Two hours via car or train from central Tokyo, you can experience a great Day Trip to Western Kanagawa & Shizuoka Kawagawa-ken outdoor day trip from central Tokyo. About five hours of driving out, between sites and back but great fun for the family. Kids will sleep all the way …
Read More »Dinosaur Park (Shinagawa, Tokyo)
Kodomo no Mori Koen (子供の森)- better known as Dinosaur Park Shinagawa – is a fantastic place to take your dinosaur-loving kids. There are eight colorful dinosaurs in the park; a bright T-rex, large Hadrosaurid, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Dimetrodon to name a few, and plenty of space to run around. We revisted the …
Read More »Top 10 Places to Buy Japanese Washi
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 …
Read More »Maruichi Bagel (Shirogane, Tokyo) – Best Bagels in Tokyo!
The best bagels in Tokyo are piping hot at Maruichi Bagel in Shirogane, Minato-ku. Maruichi Bagel, best bagels in Tokyo, is located near Shirogane-Takanawa station. Hiroo and Azabu residents are so lucky to have such a great bagel shop in their backyards. The bagel shop is a tiny hole is the …
Read More »Yokohama One Day Itinerary with Kids
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 …
Read More »Top Tokyo Restaurants with Play Areas – babies and kids (0-6 yrs)
Here are our Top baby & kid-friendly Tokyo restaurants with play areas for ages 0 – 6 years. We have personally visited each restaurant and recommend them to all our friends. Looking for a great spot to sit back and relax in Tokyo while the kids play? The temperatures are …
Read More »Tokyo Farmers Markets – 5 Markets Mom’s Love
The farm to market focus in Japan is lower than in many western countries but is slowly gaining traction at Tokyo Farmers Markets. Below you can find five Tokyo Farmers Markers that moms love! Always so much fun to take the kiddos and find fresh fruits, veggies and handmade bake …
Read More »Okadaya Shinjuku (Shinjuku, Tokyo) – Six Floors of Fabric and Accessories
Okadaya Shinjuku is a great place to go to for textiles. They have two buildings; one with six floors of fabric (cotton, velvet, silk, satin, organic cotton, fleece, velor, wool, etc), traditional Japanese materials and other special textiles; and the adjacent building carries seven floors of basic materials (buttons, thread, string), …
Read More »Going to the Tokyo Olympics with Kids? Here are some tips!
Are you planning to go to the Tokyo Olympics with Kids? The Summer Olympics 2020 will be held in Tokyo from July 24 – August 9, 2020 and the Paralympics are from August 25 -September 6, 2020. Over 10 million people are expected to travel to the Olympics this year, …
Read More »Osaka One Day Itinerary – Osaka with Kids
Osaka is a lovely city filled with yummy street food, lively locals and a number of fun things to do. Many travel to Osaka from Tokyo by plane or shinkansen (bullet train). If traveling via the bullet train you`ll arrive at Shin-Osaka station; a busy station with a number of …
Read More »Tokyo Breakfast Brunch – Open by 8:00
Here are more than 23+ great Tokyo breakfast brunch spots. Looking for a good spot for Tokyo breakfast or brunch on the weekend? I love breakfast! I am a very earlier riser, so breakfast is my main meal of the day. There are many other Tokyo Breakfast Brunch spots, but …
Read More »Three Days in Kyoto with Kids
Kyoto with Kids is great edutainment. Kyoto the ancient capital is filled with history and art, but has all the coolness of today. We recommend three days in Kyoto but if you only have one you can still accomplish so much! Here are is our recommended three days in Kyoto …
Read More »Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Odaiba with Kids
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 *** Wondering what to do for one day in Tokyo? Pick …
Read More »Toyota Mega Web Ride Studio (Koto-ku, Tokyo) – Kids` Indoor and Outdoor Driving Track
Toyota Mega Web Ride Studio is located in the Toyota Mega Web Theme Park, in Koto-ku near Odaiba. Toyota Mega Web is split into 3 sections; The History Garage; Toyota City Showcase and the Ride Studio. All are located walking distance to Venus Fort, Palette Plaza and the Epson teamLab …
Read More »Shibuya MUJI Play Area and Hourly Childcare (Shibuya, Tokyo) – Mokuiku Room 6 months to 6 years
Shibuya MUJI Play Area and Hourly Childcare (木育ルーム) is a special place where parents can play with their kids or leave them to play with a caregiver for up to three hours Friday – Monday. The play area and hourly childcare are in the same area on the 5th floor …
Read More »Kinder Base (Meideimae, Tokyo) – Baby and Nursery Play Space and Party Venue
Kinder Base(キンダーベース)is a great birthday party venue for babies and kids up to early elementary. We revisited the venue for my son`s 5th birthday. Everyone loved it! Kinder Base is covered with foam padding that keeps safety in mind. They`re equipped with a large jumping castle and slide, a mini ball pit …
Read More »Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Akasaka Area with Kids
The Akasaka area in Tokyo is a great place to live and visit. Here is the curated family guide for Akasaka with Kids written by Maven Mom, Olga – mother of two and Mom in Balance Tokyo Trainer, When we came for our look-see, Akasaka was our main focus. I had …
Read More »Tokyo Joypolis (Odaiba, Tokyo) – Tips Before You Go
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 …
Read More »MARK IS Minato Mirai Mall (Yokohama) – Family Shopping Paradise
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 …
Read More »Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Roppongi Area with Kids
Here is our curated family guide for visiting the Roppongi Area with Kids. Start your morning by taking a stroll at Mohri Garden located near Asashi TV and the Roppongi Hills Arena. It`s a beautiful Japanese garden built around a pond with pink cherry blossoms in Spring, red maple leaves in …
Read More »SANRIO PUROLAND (Tama, Tokyo) – Tips and Discounts for your Visit
NOTE: Sanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty Land) will close temporarily from Saturday, February 22 until Thursday, March 12th, 2020. The temporary closure is a precautionary measure with respect to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). Sanrio Puroland is an adorable indoor amusement park for Sanrio character fans, young children and adults who are …
Read More »Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Jiyugaoka Area with Kids
Jiyugaoka is a lovely area filled with boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Here are our favorite baby & kid-friendly restaurants and play areas to visit between shopping breaks. For additional areas visit our Tokyo with Kids Itineraries. Open from 8:00 Lupicia Tea Shop is a great spot to start the morning …
Read More »Karasumori Playroom (Nakameguro, Tokyo)
Karasumori Playroom in Kamimeguro provides an infant and toddler playroom, craft room, gymnasium, books, trains, and much more. They also have a great Japanese class for parents and infants where parents and babies learn about Japanese culture, make seasonal crafts, and make neighborhood friends. They have a great set of playrail trains and …
Read More »Minami-Azabu Community Center (Azabu, Tokyo)
Residents are lucky to have the Minami-Azabu Community Center as a free center to play, relax and eat. The beautiful new community center has a public daycare and a cafe on the 1st floor, kids 2nd floor with a full-size gym, music, play, study rooms for parent & babies and …
Read More »Bistro Chick (Higashi Azabu, Tokyo)
Bistro Chick (ビストロ チック) is a cute little bistro in Azabu which serves a great lunch! Don’t let the name surprise you there is no chicken on the Bistro Chick lunch menu, although they sometimes offer for dinner. Lunch is a delicious selection of 5-7 pasta meals offered with starters …
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