Tokyo is easy to get around as a family, and there’s something here for every age. These 20 things to do in Tokyo with kids range from Disney and the Ghibli Museum to Pokémon shopping and a mountain with a monkey park.
Kids love Tokyo, and we’ve seen why on many family trips to Japan. It’s colorful and quirky, with characters and robots turning up all over the city, and it’s clean, safe, and friendly enough that long days of sightseeing stay manageable.
Even so, you won’t fit everything into one trip, and younger kids can find Tokyo a lot to take in, so plan fewer stops each day and build in downtime.
At a Glance
- Book before you go: teamLab Planets, the Ghibli Museum, the Pokémon Cafe, the Harry Potter studio tour, and adult tickets for Shibuya Sky.
- Rainy day: Sanrio Puroland is indoors, and so are LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Tokyo Joypolis on Odaiba.
- With babies and toddlers: Ninja Tokyo doesn’t admit them, and your own stroller can’t go into teamLab Planets or onto the roof at Shibuya Sky.
- Free admission: kids 5 and under at Shibuya Sky, and up to two kids 3 and under per adult at Kawaii Monster Land.
1. Tokyo Shopping for Cool Kids’ Stuff
I very rarely start lists like this with shopping, but Tokyo is very much an exception because it’s one of the best things to do in Tokyo with kids whether they’re younger or older.
It’s a way for them to experience the pop culture, load up on Pokémon and Rilakkuma, browse crazy toys and robots, or even try Japanese confectionaries from a department store food court.
I could dedicate a whole post to this topic alone between specialty retailers, department stores, and shopping streets that we love.
Kiddy Land
Since 1950, Kiddy Land has stocked everything from branded Sanrio gear, including Hello Kitty, to old-fashioned puzzles in its five floors of over-the-top displays.
This is a fun place to let kids shop for their own souvenirs, though keep in mind that it can be hectic and may be too much for very little kids to handle. It’s located in Omotesando.
Itoya
If your kids are into crafts, paper, stickers, stamps, pens, and other neat stationery trinkets, go to Itoya, a Ginza stationery store that has been open since 1904. It’s one of my favorite stores in the world, and even my daughter has loved it since she was a very little girl.
Hakuhinkan Toy Park
Keep walking south down the same street from Itoya to enter the multi-story Hakuhinkan Toy Park where you’ll be able to pick up some souvenirs and random toys not found at home (my daughter picked up a Justin Bieber mask that’s been a huge hit).
Tokyo Character Street
Character Street inside of Tokyo Station (where the Narita Express train stops) may send your kids into euphoria with its more than 20 shops retailing anime, famous characters, LEGO, and much more. It’s on the basement level, on the Yaesu side of the station.
Mega Don Quijote
Don Quijote discount stores are all over Tokyo, but the Mega Don Quijote in Shibuya has more Kit Kat flavors, Japanese sweets, and knick-knacks than I’ve ever seen. And, it’s open 24 hours and near the Shibuya Crossing.
Harajuku
We stumbled upon Mooosh Squishy in Harajuku during our last trip, which is a store dedicated to squishies (it even had a squishy play pit when we visited). It’s just a few minutes from the famous Takeshita Dori shopping street (often simply called Takeshita Street), a hit with fashion-conscious tweens and teens (be sure to stop at one of the crepe shops for a snack).
You will find all things kawaii here and spot a few Harajuku girls. We also ate at an outstanding ramen restaurant called Afuri that I would recommend (even though ordering via vending machine was a little complicated).
2. Tokyo Disneyland® and DisneySea®
There are two family-friendly Disney theme parks at Tokyo Disney Resort, and it’s wise to plan for at least two days in Tokyo to see them.
You’ll find nearly all the classic Disney rides at Tokyo Disneyland: Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Snow White’s Adventures, the Haunted Mansion, and It’s a Small World. Space Mountain is closed while the park rebuilds it. There are a few rides unique to the park, including Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, and the food here is some of the best at any Disney park.
You should know that most of the rides at Tokyo Disneyland are narrated in Japanese. This doesn’t take away from the experience, in my opinion, but you might want to let your children know ahead of time.
DisneySea is to Tokyo Disneyland what Disney California Adventure park is to Disneyland. It has more intense rides and a larger variety of dining options, but there are still character encounters and kid-friendly rides.
For the younger crowd, you can find Nemo & Friends SeaRider and the Little Mermaid rides in Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea. It’s also stunningly beautiful for a theme park. The Venice “port of call” is particularly lovely and realistic. If your family travel includes immersive experiences, DisneySea definitely delivers.
The Fantasy Springs area adds Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies.
3. teamLab Planets
teamLab Planets is a digital art museum in Toyosu where you walk through the artworks barefoot. In one room, the water rises to an adult’s knees while projected koi swim around your legs and burst into flowers when they bump into you.
Some rooms are dark and others have strong lighting effects, and the museum asks parents to keep hold of their children’s hands.
- Tickets aren’t sold at the entrance, so book online before you go.
- Wear shorts or clothes that roll up above the knee. Shorts are available to borrow for free.
- Strollers stay in a storage area at the entrance.
- Each adult can bring up to three children, and kids under 13 need an adult with them.
- teamLab Planets is scheduled to stay open through the end of 2027.
4. Tsukiji Fish Market
As you probably know, the famous tuna auctions have moved to the Toyosu fish market. I think that the Tsukiji Outer Market is a not-to-be-missed stop in Tokyo for families because it has more charm and feels much less commercial. It’s also easier to get to from Ginza hotels.
Here, you can take a close-up look and chat with vendors about the amazing seafood, sashimi, and traditional Japanese food that you might want to taste. Encourage your kids to try something new. If raw fish isn’t for them, there are cooked options and plenty of places to grab an ice cream.
This section of Tsukiji Market is home to quite a few shops. If you’d like some good knives or kitchen gadgets, it’s a great stop. But, do come hungry.
If you can visit both markets, I recommend it. However, if you can pick one and you’re not going on one of the Tokyo tours with entrance to the early morning auctions at Toyosu, visit Tsukiji.
5. Asakusa: Senso-ji Temple and Hanayashiki
Senso-ji in Asakusa is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and it traces its founding to the year 628.
Hanayashiki, which calls itself the oldest amusement park in Japan, is also in Asakusa, so the temple and a round of rides fit easily into one outing. Its hours change with the season and the weather, so check before you go.
6. Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
So, my daughter hasn’t found visits to Meiji Shrine the most riveting, but it’s something that you must do at least once on a visit with kids to Tokyo.
The Shinto shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. Visitors can make offerings and write their wishes on wooden emas. I like to go on Saturdays when it’s likely to catch a Japanese wedding party taking photos.
Yoyogi Park is adjacent to Meiji Shrine. Here, you can typically catch an eclectic crowd, from busking singers to skateboarders. There are pretty gardens and ponds, plus a cycling center with a separate area where little kids can ride. Between entertainment and nature, it’s a nice place to stop for a snack.
Harajuku’s Takeshita Dori pedestrian street, full of shops and eateries, is about a 10-minute walk away from the park and shrine. So, in theory, you can visit the park, Meiji Shrine, and Harajuku on the same day.
7. Inokashira Park
(Photo courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization)
This beautiful oasis just outside the city center first opened in 1917 when the Emperor gifted it to the people of Japan. Today Inokashira Park is the perfect spot for a picnic while you let kids run off some steam.
There are child-friendly paddle boats that you can steer around the long, narrow pond, as well as relaxing 30-minute swan boat rides.
Little kids will have fun at Inokashira Park Zoo, which has a small aquatic life area, a guinea pig petting program, and animals that are mostly native to Japan. Older kids will be interested in the legend associated with the beautiful red shrine to the Japanese Buddhist goddess Benzaiten on the lake.
It’s said Benzaiten will curse any couple who wanders too close. Combine a visit here with the Ghibli Museum, also on this list.
8. Ghibli Museum
If your family loves movies like Totoro and Ponyo, visiting this unconventional museum on the edge of Inokashira Park in Mitaka is one of the most iconic things to do with kids in Tokyo.
Housed in a colorful building, this museum is a fun tribute to the work of Hayao Miyazaki, an animation director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, a famous film and animation studio.
You can see a life-size reproduction of an artist’s studio, watch animated shorts in the small Saturn Theater, and examine sketches and animation cels from the studio’s movies. The rooftop garden has the five-meter (about 16-foot) Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky. Kids 12 and under can touch the giant Cat Bus in a room on the second floor.
Admission is by advance reservation only, so you can’t buy tickets at the museum. Visitors from overseas can buy through Lawson Ticket, which releases each month’s tickets at 10 a.m. Japan time on the 10th of the month before.
9. Tokyo Skytree and Sumida Aquarium
Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters (about 2,080 feet) tall, and its two observation levels sit 350 and 450 meters (about 1,148 and 1,476 feet) above the ground.
On a clear day, grab an observation deck ticket for one of the best views of the city skyline. If the weather cooperates, you may even see Mt. Fuji.
There are opportunities to dine at Sky Restaurant 634, sip tea, or enjoy an ice cream on the three floors of the lower Tembo Deck.
The Tembo Galleria (the higher deck) has fewer amenities, but the views are worth walking the spiral skywalk for.
You’ll find a shopping and entertainment center at the base of the tower called Tokyo Solamachi. Here, you’ll find Pokémon Center Skytree Town and Sumida Aquarium.
Sumida Aquarium
(Photo courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization)
You’ll find aquariums to explore all over the city, but Sumida Aquarium is the best.
The big Ogasawara tank holds about 450 fish, and the jellyfish area has about 700 jellyfish. Don’t miss the playful penguins and fur seals, too.
10. Sanrio Puroland
If you have a fan of Hello Kitty with you, make an obligatory stop to the Sanrio Puroland indoor theme park on your family trip to Tokyo.
There are a few rides (including a 10-minute boat ride through the park) to enjoy in addition to restaurants, live entertainment, and, of course, a giant gift shop featuring popular Sanrio characters like My Melody, Gudetama, Hello Kitty, and others.
11. Mount Takao
Mount Takao is probably the most popular hiking spot in the city due to its approachable height for beginners, making it one of the good outdoor things to do in Tokyo with kids.
It doesn’t take long to get to the top. Most of the numbered trails run between 900 meters and 3.8 kilometers (roughly half a mile to 2.4 miles), and a cable car and a chairlift can take you part of the way. You’ll find souvenir shops, food stalls, and a temple at the summit of Mt. Takao, so you can relax and have a snack before heading back down.
This is also the home of Takao Monkey Park, a three-minute walk along Trail 1 from the cable car’s Takaosan Station. About 90 Japanese macaques live there, and keepers give talks about how the troop lives and behaves.
It’s about 50 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station on the Keio Line, so it’s a nice day trip from Tokyo city center.
12. Ueno Park: Ueno Zoo and the National Museum of Nature and Science
There’s plenty of nature in this high-tech city — some of which can be found in the famous zoos. Ueno Zoo is the most popular zoo in Tokyo as well as the oldest zoo in all of Japan.
There are about 3,000 animals from roughly 300 species here, including polar bears and aye-ayes. The zoo’s giant pandas returned to China in January 2026, and there are none on display.
Also in Ueno Park, the National Museum of Nature and Science has exhibits designed for parents and children to explore together. Space-minded kids can see the re-entry capsule from the Hayabusa probe, which brought samples from asteroid Itokawa back to Earth in 2010.
Tokyo’s official tourism site suggests allowing a couple of hours. Parts of the Global Gallery are closed for renovation, so check the museum’s news page before you go.
13. Ninja Tokyo Restaurant
At Ninja Tokyo, a theme restaurant that moved from Akasaka to Otemachi, ninja performers do magic tricks right at your table.
The restaurant doesn’t admit infants or toddlers, and there’s a children’s course for ages 6 to 12.
14. Kawaii Monster Land
Kawaii Monster Land opened in February 2026 underneath Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The artist Sebastian Masuda produced it, as he did the original Kawaii Monster Cafe, which closed in 2021.
Inside, you’ll find games you play with Kawaii Coins, a street of colorful snacks, a kitchen serving kawaii food and drinks, and a gift bazaar full of Harajuku souvenirs.
- Child tickets are for ages 4 to 12.
- Each adult can bring up to two kids ages 3 and under for free.
- Kids of elementary school age and younger need an adult with them.
- Tickets are sold through the official sellers, Asoview and Rakuten, and reselling them is prohibited.
15. Odaiba Island
(Photo courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization)
Originally built as a defensive fort, this man-made island in Tokyo Bay is a shopping and sightseeing destination where you’ll find several kid-friendly attractions, including a LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tokyo is entirely indoors, with rides, a Miniland of Tokyo landmarks built from LEGO, and building areas, so it works on a rainy day.
Tokyo Joypolis, an indoor amusement park, is here too, along with lots of parks, shops, and restaurants.
Even getting to Odaiba Tokyo is fun. Kids will love taking the fully automated Yurikamome train over the Rainbow Bridge.
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
This is one of the best things to do with kids in Tokyo if yours are especially curious about science and space. The permanent exhibitions on the fifth floor explore space, the solar system, the Earth, and life on it. Honda’s ASIMO robot retired from its demonstrations here in 2022.
You won’t need to know Japanese to enjoy Miraikan because the exhibits often convey information through visuals and hands-on activities. You could easily spend three or four hours here with science-minded kids. Miraikan is closed on Tuesdays, unless the Tuesday is a national holiday.
16. Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue
Outside Shibuya Station is the famous Shibuya Crossing, where traffic stops, allowing pedestrians to cross the intersection in any direction they wish.
On the ground level, when you’re waiting to cross, the spectacle isn’t quite as grand. To marvel at the chaos, go a story or two up. This can be achieved at a glass walkway between JR Shibuya Station and a shopping mall called Mark City. Or, there’s a Starbucks with a second story and huge glass windows on one corner of the crossing.
Hachiko was a Japanese Akita dog who used to meet his owner at Shibuya Station every day after work. Hachiko’s owner died in 1925, but the loyal dog returned to the station daily for nine years, hoping to see him again. Today, the statue at the station commemorates his loyalty.
17. Shibuya Sky
Shibuya Sky is an open-air observation deck at the top of Shibuya Scramble Square, the skyscraper directly above Shibuya Station. From the entrance on the 14th floor, you go up through the indoor Sky Gallery on the 46th floor and out onto the roof for a 360-degree view from 229 meters (about 750 feet) above Shibuya.
- Tickets are for a set date and entry time and go on sale two weeks ahead, at midnight Japan time. Late arrivals can be turned away.
- Book adult tickets (ages 12 and up) in advance, because when they sell out online, the ticket counter is sold out too.
- Child tickets cover ages 11 and under, plus 12-year-olds still in elementary school. They’re sold only at the 14th-floor counter right before you go in, with your child there. Kids 5 and under get in free.
- Every child 11 and under needs a parent or guardian with a ticket.
- Only phones, plus cameras and binoculars that fit in a pocket or hang from a neck strap, go up to the roof. Bags, hats, earphones, and selfie sticks go in lockers on the 46th floor.
- The only strollers allowed on the roof are loaners from the 46th-floor information desk, which has a limited number. Bring a baby carrier, since you also can’t carry kids in your arms or on your shoulders.
- The roof can close for strong wind, rain, snow, thunderstorms, or extreme heat, sometimes without notice.
18. Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Pokémon Cafe
Pokémon fans can shop at several official Pokémon Center stores in Tokyo, including Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo on the second floor of the Sunshine City Alpa mall in Ikebukuro, Pokémon Center Shibuya, and Pokémon Center Skytree Town.
The Pokémon Cafe is on the fifth floor of the Nihombashi Takashimaya East Building, a five-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Yaesu North Exit. It requires advance reservations through its website. If you can’t get a table, Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is in Ikebukuro, near Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo.
19. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter
Harry Potter fans can explore sets, props, and costumes from the films at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, and even try flying a broomstick like Harry. It’s a two-minute walk from Toshimaen Station, which is 17 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line or 20 minutes from Shinjuku on the Toei Oedo Line.
- Allow three to four hours, as the studio tour recommends.
- Book a date and entry time ahead, since your preferred slot can sell out.
- Buy only from the studio tour or an authorized seller such as Klook, because other tickets won’t get you in.
- Standard strollers are welcome, but wagon-style strollers aren’t allowed.
20. A Private Pop Culture Tour Just for Kids
If it’s your first time visiting Tokyo with kids, look to an expert to show them (and you) the best things around Tokyo. I am a huge fan of using Context Travel for these experiences.
Book the two-hour Tokyo Pop Culture Tour for Kids, and one of their experts will take your family through the arcades, anime shops, and character stores of Ikebukuro.
I also highly recommend that you browse their other Tokyo tours. I like to book with them early in my vacation because the guides often have tips for how to get around, places to eat, and more interesting things to make your vacation easier.
Where to Stay in Tokyo With Kids
We stay at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, a boutique luxury hotel next to Tokyo Station and within a short walk to our favorite places and department stores in Ginza.
The food and service are both outstanding, as you might expect, but they also have a complimentary train platform escort service, which makes getting around Tokyo easier. Tokyo Station is enormous and can be confusing, even with a map.
Note that the maximum occupancy in most Tokyo hotels is three people, regardless of age. Connecting rooms are available, and some hotels will allow families of four to stay in larger rooms and suites if the children are young. Children ages 12 and older are also often considered adults. Make sure to pay attention to a hotel’s age and occupancy limits before deciding where to stay in Tokyo on your trip to Japan.
When you’re ready to book there or elsewhere, remember that I have access to exclusive VIP amenities as an Independent Affiliate with Cadence® Travel. If you book through my Virtuoso page, you’ll get extras like complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades, spa credits, and more.
What are your favorite fun things to do in Tokyo with kids?
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See also: Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids and Things to Do in Beijing with Kids
Thank you so much for this post!! It has helped me so much!