Japan With Kids: A Practical Family Travel Guide
I’ve travelled Japan solo for the best part of 10 years and now its my favourite place to take my little ones. Travelling Japan with babies & toddlers is surprisingly easy. This guide brings together everything I’ve learned travelling Japan solo and later returning with a toddler and a baby — to help you decide if Japan is right for your family, and how to travel it with less stress.
Why Japan works (even with little kids)
Japan is honestly one of the best places in the world to visit with kids. Everything is impeccably clean and tidy. The streets feel safe, even at night. People are respectful. Public transport is incredibly reliable. And despite having a reputation for being reserved, Japanese people love kids.
I was nervous about taking my toddler in particular because toddlers are inherently loud, boisterous and make their presence known. But she was met with smiles and whispers of “oooh kawaii (cute)” wherever we went. And there are so many things to do in Japan – particularly in the cities – that kids will love.
Is Japan a good destination with kids?
I’ve honestly not found a better destination to travel with kids. Japan marries cultural experiences with kitschy and fun kid-coded activities and delicious food. Whilst there are some challenges – like navigating peak hour on a crowded train with a pram and two kids – there is so much fun to be had!
We’ve visited Japan twice in the last two years. The first with our then 1.5 year old and the second with our 3 year old and 4 month old baby. And with some thoughtful planning and a willingness to run at a slow pace, the trip was easier than expected.
Getting to Japan and around Japan with kids
Flying to Japan with kids
From Australia, it is a 10 hour flight to Tokyo, so navigating a long haul flight with a baby or young kids is the first hurdle that needs to be faced when visiting Japan.
Getting around Japan and the JR Pass
Importantly, you’ll need to consider how you plan to get around once in Japan and whether the JR Pass is a worthwhile investment. The pass can be useful if you plan on taking a few Shinkansen trips (bullet train) and the ferry to Miyajima Island is included too. Note you don’t have to buy tickets for kids under 6, but they must sit on your lap. The JR Pass doesn’t cover all trains however – most subway lines require a Suica card or individual tickets to be purchased.
Strollers versus carriers
Honestly, both! The cities are huge in Japan so consider a travel stroller (we love our BabyJogger City Tour 2) even for a young kid who is used to walking a lot. Our energetic 3 year old was exhausted and needed to sit in the pram for a spell frequently. This meant our baby spent the best part of the holiday in the carrier. For visiting attractions like TeamLab Planets with kids, no strollers are permitted, so for a hands free experience definitely use a carrier for the baby.
Rideshare and taxis in Japan with kids
Taxis are readily available in Japan but they are expensive. For example, a 20 minute drive to the airport cost over $100 AUD. If you have little ones, then it is worth noting that taxis do not have car seats for babies. Instead, you will need to hold the baby or small child on your lap. Our 3 year old just sat in the back seat in her own spot.
Obviously, only do what you are comfortable with – personally, we don’t ever use taxis in Japan unless we absolutely have to because its not particularly safe for the kids to be travelling without the proper restraints. Booking a private transfer with car seats installed may be a better option for parents needing to make use of a car.
Where to stay in Japan with kids
Accommodation styles in Japan can vary quite a lot and personally, I find this part the most challenging detail to organise when travelling with kids.
Culturally, Japanese families tend to bedshare with their small children. Whereas many Western countries have kids in their own sleep space. When I travel, I don’t want to share a room with my kids. Not because I don’t adore them, but because when they go to sleep at 8pm, I want to relax and enjoy some time with my partner as we decompress from a busy day of travel.
If you’re like me, then you will want to look for hotels with suites or connecting rooms. Or if you can find one, an Aparthotel. AirBnB is not huge in Japan and many of the places listed on the site are not in the main tourist areas – and with kids, proximity to food and activities to make the most of the day are crucial.
Another thing to note is that Japanese hotel rooms are usually quite small and pokey. A suite or aparthotel gives the kids some space to play and stretch out.
Japan with a baby or toddler
Visiting Japan with a baby or toddler can be challenging because unless you’re bringing an incredible amount of luggage with you, at some point you will need to source items such as baby formula, baby food and nappies.
Unlike in Australia, supermarkets are more geared towards food and drinks and don’t really have ample supply of baby items. We had more luck finding nappies at drugstores, Babies R Us, Don Quixote and even Disney! The Merries brand of nappies were fabulous and worked well for our baby.
I was lucky enough to have breastfed both my babies, but for those mums who need baby formula, drugstores and Babies R Us are your best options there.
Tokyo with kids: a surprisingly easy first stop
Tokyo might seem overwhelming at first glance. It’s huge, fast‑paced, and often feels like a sensory overload. But travelling Tokyo with kids (yes, even with a toddler) turned out to be far more manageable than I expected.
Once you adjust your pace, Tokyo becomes an incredibly rewarding city for families. It’s clean, safe, efficient, and full of small, everyday moments that kids genuinely enjoy — from riding trains to choosing snacks at convenience stores.
Why Tokyo Works Well for Families
- Public transport is reliable and easy once you get the hang of it
- Attractions are well organised, even when busy. Think Tokyo Disney, Tokyo Toy Museum and the Tokyo Fire Museum
- Food is simple to manage with kids (thank you, 7‑Eleven)
- Kids are welcomed, even if facilities aren’t always designed for them
Tokyo does require some planning, but it’s not the stressful experience many parents fear.
What to Expect With a Toddler in Tokyo
Travelling Tokyo with a toddler means embracing a slower rhythm. Some days were about one main activity. Some days were about parks, playgrounds, and wandering neighbourhood streets. And that was more than enough.
Tokyo has:
- Small, quiet parks scattered between busy areas
- Child‑friendly attractions that don’t feel overstimulating
- Endless novelty for little ones. Our toddler would have been quite happy to ride the trains all day.
Read on here for a realistic look at exploring Tokyo with a toddler in tow.
Osaka with kids: relaxed, playful and delicious
If Tokyo feels polished and fast‑moving, Osaka feels warmer, louder, and much more playful, which makes it a fantastic stop when travelling Japan with kids.
Osaka is often where parents (and kids) relax a little more. The city is known for its food culture, friendly locals, and family‑friendly attractions, and it pairs beautifully with Tokyo in a first Japan itinerary. There’s a reason that Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are called the golden route for first timers to Japan.
Why Osaka Works Well for Families
- More casual atmosphere than Tokyo
- Excellent food scene, even for fussy eaters
- Big, bold attractions that kids immediately respond to like the Osaka Kids Plaza.
- Easy day trips without changing accommodation
I found that Osaka doesn’t demand the same level of planning, which can be a welcome relief when travelling with toddlers or younger kids. And there’s so many great day trips from Osaka that can be accessed by train.
Osaka With Toddlers and Younger Kids
Osaka shines when it comes to kid‑friendly attractions.
It’s particularly well suited for:
- Toddlers who love visual, interactive experiences
- Kids who need outdoor space and big “wow” moments
- Families balancing sightseeing with fun
From aquariums to theme parks to easy street wandering, Osaka makes it easy to plan days that feel enjoyable rather than exhausting. I’ve shared what worked best for us (and what we skipped) in Osaka with a Toddler in tow.
Tokyo or Osaka: Which Is Better With Kids?
Parents often ask whether Tokyo or Osaka is more family‑friendly — and the answer is both, in different ways.
- Tokyo offers variety, structure, and incredible everyday efficiency
- Osaka offers fun, warmth, and easier days
If you have time, combining both gives you a balanced experience: Tokyo’s scale and novelty paired with Osaka’s relaxed, playful energy.
