TOKYO

*** CAMDEN BLUE STAR DONUTS HAS CLOSED *** Camden Blue Star Donuts is a Portland-born doughnut shop that opened in Tokyo’s chic Daikanyama neighborhood in April 2015. Their unique and creative flavors have earned them the nickname “Donuts for Grownups”. The shop sits inside Fred Segal’s Mart in the Western-themed shopping …

Kageoka Playground (区立景丘公園) is a great spot to let your active kids burn off some energy. Just a 2 minute walk from the Ebisu Garden Place it`s conveniently located between the Shibuya-ku Ebisu branch Fire Department and the MLB Cafe; a nice spot to keep both parents and kids happy. Parents can …

We revisted Grill Burger Club Sasa in Daikanyama the other day. This down-to-earth local favorite has a casual 1960`s American Burger joint hipster feel. Their burgers are made with 100% Grade A Japanese beef with fresh vegetables, grilled onions and relish in whole wheat buns. They come in S/M/L (80g, 100g …

Playground Shibuya Kids is an indoor play space, located in Shibuya Tokyo, which opened in January 2016. The space is compact but filled with colorful hands-on toys, climbing and bouncing equipment. Playground Shibuya Kids was opened by a Japanese mom who has a toddler and struggled to find fun places …

The Japanese bamboo crafts at Take-no-Megumi in Moto Azabu are simple but so beautiful.  This wonderful little shop in Moto Azabu that has been in business for over 40 years. The founding family of Take-no-Megumi shop were originally manufacturers and wholesalers of bamboo products before opening their shop originally in …

If you love beautiful art that is highly utilitarian then I recommend shopping at Sugahara Glass Store in Aoyama, Tokyo.  I had never heard of the Sugahara glass until the concierge at the Grand Hyatt recommended as a “brilliant shop”.  Sugahara (SGH) is now one of favorite stores in Tokyo …

The Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku is one of those places you go to and say “only in Japan.”  My 12-year-old and I went for lunch the other day and enjoyed environment (a mix of Manga and Willy Wonka) and food (visually very pleasing with average taste). As my 12-year-old …

One of my favorite place for a “mommy and kid” lunch is Salvatore Cuomo in Roppongi Hills. Salvatore Cuomo is conveniently located on the B2F level (Kids Level), and offers pasta, pizza and salad buffet from 11:00 – 15:00 for 800-1,500 JPY depending on age.  It is the perfect place …

Saru Shirogane is one of those restaurants that looks interesting from the outside, but you might not have tried it because it is slightly hidden under a highway overpass. However, Saru is not hiding anything; the staff can tell you exactly where each piece of meat or veggie originates from in …

Have you ever wondered how to make plastic food samples? You can enjoy making food samples the old fashion way with wax at Ganso Sample in Kappabashi, Tokyo (aka Kitchen Town located near Asakusa). Kappabashi is the main restaurant and kitchen supplies neighbourhood in Tokyo with over 150 stores supply …

Had a fabulous time at the Ninja Trick House in Shinjuku. Highly recommend for Ninja Fans. Learn the difference between a ninja and samurai, sword tricks, ninja star throws and learn hidden tricks of the ninja. Great fun in a small or large group. Located in a Shinjuku`s Kabukicho, and …

Tokyo Joypolis is an SEGA branded indoor entertainment center where you can experience coasters with gaming, virtual rides with motion simulators, frightening VR experiences, arcade and more. A fantastic spot for thrill seekers and gamers. We recommend for kids 130cm and taller to experience most attractions and rides. The 1st …

If you are a collector of Japanese housewares or looking for a unique gift Madu is a great spot. Madu has beautiful collections of ceramics from Japanese artisans. Each collection has a brief outline of the artist, and the shop staff can give you more details. Besides ceramics, they have …

We stumbled upon this adorable park after a Blue Seal ice cream break and train viewing near the Ebisu Garden Place. Ebisu South Park (Squid Park) Playground is a small playground located on the far side of the train tracks across from the Garden Place. Renovated in 2016 it`s a nice …

Kandu, #8 on our list of Top Theme Parks in Japan, is an indoor theme park similar to Tokyo`s Kidzania where kids aged 3 – 16 years can work a variety of jobs and get paid for them. Some of the jobs include a JAL Airlines pilot, JAXA Space engineer, …

The Tsuchiya Randoseru (ランドセル) is one of Japan’s most respected names in leather goods. For more than 50 years, the Tsuchiya Bag Co., Ltd has meticulously handcrafted high quality, original randoseru. In 2015, to mark its fiftieth anniversary, the company launched a collection of randoseru for working adults – the Otona Randsel Randoseru, which …

I took Baby to the Tokyo Toy Museum (TTM) the other day and had an AMAZING time. TTM is called a museum, but in reality it is a hands-on, play all you want center for babies and up. The toys are all analog toys mostly made from wood, and original …

The Science Museum Tokyo is ideal for tweens and teens with hands-on learning covering topics from mechanics, CO2, and global warming to robotics. Younger kids can enjoy some of the exhibits, but most of the concepts they will not understand. Although much of the exhibits signage is in Japanese, you can ask …

Onibus Coffee is a lovely coffee shop nestled a short walk from Nakameguro station. If you`re a coffee lover you must try this place. Their pour over coffee is rich and velvety; their lattes creamy. Enjoy it on their green terrace while watching the roasting process via a huge Diedrich …

I heard about Patisserie 1904 from a Japanese friend a couple years ago but never had the opportunity to go. Apparently it`s is a hugely popular cake and sweets shop nestled quietly on a residential street between Ikejiriohashi and Nakameguro (one block from Yamate street – the main road). We had …

Citron in Aoyama was the perfect lift to a cold and grey day! Citron, which opened in mid-2015, is a casual French restaurant which specialises in serving healthy salads, soups and quiche. A full salad bar is offered which will make any salad lover happy – organic seeking, vegetarian or just …

We heard great things about Clinton St. Baking Company and had to try it out. If you`re looking for another delicious and hearty American style breakfast spot open from 8:00 Clinton St. Baking Company is the place. Their breakfast menu is filled with a variety of dishes from hearty Pancakes, …

Honestly, the Meguro Parasitological Museum (目黒寄生虫館) was not high on my lists of Japan family adventures, but I was persuaded to check it. The Meguro Parasitological Museum is a small two-floor museum full of worms and other parasites pickled in fluids. The titles of all the exhibits are bilingual (Japanese …

If it is too cold or rainy to go outside try  the ASOBono Play Center at Tokyo Dome.  Baby and I went the other day and had a great time! ASOBono is one of the largest indoor playgrounds for kids in Tokyo with play areas for six months through elementary. …

If you`re in Adachi-ku Galaxcity is a great, free place to take your active kids. This indoor play center houses three separate bouldering walls (for toddlers, elementary school aged kids and advanced), a three-tiered giant hammock that children and adults can relax or play in, crafts and activities, baby play space, …