Self, wife and two children are making our first trip to Japan in December. So far we have made arrangements to arrive in NRT on the 18th and leave 6 days later and that's about it :D. Would really love suggestions as to things to do/places to stay/sites to see that would be "kid friendly" for the 6 days that we have. We are considering staying in Tokyo for the first two days, possibly making a side trip to another city for two or three days and then coming back to Tokyo prior to returning to the states. Any suggestions as to an itinerary (we are not much on "budget travel" so costs aren't that much of a factor, within reason on course :-)) any help appreciated ^

Not an itinerary but some ideas.

Of course you have Tokyo Disney if you are into that.

Kids always love Aquariums, two off the top of my head, there's one in Shinagawa and one in Ikebukuro.

Ueno has many museums and a zoo.

Odaiba has a large farris wheel (though a tad expensive I think to ride), the Toyota showroom has (or had) these kid cars you can drive around in, plus you can see the latest model Toyotas as well. If your seven year old is male he might enjoy the Sega Joyopolis in Odaiba. Also the Maritime museum is located in Odaiba.

If you or your kids like animation Studio Ghibli is located out in Western Tokyo so is Sanrio Puroland (a Hello Kitty themed park).

In Shinjuku, the Metropolitan Government Building you can go to the observation deck (for free).

I'm sure there are many other suggestions out there as well.

As a tip when riding trains with kids I would try to avoid the morning rush, kids under six ride for free, kids ages 7-11 ride at half price.

The aquarium in Ikebukuro is a bit of a long-ish walk from Ikebukuro station. But if you're up for it, it is located in the Sunshine 60 building which is some distance northeast of Ikeburkuro station. Signs point you to the way to take to get to the Sunshine 60 building. Can't miss its entrance either as you will be underground when you get there to access the building itself and pass Toyota's showroom there, they have nice cars in there -- its called Toyota's AmLux showroom. Supposed to be a beauty and a good way to kill time with the kids as they have free driving games you can play there. Theres also an SEGA arcade if I haven't lost my mind yet, right by the Sunshine 60 building.

Take your kids to Yokohama, its a good place to entertain kids too as they have a large-ish amusement park there complete with a massive Ferris wheel. Theres also a lot of Japanese history there too in the area too. Take them up the Landmark Tower (the tallest building in Japan at 70 stories - the observatory's on the 69th floor). Can't go wrong with that at all if you take the "tokyu-toyoko" line there(take the Ltd. Express train not the Local if you go and make sure you buy the right fare -- transfers to Minato Mirai line are easy.. stay on the train if you got on the right one for which is the last station on the line, aptly called "Motomachi-Chukagai" - you will see this in the destination window on the train body itself, on the outside.). :)

They will also enjoy Shibuya too -- theres the tour of "NHK" and the "TEPCO Electric Energy Museum", too. There is also the "National Children's Castle" which is a bit of a walk northeast of Shibuya station on Aoyama-Dori (Aoyama street).

Additional advice for Daiba -- get yourselves all the 800 yen ALL day pass -- then you won't have to spend a yen more on transportation around Daiba as you move around there. While on Daiba, take in the nice tour of Fuji TV Headquarters (Can't miss this building its a lego-like building with a nice ball up top.) So much to do in Tokyo for the kids but don't endure them to long walks, make sure you take transportation where needed. Do not be afraid to ask for directions at the station attendant booth or the koban (police box).

Enjoy yourselves in Tokyo!

Sanosuke!

I'll recommend Hakone as a place to spend a couple of days out of Tokyo.

The Hakone 'free pass' which includes all the ship rides, cable cars, rope railways, trains and buses in the area means you can all cover an awful lot of ground without tiring out your kids' legs.

More info here: http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakone
The

Tokyo, when it comes to residents' attitudes, is probably the most child friendly city I've ever been to. Unfortunately the smoking policy in most restaurants contradicts this somewhat. I'm sure you'll find a warm welcome for your children everywhere you go.

If you find a theme restaurant called "Ninja" and are tempted to take the kids there: don't -- it's a ripoff. I've heard the zoo in Ueno park is pretty lousy, but haven't been and have no firsthand knowledge. The science museum in Ueno might work well, but the rest of the museums there are more for adults.

The 7yo will enjoy a lot more than the 4yo, but the Ghibli museum out the Chuo line is oriented towards kids, I hear. Haven't been myself, do a web search. You need to buy tickets in advance at terminals located in Lawson Convenience stores -- the clerk will need to help you, it's all in Japanese.

I think even small kids would enjoy many of the Sunday afternoon sights and sounds around Harajuku station, if one of your Tokyo days is a Sunday.

The 7yo (and the 7yo's parents!) probably would like the small, free parasite museum in Meguro -- the only parasite museum in the world.

I vote that there is no reason to go to Disney amusement parks in Tokyo, you can do stuff like that at home.

The 7yo will enjoy a lot more than the 4yo, but the Ghibli museum out the Chuo line is oriented towards kids, I hear. Haven't been myself, do a web search. You need to buy tickets in advance at terminals located in Lawson Convenience stores -- the clerk will need to help you, it's all in Japanese.

Actually oriented to a little older age group than 4 & 7 IMHO. Very cool place for >10 - adults, though. It's a bit of hike through Inokoshira Park from the Mitaka station. There's also a museum bus from the station to Ghibli; costs ¥300 round trip.

Ghibli Map here. (http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/welcome.htm)
Ghibli Homepage here. (http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/index.html)

Thanks for all your replies. I know it's been discussed here that under no circumstances should one take a taxi from NRT to Tokyo (some posts complete with numerous exclamation points to underscore how important a point that is :D), however, with two little ones in tow and no doubt a couple of large suitcases that my wife will have packed is it still unreasonable to want to catch a taxi, or arrange for a car service to pick us up, and deliver us to a hotel rather than schlepping through the airport to get to a train/bus/whatever?

Thanks for all your replies. I know it's been discussed here that under no circumstances should one take a taxi from NRT to Tokyo (some posts complete with numerous exclamation points to underscore how important a point that is :D), however, with two little ones in tow and no doubt a couple of large suitcases that my wife will have packed is it still unreasonable to want to catch a taxi, or arrange for a car service to pick us up, and deliver us to a hotel rather than schlepping through the airport to get to a train/bus/whatever?
For most major hotels in Tokyo, you can catch a bus directly from NRT to the front door of your hotel. You don't have to walk far after immigration at NRT to the bus stop (it may even be closer than walking to the taxi stand). Carts are provided for free at immigration for your luggage so you can use those all the way to the bus stop.

A taxi will cost you around 20,000 yen from NRT to Tokyo. The bus will cost you around 9,000 yen for your family of four (~3,000 per adult, ~1,500 per child) from NRT to Tokyo. There is a bathroom on the bus.

In your case, I agree that the limousine bus is probably your best bet. I think that 20,000 yen for a cab is a lowball estimate. Depending on where in Tokyo you are going, it could run up to 25,000 or even 30,000. The limo bus will take you directly to many of the major hotels and to Tokyo Station if your hotel is not on the list. You can catch a reasonably priced cab from there.

JR

and deliver us to a hotel rather than schlepping through the airport to get to a train/bus/whatever?

I've never taken a taxi, but I think you're walking the same amount of distance to get to the bus or taxis or any car service. Unless they somehow changed things and allowed taxis to park right in the middle of the arrival lobby.

Its after you clear customs (which is after immigration) that you enter the arrival lobby, there are currency exchange counters, etc and where you can purchase bus tickets.

I think you are fine taking the airport limobus direct to your hotel.
The buses have large luggage storage space under the bus. The Airport Limobus drops you off at most major hotels:

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/index_route.html

If the bus doesn't stop at one of your hotels on the list, you can always take it to either a closer hotel or one of the major train stations and catch a taxi ride from there. I think it will come out cheaper than taking a taxi or car service direct all the way from NRT.

I've heard the zoo in Ueno park is pretty lousy, but haven't been and have no firsthand knowledge. ...I vote that there is no reason to go to Disney amusement parks in Tokyo, you can do stuff like that at home. I've visited the Ueno Park Zoo, twice, and plan to return for more. As zoos go, it's nothing special, just a pleasant place for zoo-going and people watching...it's pretty cheap, too. I've visited Disney Zoo, and yes, it's just a Disney park with a Japanese twist...that's good enough reason for me. I especially like watching all the loving couples, walking hand in hand. It's also the first place I saw a Japanese man call his wife stupid and smack her on the head (quite disturbing).

I admit it. I am cheap. At least when it comes to NRT-Tokyo travel. I take the 1000 yen slow Skyliner train to Ueno station. I believe that kids are half price. Last time I did this, I took a cab from the station to the hotel in the Gina area for around 2700 yen (Amex accepted by most Tokyo cabs). The slow train takes around 75 minutes and no worries about getting stuck in traffic. The express is another 1000 yen or so.

You can take an escalator or elevator to reach the platform at NRT. You may have to go up some stairs at the Tokyo end.

I take the 1000 yen slow Skyliner train to Ueno station.

The Skyliner is 1920yen and is the faster service, the Keisei Limited express train is 1000yen is the slightly slower service. As I wrote in post 2, kids six and under ride free, kids 7-11 ride at half price.

However, with two kids, and some large luggage, I'd rather opt for the limobus direct to my hotel (if it stops there) from the airport myself, the Keisei limited express train does get a bit crowded at time, along with the large luggage, it might be bit uncofortable for kids I think.

OT biggestbopper, but you can save even more money by connecting to the Ginza Subway line at Ueno Station to Ginza Station and make your way to your hotel from there. Maybe saving about 2000+ yen.

(Amex accepted by most Tokyo cabs)

Some taxis accept credit cards. My impression is that the majority still don't, but I can't verify that without counting cabs... which would send me to sleep faster than counting sheep.

My wife and I took our children (ages 4 to 9) to Tokyo last spring and we enjoyed it. If your hotel is on a route the Limousine Bus (it's a bus, not a limo) was very convenient and easy -- and believe me, when you arrive after the long flight with tired kids (and adults), convenience and ease are good things. I recall kids being 1/2 price (4 year olds may be free). Consider buying the somewhat obscure airport bus/subway ticket combo, which can be a good deal.

The hands down best thing to do with kids the morning after you arrive is go to the early morning Tsukiji Fish Market (no problem waking up early -- you will on the first morning). A real sensory overload -- kids and adults will both love it.

We also enjoyed the Edo-Tokyo history museum. Very kid friendly displays. Consider the free personalized tour with a volunteer. They sometimes have live performances, especially on weekends. I wouldn't miss this stop, especially with kids.

The famous Sensoji temple will also interest children, especially your older one. For some bizarre reason, there was even a free monkey show going on when we visited. Probably not as enjoyable in winter, however.

I was nine during my first trip to Japan. Places I remember going to and loving:

Deer Park in Nara. Culture for the parents, feeding the deer for the kids.

Tokyo Tower.

Try to find out what festivals are going on at the time. I went to a midwinter festival in Kyoto with wonderful dancing and elaborate costumes that children would enjoy.

Depending on your kids' personalities, think about spending some time in a ryokan. I found it tremendous fun to run around barefoot inside, wear the too-big bathrobe, sleep on the floor, etc. Ryokan also usually serve breakfast and dinner to the family in your own room, which is a nice way to relax together.

Shows aimed at children can be very enjoyable even when there is no translation. We went to an "ice capades" type show where Japanese folk tales were performed on ice. Everything was in Japanese, but we loved it.

This trip when I was nine changed my life, making me a huge fan of all things Japanese -- a decade later I was studying the language in college. I hope your children have as wonderful an experience as I did. :)

The five things my kids liked best when they first visited Japan when young:

1. Ramen

2. Ramen

3. Ramen

4. Shinkansen rides

5. Wild Blue Yokohama (a water theme park that has since closed)

The five things my kids liked best when they first visited Japan when young:

1. Ramen

2. Ramen

3. Ramen

4. Shinkansen rides

5. Wild Blue Yokohama (a water theme park that has since closed)
Was that before ramen was easily available over here? Apparently there's a ramen museum in Yokohama, speaking of which. And Sankien Gardens?

Naw, you could get ramen here then, but they hadn't tried it before they got to Japan. I've heard very mixed reviews of that ramen museum, it seems many pay for admission mainly so they can wait in a long line for one of the restaurants.

Naw, you could get ramen here then, but they hadn't tried it before they got to Japan. I've heard very mixed reviews of that ramen museum, it seems many pay for admission mainly so they can wait in a long line for one of the restaurants.


http://www.bento.com/phgal3.html EDIT: please see post 22 (&25) if you're planning a visit. Museum's own website is here. (http://www.raumen.co.jp/home/index.html)

I suppose that's the secret of its longevity - it's been going for about 10 years now. I guess the entrance fee for many is a cover charge to eat in this environment: photo (http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/8127e/)
I have no idea how long it would have lasted if it relied only on museum visitors to survive. So many other museums/attractions have come and gone since 1994.

I wanted to bring my mother here on the only occasion I ever stopped at Shin Yokohama - but it was late, we'd just arrived from Kyoto and we were extremely hungry. My parents decided not to go as I wouldn't have been able to get anything for myself there (I don't eat meat, just fish) - we ended up at Mosburger at Sakuragicho. (WARNING - Blasphemous comment coming up - For most of the things I can eat, I don't like the seasoning they use at MOS :eek: - I much prefer Lotteria)

All this as a roundabout way to say that I've wanted to go to this museum for years, but not being able to eat there has undermined my motivation. Hopefully I should make it there, finally, some time late October when I'm in the area. It helps that it's open until 11pm.

I was thinking about this thread and considering where I'd want to take my own children.

I think my top choices would be:

Tokyo Edo Open Air Museum
http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/497/art.asp

and

the wonderful Nihon Minka En
http://www.city.kawasaki.jp/88/88minka/home/minka_e.htm
It's possible to go inside many of the houses here - the woodfire smells of the iriori (cooking pit) are embedded into the beams. Look for a strange bamboo made cage that served as a rudimentary cable car to haul people over ravines and japanese sandals for ice skating. The whole place is in a wonderful parkland setting.


One last tip.



Can I strongly urge anybody going to Japan with children to get them a good notebook with plain paper - it will need to be at least A5 size.

At almost every location there will be, somewhere, a rubber stamp and inkpad for you to take a souvenir impression. Even train and subways stations have them (the one at Ryogoku is especially nice!). Stamps are free. It's often quite fun to locate them.
More info and examples here:
http://www.dotpattern.com/artwerk/rubber-stamps/japan-rubber-stamps.html
and here:
http://www.dotpattern.com/artwerk/rubber-stamps/japan-rubber-stamps2.html

Ask for "Stamp Rally" (Sutampo Rarri) and show your book (hopefully with some already in there) if you need help finding them.

As an example, they are dotted all around the Nihon Minka En and are in little houses like this one: http://www.pref.nara.jp/narakoen/sr-2.JPG

Stamp Rallies are part of the culture in Japan and are often used for promotional purposes - here's a photo diary of some children who went on a special event train journey themed on Anpan Man - a popular cartoon character. It shows the stamps they collected in their commemorative booklets.
http://ww82.tiki.ne.jp/~mchome/stamp_rally/anpan_2003_5_17_3.htm
(makes you feel sorry for any commuters caught on one of these whilst nursing a hangover - no wonder one of the stations is called Gomen)

Of course, you don't have to be a child to collect the stamps. There are some truly gorgeous ones around (my favourite is one from Tsukiji tourist information office). Temples have them, all the museums do, sometimes shops have them... you find them in the strangest places.

I first found out about them on my first trip to Tokyo when a couple of German psychiatrists who were staying in the same hostel as I was showed me their own collection - they'd been travelling throughout Japan staying mainly at Temple lodging. The books they'd made up were beautiful.

Happy hunting!!!

That web page on the ramen museum says you can take the shinkansen from Tokyo station to shin-Yokohama for Y800 extra over a regular train. Don't believe it, it's more like Y2,000 extra each way!

That web page on the ramen museum says you can take the shinkansen from Tokyo station to shin-Yokohama for Y800 extra over a regular train. Don't believe it, it's more like Y2,000 extra each way!
would they recommend the shinkansen from T to Y? That's like taking a 747 from LA to San Diego.

Ramen reminds me, the meal you get before landing in NRT when you fly United Business is a Cup A Soup, with the UAL logo on it. Which is pretty appropriate, just amuses people when I tell them because they figure every course up front has caviar in it somehow.

would they recommend the shinkansen from T to Y? That's like taking a 747 from LA to San Diego.

Ramen reminds me, the meal you get before landing in NRT when you fly United Business is a Cup A Soup, with the UAL logo on it. Which is pretty appropriate, just amuses people when I tell them because they figure every course up front has caviar in it somehow.

I've never gotten instant noodles on United C or F to/from Japan except sometimes as one of the mid-flight snacks on the westbound stretches. The meal served before arrival generally is either a hot dish with a small fruit bowl or a fruit/yoghurt plate, passenger chooses. Are you sure?

would they recommend the shinkansen from T to Y? That's like taking a 747 from LA to San Diego.

That bento site that says that bit of info, the page looks dated to me, I don't think they recommend that on the official ramen museum website.

I've visited the ramen museum myself, I think most people do go for the resturants found downstairs.
For kids there is this make your own cup of noodles thing. You buy a empty cup of noodle styrofoam cup, then over at the tables they have markers etc that you can decorate the cups with, then you bring it to the assembly line, where you can see them put the ramen in the cup, you can choose what toppings you want, then they seal it and shrink wrap it, then there's this interesting balloon type thing the entire sealed cup goes inside that you blow up yourself (lol sorry hard to explain). Kids (and adults alike) seem to love it.

Is the place a must visit? No, but if you have spare time in Yokohama, I think its a good place to stop by, and try some ramen in the crowded basement.

I've never gotten instant noodles on United C or F to/from Japan except sometimes as one of the mid-flight snacks on the westbound stretches. The meal served before arrival generally is either a hot dish with a small fruit bowl or a fruit/yoghurt plate, passenger chooses. Are you sure?
That is also my recollection. I've always received a hot meal option before arrival.

JR

I thought the aquarium in Osaka was terrific - and there's a giant ferris wheel there too. Could take the bullet train to Osaka from Tokyo. Note that the Ritz Carlton in Osaka is priced very reasonably - and I think it would be a very comfortable place to stay for a family with small children. Robyn

Why on earth would they recommend the shinkansen from T to Y? That's like taking a 747 from LA to San Diego.

They recommend Shinkansen because the "raumen museum" (sic) is a short walk from Shin-Yokohama station. I regularly take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin Yokohama. In this way, I can reach my client at Shin Yokohama in about 20 minutes - rather than almost one hour by regular trains and subway connections.

It's in no way comparable to taking a 747 to anywhere, since it takes longer than that for a jumbo to board and make its way to the runway.

My biggest gripe with the raumen museum is that it felt like a rip-off to me. Paying an entrance fee for the privilege to stand in line in a 1950s-theme yatai-mura with rather expensive ramen shops... not my idea of fun. The person I went with did say that the ramen were the best he had ever tasted. I think I've had equally good ramen in other places.

Thank you everyone for your responses, the information has been great so far. We are also thinking of visiting somewhere other than Tokyo for a couple of days. Somewhere that would give us a different flavor than the city, any suggestions as to somewhere within easy access of Tokyo and from Narita as we may go back to NRT from this destination rather than going back to Tokyo. Thanks, once again, for all the suggestions ^

They recommend Shinkansen because the "raumen museum" (sic) is a short walk from Shin-Yokohama station.

As I mentioned the bento website mentioned isn't an official website, they don't recommend it because its a short walk, as they say you can get there via regular or shinkansen:

Shin-Yokohama can be reached from central Tokyo in about 45 minutes, or a very comfortable 15 minutes if you splurge and take the bullet train for an extra Y800

Thats whats wrong with the site, in reality its more like 2000+ yen, and what originally brought it up here in the thread.

Of course if you have an expense account its good to take the Shinkansen (man that'd be the life wouldn't it? lol) ..

Stictly timewise speaking, it would depend where in Tokyo you started from, for example if you are staying in Shinjuku, the amount of time to get to ShinYokohama by regular trains would be about the same amount it would by taking a Shinkansen (as you have to make a local connection to Tokyo from Shinjuku then connect to the Shinkansen). About 45-50 minutes in both cases.

Thank you everyone for your responses, the information has been great so far. We are also thinking of visiting somewhere other than Tokyo for a couple of days. Somewhere that would give us a different flavor than the city, any suggestions as to somewhere within easy access of Tokyo and from Narita as we may go back to NRT from this destination rather than going back to Tokyo. Thanks, once again, for all the suggestions ^

Don't forget, I mentioned Hakone in post 4. It's an ideal place to take children thanks to the interesting transport options.