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Proud affiliate of Favorite Grampy Travels
Best For
First-timers & families
Recommended Nights
5–7
Pairs Naturally With
Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko
Best Seasons
Late Mar–Apr, Nov
The city that makes Japan click
Tokyo is easy to love and easy to move through, even on the jet-lagged first day of a big trip. The trains run on time, the signage is bilingual, and there’s a version of Japan for every kid in the family — arcades and Pokémon Center for the ones who want noise and lights, quiet temple lanes in Asakusa for the ones who don’t. It’s the city most families use as their front door into the whole country, and it earns that role.
For the country-level basics — money, etiquette, seasons, how many days to plan for all of Japan — that’s covered in the Japan Country Guide. This page is just about Tokyo: where to stay, what’s actually worth your time, and how it fits into the rest of the trip.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
First-time Japan families who want maximum variety from one base, older kids who’ll enjoy the energy of Shibuya and Akihabara, and anyone who wants a genuinely easy start to a bigger trip.
WHO SHOULD SKIP OR SHORTEN IT
Families craving a slow, quiet countryside pace as the whole trip — Tokyo is still a huge, fast city, even in its calmer neighborhoods.
How Tokyo Fits Into a Japan Trip
Approximate travel times — always double-check the current schedule closer to your trip.
Neighborhoods worth basing in
Shinjuku
The transit hub — easiest access to the Narita Express and the Romancecar to Hakone, plus more restaurants than you could eat through in a month.
Asakusa
Old-Tokyo streets, Senso-ji right outside your door, generally better value, and a calmer evening pace with kids in tow.
Tokyo Station / Marunouchi
Polished and central, with the easiest possible Shinkansen departure if you’re heading onward with luggage.
Ueno
Museums, parks, and genuinely good value — a smart base for families watching the budget without sacrificing location.
Shibuya
The energy families picture when they think “Tokyo” — best for families with older kids or teens who’ll enjoy the buzz.
Ginza
Upscale and walkable, with department-store food halls that double as an easy, low-stress dinner option.
Mimaru Tokyo (multiple locations)
Apartment-style suites with a kitchenette and separate sleeping areas — Shinjuku, Ueno, Nihombashi, and Ikebukuro locations all work well for families who want real space at the end of a long day.
Mimaru Suites Nihombashi
Larger multi-bedroom units from the same family-first brand, well suited to bigger groups or two families traveling together.
Park Hyatt Tokyo or Aman Tokyo
Two of the city’s most iconic stays — exceptional service and views, and a genuinely special way to spend a night or two if it fits the budget.
The sights worth prioritizing
Senso-ji Temple & Asakusa
Tokyo’s oldest temple, with the Nakamise shopping street leading up to it — go early to beat the crowds, or embrace the evening lantern glow instead.
Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko
The famous scramble crossing is worth seeing in person once — pair it with a photo at the Hachiko statue and a coffee overlooking the intersection.
teamLab Planets or teamLab Borderless
Immersive, barefoot-through-water digital art — Planets is at Toyosu, Borderless at Azabudai Hills. Book timed tickets in advance; this genuinely delights kids of almost any age.
Family time, built in
Tokyo has an unusual amount of range for families — you can go from quiet and traditional to loud and electric in the space of one subway ride.
PARK & DOWNTIME PICK
Yoyogi Park, near Shibuya and Harajuku — big open lawns, weekend street performers, and an easy place to let kids run before or after a museum-heavy day.
What to actually eat
Ramen
Sushi
Hotpot (Nabe)
Takoyaki
Taiyaki
OnigiriKamakura, by the sea
About an hour from Tokyo Station
Kamakura is an easy half-or-full-day trip — the Great Buddha, temple-lined hillsides, and a beach-town feel that’s a nice contrast to central Tokyo. It’s forgiving with kids: short walks between sights, plenty of snacks along the way, and no need for advance reservations.
Worth The Splurge
A private, licensed local guide for a day — built entirely around your family’s pace and interests instead of a set tour route. It’s the single best way to see Tokyo without the group-tour shuffle, and it works especially well on the first jet-lagged day.
Before you go
Curious about planning this trip? Let’s dream it up together.
Start Planning →Tokyo Family Bingo
See it. Do it. Love it. Tokyo style.
A free, printable bingo card built just for Tokyo — Tokyo Tower, ramen, the Shibuya Crossing, a cat cafe, Akihabara, and more. Print it before you go and play as a family while you explore.
Download the Free Bingo Card →Quick answers
How many days should we spend in Tokyo?
Plan on five to seven nights if you can. That is enough time to actually settle into the city instead of just checking off sights, and it still leaves room for a day trip to Kamakura.
Is Tokyo a good first stop in Japan with kids?
Yes — it’s one of the easiest big cities in the world to navigate with kids, with reliable trains, clear signage, and an enormous range of family-friendly activities.
What’s the best way to get from the airport to Tokyo?
From Haneda, it’s a quick 15–30 minute train or monorail ride into the city. From Narita, plan on roughly 40–60 minutes via the Narita Express or Skyliner.
Do we need a JR Pass just for Tokyo?
Not for Tokyo itself — the city’s subway and JR Yamanote Line are easily covered with an IC card. A JR Pass becomes worthwhile once you’re adding Shinkansen trips to other cities.
Plan Your Japan Trip With Nicole
Researching Tokyo is one thing. Making the trains, hotels, day trips, and pacing work together as one smooth family trip is where a travel advisor earns her keep.
Plan Your Japan Trip With Nicole →Explore The Other Cities
