Things to Do in Tokyo with Kids: 10 Ideas Families Love
Tokyo is one of the easiest big cities in the world to explore with children: it is clean, safe, and full of things kids remember for years. Here are ten ideas to build your family itinerary around.
10 things to do in Tokyo with kids
- Ride the trains — for many kids, the Shinkansen and Tokyo's colourful train lines are a highlight on their own. Pick a seat by the window and watch the city go by.
- Become a ninja — ninja shows and classes are a uniquely Japanese experience that children love. (More below.)
- Visit a big park — Tokyo has wide green parks with playgrounds and space to run, a good break between busy sightseeing days.
- See an aquarium or zoo — a reliable choice for younger children and a good option for hot or rainy days.
- Try an immersive digital art space — light, colour and projection are popular with all ages.
- Go to a character café or shop — Japan is famous for its characters, and kids love finding their favourites.
- Play at a game centre — crane games and family-friendly arcades are everywhere in Shinjuku and Akihabara.
- Eat at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant — fun for kids, and there is usually something for picky eaters too.
- Look out from a high observation deck — Tokyo looks endless from above, especially at sunset.
- Visit a temple or shrine — a calm, cultural stop. Kids enjoy fortune slips and washing their hands at the entrance.
Why a ninja show is a great family activity
It is active, visual and very Japanese — and it works for a wide range of ages at once, so older and younger siblings both have fun. At YOUR SAMURAI NINJA, each child creates their own ninja on a phone before the show, then watches it train and fight a dragon on the big screen while a real ninja performs live.
YOUR SAMURAI NINJA
A 70-minute ninja show for kids & families: live ninja performance inside powerful projection mapping, plus LED magic. Create your own ninja on your phone before the show — it trains and fights a dragon on the big screen.
- Length
- 70 minutes
- Show times
- 13:00 / 17:00
- Tickets
- Adult (13+) ¥5,000 / Kids (4–12) ¥3,000
approx. US$32 / US$19 / Age 3 & under free (on lap) - Access
- About 15 minutes by taxi from Shinjuku
- Language
- No Japanese needed
Practical tips for Tokyo with kids
- Avoid rush hour on trains (roughly 7:30–9:30 and 17:30–19:30 on weekdays), especially with a stroller.
- Use taxis for short hops when everyone is tired — they are clean and drivers are used to families.
- Plan one big activity per half-day. Kids enjoy Tokyo more with time to rest in between.
- Book popular activities in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
FAQ
Is Tokyo good for families with young children?
Yes. Tokyo is safe and clean, with many activities for all ages, from parks to shows.
What is a unique thing to do in Tokyo with kids?
A ninja show is a uniquely Japanese experience. At YOUR SAMURAI NINJA, kids even create their own ninja who appears in the show.
How much is a ninja show for kids?
At YOUR SAMURAI NINJA, tickets are ¥3,000 (approx. US$19) for kids aged 4–12 and ¥5,000 (approx. US$32) for adults. Age 3 and under is free on a parent's lap.