Tokyo One Day Itinerary: The Akasaka Area with Kids was written by Maven Mom, Olga – mother of two and Mom in Balance Tokyo Trainer. When we came for our look-see, Akasaka was our main focus. I had lived in Akasaka before from 2000-2003 and we stayed in a hotel in …

Start your morning by taking a stroll at Mohri Garden located near Asashi TV and the Roppongi Hills Arena. It`s a beautiful Japanese garden built around a pond with pink cherry blossoms in Spring, red maple leaves in Autumn and illuminations in Winter. Also a lovely place for photos. Address: 6-9 …

Jiyugaoka is a lovely area filled with boutiques, restaurants and cafes. If visiting the area with kids we recommend these restaurants and play areas to visit between shopping breaks. Open from 8:00 Lupicia Tea Shop is a great spot to start the morning with a delicious cup of tea and …

If you have 3-5 days to spend in Tokyo, we highly recommend this one-day itinerary for Tokyo One Day with Kids – Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Aoyama areas. The Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando and Aoyama area is a great place to see the modern, hip fashion and entertainment side of Tokyo …

Start your morning off at Ivy Place, one of our favorite breakfast spots on our list of Top Tokyo breakfast & brunch recommendations. Located in the stylish Daikanyama T-Site complex, Ivy Place opens daily from 7:00 a.m. and offers a variety of breakfast choices that change with the season. Patrons have …

Nakameguro is a popular yet quiet residential neighborhood filled with unique boutique shops and cafe. The area comes alive with their Cherry Blossom festival along the Meguro River in mid spring and during their summer matsuri (festival). Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Nakameguro with Kids Start your morning off at City Bakery. …

We love this quiet, residential area in Shibuya-ku. We often often spend our day in the Ebisu Station West Exit area then walk towards Daikanyama or the East Exit towards Ebisu Garden Place. Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Ebisu Area with Kids Crossroad Bakery is a great place to start the day – …

Odaiba is our favorite area to take kids and teens. It has a beach, grassy areas, lots of space, a number of attractions, family-friendly restaurants and malls. Here are our favorites; *** Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Odaiba with Kids *** Start your morning off at Bills Odaiba in the Decks Shopping Mall …

Setagaya Park Area with Kids Setagaya Park is one we frequent on our list of Top Recommended Playground Parks in Tokyo. They offer rides on a mini Steam Locomotive, free pedal-go-carts in a traffic park with working traffic signals, have 2 separate playgrounds equipped with swings, spring riders, slides, monkey bars …

A trip to Tokyo Tower (東京タワー) with the kids is a must do for visitors or newly arrived Tokyo expats. Not only is the view great, but the ride up is really, really cool! ***NOTE – The second observation deck is closed from October 1, 2016 due to remodeling. No …

Panicking about what to do in Tokyo with Kids over New Years? Head out to our favorite indoor-outdoor haven, Odaiba. Odaiba is a great place to fill in the lull over the New Years Holiday. ***  New Years in Tokyo with Kids: One Day Itinerary in Odaiba  *** Start your …

** Presently the caves are closed due to damage from Typhoon #12 in October 2017, but they will reopen Golden Week 2018. We will post new information as available. Thanks Lauren and Sandra. One hour from central Tokyo you can ride the waves, smell the sea air and explore the …

Here are our recommended August 18 & 19, 2018 Tokyo Weekend Family Events and Activities. Have a great summer! ~Best Living Japan Moms 1. 11th Minato Mirai Dai Bon Odori (Yokohama) – Enjoy a day in Yokohama visiting the Bon Odori festival for games, food, and dancing. 19,500 people are expected to …

The Best Living Japan Tokyo Jump-Start Orientation is perfect for you if your family is new to Tokyo. Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything new and need info? Do you want to meet some new friends? If you answered yes to any of the questions, then the Tokyo Jump-Start …

Next week Monday, August 13 – Thursday, August 16 is the start of Obon in Japan a week where Japanese families typically travel back to their hometowns to visit the graves of ancestors. Many will leave from the weekend to extend their Obon holiday. Experience the many festivities and cultural events …

Summer is flying by! This weekend summer festivals abound in Tokyo. Here are our recommended August 4 & 5, 2018 Tokyo Weekend Family Events and Activities. If you are looking for summer activity inspirations, visit our 2018 Tokyo Summer List. Wishing you a great weekend!  – Best Living Japan Moms …

Due to the August Obon Holidays in Japan, there are slightly fewer 2018 Tokyo Antique & Flea Markets. However, the first weekend does have the three-day Antique Jamboree @ Big Sight where you can shop but also take your antiques to be repaired. Don’t let the heat stop you, wear …

Here are our recommended August 2018 Top Tokyo Activities and Events. The Summer Festivals, Fireworks and Museum Exhibits continue through August and includes Obon in Japan a week where Japanese families typically travel back to their hometowns to visit the graves of ancestors. Experience the many festivities and cultural events before the …

Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden is one of the oldest serving Japan parks in Tokyo. It a great place to spend 30-60 mins before a trip to the Hamarikyu Gardens or Zojoji. Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden (Kaigan, Minato-ku) – 2nd Oldest Surviving Park in Tokyo Picturesque Edo-era landscape garden with a pond & bridges, plus …

Zushi Beach Water Park is holding their 3rd annual beach water park opening an inflatable water park at the beach now until Sunday, September 2, 2018. Zushi, close to Enoshima Islands and Caves (25 min by car), is a great day trip from Tokyo. It is the closest natural beach to Tokyo, …

Can you believe it`s the end of July? The summer is flying by! 4 more weeks till school resumes. Take advantage of the summer holiday by checking out our recommended July 28 & 29, 2018 Tokyo Weekend Family Events and Activities for families in Japan. Festivals & Fireworks are in …

Central cooling and heating is limited in Japan, so your best bet to comfortably regulate the temperature in your home is individual cooling and heating units placed in each room of the house. Here are our tips on How to Use an Air Conditioner in Japan – Functions, Tips and Repairs, …

Traveling as a family is expensive, so I highly recommend taking advantage of some of the Tokyo Free Walking Tours listed below. If you are a family of seven like ours, it would cost us 5,000 – 8,000 per person or $350 – 500 USD for a tour. Even though …

Despite having lived in Minami Azabu (Minato-ku, Tokyo) for a long time, I had never enjoyed the library lunch & coffee at the Central Tokyo Metro Library Cafeteria and Cafe in Arisuagwa Park, Minami Azabu. I finally stopped in the other day and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon of lunch, books, …

teamLab Planets TOKYO (Toyosu) and teamLab Borderless (Odaiba) “experiences” both opened this summer (2018) and are running at least for the next two years. Both installations are the brain children of teamLab and provide a 360 degree immerse light and environment experience. Although both are created by the same company …