TOKYO

If you have kids, and they are bouncing off the walls take them to Trampoland!  Trampoland is an inside trampoline center that is safe and fun for elementary age kids and up. My son and I went the other night and had a great time for 60 mins. There are …

Tsubaki Shokado in Hiroo is the best place in Hiroo to get a home cooked Japanese meal for lunch or dinner. From grilled fish meals (teishoku) to oden you have an amazing choice of food that Japanese folks enjoy at home if they have time and skill to cook. Local …

Ueno Zoo is Japan’s oldest and most famous zoo having opened its gate to the public in March 1882. The Ueno Zoo is conveniently located in Ueno Park which is near both Ueno Station and Nezu Station. It is one of our families favorites for 2-3 hours. Not only do they …

If you are looking for a REAL American Soul Food fix than Soul Food House should be your destination. Soul Food House @ 148 (official name) offers an awesome brunch on Sundays, lunch and dinner (Wed-Sat) (with the food that all Southerners grew up with – fried chicken, waffles, BBQ …

Tokyo Midtown (東京ミッドタウン) is one of our favorite family-friendly spots to spend the day. It is home to several art museums, family-friendly seasonal events, a spacious green park and lush Japanese garden, medical center, services, restaurants and shopping. We love spending the morning visiting 21 – 21 Design Sight for their …

If you have a big family or big eaters, and live in central Tokyo one of your go to supermarket shopping locations should be Hanamasa Wholesale Supermarkets (Niku no Hanamasa (肉のハナサ). Hanamasa is a wholesale supermarket whose roots began as a supplier to restaurants, but is now open to the public …

Everyone knows Kikkoman soy sauce, but do you know about the Kikkoman Live Kitchen in Yurakucho, Tokyo? Kikkoman Live Kitchen is a dinner cooking performance. If you love Japanese fusion food, cooking, and learning about ingredients, you will really enjoy attending dinner at the Kikkoman Live Kitchen. What makes it …

Ever wonder why Tokyo does not flood as much as other typhoon struck Asian cities? It is because of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area Underground Flood Control Discharge Area in Saitama. The Flood Control area, which is north of Tokyo, controls the floodwaters from five rivers before the water dumps into the Edo …

Gohanya Isshin Daikanyama (ごはんや 一芯 代官山) is one of our favourite traditional Japanese restaurants, and hidden gems, to take friends visiting Tokyo. Located across the street from Kyu Asakura House and next to the Daikanyama Koban (Police Box), Gohanya Isshin sits hidden at the basement of a pale, yellow brick building. Walk …

Gallery Kawano Kimono is one of the best stores in Tokyo to buy used “up cycled” kimono, kimono fabric and kimono accessories. They are open seven days a week so if you don’t have the schedule or the time to hit a antique or flea market this is a one …

Mitsukoshi Department Store`s B1 level has a variety of toys and children`s goods and a play area for infants and kids called Kodomo Park. This free play space is a great spot to take a break from shopping or escape the heat, rain or bitter cold. Nursing Room: 4 Diaper …

The Ogimachi Park Playground is the perfect place to spend the day. Located just behind the Kansai TV Studio which holds Kids Plaza – an amazing museum where kids learn through play, this huge play park has a number of slides, climbing wall that scales the Kansai TV Studio, open …

Floresta Nature Donuts, known for their adorable animal designs, makes cute, light tasting donuts using all natural ingredients from organically farmed sources. Floresta was started in 2002 by a husband and wife who wanted to make donuts that were the most natural and kind to their kids` bodies. They use natural …

The Pompompurin Cafe sits in the heart of Harajuku down the street from the Rainbow Sweets Ice cream and Cotton Candy shop. They offer adorable Pompompurin character themed drinks and dishes, and exclusive merchandise. The staff allows entrance a few groups at a time so patrons can select their seats …

If you want to take a 1-2 hour hike while adventuring to find Buddhas, Arafat, and views of Tokyo Bay and Mt. Fuji I recommend Nokogiryama, Chiba (Mt. Sawtooth). I have very mixed opinions of Nokogiriyama, Chiba since I felt that although it was interesting to see the sights, I …

The Good Morning Cafe Sendagaya opens every day at 7:00 and offers great breakfast options for the best price in Tokyo. If you are staying in the Shibuya or Shinjuku area it easy to get to; located right next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Enjoy breakfast and then walk 8-10 …

If you are trying to eat healthier this year, then try a great 1/2 day outing for fresh fish and veggies to Matsudo Nanbu Ichiba. Matsudo Nanbu Ichiba, Chiba While Tsukiji is the biggest and most famous fish market in Japan (the world?), the crowds and (sometimes) the attitude of …

Asobi No Sekai Borelund is only a 25-30 min train ride from central Tokyo (direct on the Namboku or Tokyu Toyoko lines).  You can spend a good half day playing at the Asobi No Sekai Bornelund center and shop your favorite brands. The Grand Tree shopping center in Grand Tree …

The Roppongi Cooperative Playgroup is a parent-run cooperative for children 1.5 years up to age 4. The Roppongi Playgroup meets once a week for two hours. Children can  develop an early love of school and friendship through a combination of free play, stories, snacks, music and crafts. Activities vary from week …

Top 15 Recommended Indoor Playcenters in/near Tokyo with Kids Little Planet is a permanent digital exhibition that combines digital technology with play. Opened in Nov 2018, Little Planet offers various digital experiences to keep your child active and engaged. If your kids loved the TeamLab Borderless/Planets exhibition they`ll love to pop …

Fungo Breakfast & Burgers Cafe is a local family favorite. It is conveniently located less than a minute walk from the popular Setagaya Park with mini SL train that you can ride, pedal go cart track, playgrounds and shanty town where kids build fires, saw wood and take risks, and a …

Decora Creamery is a fantastic spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. Located in the food courts at Divers City Odaiba Decora Creamery offers huge cotton candy / fairy floss, colorful soft cream, tapioca drinks and fairy floss combos. They serve interesting combinations of unique Soft-Serve Ice Cream with Cotton Candy; …

Ventured out to Sumida today to visit the Skytree Soramachi shopping area and specifically the Kodomonoyu Playcenter (Kids Onsen -こどもの湯). Kodomonoyu is an inside playcenter that has been designed to be like a Japanese onsen but the water has been replaced by over 88,000 plastic balls. If you have kids …

For ages 6 and above a trip to Spa LaQua in Tokyo Dome is a fun outing to experience Japanese onsen. The Spa LaQua at Tokyo Dome is a real natural spring water that is sourced from 1,700 meters under Tokyo Dome City. The Tokyo Dome spring water is best known for …

Kimukatsu is a popular tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant in Japan serving high quality pork thinly sliced and stacked into 25 layers. It is then covered with fresh breadcrumbs and fried slowly in low temperature for 8 minutes resulting in a deliciously crunchy and tender mille feuille type of pork cutlet. We …