11 Things to do in Tokyo with Kids
Visiting Tokyo with children is a wise decision, as the city has a wealth of recreational and cultural activities that can be fun for them.
Tokyo | ©Yoshitaka Kashima
The capital of the Land of the Rising Sun has a magical scene, combining the traditional and the modern, surprising children and adults from the very first moment. In fact, you'll find so many attractions that you won't know what to see and do in Tokyo with the little ones. Nevertheless, you can be sure that fun is always guaranteed.
You and the kids can do many activities as a family. For example, visit themed museums, explore marine life, learn how to make origami, build a city out of Lego blocks or drive a car around the city in a cosplay of the kids' favourite anime or video game characters, to name but a few.
1. Tour the Akihabara neighbourhood and discover a world of fun
Akihabara is a must-see destination if your children are otakus of technology, video games, manga and anime. Here, you'll find a world of unlimited fun filled with colour, cosplayers on every corner and, if you visit this area of Tokyo at night, you'll see all the streets lit up in neon.
Some of the main attractions in Akihabara to share with the little ones of the house include:
- Game Center: Tokyo hosts many places for kids to have fun with some modern video game titles, while you relive your childhood with retrogames. For this, you can go to Tato Station, Super Potato, Sega, among others.
- Mario Kart style tour: you can take the kids on a replica of the racing car from the legendary Super Mario Bros video game and drive through the streets of Akihabara. The best thing is that everyone will be wearing a cosplay of their favourite character. This is ideal if you visit Tokyo in autumn or spring, due to the warm but cool weather during those months.
- Shop for manga, anime and collectible figures: the neighbourhood also has shops dedicated to anime and manga such as Mandarake. There, you'll find five floors full of this kind of otaku material, which kids are sure to love.
2. Visit some of Tokyo's themed museums
If you're wondering what to see and do in Tokyo in 3 days or more with children, you should make a note in your itinerary of the city 's themed museums.
This is a real paradise for the little ones, where they will play, experience and be amazed. And if you're a Japanese pop culture enthusiast , you'll definitely enjoy this type of visit, which showcases the work of important producers, titles and characters from the world of anime and manga.
Fuji Art Museum
Claude Monet, Joshua Reynolds or J.M.W. Turner are just some of the world-famous painters whose works can be visited at the Fuji Art Museum in Tokyo.
This is a unique opportunity for the youngest members of the family to get close to art, and they can also visit the temporary exhibitions of this spectacular museum.
A tip: I recommend you buy your tickets for the Fuji Art Museum in advance if you want to avoid queues and visit it at your own pace. If you are travelling with children, everyone in the family will appreciate it.
Ghibli Museum
At the Ghibli Museum, children can wander through different scenes from the fantasy worlds of films such as My Neighbour Tororo. In addition, the little ones can ride on a cute cat-shaped bus or taste some desserts and food inspired by the studio's films.
Fujiko Fujio (Doraemon) Museum
In this small two-storey museum, children will meet one of the most popular and beloved anime characters in Japan: the extraterrestrial kitty Doraemon, created by mangaka Fujiko Fujio in the 1970s.
During the tour of the Doraemon Museum, you can take pictures of the children next to life-size statues of Doraemon and his friends, as well as enter the museum's reading room, which houses a huge collection of manga, or the cinema room to enjoy some unreleased episodes of Fujio's animations.
Practical information
- Price: Fuji Art Museum: 1410¥ or 9€. Ghibli Museum: adults 1000¥ or 7€, children 100¥ or 0.72€ and children under 4 years free. Doraemon Museum: 1000¥ or 7€ adults, children over 4 years old 400¥ or 3€ and under 4 years old free.
- Opening hours: Fuji Art Museum: daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Ghibli Museum: daily from 10:00 to 17:00 hours. Doraemon Museum from Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Address: Fuji Art Museum: Yanomachi, Hachioji. Ghibli Museum: Shimorenjaku, Mitaka. Doraemon Museum: Kawasaki.
3. Experience a creative adventure with your children at Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo
The Lego amusement park, Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo, is a good option if you are visiting with your little ones, as they will be able to live a creative adventure among more than 3 million bricks. You can also share the fun with them and feel like a child again.
If you visit the Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo you will find many fun and educational activities for children of all ages:
- Creative workshop: you will discover together with the children some tricks and techniques to create objects and characters.
- City builder: they will be able to create their own city.
- Lego Racer: in this room, you and the children can build a racing car and then go to the test track to compete against each other.
- Duplo Village: the children take on the role of architects and, with your help, build a scale model house, inside which they can go inside and play.
- Dino Explorer: in this room, little explorers will walk around an island of Legos and discover dinosaurs along the way.
- 4K Cinema: in the projection room you can sit with your children and watch an animated film from the world of Lego.
The best thing is that this park is closed, so you can visit it at any time of the year regardless of the excessive heat that characterises Tokyo in summer or the low temperatures of winter. Children will always be comfortable and safe.
Practical information
- Price: from 2800¥ or 20€.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and weekends from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
- Address: Minato City, Daiba in Odaiba.
4. Visit Small Worlds Tokyo
Did you know that the world's largest miniature theme park is in Tokyo? It's Small Worlds Tokyo and is home to an exhibition of almost 8,000 square metres filled with mini people in different everyday situations.
Your little ones will be amazed, especially when they discover that there is day and night life in this miniature city, and that the fantastic characters and animals (including a fire-breathing dragon) perform different actions as the sun rises and sets.
You can spend a long time visiting Small Worlds Tokyo and take a leisurely stroll around it, because it's sure not to leave you indifferent.
Practical information
- Price: from 3477¥ or 22€.
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 19:00.
- Address: Koto City, Ariake.
5. Explore marine life at Maxell Aqua Park
The marine world often amazes the little ones at home, who can spend hours watching the different marine species. For this reason, visiting Maxell Aqua Park is a good option to incorporate in your itinerary of things to see and do in Tokyo for 2 days or more with children.
In this aquarium children will find several areas with tunnels and illuminated tanks, where they will see up to 350 different species. On the other hand, there is the dolphin show, where they will be able to watch these beautiful mammals doing a display of acrobatics, guided by the trainers.
In addition, as the visit can last approximately three hours, you will have plenty of time to continue with other adventures around the city, such as a food tour of the restaurants, cafes and street food stalls or any other guided tour of Tokyo.
Practical information
- Price: 2300¥ or 16€ (adults), 1200¥ or 9€ (students) and 700¥ or 5€ (children from 4 years old).
- Opening hours: 10:00 am to 7:30 pm.
- Address: Minato City, Takanawa.
6. Check out the animal cafes in central Tokyo
Maybe you hadn't considered that going to a café with children could be a touristy activity. But you're visiting Tokyo and, here, anything is possible. During your stay, you can't miss the chance to take the kids to one of the popular animal cafés. There, they will have the opportunity to drink or eat some sweets while petting a cat, dog, rabbit or other animals.
Depending on the tastes of the little ones, you can choose a different café:
- Cat experience: Neko Café, Temari no Uchi, among others.
- Owl experience: you can go to Owl's Garden or Baron café.
- Dog experience: Harajuku Mame Shiba Café.
- Rabbit experience: Bunny Café or Ra.a.g.f.
- Experience with snakes: Reptile Café with snakes, lizards and turtles.
- Goat experience: Sakuragaoka Café, where you will see two friendly goats.
You can also find cafés with eagles, hawks, hedgehogs, otters, penguins and other animals. Just keep in mind that these places are very busy, so time to share with pets may be limited.
Practical information
- Price: from 800¥ or €5 (excluding consumption).
- Hours: from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (depending on location).
- Address: in the centre of Tokyo.
7. Discover Tokyo's railway history
If you've already picked the best time to visit Tokyo with the kids, then all that's left to do is organise the destinations you'll be visiting. And if your little ones are train enthusiasts, then you're in luck, as there are several museums in the city dedicated to showcasing the history of these imposing and ancient means of transport.
Ome Railway Museum
At the small Ome Railway Museum, children can learn about railway equipment from all eras.
A total of 10 locomotives are on display, eight of which are steam-powered and two of which are electric. They will also have the opportunity to see the Shinkansen belonging to the 0 series, that is, an emblematic model, considered worldwide as the first to reach 200 kilometres per hour in 1964.
You will also be able to see how this train evolved over the years to become the famous Tokyo Bullet Train.
Tokyo Metro Museum
At the Tokyo Metro Museum you and your children can learn about the history of the underground, how it operates, where each of the trains is located and its current state.
They will also learn how the electrical equipment of this type of public transport works and take a look at the control area. Without a doubt, a unique experience for children.
Practical information
- Price: Ome Railway Museum (from 100¥ or €0.72). Tokyo Subway Museum (adults 220¥ or €1.59 and children 100¥ or €0.72).
- Opening hours: Ome Railway Museum (10:00 am to 6:30 pm). Tokyo Metro Museum (from 10:00 to 17:00).
- Address: Ome Railway Museum in Katsunuma, Ome City. Tokyo Subway Museum in Edogawa Special Region.
8. Visit KidZania Tokyo and see how children play at being adults
Role-playing games are often a favourite with children. So, during your stay in the Japanese capital you should take the little ones to the Kid Zania amusement park to experience different types of real-life jobs, but in a fun way. In fact, this is a good option if you are in Tokyo during the winter, as this is a closed place.
This park is a recreation of a small city where children will find different jobs and demonstrate their skills. They will have to put on a uniform and, with the help of the specialised staff, they will start to play the desired role. For a while they can be doctors, veterinarians, drivers, bankers, businessmen, shopkeepers and many other options.
After the working day, they will be paid in the official currency of the park. They can then go to the gift shop to buy some toys or souvenirs.
Practical information
- Price: from 2850¥ or 20€.
- Opening hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (daily).
- Address: LaLaport Toyosu Tokyo City Pier.
9. Learn the legendary art of origami
Children tend to love paper, and even more so when they can make fun figures out of it. For this reason, visiting the Origami Kaikan during your 7-day itinerary in Tokyo is a good idea if you are with the little ones at home.
It is a six-storey building where you will find exhibits with the work of some of the artists of this ancient Japanese technique: cranes, flowers, dragons, etc.
You can also enter a shop to buy some souvenirs, a paper dyeing studio and origami workshops. There, you and the children can learn the basics of paper folding.
Practical information
- Price: origami classes start at 1000¥ or 7,21€. However, the exhibition is free.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9.30am-6pm).
- Address: Bunkyō Ward, Yushima.
10. Play at Tokyo Dome City
Tokyo' s warm springtime temperatures provide the perfect setting for outdoor activities. And if you're visiting with the little ones, then Tokyo Dome City is a must-visit destination.
This is an urban amusement park, where children and the whole family can have hours of fun.
Admission to the park is free, as is access to the water jets, so children can play underwater as much as they want.
However, if you want to ride the roller coaster, learn about the history of baseball, go bowling, sing karaoke or go on any other attraction with the little ones, you will have to pay an entrance fee of 3000¥ or 22€.
Practical Information
- Price: free admission.
- Opening hours: from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
- Address: Bunkyo District.
11. Go to the Toyota Car Museum and experience an adventure on board a simulator
The Toyota Car Museum is a destination you can enjoy with the kids, especially if they have a passion for speed. There, they will find a large exhibition of cars, ranging from models assembled in the 19th century to the present day.
They will also see various settings, models and will have access to a library with the history of each model and of the company in general. In addition, this museum offers the opportunity to fly a simulator. This way, children will have a unique experience.
After this adventure, you can do other activities with the children. For example, visit the Tokyo National Museum or take part in a Ninja experience, among others.
Practical information
- Price: free admission.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (9.30am-5pm).
- Address: Odaiba Island in Tokyo Bay.