All areas require parents to watch their kids, of course. They also require shoes off while playing (so choose travel shoes accordingly.)
Unfortunately, the majority of the play areas are made with kids 4 and under in mind. Older kids may not be quite as excited by these options.
Be sure to rent a stroller to help you get around, once you’ve checked in all of your luggage.
They even have those cool mini luggage carts with a parent-facing child seat for a toddler. So handy.
TERMINAL 1
5th floor ( before passport control, near the IASS Executive Lounge)
A play space. This is probably the only playcentre that may interest kids who are slightly older. There are tunnels and slides and foam blocks.
On the 5th floor, also before security, is Jad Thai – a fabulous option if you are gluten free. Wheat free items on the menu are clearly marked – best to double check that no soy sauce was used in curries etc.
South Wing on the 4th floor
Here is where you will find the Pokemon Store (it used to be in Terminal 2)
Between gates 41 and 42
A small soft play space next to the gates.
Near gate 51
This is a slightly larger area. It has a shower unit ( not free) and a baby changing and feeding space.
*Extra tip; the Starbucks at Terminal 1 departures has a really good range of “Japan themed” Starbucks mugs.
Vegan options at Japanese Starbucks include:
(Always need to double check in case they have changed the recipe at all, of course)
-the Sugar Donut
-the Mushroom Keema Curry Hot Tortilla
-the Banana Rice Flour Muffin
-the Blueberry Bagel Sandwich
TERMINAL 2
4F of the Main Building ( before passport control)
This is a teeny tiny soft play space. Probably only suitable for kids 1.5 or younger. BUT the advantage? There is a little observation deck right behind this play area where kids ( and adults) can see the planes come in and out. There are even coin operated (100 yen) telescopes available.
There is a sushi train restaurant right near the play area. It is called “Gansozushi.”
Another place to eat and see the planes, in Terminal 2, is a Japanese restaurant called “ Washoku Restaurant Sojibou.” They do have a kids menu. Food is mostly noodles, chicken and egg dishes on rice, grilled and marinated eel on rice, miso soup, Japanese curry, sushi, tempura, beer, sake etc. Be sure to sit near the windows.
This restaurant is non-smoking and accepts credit cards.
At Terminal 2 is a Halal Certified restaurant on the 4th floor (before security) called La Toque. There are also lots of vegetarian food options here.
They accept most major credit cards. They have space to store suitcases while you dine. They also have high chairs.
*Before you go through security at Terminal 2 I highly recommend going to the 4th floor for T’s Tan Tan Ramen.
They sell vegan gyoza, ramen, pizza and pasta. The food is incredible. Ironically, the easiest way to find it? Behind McDonalds.
It’s also a fantastic spot for plane watching too.
And if you want one more plate of sushi before you leave Japan, there is also a Tsukiji Sushiko restaurant on the same (4th) floor. It’s a walk-in only spot (but it does seat 52 people at a time.) They accept most major credit cards. They also have a kids menu (some sushi, a few maki rolls, some tamagoyaki, some rice with seaweed on top) and space to store a stroller while you dine. I would budget for approx 2000 yen per adult for lunch and 4000 yen for dinner. See the Tsukiji Sushiko menu here. (and here for donburi bowls and maki rolls.)
TSUKIJI SUSHIKO
4TH FLOOR OF NARITA AIRPORT, TERMINAL 2 (BEFORE SECURITY)
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11AM-4PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5:30PM-9PM (PLEASE NOTE THAT THEY STAY OPEN BETWEEN MEAL TIMES ON WEEKENDS)
If you are looking for a cool souvenir before security I recommend going to a store called Mono to Art. They stock homewares and accessories from Japanese artists. Their stock is just so beautiful. I adore the packaging too. This store has various items made by different creators.
I particularly love these clear Japanese mini plates (for jewellery etc) made by a company called Toumei. Toumei Asia also have an online site here. They ship within Japan so, you could be super clever and order them just before y0ur holiday and have them send to your hotel.
Toumei Asia products are also sold in some Tsutaya stores and on Yahoo Shopping Japan.
There is also a physical store in between Ueno and Akihabara (details in my Ueno with kids post here.)
It is an acrylic tree. No need to worry about taking it overseas.
Mono to Art also stock work by artist Marina Suzuki. Her work is mostly hand-dyed and hand-painted scarves, cards and pencil cases etc.
You can also purchase her beautiful pieces on the Mono to Art website. Please note that they only ship within Japan. So best to have sent to your hotel while on your Japanese vacation.
If you missed your chance to visit the giant stationery store “Itoya” in Ginza. There is another smaller version inside Narita International Airport. Terminal 2, 4th floor – before security.
Please note that there used to be a Pokemon Store on the 4th floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2 – but it moved to Terminal 1 on Jan 27th, 2025.
The connecting corridor between the main & satellite buildings (after passport control – you’ll find it if heading towards gates 81-99.)
This playspace is the best, in my opinion.
There is lots of space, there is a coffee shop near by and toilets right next to the play area. It’s ideal ( and worth the hike, even if its far from your gate.)
There are all large floor to ceiling windows if your kids love looking at planes, like mine do.
And if you’re looking at these photos below and are worried about a little baby getting squished, there is also a separate ( much smaller) section just saved for the teeny tinies.
At gate 81
This is an enclosed playroom. A small slide, some foam blocks and a step/stage kind of thing. Within the space is a baby change area with a kiddie sized toilet.
Another terminal 2, kid-friendly dining option is Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Narita Airport. for Kobe Beef and Wagyu. This is INSIDE the terminal (once you’ve passed passport control.) It’s a Beef Cutlet restaurant. It is high quality beef, crumbed and fried so that the outside is crunchy and served with a range of sauces (dipping sauces) and rice. The restaurant is entirely non-smoking. They have an English menu. They also accept most major credit cards.
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Narita Airport is in the “Japan Food HalL” section. This restaurant welcomes children and babies.
Each meal is approx 2000 yen. You can see the full Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu menu here. (Click bottom right to change the language to English) This restaurant is walk-in only.
GYUKATSU KYOTO KATSGYU NARITA
2ND FLOOR, JAPAN FOOD HALL SECTION, NARITA AIRPORT, TERMINAL 2, ONCE YOU HAVE PASSED PASSPORT CONTROL
OPEN EVERYDAY 7:30AM-10PM
If you have rented a Japan Wireless Pocket Wifi box, don’t forget that you need to post your wifi box back to the company BEFORE you go through the Departures Gate at Terminal 2. Japan Wireless also have an option now for esims so you also don’t need to pick up or return a box at all – you just pay on their site and receive a QR code and off you go! Please use their “e-sims supported phones list” before making a purchase – the list is easily found on their homepage.
TERMINAL 3
3F area after outbound passport control (not far from the Duty Free pick up counter)
Opposite Gate 161
For Aussies – terminal 3 is the Terminal used for Jetstar.
If you will be using this terminal, I recommend eating in the food court before going through immigration because there really is just one small cafe once you’ve gone through.
FORWARDING LUGGAGE TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
Options at the airports are: JAL ABC or Takkyubin (or Ta-Q-Bin) luggage delivery services. Prior reservation not required.
When sending luggage to the airport in order collect and then check in for your flight? You must send your luggage at least 2 days prior to your date of departure.
At Narita Airport, the place you collect your luggage is right next to the check in counters. It is soooo convenient.
Please note that, if you are flying from Narita Airport on Jetstar from Terminal 3, you will need to go to the luggage counter on the arrivals floor (not the departures floor.) It’s really easy to get to – just take the escalator down from the departure section with the restaurants & the Lawson convenience store (near the toilets.)
I have more information on how to forward luggage in Japan here.
Did you know that the Narita area itself is actually really quaint? I have written about places to see in Narita here.
Read here for help with travelling from central Tokyo to Narita Airport.
I especially love this Museum of Aeronautical Sciences near the airport here too. It’s so cute.
