Japan - August Tokyo (or nearby) Trip with 5 year old

I'm taking my daughter on her first overseas trip in August for 6 nights, arriving HND.

I still have total flexibility to take her anywhere and do anything. She's quite mature. I know the August weather will challenge both of us, so I'm looking for forays into the heat that take a few hours, and can be mixed up with indoor stuff. I'm thinking zoos, castles, and parks/gardens mixed with kid friendly museums.

I have a Booking at the Mandarin Oriental, but am not above cancelling and going elsewhere.. even elsewhere in Japan, if it will make for a better trip for her to start her international adventures.

So with that in mind, I humbly ask the help of those with more knowledge of Japan in general and Tokyo specifically for this kind of trip.

Hello Brian.

One place I'd highly recommend for you and your daughter is the Ghibli Museum:

http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/

Usually very difficult to get tickets, but maybe the Mandarin Oriental concierge could help you score some?

Another place she'd probably like is Kidzania, a place where kids can pretend to be adults for a few hours:

http://www.kidzania.jp/tokyo/en/

That's another one where you might enlist MO help in getting tickets.

And I probably wouldn't make this recommendation for anyone other than someone travelling with a five year old girl:

http://www.puroland.co.jp/english/welcome.html

It's kind of like a small indoor Disneyland, only with Japanese Hello Kitty characters.

Hope you figure out a schedule that will give you some very special memories with your daughter!

There is something called the National Children's Castle between Shibuya and Omotesando. I don't know anything about it, or even if it still exists, but if it does, it might be worth checking out:

http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/580/National-Childrens-Castle

Swing by the toy section of any major department store as well as the stationary section of any Tokyu Hands department store (the one in Shinjuku is fairly easy to find). She'll go nuts on the cuteness of it all.

Hailstorm, thank you for taking the time to write out so many good suggestions, even with links! I will research them fully.

RichardinSF and hoyateach, thank you for excellent suggestions. The toy store idea sounds right on track, and I will check on the Children's Castle, which she would love.

Again, my thanks. I am sure the regulars here get many requests.

Children's Castle is still in business, and she might be just the right age to appreciate it. I'm guessing she might be a bit young for Kidzania, but they do have a whole range of activities, so maybe it's okay.

I'd also recommend the Toy Museum in Yotsuya - it's very hands-on and fun. Here are a few more ideas: whereintokyo.com/dbinx/kids.html (http://whereintokyo.com/dbinx/kids.html)

Tokyo Disneyland - Disney Sea
Asakusa
Gin-bura - if you get a Sunday, they close the main street - I think? (they used to, anyways)
Mirai kan in Odaiba - they have a big ferris wheel too
Minato Mirai - the roller coaster that goes under the water.
They're opening a LegoLand in Japan soon I thought.
Ueno Park - Panda

Tokyo Disneyland - Disney Sea

:td:Only because it is August. Unless the OP and his small child like standing in hour+ lines in humid 35C/95F weather.

The only way I'd consider Disney Sea at that time of year is if you're able to splurge for a Disney Resort Vacation Package and stay at the Mira Costa. Then the combination of proximity and VIP passes might make it worthwhile.

Ueno Park - Panda

The lines for this are about to get exponentially longer.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120705004878.htm

OP stays at MO. So,
http://nihombashi.keizai.biz/headline/photo/254/

the daughter will ask him to take her to Tokyo Sky Tree.

The lines for this are about to get exponentially longer.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120705004878.htm

You can watch the panda baby after December or later, the zoo announces.

You can watch the panda baby after December or later, the zoo announces.

Unfortunately, the zoo has announced that the baby panda died yesterday.

Thank you all so much for the valuable suggestions.

I was able to book Kidzania and the Ghibli Museum already, and we are watching Castle in the Sky and My Neighbor Totoro to prepare. I think we will take a chance on being outside to see the Ueno Zoo as well.

I'm sure we will be shopping... I understand there is a good department store next to the M.O. Things are starting to shape up nicely, thanks to your help!

Thank you all so much for the valuable suggestions.

I was able to book Kidzania and the Ghibli Museum already, and we are watching Castle in the Sky and My Neighbor Totoro to prepare. I think we will take a chance on being outside to see the Ueno Zoo as well.

Congrats on scoring tickets, I think you'll both enjoy all of those activities.

If you're not in a hurry, on the way back from Kidzania, I'd take the Yurikamome Line back to central Tokyo. It's an elevated train that's completely automated (no driver, so your daughter can sit/stand at the very front and get an unobstructed view). It's not the fastest transportation, but certainly more interesting than the subway. It will also take you right through the leisure center of Odaiba, where there are usually all sorts of special entertainment for children set up in the summertime if you've a couple of hours available for such a detour.

Having had a chance to think about this, I'd recommend a visit to Hakone using the Hakone free pass.

You'll have the opportunity to cover a lot of ground and see lots of the landscape and because you use a whole variety of transportation - rail, cable cars, ropeways, boats and only at the end a bus, you don't have to cover a lot of distance on foot, which I know will quickly get tiring for a 5 year old, and for both of you in August. Although the area in itself should give you a bit of a respite compared to the heat sink that is Tokyo.

More info here
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html

If you decide to visit the Hakone Open air Sculpture park there are quite a few areas and exhibits which a child can enjoy and appreciate, the most notable being this one: http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2012/06/13/im-jealous-of-toshiko-horiuchi-macadam/

I have this area in mind for a visit when my soon to be three year old reaches your child's age.

Nearly forgot!
Please take care to ensure that your daughter has shoes that she can slip on and off easily as a great many of the play areas that you will come across (sometimes randomly) will be no shoe zones. If wearing sandals, you should also always have some spare socks to hand, preferably with a bit of a non slip tread incorporated into them. And this goes for you too. You may need to rush into any of those no shoe zones and big adult bare feet (particularly in the summer) won't be warmly welcomed.

Having had a chance to think about this, I'd recommend a visit to Hakone using the Hakone free pass.

You'll have the opportunity to cover a lot of ground and see lots of the landscape and because you use a whole variety of transportation - rail, cable cars, ropeways, boats and only at the end a bus, you don't have to cover a lot of distance on foot, which I know will quickly get tiring for a 5 year old, and for both of you in August. Although the area in itself should give you a bit of a respite compared to the heat sink that is Tokyo.

More info here
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html

Not sure I would really recommend Hakone for a six night trip with a five year old in tow as a day trip, mainly because of so much time on transportation and so many changes of transportation modes involved. If your daughter has a lot of stamina and really enjoys travelling though, there are indeed lots of fun things to do.

If she likes swimming, Yunessun could another option in Hakone.

http://www.yunessun.com/english/yunessun.html

Not sure I would really recommend Hakone for a six night trip with a five year old in tow as a day trip, mainly because of so much time on transportation and so many changes of transportation modes involved. If your daughter has a lot of stamina and really enjoys travelling though, there are indeed lots of fun things to do.

If she likes swimming, Yunessun could another option in Hakone.

http://www.yunessun.com/english/yunessun.html
It's precisely BECAUSE of so many changes of transportation modes and the time spent on said transportation that I'm recommending the Hakone loop tour.
It isn't a journey one endures to go somewhere, the tour is pretty much the point of going to Hakone and why I'm recommending it as a suitable destination for a five year old - just as it's considered appropriate for all the hundreds and thousands of 5 and 6 year olds who also complete the loop as part of school excursions.
An excursion to Hakone is one of the few day long trips I'd feel confident enough to take my three year old on without a stroller as I know she'd have the stamina to deal with the minimal walking required and the changes of transportation would keep her alert and interested (certainly much easier that taking her to the top of Mt Takao which I've done but don't recommend) I can't imagine for a moment that the OP or their daughter would have a problem with the Hakone loop.
You won't have to pay the child fare for the Hakone Free Pass, it's free of charge for kids aged 5 years and younger, without a ticket she may need to sit in your lap for the rope ways and other parts of the trip where space is limited.

Then again, I can't imagine anymore what it's like to post a recommendation here that doesn't get challenged by hailstorm. Contributing to this forum is just getting more and more tedious. I used to value my recommendations being added to and questioned as this would highlight any omissions/errors and increase my understanding.

Then again, I can't imagine anymore what it's like to post a recommendation here that doesn't get challenged by hailstorm. Contributing to this forum is just getting more and more tedious. I used to value my recommendations being added to and questioned as this would highlight any omissions/errors and increase my understanding.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I was trying to keep the OP's needs in mind more than yours.

Having had a chance to think about this, I'd recommend a visit to Hakone using the Hakone free pass.

You'll have the opportunity to cover a lot of ground and see lots of the landscape and because you use a whole variety of transportation - rail, cable cars, ropeways, boats and only at the end a bus, you don't have to cover a lot of distance on foot, which I know will quickly get tiring for a 5 year old, and for both of you in August. Although the area in itself should give you a bit of a respite compared to the heat sink that is Tokyo.

More info here
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html

If you decide to visit the Hakone Open air Sculpture park there are quite a few areas and exhibits which a child can enjoy and appreciate, the most notable being this one: http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2012/06/13/im-jealous-of-toshiko-horiuchi-macadam/

I have this area in mind for a visit when my soon to be three year old reaches your child's age.

Nearly forgot!
Please take care to ensure that your daughter has shoes that she can slip on and off easily as a great many of the play areas that you will come across (sometimes randomly) will be no shoe zones. If wearing sandals, you should also always have some spare socks to hand, preferably with a bit of a non slip tread incorporated into them. And this goes for you too. You may need to rush into any of those no shoe zones and big adult bare feet (particularly in the summer) won't be warmly welcomed.

Thank you both for the Hakone advice, which I am reviewing now, and most especially the advice on footwear! I am positive I would not have considered this in advance otherwise.

Are "no shoe" zones generally marked in a pictograph of some kind, or is it just assumed one would know where they were not used?

Are "no shoe" zones generally marked in a pictograph of some kind, or is it just assumed one would know where they were not used?

Even if there's no sign, you'll most likely see a lot of shoes and shoeless children in the area to tip you off. ;)

I'm sorry you feel that way. I was trying to keep the OP's needs in mind more than yours.
When I see, on a consistent basis, the contributions of other posters who have proven themselves to be reliant and accurate conveyors of information also being regularly challenged I can't help but wonder if the needs of the OP are really what are being addressed rather some personal need you have.

Even if there's no sign, you'll most likely see a lot of shoes and shoeless children in the area to tip you off. ;)
Agreed.

In the case that you might be the first one there, look out for signs of 'virtual tatami'; a delineated area with a change in colour/textured flooring, or a line or ridge in the floor marking a boundary. Often there will be seats or benches on the perimeter.

Even if there's no sign, you'll most likely see a lot of shoes and shoeless children in the area to tip you off. ;)

Very good point.

Unfortunately, the zoo has announced that the baby panda died yesterday.

The upside of this is that the female panda was returned to public display today, so you can once again see two pandas at the Ueno Zoo.

I just returned today from our trip.

I'd like to offer my very humble thanks to each of you who helped so.much. The trip was spectacular.

We visited the Ueno Zoo, National Children's Castle, Epson Aqua Stadium, Ghibli Museum, Kidzania, and problalbly a couple other big things, plus many short activities. She had a fantastic time and her eyes opened to a place that is completely new. She travelled like a champ.

I am in your debt for providing so much help to a stranger. Thank you.

Unfortunately, the zoo has announced that the baby panda died yesterday.

On a happier note, the panda born in Wakayama (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120812a8.html) less than two weeks ago went on public display today.

You might need a pair of binoculars to see it though...

http://osaka.yomiuri.co.jp/photo/20120823-891398-1-L.jpg

The baby becomes the ninth panda in the Wakayama Adventure World (http://aws-s.com/english/index.php) complex, making it the largest collection of giant pandas outside of China in the world.