Best Things to Do in Tokyo With Kids (2026 Guide)

There’s definitely something for everyone in the largest city on earth, and it’s extremely easy to find things to do in Tokyo with kids.

Checking out the Pokemon Cafe Tokyo with kids

This is a family guide, intended to provide assistance for you as you plan your own visit to Tokyo, Japan. For context, during our visit, our children were ages 5 and 8. We paid for all attractions out of our own money and do not have any relationship (financial or otherwise) with the operators of the services described below. That allows us to give our honest feedback about what we did and did not like.

Is Tokyo good for kids?

Yes! Tokyo offers so many unique experiences that you can tailor your experience exactly how you like it. From cultural experiences to major theme parks and everything in between, your children are sure to find something they like here.

Quick guide to the best things to do with kids in Tokyo

Attraction	Best Ages	Time Needed	Cost	Why It’s Great for Kids
Ueno Park	All ages	1-3 hours	Park is free, zoo is 600 yen for adults and free for kids	On top of it just being a large park, it has museums and a zoo on its premises
Shinjuku Chuo Park	All ages	1 hour	Free	A nice park with a playground in Shinjuku
Imperial Palace	All ages	1-2 hours	Free	Can take a tour plus plenty of nature
Sensō-ji Temple	All ages	1 hour	Free	Kids can get a taste of Japanese culture, shopping, and sweets
Ghibli Museum	0 to 9	2 hours	1,000 yen for adults, 700 yen or less for kids	Great for fans of Miyazaki films, kids will love the cat bus
teamLab Planets	5 and up	1 hour	4,200-4,800 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for kids	Kids might like the eye-popping themed rooms
Pokémon Cafe	All ages	2 hours	Around 2,400 yen per meal	Fans of Pokémon and cuteness will love it here
Zauo Restaurant	All ages	2 hours	Varies depending on the meal	The gimmick of this restaurant is fishing for your meal
Tokyo Disneyland	All ages (but skews younger)	8-12 hours	Around $60 US/ticket	Nonstop fun at a cheap Disney theme park with classic and unique rides
Tokyo DisneySea	All ages (but skews older)	8-12 hours	Around $60 US/ticket	Nonstop fun at a cheap Disney theme park with classic and unique rides

Best Things to Do in Tokyo With Kids

Ueno Park

Address: Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Ueno Station (1 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

Ueno is one of the larger parks in the Tokyo metropolitan area. You’ll find a wide array of six museums and even a zoo here. It’s all conveniently located right by the subway station, served by the Ginza and Hibiya subway lines as well as five JR lines (Joban, Keihin-Tohoku, Ueno-Tokyo, Takasaki, Yamanote). If we had a bit more time, we would have made it into the zoo, which seemed rather quick to enter in the morning.

Out of the many museums, we would have been most likely to venture into the National Museum of Nature and Science given the programming available for children. But we were actually here to observe the cherry blossom trees.

Entrance to the Ueno Zoo — *Ueno Zoo entrance*

Resting on a cute panda bench — *Cute bench outside zoo entrance*

Of all the places we came to visit the cherry blossom trees, this location felt the most crowded. I wouldn’t say I am surprised by that — after all, the park is popular and many people come here for the zoo and museums. There was a small festival going on, with street food and vendors, so it’s a nice place to spend some time as long as you’re fine with some crowds.

Visiting the cherry blossoms at Ueno — *Visiting the sakura*

Pokémon fans could also have extra interest here as two specially-decorated sewer covers are found here. One is immediately outside the whale by the National Museum of Nature and Science. The other is off to the side of the entrance by the Tokyo National Museum.

Exploring Ueno with kids — *Pokémon lid*

Shinjuku Chuo Park

Address: 2 Chome-11 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Tochomae Station (2 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

This ended up being a daily stop for us. Located immediately across the street from the Park Hyatt Tokyo, the park is a wonderful spot for a jog and features an extensive playground for the little ones. Frankly, it offered us all a chance to stretch and work off some of the weight we gained from the Park Hyatt’s extensive breakfast offering. Like many places in Tokyo, the park was kept in pristine condition. There were even some cherry blossom trees found here–not too many, but if you wanted to get some close-up or family shots of the cherry blossoms without any crowds around, this might be an option for you.

Ultimately, if you’re not staying in the area, it might be a bit of a hassle to get to. I wouldn’t recommend making a trip over here purely to see this park. But if you happen to be in the area already, or are staying nearby like we were, it’s definitely worth a visit for a bit of peace and serenity in an otherwise busy city.

Chuo Park with kids — *Chuo park with kids*

*Lots of entertainment for kids at Chuo Park*

Even a nice area for smaller kids — *Small area for young kids at Chuo Park*

Small rock climbing wall in Chuo Park — *Rock climbing*

Chuo Park with cherry blossoms — *Chuo park (sakura in background)*

Kids playing on the structure — *Chuo park*

Beautiful flowers all around — *Chuo park*

Imperial Palace

Link to official site: https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Otemachi Station (5 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

Located near the heart of Tokyo is the Imperial Palace. This is where the emperor of Japan lives (no, don’t expect to get a picture with him). Access to the grounds is subject to a security search and some areas are off-limits, but it’s a physically beautiful property that offers some views of the immediate surroundings (not high enough to see the skyscrapers but tall enough to see the treetops). If taking public transportation, you’re best arriving via Otemachi station, served by five subway lines (Mita, Chiyoda, Tozai, Marunouchi, and Hanzomon).

They do have free guided tours, including those in English, available from their website. I would recommend you book in advance as space is limited. We were here to take one of the tours, but unfortunately we couldn’t find the pathway to the Kikyo-mon Gate (thanks for that, Google Maps). Some of the pathway appeared blocked, perhaps due to construction, so leave plenty of time to get there early enough to find your way to the tour start location.

Even though we didn’t make it onto the tour, there is quite a bit to see here for those willing to get in their steps. You’ll find a room with a small model of Edo Castle and forking paths to see nature. Importantly, for those in Tokyo around cherry blossom season, you’ll find plenty of cherry blossoms on property. We found this location to be less crowded than Ueno Park and with more opportunity to get up close to the trees. I’d rate this as a better location for cherry blossom viewing than Ueno.

Imperial Palace with kids — *Entrance to Imperial Palace*

Admiring the informative displays — *Displays at the Imperial Palace*

Seeing the Palace with cherry blossoms — *Imperial Palace with kids (visiting the sakura)*

Close up with the cherry blossoms — *Up close and personal with the sakura*

Sensō-ji Temple

Link to official site: https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Asakusa Station (10 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

Perhaps one of the more popular places to come visit is Sensō-ji Temple, a large Buddhist temple found in Asakusa. Similar to other temples, for a small donation, you can purchase and place incense, get your fortune, and place good luck charms.

While there is a cherry blossom tree found here and there, it’s not a place you’d want to come to observe them given the crowds. It didn’t help that it was lightly raining while we visited, making it difficult to manage the crowds with umbrellas.

Visiting Sensoji Temple with kids — *Sensō-ji* *temple*

Picture outside Sensoji — *Sensō-ji* *temple*

As visitors to Sensō-ji are well aware, there is an array of shops that leads right up to the temple. While I would have written most of them off as touristy, if you’re here, it’s worth a visit to Ginkado Asakusa, about halfway through the stands. They serve perhaps the freshest, most delicious ichigo daifuku (strawberry mochi) we’ve ever had. Granted, we haven’t tried every single place that makes them (who has?), but I still have dreams about this place.

Just remember in Japan you shouldn’t walk and eat at the same time. You can save them for later or you can stand next to the shop to eat it. It might be a strange custom, but the practice originates back to appreciating and respecting the food while also helping to reduce litter.

Grabbing a bite to eat near Sensoji — *Ginkado Asakusa*

Some of the tastiest fruits — *Ginkado Asakusa*

teamLab Planets

Link to official site: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/planets/
Good for ages: 5 and up
Nearest rail station: Shin-Toyosu Station (1 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: No

While we didn’t have quite the experience we expected here, we do know teamLab Planets is a popular place to visit. It’s so popular that you’ll find long lines of people waiting outside for their time to enter. Kids might enjoy the vibrant, distinct zones that await in each room. Young adults might like the Instagrammable moments, but kids just want to play.

It’s a lot of hype, but if you come in with low expectations, you’ll be fine. That said, this is out in the middle of nowhere, so be prepared for a journey to come visit.

Long line for teamLab Planets — *Outside teamLab Planets*

Visiting teamLab Planets with kids — *Giant balls to push*

Kid-friendly restaurants in Tokyo

Pokémon Cafe

Link to official site: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Nihombashi Station (5 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: No

Yes, yes, yes! If your kids are fans of Pokémon, visiting the Pokémon Cafe is a must-do. The problem? Everyone has the same thoughts. That makes this thing an absolute pain to try to get a reservation. If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to enlist the help of someone who can use bots to get you in (for a fee). Yes, it’s a shame having to pay for something that is otherwise free, but you try getting a reservation yourself and see what you think.

Once inside, you’ll find delicious food, plenty of stuffed animals, and a guest appearance by a giant Pokémon. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir or two while you’re here. Check out our dedicated post for more on visiting the Pokémon Cafe with your family.

Pikachu saying hi — *The special guest finally came out*

Eating Pikachu — *Pikachu curry (made with real Pikachu?)*

Zauo Restaurant

Link to official site: https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/zauo-shinjuku/reserve (Shinjuku reservations)
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Shinjuku Station (8 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: No

With locations scattered throughout the city, Zauo Restaurant is a unique experience for all ages. What sets this restaurant apart from all others is the fact that you can fish for your own food. Make a reservation in advance and pick up your fishing tickets that enable you to catch the fish of your dreams. The friendly staff will take care of the preparation.

We visited the Shinjuku location and it turned out to be quite a memorable experience. The kids still talk about it to this day, which just goes to show that they really did enjoy it. Check out our dedicated post to this fun restaurant for kids.

Fishing for our food — *Fishing for large fish*

Fun theme parks in Tokyo with kids

Tokyo Disneyland

Link to official site: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl.html
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Maihama Station (followed by the monorail)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

You like Disney, but don’t want to pay the admission prices you’re used to in the United States? Well, you’re in luck because Tokyo Disneyland is actually quite affordable (around $60 US/ticket). You will have to brave the crowds both to get in and in line, but we’ll tolerate it for that price.

We consider this one of the top-tier Disney theme parks in the world, complete with both classic and unique rides, excellent dining options, and some of the best snacks we’ve ever had at a theme park. Even if you’re tired of Disney at home, it’s worth spending a day here at Tokyo Disneyland (or its sister park down below).

Disneyland Tokyo with kids — *Visiting Sleeping Beauty*

Baymax is a fun ride with awesome music — *The Happy Ride with Baymax*

Tokyo DisneySea

Link to official site: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds.html
Good for ages: All ages
Nearest rail station: Maihama Station (followed by the monorail)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

Our top pick for the best Disneyland in the world goes to Tokyo DisneySea, a unique park that has rides for both older and younger kids. Many of the rides here are unique to this park, making this a must-do for Disney fanatics. The dining and snacks are just as good at Tokyo DisneySea as they are at Tokyo Disneyland. That said, we would still declare Magellan’s at Tokyo DisneySea to be the best restaurant anyone can access without having special privileges.

Check out our dedicated post to the legendary theme park for more details on our visit. It’s every bit as inexpensive as Tokyo Disneyland (and every bit as crowded). Come prepared.

Tokyo DisneySea with kids — *Raging Spirits*

Journey to the Center of the Earth is fire — *Journey to the Center of the Earth*

Ghibli Museum

Link to official site: https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/tickets/
Good for ages: 0 to 9
Nearest rail station: Kichijōji Station (20 minute walk)
Stroller-friendly: Yes

We didn’t make it during this trip, but we did go back in November 2017. I bring it up knowing this is still a popular activity to do in the Tokyo area. Getting tickets now is done via online registration (10AM JST on the 10th day of the month prior to when you want to visit) and honestly as long as you have some flexibility, it’s a little easier securing tickets than it used to be pre-COVID (having to go through a sales office in your country). Getting to the museum is a little out of the way, as it’s in Mitaka, about 30-45 minutes from Shinjuku and further from central Tokyo.

Once there, you’ll find plenty of references to your favorite Studio Ghibli animated films, especially My Neighbor Totoro. There is a show to watch, you can board the cat bus (children only, as in the movie), and spy a robot guardian on the roof that protects the museum. There is some dining available on-site, or you can also eat at the train station if you want more options.

It’s worth a visit, but just remember when planning that it takes a bit of time getting to and from the museum so plan accordingly.

Ghibli Museum with kids — *Entrance to Ghibli Museum*

Saying hi to Totoro — *Visiting Totoro at Ghibli Museum*

Commemorative tickets — *Souvenir tickets from our visit*

Pumping water at Ghibli Museum — *Ghibli Museum*

Plenty to eat here too — *Restaurants at Ghibli Museum*

Surprises at Ghibli Museum — *Ghibli Museum*

Next Time

Tokyo seems to always have something to do. The next time we end up in town, here is a sampling of things we would like to do (and further expand this page):

Visit Mt. Fuji
Go to an animal cafe
Kidzania
Dine at a ninja-themed restaurant
Explore the museums at Ueno Park
Check out Tokyo Sea Life Park, near the Tokyo Disney resort
Take the kids to play games at Akihabara

Tokyo itinerary with kids (1-3 days)

1-day immersive experience with kids

If you only have one day in Tokyo with your family, what should you do? Our recommendation would be the following:

Morning: Imperial Palace
Midday: Pokémon Cafe or Zauo Restaurant
Afternoon: Ghibli Museum
Evening: Akihabara

We don’t advocate doing more than two major attractions per day as it can feel rather cramped. That’s why we only recommend admission to two attractions in this itinerary. We like the thought of keeping things closer to nature and culture if you have a short time in town. Getting a morning stretch at the Imperial Palace is a great start to your day. Follow that up with a visit to the Pokémon Cafe to get the kids excited.

From there, you can make the (lengthy) trek over to the Ghibli Museum and then finish off the day in Akihabara (or any other area of Tokyo).

2-day Tokyo Disney experience

What if you want to spend two days at Disney, one at each theme park? There’s nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, we’ve done that a couple of times. You’d be happy to know that we consider these among the best Disney parks in the world and for good reason. The food, service, and overall vibe of the parks is top-notch and they do it better than the parks in the US. What’s not nice is the crowding, which is why each park will take up a full day.

3-day complete visit to Tokyo with kids

Take the 1-day itinerary above and add in a visit to one of the Disney parks. Then on top of that, add in another day where you’ll feel more of the culture:

Morning: Ueno Park (zoo or museum)
Midday: Sensō-ji Temple
Afternoon: Tokyo Skytree
Evening: Shibuya

We like the thought of starting the day at Ueno Park, which opens up many alternatives for you. In reality, you could stay here all day and jump around to the different museums and the zoo as you wish. We’ll assume you want to take a break from it at some point and head over to Sensō-ji Temple to experience the culture of the city. When you’re done, you could head over to the Tokyo Skytree if you want a picturesque view of the city (and don’t get one from your hotel). In the evening, we picked out Shibuya, which has the Hachiko statue and the famous crossing.

Short FAQ on visiting Tokyo with kids

Is Tokyo walkable with kids?

No, we wouldn’t call Tokyo very walkable. It’s one of the largest cities in the world with activities stretched out all across town. You won’t be able to walk everywhere to see everything you want to see. Sure, there are some clusters of activities where you can get around with minimal metro travel, but count on using it in some capacity. That said, you most definitely don’t need a car to get around. Use the public transit system instead!

How is the public transit system with kids?

Mostly easy. The biggest thing you might need to worry about is if you’re taking a stroller around. Unless you’re using a very narrow stroller, expect it to not fit in the ticket entrances to the metro/train stations. Yes, it has happened to us before where we just can’t get it through. That means the kid needs to come out and we have to collapse it to get in. Stations can be confusing, with an expansive network of underground tunnels. Just get up to the surface if you get lost.

As for the trains and metro itself, they’re clean and extremely punctual.

Do you need a rail pass for getting around town?

No, we don’t recommend a rail pass to most tourists. Rail passes are intended more for those making several long-distance journeys by train. Anecdotally, I like to think of it as a need for three long-haul train routes. If you plan on taking three, you’re good to get it. But a simple roundtrip (like Tokyo to Kyoto and back) wouldn’t cut it.

On top of that, the subways are all privatized and owned by different companies. Your JR rail pass isn’t going to work on a Tokyo Metro line. Save yourself the frustration and don’t worry about a rail pass.

Is Tokyo safe for families?

Yes, we had no problems anywhere in Tokyo with our kids from a safety perspective. The city is devoid of violent crimes, making it as safe as can be in our book. We even know of parents who send their school-aged kids off on their own, braving the metro system unaccompanied. If that’s not a sign of the safety, we’re not sure what is.

With a city this size, Tokyo doesn’t seem to have too many problems with pickpockets. But if you have any concerns about pickpockets, we have a tip to share that might help prevent you from losing anything substantial.

How many days do you need in Tokyo with kids?

Honestly, we can and have spent a week here and it still doesn’t feel like it’s enough time. If it’s your first time, spending 5 nights in Tokyo is a good introduction. A lot of it is just going to depend on what you want to do both in the city itself and the surrounding area. It’s great knowing that even if you choose to stay for a long time, there really seems to be no shortage of family activities.

Which airport should I fly into: Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND)?

Based strictly on convenience, flying into Haneda is easier. For years, most international flights, especially from the United States, routed through Narita, giving little choice in the matter. But now, you have options. Haneda is closer to the city center while Narita requires an hour-long commute. If the cost is the same, we’d recommend Haneda.

How bad is the language barrier for non-Japanese speakers?

It’s tough but manageable if you know English. Japanese students are required to learn English and they’ve adopted some of the words in their language. But most people aren’t going to openly speak English to you–they might understand you but are afraid to get things wrong. Try asking them in Japanese if they know English first (eigo ga dekimasuka, or AY-GO-GA-DEKKY-MAS-KA) and you’ll have an easier time.

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