How to Plan a Family Trip to Tokyo
Tokyo works brilliantly for families with kids of all ages. Plan 7-10 days, book kid-friendly neighborhoods like Shibuya or Shinjuku, and mix theme parks with cultural sites. Most attractions welcome children, and the city is exceptionally safe and clean.
- Budget
- $300-400 per day for family of four
- Duration
- 7-10 days recommended
- Best Time
- March-May and September-November for mild weather
- Visa Required
- No for most visitors - 90 days tourist entry
Step by step
Choose your base neighborhood
Stay in Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Ueno. Shibuya puts you near Harajuku and has great shopping. Shinjuku offers easy transport access and family restaurants. Ueno is quieter with the zoo and museums nearby. All have convenient train connections.
Book theme parks early
Reserve Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea tickets online 2 months ahead. DisneySea is unique to Tokyo and often less crowded. Buy park tickets, not hotel packages, unless you're staying on-property.
Plan kid-friendly cultural stops
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa has street food and souvenir shopping kids love. Meiji Shrine has wide paths for strollers and is free. Tokyo National Museum in Ueno has family programs on weekends.
Map out train routes
Download Google Translate with camera function. Buy a 7-day JR Pass if visiting other cities, or load IC cards for Tokyo-only travel. Trains have priority seating for families.
Book family restaurants
Many restaurants don't take reservations, but family-friendly chains like Ippudo Ramen, Coco Ichibanya curry, and department store restaurant floors work well with kids. Convenience stores have reliable kid food options.
Pack for Japanese standards
Pack hand towels - public restrooms rarely have them. Bring a small trash bag since public bins are rare.
Questions people ask
Is Tokyo safe for families with young children?
Extremely safe. Crime rates are very low, streets are clean, and Japanese people are generally helpful to families. Train stations have family facilities and priority seating.
Do we need to speak Japanese?
No, but learn basic phrases. Many signs have English, Google Translate works well, and people in tourist areas often speak some English. Download the app with camera translation feature.
Are theme parks worth it with jet lag?
Yes, but plan theme parks for days 2-4 of your trip, not immediately after arrival. Kids adjust to Tokyo time faster than adults typically.
Can we use strollers on trains and in temples?
Trains have space for strollers, and most temples accommodate them on main paths. Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) when possible.
What if kids don't like Japanese food?
Convenience stores have familiar options like bread, fruit, and fried chicken. Fast food chains exist, and many restaurants serve rice dishes or noodles kids typically enjoy.
Budget
Expect to spend $300-400 per day for a family of four including accommodation, food, and activities. Family hotel rooms average $200-300 per night. Meals range from $8 convenience store bentos to $40 family restaurant dinners.
Packing
- Hand towels (public restrooms don't provide them)
- Small trash bag (few public bins available)
- Portable phone charger for theme park apps
- Cash - many places don't accept cards
Itinerary
- 1 — Early dinner at a family restaurant. Early bedtime to combat jet lag. — Arrive at Narita or Haneda. Take airport express to your hotel. Rest and explore your neighborhood. — Visit nearby convenience store for snacks and basics. Walk around your area to get oriented. — Airport express trains have luggage space. Many hotels let you check bags early even if rooms aren't ready.
- 2 — Sumida River cruise back toward central Tokyo. Dinner in Ginza area. — Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Kids love the traditional street food and souvenir shopping. — Tokyo Skytree for city views. The aquarium at the base is excellent for younger kids. — Senso-ji has wide paths for strollers. Skytree tickets are cheaper bought online in advance.
- 3 — Ameya-Yokocho market near Ueno Station for dinner and shopping. — Ueno Zoo. Adjacent to Ueno Park with playgrounds. — Tokyo National Museum if kids are interested, or continue at Ueno Park. — Zoo opens at 9:30am. Museum has family activities on weekends. Market vendors are used to families.
- 4 — Watch evening parade and fireworks before heading back. — Tokyo Disneyland. Arrive at park opening (8am). — Continue at Disneyland. — Bring portable phone charger. Download Disney app for wait times. Many rides have height restrictions.
- 5 — Shibuya Crossing experience. Dinner in Shibuya. — Harajuku and Takeshita Street. Kids love the colorful fashion and crepe stands. — Meiji Shrine nearby. Wide gravel paths work for strollers. — Takeshita Street gets very crowded after 2pm. Meiji Shrine is free entry.
- 6 — DisneySea nighttime show. Return to hotel. — Tokyo DisneySea. More sophisticated than Disneyland but still family-friendly. — Continue exploring DisneySea themed areas. — Several attractions are unique to this park.
- 7 — Tokyo Station area. Character Street in the station basement has Pokemon and anime merchandise. — Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sushi breakfast. — Ginza for shopping and department store food courts. Many have play areas. — Tsukiji tourist traffic is heaviest 9-11am. Department store food courts have high chairs available.
For the trip: Tokyo day tours that don't feel like tours, Japan in 14 days under $1,200 and more family trips.