Are you traveling to Tokyo with babies or toddlers? The biggest city in the world, Tokyo is the alluring capital city of Japan that stuns visitors with its compact skyscrapers and overwhelming population, yet provides serene green escapes in the middle of the metropolis. Even more surprising? These green escapes can also be found on the top of Tokyo’s skyscrapers.
Tokyo can be very baby and toddler-friendly, as long as you do a little planning in advance. As a travel agent, here are the top attractions I recommend my clients visit during their Tokyo vacation with babies and toddlers.
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Asakusa Neighborhood
This neighborhood is great for exploring Old World Japan where you’ll find the oldest temple in Tokyo.
Sensō-Ji Temple
Senso-Ji Temple is a Buddhist temple and is the oldest and most popular temple in Tokyo. Make a wish on a traditional ema before wandering the streets of Asakusa for a glimpse of Old Tokyo.
The temple grounds are free to enter, but each temple has an entrance fee.
Nakamise-dori
Stroll down Nakamise-dori, a pedestrian street packed with food stalls, traditional craft shops and souvenirs. The surrounding streets elude old Tokyo charm, so check them out!
Asakusa Nishi-sandō Shopping Street
Nishi-sando is a covered shopping street within walking distance of the Senso-Ji Temple. You’ll find lots of traditional Japanese goods here, like swords and antiques, but it’s also a great place to find souvenirs.
Hamarikyu Gardens
Hamarikyu Gardens is one of the most beautiful examples of Edo style gardens in Tokyo. You can buy tickets on their official website the day of your visit. Tickets are only valid the day of purchase, so wait to purchase your ticket until the morning of your visit.
Hamarikyu Gardens is a beautiful garden to take a stroll through (hello, stroller nap). To make it a bit more exciting, take the water bus to get there! Make sure it goes to the gardens the day you want to take it. You can find water bus info here.
Ueno Neighborhood
Ueno Park has many things to see as you stroll around, including a few shrines, a small zoo, a handful of museums and a large pond.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
The Shinto Ueno Toshogu Shrine is a great example of Edo architecture, and is mostly still the original building from the 1600’s. If you happen to visit on the 17th of any month, you can purchase a dragon talisman as a souvenir! You will need to purchase a ticket to enter the gates. Bring cash, as they do not accept credit cards.
Shinobazu no ike Pond
Surrounding the Benten Temple, Shinobazu no ike is a spacious pond filled with lotus flowers. Look closely to see ducks, turtles and koi! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent paddle boats to float around the pond.
National Museum of Science and Nature (Tokyo Pass)
Dinosaur and animal lovers will have a great time here! The National Museum of Science and Nature in Tokyo has stunning exhibits on marine and animal life on the Japanese Islands. You’ll also find exhibits on dinosaurs and humans throughout history.
High school students and younger are free. Purchase adult tickets in advance, or use the Tokyo Pass.
The ComPaSS area in the museum is a play area for children. While it is aimed at kids ages 4-6, younger kids can certainly still play. If your toddler is anything like mine, they’ll definitely enjoy watching some big kids play! You must reserve this area in advance, in 45 minute sessions. Kids under 2 are free with a paying adult. Anyone 2+ is ¥300.
Sanrio Puroland
Sanrio Puroland is better known as Hello Kitty Land. This is an indoor theme park known for its shows, parades and kawaii aesthetic. There are only a few rides, but you can hold your baby or toddler on them. Plan to arrive when they open, as lines will get longer as the day goes on. Tickets are discounted starting at 2 pm, and it really fills up then!
Send Grandma (or yourself!) a postcard from Sanrio Puroland! You can buy postcards and stamps here, then it will have a special Hello Kitty stamp on it.
Book your tickets in advance, and get the PUROPASS for priority access to the rides and get reserved seats for the parades. To enter Gudetama Land, you’ll have to purchase the Gudetama Passport. You can do this in advance, or at the ticket counter when you arrive.
Sumida Neighborhood
Sumida is the Sumo district of Tokyo. Keep your eyes peeled!
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Sky Tree is the world’s tallest tower, at an astounding 634 meters. You’ll have stunning views of Tokyo, and Mt Fuji on a clear day. Head up to Floor 340 to walk on the glass floor. Purchase the combo tickets to go up to the Tembo Gallery, on Floor 445 and Floor 450. No, there are not 450 floors in Tokyo Skytree… The Floors are so called because of their height in meters. See the official floor guide here.
Sumida Aquarium
The Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo is located on the 5th floor of Tokyo Skytree Town. Children 2 and under are free and they are open 365 days a year! They only allow a certain number of tickets to be sold each hour, so you may have to wait. Purchase tickets in advance to save money.
Ginza Neighborhood
The Tokyo Ginza neighborhood is known for its upscale shopping, swanky nightlife and bougie sushi bars. You’ll also find the free Police Museum in this neighborhood!
Sanrioworld Ginza
If you like Hello Kitty, or any of the other Sanrio characters, this is a giant Sanrio store – the biggest Sanrio store in the world, to be exact.
Police Museum
The Tokyo Police Museum has interactive exhibits that are great for kids ages 2 through grade school. This free museum has 3 floors aimed at entertaining kids. Floors 4-5 go into detail about infamous Japanese crimes. Since the museum is free, make sure you arrive early!
Art Aquarium Museum Ginza
The Art Aquarium Museum Ginza is a fun museum for kids that combines art and aquariums. This is a great place for babies and toddlers, as the museum is mostly dark, but all the tanks are lit up. With the goldfish swimming slowly inside, one can only hope it’ll put your jet-lagged baby to sleep. Buy tickets in advance on Klook.
Shinjuku Neighborhood
The Shinjuku neighborhood is another popular tourist destination. There are several things that adults and children alike will enjoy.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories
You may know this as Tokyo City View, which has a north and a south observation deck located on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The observation decks are 202m up, offering amazing views of Tokyo, for free! On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt Fuji!
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest parks. During springtime, it becomes one of the most popular places in the city because of the famous cherry blossoms. Kids 15 and under are free. This park is included in the Tokyo Pass.
Godzilla Head
Godzilla fans can walk near the Shinjuku TOHO Building to see the Godzilla head on the 9th floor of the building. It’s extra intimidating at night when it’s lit up! Naturally, Godzilla is perched to look like he’s taking over the city.
Shin-Ōkubo
If you’re into Korean pop culture, check out Tokyo’s Koreatown! You will find tons of k-beauty stores and street food.
Fire Museum
A wonderful, free museum for kids through preschool or kindergarten. Kids can toddle around and pretend to fly a helicopter. You’ll definitely want to arrive when this museum opens, since it’s free. The Tokyo Fire Museum will be extra busy on weekends and rainy days!
Shinjuku Central Park Children’s Square
The Children’s Square is an outdoor playground located in Shinjuku Chuo Park Playground that’s free to use. If you’re traveling to Tokyo in summer, there is a free wading pool for toddlers!
Tokyo Toy Museum
Housed in an old elementary school, the Toy Museum in Tokyo should not be missed! You’ll find over 10,000 toys on display! The main focus is naturally Japanese toys, but they also have toys from all over the world.
The first floor is dedicated to babies, where you’ll find the Baby Wood Education Plaza for kids aged 2 and under. Reservations are required. Plan this into your day, as changes are not allowed. Children older than 2 are not allowed in this area, so older siblings will have to go play on another level.
Kids 3 and up can make a wooden toy in the Toy Workshop! There are also many other areas that big kids will enjoy.
Unlike many other establishments, this museum is closed on Thursdays, and is staffed by volunteers. Stroller parking is just outside the entrance. There’s a clean nursing/changing area that you can use, just ask the staff for access.
Kids 6 months and under are free. The Tokyo Toy Museum also has an outdoor play area that is free to use.
Harajuku Neighborhood
Visit Tokyo’s trendiest fashion district – Harajuku! This is where kawaii (cute) culture started, so there are lots of fashionistas to see!
Takeshita-dori
Takeshita Street is the main drag through Harajuku, filled with kawaii stores and cat cafes; it also has an iconic entrance gate. Thankfully, Takeshita Street is pedestrian only from 11 to 6 daily. It’s only 2 blocks long, and will be very busy starting around noon, so take your time.
You might have a hard time pushing a stroller with all the people, so consider wearing your baby and putting your toddler on your shoulders. I like a baby wrap with a little infant, and a baby carrier once they can hold their head up (although I still like to support their head with my hand while walking).
Read more: Traveling with car seats and strollers
MiPig Cafe
While cat cafes are super popular and numerous in Tokyo, you can also stop at the MiPig Cafe to play with mini pigs! Toddlers might have more fun playing with the toys than the pigs, but parents will definitely have fun. Make sure you book your tickets in advance as this is a very popular cafe.
Kiddy Land
Kiddy Land is a multi-level store filled with all the toys you didn’t know you needed. The store is arranged by characters, so you’ll find a section on Hello Kitty and other Ghibli Studios characters, plus Disney and Marvel sections. This store is known for their exclusive Hello Kitty merch and elaborate holiday decorations. Kiddy Land is the reason Japan celebrates Valentine’s Day and Halloween!
Purikura photo booths
You must stop into a purikura photo booth in Harajuku! You’ll take photos with fun backgrounds, then you can edit and add stickers before printing off as keepsakes. You can find these photo booths pretty much everywhere – just look for colorful kiosks with fun photos on them.
Shibuya Neighborhood
Address: 1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046, Japan
Shibuya is one of the most popular areas for tourists to visit in Japan, and for good reason! This is where you’ll find the chaotic Shibuya Crossing, famous towers and the Tokyo Disney Store with the ToonTown entrance.
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is a famous landmark in Tokyo, nicknamed the Eiffel Tower of Tokyo. You can access the Main Deck at 150m, or the Top Deck at 250m and see sweeping views of Tokyo’s skyline. Book your tickets in advance!
Shibuya Crossing
Head to the Tsutaya building’s second floor (free!) to see the chaos of Shibuya Crossing from above! Using the Shibuya Crossing is a right of passage for Tokyo visitors. Have you really been to Tokyo if you haven’t walked across this crazy intersection?
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Jingu is a traditional Shinto shrine honoring the Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. This is a peaceful area, with a sprawling 170 acres of green. On weekends, you will likely see a wedding procession or two. The green space surrounding this area is called Yoyogi Park (there isn’t any playground equipment here).
The main entrance to the shrine has a typical torii gate, separating the secular from the sacred. You should walk under the gate on the right hand side – never in the middle, as this is reserved for the gods. Same goes for taking photos – never straight on.
Aoyama Farmers Market at UNU
If you’re in Shibuya Tokyo on a weekend, stop by the Aoyama Farmers Market. You can find fresh, seasonal produce and homemade baked goods. They also have food trucks!
Gather everything you’ll need for a picnic and head to Yoyogi Park, by Meiji Jingu.
Nikoniko outdoor playground
This is a playground like you’d expect to find at a park in the US, only a bit bigger. After visiting the Meiji Shrine, head to Nikoniko outdoor playground (or beforehand to burn off some energy), which is ¥100 for kids 2+, ¥300 for adults. A reasonable price to keep the playground clean!
Shibuya Sky
Located on the 47th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square Tower, Shibuya Sky offers a 360 degree view of Tokyo, including Tokyo Tower and other famous buildings, and a bird’s eye view of the Shibuya Crossing. If you’re lucky, you might even see Mt Fuji on a clear day!
Buy adult tickets in advance, and kids (under 12) tickets upon arrival.
Center Gai
Although located in Shibuya, not Harajuku, this road is known for youth culture and the latest fashion trends. Center-Gai is a major pedestrian thoroughfare that runs through Shibuya’s main shopping, entertainment and retail district.
Shibuya Koen Dori Disney Store
This is the famous Tokyo Disney Store with the giant ToonTown style entrance. Just to note, most of the merchandise here is marketed towards teens and adults, think towels and dining paraphernalia. It’s still fun to stop in and see all the displays they’ve got, which are changed regularly!
Shibuya Playground 4 Kids
This is a wonderful (and clean) playground for kids up to age 5. You will need to make a reservation, which can easily be done with the front desk of your hotel or on their website. You can leave your stroller by the entrance. This indoor playground is on the 9th floor, so on a clear day you might be lucky enough to see Mt Fuji!
Minato City Neighborhood
The Minato neighborhood of Tokyo is mostly a business district, but here you’ll find one of the outrageously popular teamLabs!
TeamLab Borderless
An interactive art museum, teamLab Borderless is a fantastic attraction for both adults and children! Similar to teamLab Planets, make sure you bring your baby carrier to haul your little traveler around. Save the skirt for another day – you’ll be walking on mirrors!
This is one of the most popular attractions in Tokyo, and the lines get super long. Make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Looking for a fun restaurant in Minato City Tokyo? Check out Kura Revolving Sushi Bar: https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/en/
Odaiba Neighborhood
Connected to the mainland via the Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba is a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, complete with its own Lady Liberty. Filled with futuristic buildings, museums and shopping malls, there are a few things to keep your baby or toddler happy while on the island!
teamLab Planets Tokyo
No trip to Tokyo is complete without a teamLab visit! TeamLab Planets Tokyo is an art museum experience that has immersive installations. Make your way through water installations, thousands of real flowers, or through colorful light installations to see exactly why teamLab has become one of the must visit places in the city.
There are water areas that you will walk through, so wear shorts or pants you can easily roll up. I would not recommend wearing a skirt or dress, as many of the rooms have mirrored floors. Bring a change of clothes and a wet bag in case you get wet!
You’ll want to wear your baby through the facility, especially through the water areas. I like a baby wrap with a little infant, and a baby carrier once they can hold their head up (although I still like to support their head with my hand while walking).
TeamLab venues are incredibly popular, so you’ll want to arrive early and book your tickets in advance.
Asobōno!
This is the largest indoor playground in Tokyo for kids. The Crawl Garden is an area specifically for kids 0-24 months, so you can feel at ease knowing your littles won’t be run over by big kids! They also have a ball pit with slides, a supermarket and restaurant, areas where kids can build or sections where they can run. No matter where your kids play, they are sure to burn off pent-up energy!
Tickets are valid for 1 hour, and you can purchase 30 minute extensions. You will want to arrive early, as lines can get very long, especially on rainy days and weekends!
Buy tickets on their website. Use your browser to translate, as the website is only in Japanese.
Little Planet DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
DiverCity is a huge shopping mall in Odaiba, Tokyo. On the 5th floor, you’ll find Little Planet, which is a play center for kids up to age 6. They have a ball pit, a sand pit that uses AR technology to create mountains and oceans, and Sketch Racing, where kids can draw a car to race. This is a great facility to visit if you are already in the mall. As a bonus, kids will get a gift on their birthday!
Buy tickets on Klook in advance.
Ikebukuro Neighborhood
Sunshine City located in Ikebukuro Tokyo is a 60 story building with numerous stores, an aquarium, a museum, a hotel, and a food court. If you’re a Pokemon fan, you’ll want to spend some time here! It’s a great place to spend a rainy day. Sunshine City is one of the largest shopping complexes in Tokyo.
Sunshine Aquarium
The Sunshine Aquarium has lots of things to see, from jellyfish to penguins, and colorful frogs to coral. Buy your tickets in advance on Klook.
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park
The Sunshine 60 Observatory is another great place to get city views, and possibly views of Mt Fuji on a clear day. The elevator up to the 60th floor takes an impressive 35 seconds!
Tenbo Park is a play space within the observatory designed for babies and toddlers. There’s a crawl area, so you won’t have to worry about little fingers getting stepped on.
From 11:00-14:00, you can bring food in to have a picnic. You could also eat at the Tenbo Park Cafe, which has high chairs and they serve baby food! Buy your tickets in advance on Klook.
Namjatown
If you’re in Sunshine City, Namjatown is a fun place to spend some time. There are 3 “towns” within this area that you can explore, 2 of which are food focused. Gyoza Stadium offers gyoza samples made with recipes from all over Japan. Then head to Dessert Alley to try beautifully presented desserts!
Kids 3 and under are free, just note that everything is in Japanese.
Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO ＆ Pikachu Sweets
The Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO is a great place for Pokemon fans. As the largest Pokémon store in the world, you’ll find plushies, toys, and other Pokémon goods, plus exclusive merch.
Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe in the Pokémon Center is a takeaway shop with cute Pikachu desserts and odd souvenirs, like straw charms and fluffy drink sleeves for your lattes.
Toys ‘R Us & Babies ‘R Us
Babies ‘R Us sells baby goods, like wipes, formula, baby food and baby clothes. Babies ‘R Us is one of the few stores in Tokyo you can count on to sell diapers in a variety of sizes. This store is connected to Toys ‘R Us, which you know is full of toys your toddler will want to take home!
Baby and Toddler Amenities
Sunshine City has special kids bathrooms with short toilets. You’ll also find nursing rooms with useful amenities, changing tables and baby seats to hold your baby while you use the bathroom. Check out Sunshine City’s kids facilities for more info!
Surrounding Tokyo
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo Disney is an amazing destination with babies and toddlers! There’s plenty for everyone to do to stay entertained, from the littlest travelers through adults.
Although it’s called Tokyo Disney Resort, it is technically outside of the city. Located in Tokyo Bay, it’ll take you about 25 minutes to get here from Tokyo Station.
Check out my full guide on Tokyo Disney here!
Anpanman Children’s Museum in Yokohama
Anpanman is a beloved tv show for children in Japan, whose main character is a sweet steamed bun. He is a hero of justice who will go anywhere to help people in trouble. The museum offers entertaining performances, but you should know that these are in Japanese. The play area has soft toys so little travelers still doing tummy-time will have things to play with!
From Tokyo Station, it’ll take about 45 minutes to get here via train.
Eric Carle Play Park at Futako Tamagawa
If you’re familiar with the Hungry Caterpillar, then you’ll love the Eric Carle Play Park! Great for babies through grade schoolers, there are lots of activities to keep kids entertained. The Baby Zone is specifically for children under 2, so they can explore and you can relax knowing they won’t be run over by big kids.
From Tokyo Station, it’ll take about 30 minutes to get here via train.
Wrapping it up
Tokyo is a city that truly caters to families, offering a blend of ancient traditions and futuristic fun. By planning ahead and embracing a few simple strategies, you can enjoy a memorable, sustainable trip with your little ones. From serene gardens to playful museums, this city proves that with a little creativity, even the world’s largest metropolis can feel like a playground for the whole family.
Was this guide helpful? Share it with other parents planning their Tokyo adventure, and be sure to check out our other Japan guides for more inspiration!
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