Tokyo with Kids: How to Spend 3 Days and ACTUALLY Enjoy it
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo with kids, I know how overwhelming it can feel. The city is huge, trains get crowded fast, and there are hundreds of activities competing for your attention. Without a clear plan, you’ll spend more time calming meltdowns than making memories. The good news is I’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. I researched the best activities kids as young as two can enjoy, gone through reviews, compared tips from families who’ve been there, and pulled it all into one simple family itinerary that works from the moment you land at the airport to your very last adventure in Tokyo. This isn’t the typical list you’ll find online with museums, Disneyland, or shrine visits. This plan focuses on kid-friendly experiences that feel uniquely Tokyo. places where you and your children can have fun, laugh together, and create lasting memories. And somewhere in these three days is a hidden gem most visitors walk right past. But for kids, it often becomes their favorite memory of the trip. But before we get into it, if you’d like the complete 5-day family travel guide with day-by-day plans, hotel picks, restaurants to try, and pro tips for parents, I’ve put it together as a free download in the description box. So, let’s start at the very beginning. Arriving in Tokyo, if you can fly into Haneda airport instead of Narita, both connect into central Tokyo, but Haneda is closer, about 30 minutes by train. That might not sound like much, but after a long haul flight with kids, those extra 30 minutes can feel endless. From Narita, you’re looking at about an hour on the Narita Express. But even with Hanita, timing matters. Rush hour in Tokyo isn’t just busy. It’s an ocean of people packed shoulderto-shoulder, and navigating with a stroller during rush hour is almost impossible. To save yourself the stress, avoid trains between 7:30 to 9:30 in the morning and 5 to 7:00 in the evening. Once you’re through arrivals, there are two things you’ll need to sort right away. First, grab a Suika or Pasmo card. These work for trains, subways, and even snacks at convenience stores. Personally, I like the mobile Suika. You can set it up on your phone before you even land and skip the ticket machines altogether. Second, get a pocket Wi-Fi at the airport. Yes, a SIM card works, but with pocket Wi-Fi, you can connect everyone’s devices without worrying about burning through data. Trust me, when you’re checking train routes with a restless toddler beside you, the last thing you want is to run out of internet. Strollers are allowed on trains, but some older stations only have one elevator, and it’s usually at the far end of the platform. This can slow you down. So, if you’re traveling with a toddler, plan a little extra time for each transfer. Once you’ve sorted cards and Wi-Fi, head to your hotel and freshen up. The location makes all the difference. With kids, you don’t want to cross half the city just to get breakfast. Some of the neighborhoods I’d recommend are Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno. Shinjuku is busy, but very central, which makes getting around easier. Shabuya has plenty of shopping and kid-friendly cafes. Asakusa gives you an old Tokyo charm with temples right outside your door. And if you prefer quieter evenings, Weno is a great choice with its parks and museums. If you’ll be landing in the morning, book a hotel that offers early check-in or at least a luggage drop. There’s nothing harder than dragging tired kids and suitcases through the streets when everyone just wants to rest. Some hotels even let you prepay for guaranteed early check-in if you ask ahead. Before you jump into sightseeing, take a short walk around the neighborhood. Stop by a convenience store, check out a nearby restaurant, and get a feel for the area. It makes the rest of the trip easier because you’ll already know where to grab water, snacks, or diapers later. And once you’ve done that, the real adventure begins, and the first stop isn’t what you’d expect. Your first full day in Tokyo is all about easing the kids into the trip. And there’s no better place to start than Legoland Discovery Center. Think of it as a giant indoor playground built out of millions of Lego bricks, but designed in a way that parents can breathe while kids dive into their own little adventures. Inside, there are 11 different attractions. Each one built to spark a child’s imagination. The one that grabs attention right away is Minland. This is Tokyo’s Skyline recreated with over 1.5 million bricks. Then there’s Kingdom Quest, Lego Factory Tour, a 4D cinema with wind and water effects, a Duplo village for toddlers, a Ninja Go adventure course, creative workshops, citybuilder, and Lego racers. Each one speaks to kids differently depending on their age and what excites them most. As a parent, you’ll notice the thoughtful touches right away. The entire space is stroller friendly with elevators where you actually need them. There are family restrooms and baby changing facilities that are easy to reach. Now, here’s something important to know. Legoland Discovery Center is strictly a kid first zone. Adults can’t enter on their own. You must have children with you to get in. And when it comes to tickets, you’ve got options. The standard single entry ticket is the simplest, but if you’re planning repeat visits, they offer annual passes that come in two. the premium pass and the light pass. Another choice to consider is the multiattraction ticket which bundles Legoland with Madame Tousad’s Tokyo. Tickets are available directly on their website, but platforms like Clook often have better discounts, so it’s worth checking. Getting there is simple. If you’re taking the train, it’s just a 2-minute walk from Oda Kaien Cohen Station on the Urkamomi line or about 5 minutes from Tokyo Teleport Station on the Ringai line. If you’re driving, there’s parking in Dex Tokyo Beach Island Mall, which connects directly. Opening times change slightly day by day, but usually they open by 9:30 a.m. and close around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. A late morning visit works best. The crowds are lighter, and you can keep the visit to a comfortable 3 hours before energy starts to dip. Plan to spend about 3 hours here. That’s the sweet spot. Enough time for kids to explore without tipping into exhaustion. It makes for the perfect half-day activity, especially at the start of your trip while everyone’s still adjusting. Honestly, after 3 hours here, you’ll probably be ready for a coffee refill, but your kids will still be begging for just one more round. That’s when you know it worked. A day that feels like play for them, but organized and stress-free for you. The only question is, once Legoland is done, how do you keep the magic going without slipping into the usual tourist traps? That’s where day two comes in. After a high energy first day at Legoland, day two slows the pace just a little, but not in a boring way. This is where you introduce your kids to something that feels magical, futuristic, and still totally family-friendly. The digital art exhibitions by Team Lab. You’ve got two main choices in Tokyo. Team Lab Planets in Toyosu or Team Lab Borderless in Azabudai Hills. Both are immersive, interactive, and unlike anything your kids have ever seen. Which one you pick depends a bit on their ages and your logistics. At Team Lab Planets, you’ll walk barefoot through glowing rooms where floors ripple like water. Walls bloom into gardens and mirrors stretch space in every direction. There’s even a massive garden made of living flowers that shift as you move through them. Kids love the sensory side. It’s not just about looking, it’s about walking, splashing, feeling. Because of the water elements, what you wear matters. Bring pants you can roll up or shorts to your knees and avoid skirts since mirrored floors can make things awkward. If you go here, save the water room for the end. It’s the only part where you might get wet and it’s harder to dry off once you’ve moved on. Meanwhile, Team Lab Borderless is completely indoors and much more central. It’s located in Azabuai Hills, just a short walk from Kamyacho station on the Hibia line or Ropongi Ichomi station on the Namboku line. The big difference, no water play, no shoe removal, and it’s stroller logistics friendly. You’ll still need to park strollers and lockers, but the staff handle that smoothly. This version is more accessible with toddlers because it doesn’t require the same level of physical movement, and yet it’s just as immersive. The spaces flow together with no map, which is part of the fun. Kids wander into a room full of glowing bubbles, then crystals hanging like falling rain, then mist walls that turn into ghostly projections. One of the most popular rooms is the aquarium where they draw a sea creature, hand it in, and seconds later, it’s swimming across the walls. For toddlers, it feels like magic. For schoolage kids, it’s creative play. For older ones, it’s the perfect wow moment for their phones. So, which should you choose? Parents who’ve done both say they’re similar enough that if you’re tight on time, one is enough. Team Lab Planets has the unique water element, which older kids love. Borderless has more variety, is calmer logistically, and works better if you’re staying central or traveling with little ones. If you’re in Tokyo long enough, by all means, do both. But don’t feel pressured. Either one will deliver. Whichever you pick, you’ll want to book early. Tickets sell out weeks in advance, especially on weekends and school holidays. The booking window usually opens 12 weeks ahead, and sites like Clook often make it easier since they accept digital vouchers at the gate. Plan on 2 to 3 hours inside, long enough to take it in without hitting sensory overload. As a parent, you’ll appreciate how well organized both venues are. Staff are kind, lockers are plentiful, and bathrooms are easy to find. The atmosphere stays surprisingly calm, even with kids running around. At Borderless, you’ll even find a cafe where matcha lattes arrive with art projected onto the foam. A fun treat while the kids rest. By the end, you’ll probably leave with hundreds of photos and kids begging for one more room. But their fun doesn’t end here, because day three is one for the books. But before then, you’ll notice that this video covers 3 days. But let’s be real, 3 days barely scratched the surface of Tokyo. If you’re lucky enough to have more time, I have a 5-day complete travel guide that includes hotel options at different budgets, family-friendly restaurants for each day, and all the activities with ticket prices, links, and parent hacks. You can download it for free in the description. That way, instead of losing hours on Google, you can just enjoy the trip with your kids with our readytouse travel guide. By day three, you’ve already given the kids Lego adventures and digital art worlds. So, what comes next? Most parents automatically think of Disneyland or Disney Sea. But here’s the thing. The crowds, the long waits, and the sheer size of those parks can be exhausting with little ones. Instead, there’s a hidden gem just 35 minutes from Shinjjuku, Yomi Land. It’s Tokyo’s largest amusement park, but somehow it still flies under the radar for most international tourists. That’s exactly what makes it such a win for families. The lines are shorter, the atmosphere is friendlier, and the mix of rides works for toddlers, older kids, and even parents who want to sneak in a thrill ride or two. Depending on the season, Yomir Land transforms. In spring, the park is lined with cherry blossoms. In summer, the pools open up with slides and diving boards. In winter, it lights up with one of the biggest illumination shows in the country. It feels like a different park depending on when you visit, which means no two families have the same experience here. As a parent, you’ll probably appreciate the practical touches as much as the rides. Stroller rentals are available at the entrance for about 500 yen, though numbers are limited, so bring your own if you can. Baby rooms are dotted around the park, and some even have curtained spaces for breastfeeding. If you run out of diapers, you’ll find them for sale in the park shops, which is a lifesaver you don’t usually get at theme parks. Bathrooms and rest areas are frequent, so you’re not trekking across the park every time someone needs a break. And vending machines are everywhere, which makes grabbing a quick cold drink in the summer heat simple. Getting here is straightforward. From Shinjuku, it’s around 35 minutes by train. And the most fun way to arrive is by taking the gondola from Ko Yomioriand station up the hillside to the park. It’s scenic and sets the mood right away. Tickets for the gondola are about 300 yen one way or 500 yen for a round trip. Plan on spending most of the day here. Don’t forget to buy tickets in advance on Kucus. They always have discounts. Here’s the thing about Yumurand. It isn’t overwhelming. Most lines are under 10 minutes, which means more rides and less waiting. And because it’s built on a hillside, you get beautiful views across Tokyo, especially from the ferris wheel at sunset. If you’re there in winter, the nighttime illumination show turns the whole park into a glowing jewel box. This is the hidden gem most visitors walk right past. But for kids, it often becomes their favorite memory of the trip, even over Disney. By the end of the day, you’ll probably be as tired as the kids, but in that good way. It may not have the same global name recognition as Disney, but that’s its strength. It’s big enough to keep everyone busy, yet relaxed enough that you don’t leave feeling like you ran a marathon. This is exactly how you should spend 3 days in Tokyo. And if I’m being honest, 3 days aren’t nearly enough to explore all the little corners of Tokyo your kids would love. If you’d like me to make a part two of this guide covering day four, five, plus a bonus activity, just drop a comment below with the word part two, and I’ll put it together next. But if you don’t want to wait, I’ve already built a 5-day itinerary with the best hotels, restaurants, daily activities with ticket links, and parent hacks. You can download it for free in the description. Trust me, you won’t even need Google after that. And if this guide helped you feel more prepared, go ahead and subscribe, like, and share it with another parent planning to visit Tokyo.
Are you planning a family trip to Tokyo this coming holiday or springtime next year? I’ve got you covered:
Complete 5-Day Family Tokyo Travel Guide: [https://nomadic-xperience.kit.com/tokyo-guide ]
Complete 10-12-Day Japan Family Travel Guide: [https://nomadic5.gumroad.com/l/japan-guide/LAUNCH001 ]
In this video, I walk you through a stress-free 3-day Tokyo itinerary designed for families, from arrival tips at Haneda and Narita airports to kid-approved stops that keep everyone happy.
You’ll get practical Japan travel tips every parent should know, from stroller logistics and meal ideas to how to skip the lines at major attractions.
And if you’d like the complete 5-day Japan travel guide with family-friendly hotels, restaurant picks, and daily plans, it’s free to download below. If you’re planning a longer stay, I’ll also link the full 10–12 day Japan travel guide for families.
So whether this is your first time in Tokyo, Japan or your fifth, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do in Tokyo with kids, without the chaos.
Free Download: Complete 5-Day Family Tokyo Travel Guide: [https://nomadic-xperience.kit.com/tokyo-guide ]
Watch Next: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI-mbJnCFN4&t=1s ]
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Chapters
0:00 – 1:15 – INTRO
1:16 – 2:46 – ARRIVAL
2:47 – 3:52 – WHERE TO STAY
3:53 – 6:42 – DAY ONE
6:43 – 10:43 – DAY TWO
10:44 – 13:35 – DAY THREE
13:36 – 14:17 – FREE DOWNLOAD💛
DISCLAIMER: Some visuals used in this video are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution license. Full credits and source links:
Paul’s Travel Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYZ-sEhb7kg
Life in JAPAN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwjRNLTUmEo
Tomodachi Ken in Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnObUFYOnFE
Daddy T Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aynJSqulGy0
yoshi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX3bkMIkK_4&t=8s
Odile오딜: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22tjUd76Xr4
まえちゃんねる MAECHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htt0Qm4-yTY
TMay_jpg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqE7IbMjPyw
Justin Cosplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxtNtIKwIKk
TWiNSAUCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9gQBkUCVsU
名無くん: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mrttiDpVE
EYUI LOGチャンネル: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH5weyIz5M4
accidental_clickks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gcnz7e-lL0&t=52s
EYUI LOGチャンネル: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjzsifdIQx8
Narbay FamilyTv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3H76g20kI
Have an amazing stay in Tokyo✨💛
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