Planning a family trip to Tokyo? Here is how to navigate the city with kids, skip the tantrums, and find a hotel where everyone fits.
“We want to take the kids to Tokyo!” It starts as an exciting idea. But as you open Google Maps, the anxiety sets in. “Will my kids get lost in the famous Shibuya Crossing crowds?” “How do we handle the complex subway system with a stroller?” “Wait, do Tokyo hotel rooms really not fit a family of four?”
Tokyo is a wonderland for children—from world-class theme parks to interactive museums—but it can be a logistical challenge for parents. The key to a successful trip isn’t just knowing where to go, but knowing how to travel without burning out.
In this guide, I’ll share the top kid-friendly spots for your 2026 itinerary and the secret to finding spacious, family-approved accommodation.
The Quick Verdict: How to Win at Family Travel
Source：Minn Official Website
For busy parents, here is the bottom line. To survive Tokyo with kids:
- Stick to One Zone: Don’t crisscross the city. Pick one area per day.
- Upgrade Your Base: Skip the cramped business hotels. Book an Apartment Hotel like Minn. With kitchens, in-room laundry, and space for the whole family, it’s the only way to travel sanely.
【Official】Minn Reservations | Experience a “Stay as You Live” Style
(Locations in Ueno, Asakusa, Kasai/Disney, and more. Perfect for families.)
3 Golden Rules for Tokyo with Kids
Before you book tickets, memorize these rules. They will save you from meltdowns (yours and theirs).
1. One Area Per Day
Tokyo’s train system is a marvel, but navigating huge stations like Shinjuku with kids is exhausting.
- The Strategy: Don’t do the Zoo (Ueno) and the Shibuya Sky observation deck in the same day. Group your activities by neighborhood (e.g., “Ueno Day” or “Odaiba Day”) to minimize transit time.
2. Book Everything in Advance
Popular spots like teamLab Planets or the Ghibli Museum sell out weeks in advance.
- The Strategy: Queuing for tickets with a toddler is a nightmare. Buy web tickets for all major attractions before you fly.
3. Have a “Rainy Day” Backup
Tokyo gets rain. Don’t let it ruin your day.
- The Strategy: Always have an indoor option ready, like an aquarium or science museum. (See the list below!)
7 Best Kid-Friendly Spots in Tokyo (By Area)
Here are the “can’t-miss” attractions that are actually worth the hype.
Zone 1: Culture & Animals (Ueno & Asakusa)
- Ueno Zoo: Famous for its Giant Pandas, but the “Children’s Zoo STEP” allows kids to get close to smaller animals. Bonus: Free entry for kids under 12!
- National Museum of Nature and Science: Located in Ueno Park. The “Theater 360” and massive dinosaur skeletons are mind-blowing for curious minds.
- Asakusa Hanayashiki: Japan’s oldest amusement park. It’s small, retro, and perfect for younger kids who can’t do big rollercoasters yet.
Zone 2: Future & Fun (Odaiba & Toyosu)
- KidZania Tokyo: A city built for kids where they can “work” as firefighters, pizza makers, or pilots. It’s immersive and incredibly cute. Reservations essential.
- teamLab Planets TOKYO: The viral “body immersive” art museum. Walking through water and crystal lights is a sensory experience kids love.
- Miraikan (The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation): Meet Asimo the robot and explore space exhibits. Great for a rainy day.
Zone 3: Magic & Characters
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter: A massive walkthrough experience of the Wizarding World sets. Essential for older kids and teens.
- Tokyo Character Street (Tokyo Station): A shopping alley with stores dedicated to Pokémon, Ghibli, Hello Kitty, and more. Great for souvenirs before jumping on the Shinkansen.
The Hotel Problem: Why Standard Hotels Fail Families
Source：Minn Official Website
Sightseeing is fun, but the hotel is where you recharge. Unfortunately, Tokyo hotels are notoriously tiny (often 15 sqm).
- The Split: Families of 4+ are often forced to book two separate rooms.
- The Stress: No space for luggage, no microwave for warm milk, and no laundry for messy clothes.
This is why Apartment Hotels are the new standard for family travel in Japan.
Why “Minn” is the Ultimate Family Base Camp
Minn (with locations in Ueno, Asakusa, Kasai, and Nihonbashi) is designed to solve every parent’s travel headache.
1. Everyone in One Room (Up to 8 People!) Forget splitting up. Minn offers spacious suites where the whole family sleeps together.
- The Fun Factor: Kids love the bunk beds and loft designs. You get a living room to relax in after they go to sleep.
2. The Kitchen = Stress-Free Meals Picky eaters? Tired toddlers? Sometimes you just can’t face a restaurant.
- The Fix: Minn rooms come with kitchens. Buy cereal for breakfast, warm up baby food, or have a “Depachika” (department store food hall) picnic in your room.
3. In-Room Laundry (A Lifesaver) Kids get dirty. Packing 10 days of outfits is impossible.
- The Fix: Most Minn rooms have a washing machine. Wash clothes while you sleep and wake up fresh. You can pack half the luggage!
4. Strategic “Nap-Time” Locations Minn hotels are near major stations.
- The Benefit: If your child needs a midday nap, you can easily pop back to the hotel from Ueno Zoo or Asakusa, recharge, and head out again for dinner.
A Perfect “Tokyo with Kids” Model Itinerary
Source：Minn Official Website
Day 1: Pandas & Old Tokyo
- 10:00: Drop bags at Minn Ueno.
- 10:30: Visit Ueno Zoo (Pandas!).
- 13:00: Street food lunch at Ameyoko Market.
- 15:00: Check in at Minn. Rest in the spacious living room.
- 17:00: Easy walk to Asakusa to see the temple at sunset (less crowded).
- 19:00: Dinner in your room with takeout sushi.
Day 2: Disney & Magic
- 08:00: Leave Minn Kasai (direct bus to Disney).
- All Day: Tokyo Disney Resort.
- 20:00: Back to Minn. Throw sweaty clothes in the washer, bath time, and sleep.
Verdict: Make Memories, Not Stress
Source：Minn Official Website
A family trip to Tokyo should be about the smiles on your kids’ faces, not the stress of logistics. By choosing a spacious, fully equipped Apartment Hotel like Minn, you give your family the comfort of a home base. It’s the difference between “we survived Tokyo” and “we loved Tokyo.”
Family suites book out months in advance.
【Official】Book Minn Here for the Best Rates
(Select from Ueno, Asakusa, Kasai, and more.)