Travelling to Japan with kids? Don’t miss a stopover in Tokyo.
This thriving international city is a kids dream with so much to see and do and eat and then see and do and eat.
From apps to hotels and everything in between, we’ve got 10 must-knows to make sure your next Tokyo stopover adventure with your little snow explorers runs smoothly.
Get a hotel with room to roam
Space is at a premium in the city, and some rooms are so tight, you’ll struggle to even open a suitcase. If the little legs in your family are used to bigger spaces, search carefully for apartment-style hotels across the city with family-friendly amenities – Mimaru Ueno East, for example, has a rooftop terrace perfect for kids to get their wiggles out in a safe space.
Pack nappies and wipes
See above point about space being at a premium: because of this, you likely won’t find nappies or wipes in convenience stores. If you have a preferred brand, be sure to pack enough to see you through your trip; otherwise, save yourself the time searching and go straight to a Babies R Us or AkachanHonpo (family store) once you arrive.
But also pack light (and then even lighter)
It’s easy to overpack, especially when travelling in the colder months, but Tokyo streets are busy and not all train stations or multi-level department stores have lifts. Be ruthless with your culling (except for the nappies of course) so you can avoid being the family holding everyone up. If you have ski gear, utilise the Yamato Transport (aka Black Cat) service at the airport to whisk your bags straight to the slopes – for about $20-30AUD per bag, your skis/jackets/helmets will be there and waiting.
Opt for carriers over prams
Unless you’ve got the zippiest of little travel prams, there’s not much space for them in restaurants or anywhere else, especially destinations like the Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh seafood. Pack your carrier if your kids are young enough to use one – they will save you!
Discover all the cool kid-oriented destinations
Tokyo has Disneyland but also the world’s only DisneySea, which is well worth a visit, especially if your kids are closer to pre-teen age. There’s also Kidzania, which is a mini world run entirely by kids; Sanrio Puroland for Hello Kitty lovers; Sumo Stablesfor sumo-wrestler watching; and unforgettable ninja kids experiences.
Actually – everything is cool
It’s not all about the kids. Places like Tokyo Skytree, the new teamLAB Borderless and even Shibuya Crossing are so fun, everyone in the family will be talking about them for days. Cultural experiences such as Meiji Shrine and Senso-Ji temple are also well worth it for all ages. For paid attractions, pre-buy your tickets on Klook for easy access and the best prices.
… And unique
If you have an interest in the family, just google it, because Tokyo is wild and wacky enough that they’ll probably have something that matches it; like the unbelievably popular Pokemon cafe (book in advance, trust us), or even the Tokyo Poop (Unko) Museum.
Download apps to help
While the rail system may seem overwhelming at first, getting a Suica Card on your Apple Wallet is an easy tap-and-go solution through the gates, and Google Maps has impeccable instructions for getting everywhere you need to go, down to the platform you need to stand on. Google Translate also helps (especially the camera feature, which translates labels – very handy at the convenience store). And finally, an eSim will ensure you never get too stuck, no matter where you are.
Budget wisely
The yen is great right now and will take you far, but transport – especially bullet trains and taxis – can quickly drain the wallet. Be prepared by budgeting for your transfers, and keep some cash on you in case somewhere doesn’t accept card. We liked the Wise app for quickly converting money on the go and keeping an eye on the exchange rate.
Enjoy the wild ride
Whether you’ve completely thrown out the nap schedule or the kids refuse to eat anything except the 7/11 rice balls (they are delicious, to be fair) try to embrace the chaos; the memories are so worth it!
This article first appeared in our FREE The Japan Issue e-mag. You can read the mag here.
