Ultimate Family Guide to Tokyo: 8 Spots to Explore with Kids
Are you planning a trip to Tokyo, Japan, with kids? From interactive art exhibits to cute pet cafes, Tokyo offers a wide variety of family-friendly attractions that will create lasting memories for your whole family.
Here’s a Tokyo travel guide for families featuring eight places that we absolutely loved exploring.
1. Visit a Tokyo Pet Cafe
If your kids love animals, a visit to a pet cafe is a must. Tokyo boasts a diverse array of animal-themed cafes, including those featuring cats, pigs, capybaras, and even hedgehogs. We chose to visit a cat cafe, which proved to be a hit with our daughters.
**Cat Café MOFF** in Akihabara, located just next to Akihabara Station, offers a peaceful break from sightseeing, allowing your little ones to relax and interact with friendly cats. The café welcomes young children too, making it a family-friendly Tokyo attraction. Just note that not all cat cafes in Tokyo allow small children – we were turned away at another one that only accepts visitors aged six and above.
- **Hours:** 10 am to 8 pm
- **Admission:** ¥1,850 ($11.50) per person for 60 minutes, including drinks from the vending machine. Kids under 3 enter for free!
💡 **Pro tip:** It’s a popular spot, especially on weekends, so plan your visit accordingly.
2. Check Out teamLab Planets Tokyo
One of the exciting things to do with children in Tokyo is visiting **teamLab Planets**, a digital art museum that makes waves on social media. The immersive art installations offer a unique experience, blending light, sound, and motion. Our kids were particularly impressed by the water (pool) area with digital koi fish projections (yes, there’s a section where you wade through knee-high water, which may or may not appeal to everyone).
However, we found the space more visually focused than interactive. While **teamLab Planets** offers an artistic experience, we finished exploring the exhibits in about 35 minutes (so we went in again!). Be prepared for crowds, and keep in mind it’s a shoes-off facility – something to consider when traveling with younger children.
- **Hours:** 10 am to 6 pm
- **Admission:** ¥3,200 ($22) for adults, ¥1,000 ($7) for kids under 12.
💡 **Pro tip:** Tickets sell out fast, so make sure to book in advance. Also, visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxing experience.
3. Try Japanese Treats at Tsukiji Outer Market
For families looking for a fun and tasty adventure, the **Tsukiji Outer Market** in Tokyo is a great stop. Wander through this lively market, where your kids can try everything from fresh sushi to sweet Japanese treats like candied strawberries and taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes).
It’s an educational and sensory-packed Tokyo travel experience for families. We were particularly impressed with the fresh tuna at **Maguroya Kurogin**! Be ready to wait in line; it took us around 30 minutes.
💡 **Pro tip:** The market opens at 5 am (some places open around 7:30 am though) and closes at 2 pm, and it is most crowded in the late morning, so try visiting earlier and keep a close eye on younger kids.
Encourage them to try new foods — they’ll love the excitement of watching chefs at work!
4. Visit the Imperial Palace and the Gardens
A visit to the **Imperial Palace** grounds in Tokyo was a serene break from the city’s hustle, and our girls loved the wide open spaces to run around. We strolled along the picturesque pathways, taking in the historic stone bridges and beautiful gardens.
While the Palace itself is not open to the public, exploring the peaceful **East Gardens** was a highlight. It’s a great spot to let the kids stretch their legs while soaking in some Japanese history and culture. Best of all, it’s free to visit, making it a perfect family-friendly stop!
- **Hours:** Open daily, but some areas may be restricted. Entry is free.
💡 **Pro tip:** Combine your visit with a picnic! It’s an ideal place to relax while your kids enjoy some outdoor fun.
5. Explore Meiji Jingu Shrine & Yoyogi Park
No Tokyo travel guide for families would be complete without a visit to the iconic **Meiji Jingu Shrine**. The serene pathways leading to the shrine are peaceful and lined with towering trees, providing a calming atmosphere for both kids and parents.
The shrine can get busy on weekends, so try visiting during the week for a quieter experience.
After visiting the shrine, head over to **Yoyogi Park** for some downtime. The open space offers plenty of play areas and is perfect for a family picnic.
💡 **Good to know:** Stop by the **CAFÉ Mori no Terrace** by the Meiji Jingu Ichino Torii first to grab a matcha latte, tea, or an ice cream before your stroll!
6. Shop at the Sanrio World Store
Is your family obsessed with Hello Kitty? Then a stop at **Sanrio World Store** is a must. This colorful shop is filled with all things Sanrio, from plush toys to clothing and accessories. It’s one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in Tokyo, especially for younger kids, and is a great place to pick up souvenirs.
The store can be overwhelming, but giving your kids time to explore the vibrant space is part of the fun!
7. Spend Your Morning at Sensoji Temple & Nakamise Street
For a mix of culture and shopping, visit the historic Buddhist **Sensoji Temple** in Asakusa. The temple complex includes a main hall, a five-story pagoda, and large gates. **Sensoji Temple** was a hit with our kids and one of our favorite stops in Tokyo. The colorful, bustling atmosphere kept them engaged, especially as we approached the giant red lantern at the Thunder Gate. It’s one of Tokyo’s oldest temples and a must-see for families interested in Japanese traditions.
💡 **Good to know:** Temples and shrines in Japan represent two religions in the country. As a rule of thumb in Japan, temples close at 5 pm, while shrines are open 24 hours! Inside the **Sensoji Temple** grounds (or any other temple and shrine in Japan), you can buy amulets for around 500-1,000 yen, said to protect you from evil or even help you pass tests — the girls thought this was especially cool!
After exploring the temple grounds, take a stroll down **Nakamise Street**, one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, dating back to the 17th century right outside the **Sensoji Temple**! Here you can enjoy traditional snacks and shop for souvenirs from the numerous stalls. The girls won the cutest plush toys, and it definitely made their day!
For lunch or a quick bite, stop at the **Taco-Taco Asakusa Koromo Brothers** to try the famous Japanese cracker sandwich with takoyaki! **Sensoji Temple** is busiest around midday, so plan your visit early to avoid the crowds.
8. Cross the Shibuya Scramble Crossing
No family trip to Tokyo is complete without a visit to the famous **Shibuya Scramble Crossing**. Watching hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of people cross from all directions at once is mesmerizing, especially for kids who’ll be fascinated by the bustling scene.
💡 **Pro tip:** Grab a seat at the nearby Starbucks for the best views of the **Shibuya Crossing**! Simply cross the street when coming from the **Shibuya Station** and take the elevator to the second floor at the very first building from Koen Dori Street to get to **Starbucks Coffee – Shibuya Tsutaya 2F**.
Remember that **Shibuya Scramble Crossing** is one of the busiest intersections in the world, so keep a close eye on younger children as you experience this iconic Tokyo attraction.
Bonus: Dining Recommendations in Tokyo with Kids
Alright, there are obviously thousands of restaurants and cafes in Tokyo. However, many of them are tiny places with only 10 tables, which means you may have to wait 1-2 hours to get a seat (be prepared to wait no matter where you go).
Therefore, it’s important to read reviews before choosing a place to eat and consider making a reservation if possible (if they allow it).
Here are some of the kid-friendly dining places in Tokyo that we recommend checking out:
- **Gyukatsu Motomura** (Harajuku Branch), for gyukatsu – deep-fried wagyu beef cutlets
- **KABUKI Sushi** for a kid-friendly Omakase experience (reservations are required)
- **After All Coffee**, for matcha latte and Japanese burnt cheesecake
- **Flipper’s Shibuya**, for Japanese fluffy pancakes
Don’t miss a chance to try everything green tea (matcha) flavor, from lattes and ice creams to beer and other drinks!
💡 **Good to know:** One thing our kids couldn’t get enough of in Tokyo was the abundance of vending machines, which seemed to be on every corner, offering everything from cold drinks and snacks to quirky toys and even ice cream! The girls particularly liked the apple juice drink called Qoo!
You can use cash, a credit card (at some of the machines), and even your Suica card to pay for your goods at the vending machine!
Bottom Line
From **teamLab Planets** to the vibrant **Tsukiji Market**, Tokyo offers a wealth of experiences for families. Whether you’re looking for serene gardens, cultural landmarks, or interactive art, there are endless family-friendly things to do in Tokyo that will engage and inspire every member of your crew.
Have you visited any of these attractions? Let us know which ones were your kids’ favorites!
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