(wearing cotton cropped Utility Jacket, Anthropologie Pilcro Jeans, Belt, and Past Midnight Sunglasses that are on SALE)
Japan is probably one of our absolute favorite places to visit as a couple. We love the people, the culture, the cleanliness, and we literally go to the exact same places (usually Kyoto and Tokyo), eat at the same restaurants, and usually stay at the same hotels, especially if we’re traveling on our own dime.
(Amiya shirt and shorts, Courrèges T-shirt, also available here), Dior Beauty Bag and products)
We love staying at Aman Tokyo or Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, but with kids, we wanted to stay at the Four Seasons because it’s just an easier luxury hotel for families. Both hotels are very close to the Imperial Palace and Otemachi Station, although the Four Seasons is basically right in front of the palace.
The main reason we chose the Four Seasons was that the room setup is much more practical with kids. They have connecting rooms and sofa bed options, and our room had incredible views with a separate living area. Teo slept on the sofa bed while Milo slept with us, which meant we didn’t all have to go to sleep at the same time.
(Milo’s alligator striped rashguard and shorts, Teo’s alligator rashguard and striped shorts)
They also have so many little things that cater to children. Kids’ passports and scavenger hunts, coloring and puzzles, kid pajamas, robes, cribs and high chairs, kids’ menus, babysitting arrangements and family programming.
But the most important part for us, as a family that loves luxury, is the atmosphere. It’s luxurious without making you feel like your kids are disturbing the sanctuary. We didn’t have to sacrifice the adult luxury experience to stay somewhere that actually accommodated family life.
Jacopo and the kids swam every day in their pool, where family swim time starts at 9am. I actually thought that was really thoughtful because business travelers can get their early morning workout or swim in before heading to work without kids running around the pool. Make sure to bring swim hats, very common in Asia.
Anyway, now to the activities...
Rating everything I did in Tokyo with the kids
teamlabPlanets
9/10
This was my third time visiting teamLab Planets in Tokyo, but my first time going with the kids. The first two times I went at night, so I’m not sure if it was because we were there during high season or because we went during the day, but it was incredibly packed. Our reservation was for 2:30pm and there was already a huge line forming outside. Even with timed-entry tickets, they do warn that you may still have to wait in line during busy times.
The whole experience is so fun, especially for slightly older kids and adults. Milo had so much fun too, but I did feel like all the lights and sensory stimulation could be a little overwhelming for him. Teo, on the other hand, had a blast.
I love that the exhibition evolves over time, so even though this was our third visit, there were still new things to experience. I knocked off one point because overall it felt a bit too crowded and overstimulating, especially with younger kids.
Afterwards, we walk to Toyosu Park and played in the playground then ate at 100 Spoons Toyosu. It’s not chic but it’s an easy restaurant to eat and designed around families w/ kids. They make half size versions of the adult dishes, so kids can eat the same food rather than being limited to a typical kids' menu. There’s a little kids' space, books and little interactive elements throughout the restaurant.
Art Aquarium
2/10
It’s beautiful and really cool to see in terms of “art,” but way too crowded. I felt like the fish tanks were too small and even the kids started feeling sad for the trapped fish. Maybe nice for adults to see, but as I went through I kept getting sadder and guiltier for the fish. Also, since my kids want to touch everything, it was hard to maneuver around in such a crowded space.
We walked to Kura Sushi afterwards and the kids loved it. It was their first time trying sushi, and it feels fun and approachable since the sushi comes around on a conveyor belt. It’s super casual and easy with kids, but still felt like a fun Tokyo experience. Highly recommend making a reservation in advance because it gets really busy.
AsoBono!
10/10
Probably one of our favorite things we did with the kids in Tokyo. It’s a huge indoor playground but what I loved was how much open-ended play there was. There are different areas for pretend play, toys, trains, climbing and physical play, plus a separate area for babies.
The kids could actually play independently instead of us constantly having to entertain them or explain what to do. There were so many different things for them to discover on their own, which meant we could actually sit back a little and let them play. It felt very thoughtfully designed for kids without being overly stimulating.
Tokyo Toy Museum
10/10
Another favorite. This is much more our speed than the typical children’s museum. Lots of beautiful wooden toys, tactile play, traditional Japanese toys and things the kids can actually pick up and play with. There are thousands of toys from Japan and around the world, plus a dedicated playroom for kids 2 and under.
It felt calm and intentional and encouraged the kids to use their imaginations rather than just staring at screens. I also loved that it felt distinctly Japanese instead of like something you could find in any major city.
One of my favorite parts was the people working there. A lot of them were older adults, and they genuinely looked like they loved being there and interacting with the kids. It gave the whole place so much warmth. Definitely one of those places I’d go back to.
Tokyo Solamachi / Chikyu no Niwa
9/10
Such an easy outing with kids because everything is in one place. Chikyu no Niwa has a huge indoor play area for kids up to 12 with climbing, a sandbox and physical/open-ended play, plus a separate baby area for ages 0–2 with a ball pit, climbing and a wooden play kitchen.
Great when it’s extremely hot or raining because the kids can actually run around and play, and afterward you can walk around Solamachi, eat and see Tokyo Skytree without having to travel somewhere else. Very convenient with two young kids.
Tokyo Skytree/ Solamachi
8/10
I liked this more as an overall family destination than as a specific “kids activity.” Easy to combine with Chikyu no Niwa, food, shopping and walking around. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a few hours without having to plan every minute, which is helpful when traveling with little kids.
Tokyo Dome city
8.5/10
We mainly went because of ASOBono, but I liked the area as a whole for families. It made ASOBono easy to turn into a bigger outing without needing to get back into a taxi immediately afterward. I’d definitely recommend combining the two rather than going across Tokyo just for a short indoor-play session.
KidZania Tokyo
We were planning to visit but ended up not going because Milo wouldn’t be able to participate in the activities since he’s under 3.
KidZania is much more structured around kids role-playing different jobs and professions, whereas ASOBono ended up being much better for the kind of independent, open-ended play my kids like.
They also have designated English-friendly days/programming, which is worth looking into if your kids don’t speak Japanese. I think we’ll try it when Milo is a little older and can actually participate.
(cotton henley top, Pilcro Denim, Miu Miu loafers, Prada Route Canvas Bag, Sunglasses)
Aoyama Farmers Market
Open on the weekends and such an easy thing to add to an Aoyama day. There are local vendors, produce, food and coffee, and it feels much more like something you’d naturally stumble upon while living in Tokyo rather than a major tourist attraction.
Arisugawa No Miya Playground
Such a cute park in a beautiful neighborhood. There are a lot of expat families around here, so it was fun talking to other parents while the kids played.
One of my favorite grocery stores, National Azabu, is right across the street, so I always like stopping in there too. And stop by Nem Coffee & Espresso nearby. It’s very cute, understated and exactly the kind of little Tokyo coffee spot I love.
Fureika
Known for its seasonal Shanghai crab dishes, but they serve Cantonese cuisine year-round. This is a great option if you want a genuinely nice meal with kids without feeling like you have to compromise and eat somewhere super casual just because you have children with you.
They have private rooms, which makes such a difference with little kids, and we felt very comfortable eating there as a family. Great for a nicer lunch or dinner when the adults still want really good food.
Aoyama Kawakamian
Great soba spot and very kid friendly. It’s perfect for lunch or an early dinner when you have a shopping day in Aoyama. It’s cool and very Tokyo, and no one cares that you have two kids with you lol.
Soba is also such an easy meal for our kids, so we’ll definitely be back here.
Seirinkan Pizza Restaurant
Our friend recommended this place and it was so good. Incredible pizza and very kid friendly.
(Kids are both in Organic Zoo pants, on Sale)
For the stroller, we were gifted a Nuna VIAA cabin stroller right before the trip, but ended up getting another one for Teo because we loved how easy it was to maneuver. It folds up super small, so it fits in the overhead compartment, is incredibly lightweight, and doesn’t feel janky. (I always get so annoyed with travel strollers because they eventually break down, the mechanics get stuck, etc.) It’s also extremely comfortable.
