Is Japan family-friendly?
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The Japanese culture loves children and everything kawaii (cute)! So yes, Japan is definitely family-friendly!
There are so many kawaii attractions all over Japan and not only do kids love them but so do adults. Even road signs are kawaii!
Safety
Japan is universally known to have one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
Underpinning society is a sense of moral duty and honour which is mostly upheld by citizens. Violent crime almost never happens, gun crime is rare and petty crime such as pickpocketing is almost non-existent.
Police boxes (kobans) can be found on many street corners and offer a sense of security. They are also great places to go if you are lost, confused and need help with directions.
In saying this, of course, you should still exercise caution, but mostly you can relax by letting your kids a little out of arm’s length at times.
It’s not uncommon to see small children from age 5 and up taking the subway to school and back alone.
Tourist scams
Despite being one of the safest cities in the world, there are reports of tourist scams and drugging in bars in Tokyo. Always be vigilant when out for drinks. Go with friends, never follow a random person into a bar, especially if they promise cheap or free drinks and watch your drinks at all times.
Friendly people
Japan is full of mostly friendly and polite people. This contributes to Japan being a family-friendly destination.
With Japan’s aging population and declining birth rate, kids are looked upon favourably. It’s not uncommon to see Japanese people waving to and smiling at small children, or even saying ‘kawaii’ (cute) as they pass children.
Japanese people are also generally incredibly helpful and if asked for help with directions, for example, they will go out of their way to help you, even if they feel uncomfortable with English.
Kids’ prices
Japan is consistent with offering kids’ prices, usually a discount of around 33 – 50 per cent on the price of adults for almost everything. Admission tickets, Shinkansen tickets, and even lunch sets are heavily discounted. Quite often kids are even free!
For example, a JR East Tohoku Pass to ride the shinkansen for 5 consecutive days is 30,000 yen per adult but just 15,000 yen for children (aged 6-11). Tokyo Disney tickets cost 9,400 yen per adult on a busy day, but just 5,600 yen for children.
The incredible savings continue all across Japan for kids, catering to a family-friendly holiday!
Where to stay with kids in Japan
Japan provides many different types of accommodation options from the traditional ryokan (Japanese Inn) to western-style hotels ranging from low-budget to luxury.
We find Japanese-style hotels such as ryokans particularly family-friendly. They also usually include food. They generally charge per person and kids are discounted at around 33 per cent and usually offered kids’ meals.
Also, the great thing about ryokans is they can cater to families in one room, often offering more flexibility in Japan than traditional western style hotels. The futons are rolled out, usually while you’re at dinner and prepared for your family. Our kids love this.
Tatami
Remember never to wear shoes on tatami mats and also never to put your bags on the mats. Your room will have a space near the door for your bags and shoes. Also, wear the hotel slippers and yukata (light cotton kimono) around the hotel, and the special toilet slippers are only for the toilet room!
However, don’t expect ryokans to typically have cribs or high chairs. Mostly toddlers sleep in with their parents or sit on a parent’s lap during meal times. Also, sometimes ryokans have delicate paper doors, so keep that in mind if travelling with boisterous kids.
Another reason we love ryokans, is that they usually offer yukata which is a casual version of the kimono made of lightweight cotton. It’s usual to wear these around the hotel with the hotel slippers. They usually offer kids’ sizes also. Kawaii!
How to wear yukata
*wear undergarments
*pull the right side over first and the left side over the top (the right side on top signifies death, so be careful which way you wrap)
*tie the sash around your waist a few times and tie it at the front or back
If you’re travelling with a toddler, western-style hotels sometimes don’t charge for kids if the child shares a bed with an adult. This could offer great savings for families who are happy to co-sleep. So check the conditions carefully when you book.
Kids’ activities
Japan is full of kids’ activities and theme parks tailored for children. In fact, there are more than 100 theme parks in Japan! What could be more family-friendly than that?
Outside of the main ones: Disney, Legoland and Universal Studios, there are many smaller and less expensive parks that make a great break for kids who are sightseeing with family.
In addition to theme parks, there are also so many playgrounds, maybe thousands. They can be found in cities, small towns, at roadside stops and even indoors!
There’s no need to worry about finding somewhere for kids to burn off steam, just search for a playground and you will find one nearby to you.
Educational and interactive activities
Japan is so very very good at making education fun and interactive. This is perfect for a famiily-friendly vacation where everyone wants to enjoy an activity.
The museums are huge, interesting and hands-on, catering perfectly to kids. In fact, some museums are dedicated solely for kids such as the Morioka Children’s Museum of Science in Iwate Prefecture.
Other incredible hands-on museums for kids:
- Samurai and Ninja Museum in Kyoto – for throwing ninja stars are dressing up in costume
- Unko (poo) museum in Tokyo – for patting furry unko emoji and playing unko video games
- NHK Museum in Tokyo – for creating your own movie sounds effects and being a weather reporter
- Aeronautical Museum of Science in Narita, Chiba – for flight simulators and Star Wars flight pod experience
- Misawa Aviation Science Museum in Aomori – for more flight simulators, gravity rides, science fun and a superhero track that flies around the ceiling of the museum!
‘Japan provides’ amenities
Our favourite family saying is, ‘Japan provides’.
Imagine you’re on a road trip and need a toilet, within a few kilometres, there will be a road stop with incredibly clean bathroom facilities or a convenience store with a bathroom – ‘Japan provides’.
Imagine you are out on a forest walk and suddenly realise you forgot to bring water, soon you will come across a vending machine – ‘Japan provides’.
Are you hungry? No problem, take two steps and you’ll come across a restaurant, convenience store (konbini) or even a vending machine with food – ‘Japan provides’.
Need to heat up some baby milk or food? No problem, convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Lawson have microwaves inside you can use, free of charge – ‘Japan provides’.
Public bathrooms in Japan
Public bathrooms in Japan are plentiful and always clean. Subways, convenience stores and parks always have bathrooms available for use.
At first, I felt as though I had to buy something at a convenience store if I used the bathroom, but this is not necessary or expected in Japan.
Animal cafes
Japan has an abundance of animal cafes which my children love! You can spend time with hedgehogs (they provide gloves), owls, micropigs and cats. In my opinion, 30 minutes is enough in these places, but it’s a great way to re-engage kids who are bored sightseeing.
Playgrounds
There are playgrounds EVERYWHERE in Japan! So there’s always somewhere for little ones to burn off some energy. Just google playground on maps and you’ll find one close by!
They usually have clean bathrooms (sometimes with squat toilets) and cute signboards with rules to follow!
Getting around
Getting around Japan’s major cities is quite easy and efficient. Despite Tokyo being one of the most complex subway systems in the world, it is easy to use, always on time, clean and efficient.
If you miss a train because of a slow-walking child, or a dirty diaper change, don’t worry! Another train will come along usually in around 3 minutes.
Tips for using the Tokyo subway with kids
- Avoid peak hour times on the train: 7am-9am and 5pm-7pm.
- Silence is expected on the subway, so ask your kids to be mindful of this. However, if they are too small to understand, no problem, Japanese people are kind!
- There are a lot of stairs and escalators at the subway, which is tricky with strollers, otherwise you will need to walk a little further to find the elevators and possibly line up.
- Stand on the left of the escalator single file. People who are rushing will walk up the right.
- Let people off the train before you get in.
- Hold kids’ hands as you get on and off the train, it would be awful to be separated.
- The music starts playing in the station when the doors of the train are about to close.
- Send kids through the gates first with their IC card in case they have any trouble. Then you can help or go back and top it up if you need to.
IC cards
You can buy an IC card to swipe through the gates at the station and load it up with money in one of the machines. They usually have an English option.
For kids, get them an IC card holder like the one above. They can easily swipe in and out themselves. It’s a good idea to include your number and details in case you are separated.
Taxis
Taxis in Japan are clean and efficient and often include TVs and chargers! They are not super expensive so sometimes can be a good option when you’re exhausted and want a quick, comfortable ride.
If possible, write down your destination and address and hand it to the taxi driver as not all speak English. Otherwise, show the taxi driver on your phone where you wish to go.
The taxi driver will usually open the door from the inside.
Car seats
Although car seat laws are strict in Japan requiring car seats for anyone under 6, taxis are exempt from this.
Walking
In cities in Japan especially, walking is essential to get where you need to be. Even train line changes inside the subway can be a fair distance walking underground, so bring comfy shoes! You will spend all your time in sneakers, so make sure they are comfortable and your kids have comfortable shoes.
If your kids are small, bring a portable, lightweight, foldable stroller with you to Japan. Even if your kids walk a lot, they will surely walk more in Japan and can get tired quickly. It’s great if you can fold it up to go up and down escalators instead of needing to find an elevator every time.
Lots of places such as Disneyland offer stroller rental and you can usually find stroller parking in malls and outside restaurants in big cities. It’s expensive to buy one in Japan once you arrive, so best to bring one if you can.
Taking the bullet train (shinkansen) with kids
The bullet train is a fantastic option for travelling longer distances in Japan with kids. The seats are roomy and kids can walk around and stand up in the vestibule (amenities area) in between carriages to watch the world go by at around 300 kilometres per hour outside the train door windows.
Also, if you have small children crying or being extra loud, you can take them to this part of the train without any worry of disturbing anyone else. When the doors shut behind you, it’s quite soundproof in these sections. This is also the place to talk on your phone if you need to.
The toilets on the Shinkansen have a toddler seat and a baby change table. There is also a place to store strollers behind the last seat and an area for extra large luggage also. Sometimes you need to book this space to check beforehand when you book your ticket.
Bullet train tips
The time listed for when your train leaves, is when it leaves, not the time it arrives! So make sure you are there early, lined up in the correct place and ready to go. Often the bullet train will take off before you are even seated.
Also, be ready with your bags and in the vestibule area near the external doors before you reach your station. The train won’t be there long and you need to move quickly to get off as soon as the doors open.
There are many rail passes you can get if you wish to travel by shinkansen in Japan. If you are planning a trip to Kyoto or Osaka and some side trips for more than 6 days, get a Japan Rail Pass. It’s great value and really convenient (unless you are a foreign resident, then you are not eligible).
Otherwise, JR East offers some great pass options worth checking out for a more off-the-beaten-path journey. JR East also offers two passes for foreign residents, the JR East Tohoku Pass and the JR East Niigata and Nagano Pass. Not sure which one to get? Read our JR East article.
Is Japanese food family-friendly?
There are plenty of Japanese foods that appeal to children and many restaurants that offer kids’ meals (setto) also.
1. Tonkatsu resturant, 2. Sushi restaurant with kids, fried chicken set,
3. Cheese pizza set at Western restaurant
Fork and spoon
Most Japanese restaurants will only offer chopsticks. However, you can ask for a ‘forku’ or ‘supoon’. Easy!
Some of the most kid-friendly things to eat in Japan:
Convenience store food
The convenience stores (konbinis) in Japan such as 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart offer cheap and fresh food options when you’re on the go. Many of the options are family-friendly and delicious!
Our kids’ favourite options at the konbini are the hot, fried chicken at Family Mart, this is called ‘Fami chicki’ or at 7-eleven it’s called ‘spicy chicken’; the chou creme is a delicious pastry (filled with custard or cream or both) and please try the egg sandwich. Oh my, the egg sandwich or ‘tamago sando’ is a must-try. It’s so creamy and delicious, the bread is soft and fluffy and the crusts are already cut off for you. Family-friendly much?
The tamago sando costs 270 yen from 7-Eleven, but from a supermarket, you can get prepared food even cheaper, sometimes 170 yen for a sandwich. Incredible value.
There are also many more options for meals you can take away and cook at home in the microwave. Also, the konbini all have microwaves where you can heat your food there, or you can do it when you get home if you stay in a serviced apartment.
When to travel to Japan with kids
Japan is magical in any season. However, what surprised me was just how hot and humid it is during summer. Also, in summer the mosquitoes are quite hungry! So if you plan to visit in summer, be prepared with mosquito repellent, sunscreen and bring cool, cotton clothing. Indoor or beach activities could be best also.
Winter is cold obviously and depending where you are, there could be snow, so pack accordingly with waterproof shoes, warm jackets, gloves and warm hats.
Spring and Autumn are probably the most popular times to visit Japan when the colours of the trees are mesmerising and the temperatures are moderate.
Family-friendly things to do in Japan
There are so many incredible family-friendly activities in Japan. From museums, theme parks, playgrounds, zoos, animal cafes, shopping, food and so much more!
For a full list of some family-friendly activities in Tokyo, check out our 23 Things to do in Tokyo with kids article.
For Kyoto, we’ve listed Kyoto’s top 5 family-friendly things to do here.
And if you’re feeling even more adventurous and want to get off-the-beaten-path, check out our articles on trips close to Tokyo: Izu Peninsula, Ibaraki and Chiba and further afield, Iwate and Aomori for more family-friendly fun!
So is Japan is family-friendly?
Have I convinced you yet? Our kids love Japan and love our expeditions and explorations here. It’s definitely a family-friendly location and has a lot to offer families for a well-rounded trip everyone will enjoy!
I definitely suggest planning a family trip to Japan, but be prepared for the weather, know the rules, (such as silence on trains and usually in art galleries) and build in time for play and curiosity.
