At first, when creating the Tokyo guide, I wanted to design itineraries for families visiting Tokyo with children. But when I looked closely at how I actually spend my own days in Tokyo — days that are free from time pressure and the urge to check off tourist highlights — I realised I could hardly imagine being in that fast-paced, first-timer mindset again.
So, what are the five best things to do in Tokyo when you’re visiting for the first time and traveling with (young) children? What do you do when your kids are different ages, with different interests? Simple: you make your own itinerary! But you can sprinkle in a few of my favourite things — for your own mental health (no tourist traps), and for everyone’s curiosity and enjoyment (local gems).
I don’t like being a “Touristy” Tourist
I’ve never really enjoyed being a “touristy” tourist — not in Paris, not in Tokyo, not anywhere. I’ve always been more drawn to what the locals do. Which parks do Tokyoïtes visit on a Friday afternoon after school? Is there an organic market on Saturday morning too in Tokyo? Where do they have dinner as a family on a Saturday night? Or sip an aperitif while the kids play nearby on a terrace?
Personally, I like to visit a place like Meiji Shrine early on a Monday morning, around 9:00. Shops — even coffee shops — are still closed in Harajuku. Tokyo wakes late. You’ll beat the crowds and still breathe in the calm magnificence of the shrine and its surrounding forest.
I love going to local swimming pools in the summer — just 500 yen to cool down. And afterward, I like stopping by a small, informal izakaya for dinner.
5 of my favourite things to do in Tokyo with children!
In this post, I share five of my favourite things to do in Tokyo with children. These are local favourites — mine, my friends’, and my family’s. Add them to your own itinerary! Maybe you’re planning to visit Disneyland (understandably!), but the next morning you can take it slow in a neighbourhood park. You can still choose hidden gems over checklists and calm over crowds.
In The Tokyo Guide, you’ll find all my favourite parks, small museums, indoor playgrounds, swimming pools, karaoke rooms, and much more. These five are just a starting point.
Setagaya Park, Sangenjaya St. or Ikejiri Ohashi St
Setagaya Park is a great place with children. It’s a beautiful park and a popular spot for sakura season. It’s also a favourite weekend hangout of many local families.
There are lots of activities for children. There is an adventure playground, a skate park, a regular playground with a sand pit, swing and slide, a miniature steam locomotive track running through the park and next to the park is a public swimming pool which opens in July and August. It almost sounds like a theme park but in the midst of all the activities is the serenity of lots of green. The park is surrounded by good take away shops, where you can go to get lunch, wine or snacks. You can even get freshly made onigiri and natural wine!
Meguro Pool, Meguro St.
Meguro Pool is a public outdoor swimming pool, very well situated, in between Nakameguro station and Meguro station. It only opens for summer, the months July and August. The entrance fee is only 200 yen for an adult and 100 yen for kids from six years old.
Inside, you find a big pool and a small toddler pool for children up to six years. The toddler pool is separated from the big pool and is quite calm. There is a small slide and the kids are so super happy to be here after a long day in torrid heat, that I enjoy it too. (And honestly, even for me it’s good to cool down.)
Even though you are in Japan and the pool is much cleaner than most public pools I’ve been to, you might feel like taking a bath back home. The building is a bit old and you are not allowed to use soap in the shower.
The first time I went to Meguro Pool, I was called out of the water, because I was still wearing a ring. Also, tattoos are not allowed unless you cover them with clothes or tape. (The ladies of the entrance desk helped Julien to tape his tattoos so he could join us in the toddler pool.) But apart from these rather annoying and strict rules, I can’t hate this pool because it’s been such a life saviour for us. It’s amazing what an hour of pool can do for kids.
Tsutaya at Ginza 6, Ginza St.
On the sixth floor of the department store Ginza 6, Tsutaya books has a lovely gallery often sharing upcoming as well as established Japanese artists. It’s a great department store and the sixth floor is my favourite. There is a huge variety of English books, kids books and other artistic, design items.
Sakuraya, Nakameguro
For sweet hunger, I highly recommend a Taiyaki, a waffle in the shape of a fish, with anko (sweet red azuki bean paste) inside. Or matcha, chocolate, chestnut or whatever the season of the moment has to offer.
I love this place and I have been coming here for years. It’s situated very close to Nakameguro Station and the sweets will make you come back. Perfect for a snack moment and one of those things you HAVE TO DO!
Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, Omotesando St.
Taro Okamoto was an incredible Japanese avant-garde artist, who created paintings as well as playful sculptures. His studio and house for over forty years was turned into the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum only two years after his death. His wife led the reconstruction because she wanted to pass on his knowledge and passion. We are forever grateful she did. It’s one of the best museums I have visited and a wonderful experience with children. His works spoke to them as much as to us.
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