Fun for Kids and Adults Alike! 23 Best Family-Friendly Tourist Spots in Tokyo

Public transportation in Tokyo is often crowded due to the high population density. Depending on the time and day, you might have to ride packed trains.
Even adults find rush hour trains tough, so it can be especially stressful for kids.
Stations and tourist spots are also busy, and people walk quickly. Kids might bump into others or even get lost.
To save energy for sightseeing, both for you and your kids, try to plan your trip so that travel time is as short as possible.

To avoid spending too much time and energy on getting around, it’s best to focus on areas where there are several attractions or places where you can spend half a day or longer.
Tokyo has many areas packed with theme parks, leisure facilities, and sightseeing spots. It’s easy to plan a trip that both parents and kids will enjoy.

Business hotels or places not designed for families often have small rooms, and it can be hard for kids to play inside.
If you can’t relax at your hotel after a long day of sightseeing, it’ll be hard to enjoy the next day to the fullest.
So, choose a hotel with family rooms and facilities or plans that make it comfortable for parents and kids to stay together.

KidZania Tokyo is a hands-on city where kids ages 3 to 15 can try out around 100 different jobs and activities, with pavilions from approx 60 real companies.
The indoor city is built at about two-thirds the size of the real world and is spread across two floors. On the first floor, you'll find a central plaza and a theater, and you might spot sightseeing buses and fire trucks driving through the streets.
There's also a parents' lounge on the second floor, which is a relaxing space just for adults.

A cutting-edge aquarium where sound, light, video, and sea creatures come together.
Relax as you watch jellyfish gently drifting in the spacious "Jellyfish Ramble," a 9-meter wide and 35-meter deep area enhanced with sound and light effects.

Opened in 1882, Ueno Zoo was the first zoo in Japan. Located in central Tokyo, it’s an urban zoo that preserves nature and is home to approx 300 species and 3,000 animals.
The grounds are divided into East and West Gardens. The popular giant pandas can be seen in two places: the "Giant Panda House" in the East Garden and "Panda Forest" in the West Garden.

Japan’s only comprehensive national science museum dedicated to natural history and the history of science and technology, located in Ueno Park.
The "Japan Gallery" showcases the nature and formation of the Japanese archipelago, the development of the Japanese people, and their relationship with nature. There’s also a museum shop and theater on the basement floor.

At Miraikan, the humanoid robot "ASIMO" and androids "Alter" and "Otonaroid" are especially popular. "ASIMO" gives live demonstrations, letting you imagine a future where humans and robots live together. "Alter" moves in complex, lifelike ways, while "Otonaroid" looks just like a real person. These cutting-edge exhibits pose questions like "What is life?" and "What does it mean to be human?" and are rare even worldwide.

The Ghibli Museum is located in Mitaka, Tokyo, and is run by director Hayao Miyazaki.
Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985, is a Japanese animation studio known for planning and producing films by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. Famous works include "My Neighbor Totoro," "Castle in the Sky," "Kiki’s Delivery Service," "Spirited Away," and "Howl’s Moving Castle"—all beloved classics of Japanese cinema.

An indoor theme park run by Sanrio, home to popular characters like "Hello Kitty," "Gudetama," and "My Melody."
Sanrio character shows and parades feature full-scale performances with stories, dance, and music.
There are plenty of photo spots, and you can even take pictures with the characters.

Yomiuriland is a long-standing amusement park that spans Inagi City in Tokyo and Kawasaki City in Kanagawa.
It’s just approx 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku, making it easy to get to. Besides a variety of attractions, there’s a pool in summer and illuminations in winter, so both kids and adults can enjoy it all year round.

Located in Shinagawa Kumin Park, right by the canal, this aquarium opened in 1991. With the theme "Connecting with the Sea and Rivers," it features approx 450 species and 4,000 sea creatures. Through shows and seasonal events, you can get up close, observe, and learn about the fish.

Under a huge glass dome 30.7 meters high, you can see schools of bluefin tuna, swimming penguins, and rare creatures from oceans around the world.
There’s also a giant kelp forest—the world’s largest seaweed—and a section for seabirds that rely on the ocean for their habitat.

Tokyo Skytree Town is centered around the Tokyo Skytree, a 634-meter-tall broadcasting and sightseeing tower. Inside the tower, there are two observation decks at 350 meters and 450 meters.
It’s a popular leisure spot for both tourists and locals, especially on weekends.

Tokyo Tower opened in 1958. At 333 meters tall, it was once the tallest self-supporting steel tower in the world, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Located in Minato Ward, central Tokyo, you can enjoy sweeping views of the city from the observation deck.
The tower continues to evolve with ongoing renovations.

With the theme "Play, Create, Meet," this museum lets people of all ages enjoy playing with toys. The building, a former elementary school built before World War II, has been renovated with lots of domestic wood, creating a warm and welcoming space.

Located on the rooftop of the large Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro, this aquarium is divided into three areas: "Journey in the Sky," "Journey in the Ocean," and "Journey by the Waterside."
In the outdoor "Journey in the Sky" area, you can see Cape penguins swimming as if they’re flying above the city in a 12-meter-wide overhead tank called "Penguins in the Sky."

Located on the 5th and 6th floors of the West Yard in Tokyo Skytree Town.
This fully indoor aquarium uses a unique artificial seawater system to create comfortable and beautiful tanks for its creatures.
With the concept "The closer you get, the more you’ll love it," you can see the animals up close.

This brand-new walk-through entertainment facility, where you can experience the behind-the-scenes of the "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" movies, opened on June 16, 2023.
It’s the first of its kind in Asia and the world’s largest indoor "Harry Potter" facility.

"Trick art" is a style of art born in Japan that uses optical illusions to create fun experiences and photos, letting you become part of the artwork.
At the Tokyo Trick Art Museum, you can enjoy "Japanese-style trick art" themed on Edo from approx 300 years ago, as well as many classic trick art masterpieces.

A city hotel with great access, located just approx 2 minutes on foot from Shinagawa Station, one of Japan’s main gateways.
The hotel consists of four towers, including the Main Tower, and has 3,554 guest rooms—one of the largest in Japan.
There are also plenty of facilities on the premises, including restaurants, entertainment, and sports facilities.

At Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo, you can enjoy night views of Tokyo Skytree and the city’s skyscrapers.
It’s just a 3-minute walk from JR Sobu Line "Kinshicho Station," so getting around is easy.
The hotel has family rooms certified as "Welcome Baby" accommodations, so you can stay with babies and young children without worry.
Family rooms come with amenities like bottle sterilizers and diaper changing sheets, making things easier for families.
Since you take off your shoes in the room, the floors stay clean—a nice highlight for families with small kids.

At Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel, which is popular as a "hotel you can stay in like an art museum," you’ll find art everywhere—from the entrance to the guest rooms and even the large public bath.
Family rooms are available, and since up to five people can stay in one room, families with three kids can all sleep together. Kids’ pajamas are also provided.
There’s a free kids’ room (with adult supervision required), perfect for keeping little ones entertained while you wait.
It’s approx 7 minutes to Tokyo Station and approx 9 minutes to Maihama Station (the nearest station to Tokyo Disneyland), so it’s a great base for sightseeing.

If you want your kids to try different experiences, start your morning at the Tokyo Trick Art Museum, where you can enjoy Japanese-style trick art themed on Edo from approx 300 years ago. In the afternoon, head to KidZania Tokyo, where children ages 3 to 15 can try out approx 100 different jobs and activities.
There are plenty of other leisure facilities around Odaiba, so you can use this course as a base and explore even more fun spots.

If you want to spend the day at theme parks, try this course that lets you visit two of Tokyo’s most popular parks—Sanrio Puroland and Yomiuriland—in one day.
Both parks are packed with attractions, so you’ll have plenty to enjoy all day long.
They’re a bit outside central Tokyo, but that means less crowds and less stress during your travels.

Spend your morning at Ueno Park, visiting Ueno Zoo and the National Museum of Nature and Science. In the afternoon, head to Ikebukuro to check out Sunshine Aquarium.
Ueno and Ikebukuro are easy to get between, making this a great course for families who want to learn and play together.

Tokyo Disneyland, known as the "Kingdom of Dreams and Magic," is a huge theme park just approx 15 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
Popular attractions include classics like "Splash Mountain" and "It’s a Small World." In 2020, "Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast" and "Baymax’s Happy Ride" joined the lineup. Enjoy everything this ever-evolving kingdom has to offer!

Located next to Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea is part of the Tokyo Disney Resort.
The park is inspired by stories and legends of the sea, with seven themed ports.
Popular attractions include "Soaring: Fantastic Flight," which opened in 2019, and "Toy Story Mania!" where you can play shooting games with Woody and Buzz.
Besides rides, there are shows like "Mickey & Friends’ Harbor Greeting," where Mickey and friends wave from a boat. There’s so much to do, you can’t experience it all in just one day!

This museum in Kawasaki is dedicated to manga artist Fujiko·F·Fujio, creator of "Doraemon" and "Perman," who lived in the area for many years.
Special exhibitions share the themes of "dreams," "wonder," and "playfulness" found in his works.
You can see original drawings that are rarely displayed and watch exclusive short films.