When you travel in Japan with your kids, choosing what to eat can be one of the biggest challenges. Will your picky kids go hungry? Will some restaurants refuse to serve children? What if you cannot read the menu?
Luckily, in this article, we share our first-hand advice to help your family enjoy Japanese food more easily. Your trip will also be smoother.
1. Family Chain Restaurants are Your First Choice
Curry is the most popular dish at family restaurantsIf your child only wants familiar Western food, is picky, or can't sit still, family chain restaurants are always the best choice.
They serve a wide range of Western and Japanese dishes, have picture menus with English, offer kids' meals, and some even have gacha machines to keep children entertained.
You can find many family chain restaurants in Japan's major cities, like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Popular options include Gusto for both Western and Japanese dishes, Royal Host for a slightly more upscale meal, Coco Ichibanya for curry, and Denny's for an American-style diner.
2. Go to Family Chain Restaurants If Your Kids Have Allergies
Family chain restaurants in Japan clearly label allergens and even offer low-allergen kids' meals. This makes it easy to enjoy your meal without worry and saves you from having to explain everything.
Make sure to bring your child's allergy medication with you. You might see advice online about preparing a Japanese allergy card, but honestly, it may not help much.
Most restaurants in Japan don't customize dishes. Also, many foods contain fish broth, and soy sauce often includes wheat, so avoiding certain allergens can be difficult.
3. High-End Restaurants are Not Recommended for Families
An Upscale Restaurant in JapanWe don't recommend high-end restaurants like Michelin-starred or omakase spots for families, especially when traveling with young children.
Kids will find the meal slow and boring. Meals at these restaurants often take two hours or more.
Moreover, most high-end restaurants in Japan don't accept children. Many have strict age rules to keep the dining atmosphere quiet and refined. Children under 12 are usually not allowed.
A few fancy restaurants do accept children, but they usually have other rules. For example, they may only allow families in private rooms, expect kids to stay quiet the whole time, or welcome families only on weekends.
4. Use Google Translate for Language Help
Worried you won't be able to order or enjoy your food because you don't speak Japanese? Don't be! I've been to Japan three times without knowing the language and still enjoyed lots of delicious food.
Google Translate is a great tool for ordering. You can snap a photo of a Japanese menu to see what's on it quickly and even use it to have a simple conversation with the staff.
Restaurants near popular sightseeing spots usually have English or picture menus. Just point to what you want and say, "This one," to order easily.
If you book with us, our private guide will handle everything. Just tell them what you'd like to eat, and they'll take care of all communication with the restaurant staff. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy your meal.
5. Kids Are Welcome in Most Japanese Restaurants
Conveyor belt sushi restaurants are great for familiesMost restaurants in Japan welcome families with children. The exceptions are some small izakaya (Japanese pubs), smoking-friendly restaurants, and high-end places.
A smart way is to check Tabelog. It tells you if the restaurant you want to visit welcomes kids.
Some izakayas do allow kids, but they are really more for adults. Locals usually go there for drinks after work. The food can be limited, and your kids might not like it.
The food we ate at an izakayaWe know you want to enjoy your own meal while traveling. Here's a simple solution: feed the kids first, then take them to an izakaya. You can order them snacks like fries, fried chicken, or ice cream while you relax and enjoy your meal.
6. Choose Food Halls in Department Stores or Train Stations If You Have Picky Kids
Food halls in department stores or train stations are perfect for family meals, especially if your kids are picky or can't decide what they want.
You'll find a variety of food, from ramen and curry to udon, sushi, Chinese dishes, and tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet). There's something for everyone.
Each restaurant shows food samples in its window, making it easy for you and your kids to explore and decide what to eat as you walk around.
7. Let Your Kids Choose a Restaurant from the Food Samples
Food samples outside restaurantsIf your kids can't decide what to eat, try this simple trick: let them pick the restaurant by looking at the food samples outside.
Many restaurants in Japan display plastic food samples in their windows. They look almost like the real thing. Let your kids have a look and pick whatever catches their eye; that's the restaurant your family goes to.
8. You Can Buy Fried Chicken at Convenience Stores
Japanese convenience stores have lots of snacksIf your child wants fried chicken with almost every meal, convenience stores on nearly every corner will be your lifesaver.
Stores like FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson sell bagged fried chicken all year round. Karaage-kun is one of the most popular brands.
Besides, convenience stores have lots of snacks, including milk, instant noodles, pudding, candy, and more. If your kids aren't full or just want a little treat, taking them to a store is always a good idea.
Honestly, every time I finish a meal in Japan, I can't help but stop by a convenience store. I'm not hungry, but there are so many snacks that picking a few feels like a little treasure hunt.
9. Use HappyCow App to Find Vegetarian Restaurants
We highly recommend the HappyCow app for finding vegetarian restaurants in Japan. It has an up-to-date list, so you can even find options in remote areas.
Vegetarian-friendly restaurants are much easier to find in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Outside the major cities, options are limited. If you can't find a vegetarian restaurant nearby, convenience stores have choices like rice balls, tofu, and salads.
For authentic Japanese vegetarian food, we can arrange for you to experience Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine) at temples in Mount Koya or Kyoto.
10. Get to Restaurants Early to Skip the Lines
To avoid crowds and long waits, try to arrive at restaurants early. For lunch, aim to get there between 11 and 11:30 am, and for dinner, between 5 and 6 pm.
From my experience in Japan, lunch is busiest between 12 and 2 pm, and dinner between 6 and 8 pm. Some restaurants, especially near popular tourist spots, can have waits of up to an hour during these times.
Join our 8-Day Essential Japan Family Trip with Culinary Delights! See the best of Japan, enjoy a food tour without waiting, and try fun hands-on activities.
11. Try Restaurants Without Waiting
In Japan, delicious food is everywhere. You don't have to wait in long lines to eat at popular restaurants.
Many small restaurants with no wait are just as tasty. Finding a place to eat can be a fun family adventure. Take a walk with your kids, look around, and try a spot where you see locals eating.
You'll avoid the stress of waiting in line and might even discover some unexpected surprises along the way.
12. You Don't Need to Reserve Restaurants in Advance
Most restaurants accept walk-insMost restaurants in Japan accept walk-ins. You usually don't need to reserve a restaurant in advance. Your family schedule can change, and you may not know exactly when or where you'll eat.
High-end restaurants, anime-themed cafés (like the Pokémon Café), and very popular spots usually need reservations.
If you and your kids already have a restaurant in mind, you can book in advance. Our Japan travel advisors can help plan your trip around it.
13. Get to Know Japanese Dishes Your Kids Will Like Before Your Trip
Your kids might not be used to Japanese food; the savory flavors are very different from the cheesy or sweet tastes they know.
To help your kids enjoy meals in Japan, try these popular dishes: tempura (lightly battered and fried foods), tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet), conveyor belt sushi, and ramen.
RamenWagyu14. Bring Your Kids' Favourite Food When Going to Remote Places
Before going to smaller or remote areas, grab some snacks, bagged fried chicken, or other foods your kids like at a convenience store.
In remote areas of Japan, there are fewer restaurants, and most serve Japanese food that your kids might not enjoy.
Ready to Create Your Family Adventure in Japan?
Family we serve in JapanDon't worry about picking activities, choosing hotels, arranging transportation, or balancing everyone's interests. We've got it all covered! We know what your family needs, even the little things you might not think of.
Contact us today, and let's customize your family trip together!
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