When my kiddies were old enough to walk and needed real, proper wriggle time and interactive play throughout the day, I would plan a rainy day for us ( or for friends with kids of a similar age) that looked something like this.
So…. I only a truly horrid rainy day I would base myself in the Shinjuku area. You’re right in the middle of “oh my god – this is Tokyo and it’s mega”-ville and some of the most kiddie-orientated activities are 15 -20 minutes walk (less in cab or subway if you don’t have a really heavy stroller because the areas I want to send you to aren’t fantastic for subway station elevators) from the station area. But if you’re feeling extra clever – you could always walk while your little one is napping. OR if the weather is way too horrid to even walk for 10 minutes forget my two slightly further from the station suggestions and just stay closer to the station.
** You know what your kids can handle at what times of the day – feel free to read through this post and follow this itinerary in the opposite order. That could also work too **
I would start the day at Takashimaya Department Store. It opens at 11am and I would begin in the basement floor. It’s an entire floor of just amazing food counter (deli style) and you can buy single cooked skewers, gyoza packs, ready-made (fresh that morning) obentos, bakery goods, sweets etc.
There is even a special kit kat counter with all the new and more unusual flavours.
My kids like it here because it’s so bright, it’s bustling and there is so much to look at. They are also happy to be fed little morsels of different tasty treats and also there are a few fresh juice bars spotted around the corners of the room.
It’s a great way for kids to think it’s all about them while the adults are still trying so many different types of amazing quality food.
After that: my kids would definitely need a wriggle around so I would take the elevator to the 9th floor. This is the toy and children’s clothing department. There is also a baby room for feeding and changing but in the toy section is a hands on play area with trains and kitchen toys etc.
There is also the Disney and Hello Kitty stores on the same floor.
There are some beautiful children’s clothing here too – don’t really recommend if you’re watching your cash but the quality is amazing and there are lots to choose from.
If you want to give your kiddies a funky haircut the stylists in the children’s hair salon, Zusso, are seriously talented. They somehow manage to style children’s hair like a trendy fashion model. Best to book ahead, take a picture of what you’d like, tell them what kind of thing your child is into so they can set up the dvd player accordingly (ie. trains, mickey mouse, princess…etc) and choose a salon vehicle!! (Just a heads up : this experience is adorable but be ready to pay 4000 yen for the pleasure. )
If you think you’re children are still okay to keep going for a bit longer before lunch, I would drag them through Tokyu Hands (within the same department store). This is not as much fun for them as it is you…. but … too good to skip if the opportunity allows. Especially the stationery floor.
Although I’m about to recommend other options outside of Takashimaya, if you’re having a bad day and it’s just not going to happen…..within Takashimaya I have eaten at and enjoyed light and casual meals with my family at : Moana Kitchen Hawaiian Restaurant (12th floor), Cafe Tabitha (9th floor) and Papas Cafe (7th floor).
Takashimaya lends out strollers to customers (while in the building.)
TAKASHIMAYA TIMES SQUARE
5-24-2 SENDAGAYA, SHIBUYA
渋谷区千駄ヶ谷
OPEN: 10AM-8PM
WEBSITE
Kichiri has such yummy food and a grown up vibe but it is also good for kids. Even small babies,in fact, as staff will organize a seat with a large cushion backing so babies could even get in some “tummy-time” while you eat!
Kichiri is a chain of restaurants so, if you’re a fan, you can keep an eye out for them all over Japan. I would call the food ‘Japanese fusion’. The menu is in English.
The restaurant’s interior is minimal, chic and futuristic. I love it!
I recommend making a booking (especially if there are more than 2 of you.) Please note that tables are only available for 2 hour seatings – and last orders to be placed 30 mins prior to those 2 hours coming to an end.
Once you enter the restaurant, shoes go in a locker and you hang on to your key….
then you’ll be shown to your table….
After you’ve placed your order, your waiter will bring you an “otoshi” which is a tiny appetizer of the day. It’s probably best to think of this as a compulsory “table charge.” (This is standard practice in Japanese Izakaya Pubs)
The menu has so many options and their seasonal specials are also full of table theatrics. There is also a children’s plate that usually has rice, a hamburger pattie, some vegetables and a small serving of fries.
It looks quite fancy inside but I think it’s pretty reasonable. With drinks and ordering a few dishes each , I’d probably budget for 4000 yen per person? (way less for children, of course) There are also course menu options. There are other Kichiri’s all over Tokyo. For example: Ebisu, Ikebukuro, Ginza & Shibuya.
KICHIRI MOLLIS
新宿3-26-13新宿中村屋ビル6F
6th FLOOR, SHINJUKU NAKAMURAYA BUILDING, 3-26-13 SHINJUKU
OPEN EVERYDAY (EXCEPT AROUND THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY PERIOD)
LUNCH: 11AM-3PM
AFTERNOON TEA: 3PM-5PM
DINNER: 5PM – MIDNIGHT
KICHIRI MOLLIS WEBSITE
If you kids are struggling to eat rice and you just want to fill them up with some yummy pizza, I would go to 800 Degrees Pizzeria. (3 minutes walk from Takashimaya) It’s bright and light and casual and easy. I can imagine it is manic on the weekend so it’s probably best to be waiting at the door when it opens at 11am for lunch.
It’s possible to choose your own toppings or one of the combinations listed on the menu.
GROUND FLOOR, NEWOMAN DEPARTMENT STORE
5 -24-55 SENDAGAYA, SHIBUYA
渋谷区千駄ヶ谷5-24-55
OPEN: 11am-11pm
800 DEGREES PIZZERIA WEBSITE
Or another mealtime option (any meal of the day for this one.)
Directly around the opposite side of the same building as 800 Degrees Pizzeria is the Newoman Food Hall – which I only recently discovered. There are so many beautiful eateries inside and (unlike the Food Hall in Ebisu that I found to be so disappointing) it has a range of different types of food and it’s just such a beautiful use of space. In other words – it feels special for grown ups too.
The hall is made up of lots of separate restaurants: an Oyster Bar, High-end Sushi, Butcher & Beer counter, Bakery & Restaurant and a stunning restaurant called “Tavern S” at the back.
The entire hall is open until 4am and is completely non-smoking until 11pm.
Children are welcome anytime before 11pm but the hall is full of officeworkers and hand-holding daters in the evening so lunch just feels a little more appropriate with kids -but that’s your call.
The Tavern on S next to the murals has free wifi.
NEWOMAN FOOD HALL
新宿区新宿4-1-6
4-1-6 SHINJUKU, SHINJUKU
OPEN EVERYDAY 7AM-4AM
DEPARTMENT STORE WEBSITE
If you need somewhere else indoors for kids to play after this, I would probably walk to the Odakyu Department Store in West Shinjuku. (10 minutes walk from Takashimaya) They have a fantastic toy section with lots of toys to touch and play with (the toys are considerably cheaper than Takashimaya too.) There is also a small play space that would keep toddlers happy. This department store also lends out strollers to customers (for in-store use only.) Keio Department Store in the neighbouring building also has a good toy floor with lots of toys to play with and good baby changing facilities.
Ok… now for the two recommended places to take kids in this area that take a little bit of travel time so you’ll need to think about just how wet it is and how much you can manage – these places are SOOOO cute for kids though so I highly recommend it if you think it is possible to do either of these activities either in the morning or after lunch.
20 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station (if you decide to take a cab, show this Japanese address below to the taxi driver and then it will only take approximately 10 minutes) is the Fire Museum. I’ve put all the info and photos of the Fire Museum in Shinjuku here.
Alternatively (or as well as if you’re realy full of energy) you could venture to the Tokyo Toy Museum. ( 5 minutes walk from the Fire Museum, 25 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station) It is a lovely hands-on museum and it even has a wooden toy room just for children aged 0-2. My kiddies love this place. I’ve written more about the Tokyo Toy Museum, including the address and ticket prices here.
If the weather lets up at any point, please see my Shinjuku with Kids post as your list of options will , of course, expand significantly. I also have included a list of places to change and feed babies in this post.
