PuChu! is a new indoor play center located on the 4th floor of the AsoBuild building, two floors above the Poop Museum, near Yokohama Station. They have 7 stations to play in and 5 zones; Stations 1. The Dance Star – kids jump on mini sound producing trampolines. 2. The …

If you love history and are planning a trip to Yokohama, please visit the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum. This museum is a hidden gem. I learned so much about a topic I knew nothing, and there is no cost of admission. Over 25 million Japanese have migrated overseas since the …

Granny Smiths Apple Pie & Coffee (グラニースミス アップルパイ&コーヒー) offers takeaway counter specializes in four delicious varieties of apple pie; Japan Dutch Crumble, Classic Rum Raisin, French D’mandes and England Custard (around 400 yen per slice). They also offer delicious seasonal pies, teas, espresso and coffee drinks. The small shop doesn`t provide seating however …

Lotus Baquette is an Organic Bakery and Cafe that uses 100% all natural ingredients to create their delicious breads and desserts. There are two locations in Nakameguro, one with indoor seating located a few minutes walk from the station, and another along the Meguro River. Lotus Baquette offers a variety of breads; …

The CupNoodles Museum is one of our families favorite places to visit when in Yokohama. It is surprising how entertaining and educational the museum is. Not only do you learn the history of the world famous Cup Noodles, but you can make your personalised cup and enjoy lunch as well. …

The baby-friendly 100 Spoons Family Restaurant inside The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo (MOT) is fantastic. The interior is clean, with minimal furniture and spacious. They have natural light coming in from two large windows with views of the MOT’s exterior structore and a warmer family-friendly section in the …

Zoorasia Japan is by far our favorite zoo outside Tokyo. It`s more like a walking safari than a zoo. It`s spacious and beautifully maintained with a variety of animals from around the world. For 800 yen per adult, 300 yen for middle & high school aged kids, 200 for elementary and …

On our first visit to Kodomo no Kuni (Children`s Land) we explored the various rides and numerous playgrounds. On our second visit we BBQ`d, went on a pony ride, fed the cows and sheep, and explored the zoo. This place is huge so multiple visit are highly recommended. Every season offers something different from outdoor pool …

Plan to visit Yokohama with Kids? Take the stress out of planning with our 1 day in Yokohama with Kids. Read our complete itinerary with 15+ activities on what to see and do during your stay. Then select your favorite activities and have fun! Brief History: Yokohama is the first …

Only a 33 min express train ride from Shibuya station MARK IS Minato Mirai Mall in Yokohama is a family shopping paradise. MARK IS is a six-story building connected to the Minato Mirai train station where you can shop close to 200 stores, enjoy every type of Japanese and international …

Hamley`s entertainment toy store is a fantastic spot to spend a couple hours. Hamleys is the oldest and largest toy shop in the world. It is named after William Hamley, who founded a toy shop called “Noah’s Ark” in London in 1760. Currently, Hamleys operates over 110 stores all over the …

Yokohama Cosmo World is a family friendly amusement park in the heart of Minato Mirai – a scenic spot during the day and romantic at night. Admission is free to enter and customers pay by attractions or rides via ticket vending machines located throughout the park. Prices range from 300 – …

Yokohama Chinese New Year celebrations  in Yokohama run between January 25 – February 8, 2020. Great fun and food! Yokohama has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world with over 140 years of history.  Although this is still quite new vs. Manila’s Chinatown established in 1590 or London’s in …

Amazing World Kohoku is an indoor play center for kids ages 0 to 12 years. Amazing world branches house plasma cars, inflatable castles, climbing equipment, slides, educational toys like the Trix Track, Wammy and building blocks. They have large drawing walls, kitchen town, crafts, baby room and nursing area, and rest areas for …

AsoBuild Yokohama an entertainment facility for all ages. Located in the Renovated Yokohama Post Office Annex the building holds a a variety of food shops: The Unko Museum (now open until September 30, 2019), Escape from The NINE ROOMS and VR game, Puchu! Indoor Kids Park, Handmade goods floor and …

This year’s Disney on Ice theme is Live Your Dreams, and will be held in July at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, and in August at the Yokohama Arena. The show focuses on inspiring and courageous stories featuring the following Disney characters; Moana, Anna from Frozen, Rapunzel, Bell, Cinderella and …

*** 2019 UPDATE: The Pokemon Center Mega moved to the 8th Floor in the Marui next to Sogo at Yokohama Station.*** If your child is a Pokemon fan we recommend a quick trip to Landmark Tower in Yokohama. Although the store is a smaller version of the Pokemon Center Mega …

Orbi Yokohama is a great spot for young animal lovers. They reopened after a renewal in April 2018 and now offers more opportunities to cuddle with your favorite animals from hedgehogs to bunnies, geckos to snakes, birds, owls, cats and more. They also offer interactive learning through digital animal selfies, …

I took my youngest daughter to the Anpanman Museum a few years, and she loved it. Ages 2-4 is the perfect age for Anpanman!   The museum has been closed but it reopened on July 7, 2019. Three floors of Anpanman characters in a sparkling new facility. All of my …

At Best Living Japan, we offer various craft classes that use Japanese washi, so we are “experts” on where to find the best selection. Here are our top 10 locations to buy Japanese washi in Tokyo. Many smaller Japanese souvenir shops may also sell sheets of Japanese washi, but for …

As long-term residents of Japan we have lived through many typhoons. Here are our recommendations for Typhoon Preparation in Japan with many easy things you can do to prepare, and some fun things to do to keep safe and happy. . What is a Typhoon? “A tropical cyclone is a …

November 15th is the official day of 7-5-3 Celebrations in Japan (Shichi-go-san, 七五三), but many families start to prepare and hold ceremonies from mid-October. Families with girls age 7 & 3 and boys 5 celebrate coming of age by dressing up and visiting shrines across Japan. You can find children …

We have gathered some of the top Tokyo International Schools’ Calendars for Fall 2021 (Aug to Dec 2021) in an attempt to help simplify planning. We often hear from other parents and organizers of community events that all the international schools’ schedules being different causes may headaches. Hoping readers find …

Changing of the seasons is a great time to update our family’s earthquake preparation bags. The kids have all grown, so clothes need to be switched out, and expiration dates on food checked. As a mom of four kids and long-time Tokyo resident I often think about earthquakes, and “what …

Enjoy your life in Japan more by getting involved in Japan Charities. There are many volunteer opportunities to give time and or money to support great causes. I have curated a list of 10 Japan charities to help you find one just right for you. If you would like to nominate …