Ueno / Asakusa / Akihabara

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 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 …

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 Kodomonoyu is an inside playcenter that has been designed to be like a Japanese onsen but the water has been replaced by over 88,000 plastic balls.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 …

If you are a bargain shopper, Ameyokocho is a must visit in Tokyo. We visited yesterday, and it was crazy busy with shoppers negotiating deals on crab, tuna, sneakers and bags. My favorite items to buy in Ameyokocho are nuts, dried beans and spices that are much cheaper than in …

Rin 8890 is one of my favourite Japanese craft boutiques in Tokyo. If you are looking for utilitarian items with great style, this is a one-stop store. Although the store’s space is small, you are sure to find something that you “must” have. Rin 8890 Best Living Japan. Rin, also, …

Adding another Tokyo Store to or favorites list – the Yamashiroya Toy Store in Ueno.  Like Hakuhinkan in Ginza and Kiddyland if you are looking for Japanese or International toys and collectibles you will not be disappointed. Yamashiroya Toy Store is a one minute walk from Ueno station so you can …

Need to buy holiday decorations in Tokyo that last forever for Halloween, Christmas, Valentines?  Artificial holiday decorations are in abundance year round at Asakusabashi (Kuramae station on the Oedo line). There is a handful of stores on the same corner that sell an amazing selection of fake flowers and holiday …

Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Tokyo is a cook’s shopping paradise. There are over 180 cooking, kitchen and restaurant supply stores extended over six blocks. Here even the kitchen sink is for sale – every pot and pan, serving dish, utensil, kitchen appliance that a cook can imagine. Kappabashi is located between Ueno …

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 – …

Tokyo Dome City (東京ドームシティ ) may not be on your top 25 Tokyo Bucket List for families, but it should be on the top 50 if you live or are visiting Tokyo for an extended amount of time. Tokyo Dome City includes the Tokyo Dome (home of the Yomiuri Giants & the …

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 …

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 …

Kappabashi is a cook`s paradise. Kappabashi street is lined with shops selling all manner of tools and equipment for kitchens, from knives to Japanese pottery, kitchenware, baking goods and party supplies. Highly recommend a visit during the week when less crowded. Ample parking and easily accessible by train. Here is …

Okachi-machi is known by most as the wholesale area for clothing and food, however, there is a hidden jewel of 2K540 Aki-Oka – Japanese artisan stores.  2K540 Aki-Oka Japanese artisan stores and studios are under the elevated train tracks if you walk along the line towards Akihabara. In December 2010 over …

The Sumida Aquarium (すみだ水族館) at the Tokyo Skytree Soramachi is a slightly expensive but creatively designed aquarium. If you are visiting the Skytree, the aquarium is a good add on if you have 30-90 mins.  It is a relaxed and cool environment where kids can see a variety of aquatic life …

This one room Drum Museum (Taikokan) in Taito-ku, Tokyo is a drum lovers dream. There are 900 items on rotation and display from all over the world, including Japan. Most of the drums can be played, so come have some fun!. The museum was founded in 1988 by Miyamoto Unosuke …

Akihabara is no longer just for electronics shopping. About 500M away from Akihabara station a renovated train station with cool new food and boutique. The train station integrity was maintained so you know you are in an old train station due to the shape of the walls and walkways at …

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

If you are visiting Ueno Park to see the National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science or the Zoo, make a reservation for lunch or early dinner at Innsyoutei, Japan Tractional Restaurant (韻松亭). A delicious and beautiful restaurant which is also child-friendly. Innsyoutei, Japanese Traditional Restaurant Innsyoutei, open since 1875, …

If you have “templed out” the kids visiting Sensō-ji in the morning, a 2-3 hour visit to Hanayashiki Amusement Park is the perfect afternoon. Located immediately behind Sensō-ji  (a top 3 place to visit on most Tokyo trip lists) is the oldest amusement park in Japan. The Hanayashiki Amusement Park offers over …

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. …

The Tobacco & Salt Museum is a great museum for kids in upper elementary to adults to learn about the history, production, and trade of tobacco and salt. The multi-floor modern museum, opened in 2015, is beautifully laid out with multimedia, 3D some hands-on exhibits. The museum is subsidized by …

*UPDATE: Great Escape is now named Nazobako Live Escape. Nazobako Live Escape is on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Nazobako Live Escape is a super fun activity for teens and above on a rainy, super cold or hot day where inside is better than outside. If you …

Looking for a unique gift to give to friends and family? Visit Ameshin – a candy shop which sells astoundingly realistic hand-made candy animals. Japanese confectioner Shinri Tezuka, owner of the candy shop Ameshin, uses a 1300-year old traditional art called Amezaiku, a method using bare hands and scissors to shape and sculpt …