Tokyo Day Trips

This time of year is perfect for a Mt. Takao Hike. The trip to Mt. Takao takes about one hour from Shinjuku station on the Keio Line. Mt. Takao has been a location of worship for more than 1,000 years. The main temple Yakuoin is located near the summit and is a popular place …

Sanrio Puroland is an adorable indoor amusement park for Sanrio character fans, young children and adults who are kids at heart. You are surrounded by cute food and attractions, and dynamic, well-produced shows. Our favorites were the 10 minute boat cruise that goes through a cave filled with singing and …

On a sunny day escape central Tokyo and head for the huge Showa Kinen Park 昭和記念公園.  Showa Memorial Park is approximately a 50-70 min trip from central Tokyo via car or train. Biking, hiking, climbing nets, bouncing on huge white soft blobs and hiding from dragons can keep the little ones …

Escape the city with these Top Recommended Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo. Do you have a day trip to recommend? Leave in the comments section below. 1. Little Edo Kawagoe –  30 minutes by train from Ikebukuro. The people of Kawagoe have preserved their city for all to experience the …

If you are heading to the beach in Japan, here is our Family Beach Bag Packing List.  This list will differ slightly depending on the age of your kids, but I have four kids 19-6, and we still pack the same stuff. Most beaches in Japan have convenience stores and …

Eating Nagashi Somen is a summer tradition in Japan, and it’s often seen at festivals or in restaurants. What is Somen (素麺)? Somen are very thin, white noodles made from wheat flour usually served cold and accompanied by tsuyu or a dipping sauce made from soysauce and dashi. What is Nagashi Somen …

Zushi Beach Water Park is holding their 4th annual beach water park opening an inflatable water park at the beach now until Sunday, September 1, 2019. Zushi, close to Enoshima Islands and Caves (25 min by car), is a great day trip from Tokyo. It is the closest natural beach to …

Zoorasia Japan is by far our favorite zoo outside Tokyo. It`s more like a walking safari than a zoo. It`s spacious and beautifully maintained with a variety of animals from around the world. For 800 yen per adult, 300 yen for middle & high school aged kids, 200 for elementary and …

On our first visit to Kodomo no Kuni (Children`s Land) we explored the various rides and numerous playgrounds. On our second visit we BBQ`d, went on a pony ride, fed the cows and sheep, and explored the zoo. This place is huge so multiple visit are highly recommended. Every season offers something different from outdoor pool …

If you are looking for a great day or weekend trip from Tokyo, I highly recommend Minami Boso (the southern area of Chiba) and the Kamogawa Sea World. Kamogawa Sea World is a 1.5-2 hour trip from central Tokyo where you can enjoy the sea breeze, beach and learn about …

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 …

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 …

Mother Farm in Chiba is a great day trip from Tokyo if you are looking for open space, farm animals, fruit and veggie picking and small amusement rides. It is also dog-friendly so bring pooch along. The farm is located about a 60-90 min drive from central Tokyo via the …

Thomas Land is one of our favorite theme parks for young kids on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Thomas Land, in Yamanashi, Japan, is the world’s first Thomas & Friends Theme Park. Located a 1.5 hour drive from central Tokyo, and within the Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park, it`s a great …

I took my youngest daughter to the Anpanman Museum a few years, and she loved it. Ages 2-4 is the perfect age for Anpanman!   The museum has been closed but it reopened on July 7, 2019. Three floors of Anpanman characters in a sparkling new facility. All of my …

Late June to early September is blueberry picking season in Japan. Here are our recommended Tokyo Area Blueberry Picking Locations for Summer 2019.  We have chosen six gardens for great half-day or one-day trips; two in Chiba-ken, two in Saitama-ken and two in Kanagawa-ken. Many of these gardens run through …

Fuji Safari Park is a lovely place to see and experience animals from around the world living freely. Fuji Safari Park offers visitors 4 options to experience their safari park 1) Self-drive option where visitors can progress through the park in their own car at their own pace, 2) Jungle Bus …

One hour from central Tokyo you can ride the waves, smell the sea air and explore the Enoshima island and caves (江の島). A great day trip which can be combined with a trip to the Enoshima Aquarium. If you leave Tokyo early in the morning, you may be able to …

If you love history and are planning a trip to Yokohama please visit the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum. This museum is a hidden gem. I learned so much about a topic I knew nothing, and there is no cost of admission. Over 25 million Japanese have migrated overseas since the …

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 one hour for each member to dig about 2 Kilos of Asari clams (Japanese littleneck clams). Check out the four recommended clam digging recommendations below. Note: Clam digging is very …

Jiji  (my 83-year old father-in-law) and I headed to Kamakura for a quick day trip on a lovely autumn day.  Jiji had not been to Kamakura in over ten years, I seem to go in two-year cycles. Kamakura is the type of place though that you never tire. Each season …

If you are planning a day hike to Mt. Takao a must is to relax at the Keio Takaosan Onsen before you head back to Tokyo. The onsen facility offers both indoor and outside onsens which are very child. The Keio Takaosan Onsen is located right next to the station at the …

January to late March is a great time for a family trip for strawberry picking in the Tokyo area. Here is our updated 2018-2019 list of top strawberry picking gardens you can enjoy in the Tokyo area on a half-day or one-day trip. We have chosen four gardens; two in …

Here are our Top Recommended 2018-2019 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo. Great for families, offers lessons for kids and easily accessible. We will be adding more in the coming weeks. Do you have one to add? Please let us know in the comments section below. * Please check each …