I am including a short guide for this area as, sometimes, families choose to stay near Hamamatsucho Station as it is on the Yamanote Line. It is a convenient place to stay and I’m surprised how much this area has recently been “discovered” by tourists.
It’s definitely not a beautiful area but it is very convenient (for lots of different train lines) and there are lots of reasonably priced hotels in this area now (and capsule hotels for adults.
I, personally, find this area to be a bit sterile .. However, it is handy to be near this Yamanote (city loop line) Station.
This area is also not too far from Shiodome and Roppongi / Shiba Park and Tokyo Tower ( all around 10 mins in a cab).
Breakfast near Hamamatsucho Station
Denny’s Japan (note, not the same as Denny’s in the US.).
Open from 6:45am -10pm.
They have a low common allergens menu. There is a change table in the toilets here.
It’s 1 min walk from the North Exit of Hamamatsucho Station. No bookings. Walk-in only. They accept most major credit cards.
Here is the full Denny’s Japan menu.
Hamarikyu Gardens
These gardens are 3 mins (approx 500 yen) in a taxi from JR Hamamatsucho Station. If you decide to walk- it will take approx 20 mins. These gardens are a beautiful way to spend a morning or an afternoon. There is also a teahouse where you can take part in a tea ceremony for less than 700 yen per person (cash only.) Children are also welcome to join in on the ceremony. No need to book ahead. Please keep in mind that you will be removing shoes for the tea ceremony so make sure you have your nice socks on (and if you have sandals on, please have socks ready in your bag.) The ceremony is not too long and quite informal – making it great (and not too boring) for kids.
Where to eat with kids near Hamamatsucho Station: Teppanyaki
For a bit of a fancy dinner in this area, I recommend Teppanyaki Seto Steakhouse. This restaurant welcomes children and also has space to store strollers while you dine. This restaurant is non-smoking and do accept most major credit cards. Budget wise: I would budget for approximately 3000 yen per adult at lunch and more like 13,000 yen at dinner time. Please note that there is a 5% service charge at dinner time. This restaurant serves Wagyu Hamburger Steak and Fillet Steak with Foie Gras. I recommend making a reservation AND asking to sit at the counter so that you can watch your meal being prepared. Please also note that, unlike in some western countries, Teppanyaki in Japan is considered fine dining and the chefs do not put on a show or throw food. I explain more here.
Here is a link to the Teppanyaki Seto lunch menu and here is a link to the dinner menu. This restaurant is 1 min walk from Hamamatsucho Station (South Exit.)
This is quite a high end restaurant so I recommend bringing some colouring or stickers for kids to play with while waiting for their food instead of bringing ipads.
TEPPANYAKI SETO STEAKHOUSE
港区浜松町2-6-5 浜松町エクセレントビル204
2ND FLOOR, 204 HAMAMATSUCHO EXCELLENT BUILDING , 2-6-5 HAMAMATSUCHO, MINATO-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2PM (LAST ORDERS 1:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 6PM-10PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
