Tokyo · Japan · Things to do
5 things to do in Tokyo with kids
The five things worth doing in Tokyo with kids are Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Shibuya Crossing, an evening of eating through a food alley or food hall, a park in cherry blossom season, and a clear-day view of Mount Fuji. All five sit on the train network and none needs more than half a day, so they fit around naps and jet lag.
What to do, in order
- 1
See Senso-ji temple
Senso-ji in Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest temple, and the walk in is half the fun: the giant red lantern at Kaminarimon gate, then Nakamise street with its rows of snack and toy stalls. Go early. The grounds never close, and before nine in the morning you get the red gates and the five-storey pagoda without the tour groups. Let kids shake out an omikuji fortune slip. A bad fortune gets tied to the rack and left behind, which children find very satisfying.
- 2
Cross Shibuya
Shibuya Crossing is the one where every light turns red at once and the whole junction fills with people. Cross it once at street level, then watch it from above, which is the part kids remember. The station walkways and the upper floors of the buildings around the junction give a free view. The Shibuya Sky rooftop is the big-ticket version and sunset slots sell out, so book ahead if you want it. Early evening, when the screens light up, is the best time.
- 3
Eat through a food alley
Tokyo's lantern-lit alleys, like Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, are tiny grills and counters packed side by side. They are fun to walk through with children early in the evening, though most counters seat six or eight adults. For an easier family dinner, use a depachika, the food hall in the basement of any large department store. Everyone picks their own ramen, sushi, gyoza or sweets, and you carry it to a park or back to the hotel. Convenience store egg sandwiches and onigiri are a real breakfast here, not a compromise.
- 4
Find the cherry blossoms
Cherry blossom in Tokyo usually peaks in late March or early April and lasts about a week, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason for the dates. Shinjuku Gyoen is the calm choice for families: wide lawns, several varieties that bloom at different times, and no alcohol allowed, so it stays quiet. Ueno Park is livelier, with picnics under the trees and the zoo next door. Outside spring, the same parks are still the best place to let children run between temples and trains.
- 5
Get a view of Mount Fuji
Fuji is about 100 km from Tokyo and shows itself on clear days, mostly in the colder months and mostly in the morning before haze builds. The observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku are free and face the right way. For the full view with a lake in front, take a day trip to Kawaguchiko or Hakone. Check the forecast the night before and stay flexible: in summer the mountain hides behind cloud more often than not.
Plan it
- Best time
- Late March to May and October to November. Spring has the blossom and the biggest crowds; autumn is drier, clearer and calmer. June to September is hot, humid and wet.
- How long
- Four to five days covers these five without rushing, with one day kept free for a Fuji day trip when the forecast is clear.
- Getting around
- Trains and the subway reach everything. A rechargeable IC card (Suica or Pasmo) works on all of them. Avoid the morning rush between about half past seven and nine with a stroller.
Good to know
- Stay near a station on the Yamanote loop line. It links Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno and Tokyo Station, so most days need no transfers.
- Many small restaurants do not take large groups or strollers. Food halls, ramen chains with ticket machines and conveyor-belt sushi are the easy family options.
- Public bins are rare. Carry a small bag for rubbish, as locals do.
Frequently asked
Is Tokyo good for a family trip with young kids? +
Yes. It is clean, safe, and built around trains that run on time. Stations have lifts, department stores have baby rooms, and food is easy because children can point at plastic models or pictures. The main challenges are the size of the stations and the rush-hour crowds, both avoidable with a little planning.
How many days do you need in Tokyo with kids? +
Four to five days is a comfortable first visit. That covers Asakusa, Shibuya, a park day, a food-focused evening or two, and one day trip toward Mount Fuji, with time left for a slower morning.
When can you see Mount Fuji from Tokyo? +
On clear days, most often between November and February and usually in the early morning. In summer the mountain is hidden by cloud and haze on most days.
When is cherry blossom season in Tokyo? +
Usually late March to early April, with full bloom lasting about a week. The exact dates shift each year with the weather, so check the forecast published each spring before you fix your plans.
