The 20 best things to do in Tokyo with kids

What is it? While you may be drawn to the Neo-Renaissance architecture of the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, your kids will probably notice the blue whale first. This dramatic life-sized model is positioned alongside the entrance as if in mid-dive, hinting at the impressive natural history and science exhibitions inside the museum. From the origins of the cosmos and dinosaur fossils to the biodiversity of the Japanese islands and cutting-edge space technology, there is a whole lot here just waiting to be learned.

Why go? Even the most jaded 11-year-old will gasp upon entering the dinosaur exhibition, which features a crouching T-rex ready to pounce. At Theater 360, you stand on a bridge for an immersive experience within a spherical screen, completely surrounded by sound and images that showcase such wonders as the deep sea, the dispersal of humanity and the earth’s interior. The museum’s many interactive exhibits keep idle hands busy, while displays with in-depth explanations cater to kids with an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Don't miss: On the side of the dinosaur exhibit inside a glass case, you’ll find the skeleton of a raptor-like creature known as Deinonychus attached to a horizontal pole. Visitors can press a button to rotate the dinosaur, presumably to study it from different angles, though more than a few people have mentioned that its resemblance to a rotisserie chicken makes them kind of hungry.

What is it? This huge indoor play park contains way more trampolines than you’ve ever seen in one place. There are games, races and obstacle courses where you can challenge your friends, as well as colourful climbing walls and jungle gyms of varying difficulty. You’ll even find an indoor zip line.

Why go? Jump, crawl, slide, climb. Use a trampoline to help you dunk a basketball. Face your fears with the Vertical Slider, where you are hoisted upward before plummeting down a smooth wooden slide. Clear instructions and safety equipment ensure that kids can test their bravery without putting themselves in harm’s way.

Don't miss: The Tondemi Party Area. Challenge Dad to a Poka Poka fight, where you grab a soft pole and attempt to knock your opponent off a padded platform. Team up with your sister on the Jump Twister, ducking and jumping to avoid the rotating bars. It’s fun for the whole family.

What is it? Spanning nearly 60 hectares, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the largest public parks in Tokyo. As well as French, English and Japanese gardens, it offers expansive green spaces ringed by rows of trees just right for games of oni-gokko (tag), kakurenbo (hide-and-go-seek), and running around until you fall over.

Why go? Perched right on the doorstep of Shinjuku, home to skyscrapers, neon lights and the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku Gyoen provides a much-needed oasis of greenery and space. Get some grass under your feet to give you and your kids a welcome break from pounding the city streets.

Don't miss: The grassy slope near the teahouse. Youngsters instantly realise the potential of this gentle incline, flopping onto the soft ground to execute a perfect (or not-so-perfect) roll down the hill. While drinks and snacks are sold inside Shinjuku Gyoen, you are welcome to bring a picnic instead. Alcohol is unfortunately prohibited, but coffee, mercifully, is not.

What is it? The instantly recognisable glass dome of Tokyo Sea Life Park stands in the midst of Kasai Rinkai Park at the edge of Tokyo Bay. Housing over 600 marine and freshwater species, this beautiful aquarium is a great spot for dazzling the littler ones while capturing the imaginations of future marine biologists.

Why go? Tokyo Sea Life Park puts kids in the middle of the action with a huge ring-shaped main tank filled with bluefin tuna and hammerhead sharks cruising around at ocean-going speeds. Elsewhere, king penguins jostle to be first into the water and clever octopuses plot to escape, while rare leafy seadragons drift by like extras from a Pixar film.

Don't miss: The Kelp Forest. This beautiful exhibit offers a glimpse under the waves of coastal areas, where large stands of giant kelp provide homes to countless species of fish and invertebrates. After visiting the aquarium, take a stroll around the rest of Kasai Rinkai Park. Keep one eye on the sky, as the park is a designated sea bird sanctuary.

What is it? Innovative and interactive, teamLab Planets is an immersive museum in Toyosu that invites you to become part of the art. Unlike a conventional museum, teamLab Planets invites you to walk through or on large-scale art installations. This kind of tactile, dynamic experience is particularly mesmerising for kids, who can directly observe their influence on these fascinating works of art.

Why go? Where else can you take off your shoes and socks before entering an art museum to splash through knee-deep water where digitally rendered koi react to your movements as they swim past your feet? With our kids growing up in an ever-more digital world, teamLab Planets offers just the right synergy between real tactile sensations and stunning digital art.

Don't miss: Contribute a drawing to the museum at Sketch Umwelt World, where you will receive a piece of paper with an airplane, dolphin, hawk or butterfly. Colour it in, then scan it with an app to watch it come to life in three dimensions on the walls of the installation. Use your smartphone to control your creation or view the world through its eyes.

What is it? Just the Tokyo region’s grandest non-Disney theme park, thrilling the capital’s young and young-at-heart in the western suburb of Inagi since 1964. It’s got all the essentials – a decently speedy roller coaster, a giant Ferris wheel, a yakisoba-themed rapids ride with a built-in video game – and a wealth of smaller, kid-friendly attractions, including the Kid-o-Kid indoor playground that’s great fun especially for children of pre-school age.

Why go? Yomiuriland makes an exciting day out for the whole family and, as far as Tokyo attractions go, it’s relatively cheap: an all-you-can-ride pass costs ¥5,900 for adults and ¥2,500–¥4,700 for kids (depending on age group). Even the food options are reasonably priced and offer a wonderful cross-section of local kids’ favourites, from ramen and curry rice to gyoza dogs and giant octopus dumplings.

Don't miss: The seasonal events. Yomiuriland’s annual winter light show will bedazzle even the weariest of illumination-fiends, with millions of colourful LEDs set up throughout the vast park. In spring, it’s quietly a great spot for admiring the cherry blossoms, while summer brings the opening of the insanely popular outdoor pool area. Here, kids just learning to swim will love the adorable Anpanman pool, watched over by Japan’s favourite cast of rosy-cheeked heroes.

What is it? With brightly coloured swirls decorating its entrance, the entrance of the Unko Museum looks a bit like an ice cream parlour. Don’t let that fool you. Unko means poop in Japanese. There are poop races, poop arcade games (at Kusogame Center), poop-shaped doorways, and even a poop volcano that erupts whenever enough people shout ‘unko!’ simultaneously.

Why go? Traipsing through a world of plastic coloured poops (shaped like everyone’s favourite emoji) is a great way to enjoy a few precious giggles with your kids. While the Gundam statue may always be the most popular attraction at Odaiba’s DiverCity shopping mall, the Unko Museum is definitely a firm number two.

Don’t miss: The rainbow row of toilets after you first walk in. You and your kids will be invited to take a seat on one of these colourful thrones for photos, peals of uncontrollable laughter, and a little surprise that we won’t spoil here. For toilet paper and other poop-themed souvenirs, head to the Unko Factory gift shop.

What is it? Extending across a whopping 52 hectares in the hills of Hino, about an hour’s train ride from central Tokyo, Tama is one of Japan’s largest zoos by area. Unlike the cramped and dated Ueno Zoo, it’s a proper wildlife wonderland, with wide open spaces and copious greenery for animals like giraffes, red pandas, rhinos and orangutans – nearly 300 species in total – to roam around. The grounds are divided into four zones: Asiatic, African and Australian, plus the huge Insectarium housing butterflies, beetles and other creepy-crawlies.

Why go? To let your kids open their senses in a sprawling park where exotic animals just so happen to appear behind every turn and bamboo grove. A visit to Tama feels less like your typical zoo experience and more like a day out in nature, with the sounds of the city replaced by the chirps of unfamiliar birds, the roars of lions and the whispering of giant trees. Speaking of lions, you can get up close and personal with the kings of the cat world by riding the armoured, meat-garnished Lion Bus through their enclosure.

Don't miss: The Insectopia, a palatial, jungle-like greenhouse where more than 1,000 vividly coloured tropical butterflies flutter about freely and grasshoppers race across the undergrowth – a scene liable to make young jaws drop. If your kids aren’t fans of flying bugs, treat them to cuteness overload in the Koala House instead.

What is it? Cooking classes are all the rage in Tokyo, both with international travellers keen to learn the secrets of delicious Japanese cuisine and locals looking to expand their repertoire in the kitchen. One of the best options for kids is Kawaii Cooking, which offers simple cooking lessons that are quick, fun and easy to follow, with the goal of making something that is not only delicious, but kawaii (cute) too.

Why go? Walking into a kitchen and making something good to eat with their own two hands is something that all too few kids want to learn these days. What better way to introduce them to the joy of cooking than one of Kawaii Cooking’s kyara-ben (‘character bento’) classes? Under the patient and careful instruction of the teacher, they will learn to craft simple ingredients like rice, noodles, vegetables and eggs into the shapes of cute teddy bears, birds, dolls or even Ghibli characters. Classes can be arranged at any of twelve partner cooking studios across Tokyo.

Don't miss: The photo op. The cutesy kyara-ben make for the perfect photographs for kids to show grandparents, teachers and school friends what they learned in Tokyo. Act fast though: hungry tummies tend to win over patience after these cooking classes. Turns out making your own food works up quite an appetite.

What is it? In a country fascinated by all things kawaii, cutesy Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll are among the kawaii-est. Located outside central Tokyo in Tama, Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park that features restaurants and shops – lots of shops – as well as live shows with characters singing and dancing on stage. There are also several gentle rides that are suitable for younger children (no height restrictions).

Why go? While most parents have at least heard of Hello Kitty these days, you might feel a bit lost when it comes to names like Cinnamoroll, Gudetama and Aggretsuko. Don’t worry – your kids probably already know who they are (or will after a day at Sanrio Puroland). And you will find them all very well represented in Sanrio Puroland’s shops, printed on everything from stationery, bento boxes and handbags to phone cases, clothing and jewellery, with many of these items exclusive to the park.

Don't miss: The cutesy restaurants and cafés. Ever seen a Japanese curry or plate of pasta shaped like Hello Kitty or Pompompurin? How about some cream puffs at the Cinnamoroll Dream Cafe? It’s all very photogenic and surprisingly tasty. For entertainment while you eat, head to the Yakata Restaurant, where Sanrio characters wander from table to table to meet and greet the guests.

What is it? Greater Tokyo is home to not just one but two Disney theme parks. Located side by side along the coast in Urayasu, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea offer slightly different twists on the rides, parades and classic characters that you’d expect from Disney. Like its inspiration in California, Tokyo Disneyland has Cinderella’s castle at its center, while DisneySea has a giant volcano known as Mount Prometheus that is the home of the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride.

Why go? Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Aladdin, Jasmine, Moana, Elsa – the list goes on and on. As well as the opportunity to meet and greet their favourite Disney characters, your kids can dress up as them too. Ubiquitous shops sell everything from princess gowns and superhero costumes to lightsabers, sparkly Tinker Bell wings and (of course) mouse ears.

Don't miss: Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage. Inspired by tales of the mythical sailor Sindbad from the One Thousand and One Nights, this gorgeous water-based ride whisks you off into a fantastical journey through mystical faroff seas. Alan Menken’s beautiful tune ‘The Compass of Your Heart’ plays during the ride, while Sindbad tells his story through song alongside his trusty tiger cub sidekick Chandu.

What is it? Tokyo was once known as Edo, the capital of the shoguns who ruled Japan between 1603 and 1868. The Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku is one of the best places to explore this fascinating world of clever merchants, dashing kabuki actors and powerful samurai, along with discoveries about Tokyo’s modern history. Closed in 2022 for extensive renovations, the museum is set to reopen on March 31 2026 with several new exhibits, more interactive features and expansions to previous displays.

Why go? As fascinating as Tokyo’s history is, it can be difficult for kids to get a sense of the past when wandering through the modern city. At the Edo-Tokyo Museum, interactive displays, detailed dioramas and large-scale exhibits allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of people who lived here long ago and imagine more vividly what their lives might have been like. One new exhibit from Tokyo’s later history will be a full-scale reproduction of the Hattori Watch Shop, which opened in Ginza in 1877 as Japan was beginning to emerge as a modern industrial nation.

Don't miss: Kids tend to get a kick out of the Edo-period firefighter displays, kabuki stage, rickshaw exhibit and reproduction of Nihonbashi Bridge. They can also try their hand at one of the least pleasant jobs in Edo by hoisting a pair of ‘night soil’ buckets on their shoulders. The re-opening of the museum also promises new exhibits and events suitable for younger visitors.

What is it? KidZania Tokyo puts a Japanese spin on the popular worldwide chain of work-themed entertainment centres. Kids sign up for a variety of different jobs to earn a type of currency called Kidzos, which they can then spend in shops or restaurants like actual cash. Real Japanese companies like Mitsubishi, Tokyo Metro and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are represented here, which definitely gives the place a more authentic feel. 

Why go? If you’ve ever wondered how your kid would get on as a pilot, mechanic, florist, train track maintenance engineer, pharmacist or burger-flipper, now’s your chance. Send your little ones out into the rat race and see how much they enjoy the daily grind. Watching them learn about the way the real world works in this safe yet challenging environment is a true joy and having them dressed up as firefighters, train drivers, veterinarians and maintenance engineers makes for some pretty cool photos.

Don't miss: Food industry jobs might not sound too glamorous, but there is a big extra incentive. If your kids can snag jobs at Pizza-La, Mos Burger, the candy factory or the bakery, they (and possibly you) get to eat the profits. Top tip: if your kid has Kidzos or a Driver’s Licence from another country’s KidZania, they can exchange them for the Japanese versions free of charge. And it’s actually done at the on-site bank and Driver’s Licence Center, just like in the real world.

What is it? Tokyo’s cat cafés may be the stuff of legend, but there are also spots here where you can sip a drink while playing with Shiba Inu pooches, cockatoos, owls, hedgehogs, capybaras and even (shudder) snakes. But our pick of the litter is the Mipig Cafe in Harajuku, where miniature porkers will nuzzle up to you with their darling little snouts.

Why go? What could be cuter than your kids getting lost in the eyes of a tiny little pig? There is something just so charming about watching them fall in love with an animal that is sometimes unfairly looked down upon, but which actually possesses genuine intelligence, curiosity and sensitivity. Just make sure to show them the film Babe beforehand to get them into the right mindset. 

Don't miss: The design of the café, modelled after ‘The Three Little Pigs’ with three private rooms: Straw, Wood and Brick. If you wish, you can book one of these exclusive rooms for your visit or reserve a table in the main area, which resembles a living room. Tables and seats are set low to the ground to encourage plenty of piggy cuddles.

What is it? Unlike many museums that look to the past, Miraikan focuses on what lies ahead of us. Part serious research institution, part innovative educational facility, part interactive play center, it is the place to light that spark of enthusiasm for science and technology. In just one day, kids can explore Earth’s place in the universe at the incredible 3-D Geo-Cosmos exhibit, interact with robots, and jump into an earthquake simulator to understand the power of the world beneath their feet.

Why go? This beautiful steel-and-glass structure is a serious centre of research in ground-breaking STEM fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence, medicine and genetics, and digital technology. Older kids will enjoy viewing real experiments in progress and can even sign up to participate in workshops and research projects. Miraikan is also incredibly welcoming to the little budding scientists out there. In the Curiosity Field area, young children can experience core scientific concepts through playful activities including building simple machines, experimenting with gravity and drawing pictures that are transformed into digital images. The building is also stroller-friendly and provides diaper-changing and nursing facilities.

Don't miss: The Dome Theater. Tilt back in your seats at this 3D planetarium as you are whisked off to the International Space Station to experience the lives of astronauts there, including spectacular views of our planet and the boundless cosmos that surrounds it. There are also showings of an intriguing physics-themed mystery film called The Man from the 9 Dimensions and short animated programmes suitable for younger children.

Top tip: Miraikan’s rather stuffy official English name is the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Maybe tell your kids you are going to the ‘Museum of the Future’ instead.

What is it? With well over 10,000 toys of all shapes and sizes, every day at the Tokyo Toy Museum feels like Christmas. Located just a short walk from Shinjuku Gyoen, this charming spot was once an elementary school. The classrooms now provide varied spaces for kids to engage in self-directed play, including one special area for babies and toddlers on the first floor. You can sign up older children for workshops where they can make simple wooden toys or learn how to do origami.

Why go? While the Tokyo Toy Museum feels much more like a playground than a museum, the facility does include a wide selection of traditional wooden Japanese toys. Try your hand at the challenging kendama ball-and-cup, use a string to spin a koma top or whack blocks with a hammer in the Jenga-like daruma-otoshi game. The former schoolyard has even been transformed into an outdoor play area with tunnels, slides and jungle gyms.

Don't miss: The Good Toy Gallery. This open play area is filled with award-winning toys that have won acclaim for helping to develop fine motor skills and complex thinking in young children. This area is staffed by volunteers who love nothing more than to introduce kids to new and exciting toys. Don’t miss the Wood Toy Forest either, with its large doll house and huge indoor wooden treehouse.

What is it? With locations all around Tokyo, Karaoke-kan is one of the more welcoming karaoke chains for families who want to try out their vocal skills (and eardrums) together. As is the norm in Japan, you get your own private room equipped with microphones, TV, sound system and a touch-screen device for selecting songs (English available). The huge catalogue has thousands of songs by Japanese and international artists, including tunes from Disney, Ghibli and Thomas the Tank Engine. There’s also a decent Christmas selection. Drinks (juice, but more importantly beer) and snacks can be ordered using a small phone by the door of your private room.

Why go? While there are plenty of children’s songs to choose from, there is nothing quite like watching your 5-year-old pick up a microphone to belt out ‘My Heart Will Go On’ or ‘Born to Be Wild’. You can also watch their eyes roll as you treat them to your best Frank Sinatra or Judy Garland impression. Don’t worry, they’ll soon have you singing the duet from Frozen. 

Don't miss: Tambourines and costumes. Karaoke-kan offers basic percussion instruments like maracas and tambourines to keep everyone happy and involved (and on the beat). There are also sometimes goofy costumes available. You can pick up all these items near the front desk to bring to your room and return them on your way out. Top tip: some Karaoke-kan locations allow customers to bring their own musical instruments, but be sure to check first.

What is it? Hanayashiki is the oldest amusement park in Japan. Its name (‘flower manor’) comes from a popular garden opened on the site in 1853, the final year of Japan’s two centuries of isolation. These days, it remains home to classic carnival rides and quirky attractions that provide a refreshing, nostalgic change from more modern theme parks.

Why go? The rides at Hanayashiki are incredibly special. Kids can ride a roller coaster built in 1953 (inspected daily by a team of safety professionals), dangle high above Asakusa in the Bee Tower (probably inspected often too, we assume) and mount their steed of choice aboard the glittering gold carousel. Aspiring warriors can also cross swords with samurai in Maruhana Kenjutsu Dojo and learn how to be a ninja in Kodomo Ninja Yashiki Nin-Nin Park.

Don't miss: The haunted house. Revamped in 2023, this house of quintessentially Japanese horrors is more blood-curdling than ever. This latest update focuses on four creepy ghost stories from the Edo period involving a cast of vengeful spirits bent on wreaking havoc on the land of the living. Your kids may tell you that they aren’t scared at all, but be prepared to have your hand squeezed pretty tight.

What is it? If you’ve ever been to a bowling alley before and wished there was also a way to serve a few tennis balls, toss a few darts, bash a few home runs and throw some basketball hoops without leaving the building, Round 1 Spo-cha in Itabashi is the place for you. This all-in-one amusement spot has endless ways for kids to burn off all that energy while having entirely too much fun.

Why go? One of the best things about Round 1 Spo-cha, from a parent’s perspective, is the price. Unlike many similar amusement facilities, where pay-as-you-go systems can add up all too quickly, this spot operates on an all-you-can-play system. All you need to do is purchase a pass with a time window of 90 minutes, 3 hours, or all day. For those who choose the last option, a food court is available on site for lunch and snacks.

Don't miss: The silly sports. While there are many activities at Spo-cha that will genuinely test your skills, there are also some truly goofy offerings. Have some fun with bubble soccer, mechanical bull riding and mini-motorbikes, not to mention tennis with a human-sized ball. Kids can also take breaks from the more active sports with some karaoke or classic arcade games. As well as the location in Itabashi, there is also a Round 1 Spo-cha in Odaiba.