If you are stuck for things to do with kids on Jan 1-3 (the time when almost all of Tokyo shuts down) I strongly recommend heading to Roppongi. There are lots of family-friendly options to still make the day really fun for everyone.
Here is my general Roppongi with kids guide – but, below, is my New Years Holiday Period tailored version.
Tokyo Midtown Roppongi & Hibiya
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2: Shops open 11am-8pm & restaurants open 11am-9pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Roppongi Hills
Jan 1: Closed*
*Although Zara is open 11am-6pm &the Mori Art Museum gift shop is open 11am-7pm.
On Jan 1, you can still take a little walk through the beautiful but quite small Mohri gardens behind the Roppongi Hills Complex.
Jan 2: Shops open 11am-7pm (Restaurants until 9pm)
Jan 3: Business as usual
There is an amazing kid-friendly exhibition on at the moment and it is open again from Jan 3 – March 29. It is called Roppongi Hills 2025. You can book online here.
You can also walk from this area for just a couple of minutes to the Robot Park playground any day of the year.
*If you are strictly gluten free – before or after Robot Park – go to one of the restaurants at the nearby Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Roppongi, for a meal. They are great at assisting those who need a strictly gluten free option. Please note that you will, most likely, need a reservation at this time of the year.
Crisp Salad Works in Roppongi Hills is open from 11am-9pm on Jan 1, 2026. Crisp Salad Works have vegetarian, vegan, halan and gluten free options.
Afuri Ramen inside Roppongi Hills (underground- kind of under Shake Shack) is open on Jan 2 from 11am-9pm This is one of the few ramen places in Japan that sells chicken ramen – this is handy if you don’t eat pork.
Shake Shack in Roppongi Hills is closed Jan 1 but is open from 11am on Jan 2, 2026.
*Side note: Shake Shack in Japan is a fab idea for those who are gluten free as you can order a burger in a lettuce wrap.
The French Kitchen (inside the Grand Hyatt) still have some tables available for their Strawberry Buffet high tea on Jan 1 (starting at 7000 yen per person)
Best to make a reservation in advance as, during busy periods, they only allow hotel guests in for breakfast. Make a reservation for a fancy meal at The French Kitchen, Roppongi Hills here.
The Starbucks at Roppongi Hills Tsutaya (just down the hill from the Robot Playground and the Mohri Garden) is closed Jan 1 and open on Jan 2 from 10am-7pm – the beautiful bookshop there is open at these times too.
The Mori Art Museum is open Jan 1-3, 2026 (at weekend/holiday prices)
Within the Roppongi Hills Complex we like to eat at Mohri Salvatore Cuomo and it is open on Jan 2 from 11am-9pm ! I have more details on these restaurants in my Roppongi with Kids blog post.
Obica in Roppongi Hills (my daughter’s fave) is also open on Jan 2 & 3 from 11am-9pm. They have high chairs here! I have lots of details and pictures on my Roppongi with Kids blog post. They have gluten free pasta here.
And while in Roppongi, why not go to Team Lab Borderless? That is open on Jan 1-3 as well (book online here.)
The Hard Rock Cafe in Roppongi is open Jan 1 from midday -10pm. (If you are gluten free – Hard Rock in Japan can do a burger without the bun and you can also order a steak.)
Tony Roma’s (next door to Hard Rock) is open Jan 1 from midday-8pm
Wolf Gang Steakhouse is open in Roppongi 11:30am-10:30pm on Jan 1
Hobgoblin in Roppongi opens from 12pm Jan 1 and business as usual from Jan 2.
See here for other open options for families in Tokyo between Jan 1-3, 2026
