.kidzania.jp/en/tokyo/top
Mediterranean harbor with volcano, one of the attractions at DisneySea – Credit: Mumemories
Tokyo DisneySea
You could argue that regular Tokyo Disneyland is the typical safer bet with smaller kids, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But Tokyo DisneySea is unlike any other Disney park in the world. The whole place is themed around different ports of call (Mediterranean Harbor, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, and others), and the amount of detail crammed into the architecture and landscaping is borderline obsessive. Walking through the Mediterranean Harbor area, you’d swear you were in an actual Italian port town.
Mermaid Lagoon has an entire indoor area with gentle rides and play spaces that work well for younger kids. Older kids and teens will probably want to hit Journey to the Center of the Earth and Tower of Terror. The Fantasy Springs area (opened in 2024) added new attractions based on Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan that have been packed since opening day. We highly suggest booking your tickets well in advance. Midweek visits (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) tend to be less crowded than weekends.
Location: 1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba (about 15 min from Tokyo Station by train)
Hours: Vary by season, typically 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM
Fees: Adults (18+): ¥7,900-¥10,900 | Juniors (12-17): ¥6,600-¥9,000 | Children (4-11): ¥4,700-¥5,600 | Ages 3 and under: Free
Website: tokyodisneyresort.jp/tds/
Child enjoying sushi at a sushi train – Credit: Hakase_420
A Few More Quick Ideas
If you still have time and energy (or if the weather changes your plans), here are a few more things worth considering:
Karaoke
Private room karaoke is everywhere in Tokyo, and it works surprisingly well as a family activity. Most places charge by the hour and include drink bars. Order some fries, queue up some songs, and let everyone take turns embarrassing themselves.
Conveyor Belt Sushi
Find a kaiten-zushi restaurant and let the kids grab plates as they roll past. Even picky eaters usually find something they like, and nobody rushes you.
Shinjuku Gyoen
A huge garden with wide lawns, a greenhouse, and three distinct garden styles (Japanese, French, English) right in the middle of the city. Bring a blanket, grab some onigiri from a nearby konbini, and let the kids loose. Entry is ¥500 for adults and free for ages 15 and under.
Tokyo Fire Museum
Near Yotsuya-Sanchome Station, this free museum lets kids dress up as firefighters and play in real fire trucks and helicopters. Best for ages 3 to 8 or so.
Suginami Animation Museum
Three floors of anime history and hands-on exhibits, and it’s completely free — a good pick for animation-loving kids and teens.
You’re not going to fit everything into one trip, and frankly, trying to see it all is often a recipe for disaster. But if you accept that now, you’ll quickly find that you are able to have a much better time. Tokyo is a marathon, not a sprint, especially when you’re navigating it with little ones in tow. Pick a handful of things from this list that genuinely excite your family, leave plenty of room for aimless wandering, and don’t underestimate the simple, spontaneous joys. Sometimes the best memories won’t be from the big-ticket attractions, but from the quiet moments. So, take the chance to slow down, stay flexible, and enjoy the adventure for the whole family. After all, Tokyo is full of magic if you give yourself the permission to find it.
Featured Photo Credit: Franci Leoncio
