I’ve spoken about strollers in Japan at length and I get messages daily from people asking me if they should take their stroller to Japan (short answer: 1000000% YES! and I explain why you need to bring a stroller to Japan here) but most of my private messages are from people already in Japan who regret not bringing their stroller from home and are now in a pickle.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
So, I must admit, in my head I’m constantly thinking “bring your stroller from home!” but I understand that … once you’re in Japan… that’s not so helpful.
So here are your options if you need a stroller:
1) Ask your hotel if they have a stroller you can use (hint – in Japan, a stroller is called a “baby car” and is more easily understood that way.)
For example,at Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan in Takayama – you also make use of a stroller while you stay here and other accessories such as a toddler seat for the toilet or a change table for your room. They also provide baby chairs and high chairs for babies and toddlers.
2) Buy a stroller from your closest Toys R Us or Aeon Mall or on Amazon Japan (warning – this is not a cheap option but is the most reliable option. On Amazon Japan this stroller is popular and can arrive to a Japanese address in 1-2 days – if in stock.). If you are out near Narita Airport and need a stroller –the Aeon Mall in Narita also has some options.
3) Try your luck at a second hand store in Japan such as Bookoff or Hardoff for options.
4) Rent a stroller from Japan with Family (Tokyo only) *She has recently introduced a double stroller option.
5) Rent a stroller from Sakura Stroller Rental (Tokyo only) No website – just a facebook page and takes a while to respond as it’s just someone running this rental business from home. As with any facebook page agreement – please be careful to check the most secure way to transfer money before sending.
6) Rent a stroller from Baby Cal stroller rental spaces within some Tokyo train stations.
Baby Cal has set up stroller rental options in some Tokyo train stations. You need to reserve a stroller ahead of time but this service is available only in Japanese so you will need to get your hotel concierge to set this up for you ( I speak more here about why it’s so great to book a hotel in Japan with an English speaking front desk, especially when travelling with kids, here.). Baby Cal strollers can be borrowed for up to 7 days at a time. It is 1500 yen to rent a baby cal stroller for 12 hours. BabyCal unmanned and manned rental bases are all over Japan. Search for your closest Baby Cal location here . Please note that these strollers are only for children lighter than 18kgs.
7) It’s not common but some hotels lend out strollers to hotel guests.
For eg. Dotonbori Hotel is a very very very simple business hotel in Osaka who welcome families. It really is a no frills option but they do have some nice perks like tea and coffee (from a vending machine) for guests in the lobby as well as unlimited ice-creams, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks for guests between 3pm-9pm. This hotel is 3 mins walk from Namba Station. Their biggest room is a triple room with three large single beds (the rooms are very small.) This hotel rents out adult bikes and strollers for free to all staying guests.
8) I haven’t used this company before but have heard of Stroller Trip.
Can I leave my stroller behind or gift to another family after my holiday in Japan?
This is something that sometimes comes up. People plan to bring a stroller and ditch it before they return to their home country. Or they hope to regift it to another travelling family.
It does sound simple, in theory. But, from someone who hears from families who are travelling in Japan every day – it’s not as easy as that.
In Japan, it costs money to dispose of larger items. So, that means, if you leave an item like a stroller or an old suitcase behind, you will be charged by the hotel after the fact.
Also, it’s very difficult to get another family to take over your stroller (for the same reasons that they don’t want to get stuck with the rubbish bill at the end and also you need to find someone who can collect it on the very day you no longer need it.)
If you’re interested on which other items I recommend packing or preparing ahead before travelling to Japan with children, I think you’ll like reading my Packing for Japan with Kids blog post here.
