I’ve spoken about strollers in Japan at length and I get messages daily from people asking me if they should take their stroller to Japan (short answer: 1000000% YES! and I explain why you need to bring a stroller to Japan here) but most of my private messages are from people already in Japan who regret not bringing their stroller from home and are now in a pickle.
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So, I must admit, in my head I’m constantly thinking “bring your stroller from home!” but I understand that … once you’re in Japan… that’s not so helpful.
So here are your options if you need a stroller:
1) Ask your hotel if they have a stroller you can use (hint – in Japan, a stroller is called a “baby car” and is more easily understood that way.)
For example,at Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan in Takayama – you also make use of a stroller while you stay here and other accessories such as a toddler seat for the toilet or a change table for your room. They also provide baby chairs and high chairs for babies and toddlers.
2) Buy a stroller from your closest Toys R Us or Aeon Mall or on Amazon Japan (warning – this is not a cheap option but is the most reliable option. On Amazon Japan this stroller is popular and can arrive to a Japanese address in 1-2 days – if in stock.). If you are out near Narita Airport and need a stroller –the Aeon Mall in Narita also has some options.
3) Try your luck at a second hand store in Japan such as Bookoff or Hardoff for options.
4) Rent a stroller from Japan with Family (Tokyo only) *She has recently introduced a double stroller option.
5) Rent a stroller from Sakura Stroller Rental (Tokyo only) No website – just a facebook page and takes a while to respond as it’s just someone running this rental business from home. As with any facebook page agreement – please be careful to check the most secure way to transfer money before sending.
6) Rent a stroller from Baby Cal stroller rental spaces within some Tokyo train stations.
Baby Cal has set up stroller rental options in some Tokyo train stations. You need to reserve a stroller ahead of time but this service is available only in Japanese so you will need to get your hotel concierge to set this up for you ( I speak more here about why it’s so great to book a hotel in Japan with an English speaking front desk, especially when travelling with kids, here.). Baby Cal strollers can be borrowed for up to 7 days at a time. It is 1500 yen to rent a baby cal stroller for 12 hours. BabyCal unmanned and manned rental bases are all over Japan. Search for your closest Baby Cal location here .
7) It’s not common but some hotels lend out strollers to hotel guests.
For eg. Dotonbori Hotel is a very very very simple business hotel in Osaka who welcome families. It really is a no frills option but they do have some nice perks like tea and coffee (from a vending machine) for guests in the lobby as well as unlimited ice-creams, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks for guests between 3pm-9pm. This hotel is 3 mins walk from Namba Station. Their biggest room is a triple room with three large single beds (the rooms are very small.) This hotel rents out adult bikes and strollers for free to all staying guests.
8) I haven’t used this company before but have heard of Stroller Trip.
If you’re interested on which other items I recommend packing or preparing ahead before travelling to Japan with children, I think you’ll like reading my Packing for Japan with Kids blog post here.
