This is my growing list of hotels that I recommend for families with more than 2 children ( or for older children who can’t possibly sleep on a pull out bed, for example.)
I add to and edit this list often.When booking a hotel in Japan with children, many people are confused as to why the hotel assumes they will share a bed with their children. I’ve done my best to try and answer this question here. PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST HOTELS ONLY OPEN UP THEIR BOOKING SYSTEMS 6 MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME.
If you look earlier than 6 months it may look like a hotel is completely booked – but it is because they haven’t yet opened these dates. The Official Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels don’t open up bookings until 3-4 months ahead of time. If you are able to find rooms earlier than 6 months in time they can often be more expensive as the sites are assuming they will be able to get the rooms once the dates are officially open (so compare current and future prices to be sure.) If you book too early – you hotel choices will be quite limited compared to waiting. See here for accommodation options who provide cots / cribs Finding a hotel with cots/cribs in Japan for children older than 8 months old can sometime be tricky – I explain why and give options here.
TOKYO HOTELS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE
Odaiba is reclaimed land ( hence the room for more space) and quite inconvenient to get to and from everyday so … if you choose an Odaiba option.. make sure you do your transport time calculations. Same goes for the close to Disneyland options ( any hotel located in Maihama or Urayasu or Tokyo Bay- here is my list. ) . It is around 30 mins out of the city centre so they do have more space but you’re adding to your daily travel time so it might be worth evaluating price vs travel time vs hotel room space etc.
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Both of these apartment hotels have apartments that can sleep up to 8 people (more people if you have children who are small enough to bed share)These are apartment hotels and are both within 10 minutes walk of Ueno Station. Ueno is on the JR Yamanote Loop Line. Ueno is also a bullet train stop for some of the bullet train lines too – making domestic travel super convenient.
Ueno as an area is lively in the day and the night – so there are lots of options for vibey bars, restaurants and street food but also great for families as there is Ueno Park right next to the station for some quieter time. The park is often used for markets and is also the home of The Natural Museum of Science and Nature.
Here is my Ueno with kids guide for other food and family-friendly options here.
Between the two of these Mimaru apartment hotels you can find connecting rooms, pokemon themed rooms, rooms with bunk beds, Japanese-western style rooms. Each room has a small kitchen and access to laundry facilities within the building.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
On the train, Ueno is 5 mins from Tokyo Station & 3 mins to Akihabara Station
A little warning: Some of the Mimaru rooms don’t have black out blinds so please bring the stick-on type or cot covers, eye covers etc if this is a need for you and your family. Some of the windows have those beautiful rice paper shutters (I love them but not everybody does.) I speak about other things to pack when travelling to Japan with kids here.Mimaru apartment hotels at Christmas time: It’s so cute – at Christmas – some of the Mimaru branches have special christmas events such as Santa coming to visit etc.
3. Mimaru Asakusa Station and Mimaru Asakusa Suites
This apartment hotel, like all others in the brand, has a small kitchenette with a cooking utensils so it is easy for larger families with small children who need access to a microwave and stove. The Mimaru in Asakusa also has a kitchen area with seating for 6 people. You can also borrow appliances from the reception desk such as toasters or coffee machines and different entertainment options.
This hotel is just 3 mins walk from Sensoji Temple and has an in-house coin laundry (and you can see if it’s ready via a device inside of your room.)
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
These hotel apartments can sleep up to 8 people (more people if you have children who are small enough to bed share) Mimaru Asakusa is one of the few hotels that offers multiple rooms within an apartment as an option. This is perfect for young families where parents don’t necessarily want to sleep in the same room as their children.
The Asakusa area is rich in old-world Japanese culture and is home to the beautiful and very famous Sensoji temple. This area is quieter at night than some other areas of Tokyo but there are still lots of food options and lots to do for families. See here for my Asakusa with kids guide – you’re going to want to take pictures of everything
Mimaru Asakusa Suites can sleep up to 10 people.
A little warning: Some of the Mimaru rooms don’t have black out blinds so please bring the stick-on type or cot covers, eye covers etc if this is a need for you and your family. Some of the windows have those beautiful rice paper shutters (I love them but not everybody does.) I speak about other things to pack when travelling to Japan with kids here.Mimaru apartment hotels at Christmas time: It’s so cute – at Christmas – some of the Mimaru branches have special christmas events such as Santa coming to visit etc.
4. The Family Suite Room at Henn Na Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi
This is a 3 star hotel but very comfortable. The only twist for families of 5? The youngest child will need to be younger than 6 and share a bed as the room contains a double and two Japanese singles. If you miss out on the family suite then I recommend also asking about the adjoining rooms and connecting rooms. The rooms here are clean and comfy – much smaller than a Mimaru option though.
For an extra quirk – the front desk is manned by Dinosaurs and Ninjas.
This hotel is 7 mins walk from Asakusa Station. As mentioned above, Asakusa is charming and magical. See here for my Asakusa with kids guide.5. The Family Room at Landabout Ueno
The family room sleeps 5 people ( 1 double bed and 3 singles). The rooms are modern and spacious.
It is 10 mins walk from Ueno Park or 3 mins walk from Uguisudani Station.
There is a cafe / coffee shop / bar downstairs for guests and the general public to use (there are also lots of restaurants in this area so you’d probably only need it for breakfast unless you wanted other meals.). I have talked about the benefits of Ueno in my 1st recommendation here in this blog post.
Landabout Ueno is walking distance from Asakusa (24 min walk, 10 mins/ approx 1000 yen in a cab or 15 mins by public transport) and Kappabashi Kitchen Town area (19 mins walk, 10 mins / approx 800 yen by cab).
The area around Landabout Ueno is technically a love hotel district. This does not mean it is dangerous but it does mean that when walking around you will see lots of candy coloured and themed buildings offering “day stays.” It is not dangerous at all but if this something that bothers you then maybe look elsewhere.
It is a great way to have more beds, separate rooms and keep costs down.6. A Japanese or a Western Style Room at Cocoshuku Akasaka Premium
This apartment has a kitchen and many separate rooms including a separate living area and separate bedrooms. This room can fit 4 adults and additional children under 6 if they don’t require additional bedding. This apartment is so lovely and modern. You’ll love it here.
The Akasaka / Roppongi area is my favourite to recommend for families with younger children as I believe some of the best playgrounds and parks are in this area. This area also has a wider range of family-friendly restaurants than other parts of Tokyo.
Akasaka is so central but has a real out in the suburbs vibe with so many lovely alleyways, Japanese izakayas and Hie Shrine close by too. Here is my guide of all the things that we like to do in the Akasaka area.
Please note that Cocoshuku area self-check in accommodation only, which means that there is no reception desk to assist with luggage forwarding.7. Tobu Levant Hotel Tokyo, Kinshicho
This hotel is 8 mins by train from Tokyo Station so it’s more the Tokyo Station and kind of the Tokyo Skytree area.5 mins walk from Kinshicho (JR or Subway) Stations.
Mid-High end hotel. Suites can accommodate up to 6 people while most other rooms fit 3-4 people.
On the weekend you may be lucky to spot a bride and grooming heading to their reception dinner in the hotel’s function rooms.
In-house fine dining (with a view of skytree) and breakfast restaurants. Free shuttle to Disney for guests. Airport Limousine Bus stops at this hotel.
There is an Olinas Mall, Kinshicho, just 12 mins walk from this hotel. A great shopping mall with fashion, accessories, a small toys r us and a large supermarket and food court food options.
There is also a park with a playground just 5 mins walk away at Kinshi Park. There is a public bathroom here too. It’s also a cute little spot to take in the cherry blossoms during the cherry blossom season.
4 mins walk to 24 hour supermarket “Seiyu Kinshicho.”
4 mins walk from Life Supermarket ( I love this brand of supermarket.)
8. A Family Room at Centurion Classic Akasaka
They offer traditional Japanese style rooms. Private bathrooms and a bath with a shower.
Alternatively, if you book a “Luxury Corner Twin” you can get a room with two queen beds that you can push together to make one giant bed for the family, there is a balcony all the way around and a washing machine inside your own room !!!! The rooms here are really big.
I also recommend their very big family rooms. So much space and lots of Tatami and even a massage chair! This room is a traditional Japanese room. It is beautiful. There is a mixture of large beds and bunk style bedding behind Japanese style sliding doors.9. Hotel Hisoca, Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is not my favourite area to stay as it is very built up and not much space or green for families with small children.
But it is on the Yamanote line so it is convenient.
If you decide to stay in this area, I recommend staying at Hotel Hisoca in Ikebukuro.
It is 4 minutes walk from the West Exit of JR Ikebukuro Station.
Some rooms can sleep 5 guests and some 6.
Rooms have a kettle and a toaster oven and a small fridge. For babies, the hotel is able to provide a high chair.
10. A Family Suite at Stay Sakura Apartment, Asakusa Art Deco Hotel
There are several options in Tokyo and Kyoto under this brand name. Basically, the hotels are renovated apartment blocks or old homes. So the rooms are mostly apartment style – clean but basic. All rooms have a kitchenette, refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, TV and a washing machine. Please note that there is no front desk here – although they do have a 24 hour phone for support line. Rooms can sleep 1-2 people and there is one family suite that sleeps up to 6. 11. Stay Sakura Apartment, Edo no Mai in Asakusa
There are several options in Tokyo and Kyoto under this brand name. Basically, the hotels are renovated apartment blocks or old homes. So the rooms are mostly apartment style – clean but basic. All rooms have a kitchenette, refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, TV and a washing machine. Please note that there is no front desk here – although they do have a 24 hour phone for support line. Rooms can sleep 1-2 people and there is one family suite that sleeps up to 5. This hotel also offers connecting rooms so you could even have two rooms next to one another for a bigger family.
11. Mimaru Apartment Hotel Akasaka
This hotel is near all the options for Akasaka with kids but are also close to Roppongi which I believe has some of the best inner city playgrounds in Tokyo (the restaurants around here are also very family friendly and are particularly English friendly.) Akasaka also means you are nice and close to Hie Shrine – which is particularly special around the New Year’s holidays.
Akasaka Mimaru sleeps up to 8 people in a room (up to 12 if you have children who can bedshare with you.). The rooms are big. Clean. Modern. Photogenic. You can have western rooms or half western half Japanese rooms. Connecting rooms are available. There is a small kitchenette. Private bathrooms. There is even a communal rooftop dining area with a breathtaking view of the city. There is a convenience store right across the road.
Mimaru Akasaka also has a Japanese connecting room room-type where there is a door separating two sections of the room. This is great for families where parents don’t necessarily want to go to sleep at the same time as their children. Many rooms types can sleep as many as 8 people.
This hotel does not have a restaurant.
If you’re confused as to which Mimaru Tokyo option might best suit your family, see my blog post on Which Mimaru location is best for families? blog post here.
This area also has the Harry Potter Cafe close by (not the Harry Potter World)
OTHER JAPAN-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE
Mimaru
If you find a room that fits everyone at Mimaru, then you should most definitely take it. They are relatively new and the market has been screaming out for this kind of space and service for travelling families. They really are exceptional. I’ve written in detail about our stay at Mimaru in Hatchobori in Tokyo here. All Mimaru rooms have a kitchenette and small dining area and some have washing machines in the rooms and some have a coin laundry within the building. They don’t have a restaurant in-house so you will need to eat out and about (unless you are cooking and/or bringing deli and convenience store options home, of course.)
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long runThe staff know all the information tourists need and are ready to help you with sightseeing, medical assistance, restaurant reservations and luggage forwarding.
Personally, I would look at the Mimaru brand first. For all cities actually.
In Tokyo, the Mimaru Ikebukuro offers apartments with 2 rooms AND 2 bathrooms (Ikebukuro is also on the JR Yamanote city loop line so is super convenient for getting around Tokyo quickly.). The Mimaru Tokyo Station East, Asakusa and some Ueno locations can also accommodate families of up to 8 people and have interconnecting rooms and multi-room apartments as an option.
In Kyoto, the Mimaru Kyoto Shijo has 3 separate rooms within one apartment for families. Mimaru Shijo Suites also run free Japanese calligraphy experiences in the lobby on certain days. It can sleep up to 6 people. The Kyoto Central & Kyoto Station Mimaru have two bedrooms.
In Osaka, the Mimaru Shinsaibashi West, Namba Station and Shinsaibashi North Mimaru have two rooms in each apartment.
Did you know that Mimaru Osaka Namba Station is know as the board game hotel? It has more than 130 games and puzzles for families to rent. It’s such a nice touch.
Random suggestion: but if you were happy to all split off into groups of twos and threes, as a family, the Candeo hotel brand is fab and they have an onsen on the top of the hotels. I suggest this as I find it to be one of the more affordable hotels. The onsen on the roof is so lovely – separated by gender. This brand is found in most Japanese major cities.
OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE IN TOKYO
Cerulean Tower Hotel Tokyu Hotel, Shibuya
This hotel is 7 mins walk from Shibuya Crossing. They have some connecting rooms available.
They also have a 20 meter indoor swimming pool but is only for 18 years and over- however, like many Japanese hotels, pool use is not included in the price of the hotel room. It’s an additional 2,200yen per adult per day. See here for my recommended things to do and places to eat in Shibuya
The Shibuya Streams Hotels, Shibuya
Also Shibuya Excel Tokyu or Shibuya Stream Hotel are in a fabulous central location but can be expensive and they aren’t always used to accomodating families with more than 3-4 people. They can occasionally arrange for connecting rooms.These are two separate hotels about 10 minutes walk apart. Both aren’t the cheapest options so if you find a good rate – jump on it fast!
The hotel is modern, popular, room size is pretty good for Tokyo. The whole hotel is well-established, clean, polished, reliable. Many of the rooms have fantastic views of the city.
The Shibuya Excel Tokyu has the most amazing view from their top floor breakfast restaurant – on a clear day you can even spot Mt Fuji!
Here are things to do in the Shibuya nearby area.
Keio Plaza, Shinjuku
Keio Plaza in Shinjuku have connecting rooms for their standard twin room type and plaza luxe twin rooms. See here for my Shinjuku with kids suggestions.
Keio Plaza is a standard hotel and they look after tourists and groups of tourists everyday. There will be lots of tour groups here but it is a very big hotel. This hotel also has a free shuttle to Tokyo Disney Resort. Keio Plaza has a swimming pool open for use during July & August only. The cost for guests is 3000 yen per adult and 1,500 yen per child. (Japan has some pretty wild and frustrating rules with it comes to hotel pools. I speak more about it here.) There is also an in-house coin laundry. Keio Plaza is able to supply families with a cot or crib for babies younger than 10 months of age.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
On social media you may have seen something about the Sky Plaza Ibasho in Shinjuku with a play area for kids – it is often “sold” as a place where you can have all you can drink Starbucks. But I must stress that the “Starbucks” is a coffee machine that uses Starbucks coffee. The play area is nice for little babies or toddlers if they need some space to play – but I don’t think I would call it a “must visit” as part of a tourist’s holiday itinerary or anything. Sky Plaza Ibasho is located inside of the Keio Plaza Hotel in Nishi-Shinjuku. I also don’t think it is worth paying 2000 yen to visit – unless you’re really struggling for a place to lay baby down for a minute.
SKY PLAZA IBASHO
INSIDE KEIO PLAZA HOTEL, SHINJUKU
ENTRY 2000 YEN ON WEEKDAYS OR 2500 YEN ON WEEKENDS
I haven’t stayed here but some friends recommend Hundred Stay Hotel in Shinjuku. I don’t love Shinjuku for staying ( although it’s a must do for sightseeing) but the location is so so central and rooms sleep up to 6 people. The rooms have a kitchenette and a dining table for 6. There is also a washing machine in the room. It is close to Okub0 and Shin-Okubo Station (so its a little bit outside of Shinjuku.) There is a 7-Eleven and an Aeon supermarket just near the hotel.
The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic
The Gate Hotel in Asakusa “essential twin” rooms are connecting / adjoining rooms. They do book up quickly though.
See here for my suggestions for visiting Asakusa with kids.
The Deluxe Family Room with Tatami Area at Koko Hotel Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi
This hotel sleeps 5 people (more if you have children under 6 years old who do not require additional beds) The room has its own washing machine so it is more of an apartment than a hotel. You can also borrow game consoles for kids. Here are the child-friendly options in the area of Asakusa.
The in-room ensuite bath and shower re also lovely. You can also ask to borrow a baby’s crib/cot (brand was Baby Bjorn) or a high chair. It isn’t super close to station (10-15 mins) but that is why it is cheaper than competitors like Mimaru.
Shangri-la Hotel Tokyo, Marunouchi
And if you feel like being super fancy, the Shangri-La Tokyo’s two deluxe imperial garden view rooms can connect.
Shiba Park Hotel, Roppongi
For another option,I would look at Shiba Park Hotel. near Tokyo Tower.
They offer interconnecting rooms.
There is also so much to do in this area. I wrote about the Tokyo Tower/Roppongi area here.
Grand Prince New Shin-Takanawa
Shinagawa as an area is a bit sterile but there are some fun things to do with kids in Shinagawa (including the aquarium)
It is also the second biggest bullet train station in Tokyo after Tokyo Station. It is also on the JR Yamanote (city loop) line.
It is definitely very, very convenient.
The Grand Prince Takanawa has triple rooms so you could pair one room with another to fit a family of five.
If you’d like to try a ryokan without leaving the centre of Tokyo and while still having all the in-house options of a Western-style hotel, I recommend staying at Takanawa Hanakohro in the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Shinagawa. This is a big western style hotel who have made their own ryokan section of the hotel with Japanese style rooms. Now, this is a lush experience with a lush price tag but if you’d like to try a ryokan but still have western and Japanese restaurants and other options on-site AND the customer service style of a western hotel – this might be a good option for you?
These ryokan rooms can accommodate up to 5 people (of these 5, only 3 max can be adults.) Everything about a stay here (with or without kids is classy and elegant.) The Japanese style breakfast here is exquisite.
Here are some suggestions of other things to do in the Shinagawa area with kids.
Section L Tsukiji
Located in Tsukiji (near the fish market) and it is an apartment hotel. The rooms have a kitchen and a washer and dryer- all in the room. They can cater for families of up to 5 people.
15 mins walk to the centre of Ginza.
OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE AT HANEDA AIRPORT
If you’re looking for a hotel that is connected to Haneda Airport (if you have a late arrival or an early departure)… I recommend staying at
The Royal Park Hotel, The Haneda.
They have deluxe twin rooms that sleep up to 4 people or family rooms that sleep as many as 6 people.
The Hotel Villa Fontaine Haneda Airport
This hotel is directly connected to international terminal 3 at Haneda Airport.
They have family rooms and Japanese-Western style rooms that sleep up to 4 adults and 1-2 small children if they bedshare.
OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE IN HAKONE
If you are going to do a traditional ryokan as a family in Hakone I recommend the following options:
See here for more information on staying in a ryokan in Japan with kids and here for information on visiting Hakone with kids.
Hakone Onsen Ryokan Yaeikan
This beautiful Ryokan welcomes families and, unlike some ryokans in the area, it is very easy to access as you take the train to Hakone Yumoto Station and then the “various Ryokans in the area” shuttle to your property for 100 yen per person (from the station you could walk for 5 mins instead but I don’t recommend walking around mountainous and narrow streets in Hakone with suitcases.) The shuttle is orange and white and you can see a picture of it on the Hakone Onsen Ryokan website here. There are two beautiful public onsens to choose from and one smaller option that you can reserve to use just as a family by the hour (no swimwear allowed at anytime, of course.) Like almost all onsens, the mens and womens side changes for morning and night so that everyone who stays for the night has the chance to try the different onsen options. Sorry but no tattoos allowed here.
Dinner and breakfast are made using seasonal ingredients and the presentation alone is stunning. They do have a children’s menu so please email in advance to request kids meals. This hotel also provides slippers and yukata for children to use during their stay. The ryokan is able to provide a vegetarian menu if given advance notice. Please note that the amount of food in your meals is so generous and you will have a proper traditional Japanese feast!
You can also reserve an aroma massage during your stay.
This ryokan can cater to as many as 8 people in one room (and many of those rooms have their own private onsen too!)
If you have a car or take a taxi, this playground is just 10 mins drive from here.
Hotel Kanansui in Gora, Hakone are an amazing choice if you need gluten free options. They can cater for coeliac guests for a traditional kaiseki dinner AND breakfast daily. They also use local ingredients. This is a very simple hotel but has lovely food options and lovely green views. The staff here will collect you from the station. The food is the highlight but also some of their rooms can accommodate as many as 9 people.
Hakone Yutowa is a beautiful place to stay for families. If you have allergies or are coeliac/ gluten free the breakfast is marked clearly with allergens and (if given advance notice) they can bring dinner options out without sauces or marinades etc. The hotel has a reading library and a fire pit so its the perfect place to just stop moving and relax for this part of your Japan holiday. There is also a kids playroom with blocks and some other toys and a “play lounge” for bigger kids with board games and jenga. In the library section, soft drinks and tea are provided free for guests at any time – and unlimited alcoholic drinks from 7pm – 10pm.
This hotel has a public bath but also a smaller bath that you can rent for just you and your family for 30 mins at a time (perfect if you don’t yet feel comfortable getting naked in front of strangers – please note: NO swimsuits allowed in the baths at any time. If you don’t want to go naked then best skip these baths all together and just make use of your in room facilities.) Some rooms can accommodate up to 5 people.
Hotel Okada is another fabulous option for families. Many of their rooms offer western style bedding as an alternative to futons (for those who don’t like the idea of sleeping on futons – we, personally, love it but I know it’s not an option for everyone.) This ryokan hotel is also incredible for staying at with a baby- you can ask to rent items such as a baby bath, a diaper bin, a toilet training seat to go on the toilet and many more – see the full list of all the options for babies at Hotel Okada here. Hotel Okada is really easy to access too – they have a shuttle from Hakone Yumoto Station for 200 yen per person (or you can take a taxi.)
There is a rooftop foot spa on the 8th floor and you can take in the green views of Hakone from up there while warming and relaxing your feet. There are also two restaurants within the hotel.
They also have in-house karaoke rooms to rent and a pool for summertime (open only late July – late August). The hotel also has a table tennis table for guests to use and a small game arcade. There are 5 hot spring baths within the hotel. Please note that no swimwear is allowed.
You can also rent a smaller bath for 45 mins at a time to use with just your family- as a private booking (please note that no swimwear is allowed.) *Some rooms also have their own private onsen baths.
This hotel can accommodate up to 7 people in a room (although 5 adults max.)
Please note that if you have special dietary requirements, you will need to give the hotel as much notice as possible.
I recommend staying here and just having down time for 1-2 nights.
See even more accommodation recommendations for staying in Hakone here.
OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE IN OSAKA
I know I already mentioned it above with the other Mimaru recommendations BUT I think it is also worth adding that Mimaru Namba Station not only has lots of space but they also have a board game room near the lobby (you can use as many of their board games as you like) and offer free coffee between 7am-11am and free coffee and soft drinks from 3pm -9pm.)
The Randor Suites in Namba Osaka Suites
They offer large rooms. The Randor Suites Osaka Suites have a family room with a double bed and queen bed in the one room.
Ostay Vermilliion Namba has family rooms that accommodates up to 6 people. There is also an in-room washing machine and a small kitchenette in the room too. Please note that, although this hotel advertises themselves as Namba, they are actually quite a hike /taxi or train ride from Namba Station.
Swissotel Nankai Osaka – This hotel has interconnecting rooms – fabulous for families. This hotel also has triple rooms. This hotel has cots/cribs available on request (limited number so email to reserve asap).
Children 12 and under can eat breakfast for free here. This hotel also has a gym, jacuzzi, sauna and swimming pool (Please note that children 6 and younger are not allowed to use the pool and those between 7-16 years of age can only use the pool between 9am-6pm. Cost to use the pool, even for guests, is 2000 yen per person per day.) Swissotel Nankai Osaka also has several restaurants, including Teppanyaki, Chinese and Japanese restaurant options.
Nest Hotel Umeda This is the perfect hotel. Rooms are small, clean and modern. The lobby area is done up beautifully and is set up like a lovely communal lounge room so this hotel would be great for families who plan on getting many separate rooms or a few families who are travelling together. It’s really affordable and you can all catch up in the lobby at the start and end of the day for a chat or for making plans. Room types are double, twin and triple. Some rooms have sofa beds and can sleep up to 5 people (if some of those 5 people are small children.)
The Rise Osaka Namba isn’t fancy but it does have bunk beds and can accommodate families of 5 and 6 in their family rooms. It is 12 mins walk from Namba Station. The rooms are very spacious and there is a nice breakfast here too.
Hankyu Respire Hotel Osaka is located in Umeda – an area I love for shopping and dining so much (I speak more about it here.) This hotel isn’t super fancy or anything but has lots of different room types and even offers connecting rooms for up to 5 people – even more if you have children who are small enough to bedshare. This hotel has it’s own restaurant for breakfast and also serves italian and mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. You can see the full Hankyu Respire Hotel Osaka restaurant’s menus here. The hotel offers baby toys rental and can also organise for baby related items such as baby blankets, baby baths, diapers and baby cutlery. You can also rent strollers for children under 15kgs and scooters (if you are a staying guest.) There is also an in-house coin laundry and gym. Level 5 of the hotel also has a small children’s playground and game arcade.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba is a great, affordable option for families. 10 mins walk from Namba Station and 10 mins is quite a walk for Japan so consider if this will impact your holiday before you book. They can also organise for connecting rooms so a family of 6 can all stay together (this is also a fab options for parents who like to stay up after their kids go to bed.). This hotel also has a buffet breakfast in the morning and the same restaurant is used at a lounge for guests in the afternoons and evenings where guests can help themselves to complimentary soft drinks. This is also one of the few hotels that lets guests check in earlier than check-in time at 3pm (if the room is ready, of course) for an additional 1000 yen an hour. Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba also have an in-house coin laundry.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka is a higher end of hotel (and a price tag to match) but it is beautiful and the hotel is connected to the Namba Parks shopping complex. The family rooms here have a king bed and a set of bunk beds – so it is great for a family of four who really like to stay in 5 star hotels. This hotel also can organise for connecting rooms for larger families. This hotel has a spa for beauty and massage treatments – there is also a rooftop fine dining restaurant.
Candeo Osaka The Tower
I love this brand. The rooms are lovely and clean and the staff at reception are so helpful. There is also a rooftop (enclosed) public onsen style pool, seperated by genders, of course (Please note that you can not wear swimsuits here. This is an authentic Japanese public bath – for hotel guests only.) Each guest room also has a small ensuite (some rooms also have a bath.) Candeo Osaka The Tower is 6 mins walk from Yodoyabashi Station. There is a breakfast restaurant here and, at lunch and dinner time, this restaurant becomes an Italian buffet restaurant with a view. Some of the suite rooms here can accommodate as many as 6 adults. This hotel can arrange connecting rooms for larger families.
Many of the official Universal Studios Japan hotels can accommodate up to 8 people with lots of different types of room configurations. I’ve written in detail about the options for families staying close to Universal Studios in Osaka here. Please note that this takes you out of the city centre.
Here are my more general Kyoto accommodation recommendations.
This is where I would stay at a Machiya ( an old teahouse in the teahouse district.). They are soooo beautiful. See here.
HoteI Imagine Kyoto
I love Hotel Imagine Kyoto . It’s just minutes on foot from Kyoto Station too.
Good Nature Hotel,Kyoto
Good Nature Hotel in Kyoto has beautiful big modern rooms. Their Deluxe Corner Room, Purple Dried Flower Room, White Dried Flower Room and Superior Twin sleeps 3 adults. The “Welcome Baby” room sleeps 4.
Kyoisuke Inn, Kyoto
Kyoisuke Inn, Hokomachi is a stand alone house (an old tea house actually) and it has an outdoor and indoor private bath.
This house is just 6 minutes walk from Kyoto’s Nishiki Market and sleeps up to 7 adults. Their website is a bit tricky to navigate so I recommend looking at booking via booking.com
Randor Residential Hotel Kyoto Suites sleep 5-6 people per room (and one of their rooms even sleep 7 people.) There is a mixture of Japanese and Western Style Rooms.
Please note that this hotel is 15 mins walk from Kyoto Station (or 7 mins/800 yen in a cab.) Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto, Shijo Karasuma
This hotel can do connecting rooms (they also will provide doorstops in order to keep the doors open between the rooms) and their Twin Queen Family Suite sleeps up to 6 adults. This hotel has an all day restaurant called Together & Co. (salads, burgers, steak, pasta.) This hotel is 10 mins (approx 900 yen) in a taxi from Kyoto Station. Pocket Hotel, Kyoto Shijo Kand Pocket Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo (there are two locations)
This is a great option if you are on a tight budget. These are basically hostels but are clean and each room has it’s own lock for privacy.
For women travelling with just a female child- there is a women only floor option.
Bathrooms are communal – separated by gender (ie. there is a woman’s shower room and a men’s shower room.)
The hotel provides pyjamas for guests to use during their stay.
They also have connecting rooms -so you can have one set of bunks in one room connected to a room with another set of bunk rooms making it a total of 4 people (and you could get several of these types of rooms for larger families.) The Karasuma Gojo option has rooms with two sets of bunk beds (ie. sleeps 4 people in one room) AND they have an option with one set of bunk beds and two single beds pushed together to make one big bed (ie. sleeps 4 people in one room.)
Starbucks is just on the corner of the Kyoto Shijo Karasuma hotel . There is a gyoza restaurant literally next door called Motoi Gyoza. They welcome families with kids and have space to store strollers while you dine. The Kyoto Shijo Karasuma Hotel is also 1 min walk from Nishiki Market.
Ryokans in Miyajima
Nest Hotel Ekimae
For staying in Hiroshima, I would recommend Nest Hotel Ekimae. It is right next to ( 4 mins walk) Hiroshima Station. Location is amazing. Rooms are clean and new. Simple brekkie restaurant downstairs. I found it to be so lovely and very reasonably priced. You could get a studio suite that sleeps 9 people.Kiro Hotel Hiroshima
I haven’t stayed here personally but I have been recommended to stay at Kiro Hotel in Hiroshima with kids.
It is situated near Okonomimura. Rooms sleep up to families of 6. They have an on-site coin laundry. *A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
There is also a communal space with a bar and coffee stand.
Fav Hotel (There are two options in Hiroshima)
These hotels are apartment hotels with a kitchenette. The rooms sleep up to 6 people and are spacious. The bedding is bunk style but the bottom beds are queen sized. Please note that these hotels are unmanned so you will need to hail your own taxis on the street (which is easy) and won’t be able to forward luggage directly to and from the hotel.
OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR MORE IN NAGOYA
Nikko Style Nagoya
Although I haven’t been lucky enough to stay here I attended a virtual tour of Nikko Style Nagoya and was so impressed with the facilities and family friendly options.The Nikko Style Nagoya hotel is 10-15 minutes walk from the station ( or approx 1000 yen in a taxi) and the whole hotel is so modern and filled with Nagoya specific artwork ingredients and special touches. This includes the materials in the rooms and the locally sourced ingredients in their restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
One particular touch I love is their in-house bike rental services – and this includes bikes for children.
The premises is non-smoking except for one “smoking room” on the lobby floor.
The breakfast menu has three options ( one of them being a Japanese breakfast option) and the restaurant does have high chairs for babies. In the evening, the on-site restaurant welcomes families. See the Nikko Style Nagoya restaurant/cafe menu here.
Room types extend to “Premier” and “Deluxe” Triple Rooms. (these rooms allow up to 3 adults and 2 children – provided those two children are young enough to share beds with adults.) As you can see from their site, the rooms are much bigger than standard Japanese business hotel rooms at very, very affordable prices.
This hotel is also just 3 minutes walk from the Yanagibashi seafood produce markets.
See here for my family friendly places to visit and dine in Nagoya with kids.
COULD WE DO IT CHEAPER?
Staying with a larger family in big cities (especially Tokyo) is expensive and not easy to find somewhere you can all stay all together.
I guess if you prefer to cut costs over convenience, assistance and comfort – you could
-look at dormitory style accommodation
-you can stay outside of the city and commute
-you can split the group/family up into several small rooms so you’re paying more like 10,000yen x 2 or 3
See here if you are looking for hotels with more than one room ( so that children can go to sleep before parents, for example.)
Here is my answer to the common question “Do Japanese taxis take more than 4 people?”
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