As a world-class destination, Tokyo has many family-friendly attractions to enjoy. What may be high on your list of attractions to see are Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. However, there are other places you need to be aware of, including some based on Japanese pop culture. While the Disneyland Resort seems obvious, there are many other family-friendly attractions that you and your family can enjoy in Tokyo. In addition, public transportation information is available for each popular destination.
Best Family-Friendly Attractions in Tokyo, Japan
Ghilbli Museum
1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka
Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
www.ghibli-museum.jp/en
Ghibli Museum is located about 14 miles west of Tokyo and about a 40 transit ride. However, if you and your family are fans of Japanese anime, you’ll consider making the time and effort to visit. Although small compared to your average museum, Ghibli is a family-friendly attraction devoted to the famous Japanese animation Studio Ghibli. While you might not instantly recognize the name, you will recognize some of its animated movies and artists. This includes movies by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, known for such works as the Oscar-winning “Spirited Away” and “The Boy and the Heron.” Among others you might remember are “Princess Mononoke, “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Ponyo.” You can admire the museum’s colorful buildings and several Ghibli characters.
Getting to the Ghibli Museum
You can take the Chuo line from Tokyo Station and then a bus to Ghibli Museum. First, take the Chuo or Tozai subway, then transfer to a Mitaka City bus at Mitaka Station. The bus stop is in front of the museum’s entrance.
Related: How to Use the Tokyo Subway
National Museum of Nature and Science
7-20 Uenokoen, Taito City
Tokyo 110-8718, Japan
+81 50-554-8600
https://www.kahaku.go.jp
Located in Ueno Park, the National Museum of Nature and Science is among Tokyo’s largest and oldest museums. Moreover, there are so many things to see that you could spend a whole day with your family. For instance, the display of enormous dinosaur skeletons and a vintage steam locomotive. Also among the museum’s permanent collection are items designated as important cultural properties of Japan. This includes the oldest existing seismograph, perpetual myriad clock, and Japan’s first phonograph. That’s not to mention Taxidermy Hall, which features the taxidermy of the famous dogs Hachiko Taro and Jiro.
How to Get There
Ueno Station is a short walk from the National Museum of Nature and Science. Moreover, this museum is the closest major attraction in Ueno Park from the station. Among other attractions in Ueno Park are the National Museum, Ueno Zoo, and Metropolitan Art Museum. As a central transportation hub, Ueno Station is served by the Tokyo Subway, East Japan Railway Company, Shinkansen, and more.
Odaiba
Odaiba isn’t just a single family-friendly Tokyo attraction. Instead, it’s an artificial island destination that has several things to do for your entire family. What’s more, your public transportation getting there is family-friendly, like a boat or monorail ride. As for attractions, Tokyo Joyopolis, Madame Tussaud’s, and Legoland are among the most popular. That’s not to mention even more recommendations like the Unko Museum, Trick Art Museum, and Small Worlds Miniature Museum. There’s even a tiny replica of the Statue of Liberty and a giant Gundham transformer on Odaiba island.
How to Get to Odaiba
The most efficient way to get to Odaiba is with JR Rail and subway lines to Daiba Station. On the other hand, there are different transportation options you can consider. For one, you can take the Tokyo Monorail from Shinagawa Seaside Station. The monorail will then transport you to Tokyo Teleport Station, a short walk to the heart of Odaiba. Then you can also take a cruise boat from Asakusa, Hinode Pier, or Toyosu. Walking across the Rainbow Bridge is the last way to get to Odaiba. From Shibaura-futo Station, it’s about a 2.6 mile across the bridge to Odaiba.
Related: Most Instagrammable Spots in Tokyo
Sanrio Puroland
1 Chome-31 Ohchiai, Tama
Tokyo 206-8588, Japan
+81 42-339-1111
https://www.puroland.jp
If you or your children love Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, visit Sanrio Puroland. An indoor theme park, it features rides, live entertainment, and people dressed as Sanrio characters who greet visitors. For example, you might see Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and, of course, Hello Kitty. To visit Sanrio Puroland, you must make reservations and obtain passports in advance. Passports and reservations can be made directly through the theme park or outlets like Klook and Rakuten.
How to Get to Sanrio Puroland
Although Sanrio Puroland is not located in central Tokyo, you can use public transportation. However, this family-friendly attraction could take you an hour or longer by public transportation. For example, if you start from Shibuya Station, your trip, on average, may take 45 to 59 minutes. Moreover, you may use a combination of services, like East Japan Railway, subway, or a private railway company.
Snoopy Museum Tokyo
3 Chome-1-4 Tsuruma, Machida
Tokyo 194-0004, Japan
www.snoopymuseum.tokyo
The Snoopy Museum Tokyo is the sister property of California’s Charles M. Schulz Museum. Just reopening in February, this family-friendly Tokyo attraction is all about Snoopy and all his Peanuts friends. You will see artwork and galleries featuring all your favorite characters, like Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Snoopy. Also on-site are the popular Peanuts theme café and hands-on experiences for children. For adults, you can purchase advance tickets online, which is ¥1800 ($11.64). For junior high and high school students, it’s ¥800 ($5.17) and ¥400 ($2.59) for ages 4 to elementary school.
How to Get to Snoopy Museum Tokyo
From Shibuya Station, it’s about a 35-minute ride on the Den-en-Toshi rail line operated by Tokyu Corporation. You will stay onboard until you reach the Minami-Machida-Granberry Park Station. It’s about a 4-minute walk to the Tokyo Snoopy Museum.
Tokyo Disneyland
Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba
Tokyo 279-0031, Japan
+81 45-330-5211
www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en
The biggest and most popular family-friendly attraction is, of course, Tokyo Disneyland. In fact, it is one of the largest Disney theme parks and the first to open outside of the U.S. Covering 115 acres, Tokyo Disneyland is the top draw of the 494-acre Tokyo Disney Resort, which also features Tokyo DisneySea. If you go, you’ll see that Tokyo Disneyland has themed lands, rides and attractions much like the original Disneyland. This includes Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. In addition, you and your family can also meet Disney characters and enjoy great food.
How to Get to Tokyo Disneyland
You can take the JR Keiyo line directly from Tokyo Station to the JR Maihama Station. It takes about 17 minutes from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station, and the one-way fare is ¥230 ($1.49). The walk to the Disneyland entrance from the station should take less than 10 minutes. However, if you plan to visit Tokyo DisneySea or any Disney hotels, you should take the Disney Resort Line. However, a ride on the entire loop of the Resort Line requires a separate fee of ¥300 ($1.94) or ¥150 ($.97) for children. Tokyo Disney is the most popular family-friendly attraction in Tokyo.
Related: Exploring Tokyo’s Famous Yokochos
Tokyo Sea Life Park
6-Chome-2-3 Rinkaicho, Edogawa City
Tokyo 134-8587, Japan
+81 3-3869-5152
www.tokyo-zoo.net/zoo/kasai
First opened in 1989, Tokyo Sea Life Park is one of Japan’s largest and most visited aquariums. Overlooking Tokyo Bay, the aquarium is home to over 600 species of sea life, including bluefin tuna, penguins, and jellyfish. General admission is ¥700 ($4.53) and ¥250 ($1.62) for students ages 13-15. Children 12 and under get free admission, and for older visitors, it’s ¥350 ($2.26). Before you go, purchase your advance tickets online, and know that the aquarium is closed on Wednesdays.
Getting to Tokyo Sea Life Park
You can take the JR Keiyo line from Tokyo Station to Kasai-Rinkai Park Station. From there, it’s about a five-minute walk to Kasai-Rinkai Park, the largest in central Tokyo. Alternatively, you can consider taking the Tokyo Water Bus, which stops at Odaiba and Kasai-Rinkai Park.
Tokyo Toy Museum
4 Chome-20, Shinjuku City, Yotsuya
Tokyo 160-0004, JAPAN
+813-5367-9601
www.art-play.or.jp/ttm/en
Aside from Tokyo Disneyland, what family attraction could be better than a toy museum? In Shinjuku ward and within a former schoolhouse, Tokyo Toy Museum features toys worldwide. In more detail, you might see more than 10,000 different toys, including daruma dolls, antiques, and traditional Japanese games. While you can pay for admission at the museum, purchasing advance tickets online is always helpful. Even though it’s ¥1300 ($8.40) for junior high and above and ¥800 ($5.17) for elementary school students, you can save by purchasing online. Please note that the Toy Museum is closed on Thursdays.
How to Get to Tokyo Toy Museum
While this family-friendly attraction is in Shinjuku ward, don’t make the mistake of taking transit to Shinjuku Station. That’s because, from the station, it’s about a 25-minute walk to the Toy Museum. Instead, taking the Marunouchi subway to Yotsya-sanchoume Station would be best. From this station, it’s just about a five-minute walk to the Museum. Of course, you can find additional information through its official website.
Ueno Zoological Gardens
9-83 Uenokoen, Taito City|
Tokyo 110-8711, Japan
+81 3-3828-5171
www.tokyo-zoo.net/zoo/ueno
Like the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ueno Park’s zoo is a must-see, family-friendly attraction in Tokyo. Ueno Zoological Gardens is Japan’s oldest zoo, dating to 1882. Covering 325 acres, the zoo is home to about 3,000 animals representing over 500 species. Among these beautiful animals are family favorites like pandas and polar bears, red pandas, and Sumatran tigers. While no parking lots are onsite, Ueno Zoo can be reached through a few transit options. This includes trains and subways to JR Ueno Station and Keisei Union Station.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
1 Chome 1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima City
Tokyo 179-0074, Japan
+81 50-6862-3676
www.wbstudiotour.jp
Just opened last summer is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Nerima City, a special ward of Tokyo. This indoor theme park is the world’s largest indoor Harry Potter attraction. On the other hand, the Making of Harry Potter isn’t extensive compared to a typical theme park. Be that as it may, you can see Harry Potter replica props of Hogwarts Castle and Hogwarts Express. In addition, you can enjoy film sets like Dragon Alley and the Great Hall. Due to its popularity amongst Harry Potter fans, you should purchase your tickets in advance. Prices are ¥6500 ($42.04) for adults, ¥5400 ($34.92) for ages 12-17, and ¥3900 ($25.22) for ages 4-11.
How to Get to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Depending upon where you start in central Tokyo, it’s about a 35-50 minute ride on public transportation. For example, you would take the Marunouchi subway from Shinjuku Station and transfer to the Oedo line at Nakano-Sakaue Station. This route should take 35 minutes to reach Toshimaen Station. It’s five minutes from this station to the Harry Potter indoor theme park. Incidentally, the location for this Warner Bros. Studio Tour is Nerima City, known as the Birthplace of Anime.
Bonus Recommendations
Character Street
B1 First Ave. Tokyo Station
1-Chome-9-1 Chiyoda City, Marunouchi
Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
+81 3-3210-0077
www.e-shop.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp
Even if you already have a few family-friendly attractions on your itinerary, here’s a bonus recommendation. However, Character Street isn’t a theme park or even a museum. Instead, it’s a shopping mall at Tokyo Station, with several stores based upon popular characters. For instance, you’ll see stores for Pokemon, Studio Ghibli, Snoopy, Lego, and Disney, as well as a store for popular capsule toys. In all, there are about two dozen character shops, as well as pop-up shops that appear regularly. Best of all, it’s in central Tokyo so you won’t have to travel too far. As for the best Sanrio shopping for families in Tokyo, it is the world’s largest store, Sanrio World Ginza. This gigantic store is about five minutes from the JR Yurakucho Station.
Edo Wonderland
470-2 Karakura, Nikko
Tochigi 321-2524, Japan
+81 288-77-1777
www.edowonderland.net/en
Just under 100 miles south of Tokyo, Edo Wonderland is one of the farthest family-friendly attractions. Furthermore, it’s nearly a three-hour public transit ride, and that’s only just one way. However, what you will see is more than enough of a reason why you should consider a visit. In a brief explanation, Edo Wonderland is a cultural park that recreates a historic town from the Edo period. This was a landmark time during the 17th to 19th centuries when you would see samurai warriors, geishas, ninja warriors, and more. Encompassing over 120 acres, Edo Wonderland is family-friendly and a spot you will never forget.
How to Get to Edo Wonderland
Following the recommendation from Edo Wonderland, your best public transit route begins from a JR station. You can take a direct express train from Ikebukuro, Omiya, or Shinjuku to Kinugawa Onsen Station. From this station, you can take either a 10-minute taxi or a 15-minute public bus ride. Edo Wonderland also suggests you take the Tobu Kinugawa line from Tobu Asakusa Station.
Related: Themed Cafes in Tokyo
About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
