Travelling to Japan with kids: what changes when you bring the little ones

I’ve been living in Japan for years with three children. I’ve done Shinkansen journeys with a baby in my arms, searched for lifts at metro stations that exist on the map but not in reality, and watched my kids remain completely indifferent to an eight-hundred-year-old temple before losing their minds over a Pokémon vending machine. Japan with kids is a different experience to Japan without them — with advantages you wouldn’t expect and specific difficulties worth knowing about before you arrive.

The general conclusion is that Japan is an excellent destination for families. But as always, the details matter.

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Getting around: the tricky part

Japan’s transport system is extraordinary in many ways. Punctual, clean, efficient, with coverage that reaches practically every corner of the country. But it wasn’t designed with families and pushchairs in mind.

Lifts exist, but you have to find them. In recent years the number of stations with lift access has increased significantly — it’s a real and notable improvement. The problem is that in many stations the lift is at the opposite end from where your train arrives, or requires going around the outside of the station, or simply doesn’t reach every platform. If you’re travelling with a pushchair, always budget extra time to find the right access. Metro apps (and Google Maps) usually indicate accessible routes, but they’re not always up to date.

During rush hour, a pushchair is a genuine problem. Commuter trains in Tokyo, Osaka and other large cities at peak times are literally packed. Getting a pushchair into that environment is uncomfortable for you and for everyone else. Whenever you can, avoid the metro in rush hour with young children: before 8am or after 10am in the morning, and in the afternoon before 5pm or after 8pm.

People are kind, especially with foreign children. This is the part that surprises visitors to Japan most when they travel with kids. In general, people give up their seats without being asked, help lift a pushchair up stairs when there’s no lift, and there’s a general tolerance towards children that isn’t always felt in other countries. Foreign children generate particular curiosity: it’s common for someone to come over and say hello or offer a kind word in Japanese.

That said, the general kindness doesn’t eliminate the practical problem of a pushchair in rush hour. They’re two separate things.

Taxis are a comfortable alternative for short journeys with a lot of luggage or with tired children. They’re expensive compared to the metro, but many accept child seats (request this when booking). Taxi apps like GO or S.RIDE work well and have card payment options.

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Where to go: what they’ll actually enjoy

Here’s the honest truth: most children don’t find temples and shrines particularly engaging. A beautiful temple for an adult is, for a six-year-old, a series of old buildings where you can’t touch anything. Japan has much more to offer young visitors, and it would be a shame to plan the trip as if everyone were an adult.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are the obvious starting point, and for good reason: they work extremely well. DisneySea in particular is unlike any other Disney park in the world — it has more elaborate design and rides that adults genuinely enjoy too. It’s not cheap (individual tickets exceed ¥10,000 per person) and it’s worth booking months in advance. Both parks are in Urayasu, about 15 minutes from central Tokyo.

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka has the Super Nintendo World area, which is probably the most impressive theme park experience currently available for fans of video games of any age. The Harry Potter area is also excellent. If you have children in the group and you’re in Osaka or Kyoto, it’s worth the detour.

Pokémon Centers are official Pokémon stores found in several cities — Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama and others. They’re not exactly tourist attractions, but if your child is between 4 and 14 and knows Pokémon, the reaction when walking in is hard to describe. Entry is free and the shopping experience itself is part of the attraction.

Local amusement parks like Fuji-Q Highland (near Mount Fuji, famous for its extreme roller coasters) or parks in Osaka and Kyoto are more affordable than the big theme parks and usually have areas for young children.

Nature works well with kids. Mount Fuji from the fifth stations, the deer in Nara that approach looking for crackers, the monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park, the koi in garden ponds — these are experiences that connect with children without any cultural translation required.

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Food: Japan is surprisingly easy

Japanese food, paradoxically, tends to work very well with children. Not because it’s similar to what they know, but because there are options in every imaginable format and the base flavours are rarely very spicy or very strong.

Ramen and udon are the first candidates for children. Ramen broth is flavourful but generally not spicy (you can ask for it without chilli), noodles are almost universally popular, and most places have photo menus or ticket vending machines that simplify ordering.

Onigiri and konbini sandwiches are lifesavers for stops between sights. A child who won’t eat in a restaurant will eat a tuna onigiri without complaint. Keeping a couple in your bag costs under ¥300 and handles emergencies.

Kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurants are probably the most entertaining for children of any age. The system of ordering on a touchscreen and watching the plates arrive is engaging in itself. And there are options beyond pure sushi — egg omelette, edamame, chips, things a picky child can eat without issue.

Teishoku restaurants (set-menu places with a main dish, rice, soup and sides) are affordable and varied. Young children can usually eat the rice and side dishes even if the main dish isn’t to their taste.

What I wouldn’t recommend for young children is traditional kaiseki — the Japanese tasting menu with many small courses of intense flavours — or very artisanal soba restaurants where there’s a minimal menu and little flexibility. Not because they’re bad, but because they’re not the right setting for a meal with children who might not be in the mood.

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Accommodation: think about space

Standard Japanese hotel rooms are quite small by Western standards. For a family, this can be a real problem.

Family rooms in hotels exist but you need to look for them and book well in advance. Many chain hotels have superior room or suite options with capacity for four people, but they sell out quickly during high season.

Ryokan with tatami rooms are an excellent solution for families. The rooms are more spacious than in an equivalent Western hotel, futons go on the floor (no beds to fall out of), and the experience of sleeping on tatami, dining in the room and using the onsen is itself part of the trip. Many ryokan have private onsen rooms (kashikiri) that are perfect with young children — the shared onsen can be complicated with babies or very young children.

Holiday rental apartments (Airbnb or similar platforms) are another practical option, especially for longer stays. Having your own kitchen takes the pressure off finding a restaurant for every meal and can be a relief for children — and for parents.

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Practical things worth knowing

Nappy changing facilities: available in many shopping centres, some large stations and theme parks. Not everywhere, but considerably more widespread than in many European countries. Konbinis rarely have them.

Feeding rooms: shopping centres usually have well-equipped nursing rooms (授乳室) with dim lighting, comfortable seating and a changing table. On the street it’s more complicated, though Japanese people are discreet and nobody will give you a hard look.

Pushchair hire: at Disney and some theme parks there are pushchair rental options. Elsewhere in Japan, you’re expected to bring your own.

Summer heat: if you’re travelling in July or August, the heat and humidity are a real factor, especially with young children. Babies and very young children are vulnerable to heat exhaustion. Plan outdoor activities for the coolest parts of the day (early morning or late afternoon), always have water to hand, and use air conditioning without guilt — in summer in Japan, air conditioning isn’t a luxury but a necessity.

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FAQ

Is Japan safe for travelling with children? Very safe. The level of public safety in Japan is extraordinary — older children move around with a degree of independence that would be unthinkable in many other countries. As a tourist with children, I’ve never had any incident or felt any safety concern.

What minimum age would you recommend for a first trip to Japan? There’s no perfect minimum age — it depends on the child and the parents. With babies the trip is possible but exhausting (jet lag in babies is rough). With 4-5 year olds they can start to enjoy specific experiences. From around 8-10 the full trip starts to make sense for them.

Do children get in free to attractions? Often yes, or at a significant discount. Temples and shrines are usually free for young children. Museums have reduced rates. Always check each venue’s policy before you go.

What if my child has a food allergy? The most common allergies (gluten, dairy, egg, nuts) are known in the Japanese hospitality industry, particularly in Tokyo and tourist areas. Carry an allergy card written in Japanese — there are free templates online. Google Lens can help you read ingredient lists in the supermarket. That said, Japanese cooking uses a lot of soy and seafood — always flag it and don’t assume something is safe because it looks simple.

Do Japanese restaurants have highchairs? Some do, especially in family-oriented areas or large chains. It’s not universal. If your child needs a highchair, bring a compact travel one or plan to sit at places that have them.

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Travelling to Japan with children requires more planning than going alone or as a couple, but Japan repays that investment generously. The safety, the general kindness, the variety of food, and the number of experiences that work well for children make it a destination I’d recommend to any family willing to adapt a little to the rhythm of the country. And if the temples bore the kids — which they will, almost certainly — there’s always a Pokémon Center twenty minutes away by metro.

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Information updated June 2026. Prices and attraction availability subject to change.