Welcome to Tokyo – Japan’s bustling capital, where tradition and innovation harmoniously coexist. From captivating pagodas to cutting-edge interactive museums, Tokyo has exciting experiences tailored to all interest levels and ages. The best part: the city is impeccably clean, remarkably safe, and equipped with every modern tech-savvy convince you could ever possibly need -It’s literally a dream for families traveling with kids. Ready to explore? Here’s our list of the top experiences in Tokyo with kids.
Coolest Escalator in the World – Shibuya Sky
The best views of Tokyo can be found at this stunning rooftop observatory called Shibuya Sky. It is an open-air experience that offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Tokyo and views of landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, and Mt. Fuji on a clear day.
Here, you will find the famous all glass ‘Sky Escalator’ that has incredible views of Tokyo, and ‘Sky Edge’, a glass-enclosed corner where you can look down at the cityscape below without any obstruction. The view will leave you breathless! There is also a large (faux) grass area and hammocks for lounging.
Heads up: The rooftop observatory is entirely open without covering, which means that weather comes into play here. The observatory closes during rain and extreme wind. (Our tickets were canceled TWICE during our trip; this was the 3rd set). Be prepared for all weather! When we visited, it was sunny and thus extremely hot on the roof (about 30 degrees warmer than the street level), but on a cloudy day, the opposite happens – expect cold and windy conditions.
WHERE: 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍Shibuya Scramble Square 2-24-12 Shibuya Tokyo
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕Tickets sell out, purchase in advance HERE. Expect a long line for photo spots and crowds. You are not allowed to carry anything on the observatory for safety reasons. Handbags, backpacks, hats, etc MUST be checked in the lockers downstairs.
Lucky Cat Temple
Cat Fan? Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo is home to hundreds of “maneki-neko” lucky cat statues, making it one of the cutest temples in Japan! Hidden away in a quiet neighborhood just outside the city center, you’ll find Gotokuji Temple, the famous home to thousands of identical “Maneki-Neko” Lucky Cats. It is a Buddhist temple that is said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, which translates to “beckoning cat.” The cat’s right paw is raised for good luck.
Legend says that during the Edo period, a Hikone lord walked by the Temple as a storm approached. As he passed, a cat “invited” him into the Temple by raising one leg and waving. The cat’s gesture saved the man from the terrible storm. Thankful for the cat, the lord repaired the Temple and named it Gotokuji Temple. When the cat died, a statue was made to honor the cat, and Maneki-Neko was born.
Looking for luck? At the Temple, visitors can purchase their own maneki-neko and add it to the collection of thousands of statues. You may also buy a wooden Ema wishing plaque from the Temple’s shop and write down your prayer or wish. Find a spot to leave the cat figurine, and hang the plaque on the designated wall space to be sure your prayers come true.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍2 Chome-24-7 Gotokuji Setagaya-ku
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 The Temple is open everyday from sunrise to sundown, and free to enter. Be sure to explore the gardens of the temple, including the 3-story Pagoda.
You have never Seen Goldfish like This – Art Aquarium Tokyo
While many have pet goldfish, have you ever thought of them as a living work of art? You’ve never seen Goldfish like this! Welcome to the Art Aquarium Tokyo – a museum dedicated to Goldfish (yes, seriously!). Here, you can view over 50,000 goldfish swimming in artistic glass vessels of all shapes and sizes. The museum showcases both rare and common goldfish varieties, all illuminated with spectacular digital light projections and grand displays.
The museum has over nine exhibition spaces to explore, including the Goldish Bamboo Give, the Goldfish Corridor, and the centerpiece, the Origamirium. Goldfish range from ones that look like your basic pet fish to the Tosakin with a fanned tail, the cartoonish Celestial Eye goldfish, and the (super weird!) Bubble Eye goldfish. (Who knew these even existed!?)
Why create a museum dedicated to the pet fish? The aquarium was created by artist and curator Hidetomo Kimura, who sees Goldfish as living pieces of art. He wanted to create a space where people could admire and appreciate the fascinating creatures.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍 Ginza Mitsukoshi, 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 The aquarium is situated in a department store and the entrance is hard to find. Head to the 9th floor, and look for the aquarium reception. Get tickets online/in advance for a discount.
Can’t Miss Experience – teamLab Planets Tokyo
This is the first time you’ve seen an art museum like this!
Do not miss a visit to teamLab Planets Tokyo, a mind-blowing interactive digital art experience by the Japanese digital art collective teamLab. This highly tactile and immersive experience offers exhibition spaces that host seven large-scale artworks. teamLab refers to these as “body-immersive” works, and that’s because they genuinely are.
Ready for this? Visitors must explore the museum barefoot (yes, barefoot!), and there are certain rooms where you find yourself knee-deep in water. It is epic. Creatively inspiring, unforgettable, and mesmerizing, I promise you it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. The best part? It’s great for ALL ages. A must-add to your Tokyo bucket list. Full article HERE.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍teamLab Planets TOKYO, Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 teamLab Planets is to be enjoyed barefoot, and you will need to remove your socks and shoes. Free locker usage is provided for you to keep your belongings. We suggest wearing pants that can easily be “rolled up” for the water exhibits. As there are many reflective surfaces it is also suggested to not wear a dress or skirt. Grab tickets in advance they do sell out.
World’s Wildest Intersection – Shibuya Crossing
Welcome to the world’s wildest pedestrian crossing! Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo is the world’s busiest intersection, with as many as 3,000 people crossing at a time. Here, ten lanes of traffic and five major crosswalks merge in chaotic unison. The intersection is known as a ” scramble” as hurried pedestrians cross from all directions.
Shibuya Crossing is one of the world’s most visited attractions and is often compared to NYC’s Times Square. Tokyo’s landmark is covered in flashing lights and color, with gigantic advertising screens to entice millions of visitors. Look familiar? The famous landmark has appeared in films such as Fast and the Furious and Lost in Translation, as well as numerous music videos and television programs.
The best view is from above, where the pedestrians look like tiny dots scrambling across the sidewalk. Good to know: the cafes and restaurants facing the intersection all take advantage of their prime viewing position, and many provide window-side seating. We highly recommend taking in the view from one of these; it’s mesmerizing.
WHERE: 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍Just outside of the Shibuya Train Station
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 The crossing is ALWAYS busy, but tends to be busiest at the evening rush hour. Visit during a rainy day to see the crossing dotted with colorful umbrellas. Play a (live action!) game of “where’s Waldo” with the kids – by having them look for something within the crowd of pedestrians.
Poop Museum (yes, that says poop)
Yes, you read that correctly! There is a museum in Tokyo dedicated entirely to Unko (which means POOP)! And because my curiosity got the best of me during our Tokyo trip, we visited it.
As there is absolutely NO WAY I could write something better than this – I will quote the caption directory from the Unko Museum website:
“At the pinnacle of the world-famous Japanese “KAWAII” culture is poop, a fragile matter that quickly disappears by being flushed soon after being brought into this world….Visit UNKO MUSEUM TOKYO and enjoy the MAX UNKO by looking, touching, taking photos of, and playing with poop.” Don’t miss “Unberto’s room, where a giant UNBERTO, the guardian angel of UNKO MUSEUM, sits enshrined in a spiritual poop power spot. It’s connected to the mysterious cosmic space and will greatly increase your luck.” Yep. It’s as wild as it sounds.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍 DiverCity Tokyo Plaza 2F, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 People love Unko! Expect a line and a chaotic scene. We had to wait in a long to enter. And yes, you do get to keep the colorful poop from the toilet (included with the ticket). Grab tickets in advance to avoid a line HERE.
Step into the Ring – Sumo Wrestling Experience
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a sumo wrestler? Experience the ancient art of sumo wrestling like never before at the Sumo Experience Tokyo. This immersive experience offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes stories and daily lives of sumo wrestlers. You’ll learn all about the history of sumo wrestling, their rigorous training regime, their (crazy!) diet, and pre-match traditions. Then, you’ll see the wrestlers step into the ring and perform a demonstration.
But that’s not all – here, you get to try on a sumo wrestler’s costume and even go head-to-head in a match with professional sumo wrestlers. And the best part? All ages are welcome to join in on the fun. Our little guy put on a suit and wrestled them, too. Read the full article on the experience HERE.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍 3-1-11 Tatekawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 All ages welcome to enter the ring! The friendly staff will help to take photos.
Monster Sight to See – Godzilla
Did you know that there is a larger-than-life Godzilla in Tokyo?
Look high above the buildings in Shinjuku to find a gigantic Godzilla head watching over you! Did you know that there is a GIANT Godzilla Head in Tokyo? Godzilla lives high above the buildings in Shinjuku. Want to find him? Here is what you do.
HEAD on over to Hotel Gracery and look for Godzilla signs in the lobby. These will guide you to the 8th Floor Terrace, which holds an enormous 80-ton Godzilla head. You can take in the monster view from the cafe or outdoor terrace. Not just an intimidating figure – the Godzilla head roars and spits fire. It is an epic photo opportunity and a must-see when visiting the city.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍1 Chome-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 Be sure to time your visit to catch the ROAR, Godzilla roars on the hour from 12 pm to 8 pm. The roar “show” lasts just about a munute. Fun fact: The street with the view of Godzilla’s head is actually called “Godzilla Road”, a must visit for the perfect view!
FUN PLACES TO EAT IN TOKYO
Pepper Parlor Robot Cafe
Add this cutting-edge Cafe to your must-visit Tokyo list! Pepper Parlor is not about spice for your food; it’s about a Robot who is here to wait on you! Pepper is the name given to the semi-humanoid robot created by SoftBank Robotics.
Walking into the Cafe, you will come across an army of Peppers. There are several to greet you at the reception desk and individual peppers at almost every table. It’s a fun sight! We ordered food using a QR code and had Pepper entertain us during our meal. Like a friend at the table, Pepper played fun digital games, chatted about her favorite color, and told us our fortune (in Japanese). Our Pepper also busted some moves – and did a choreographed dance to Gangnam Style (probably one of the funniest things I have ever seen). Our food arrived swiftly by yet another type of robot, a tray-shaped bot named Servi.
On the menu: a range of waffles, drinks (including beer and wine), coffee, and sweet treats. Is this a glimpse into the exciting future in which humans and robots live together? Not sure, but this was a blast! Highly recommend.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍5th Floor of Tokyo Plaza Shibuya
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 No reservations necessary. Almost all of Pepper’s games are in Japanese only, but with intuition (or the Google Translate App) it is still super fun for kids!
2D Cafe
Welcome to 2D Cafe Tokyo! The Cafe immerses its patrons in a flat black-and-white decor, which creates a fun trompe l’oeil effect in two dimensions. It feels like you have entered the pages of a comic book! The Cafe is fully decorated in this 2D cartoon style as if drawn with black marker on white paper. Even some of the food is in theme, including the cake.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Hyakunin-cho 1-7-5
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 Hours of the cafe are 11 a.m.-11 p.m., expect a line!
Pokemon Cafe Tokyo
We saved the hardest for last! Yes, the HARDEST reservation in Tokyo is the Pokemon Cafe – an over-the-top themed restaurant featuring the adorable pocket monsters from… you guessed it, Pokémon.
Even if you’re unsure what this Pokémon is about (raising my hand), this slightly crazy and undeniably quirky Cafe is one to add to your list. Who could resist the opportunity to meet Pikachu or enjoy Pokémon-themed food? The Pokémon Café is directly (and conveniently) next door to the largest Pokémon store in Tokyo, which caries nearly every possible Pokémon item imaginable. As you can also imagine – it’s INSANELY popular and considered the hardest dining reservation to nab in the city.
Here are a few (slightly insane) but fun facts:
- Dining reservations sell out within MINUTES of being released – the equivalent of trying to get Taylor Swift tickets, except this happens on a daily basis.
- Tickets go on sale 6pm Japan Time. For us in NYC that meant 4am.
- The system crashes often, so even with the above you are the mercy of technology.
- Special items are available for purchase after you make a reservation. These are not available anywhere else (and NOT for sale at the restaurant). They are limited in quantities and sell out as quickly as the reservations.
WHERE: 🇯🇵Tokyo, Japan
LOCATION: 📍 Nihombashi Takashimaya Shopping Center
2-4-1 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TIPS FOR VISIT: 📕 Menu and Pikachu dance songs are in Japanese (we used Google Translate). You can NOT get up from your seat during Pokemon performance – I was reprimanded for sitting on my knees (seriously). You have 90 minutes for dining with a reservation. There are special “only for purchase” merchandise items in the store, available only to those with a reservation.
