16 Fun Things to Do in Tokyo With Kids
Traveling with children has a way of turning even the most well-planned itinerary into something completely unpredictable, but Tokyo almost seems designed with that kind of chaos in mind.
If you’re building your family itinerary and need a starting point, these 16 fun things to do in Tokyo with kids cover all the bases.
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1. Visit Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland is a day trip that rarely disappoints. The park sprawls across seven themed zones, with more than 35 rides and attractions — so every age group finds something to get excited about.
Tokyo Disneyland has a standout Beauty and the Beast attraction in Fantasyland, and it’s one of the park’s biggest draws. Rides range from gentle, toddler-friendly options to the roller coasters that have teens lining up twice.
Plan for a full day; Tokyo Disneyland offers tons of family activities and the parades and character meet-and-greets can get crowded, so it’s worth staking out a good spot early.
2. Explore teamLab Planets Digital Art Museum
teamLab Planets in Toyosu gives kids a chance to walk through water and interact with digital art that moves with them. The installations shift based on where people stand or what they touch, so no two visits are ever quite the same.
Shoes come off and sometimes you’ll wade through water; other rooms have floor-to-ceiling projections of flowers, forests, and animals. Kids get a kick out of the digital koi swimming around their feet and flowers blooming as they step past.
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3. Spend A Day At Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo is a classic family outing in the heart of the city. Founded in 1882, it’s Japan’s oldest zoo and houses over 3,000 animals from 300 species.
Elephants steal the show, but the zoo’s also home to polar bears, tigers, and gorillas, all in roomy habitats. The old monorail is gone now, but the east and west sides are still easy to move between.
The zoo sits inside Ueno Park, so it’s easy to combine animal adventures with other nearby sights. Admission is a steal for adults, and elementary school kids and younger get in free.
4. KidZania Tokyo Role-Play City
KidZania Tokyo lets kids run the show in their own miniature city — they get to try out real jobs with actual equipment and tools. Hidden inside LaLaport Toyosu shopping mall near Odaiba, it’s a two-thirds-scale city designed entirely for children.
Kids can be doctors, firefighters, or dozens of other professions, earning kidZos (the park’s currency) as they go. It’s a clever way to sneak in lessons about society while they’re having a blast.
The place is just an eight-minute walk from Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Line, so getting there from central Tokyo is easy.
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5. Odaiba’s Interactive Science Museum Miraikan
Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is where kids get hands-on with robots, space tech, and all sorts of futuristic stuff. The museum in Odaiba makes big ideas feel simple, with exhibits you can touch and play with.
Humanoid robots show off their skills, and there’s a massive globe that displays real-time Earth data. The museum dives into cutting-edge tech — artificial intelligence, life sciences, and all that good sci-fi stuff.
6. Play At Asobono Indoor Playground
ASOBono at Tokyo Dome City is one of the city’s biggest indoor play zones, and it’s just as much fun for adults. Little ones can dive into ball pits, tackle obstacle courses, and build epic train layouts. Babies have their own safe haven, too.
The colorful facility keeps everyone entertained, rain or shine. There are zones for climbing, spots for quiet play, and areas for toys. Kids from birth and up can join in, so it’s a lifesaver for families juggling different ages.
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7. Visit The Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum brings Studio Ghibli’s magical worlds to life in a quirky, maze-like building out in Mitaka. Kids get to wander through exhibits and original artwork from movies like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away.
Tickets sell out quickly, so booking in advance is a must. The museum sits in Mitaka, about a half-hour train ride from central Tokyo.
Inside, families can watch exclusive short films, check out the rooftop garden with its giant robot soldier statue, and poke around a cozy reading room.
8. Visit The Tallest Tower In Japan
Kids’ jaws tend to drop when they see Tokyo Skytree soaring 634 meters (2,080 feet) into the clouds. The observation decks offer sweeping city views; on a clear day, you might even spot Mount Fuji lurking on the horizon.
The Tokyo Skytree Town complex at the base means your family can hit up shops, restaurants, and an aquarium in one go. Kids love picking out landmarks from up high, and there’s always something happening down below, too.
The tower is Japan’s tallest structure and was once the second-tallest in the world. It’s easy to combine a Skytree trip with a stroll through nearby Asakusa if you’re feeling ambitious.
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9. Visit Sunshine Aquarium And Rooftop Garden
Sunshine Aquarium sits on top of a building in Ikebukuro, so you get ocean vibes smack in the middle of Tokyo’s skyscrapers. The outdoor marine garden features penguins swimming overhead in a 12-meter (about 39 feet) overhanging tank.
The aquarium splits into three themed areas, with penguins, jellyfish, and colorful tropical fish. Wandering through the dim exhibits, it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of a city.
10. Explore Tokyo Toy Museum
The Tokyo Toy Museum is a hands-on paradise where kids play with handmade wooden toys from Japan and beyond. Tucked in Shinjuku, it fills three floors with rooms packed with toys you’re encouraged to touch and build with.
Different play areas cater to different ages, so toddlers can stick to soft toys while older kids get to work in the woodworking section.
Knowledgeable toy curators show off traditional toys and help kids learn through play. Workshops let families craft their own souvenirs to take home, which is pretty special.
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11. Check Out Pokémon Center DX
Kids love Pokémon Center Tokyo DX, a top spot for anyone obsessed with Pikachu and friends. Located in Nihonbashi, it’s a massive store packed with exclusive merch.
The selection at Pokémon Center DX covers plushies, trading cards, apparel, and home goods. Tokyo has four Pokémon Centers, but this DX spot is one of the biggest and best-stocked.
12. The National Museum Of Nature And Science
The National Museum of Nature and Science sits in Ueno Park and stands out as one of Japan’s largest science museums. Kids can wander through more than 25,000 exhibits spread across two big galleries.
Here you’ll find everything from dinosaur skeletons to space tech, Japanese ecosystems, and the latest scientific innovations. Exhibits cover Japan’s natural history, the story of Earth, and how humans fit into the picture.
It’s a solid pick for rainy days since everything’s indoors. Displays are lively enough to keep kids curious, especially those who can’t get enough of animals and biodiversity.
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13. Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tokyo crams millions of bright bricks into an indoor playground that’s a dream for creative kids. Tucked away in Odaiba, it’s a sweet spot for children ages 3-10 who can’t get enough of building stuff.
Families can wander through over 11 different attractions; there’s a 4D cinema, a quirky LEGO ride, and a jaw-dropping Tokyo cityscape pieced together from 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
The DUPLO playspace is a lifesaver for toddlers needing to burn off energy. Just a heads up: grown-ups need to bring a child to get in, and kids have to stick with someone who’s at least 16.
14. Experience Cat Cafes
Cat Cafe MOCHA is a mellow little retreat where kids can hang with friendly cats while you nurse a coffee or tea. The cafe has two spots in Shibuya — but they’re not equally kid-friendly: Center-gai allows children from age 3 with an adult, while Koen-dori is for ages 13 and up only.
Both spaces are clean and comfy, letting you pet, snap photos, and get to know a bunch of adorable felines.
Kids get a kick out of playing with the cats and picking up a few tips on treating animals kindly. Japan’s cat cafes offer a breather from the Tokyo rush, which is a relief when the city starts to feel overwhelming.
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15. Day Trip to the Railway Museum in Saitama
Kids who are wild about trains will probably lose their minds at The Railway Museum in Saitama; it’s massive and packed with all things rail-related. You can hop over from Tokyo Station to Omiya Station on the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line in about 30 minutes, so it’s not much of a trek at all.
The museum’s got historic trains and interactive simulators — kids can even try “driving” a train themselves. Exhibition halls are filled with real locomotives, and hands-on displays break down how Japan’s rail system came to be.
You can poke around train models, climb aboard a few, and see what makes Japan’s trains tick. Saitama gives you more breathing room and space to explore compared to the packed streets of Tokyo, so it’s a solid pick if you need a little break from the crowds.
16. Visit Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is unlike any other Disney park on the planet. Older kids and teens tend to get a kick out of it; there are more intense rides here than you’d expect at most Disney parks.
Instead of the usual lands, there are eight themed ports; each one draws on ocean legends or stories, and the detail is wild. One minute you’re on a mellow boat ride, the next you’re bracing yourself for a coaster that’ll make you question your lunch choices.
If you want to avoid endless lines, it’s worth scoping out must-visit attractions before you go. And don’t skip the food stalls — Japanese spins on theme park snacks are everywhere, and you won’t get that at other Disney parks.
