The BEST Things to do in Tokyo with Kids | WITH PHOTOS!

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If you’re looking for things to do in Tokyo with kids, we’ve got a detailed list of ideas to suit every family!

Finding kids activities in a big city like Tokyo is not difficult. What IS difficult is determining which ones are right for you and your kids. You also have a short amount of time, so you want to make sure you see the best attractions in Tokyo for kids and your family!

Kids activities in Tokyo range from temples and museums to art galleries and exhibits, from indoor play centres to shopping centres and from towers with a view to roller coasters with thrills at Disneyland and Disneysea.

Yes, Tokyo has it ALL… but what is right for your family? Planning a trip to Tokyo with kids is as easy as… well, reading this article!

This fantastic, amazing part of the world truly is a must see – here’s everything you need to know to plan your next adventure.

Why visit Tokyo with kids?

Tokyo is an absolutely bustling city, ripe with culture and history whilst being connecting to the pulsing heartbeat of technological advancements. It’s a city teeming with life and experiences; one that’s sure to be a treat for the senses.

There’s so much to see, do, touch, taste and smell that you’d truly need a couple of months to experience all that it has to offer. If you’d like information about going on long haul flights with kids head over here to see our recommendations. If you are looking for advice and tips on how to fly with a car seat, we can help you with that too!

Things to do in Tokyo with kids

As there aren’t many of us who can afford a months-long holiday trip, we thought we’d bring together some top recommendations for thing to do in Tokyo with kids from a number of bloggers who agreed to contribute their thoughts.

You can find their recommendations for Tokyo attractions for kids below.

Maxell Aqua Park

tokyo with kids maxell aqua park

Maxell Aqua Park is a hidden gem in Tokyo. From colourful and interactive displays to excellent animal shows and exhibits, it is something to be enjoyed by all members of the family. Children will get excited right from the start with the first fish tank that features fireworks digitally displayed among the fish.

The theme continues with colour-changing lights shining throughout all of the exhibits. Maxell does a great job of mixing Japanese culture with modern technology.

Another highlight for the kids are the interactive tanks. These tanks have a simple design inside, but an interactive touchscreen on the front. The screen allows you to interact with the fish by tapping ‘bubbles’ but also educates kids about the fish inside the tank. The screen offers accessibility in both English and Japanese.

Throughout the aquarium, the exhibits and displays continue to impress, and the adults can enjoy a fun break at the Coral Café with aquatic-themed drinks. Go around the next corner and you’ll enter the jellyfish room – which was incredible! The jellies are all in cylindrical tubes that are lit with colour-changing lights amidst a dark room.

The interactive and educational experience is highlighted with the best dolphin show I’ve ever seen and more animal encounters in the outdoor area.

Kids will enjoy getting their photos taken with the sea lion after watching him do tricks!All in all, Maxell Aqua Park was definitely the most beautiful and most entertaining aquarium I’ve ever been to, and I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo – with or without kids!

Suitable for ages: All!

Hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Price: Adult (Age 13+) – 2200 yen | School-age Child – 1200 yen | Small child (4-6) – 700 yen

Attractions are available for 500 yen each. A yearly pass can be purchased for less than the cost of two admissions! A discount on admission is also available if you are staying at one of the neighboring hotels.

Address: 4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8611 (Within Shinagawa Prince Hotel)

Website: click here

Thanks to Danielle from Wanderlust On A Budget for this fantastic overview!

Asakusa

Old-and-new.-Tokyo-Skytree-from-Sensoji-Temple-Asukasa-Aleney-de-Winter

Head to Asakusa for a taste of old Japan. In its side streets you can walk in the footsteps of monks and geisha, along with those of the tourists teeming around the striking 7th century Sensō-ji temple and the Kaminari-mon Gate, the district’s main attraction.
Kids will love donning traditional attire from one the many kimono rental stores in the area to explore the historical monument. Or perhaps they’d prefer their own personal walking tour of Asakusa and neighbouring Ryogoku with a sumo wrestler and English translator as their guides?

Bustling Nakamise is the traditional shopping street linking the symbolic Kaminari-mon Gate and Sensō-ji. It is a big hit with kids thanks to its many trinkets, dolls and toys, as well as plentiful snack’s including Ningyo Yaki, a warm cake filled with sweet red bean paste. Be sure to check out the rear of the Sensō-ji temple grounds too for food vendors hawking kid favourites like kaarage (Japanese fried chicken) and green tea ice-cream.

Just a short walk from Asakusa’s low-rise loveliness, you’ll find the entire city dwarfed under the Tokyo Skytree, Japan’s tallest tower at 634 metres. It’s well worth takin the kids up to one of its two observation decks for killer views over the city. And be sure to leave a little time for a leisurely stroll along the Sumida River to Sumida Park for great views of Tokyo Skytree and a fabulous playground for little ones.

Suitable for ages: All

Hours: Sensō-ji temple visiting hours are 6:00am – 5:00pm

Price: Free

Address: Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Thank you so much to the fabulous Aleney from Boy Eats World for this incredible writeup. 

Tokyo Skytree

best things to do in Tokyo with kids

If you want to get up high in Tokyo, then the kids will love the Tokyo Skytree!

Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー Tōkyō Sukaitsurī) is a broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634.0 metres (2,080 ft) in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world, displacing the Canton Tower, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa (829.8 m/2,722 ft)

Once you have bought your tickets, make your way to the tower’s 4th floor where you will have a quick and smooth elevator ride up the 350m observation deck or the 450m Tembo Gallery, known as the world’s highest skywalk with a sloping spiral ramp that gains height as it circles the tower.

Remember a few tips before going to Tokyo Skytree, if you go in the morning, you might get a chance to see Mt. Fuji rising from the distance, or if you drop by in the evening, you will be in awe of the thousands of lights illuminating the entire Tokyo City…. its worth the visit!

Website: click here

The Pokemon Cafe and Pokemon Centre

Pokemon-Cafe-Tokyo-Reflections-Enroute

Every child’s dream is to eat lunch with Pikachu. In the Pokemon Cafe he or she can do just that. While you are eating your Pokemon themed lunch, like the Pikachu curry (pictured), Chef Pikachu will come visit your table. Not only does he take time out of making such yummy dishes, he will stay with you and take a few photos with you and your family.  

The menu has something for everyone and every budget. There are full lunches, with an option to take the dishes as souvenirs, to just a dessert or coffee and all are designed with your favorite Pokemon. My favorite were the Japanese fluffy pancakes with an Eevie cup of coffee. Yum! 

When your tummy is full, it’s time to check out the Pokemon Center next door. This shop has Pokemon everything! From Japanese lunch boxes  to stickers, you can find stationery, gifts, plushies, games, cards, and so much more. On one wall is an interactive display where you can learn about every Pokemon that exists, but that’s not even the best part. The very best part is the circular room full of every kind of Pikachu and other stuffed animals from the game and movies

There are some items that you can only buy in Japan, so that makes it worth it right there. If you are coming to Tokyo, go to the Pokemon Cafe, relax, and take in the view! 

Location: Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 

Thank you so much to Corinne of Reflections Enroute for this great information. 

Sanrio Puroland

puroland1 tokyo with kids

Sanrio Puroland is a must when visiting Tokyo with kids! It’s an amusement park with lots of shows and attractions inside, just a 30 minute train ride from Shinjuku.  It is completely indoors, making it great for super hot or rainy days.  My 5 year old loved it more than Disney and said we should have gone here multiple times instead! It’s great for kids of all ages, including tiny tots as there is lots to see and do.   As you can guess by the name, it’s based on Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty.  Your kids will get to meet all sorts of Sanrio characters while here, some very popular and some not so well known.  

There are several different restaurants inside Puroland, each with a different theme.  Tickets will cost you $30-35 for adults and $25-$27 USD at the door, depending on the day.  But you can save nearly 50% on the ticket price by purchasing them on the Voyagin website in advance, which is what we did.  Their hours vary greatly, and will depend on the day so it’s best to check the website for the day you are planning to go! 

Website: Click here!  

This overview comes courtesy of Maggie from Milana’s Travels.

TeamLab: Borderless at the Mori Digital Art Museum

Japan bucket list (9 of 34) tokyo with kids

Located on the man-made island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay, TeamLab: Borderless is the one museum that I’d suggest you take kids of any age. The displays here consist of dazzling digital creations that you can interact with and change as you like.  The whole place is a bit like a darkened maze, with corridors connecting rooms with different displays (so do keep an eye on your kids). 

One of the main rooms has a digital waterfall that you can climb up to and watch the water divert around you.  Touch figures in a procession on the walls and they’ll bow to you.  

TeamLab: Borderless is unsurprisingly fantastic for kids, even small ones.  Upstairs we found a large space with several areas designed especially for little kids.  There is an interactive play area where toddlers under 5 can build digital roads between objects, and even a baby area.  Kids can also chase and stamp on digital lizards and insects in the main area.  Our favourite thing here was bouncing on trampolines to create stars which burst in supernovas.  

You should allow at least two to three hours for your visit.  You can buy tickets in advance online for a particular day (no time slot) and it’s best to arrive as early as possible to miss long queues.  The Mori Digital Art Museum building is in the Palette Town complex.  The nearest station is Aomi Station, Odaiba. 

Hours: TeamLab:Borderless is open from 10am to 7pm Monday to Friday and until 9pm at weekends and on holidays.  It’s closed on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

A big thank you to Emily from Kids and Compass for this excellent post. 

Imperial Palace

Tokyo-with-kids

Tokyo’s concrete jungle can be tiresome at times, especially for kids. So a visit to the Imperial Palace might prove a pleasant escape from all the hustle and bustle of the city. 

While the castle is the emperor’s private residence and can’t be visited (except on New Year and the Emperor’s birthday), you can glimpse a tower or two from street level. Plus the perfectly manicured lawn and trees are a sight to behold, and the kids will be happy to see the cute swans and ducks giving themselves a bath in the surrounding moat.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens, on the other hand, are open to the public. They are part of the inner palace grounds and the entrance is a short walk from Otemachi Station. You can also get off at Tokyo Station if the kids aren’t too tired and willing to walk a bit extra.

The East Gardens is where during the Edo period the old castle used to stand. However, all that’s left today are the moats, some gates, and the guardhouses. You can’t enter any of the buildings, but they are interesting to look at from the outside. 

Near the garden’s entrance, you can visit the Museum of the Imperial Collection (free). To the kids’ delight, you’ll also find a vending machine selling ice cream here.

A bit further down, you’ll spot a gorgeous Japanese garden with a lily pond and several seating areas. It’s a wonderful place to relax and let the kids do their own explorations. 

Suitable for ages: All

Hours: Imperial Palace East Gardens can be visited from 9:00 to 16:30 (last entry is 30 minutes before closing) except Mondays and Fridays.

Price: Free

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan

With thanks to Laura from Travelers Universe

Shinjuku Gyoen

gardens tokyo with kids

The sprawling Shinjuku Gyoen Park is located in the heart of Shinjuku and the serenity of the park is a fabulous contrast to the surrounding neighbourhood. It’s the perfect escape from the towering skyscrapers, neon lights and chaotic streets of Shinjuku!

The original purpose of Shinjuku Gyoen was as an imperial retreat but, today,  it is accessible to the public. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest parks and is comprised of three distinct gardens: a traditional Japanese Garden, a formal French Garden and a landscaped English Garden.

The Japanese Garden, with its pretty ponds and bridges, is a highlight and kids will love trying to spot koi carp in the water. The tropical greenhouse is also a hit together with the garden’s tea shop. The manicured lawns are the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon picnic in a tranquil setting. There are over 20,000 trees and plenty of wide open spaces. After keeping kids close in the busy streets of Shinjuku, the park affords them the opportunity to run free!

If you visit Tokyo during cherry blossom season make sure to visit Shinjuku Gyoen. The hundreds of sakura trees in Shinjuku Gyoen make it one of Tokyo’s most popular spots.

Suitable for ages: All

Hours: (March 15 to June 30 and August 21 to September 30 9:00 to 18:00 (July 1 to August 20 9:00 to 19:00) (October 1 to March 14 9:00 to 16:30) Admission ends 30 minutes prior to closing

Price: 500 yen

Address: 11 Naitomachi-Shinjuku City, Tokyo, 160-0014

Website: Click here! 

Thank you so much to Elaine and David from Show Them The Globe

Tokyo Samurai Museum

Samurai

When thinking of Japan, many children immediately conjure up thoughts of ninjas and samurais. In particular, the Samurai have an incredible allure about them, rightly considered the elite of warriors in Japan. As such, a trip to Japan isn’t complete without a brush with a samurai or two.

The Tokyo Samurai Museum is one of the easiest ways to encounter a samurai and learn a little about the history of this warrior class, their culture and what has become of them in modern times.

Situated in Shinjuku, the Tokyo Samurai Museum is easily accessible by foot from the major station. It is here that you can explore two floors of carefully curated examples of amazing samurai armour, weapons and artifacts.

For children, the opportunity to learn a few sword moves during the daily Samurai demonstration sessions is likely to be something they talk about when recounting their trip. Make sure you check the website for the daily schedule as it’s not to be missed.

For my children, being selected to participate in the sword demonstration was one of the highlights of their visit alongside the opportunity to be kitted out in a full samurai suit where they were able to discover exactly how heavy it was for these elite warriors. 

Opening hours: 10.30 am to 9.00 pm
Address: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Kabukicho 2-25-6
Ticket Prices: 1,800 yen (Adult) | 800 yen (12 & under) | Free (3 and under)

Visit the Tokyo Samurai Museum website.

With thanks to Leah from Kid Bucket List.

Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo_DisneySea_Mediterranean_Harbor tokyo with kids

Calling all parents, here’s one thing that your children will absolutely love about Japan : Tokyo DisneySea.

There are two Disney Parks near Tokyo.  Tokyo Disneyland is more or less a replica of the Disneyland amusement parks that can also be found in Paris and California.  Because we have visited those already but mostly because of all the raving reviews about DisneySea we opted to visit the latter during our last days in Tokyo.

We wouldn’t call ourselves die hard Disney fans but there is something about the parks that keeps us coming back.  There’s always a pleasant ambience and by the end of the day I always have a big smile on my face.  I also love the scenery of the parks, it’s done with such an eye for detail that it makes you feel you have travelled to a different place.

The scenery is where DisneySea really excels. The park even won the Thea Award for concept, design and construction. The park has attractions for all ages.  There’re some really fun rides that cannot be found in other Disney parks like the Journey to the center of the earth, Indiana Jones and Toy Story.It’s easy to get to Tokyo DisneySea.  In Tokyo station you need to take the JR Keiyo line to Maihama Station.  When you get out you can either walk to the entrance, it’s about a 20-minute walk, or hop-on the Disney Monorail.

RELATED: Are you Disney crazy? Find out why Disneyland makes this bucket list in the USA.

Opening hours: The park’s opening hours vary by season but on most days the park opens at 8 or 9 in the morning and closes again at 10 pm.

Price : Children (4-11) : 4,800 yen

Juniors ( 12-17) : 6,400 yen

Adults : 7,400 yen

Website: Click here!

Have a great day at DisneySea!

Thanks to Sylvia from Wapiti Travel for this fantastic post! 

RELATED: Find out how to get the most out of your Disney Fastpass here.

Harajuku

harajuku-untold-morsels-3 tokyo with kids

Home to Japan’s quirky youth street culture, Harajuku is a great place to spend a few hours or even a day when you visit Tokyo. 

The Harajuku neighbourhood is found between Shibuyu and Shinjuku area covers the streets around Harajuku station. Kids of all ages love this area for its typically Japanese kawaii (cute) shops and rainbow themed food (mainly sweets!) concept stalls. In Harajuku you can get a rainbow toasted cheese sandwich, rainbow fairy floss and rainbow noodles. 

Start your Harajuku adventure with a walk down Takeshita Street. Here Japanese youth show off the latest street style trends and there are hundreds of little shops in side streets where you can recreate their looks. The best places to shop for street wear are GR8 and Dog (where Lady Gaga herself picked up a few pieces). 

Multi level Kiddyland is the place to go to buy toys. They have the latest Beyblades, Star Wars merchandise and famous Japanese characters like Hello Kitty. 

When you get hungry stop at the Kawaii Monster cafe where you can watch a show over yet more rainbow coloured food. There’s even the opportunity to get on stage and dance with the performers. At Harry’s cafe you can pat a hedgehog or just snack at one of the many crepe shops in the area. At Marion Crepes there is a wall of options – both sweet and savoury to choose from. If you feel like this rainbow coloured assault on the senses needs to be balanced out with some zen traditional Japanese culture, the beautiful Shinto Meiji shrine is close by nestled in serene park lands. 

Suitable for ages: All ages 

Hours: Shops generally open from 11.00 to 20.00 

Price: Free to look around 

Address: Closest train station Harajuku (Yamanote line) 

Thank you to Katy from Untold Morsels for this great contribution. 

Sumida Aquarium

sumida 3 tokyo with kids

I love how the line between art exhibit and aquarium exhibit is so blurred in Japan, particularly at this smaller aquarium within the Tokyo Skytree complex. I’ve been taking my two since my youngest was 5 months old.  We love it every time.  

The installations and themes change with the seasons, everywhere is oh-so photogenic and because the actual sections of the aquarium aren’t too big and are so well kept, it’s easy for even little babies to spot all of the sea creatures. In the summertime, there are little craft activities for kids and the whole venue transforms into a psychedelic, Halloween-themed fish tank with projections and photo booths. Be sure to check the cafe for oh-so-cute Japanese sea life themed treats too! 

Price: Adults 2050 yen, Senior High School Students 1,500 yen, Junior High School Students 1000 yen, Elementary School Students 1000 yen, Children 3 and over 600 yen, Children under 3 are free. 

Suitable for ages: 0-8Hours: 9am – 9pm all year round (Last entry 8pm) 

Address: 5-6th Floor, Tokyo Skytree Town, Solamachi 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku 0-8 

Thank you so much to Jo from The Tokyo Chapter for this excellent summary. 

Miraikan

miraikan tokyo with kids

Miraikan (or the Museum of Emerging Science and Inovation) is one of the best science museums we’ve ever visited. It’s a huge museum talking about a lot of things related to technology: from Asimo, the robot, to experiments on how the internet works, realistic robots, and even stories on how technology can help with world crisis. 

It’s on Odaiba, which is an entertainment island in Tokyo (and it’s worth visiting anyway) so even getting there is fun – you can get there with the Yurikamome, the driverless tram! 

My kids had a lot of fun in most of the museum. Some enjoyed playing screen games to see if they could survive something or the other; others liked ‘talking’ to the super realistic robot (that actually talks and answers); everyone had lots of fun sending out coded messages and receiving on the other end of a funny coding machine, and we all wanted to ride the UNI-CUB. If you’re around at the right time, there are workshops and activities (included on the price) that you or your kids can take part in.There are some special exhibits and the Dome Theatre, a 360 theatre that sounds fun – they cost a little extra, but may be worth it if they interest your family. It’s one of the best things to do in Japan with kids! Don’t miss it! 

Suitable for ages: all ages, but those over 5 will understand better 

Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 Price: adult ¥620 and kids under 18 ¥210 

Address: 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan / Tel: +81-3-3570-9151(main) 

Website:Click here! 

Thank you so much to Thais Saito from World Trip Diaries.  

Studio Ghibli Museum

Studio-Ghibli

For serious lovers of Japanese Anime or even those who have dabbled just a little, a trip to Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo is a bucket list destination. 

Renowned for their elusive tickets, fans set their calendars to the release date to ensure they don’t miss scoring tickets during their visit. They can be tricky to procure, so researching the process at least 4-5 months before your trip is highly recommended.

So why Studio Ghibli Museum and what is it? 

Studio Ghibli is one of the original anime / animation houses in Japan. It is what Disney is to the English speaking world, creating a number of the most iconic anime movies of all time – five of which have been nominated for academy awards. They are so rich in imagery, that examples such as Spirited Away even feature on High School curriculum. Yes, they’re that good! 

Studio Ghibli Museum plays homage to Hayao Miyazaki, one of the founders of the studio, along with many of the amazing characters and settings of the most popular films. Moving between the different spaces in the museum, visitors can come face to face with a multitude of exceptional intrigues. 

For children the highlights would be the robot from Laputa: Castle In The Sky, one of the only spots where you can take a photo and the cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro which children up to around 10 years can climb on. Don’t miss the daily museum exclusive film! 

The museum is quite small, and although visitors are heavily restricted each day, arriving earlier will help to ensure you miss the busiest and crowdest parts of the day. 

Suitable for ages: Whilst suitable for all ages, I would recommend for ages 4 and upwards 

Hours: Closed on Tuesday and a number of special holiday dates (see website). Open every other day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

Price: All tickets to Studio Ghibli are sold in advance and will require some tracking of sale dates to ensure that you secure tickets. They can vary in price depending on how you purchase them.

Address: 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013

Website:click here 

With thanks to Leah from Kid Bucket List

Mount Takao

Mount Takao Route Map tokyo with kids

Mount Takao is considered the best day trip from Tokyo. While it’s still technically within the city limits, you wouldn’t know it; Takao is (literally) a breath of fresh air, with beautiful views of both Tokyo and various mountain ranges (including Mt. Fuji in the distance).

Located at the end of the Keio train line, it’s easy to get to; less than an hour from Shinjuku station. This accessibility along with the great views explains why 2.6 million people visit Mount Takao annually! (So be prepared for some crowds, and stay away on weekends).

There are many routes up Mount Takao, so you can choose the difficulty level that best suits your family. If your kids are young and/or you have a stroller, then you can take a cable car most of the way up; the rest of the way from the top of the cable car is paved and relatively stroller-friendly. The monkey park at the top cable car station is also sure to be a hit with the kids.

To round out the day, there are hot springs and a free museum at the bottom, and a popular all-you-can-eat restaurant at the upper cable car station. Ambitious hiking families can explore further extensive trails from the top of Takao; just make sure you have a current map/guidebook as some routes aren’t particularly well-marked (don’t do what I did)!

Suitable for ages: All

Hours: 8am-6pm

Price: Free (there’s a fee to take the cable car, access monkey park, etc)

Address: End of the Keio train line, Takaosanguchi station

Thank you so much to Nora from The Professional Hobo for these brilliant insights. 

Akihabara

Akihabara. I only have to words for this place. Crazy and Awesome. Boy, are the kids going to have a sensory overload.  

Some call Akihabara the “tech capital of the world”, and if you’re an Otaku, (Japanese for tech lover/geek), then this is your sanctuary. This area is an absolute must-visit if you’re visiting Tokyo with kids – it truly is one of the city’s most distinct and vibrant neighbourhoods and a fundamental part of Japanese culture and society.  

Prepare to be greeted with colourful buildings plastered with anime characters and maid cafe banners – it’s what makes Akihabara so unique. Before you go off to explore the main street, be sure to pop into the gigantic Yodobashi department store because the kids are going to have an epic time inside the huge toy section. We could barely drag the kids out, but I’m not even going to lie, we as parents even had a crazy fun time playing with Pokemon toys, admiring all the Gundam and playing arcade games. 

On the main street, you’ll find a huge array of hobby and game shops stocking everything from vintage video games to model cars.  

Duck into one of the many themed cafes to rest everyone’s legs, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the fun that comes with it. You’ll stumble upon maid cafes, a Final Fantasy cafe, animal cafes, to name a few. 

Don’t forget to set aside some time to visit the multi-level arcades dotted along the main strip. Two of the biggest ones are Taito and Sega where you can try your luck at winning a cute soft toy playing one of the skill tester games, race and drift cars, level up your fitness on dance machines, and so much more. 

Suitable for ages: All ages

Address: Taito City, Tokyo 110-0006 

With thanks to Tina from Hangry by Nature

Singing Karaoke

tokyo with kids karaoke

If you or your kids LOVE to sing, then a visit to one of Tokyo’s karaoke rooms is a MUST when visiting Japan.

Karaoke is a popular activity for local young people, businessmen and families alike. Karaoke stores range from basic to luxury, with some providing instruments and costumes to increase the fun factor. And don’t worry – you don’t need to subject strangers to your favourite renditions. Karaoke in Japan is a private affair!

With sound-proof private rooms, English music menus and lyrics , and food and drinks available, this idea makes for a memorable and fun thing to do in Tokyo with kids. Our kids loved searching for their favourite songs, playing instruments while other sang and singing without fear of embarrassment. 

Karaoke is the perfect activity for a rainy day in Tokyo when your kids need a break from walking, or just because it is one of the more unique things to do in Japan. 

Sessions are typically offered in a 30-minute block. Prices vary depending on the time of day and day of the week with the cheapest time being during the day on a week day.  Popular chains include Karaoke Kan and Uta Hiroba.

Karaoke rooms are ubiquitous across Tokyo and can be found at most train stations and along busy shopping and restaurant streets. They are often located on the 1st floor so look out for them as you explore the streets of Tokyo.

Don’t forget to plan a list of all your favourite songs to maximise your time and book in advance for popular evening and weekend timeslots.

Suitable for all ages

Hours: Varies depending on venue. Typically 11am – late.

Price: From 100Yen per person

Address: (one of many) Karaoke Kan 30-8 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Thank you to Rachel from Adventure and Sunshine for this contribution. 

The Very Best Things to do in Tokyo with Kids

We hoped you liked reading these perspectives as much as we did! If this has left you desperately scrounging for some spare cash to book a trip straight to Tokyo, you’re not alone. Definitely feeling a bit of FOMO after reading these.

Have you been to Tokyo? Is there anything missing from this list that you’d recommend? We’d love to hear about your experiences travelling to Tokyo with kids so please feel free to leave a comment in response. 

Want to learn more about travelling in Japan?

8 Tips for Travelling with Kids in Japan

Things to do in Osaka

Things to do in Tokyo with kids

Things to do in Nara with kids

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