The bustling capital of Japan, Tokyo is home to several museums, most of which are specialized ones and boast of hands-on exhibits to make the kids engaged. You’ll also see a lot of theme parks, amusement parks, and indoor play places in Tokyo. If you rather wish to take the kids to a relaxed sightseeing in Tokyo, there are numerous natural parks and observation places in the city. Or should the kids are in the mood to hug and pet animals, they can play with bunnies, fish, and all sorts of animals in Tokyo’s aquarium and zoo. They can even be a Ninja for a day. They can also see firsthand the characters and the setting of their favorite Japanese animated films. And the little girls can meet Hello Kitty! All you need to do is be willing to spend time exploring Tokyo to find these attractions sure to make your kids’ day an amusing one.
To give you a hand in planning your activities, here is a list of things to do in Tokyo with kids that you can include in your itinerary.
Cost: $66.5
You saw this one coming, didn’t you? Well, we’re guilty as charged. Tokyo Disneyland should not be missed when you are with the kids in Tokyo, Japan. The first Disney theme park outside of the United States, Tokyo Disneyland is modeled after Disneyland California. This theme park features rides and amusements based from the films produced by the internationally renowned Walt Disney company. At Tokyo Disneyland, your kids can explore seven themed lands and watch parades and shows. You can start with the World Bazaar which is designed like an early 20th-century American town. This is where you can buy most souvenir items, like shirts, mugs, and plushies. You can then head out to Tomorrowland which explores the outer space and futuristic technologies. In here, your kids can ride the Star Tours, AstroBlasters, and the exhilarating Space Mountain. Next stop is the Toontown, a suburban toon neighborhood, where your kids can check out the homes of Mickey and Minnie and the Chip’n Dale’s Treehouse. Little kids can also play on Donald Duck’s boat and then ride a small version of a rollercoaster. Meanwhile, in Fantasyland, kids can enter Cinderella’s Castle, meet Peter Pan, Snow White, and Winnie the Pooh. Another themed land in the park is Critter Country, home to Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, Br’er Bear, and other characters from “Song of the South”, where your kids can have fun splashing in the water rides. Then, you can all proceed to the Westernland where more water adventure awaits. Your kids can ride on the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster, too. The last themed land inside Tokyo Disneyland is Adventureland. In here, your whole family can join in a jungle cruise, ride the Western River Railroad, and even sail with the Pirates of the Caribbean. All these themed rides and shows your kids will get to see at Tokyo Disneyland are sure to put a smile on their faces the whole day. Oh, and if it’s your kid’s birthday month, you can request for a special sticker which bears the name and birthdate of your child. This will make them feel like a celebrity inside the park as all cast members will greet them wherever they go. Likewise, should kids crave for more adventure inside Tokyo Disneyland, you shouldn’t worry because there’s DisneySea which has 23 water-based attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Tokyo Disneyland is open daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Entrance tickets cost $66.5.
Cost: $8.99
Japan is famous for its ninjas or legendary lethal assassins we know from the movies and animations. For sure, your boys have dreamed of fighting and holding a sword like a ninja. Thus, they’d love if you take them to the Ninja Trick House in Tokyo. Located in Shinjuku, the Ninja Trick House is actually part-fun house and part-interactive theater. Inside the ninja house, children will be able to experience swordplay, find secrets in the ninja house, snap a photo with a ninja, throw shurikens, and take up a Japanese sword. Upon entrance to the house, you will be shown a video explaining the differences between a noble samurai and rouge ninjas. And then, a ninja guide will show you some tricks and let you in into some secrets, like where the ninjas hide their weapons, why ninja swords are straight, and how ninjas can escape so quickly. Then the kids will be able to strap their own sword and do sword practice with the guidance of an instructor. Your kids will totally get addicted to being a ninja warrior after a visit to this entertainment house in Tokyo. The Ninja Trick House is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission tickets cost $8.99 per person, but kids aged 3 and below get to go in free.
Cost: $1.89 to $5.57
Miraikan, or the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, is proof of the Japanese fascination with technology. The museum was established by the country’s Science and Technology Agency to cater to families with children looking for fun educational activities. The Miraikan spreads across seven floors, with three floors dedicated to interactive exhibits. Inside the Miraikan, children can watch live demonstrations of ASIMO, a walking automaton. They can also check out the Geo-Cosomos, a high-resolution globe display, measuring 22 feet in diameter and with 851,000 LEDs, which shows global cities, their populations, temperatures, weather systems and human movement. Essentially, kids will be amazed at technology and robotics when they explore the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Likewise, they can check out the Earth section located in the 5th floor which has seemingly natural displays of natural and man-made disasters, like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Lab section will let the kids enjoy learning about scientific explorations of the world’s oceans and the outer space. There is also a Life area where they can see how cells in the body multiply and grow. You can take the kids to the Miraikan daily, except on Tuesdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. it also closes on national holidays and from the 28th of December to the 1st of January every year. Admission tickets cost $5.57 for adults, $1.89 for those aged 17 and below, and free for preschoolers. On Saturdays, guests aged 17 and below can enter for free.
Cost: Free
We all know the story of Hachiko – the loyal dog who patiently waited for his master for several years in the same spot he used to wait for the latter. Your kids would have probably know the story, too, especially if they are fond of dogs. If they haven’t yet, this is your chance to tell them this true and inspiring story about loyalty. At the Shibuya Station, the statue of the Akita dog named Hachiko (or Hachi) was erected to honor the legendary dog who had waited for 10 years for his master. Although the statue is no more than a typical statue, kids would love to know the story behind it.
Cost: $27.85 to $36.84
Pet cafés are growing more popular around the world. In Tokyo, there are a lot of pet cafés which you can take your kids to, such as one for cats, for dogs, and even for hedgehogs. Hutch Asakusa is a special kind of pet café which features a lovely time with bunnies. Built on six floors (five floors and an additional rooftop terrace), the Hutch Asakusa is home to 26 adorable rabbits your kids can feed and hug as long as they want. Bunnies are kind animals, so you won’t have to worry about kids getting scared of being bitten by these lovely creatures. Plus, their rabbits are well-treated and are fed with special order grasses, so they don’t have a bad smell. The Hutch Asakusa is a popular spot for families in Tokyo because it isn’t just a typical pet café. It combines the concepts of a café, a museum, and a theme park for an educational and friendly experience with the rabbits. Your kids can choose their own bunny, play with it, and cuddle it for as long as they want. You can also rent a private room where you can play with the bunny all by yourselves. The Hutch theme park in Asakusa is somewhat pricey considering the large space for your kids to play with and the charming experiences on offer. Regular rates are $36.84 per person (ages 12 and above) and $27.85 for children ages 6 to 11. The premium rates (private room) are as follows: $76.38 for ages 12 and above and $46.73 for ages 6 to 11. Families have special discounts, i.e. $7 less from the regular rate and $11.5 from the premium rate.
Cost: $1.8 to $5.39
We can’t deny the fact that children adore animals. They love these creatures as if they have some sort of special bond with them – which is totally fine as it shows they are capable of caring for another living thing. In Tokyo, the Ueno Zoo is a must-visit place for families with kids. Considered the oldest zoo in Japan, the Ueno Zoo is also a large zoological garden which has seen lots of expansion throughout the years. Currently, it measures 35.2 acres and is home to more than 3,000 animals from 400 different species. The Ueno Zoo has been the refuge of several animals from around the world, including the giant pandas from China. Inside the Ueno Zoo, children can learn about different familiar and unfamiliar animals. They can see them run, sleep, eat, and hide. They can also learn about ways to protect these animals, especially the endangered ones. Moreover, the kids can visit the Gorilla Woods and the Tiger Forest and face these gigantic creatures. They can also head to the Small Mammal House to see how nocturnal animals live. There is also a Vivarium at the Ueno Zoo, wherein kids can check out the world’s rare fish, crocodiles, snakes, and frogs. Lastly, they can go to the Children’s Zoo to say hi to some rabbits, donkeys, cows, llamas, and guinea pigs. The Ueno Zoo is open daily, except on Mondays, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Children up to age 12 can enter the zoo for free, while those aged 13 to 15 need to pay $1.8 and those from ages 16 and above should pay $5.39.
Cost: $17.5 to $21.5
What family vacation could go wrong if it’s spent inside a LEGOLAND Discovery Center with 3 million bricks, 10 build and play zones, three themed rides, and a 4D cinema? At LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Tokyo, young and older kids will have a fascinating day. Of course, they can play with Legos of different sizes and build structures or smash them or whatever they want to do with them. But more than this, the kids also get to play games, like walking through a hallway while avoiding laser beams and shooting at different targets while in a moving ride. They can also check out the Miniland Tokyo, which is a dioramic cityscape of the most iconic landmarks in Tokyo built in Lego bricks. Plus, the kids can keep their great mood on at the 4D cinema inside the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. You can come and visit LEGOLAND in Tokyo daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Admission tickets cost $21.5 when you buy them at the center itself, but you can get tickets for $17.5 if you book online.
Cost: $9
If you have watched the internationally loved Japanese animated films titled “Spirited Away”, “My Neighbor Totoro”, or “Princess Mononoke”, the name Studio Ghibli will sound familiar. Studio Ghibli is the production house behind these popular animated films, and the Ghibli Museum located in Tokyo’s western suburbs want you and your kids to relive the magical and fantastic world of these Ghibli films. At the museum’s entrance, a gigantic Totoro would welcome you inside where you will be amazed at meticulously handcrafted stained glass, windows, and lamps which colors are reflected on the stone floors. The ceiling has a fresco painting, which will surely transport you to a world of amazement. When you reach the exhibition halls, you and your kids will be in for some knowledge about the magic of animation, scrapbooks display, abstract art which inspired the artists, paintings about nature, and life-size recreations of Ghibli film settings. The kids can also play with a giant plush catbus from the film Totoro. Lastly, before you leave the Ghibli museum, you can all sit for a short animated film created exclusively for the visitors of the museum. You can visit the Ghibli Museum daily, except on Tuesdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They don’t allow walk-ins, so you have to book your tickets in advance.
Cost: $22.47 to $29.6
Next on our list is not at all the least exciting activity to do in Tokyo with kids. In fact, it can compete as one of the most amusing experiences for the kids, because… well, they get to meet their favorite Japanese characters! Yes, at Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo, your child’s dream to meet Hello Kitty, Gudetama, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters will come true. An indoor theme park based on the concepts of character meet-and-greet as well as energetic kiddie live shows, the Sanrio Puroland will make your kids jumping up and down with excitement. Other than meeting the characters and dancing or playing with them, the kids can also watch a parade and kiddie shows. The little girls can enter Hello Kitty’s house and check out every little detail of their favorite character’s cutie kitty life. They can also send a letter or a postcard to a friend from overseas and have it stamped with a Hello Kitty postage. The Sanrio Puroland is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends, and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on public holidays. Admission costs $22.47 per child and $29.6 per adult.
Cost: $0.8 to $1.79
Our last (but not the least) recommendation if you’re in Tokyo with the kids is trying out cosplay and purikura at Sega Ikebukuro Gigo. This game center features cosplaying or dressing up as characters in anime and purikura or sticker pictures. Hence, kids of all age range can find something interesting here. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring costumes because you can rent one from the hundreds of costumes in the cosplay desk. Kiddie costumes cost a little less than a dollar.
We’re sure the kids are excited for your Tokyo adventures. Let us know what made them the most cheerful. Tell us about your lovely moments in Tokyo with the kids in the comments section below.
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