The charismatic and colorful capital of Japan attracts many tourists of all ages every day. And this is not surprising, because Tokyo is ideal for family travel and offers a wide variety of entertainment.
Tokyo is always very crowded with both locals and tourists. Almost all restaurants and cafes serve raw fish dishes, which may be unusual for children's delicate stomachs. But the city itself is clean and safe, with all modern amenities.
Some of the attractions may seem too "adult" or boring to young travelers. But endless game rooms, amusement parks, and shops selling sweets and anime characters will keep both kids and teenagers entertained for hours. In our article, we tell you what entertainment options are worth paying attention to for tourists with children.
Visit Toy Island in Odaiba
In Tokyo Bay lies the artificial island of Odaiba, from which the Rainbow Bridge shoots out like a monochrome arrow and reaches the very heart of Tokyo. This high-tech, modern district is famous for its entertainment centers and impressive installations, such as the Gundam Unicorn statue and a mini version of the Statue of Liberty. And there is always something for children to do here.
Legoland Discovery Center
Every day, Legoland Discovery Center captivates children from all over the world with the exciting process of creating colorful engineering structures. But there is also something for AFOLs, or adult Lego fans, who are ready to relive their childhood.
The Center has rides and even a 4D cinema, as well as a Lego NinjaGo City obstacle course.
Joypolis
It's worth visiting the indoor SEGA-themed amusement park with your children. In addition to roller coasters, virtual reality attractions, and arcade games, you can visit a game fair and sale or meet Sonic the Hedgehog.
Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
In Tokyo, it feels like you've stepped into the future, which suddenly doesn't seem so far away. And the Museum of the Future, with the help of a mobile app, allows children to see the latest developments in robotics. You can also meet the humanoid robot ASIMO here.
Make your dreams come true at Disneyland and DisneySea
Japanese people of all ages are enthusiastic about theme parks. The most popular ones are Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. They are located in the neighboring Chiba Prefecture, which can be reached by public transportation.
Tokyo Disneyland is architecturally similar to the famous California original. However, the Japanese version is more suitable for younger children, with lots of fun attractions in seven themed areas. Teenagers may find this park a little boring, as there are few breathtaking attractions.
The emphasis here is on the magic of the moment when visitors first see Cinderella's castle, meet Buzz Lightyear or Mickey Mouse. Or fall into the clutches of the monster in Disneyland's unique Beauty and the Beast-themed area.
You can read more about Disneylands around the world in article.
DisneySea, on the other hand, is perfect for older children, teenagers, and adults. The park and its attractions are decorated in a marine theme. "Sinbad's Voyage" and "Turtle Talk with Nemo" will be interesting for young children. Older guests are more likely to choose the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull or the Tower of Terror.
Find your favorite anime movie characters
“Street of Characters”
Deep inside Tokyo Station, there is a corridor that locals have nicknamed "Character Street." Here, there are more than 30 shops, and as you walk past them, you enter a world of teddy bears, character figurines, daikaiju monsters, and gachapon machines. All of this is accompanied by a cacophony of anime soundtracks. The most recognizable storefronts are Studio Ghibli, Pokemon Store, Hello Kitty, Doraemon, and Ultraman.
Pokémon Center
There are five Pokémon Centers in Tokyo, not counting stores. The most popular of these is Pokemon Center DX Tokyo, located five minutes from Tokyo Station.
In front of the entrance stands a large statue of Snorlax with Pikachu and Mew on its shoulders. Some of the brand's products can only be purchased here.
One of the main features of this center is the Pokemon-themed cafe located nearby. However, advance reservations are required to visit the cafe.
Studio Ghibli Museum
The museum is located in a toy house with whimsical architectural features. It has collected under its grapevine roof attributes from anime films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and others.
The museum has a mini-cinema where Ghibli short films are constantly shown.
Sanrio Puroland Theme Park
Hello Kitty Kingdom occupies four floors. It features themed attractions, as well as a variety of performances and movie screenings. An exciting boat cruise with Sanrio characters immerses visitors in the world of Hello Kitty. You can take a photo with Hello Kitty in her mansion as a souvenir.
See all of Tokyo from the top of Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree tower is 634 meters high. From its top, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Japanese capital. On the observation decks, you can feel as if you are floating above the ground, beneath the clouds. If you are lucky with the weather, you will have a wonderful view of Mount Fuji, majestically towering over the city.
And, as is often the case with the Japanese, exhibitions related to anime and video games are frequently held here.
Enjoy aesthetic pleasure at the Art Aquarium
Everything the Japanese do becomes art. So even a trip to a fish museum turns into a show. Skillfully crafted and illuminated aquariums filled with colorful inhabitants will impress both children and adults alike. The exhibits change every season, with the aim of showcasing Japan's cultural treasures.
Enter the magical world of Harry Potter
Not only wizards but also Muggles can now get into Hogwarts. If this doesn't make your eyes light up, you can skip it. But Potterheads are invited to proceed to platform 9¾. There you will see the world's largest indoor park dedicated to the world of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. You can read more about it here.
Which areas of Tokyo are suitable for children?
The Akihabara district, which we wrote about earlier here, is steeped in pop culture and video games. But your route here must be planned down to the smallest detail. The main street of the "Electric City" is littered with colorful flashing lights and arcade machines. But if you turn the wrong way, you may stumble upon adult establishments with girls in revealing outfits.
The Nakano area is suitable for older children who are interested in Japanese pop culture. The Nakano Broadway shopping complex is full of anime and comic book (manga) stores where you can find rare collectibles.
Takeshita Street in Harajuku is a popular hangout spot for Tokyo's bohemian youth. But on weekends, the main street becomes impassable due to the number of people.
But the best place to get acquainted with cosplay culture is on Sundays at Jingubashi Bridge. Here, at the entrance to Yoyogi Park, there are colorful costume parades. As a rule, children love this.
How to get around Tokyo with children?
The complex and confusing Tokyo railway system is also the cheapest and fastest way to get around the city. Despite the fact that all stations are color-coded, there are many signs in English, and the staff are always ready to help, it is easy to get lost here. Also, keep in mind that during rush hour, you may find yourself in a tiring crowd of passengers.
A few tips
- If you are traveling with a very young child, keep in mind that almost every department store in Japan has rooms for breastfeeding or changing diapers.
- Getting around with a stroller, especially during rush hour, can be a real hassle, simply because it's not always possible to find a place for it. A baby sling can sometimes save the day.
- If you do decide to put your child in a stroller or you have heavy luggage with you, make a map of the elevators, as they are not available at all stations and train stations.
- Take a photo in traditional dress. It's easy to find kimono and yukata rentals throughout Japan. The photos turn out very impressive and memorable.
