So many “big kids” want to do the psychedelic, kooky and crazy Tokyo but did you know that there are kiddie equivalents all over (and also some a little bit out of) the city?
The kids deserve to see a wacky out-there , colourful Tokyo too (but in a friendly and safe way, of course.)
One of the newest additions to Shinjuku is KABUKICHO TOWER
This complex has a cinema, bars and restaurants, a whole section for gachapon and another for crane games.
At nighttime, this complex gets a bit “nightclubby” so I don’t recommend visiting with children after 7pm but it’s up to you. The Kabukicho Tower is 5 mins walk from Shinjuku Station. It”s very tourist trap and overpriced but some people like it .
If you are looking for a rainy day Shinjuku with kids option:
Consider seeing a movie at 109 Premium Cinemas in Kabukicho Tower. The seats are big and comfy and all you can eat drink and popcorn included in your movie ticket price!
You can also purchase an S class ticket that gives you access to the premium lounge afterwards – which includes a free alcoholic drink.
These movie theaters do not accept cash.
If you’re ever worried how to work out which movies are in English with Japanese subtitles and which are dubbed… see my Movies in Japan blog post here.
Here is the movie schedule for this cinema within the Kabukicho Tower complex.
Note that this area is Kabukicho and known as Tokyo’s red light district (although much more tame than other red light districts around the world – but still, you may see some “massage parlour” type signs ) but if you feel like venturing around the corner from Godzilla here are some other kid friendly activities in Shinjuku.
How about visiting a Pig Cafe?
I’ve written about visiting a MiPig Cafe here.
Or the Poop Museum?
I’ve written about the Unko Museum in Odaiba here.
Shibuya 109
In Shibuya, right near the crossing is the very famous department store Shibuya 109.
It’s the mecca for Kawaii shopping. It’s full of affordable, kawaii, glitzy, sparkly, kitschy, loveliesness all aimed at teenage and University-aged young women. It’s a great spot to enter – just for some very interesting window shopping. (In case the boys are feeling left out… these is also a Shibuya 109 Mens around the corner too.)
And then I recommend going down to the B2F.
Edit : As of May 22, 2019, Moreru Mignon in Shibuya moved to the B2F in the basement. The theme is more about the purples and darker colours but it is equally as photogenic.
The store is equipped with curling and straightening irons ( for rental use) and there are plenty of make up mirrors to ensure you look your best at photo time.
The shop itself is…well… basically ….my little girls’ dream bedroom.
This place is crazily busy on the weekends so be warned (although it’s okay if you go first thing in the morning.)
First thing in the morning or last thing at night is probably the best way to get a good look around and use the photo booths.
The print clubs are all 500 yen each.
They even have an English instruction sheet.
Even if you don’t take photos in the machines – the shop itself is like one giant pastel photobooth.
MORERU MIGNON
渋谷区道玄坂2-29-1 SHIBUYA 109 B2F
2-29-1 DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA
B2 FLOOR, SHIBUYA 109 DEPARTMENT STORE
OPEN 10AM-9PM
WEBSITE
And another alternative in the area? Karaoke!
In Shibuya is the BEST karaoke box set up I’ve ever seen!! It’s called Rainbow Karaoke Shibuya and I’ve written all the details here.
See my post here for ideas for things to do with kids in Shibuya.
Sanrio Puroland (aka Hello Kitty World)
I’ve written in detail about Sanrio Puroland here.
Reissue, the latte art cafe, is such a fun cafe to visit as their baristas are actually very talented artists. It’s located in the back grungy alleyways of Harajuku. You are shown to your seat , you choose your coffee or hot chocolate and then show a picture or photo (on your phone is fine) of what you would like on top. The drink order takes about 15 minutes so make sure you have some things for kids to do while you wait. They really are so talented. It’s definitely not the cheapest cup of coffee ( around 1000 yen) but is a really fun thing to do for adults and children. Reissue also serve rice, soup or salad lunch plates.
There is a big flight of stairs at the entrance so you may need to decide to either fold up and carry in your stroller or leave it outside.
TANJI BUILDING, 2F, 3-25-7 JINGUMAE
神宮前3-25-7, TANJIビル2F
OPEN 10am-6pm
Takeshita Street is fantastic anytime after 11:30am. Heads up, Takeshita is going to be mega in terms of the pure volume of people. So you may want to put kids on shoulders, fold up strollers and all hold hands – but the road only spans two blocks and it’s all about the journey. Walk slow. Look and point. Kids will love the colours and the funny knick-knacks.
Consider stopping for a giant fairy floss at the Totti Candy Factory, taking a purikura (photobooth picture printed on stickers), ordering a creme brulee crepe or really go out on a limb and grab an even more unusual selection such as a “tuna & salad” or a “sausage” crepe.
Tip: Don’t try and have a sit down meal here – mainly because of the long wait times. (Have kiddies use the restrooms before you start the walk too.)
TAKESHITA STREET, HARAJUKU
1−13−17 JINGUMAE
神宮前1-13-17
Keep an eye out for this guy who loves to walk around Harajuku & Omotesando with his pram full of pussycats. Love this guy.
See HERE for other ideas for kids in Harajuku
Inner City Playcentres – Tokyo Playcentres are next level.
I’ve written in detail about my favourite Tokyo playcentres here. 
Retro Tokyo Playgrounds
I have included these Tokyo playground addresses and details here.
Sumida Aquarium
Sumida Aquarium isn’t very big but it is so well done. Each section feels like an art installation. We’ve been more than 10 times. It’s located within the Skytree complex. 2300 yen for adults, 1700 yen for senior high school students, 1100 yen for elementary and junior high students, 700 yen for 3 years old and up, Kids under 3 are free.
SUMIDA AQUARIUM
TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN, SOLAMACHI 5th & 6th FLOOR, 1-1-2 SUMIDA, OSHIAGE
墨田区押上1-1-2東京スカイツリータウン・ソラマチ5F・6F
OPEN WEEKDAYS 10AM-8PM
OPEN WEEKENDS 9AM-9PM
SUMIDA AQUARIUM WEBSITE
Downstairs are climb-in trains and buses and a mini train outdoors too. In the outdoor section is a library carriage with picture books and upstairs near the playcentre section is a model train room for a set amount of children for 30 minutes at a time. You’ll need to wait for a new “session” to start and is probably better for kids 5+ as my little guy was in destructo-mode and I don’t think we were very popular with the hard-core train-goers….
There is the Tama Zoo across the road (I haven’t been yet though) if you need something to do afterwards.
There is also a brand new play centre directly next door. I wrote about it here.
One of the highlights for my two are the “real” ticket gates at the entrance. Got to love those details!
The gentlemen that work there are just divine. So patient with train-crazed crazies !!!
The main section upstairs is more like a playcentre with a small eating area with some vending machine snacks & juice boxes ( we usually take our own snacks.)
3-36-39 HODOKUBO, HINO
日野程久保3-36-39
OPEN: 9:30AM – 5:30PM (CLOSED WEDNESDAYS)
WEBSITE (JAPANESE ONLY)
I’ve had lots of requests to include rainy day activities for different parts of Tokyo, not just the city centre. That suits me to a tee as I love little adventures with my kiddies (and love it even more when I find somewhere that it’s weather dependent.
The LaLaPort Department Stores almost always have a whole section of their complex devoted to Children’s Entertainment. At the Ebina store is AsoMix a children’s playcentre that is set up for children from 6months up until 12 (although I, personally, believe that kids over 8 or 9 might not find this place that exciting … or at least not for long. )
The highlight here is the ocean image projected onto a gorgeous white sandpit. What a clever idea!! It’s visually beautiful and my kids loved pretend swimming here for so long!
There is a baby playpit, pretend kitchen and ice-cream shop, ride on motorized cars and emergency vehicles, a big bouncy dome, slides and climbing frames and train tables. There is even free wifi.
Unfortunately you’ll need to get a pass out to use the restrooms but they are about 100 metres from playcentre entrance. (i.e. make them go beforehand)
I found that a day pass was handy for us as it’s located within the department store and we could leave, have lunch* and a little shop around before returning for more play.
If you’re travelling from the centre of town it does take over an hour but whether you travel by car or train (Ebina Station on JR) you can arrive undercover so don’t need to worry about getting wet on the way. I can also justify the distance on a yucky rainy season weather day as it is a full day activity – and low stress for me!
A full day pass for children is 1500 yen and 630 for adults. If you prefer to go for short amount of time, the rate is it 630 yen for each person for 30 minutes and 150 yen each additional 10 minutes (adults don’t need to pay for the additional minutes just for children.) They do have all of their prices and guidelines in English at the front reception desk.
No outdoor snacks allowed (they don’t mind baby food) but there is an eating area inside and vending machines with snacks, drinks and ice-cream.
AsoMix PLAYCENTRE, LALAPORT EBINA
神奈川県海老名市扇町13-1 ららぽーと海老名4F
4F LALAPORT DEPARTMENT STORE EBINA, 13-1 OGICHO, EBINA, KANAGAWA
OPEN 10AM-7PM
WEBSITE (Japanese only)
*We ate lunch at the Hawaiian restaurant (same floor) Kailua Weekend. It has an exceptional kids menu. My daughter loved the chocolate pencil to decorate her own pancakes. I loved the Organic Spinach Eggs Benedict.
Children can choose one take-home toy from a toy basket.
**One of the coolest and most recent updates to the Yokohama area is the addition of the giant ( and I mean GIANT-it’s 18 metres tall!) moving Gundam Statue – I think it looks best at night. Entry fee starts at 1650 yen and prices depend on timing and special events. **Visit the Gundam Factory Yokohama’s website for more information.
I actually put off a visit to the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama for a long time. But once we went I wish I hadn’t left it so long! It was spacious and had so many different things for kids to do. It’s a proper hands-on children’s museum and it’s all indoors so is perfect for rainy days.
My daughter loved decorating her own noodle packaging….
Then choosing her own ingredients….
The whole museum is extremely English-friendly and lots and lots of different exhibits that keep it really fresh and exciting for little people. Even the story of instant noodles and how they came about and their creator is told with projected images and sculptures.
There is a play area on the top floor and a food court that sells noodles in the form that they are eaten around the world. The play area was tricky for me as I was there alone with my two kids (I’m a bit bitter and grumpy about this one) and the minimum age is 3 years old – children must also be taller than 90 cms. . So I couldn’t leave out my littlest one and, even if I wanted to, I was required to go in to supervise my big one ….impossible without abandoning my youngest.) So we, of course, skipped that bit.
Entry to the whole museum is : 500 yen for adults. Children in High School and younger are free.
CUP NOODLES MUSEUM, YOKOHAMA
横浜市中区新港2-3-4
2-3-4 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA
OPEN: 10AM-6PM
CLOSED : TUESDAYS (CLOSED WEDNESDAYS IF TUESDAY IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY)
WEBSITE
Kidzania is the indoor amusement park is a miniature world where children can try out different occupations – with all of the uniforms and the props included. All of the details are here.
And also in Toyosu is the Team Lab DMM Planets exhibition.
My family’s favourite parts are the giant balls and the section where you walk into water with projected images on top.
It’s pure magic. All of the details are here.
