[Lite] Tokyo Travel with Kids

[Lite] Tokyo Travel with Kids

This the free guide that is for all the families out there planning a trip to Japan with your kids. This itinerary and guide will save you time and the full paid guide will be linked here if you are interested. This will include: Spacious hotels that are big enough for your entire family. Family friendly things to do Family Friendly Restaurants
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Introduction

This guide is a general guide for families traveling to Japan with kids, if you want a custom guide/itinerary or need consultation on your itinerary. Please scroll up and click on "Hire Me" 

If you want to purchase the Premium Guide for Tokyo Travel with kids check out this guide, it will include:

1. More destinations and restaurants

2. How to keep your kids fed on the trip

3. Pre-flight planning (How to help Kids fly long flights)

4. More hotels

5. Societal Rules of Japan

6. How to deal with Lack of Veggies in Japan

7. Hidden Gems For Families

Special Promocode for all my paid guides 50% off (Lasts until March 1st)Use FAMILY2024

What's in this Itinerary?

1. Premium Guide

2. Book your Family Friendly Hotels

3. Pocket Wifi

4. Family Friendly Places to Visit

5. Family Friendly Places to Eat

6. Important Rules of Japan

7. Day trip ideas

MIMARU TOKYO SHINJUKU WEST
@BmanLi
5/5 Would recommend booking | Spacious Apartment hotels. Great for families, large groups and even multiple families.
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MIMARU TOKYO STATION EAST
@BmanLi
5/5 Would recommend booking | Spacious Apartment hotels. Great for families, large groups and even multiple families. 4 star hotel that is close to the Oiwa Inari Shrine. Has A/C , private bathrooms and free wifi
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MIMARU TOKYO UENO OKACHIMACHI
@BmanLi
5/5 Recommend booking here! Great for families or large groups but also highly rated for couples. This is really close to the Ecute Ueno Shopping Mall
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Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
@BmanLi
4/5 Good option to stay! A short distance from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Citadines Shinjuku offers modern apartment-style accommodations with the convenience of hotel services. It's an excellent choice for those who appreciate having their own kitchenette and a bit more room to spread out.
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Oakwood Premier Tokyo
@BmanLi
5/5 Luxurious stay | Great option for families and large groups. Located near Tokyo Station, this hotel provides luxurious serviced apartments with fully equipped kitchens, making it perfect for those looking for a comfortable and high-end stay. The Oakwood Premier Tokyo combines the convenience of a hotel with the space and privacy of an apartment.
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Shiba Park Hotel
@BmanLi
The Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo offers comfortable accommodations with a blend of traditional Japanese hospitality and modern conveniences, making it a great choice for families and travelers looking to explore the city's attractions and enjoy a relaxing stay.
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Order Your Pocket Wifi

For Families definitely get a pocket wifi, so you can share the internet with all your family members. This is the one I have been using

Pocket WIFI:

- Group travelling

- You don't need much data

- You are okay with getting throttled if you use too much data

- Save money (cheaper than getting a sim card for everyone including your kids)

Family Friendly Places to Visit

These recommendations are generally going to very family friendly.

How to prioritize:

5/5 = Must go, if you don't go you are truly missing out, extremely unique experience, or it is a limited time event

4/5 = Good to go, Provides a very fun and unique experience for 90% of people. 

3/5 = Optional to go, I'd prioritize other things unless you specifically really like this or are a big fan of this place.

I won't be adding anything less than 3/5 in here.

Tokyo

Kidzania Tokyo
@BmanLi
4/5 Good to check out | Located in LaLaport Toyosu, KidZania is an interactive city made for children, offering them the chance to try out different professions and activities in a fun and educational environment.
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Hedgehog Cafe & Pet Store HARRY Harajuku
@BmanLi
4/5 Good to go | Ive never seen a hedgehog, but they are actually really cute and its a fun experience to go!
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Tokyo Disneyland
@BmanLi
4/5 Good to Go | Tokyo Disneyland Japan's exceptional attention to detail, exclusive seasonal events, unmatched hospitality, and location in vibrant Tokyo make it a uniquely magical and unforgettable Disney experience that visitors of all ages will cherish.
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Tokyo DisneySea
@BmanLi
4/5 Good to Go | Tokyo DisneySea Japan is an awe-inspiring and immersive theme park that offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience for visitors. With its incredible theming, top-notch attractions, and delicious food, it's no wonder that it consistently ranks as one of the best theme parks in the world.
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Inokashira Park Zoo
@BmanLi
4/5 Should Go | Located near the Ghibli Museum, this park is ideal for leisurely strolls, boat rides, and enjoying nature. It's especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
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Ghibli Museum
@BmanLi
4/5 Good to go (non Ghibli fans) 5/5 Must go (Ghibli fans) | The Ghibli Museum is a must-visit destination for any Studio Ghibli fan or animation enthusiast. From the whimsical architecture to the unique exhibits, visitors can immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of animation. Note: Please be respectful, you aren't allowed to take video/pictures in some parts of the museum. Highly recommend pre-purchasing your tickets.
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Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama
@BmanLi
4/5 Should Go | The CupNoodles Museum in Yokohama offers an interactive experience where visitors can learn about the history of instant noodles, create their own custom CupNoodle, and engage in fun, educational activities, making it an excellent destination for families seeking a unique blend of culinary creativity and hands-on learning.
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Unicorn Gundam Statue
@BmanLi
3/5 Optional to go | The Unicorn Gundam Statue at Odaiba is a stunning and impressive piece of art that captures the imagination of visitors with its size and futuristic design. Standing at a towering 19.7 meters tall, the statue lights up at night, adding to the already impressive visual spectacle and making it a must-see attraction for anime and science fiction fans visiting Tokyo.
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Meiji Jingu
@BmanLi
Iconic temple in Tokyo, a lot of greenery and their trees are somehow perfectly circular at the shrine itself.
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Akihabara
@BmanLi
5/5 Must Go | Akihabara is a unique and must-see experience for anyone visiting Tokyo or Japan. With its vibrant and eccentric atmosphere, it offers a one-of-a-kind glimpse into Japanese pop culture and technology. Whether you're a fan of anime, gaming, or simply want to explore a fascinating part of Tokyo, Akihabara is a destination not to be missed.
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Family Friendly Restaurants

Note I will not be adding Omakase Restaurants. All restaurants added here will be spacious or be fun themed for the entire family.

Ninja Tokyo
@BmanLi
5/5 Need to Go. Dive into an epic ninja adventure at Ninja Tokyo, where dining transforms into an exhilarating quest for families, complete with stealthy servers, magical entertainment, and a feast that caters to the bravest of young ninjas and their parents.
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Yokohama Anpanman Children's Museum
@BmanLi
3/5 Optional to go | In Yokohama, near Tokyo, this venue not only features a museum dedicated to the popular children's character Anpanman but also houses themed cafes and eateries perfect for young children.
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Kirby Café
@BmanLi
3/5 Optional to Go | The Kirby Cafe in Tokyo is a dream come true for fans of the beloved video game character. With its adorable Kirby-themed menu items and whimsical decor, it's a fun and unique dining experience for gamers and foodies alike.
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Straw Hat Cafe (Ghibli Museum Cafe)
@BmanLi
The Straw Hat Café at the Ghibli Museum offers a cozy dining experience with a menu and atmosphere inspired by Studio Ghibli films, ideal for families seeking a magical meal in a setting that celebrates the beloved animation studio's characters and stories.
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Pokémon Café
@BmanLi
The Pokémon Café in Tokyo offers a playful dining experience with dishes and decor themed after the popular Pokémon franchise, making it an exciting destination for families and fans of all ages to enjoy a meal in a whimsically interactive environment.
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Kura Sushi Nishishinjuku
@BmanLi
4/5 good to go Fun Conveyor Belt Sushi to that you can trade ik your plates for a chance to win a prize. This is a great place for your kids to enjoy eating and to enjoy the game. This is an affordable spot.
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Centre The Bakery
@BmanLi
4/5 Good to go | This is a fun restaurant to visit you can chose from variety of different kinds of bread and toast it on your own. I highly recommend checking out this place, the food is good. I would recommend getting the Shrimp Sando!
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Rules of Japan

1. Don't eat on the go

Once you purchased your drink/food, eat the drink/food near the restaurant that you got the food from. Don't eat and walk at the same time

2. Don't eat on public transport

Similarly, don't eat on the subway lines or busses. There are a couple of exceptions and the Shinkansen is one of them. If you are ever in doubt, ask one of the officers/drivers if you can eat. 

3. Don't Tip

Japan doesn't have a tipping culture, they just provide extraordinary customer service everywhere. Don't tip, it can be seen as rude!

4. Don't smoke in public

In Tokyo especially, there are designated smoking areas. So don't walk around and smoke on the sidewalk! Go to your designated smoking areas. 

5. Obey rules and signage

There are a lot of signs, on the floor, walls and ceilings. Obey them. There are arrows on walking directions (up vs down stairs), where to line up for the train. 

6. Priority Seating

If you are on public transportation or elevator. You see an person on crutches/wheelchair, have health issues, pregnant, has an infant, or an elderly person. Give them priority seating or even the elevator. 

7. Train Reserved Carts

If you have not reserved a seat for the shinkansen or any train, it is okay to sit in the spots that are red. As they are vacant, but at every stop be sure to check if it turns yellow/green. Please move ahead of time, so that it allows the person who paid for the seat to sit there.

8. Volume on public transportation

General rule of thumb on subways/trains/public transportation. Don't use the phone where everyone else is. Also from that, it is please don't be too loud on public transportation, as some people maybe sleeping.

9. Escalators/Stairs

In general (dependent on region) for escalators, stand on the left side of the escalator and the right side is for walking. Do Not block the escalator (Unless Escalator has signage that specifies). There are some escalators that are Do not Walk, to only allow people to stand on escalators.

10. Garbage Disposal (skip if you are only staying at hotels)

In Japan, garbage is separated by "Burnable, Non-burnable, and recyclable" It is different than the typical North American garbage/recycling system. Here is a picture that can categorize what to do for each item. 

Day Trip Guides for Tokyo

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this Tokyo guide for families. Please give it a save and feel free to reach out if you want to give me feedback or require something more custom!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Brian and I am a Canadian travel enthusiast with a passion for exploring new cultures and cuisines. I've been traveling for 15+ years, and I have been fortunate enough to make annual trips to Japan for vacation and have fallen in love with the country's rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and, of course, its delicious food. As a frequent traveler, I have traveled to many other places in the world, I am excited to share my experiences and insights with you, and help you plan your own unforgettable adventures. I have been planning trips for friends & family for years, and I am happy to combine my experience and my organizational skills as a product manager to create the best travel guides for you.
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