Akasaka is a lovely place to spend time with kids in Japan and not too many people know about this area.
It’s a really central area but it also feels like a suburb – lots of little alleyways and windy streets to explore. I like to recommend Akasaka with kids as there is a lot of fabulous family friendly accommodation and is also close to Roppongi, Hiroo and Azabu-Juban – areas which have some of the best inner city playgrounds in Tokyo.
This is also the area of the Harry Potter Cafe & Shop
Please note that this blog post contains some affiliate links. This means that I make a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Extra tip: If you arrive into Akasaka via subway station “Akasaka-Mitsuke” and you need an elevator for a stroller or suitcases, use the elevators inside Bic Camera electronics department store to help you get to the ground level.
Hie Shrine is in Akasaka and although it is small – it’s a great little stop-off if you’re in the area.
The Torii gates make for great photos too.
It’s 6 minutes in a cab from Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi ( or 20 minutes walk on foot – which is what we did. )
There are a lot of steep stairs ( although its not a hike or anything – still an inner city shrine) so, if you’re travelling with kids and a stroller , it could be a bit tricky.
There are restrooms in the main building.
If you wanted to be up to date on the shrine etiquette, their English page on the hie shrine website is pretty good.
HIE SHRINE
千代田区永田町2-10-5
2-10-5 NAGATACHO, CHIYODA-KU
WEBSITE ( THEIR ENGLISH PAGE OF THE WEBSITE IS PRETTY GOOD)
OPEN 5AM-6PM (APRIL – SEPTEMBER)
OPEN 6AM-5PM (OCTOBER-MARCH)
Also did you know that you can pop into the lobby of the hotel manned by robots?
The lobby is on the second floor of the hotel so you’ll need to take the elevator.
There isn’t a lot to do than just say hi to the robots but … still …. it’s worth just taking a look.
If you think this is cool, you’ll also like the same brand of hotel out by Disneyland. The hotel is manned by dinosaurs.
These hotels are actually very very reasonably priced. Nothing fancy happens in the rooms but they are clean and new.
The only downside is that there are no humans to direct questions but if you’re happy to do your thing? This is a very economical option.
HENN NA HOTEL AKASAKA
港区赤阪2-6-14
2 -6-14 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
WEBSITE
( Can also be found on booking.com)
For ramen or tsukemen for lunch or dinner with kids, I recommend Mendokoro Tomo Premium. This ramen/tsukemen restaurant is 7 mins walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station.
In case you’ve never had tsukemen before, the noodles arrive to the table outside the broth/soup and you then dip them in the soup before eating. They also sell meat gyoza here. This casual restaurant has a place to store strollers while you dine. For lunch or dinner I would budget for approximately 2000 yen per person. They do accept credit cards here. They also have an English menu. Children and babies are welcome. They do take reservations but I would just go and, if busy, wait. If you are going to just share one person’s portion with a child – the polite thing to do is to ask if that’s ok to do so as you are entering the restaurant. They do have kid sized plates and cutlery.
MENDOKORO TOMO PREMIUM
港区赤坂4-3-30 横川ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, YOKOGAWA BUILDING, 4-3-30 AKASAKA, MINATO-Ku
OPEN MON-SAT 11AM-3PM & 5PM-10PM
CLOSED ON SUNDAYS
And how about some Tonkatsu (Japanese crumbed and fried pork cutlets) for lunch? Tonkatsu Sueyoshi welcomes families. This restaurant is 3 mins walk from Akasaka Station (via Exit 1) or 6 mins walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke (Exit 11). Tonkatsu Sueyoshi first opened in 1977, The entire restaurant in non-smoking. Please note that this restaurant is cash only. Menu options include beautiful crunchy Tonkatsu with a cabbage salad, Tonkatsu sandwiches, Tonkatsu Oyakodon (Tonkatsu with cooked egg and green onions on rice), hamburger patty lunch plates, fried shrimp and fried oysters. All meals are between 1000-2000 yen here. It is polite to order at least 1 item for each number of people you are bringing into the restaurant (even if your child eats nothing and you just get two things for yourself.) You can make reservations here or just walk-in and wait your turn if it is busy. if you would like to make a reservation, it is best to ask your hotel to make a phone call on your behalf as this restaurant does not have a website.
Please have google translate on your phone for the menu (this makes it sound way more complicated than it is though as there really are only the menu items I have listed above.)
This restaurant has space for you to put a baby in a stroller next to you at the table (by removing a chair.)
TONKATSU SUEYOSHI
港区赤坂4-3-10
4-3-10 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11:30AM-2PM & 5PM-8:45PM
OPEN SATURDAYS 11:30AM-2PM
CLOSED ON SUNDAYS
Or if you are keen to try Unagi-Don (Grilled and marinated Eel on Rice – it’s actually really good!) then I recommend going to Akasaka Fukinuki for lunch. This restaurant is 3 mins from Akasaka Station and 4 mins walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. For lunch here I would budget for 3000 yen per adult and more like 6000 yen at dinner time. They accept most major credit cards. The restaurant is non-smoking but there is a designated smoking section outside. Children and babies are welcome. There is space to store a stroller while you dine. Just a heads up, this is a hard place to come if one of you doesn’t want to eat Unagi. There isn’t too much else to choose from. They can do takeout bentos if that’s easier.
AKASAKA FUKINUKI
港区赤坂3-6-11
3-6-11 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-10PM (LUNCH HOURS ARE 11AM-3PM)
Or if you’re in the mood for something a bit more fancy, I recommend Teppanyaki Sato. It is 5 mins walk from Akasaka Station (Exit 1) or 8 mins walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station.
I have written about how teppanyaki is probably different to what you are expecting here so please have a read before you make a reservation. For this restaurant you will need to budget around 12,000 yen per person. You wil definitely need to make a reservation here. It is cozy and cute and so yummy. It’s a really special place to eat at as a family.
They do accept credit cards here. Please note that there is a service charge of 500 yen for each person – and, just like in many Japanese restaurants, as a thank you for that service charge you will receive a small tapas size seasonal dish to try ( you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.) The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Children and babies are welcome (please let them know ages when you make the reservation.)
It’s a little bit hidden so leave time to go on a bit of a hunt for this place (with google maps in hand.)
It’s best to get your hotel to book this spot on your behalf.
TEPPANYAKI SATO
港区赤坂4-12-4 タンゴハイツ赤坂 1F
GROUND FLOOR, TANGO HEIGHTS BUILDING, 4-12-4 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN MON-SAT 6PM-10PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS
There are plenty of lunch options in Akasaka Sacas but another lunch option is Marutomi Suisan. Open from 11am for lunch and sooo reasonably priced.
It’s a very casual spot but a fantastic place to grab a bite if you love sashimi (or any kind of seafood, actually.)
Warning, smoking is allowed in the restaurant (although I didn’t come across any smokers at lunchtime. )
This restaurant is actually part of a chain, so if you like it here, keep an eye out for other branches.
MARUTOMI SUISAN AKASAKA
港区赤阪3-12-10
3-12-10 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11AM -2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 4PM-11PM
Also remember that Roppongi is right next to Akasaka. Here are my Roppongi with Kids suggestions, but I want to highlight the kid friendly places that are not far away on foot. For example, Tokyo Midtown. 14 minutes walk from Akasaka Sacas department store. It has a lovely park out the back and then a few more minutes away and you’re right in the heart of Roppongi.
My kids do like the Midtown park a lot.
It is located right behind Tokyo Midtown department store is a large open park (Hinokicho Park) with a few pieces of playground equipment. There is also a pond and area to have a sit-down picnic. There are often art installations and special events held in certain sections of the park grounds. In the hot months, take a pair of swimmers and towel too – there is a little splash pad too (Down near the slide.)
This park is gorgeous about cherry blossom time.
9-7-1 AKASAKA
赤坂9-7-1
OPEN 5am-11pm
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT SUGGESTION IS 18 MINUTES WALK FROM THE CENTRE OF AKASAKA…
Or for another outdoor idea on a sunny day, I recommend visiting Share Green.
This is a relatively new outdoor space with a couple of food trucks ( nothing like Commune Green in Omotesando but still a couple of yummy options), a coffee shop, a plant nursery and an event space. There are lots of places to sit and sooo much space for kids to run and play. On the weekends, holidays and during special events you can also find things to play on like hammocks or a bean bag toss game or two.
The coffee shop also sells ice-cream and one of the food stands makes the most delicious Kiwi Sours ( non-alcoholic options available too.)
* Please note that, although the address states that Share Green is in Aoyama, it is 18 minutes walk from the centre of Aoyama, 18 minutes walk from Niko Niko Park, 18 minutes walk from Roppongi Hills and 18 minutes walk from Akasaka. So, before or after visiting Share Green, you would like to branch out and change areas in the middle of the day, my Aoyama suggestions are here and see here for more information on things to do in Akasaka.
There are plenty of car & bike parking options here too.
SHARE GREEN
港区南青山1-12-32
1-12-32 MINAMI-AOYAMA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 8AM- 8PM
OPEN WEEKENDS 10AM-7PM
PLANT SHOP OPEN EVERYDAY: 10AM-7PM
*CHECK THE WEBSITE BEFORE YOU VISIT AS IT MAY BE CLOSED FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL EVENTS*
WEBSITE
I’m obsessed with We are the Farm in Akasaka.
Lunch is especially good value but the dinner is also amazing.
The lunch course at this Farm-to-Table restaurant includes soup & a kale side salad and you can choose your own main : a vegetable gratin, a “choose your own ingredients salad” or a grilled vegetable platter (see pictures below) for 1500 yen.
This place is popular so you’ll need to make a reservation (or just call to make sure that they have seats available.)
This restaurant does not have high chairs.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
I also love the We are the Farm’s lunch salad buffet (although they might not like me visiting as I just keep eating and eating.)
If you get the chance, they sell the amazing cheese and tomato dish at all times of the day.
My husband and I go here for date nights often and, I know it sounds weird to say but, this simple marinated onion served with rock salt was to die for!
We both love their ‘Chunky Veg’ gratin and the plate of all the amazing Japanese varieties of mushrooms was one of my favourites.
WE ARE THE FARM AZABU, AKASAKA
港区赤坂2-17-69
2-17-69 AKASAKA, MINATO
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM-3PM
WEEKDAY DINNERS: 6PM-11:30PM
WEEKEND DINNERS: 5PM-11:30PM
WE ARE THE FARM AKASAKA
There are other We are the Farm restaurants in Azabujuban and in Ebisu.
Or perhaps you would like to eat some Teppanyaki Wagyu for lunch (or dinner)?
*Please note that this restaurant only accepts children who are 6 years old and older and children will need to also order an adult sized course*
This restaurant is called Ginza no Steak Akasaka Branch (it comes up Ginza Steak Akasaka on google maps.)
This is an all you can eat steak restaurant or alacarte. They can accommodate gluten free customers but please ask which appetizers are gluten free as you order (and they are happy to change the dessert to fruit, if you need.) Steaks arrive without sauce so you can add your own sauces and seasonings (or avoid sauces completely if you have allergies.)
I have written my advice for those with severe food allergies travelling in Japan here.
Just a little warning that teppanyaki may be different to teppanyaki you are used to at home so you might want to read this before making a reservation.
Budget for lunch is approximately 9000 yen per adult.
Budget for dinner is approximately 15,000 yen per adult.
Please note that there is a service charge of 10% added to the bill and also a seating charge of 300 yen per person.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking. There is an English menu.
Ginza Steak accepts most major credit cards. Reservations required.
This restaurant is 2 mins walk from Akasaka Mitsuke Station
GINZA NO STEAK AKASAKA
渋谷区赤坂3-10-9 赤坂グランベルホテル 2F
2F AKASAKA GRANBELL HOTEL, 3-10-9 AKASAKA, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-4PM (LAST ORDER AT 3:15PM & LAST LUNCH SEATING AT 2PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5:30PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:15PM & LAST DINNER SEATING AT 8:30PM)
CLOSED DEC 31 – JAN 4
*Please note that this restaurant only accepts children who are 6 years old and older and children will need to also order an adult sized course*
5 mins walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station (via Exit 10) is Udon Restaurant called Akasaka Sanuki Udon Hoshino. Just so no-one gets mixed up – udon is almost always served in a soup/broth in Japan (and if it isn’t is it called “yakiudon” which means grilled udon – and this is less common in restaurants.) Akasaka Sanuki Udon Hoshino also serve tempura and it’s so reasonably priced-vegetable tempura is approximately400 yen a serving. They also serve beef and chicken rice balls. This restaurant only accepts reservations for dinner so if you are going for lunch, please remember it is a first come first serve basis (there is often a queue on weekdays.) This restaurant also has kids plates and cutlery.
At lunchtime, I would budget 1000 yen per meal and more like 3000 yen at dinnertime. It is polite to order a dish for every person at the table -even a toddler.
There is space near the entrance to the restaurant for stroller parking.
Please note that this restaurant is cash only.
The menu is only in Japanese but there are pictures so you can point and go. You can also use the menu on this website to help too.
Please don’t try and dine here if you have special dietary requirements – it will just be confusing for all involved and you probably won’t get what you need either.
AKASAKA SANUKI UDON HOSHINO
港区赤坂4-3-3 赤坂レジデンス壱番館 1F
GROUND FLOOR, AKASAKA RESIDENCE ICHIBANKAN BUILDING, 4-3-3 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11AM-4PM & 5PM-10PM
OPEN WEEKENDS 11AM-9PM
And for one of my most random recommendations ever… for lunch or a really early dinner there is Hooters.
Yes, the Hooters that you’re thinking of. It is in Akasaka.
I don’t think I’d recommend the other Hooters’ in Tokyo but this option is right about a hotel in a nice area. It’s actually fine with kids ( I don’t think I would go anytime after 6pm but that’s just personal choice.) They even have a kids menu.
The food is ….meggghhh… ok. But its good for an American Style salad or a slopping American diner style burger – if you’re feeling a bit homesick.
The portions, including the soft drinks, are also western size.
The staff also speak perfect English.
Are the waiter uniforms too sleazy? I don’t think so at all. Just very short shorts.
HOOTERS, AKASAKA
TOKYU PLAZA AKASAKA 2F, 2-14-3 NAGATA-CHO
OPEN 11AM-11:30PM ( OPEN UNTIL 4AM ON FRIDAYS)
HOOTERS AKASAKA WEBSITE
And just next to Hooters is Yona Yona Beer Works. It’s a beer hall that also serves food options like steak, pasta, curry, roast chicken. They accept most major credit cards. I’d expect to pay around 2000 yen per adult for lunch and 3000 yen for dinner.
They have free wifi.
This is a completely non-smoking restaurant. English menu available. No kids menu but plenty of kid-friendly options.
YONA YONA BEER WORKS AKASAKA
永田町2-14-3 東急プラザ赤坂2F
2F TOKYU PLAZA AKASAKA, 2-14-3 NAGATACHO
OPEN FOR WEEKDAY LUNCH: 11:30AM-3PM
OPEN FOR WEEKDAY DINNER: 4PM-11PM
OPEN ON WEEKENDS: 11:30AM – 11PM
YONA YONA BEER WORKS AKASAKA ENGLISH WEBSITE
If you’re looking for an outdoor space to eat a packed lunch or snacks with a bit of space for a run around, I would go to the public open balcony area outside of Yona Yona Beer Works ( also just above the Akasaka Excel Tokyu Hotel.)
Although this dinner suggestion is in my Date nights post here , I have also seen bigger kids (as in kids who are old enough to sit on a stool) dine here with their parents.
I mean, champagne might not appeal to kiddies but it will to the Mummies and Daddies, right? And gyoza? That is for every body!!!!
This place is lovely and casual. Who would have thought that bubbles and dumplings could be such a yummy match?
There is just one guy behind the counter with a gigantic bucket of different champagne bottles and he cooks gyoza on the spot. I don’t know how he keeps up!
There are vegetarian gyoza options (but I don’t recommend if you’re a strict vegie as they are all cooked on the same hot plates.)
STANDO SHAN CHAMPAGNE & GYOZA BAR, AKASAKA
港区赤坂3-15-4
3-15-4 AKASAKA, MINATO
OPEN 5PM-1:30AM (3PM-11PM ON SATURDAYS)
Warayakiya is one of my favourite place to take guests. Its always buzzing and the interior is cool. If possible? Ask to be seated at the counter as the fish is cooked using this special technique – straw-burning flame grill. The flames are huge and very impressive. Their specialty is the seared bonito.
I don’t really recommend this place if you don’t like seafood as the menu is limited because they niche-down hard on their famous dishes.
Kids are welcome but, warning, this is not a non-smoking venue.
The photo below is of the Warayakiya in Roppongi.
WARAYAKIYA AKASAKA
港区 赤阪3-12-3 コンチネンタル赤阪V1F
V1F CONTINENTAL AKASAKA BUILDING, 3-12-3 AKASAKA, MINATO
GROUND FLOOR, ROPPONGI GOODI BUILDING, 6-8-8 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU
OPEN 5PM-5AM (CLOSES AT 11PM ON SUNDAYS)
WEBSITE
Another izakaya pub that is VERY casual and reasonably priced is Uoshin – which is located close to Tokyo Midtown Department Store.
You will knock elbows with the locals and can also try lots of different types of food.
Ask about their nomihodai (all you can drink) and food course which costs 5000 yen per person for a few hours. The course is pre-determined by the chef so if you’d rather have a say – maybe go for just normal a la carte instead.
I recommend ordering the assorted tempura, a sashimi platter, a lemon sour ( sake mixed with lemon soft drink) and crab croquettes. Soooo yummy.
The place gets REALLY hot so have a thin layer on underneath. Also wear easy on and off shoes incase your seats are on the tatami (although you can specify when you book.)
The restaurant is surrounded by red, blue and white lanterns. You can’t miss it.
Warning: the restaurant is not smoke free. There is a smoking and non-smoking section but…. smoke doesn’t exactly stay where it is told to, right?
They have child-friendly cups, plates and spoons etc.
UOSHIN NOGIZAKA
港区赤坂9-6-32
9 -6-32 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
WEEKDAY LUNCH 11:30AM – 2PM
WEEKDAY DINNER 5PM – MIDNIGHT
WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 4PM – 11PM
Botejyu is an okonomiyaki restaurant chain in Japan that has been around since 1946. The Akasaka store is 1 minute away from Akasaka Mitsuke Station.
In Japan, okonomiyaki is seen as a comfort food. It is often referred to as a thick Japanese omelette made with cabbage and then diners choose their own fillings such as additional vegetables, meats or seafood. It is then decorated with sauces, mayonnaise and/or seaweed flakes. It is cooked on a hot plate in front of you so it is really good if you are fussy or just really need to be able to veto ingredients as they are added.
Another option for food in Okonomiyaki restaurants is yakisoba – noodles cooked on the hot grill. It’s really popular and is often considered to be one of Japan’s most popular street food options.
Okonomiyaki restaurants are pretty much always really casual and a great way to share a cheap meal with friends or colleagues.
Read here for how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki
This restaurant accepts credit cards.
Please note that this is not a non-smoking restaurant so you may need to venture in in between normal mealtimes or suss it out first.
I would budget around 1000 yen for an adult meal for lunch and 2000 yen for dinner.
BOTEJYU AKASAKA
赤坂3-10-1 2F
2F, 3-10-1 AKASAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM～3PM
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR DINNER: 5PM – 11PM
For Japanese curry rice, vegetarian and vegan options as well as lots of salads, I recommend the casual curry house chain Cocoichi Curry.
There are two in the area. Open 11AM-11PM.
Technically in Roppongi but also very close to Akasaka is American restaurant Bubbys. Bubbys is an American restaurant and pie shop that originated in New York.
Bubbys is open for Brunch, Lunch and Dinner. To dine here I would budget around 2000 yen per adult. Bubbys accept most major credit cards and they do take reservations. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They welcome children. This restaurant is less than 4 mins walk from Roppongi Itchome Station or 13 mins walk (or 4 mins/ approx 500 yen in a cab) from Akasaka Station.
BUBBYS NEW YORK ARK HILLS ROPPONGI
港区赤坂1-12-32 アーク森ビル2F
2ND FLOOR, ARK MORI BUILDING, 1-12-32 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH EVERYDAY: 10AM-4PM
OPEN FOR BRUNCH ON WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: 10AM-4PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 4PM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9PM)*OPEN UNTIL 11PM ON WEEKDAYS
Please note that this blog post contains some affiliate links. This means that I make a small commission at no additional cost to you.
*Extra tip: Tameike-Sano Station is also close to Akasaka so keep that in mind when planning your travels using the Jorudan site or app(and I also find google maps to often be equally as helpful.).
From Tamaieko-Sano to Ginza takes just 5 minutes, direct.
