Attending a children’s birthday party in Tokyo is not some big cultural puzzle to untangle. Not at all. A kids party is a kids party, right?
Some are quiet and overstyled and fancy. Some are noisy and wild, right?
And, like anywhere, there will always be a Parent at school who organizes a grand extravaganza and the other Parent who organizes a party at the park.
But here are some different ideas for planning a party in Tokyo – and a couple of things to keep in mind when attending.
PLANNING THE DATE AND TIME
My kids are always at their best first thing in the morning so I planned an early morning birthday party (10am start) for my 3 year old after we just moved here. Guests still attended but I could tell that some Japanese friends were surprised by the early start.
As I talk about in my Tokyo Before 10am post, Japan just starts later and that goes for morning weekend wake-ups too.
Many children nap late in the day and then stay up to see their Parent(s) return home from work quite late at night – and the result is, of course, a slower morning.
Another reason I wouldn’t really recommend an early morning party, most of the shops don’t open until 10 or 11am – so if you’ve forgotten something… it’s tricky to grab something quickly.
On the other side, I have been surprised by how late some children’s birthday parties have begun in Japan. For that reason, we have actually turned down a few invitations (7pm start for a 5 year old? No way, Man ! Unless its my child’s best friend in the world… this Mummy needs her downtime in the evenings.)
I feel like children’s parties are planned much further in advance than when I’ve lived outside of Japan too so don’t worry about sending out invitations a month or so in advance.
For school age children, its good to specify if it is a pick-up or a drop off party (and its not rude to ask if you are the receiver of the invite either.)
Although I think it’s assumed that the host will be covering the party costs, if you do want guests to pay for their own meal or drinks or entry fee to somewhere, the right thing to do is make that clear (and even put the amount) on the invitation.
Japan is still very much a cash based society and the most polite way to contribute with cash is to hand it to someone in a little envelope – so most people would like to have the exact amount ready to go.
THEME & DECOR
Before you ask your child to choose a theme, be careful what you offer.
Not all of the character/ merchandise are as readily available here as you may be used to. For example, Paw Patrol or PJ Mask merchandise is almost impossible to come by so … unless you’re ready to ship these things from overseas or you are going to get extra extra crafty… you may want to pick again.
When looking for party decor, I would start with:
*Amazon Japan
I’ve purchased banners, bunting, balloons, cake stands etc on Amazon.
*Momo Natural
I find the furniture to be a tad small (and on the pricey side) but I adore their accessories.
I have found lovely vases and stand up balloons here.
Everything is so beautifully made.
There are stores in Yokohama, Jiyugaoka, Kichijoji, Toyosu & Tokyo Bay. This furniture store also has options in Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya.
And I wish I had a better picture but these stand up balloons on my daughter’s birthday table as also from Momo Natural.
*100 yen shops
Paper cups and plates, wrapping paper, gift bags, party favours
*Don Quixote
This store has everything under the sun. Saucepans, snacks, cups, costumes etc.
*National Azabu International Supermarket
Upstairs at National Azabu is one of your best bets for themed character plates and cups etc. The selection is limited but they often have dinosaurs, pastel coloured plates with bows, banners. They also have helium balloons.
*Tuxedo Bear Balloon Shop
This shop is located in Nishi-Azabu but they also have an online store.
VENUE
You may be surprised to hear that not many of my Japanese friends host parties in their home. Many Japanese people don’t have a lot of space at home and, even if they do, sometimes worry about someone either seeing their house in its best state or worry that showing off their home may come across as boasting.
However, I have been to several parties held at homes.
Other venues have been kid-friendly venues like Gymboree, MyGym, hotel restaurants or hotel conference rooms, function rooms at Japanese wedding venues or private rooms at restaurants.
Gymboree is a fantastic option for organized parties in Tokyo.
Gymboree reached out to me and are offering a 20% discount on birthday parties at their Motoazabu and Jiyugaoka branches when you mention the code JOHANNA20 when you book over the phone or in person.
They do a great job and its one of my kid’s favourite kind of parties. The kids have free play, then guided play and then move on to the party room for food and cake etc.
If you decide to host a party at home, remember that you will need to make sure you have room in your entrance hall for all of the shoes and will need a gift table (more about presents below.)
THE CAKE
The easiest last minute cake is the Baskin Robbins (most Japanese people refer to Baskin & Robbins as “Thirty-One” – because of the number of flavours and the way that they are just marketed here) cake.
You don’t need to reserve a cake in advance. There are often 9 different options to choose from.
You just walk in, and they will write “Happy Birthday (name)” on a little fondant cake and even provide you with ice-packs so the cake will survive the journey home.
They also provide 4 complimentary colourful candles (and they sell number candles for 700 yen each.)
Baskin & Robbins have stores all over Tokyo (Google Baskin & Robbins Tokyo for your closest options to appear.)
These ice-cream cakes are between 2000-4000 yen.
Or… if you’d prefer to celebrate on the spot, they also make these cute individual scoops.
The Kit-Kat Cake
Right when I left Australia to move here with kids the kit-kat cake was the latest thing. But think about it in Japan? You can do all of the new kit-kat flavours and in all of their pretty colours!!!!
(Oh and cheat like I do by using a pre-purchased or packet mix cake for underneath all of that kit-kat goodness. )
Kids decorating their own (or their friend’s) cake
You can make this event even more unique to Tokyo by using your child’s favourite candy from the convenience store, old-fashioned Japanese lolly shop (like the one mentioned here in my Hiroo & AzabuJuban area with Kids post) or the supermarket.
Doughnut Cake
I forgot to organize a birthday cake for my little boys’ class party (Mum of the Year, I know) last year and had to do some very quick improvising. Everyone actually loved it and said it was cute ! Phew!
I bought a packet of these doughnuts from the biscuit section of a convenience store.
I’m 90% sure that I used these doughnuts from Lawson but there are lots of other similar brands in 7 -Eleven and Family Mart (and even more again in the supermarket: look where the biscuit and cookies are not necessarily in the bread section. )
The candles were from either Baskin & Robbins or the 300 yen shop in Diver City, Odaiba.
The icing is just icing sugar mixed with a tiny bit of boiling water.
Everyone loved this and thought it was so cute. Phew! It was also really easy to share as every child go one or half of one doughnut.
Pocky Cake
This is another easy one to cheat with. Inside you can have a pre-purchased cupcake or muffin and then you just need Pocky chocolate sticks stuck on with either cream or icing.
And, if you wanted to, you could use other colours and limited addition flavours.
Bellas Cupcakes made the cake for my little girl’s 3rd birthday party. I did need to order one week in advance.
I just got it in light blue and put Frozen characters on top myself.
Another “shop and run” option are these number cookies from the basement floor in Takashimaya. How cute are these? ( I figured my 37 year old hubby would appreciate them too – and of course – the kids needed to eat a “4” and a “2” with their breakfast as well. Of course.)
They are sold on the B1 floor at the Patissieria counter (in the dessert section). Individual numbers are about 500 yen each.
How adorable is this fire engine candle? The shop also had a police car version too.
I purchased this at Toys R Us in Aqua City, Odaiba.
Or this amazing musical train card that lights up and plays music.
I bought this at Toys R Us, Odaiba.
Lola’s cupcakes in Harajuku also prepare “on the spot” Happy Birthday cupcakes If you’d like to take your cupcakes home they will include an icepack in the packaging.
(Other Harajuku with kids suggestions here. )
PARTY GAMES
I’ve always done some Australian party games – pass the parcel, freeze etc. and its gone down really well.
The party games in Japan are often similar to those at a Japanese Summer Festival. Less structured but so much fun for kids. Fishing toys our of a small inflatable pool, knocking over cans with a ball for a mystery prize etc.
I think you should do whatever you like. Now that my big girl is school age, most parties she attends seem to have a magician or a craft (decorate your own cupcake, make a mask etc.) but that doesn’t mean you have to do this.
Renting a jumping castle has also happened at some parties.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Magicians seem to be the most popular thing right now to fill up the hours of a children’s party.
For English & Japanese speaking entertainment, I recommend reaching out to Mr Magico and Supa Gaijin.
THE PARTY / GOODIE BAGS
100 yen shops are fantastic for party bags. My favourites are Seria and Daiso.
One more idea? For my little girl’s party, I ordered a whole lot of Golden Books from Amazon Japan and each child got a book to take home. Golden Book link here.
THE DRESS-CODE
Like most things in Japan, everything is just a tiny bit more formal. Even if it’s a jungle gym party most of the little girls will be in party dresses. But no one seems to mind if children are underdressed either.
THE PRESENT
Like most places, the right thing to do is bring a gift to a party.
The gift should be in a gift bag as it will be placed on a present table and opened later.
It’s best to attach a small card so the host know who it is from but no need for a birthday card unless you would like to pop one in the bag – there is not the same birthday card giving culture here.
If you’re the host and don’t want to accumulate too many toys for your Tokyo home, I’ve been to parties where the host has requested books instead of gifts.
Budget for a present… errrr… depends on the party and the friendship I guess. I usually stick to 2000 yen but if its at a venue and the host is paying for a meal or activity I will probably spend more like 3000-4000 yen.
THE SCHOOL BIRTHDAY
If your child attends nursery or school here then the school will most likely have a monthly birthday party for the children with birthdays during that particular month. Different schools have different rules about cakes, presents and goody bags.
An alternative to a party? A Disney birthday!
Did you know it’s fine to take in your own cake for a Disneyland birthday? I made a chocolate slice and we sang Happy Birthday while waiting for a parade to start. ( If it’s is around the month of your child’s birthday, tell one of the staff they will give them a birthday sticker to wear and all of the characters and staff will wish them happy birthday all day long. ) See here for my other Tokyo Disneyland tips.
We did just family. It was stress free and lovely.
EXTRA TIP !
For the school birthday parties, if the school prefers you don’t bring edibles I recommend bringing a toy cake to sing around. Little kids love it just as much ! Here is a link to some cute toy cakes on Amazon Japan.
