TOKYO

Palette Plaza (パレットプラザ) and 55 DPE & Digital Station are our go-to place for quick digital camera and smartphone photo printing. The process is quick, simple, and in English! Just pop into a store with your smartphone or data card, insert your card or plug your smartphone into the adapters then wait …

The World`s largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery opened in Tokyo`s trendy Nakameguro Neighborhood yesterday, February 28th. This four-story Starbucks Reserve houses more than 100 unique coffee and tea beverages and merchandise. As you enter you`re welcome to the delicious aromas of roasted coffee, freshly baked bread and sweets. The roastery is …

If you want to educate your child about animals and walking in the outdoors, you will love the Tama Zoo. Tama Zoo is huge at 129 acres (52H) which is about four times Ueno Zoo size. If you were to see everything, you would have walked over 8K in one …

The Railway Museum (鉄道博物館ミュージアム) is a great place to visit for families and railway enthusiasts rain or shine. Opened in late 2007 the museum features railway cars, train car simulators for would-be-train drivers, model dioramas, miniature trains, train rides, an outdoor playground and indoor playrail area, cafeteria, museum shop, train …

Blue Seal,a specialty ice cream brand that was “born in America and raised in Okinawa” since 1948 is a great spot to try a unique fusion of American and Okinawan flavors that are rich in taste and refreshing. Some of their unique flavors are Okinawa Ta-imo Cheesecake, Ube (Okinawan Purple Yam), …

Took the kids to the Enoshima Aquarium (新江ノ島水族館) the other day and it was AWESOME! A great aquarium right on the beach with many indigenous fish from the Sagami Bay and the Pacific Ocean, great educational exhibitions, and touch pool.  I can’t believe I have been in Japan for so …

Would your child like to meet a pony in Tokyo? Yoyogi Park Ponies (代々木ポニー公園)  is a fun little pony park in the middle of Tokyo. Depending on the time of the day you attend you can feed, brush, and ride the ponies for free. Kids, aged 4 – 11 (elementary) …

Kart Racing at F-Dream Hiratsuka” (F.ドリーム平塚) is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping and test your kart racing skills. Located just an hour from Tokyo Roppongi Hills it`s a popular spot to unwind and compete with friends and family. F-Dream Hiratsuka karts run on a 200cc engine, and can go …

The Aneby Trimpark play center for babies to 12 year olds is a great place on a rainy day. The facility opened in July 2014 so it is very clean and orderly. Aneby Trim Park is a great place for parents and kids to escape the rain, summer heat and cold winter. …

Oedo Onsen Monogatari is one of our favorites on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. One of the ultimate tourist attractions in Tokyo is the Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba. However, even long-term foreigners and Japanese can have fun! It is the Disneyland of Onsens. Going home my …

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 …

Shinjuku Chuo Park is a huge park with a great kids playground, running paths and a summer water play area. It is a great park to have a picnic lunch in after visiting the Tokyo Metropolitan Building to see the amazing view of Tokyo (for free). Shinjuku Chuo Park is …

The Edo-Tokyo Museum (江戸東京博物館 Edo Tōkyō Hakubutsukan) in Ryogoku is one of our family’s top picks when visitors come to town. Opened in 1993 the permanent exhibitions include; the life-size replica of the Nihonbashi, which was the bridge leading into Edo, the Nakamuraza theatre, and scale models of towns and …

Pizza Slice (ピザ スライス) serves two rarities in Tokyo – authentic New York Style Pizza, and pizza sold by the slice. Located on the cozy backstreets of Sarugakuchou, and Omotesando, this lofty, white tiled venue furnished with long wood open style tables, and smaller tables for more private seating, serves a …

If the sticky, wet, hot Tokyo weather is getting to you, escape by enjoying the EST Shibuya Bowling and Game Center. Great after a dinner in Shibuya. EST Shibuya Bowling and Game Center has 37 bowling lanes for awesome family fun. This nine-floor complex can deliver hours of entertainment.  There …

If you are looking for half day indoor activity, I highly recommend the Tokyo Dome Rollerskating Area. Great exercise in a very family friendly environment. The Tokyo Dome Rollerskating Arena in Kōrakuen is one of the largest indoor roller-skate rinks in Tokyo, and there is also a smaller rink for …

SummerLand is one of the biggest water parks in Japan. Located about one hour from central Tokyo it is a great day trip. Enjoy the indoor wave pool, the multiple outdoor pools, lazy river, water slides and water playgrounds, as well as retro amusement rides (loop roller coaster, free fall, …

The Meguro Sky Garden is a beautiful, 7,000 square meter circular garden park built on top of Ohashi Junction, a structure that connects two major expressways. The garden park is open year round and is home to a fruits and vegetables garden, greenery, impressive views of the city scape, and …

My love of Japanese food is followed closely by Japanese gardens, and at Enju you can enjoy both! Enju is located in the magnificent tranquil garden of Happo-en. They serve lunch and dinner, but the lunch is a great value and lovely as you look out over the gardens. After …

If you do not have time to get outside of Tokyo, but want to escape for an hour or two than the park run by The Institute of Nature Studies in Shiorgane is a convenient and tranquil solution. Even though the park is located right next to a highway that …

If you are looking for an educational, hands-on and FREE museum in Tokyo to take the kids on a hot or rainy day head to the Gas Science Museum in Toyosu. The museum is located in beautiful modern building right near the LalaPort shopping mall, Toysou pier and park. Great …

You can still have fun Tokyo Area Clam digging this month. Actually there should be A LOT of clams vs. prior years due to no digging in May 2020.  May and June are the most popular months of the year to go clam digging (潮干狩りshiohigari in Japan). It took about …

Chiba is a beautiful prefecture with ocean, river and rice patties, and some of our favorite Chiba Camping Grounds. Below are five excellent camping facilities that are unique in environment and services. All camp facilities are within 2 hours drive from Tokyo so easy to get to for a quick …

Sporu Shinagawa Oimachi is a sprawling asphalt area behind Oimachi Station that has been transformed into a sports area where you pay as you play. City Wave surfing, baseball batting, archery, trampolines, basketball, tennis, bouldering, a baby play area, rental BBQ areas, and a restaurant. Very practical place if you …

Stay cool and get wet at City Wave Tokyo in Ota-ku!! Yep, in the middle of Tokyo you can learn to surf before you hit the waves in Chiba this summer. My two youngest children took a 50 min lesson, and both were surfing alone by the end of the …