If you’re planning a trip to Japan with kids, this post is full of ideas for family-friendly things to do in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Logan and I had always dreamed of visiting Japan, and this year we finally made it happen with our 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and 4-month-old in tow. It was our first big international trip with three kids, and while I knew it would be different than traveling as just adults, it ended up being one of our favorite family adventures yet.
Traveling with kids always looks a little different. There are more snacks packed, more breaks taken, and sometimes earlier bedtimes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore somewhere as incredible as Japan. Kids are so much more adaptable than we give them credit for, especially when we’re mindful of their basic needs. For us, that meant making sure everyone was well-fed, had time to move and play, and got enough rest (even if it wasn’t always in a bed).
And one of the best parts about traveling to Japan with kids from the United States, with the time change, you naturally get up earlier and go to bed earlier. This is my favorite time change because you beat the crowds in the morning and can have an early night with your kids.
We split our time between Tokyo and Kyoto, two cities that feel worlds apart but both surprisingly family-friendly. If you want to see our full 9-Day Japan Itinerary, you can check out this post.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan with kids, here are eleven of our favorite activities that our kids loved just as much as we did.
Japan with Kids – Tokyo
1. Visit Sensō-ji Temple and Nakamise-Dōri Street
Our first sightseeing stop in Tokyo, Japan with kids was the famous Sensō-ji Temple. We loved seeing the giant red lantern and walking through the temple grounds before the crowds rolled in. You can get kid fortunes for just 100 yen which is about $0.68. Right next to it is Nakamise-Dōri Street, lined with food stalls and souvenir shops. We had fun trying some new, fun snacks and looking at the cute trinkets.
2. Take in the views from Tokyo Skytree and play at the Kids Garden
The Tokyo Skytree ended up being one of our favorite kid-friendly stops in Tokyo. The view from the observation deck was incredible, and the glass-floor area was a hit with the kids. They also had a stamp station there with pieces of paper or if you had your own book, you could stamp it for an easy and inexpensive souvenir.
Down on the 5th floor, the Kids Garden playground was a huge hit. It’s an indoor play area located on the 5th floor of the Solamachi shopping complex, right below the Skytree observation decks. You pay per hour (or can buy a day pass), and it’s 100% worth it if you’re traveling with little ones.
There are climbing structures, slides, and soft play mats perfect for toddlers. There are also themed sets where kids can pretend to run a shop, build with blocks, or play make-believe games. Our kids ran nonstop while we got to sit and relax for a bit (which felt like the ultimate luxury after a long morning).
It’s clean, safe, and stroller-friendly with lockers for shoes and bags, plus a nursing area and restrooms nearby. If you’re visiting the Skytree, this is such a good add-on stop to let your kids recharge before heading out to explore more of Tokyo.
Here is a link to the travel stroller we brought to Japan.
3. Cross the world-famous Shibuya Scramble and people-watch from Starbucks
You can’t go to Japan with kids without experiencing the Shibuya Scramble. Shibuya Scramble Crossing is one of the most famous and busiest pedestrian intersections in the world, located right outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo. Hundreds—sometimes thousands—of people cross the street all at once from every corner.
We crossed it a few times just for fun and then went upstairs to the Starbucks overlooking the intersection. This has such a great view of the crossing and it’s nice to take a little break and grab a snack. The kids sipped hot chocolate while we watched hundreds of people cross below. It was chaotic and mesmerizing in the best way.
4. Try a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant
We ate at Kura Sushi in Shibuya, and it was such a fun experience for the kids (and Logand and I!). Plates of sushi glide by on conveyor belts, and you can grab whatever looks good. We were shocked at how much raw salmon our 5-year-old ate! And after returning a certain amount of plates, you got a little prize which the kids were stoked about.
This was an easy, interactive way to introduce our kids to Japanese food culture.
5. Walk through the peaceful Meiji Jingū Shrine
After the buzz of Shibuya, we loved the calm of Meiji Jingū. The path to the shrine is long and lined with massive trees that make you forget you’re in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities. It’s stroller-friendly and spacious—perfect for kids who need to move and parents who need a breather.
The walk to the main shrine takes about 10 minutes along wide gravel paths shaded by towering trees. It is stroller-friendly and great for kids who just need to run a little. The air feels cooler and quieter here, and every few minutes we’d spot a wooden sake barrel display or traditional lanterns hanging along the path.
At the main courtyard, you can watch locals and visitors cleanse their hands at the temizuya (purification fountain) before entering, or write wishes on wooden plaques called ema that hang near the shrine.
6. Spend a magical day at Tokyo DisneySea
DisneySea was an absolute highlight of our trip to Japan with kids. From the Mermaid Lagoon play area to meeting Elsa and riding Tangled-themed rides, the park felt so unique compared to other Disney parks. We picked up Baymax merch for our son (who loves Big Hero 6) and enjoyed the sea-shell ice cream.
Why We Loved Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is really unique compared to the other Disney parks. It’s themed around ocean exploration, with each area designed as a different “port of call,” from Mediterranean harbors to Arabian deserts and an underwater kingdom. As with every Disney park, the attention to detail was spot on.
The rides are what make it stand out most. Some are totally exclusive to Japan, like Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage. And for families, Mermaid Lagoon is pure magic. It’s an indoor, Little Mermaid–themed playland where kids can climb, slide, and explore under glowing “under the sea” lights. It’s a little more geared to toddlers and young kids which was perfect for us.
The snacks and food are what I feel like Tokyo Disney Sea really stand out. They have popcorn in wild flavors like honey and soy sauce butter, seashell-shaped ice cream, and adorable themed desserts everywhere. Japanese Disney fans go all-out with matching outfits and popcorn buckets, which makes the park feel even more joyful.
Everything about DisneySea is beautifully organized and spotless, and it manages to feel both adventurous and peaceful at the same time. It’s easily one of the most stunning Disney parks we’ve ever been to and a must if you’re visiting Japan with kids.
Japan with Kids – Kyoto
7. Wander the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and visit the Monkey Park
Our first Kyoto morning started early at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. I highly recommend getting there early before the crowds. We got there around 7:45 am and it made it extra peaceful, and the tall bamboo felt otherworldly.
After exploring the bamboo grove, we walked back through town and crossed the bridge to visit the Monkey Park. It’s about a 25-minute hike up, and our 5-year-old walked the whole way while we carried our 3-year-old in a carrier. (I would not recommend bringing your stroller). Near the top, there’s a playground the kids had fun playing on. And at the top where most of the monkeys are, there is a little hut where you can safely feed the monkeys peanuts or apples through a screen, just be sure to bring a little cash. The kids loved it so much we stayed for almost an hour just watching them.
If you’re visiting Japan with kids, this is definitely a must.
8. Feed the deer at Nara Park
Nara Park was another major hit. The deer roam freely through the park and will bow back if you bow to them—it’s the cutest thing ever. We bought packs of deer crackers and the kids couldn’t get enough of feeding them (though we quickly learned to hold the crackers behind our backs or we’d get swarmed!).
The temple grounds nearby are beautiful, and it’s such a unique experience to interact so closely with animals in a cultural setting. I will say, we went inthe evening and it was very crowded. But the deer are all over, you don’t have to be right next to a bunch of people.
9. Visit the Ninja Museum and toss ninja stars
The Ninja Museum in Kyoto was a surprise favorite. We learned about samurai and ninja traditions, moved through different rooms, and ended by throwing ninja stars and dressing up as warriors. Our kids loved the hands-on part, and it’s a great way to balance temples and museums with something interactive. If your kids are really young, most of the tour will be over their head but I’m still glad we went.
10. Walk through the Thousand Torii Gates
We spent our last full day exploring Kyoto’s most iconic spots. The Thousand Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha were incredible—our 5-year-old climbed all the way to the viewpoint! Logan carried our 3-year-old in the carrier for a lot of it. Here is the preschooler carrier we used for her. There are shops along the way if you or your kids need to take a break.
This was a really unique spot with all of the Torii Gates so it was nice to change it up a little for the kids and have add the challenge with all of the steps. It’s definitely something I’d recommend doing earlier in the day to beat the crowds and do it while the kids are fresh.
11. Collect Goshuins (Temple and Shrine Stamps)
One of the most unexpectedly fun parts of our trip to Japan with kids was collecting Goshuins, the special calligraphy stamps you can get at temples and shrines across Japan. Each one is unique to its location and beautifully hand-drawn in brush ink, often with a red stamp seal.
We bought a small Goshuin-chō (stamp book) early in the trip, and it became a favorite ritual for the kids. At every shrine or temple, they’d look for the little sign showing where to get the Goshuin, and we’d hand over our book and a few coins (usually about 300–500 yen). Watching the monks or attendants write them so carefully was mesmerizing.
*You cannot bring your any notebook to get Goshuins, you have to have a special one you buy at one of the shrines*
By the end of our trip, our book was filled with beautiful stamps from Sensō-ji, Meiji Jingū, the Golden Pavilion, and several smaller shrines we stumbled upon. It turned sightseeing into a sort of treasure hunt for the kids—they’d cheer whenever we found a new place that offered one.
If you’re visiting Japan with children, I highly recommend picking up a Goshuin book early on. It’s a simple, cultural activity that gives them something to look forward to at each stop. And it makes for the most meaningful souvenir to take home.
Bonus: Eat all the ramen
From Ichiran Ramen’s cubicle booths in Tokyo to the family-friendly KamuKura Ramen near Nara Park, ramen became our go-to meal. Every bowl we tried was a hit with the kids, and ordering from the ticket kiosks added a fun twist to mealtime.
Japan with kids was so much more doable (and enjoyable!) than I expected. Between efficient trains, friendly people, and a mix of culture, food, and fun—our days were full but never overwhelming. If you’re dreaming about taking your kids to Japan, do it. Just pack your stroller, grab some snacks, and prepare for one of your favorite family adventures yet.
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