Travelling in Japan with Kids: 14 Top Things to Do & Helpful Tips

Japan has always been a favorite destination for kids. You and your children can enjoy abundant family-friendly experiences while exploring Japanese culture together, and they will never feel bored.

But which activities are best for your family? In this article, we've put together 12 top things to do based on our visits and the experiences of families who traveled with us.

It's more than just a list. We also share firsthand tips to help you pick the right activities and make your family trip truly memorable.

1. Experience the Anime Paradise of Akihabara

If your child loves anime, don't miss Akihabara in Tokyo! It has the largest selection of anime shops in Japan and is definitely a paradise for anime fans.

We recommend spending at least half a day here. Akihabara is a large area full of shops and themed cafés. You'll easily find anime goods, video games, capsule toys, collectibles, and the latest electronics.

Based on our visits, here are some must-see highlights for your family: Radio Kaikan for anime figures, Bic Camera for gaming goods and electronics, Gachapon Hall for capsule toys, and GiGO for arcade games and claw machines.

To make your trip more enjoyable and skip the crowds, try arriving in Akihabara around 10 a.m., when most shops open.

It's important to plan a schedule that balances everyone's interests. We know not everyone in the family may be into anime, so splitting up can help. Kids and dads can explore anime shops, while moms can enjoy photo sticker booths or take a relaxing walk at the nearby Kanda Myojin Shrine.

2. Make Sushi Yourself and Try New Foods

Japanese food is a big reason many people visit Japan. You can enjoy lots of delicious local dishes, making your family trip even more memorable.

Instead of just tasting the dishes like most travelers, your family can roll up your sleeves and make them yourselves. It's a fun, hands-on way for every family member to experience Japanese culture.

Making sushi is a favorite for our family guests. You and your kids will learn about different types of fish from a sushi master and then shape the sushi step by step. At the end, you can enjoy your creation for lunch.

Besides sushi, we can also arrange for you to try other Japanese foods you're interested in, such as matcha, instant cup noodles, okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and ramen.

3. Meet Pikachu and Other Pokémon Friends

If you and your kids love Pokémon, a visit to the Pokémon Center is a must!

Tokyo is the best place to explore Pokémon Centers. It has the most locations in Japan, with four across the city. You'll find the largest selection of merchandise, design your own themed T-shirts, and try fun games.

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro is our top pick! It's one of the largest flagship stores in Japan, with the widest selection of merchandise. You can also play fun games and try gachapon.

Here are the other three centers:

Pokémon Center Shibuya: The only center offering DIY Pokémon T-shirts. Plus, there's a life-sized Mewtwo statue at the entrance that actually moves.

Pokémon Center Tokyo DX: Slightly smaller than the Ikebukuro store, but still has a great selection of merchandise and fewer crowds. Right next door is Tokyo's only Pokémon Café.

Pokémon Center Skytree Town: It is inside Tokyo Skytree and has fewer products than the other stores.

The Pokémon Café is another popular spot, with one in Tokyo and one in Osaka. You can enjoy Pokémon-themed dishes, and mascots may interact with you at your table. Reservations are hard to get online, so visiting a Pokémon Center is often an easier and more reliable option.

4. Wear a Kimono for Unforgettable Family Photos

Want family photos with an authentic Japanese feel? Try wearing kimonos for the shoot! This is especially suitable if you're traveling with daughters.

Imagine this: your whole family will choose colorful kimonos for each other. Local staff style your daughter's and mom's hair with floral decorations. After dressing up, mom and daughter walk hand in hand in front of the traditional Japanese buildings while dad captures the moment.

Kyoto is the best place for a kimono experience. As Japan's ancient capital, it's full of shrines and old buildings. Walking through the streets in a kimono feels like stepping back in time and makes your photos look even better.

I don't recommend wearing kimonos to explore shrines. Shrines often have many stairs, and walking in wooden sandals can make your feet very uncomfortable. Exploring Gion is a better choice since its streets are flat and paved with stone.

5. Become a Real Ninja

Fathers and sons especially love this activity.

If you're short on time but want to make your ninja dream come true, visiting a ninja pavilion is a great choice. You and your kids can dress like ninjas, learn to use weapons and techniques from a ninja master, and even challenge the master to a friendly match.

If your kids want a more authentic and immersive ninja experience, we can take you to Koka no Sato Ninja Village. It is about 1-1.5 hours from Kyoto or Osaka. Here, your family can explore the only real ninja house still in its original location, wear a ninja outfit, and learn many ninja techniques.

Step into Japan's mysterious ninja world and read more about How to Experience Ninja Culture and Activities.

6. Train Like a Samurai and Learn Sword Skills

If your kids are interested in Japanese samurai, don't miss this experience. Unlike a museum visit, here you can hold a katana, put on armor, and feel what it's like to be a samurai.

You'll dress in traditional samurai clothing and, with a teacher's guidance, learn about the samurai spirit (bushido), proper etiquette, and how to use a katana. Then you'll try a safe practice session.

Most samurai experiences are for kids 6 and older, and some require ages 10 and up. If samurai experiences also catch your interest, please read on How to Explore Samurai Culture in Japan.

7. Ride a Shinkansen to Your Next Destination

In Japan, taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) is the most popular way to travel between cities.

You'll speed through Japan's countryside and cities at 250–300 km/h on a comfortable bullet train, and you'll be amazed at how smooth and steady the ride is. It gets you to your next destination quickly and on time.

Reserved seats is always a good idea for a family trip! You can sit together, pick your favorite seats, and there's plenty of space for luggage (20–26 inches) in the overhead rack or in front of your seat.

We don't recommend buying non-reserved seats, especially on weekends and holidays. They're a bit cheaper, but seats are first-come, first-served. If all seats are taken, you might have to stand.

If your luggage is oversized (with total dimensions between 160 and 250 cm), you'll need to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage compartment. If you're bringing a collapsible stroller, you don't need to reserve an oversized baggage seat. You can store it in the overhead rack or at your feet.

8. Cheer for Wrestlers at a Live Sumo Match

Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport, with tournaments held across Japan every year. You and your kids can easily follow the rules and join the locals in cheering. Each match lasts less than a minute, but watching those huge wrestlers push each other out of the ring is very exciting.

However, getting sumo tournament tickets can be hard. If you can't get them, we can arrange a special sumo experience for you instead.

During this experience, your family can watch a live sumo match up close, enjoy an authentic chanko nabe (sumo hotpot), and even step into the ring for a friendly match with former wrestlers.

9. Take a Thrilling Go-Kart Ride Through Tokyo's Streets

If you're traveling with your adult kids and have an International Driving Permit (IDP), this Mario Kart-style adventure is a fun and exciting experience.

Tokyo is the best place for a street go-kart ride. The routes are varied, and booking is easy. With a professional guide, you'll drive through famous spots like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and Akihabara in your cartoon costume, bringing the game to life in one to two hours.

If you're traveling with younger kids or teens and want a safe go-kart experience, City Circuit Tokyo Bay in Odaiba is perfect.

This track is made for families. It has karts and courses for everyone, from kids to parents. The karts are easy to drive, and no driver's license is needed. Helmets and gloves are provided, and kids can even ride with you in the same kart to share the fun.

10. Get Up Close to Animals

Japan has lots of ways to meet and interact with animals.

If you want a cozy indoor activity, animal cafés are a popular choice. You can relax with a drink while spending time with Shiba Inu, capybaras, guinea pigs, owls, reptiles, and more.

If you want to meet animals in nature, feeding the deer in Nara is a must. Grab a pack of deer crackers, and the deer will gather around for a snack. You can also pet them and take memorable photos up close.

11. Enjoy a Nature Walk

If your family loves the outdoors, adding a nature walk to your trip in Japan is a great idea. It lets your kids burn off energy, and gives everyone a break from busy city sightseeing.

Japan has plenty of family-friendly hiking trails near its major cities. With a private guide, you can learn about Japan's culture and history as you hike. Some great options include Hakone Hachiri in Hakone, the Nakasendo Way in Nagano, the Ochudo Trail on Mt. Fuji, or the Kumano Kodo near Osaka.

12. Have Fun at Theme Parks

For family travel, nothing beats theme parks for kids. Japan has many options, but the top three are Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan.

Tokyo Disneyland is perfect if it's your first time at Disney, you have younger kids, or you want to meet classic Disney characters, enjoy gentle rides, and soak up that fairy-tale atmosphere.

Tokyo DisneySea is great if you've already been to Disneyland, have kids tall enough to enjoy all the rides (over 117 cm / 3 ft 10 in), are looking for more thrilling rides, and want to meet Duffy and Friends.

Universal Studios Japan is famous for its Super Nintendo World. You can explore a life-size Mario game world, wear a Power-Up Band to play interactive games and collect coins, and enjoy gentle rides with your kids. You'll also find limited-time areas that are only seen in Japan, many based on popular anime.

Besides these, Japan has other theme parks that kids love. For example, Sanrio Puroland near Tokyo, Legoland in Nagoya, and Fuji-Q Highland at the foot of Mount Fuji.

>>Continue to read: the Best Theme Parks in Tokyo

13. Interact with TeamLab's High-Tech Art

TeamLab is one of Tokyo's most famous digital art museums. You'll see light, shadow, and nature blend together in beautiful ways. Kids can touch and interact with the art, making it a fun way to spark their imagination.

TeamLab includes two museums in Tokyo: TeamLab Borderless and TeamLab Planets.

We recommend visiting TeamLab Borderless. It's bigger, has more photo opportunities, and is closer to other major Tokyo attractions, so it's easy to fit into your itinerary. A highlight is the Tea House, where a magical flower blooms in your cup as you brew the tea.

TeamLab Planets focuses on water-based experiences. You'll walk barefoot through shallow pools, some as deep as an adult's knees. We recommend wearing pants because some areas have mirrored floors.

14. Go Watch a Baseball Game

Baseball is Japan's most popular sport. If you and your kids love baseball and visit between late March and late October, you'll have the chance to watch a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) game and cheer with the locals.

Fans are fully into the game, cheering loudly and singing along with their team songs. Throughout the stadium, vendors walk the stands selling Japanese beer, while small stalls sell team merchandise and souvenirs.

Tokyo Dome is our top pick for watching a baseball game. It's easy to reach and fits perfectly into your travel plans. Being an indoor stadium, games go on rain or shine, and the fans' energy is amazing. If you want to know more, please check Watching Baseball in Japan. 

There's More Waiting for You to Explore

Besides the experiences mentioned above, Japan has plenty of other family-friendly fun!

No matter what you want to do in Japan with your kids, our experienced Japan travel advisors can design an itinerary around your family's interests, and your kids can join in the planning too.

We'll handle every detail, including hotels, transportation, activities, and more, so you can have a completely stress-free trip. All you and your kids need to do is relax and make unforgettable memories.

Here is our handpicked Japan family tour for inspiration:

• 12-Day Epic Japan Family Tour

Read More Tips for Planning a Trip to Japan with Young Children

• How to Plan a Family Trip to Japan
• Tips for Booking Family Hotels in Japan
• How to Travel Around Japan with Kids