Japan is considered a fantastic country to visit with children since it is safe, clean, well-organzied, and easy to navigate.
Many attractions do not go out of their way to appeal to youngsters, so you may have to be creative. Still, pop culture and spectacular cityscapes should easily intrigue not only younger children but adolescents as well.
Continue reading to learn more about traveling to Japan with children, including places to stay, kid-friendly attractions, and more.
Is Japan Considered Family-Friendly?
Japan is a safe and straightforward location to visit with children. Traveling with your family might be challenging at times.
Despite its reputation for crowds and frenetic city life, Japan is a fantastic family getaway with something that everyone will love.
How to Get Around Japan with Kids?
Travelling by Train
Trains are a convenient method to get across Japan, but they may be congested and hectic. Platforms and trains are frequently overcrowded at these times, and it’s easy to be caught up in the rush of people as they move through the stations and board trains, especially in Tokyo and Osaka in the mornings.
It’s critical to keep tiny children near so that you don’t become separated in the crowd. Alternatively, try to avoid rush hours as much as possible.
Even if it’s not rush hour, hold small children’s hands when boarding trains and allow additional time for transfers, particularly if you’re traveling with a baby stroller.
Although most large stations have elevators to access the platforms, they may not always be in the most convenient location.
Travelling by Buses
The same principle applies to child discounts on local buses as it does for railways. Discount fares are not usually available on highway buses. Infants who do not have their own seats typically ride for free.
On municipal and highway buses, car seats, child seats, and booster seats are unnecessary and are even outlawed in some situations. For example, when riding a highway bus, infants must be carried by an adult and are not permitted to sit in their own seat, even if in an infant carrier.
Where to Stay with Kids in Japan?
In Japan, Western-style hotels charge by the room, but they limit the number of people who may stay in each room. Co-sleeping with a parent or another child is generally permitted for children under twelve.
While triple and quadruple rooms are uncommon, many hotels charge an additional price for extra beds and cribs.
Because each hotel’s regulations regarding children differ, contact your hotel for further information.
Traditional Japanese inns, such as ryokan and minshuku, typically include meals in the price of lodging and employ various ways to compute children’s prices based on their age and the sort of meal they require.
However, vacation rentals, furnished houses, or flats available for short-term rental are another option to explore.
Vacation rentals, though sometimes less conveniently situated than hotels, can be a more cost-effective option, especially for larger families.
Where Can You Dine with Children in Japan?
One can easily get overwhelmed with all the different restaurants to choose from in Japan. Luckily, most of them welcome families with little children.
Family restaurants and chain restaurants are often the most family-friendly, with unique children’s menus and child-friendly booths or traditional zashiki seating.
The majority of these restaurants do a decent job disclosing food components on their menus and have separate smoking and non-smoking sections in some cities where smoking is still permitted inside of the restaurant.
Sushi restaurants with conveyor belts are very popular with kids. Shokudo and other casual eateries are likewise generally family-friendly. Nonetheless, there are many variances as late-night drinking establishments may become noisy.
Small cafes and food booths are usually best avoided by families since they are usually crowded, smoky, and have limited seats at the counter. Although highchairs or booster seats are frequently offered, they are rarely fitted with restraining straps.
Do Children’s Tickets to Attractions Have Discounts in Japan?
Children in Japan are usually classed by their school year rather than their age regarding fares and entry costs. However, because education systems vary by country, children of international travelers are most typically categorized by their age:
Children aged 12 and above are usually charged adult pricing, while children aged 11 and under are usually given discounts. Children under the age of six are frequently given free access.
Does Japan Provide Changing Tables in their Public Washrooms?
Changing stations, which may be found in both women’s and men’s toilets, are becoming more prevalent in public restrooms.
In Japan, public restrooms are plentiful and free. Department shops, retail malls, train stations, and numerous convenience stores all have them.
Families with young children may typically utilize large handicap restrooms, which often include a changing station.
Breastfeeding is permitted in public in Japan. However, discretion is advised. Department stores, retail malls, outlet malls, and theme parks frequently provide specific areas with private booths and change stations for nursing moms.
What are the Most Popular Tourist Attractions for Families in Japan?
Visit Tokyo’s Disney Resort
The Tokyo Disney Resort includes two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, as well as the Ikspiari retail mall and other resort hotels.
It’s about a 15-minute train trip away from Tokyo Station. The resort attracts both domestic and foreign visitors, and its two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, are among the most popular in the world.
DisneySea is a one-of-a-kind destination among Disney Parks and Resorts, focusing solely on water-related places and concepts.
Visiting Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan has been in operation since 2001, and it has been enlarged several times since then. They estimate you’ll need at least three days to see every ride and attraction.
Universal Studios Japan is devoted to American movie features and live entertainment, focusing on Japanese culture.
This massive theme park is located on Osaka’s southwestern outskirts. Universal Studios Japan quickly became one of the trendiest things to do in the city once it was offered to Japanese residents.
This park will be one you and your family will never forget, with attractions like Harry Potter World only a short walk away and a live street parade becoming an exciting thing to see at night.
Take a Trip to KidZania
Finding kid-friendly activities while on vacation in a foreign location may be difficult, especially if you have many children with varied interests. KidZania in Tokyo is one of the most excellent places to visit with children.
Adults may relax as their children participate in a range of hands-on activities at this amusement park. KidZania Tokyo is easily accessible from central Tokyo by rail or bus.
KidZania is a miniature version of a town. Over 100 distinct roles are available for youngsters to try out in 60 different pavilions. KidZania is a fun way for kids to learn about society while also allowing them to try out different careers.
Kidzania Tokyo Official Website
As police officers, children may patrol the town, scale buildings as maintenance workers, organize vacations at the travel agency, and operate the fire hose at the fire station.
At the bakery, they can manufacture little croissants, and at the sweets factory, they can build a box of delicious sweets. Furthermore, everything they create is theirs to keep.
Visit Legoland Japan
In April 2017, Legoland Japan was opened in Nagoya. Many of the outdoor amusement park activities are geared at young children, although there are a few that may be of interest to accompanying adults. Large Lego models, attractions, construction stations, and dining are all on the menu for visitors.
Legoland Japan is divided into seven themed regions that correspond to the many universes in the Lego universe. “Miniland Japan” sits smack dab amid the park, and it’s made up of millions of Lego bricks to showcase the country’s most famous attractions.
Versions of Kyoto, Tokyo, and Mount Fuji are all within walking distance. Near Miniland, the spinning Observation Tower provides a bird’s eye perspective of the park and its surroundings.
Visiting Tokyo’s Legoland Discovery Centre
Legoland’s Discovery Center Tokyo, located on the waterfront in Odaiba, houses over three million Lego bricks and a Miniland Tokyo. A dynamic 4D theatre and three themed rides are among the other attractions.
The user-friendly facility also has multipurpose toilets, stroller parking, an elevator for strollers and wheelchairs, and a cafe, making it an excellent getaway from the summer’s oppressive heat and humidity.
A child must be accompanied by adults to visit Japan’s only indoor theme park devoted to the iconic brick. Still, Legoland’s Discovery Center Tokyo is exciting for all ages.
The user-friendly facility also has multipurpose toilets, stroller parking, an elevator for strollers and wheelchairs, and a café to combat the summer’s oppressive heat and humidity.
