Kindy & Elementary Fun

If you are heading out to Hakone or Gotemba Outlets,  you will want to save two hours to visit Parcabout tree nets. Parabout is a huge trampoline, and net climbing system suspended 4-10 meters in the air between huge trees. Each climbing session is for 2 hours, and you will be …

If you have children ages 5 and up I recommend you attend the Ikebukuro Life and Safety Learning Center 池袋防災館.  Sign-up to take the FREE 1 hour 40 min tour and get a full education on the risk of fire, smoke, and earthquakes. The tour leaders are retired firemen and women …

School is about to begin which means lots of excitement but also some contagious children’s ailments. Be prepared and know what to look for. Here are five common contagious children’s ailments in Japan.  To help you out we consulted with one of our family’s dermatologists (Dr. Chin-huai Keong, M.D., Ph.D.@ Garden Clinic Hiroo) about …

The Shitamachi Museum in Ueno was established in 1980 to teach future generations about the culture of the shitamachi. The word shitamachi is composed of the word shita meaning “down” and machi meaning “town”. By touring the Shitamachi Museum, you will gain an understanding of life in the shitamchi pre-WWII. …

Round1 is one of my boys’ favorite place to go with their friends for a few hours of “down-time” or a birthday party. The closest ones to downtown Tokyo are Odaiba, Kawasaki, or Ikebukuro, although there are over 100 Round1 facilities in Japan, and over 10 locations in the USA. …

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. …

Tokyo can be expensive if you have multiple children, but take heart there are some amazing attractions that are awesomely free. Check out our Top Tokyo Free Kids Attractions for Kids Elementary and Younger. Kids under four years are usually free at most locations, but the list below is free …

Radio calisthenics (ラジオ体操 rajio taisō) is a free, fun and healthy family activity usually for ten mins between 6:00 – 7:00 in local parks all around Japan. If you are jet lagged find your local park and head out with a towel and some bottled water.  Here is a Japanese website …

Honshiba Park is a sliver of a park that offers train watching, a playground and petit water play park (July/Aug).   The park is conveniently located next to Tamachi Station on the JR Yamanote Line.  The playground equipment is new and the park very clean. Added bonus is that there is …

Tokyo Sea Life Park is a modern Aquarium located on the border of Tokyo and Chiba on the Bay of Tokyo. You can study sharks, eagle rays, and penguins.  It is housed in Kasai Rinkai-koen Park which is a huge public park with a massive ferris wheel, food stalls, plenty …

Try traveling on the Tokyo Water Bus (水上バス, Suijō Basu) for a fun and relaxing method of Tokyo travel.  If you are traveling to Odaiba, locations on the Bay in Minato-ku, or up the Sumida River to Asakusa, I recommend you try a Tokyo Water Bus especially between April – …

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 – …

I grew up on a farm so crave a good burger every once in a while – very happy Umami Burger has launched in Japan. Umami Burger started in California and now has 24 branches in Las Vegas, Chicago, NYC and Tokyo!  Their whole concept is gourmet burgers which capture …

Asukayama Park not only has a great water area from early July to September but also has an old SL train and fun playground. Take a picnic and enjoy the day outside.  Getting there is half the fun – ride the oldest streetcar in Tokyo 1913 – the Toden Arakawa Streetcar from Otsuka …

Late June to early September is blueberry picking season in Japan – so here are our recommended Tokyo Area Blueberry Picking Locations 2017.   We have chosen six gardens for great half-day or one-day trips; two in Chiba-ken, two in Saitama-ken and two in Kanagawa-ken. Many of these gardens run through September, …

The Tokyo Police Museum 警察博物館 will inspire all youngsters to be a person in blue. If you are a fan of the Tokyo Fire Museum, the Police Museum is a must visit. The museum reopened in May 2017 following a one year remodel. Five floors of Tokyo police history, criminal investigation techniques …

If your child suddenly has a skin rash the cause could be heat to a virus – check out six common children’s skin rashes in Japan. The summer months in Japan are warm and moist with lots of outdoor play which can lead to skin rashes and bug bites. Inspect …

The Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo (MMAT) in collaboration with Niki Tiki are exhibiting more than 400 wooden toys from Europe focusing on toys from Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Kids can enjoy seeing special toys on display, learn how they`re made and play with toys in specially designated areas. This long holiday …

Never knew that biking in Yoyogi Park could be so fun! My five-year-old is still not stable on her wheels, so biking on the streets in our Tokyo neighborhood is quite stressful. If you have a similar situation with your family member in Tokyo, consider renting a bike and learning …

Yutenji Temple is holding their annual Yutenji Mitama Matsuri (祐天寺み魂まつり)  this weekend, July 16, 17 & 18, 2017. Parents and children from the neighbouring school, Yutenji kindergarten, participate by dancing in colourful yukatas every year. Grab lunch at Midorie Organic Cafe then stop by the Temple grounds late afternoon to learn about …

Yomiuriland is one of our favorite water & ride parks on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Yomiuriland Amusement Park is an all inclusive amusement ride and in the summer months water park. A 30 train ride from Shinjuku, your family can enjoy a hot day at one …

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 …

I recommend you consider a Tokyo Rainbow Bridge Bike crossing, if you have a goal of visiting the Odaiba area. Some many great places to visit in Odaiba including the Shiokaze Park,  Miraikan, Oedo Onsen, Sony ExploraScience and Lego Land. Here is our full list of family fun in Odaiba or Toyosu …

Metropolitan Shiokaze Park (都立潮風公園) is a great spot for your pirate loving kids. It has a beautiful and clean water and greenery promenade lined with tall Washington Palms and Cherry trees. It`s a beautiful sight walking from the station to the end of the Promenade to Tokyo Bay. It almost makes …

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 …