I used to call the Ginza area tricky with kids – but that’s just made me work harder to find more options….. Now I love , love , love visiting Ginza with kids and it is hard to pick where to go first!
If you’re out and about, why not pop into the ground floor (1st floor, as it is called in Japan) of Muji Ginza. the largest Muji Store in the world.
The fruit and vegetable section and bakery is open from 7:30AM.
MUJI GINZA
中央区銀座3-5-3
3-5-3 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN FROM 10AM-9PM
(1F OPENS AT 7:30AM)
MUJI GINZA WEBSITE
Nearby breakfast suggestion…
And if you wanted a breakfast just next to Tokyo Station, I recommend Sarabeths.
It is a lovely western, very very old school breakfast/brunch.
I’m from Melbourne, Australia, and, to me, this kind of breakfast is very very old school. It was yummy and good quality but a bit like having breakfast out in the 80s.
The menu is on their website if you’d like to check ahead. My egg white and cheese omelette was delicious.
They do have high chairs for babies.
They also allow you to bring your own baby food into their restaurant.
There is a rooftop area on the 3rd floor. They accept credit cards here.
SARABETHS, TOKYO STATION
2&3RD FLOOR, TEKKO BUILDING, SOUTH BUILDING, 1-8-2 MARUNOUCHI, CHIYODA-KU
千代田区丸の内1-8-2 鉃鋼ビルディング南館2・3F
OPEN WEEKDAYS 8AM-11PM
OPEN SATURDAYS 9AM-11PM
OPEN SUNDAYS 9AM-10PM
For a vegan breakfast, I recommend visiting Komeda Is. . A cafe that serves plant-based meals, desserts and drinks ( including vegan alcoholic drinks.) They open at 7am. It’s 1 min walk from Higashi Ginza on the Hibiya and Toei Asakusa lines, Exit 5.
They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They also have an English menu – . There is also space for strollers.
KOMEDA IS
中央区築地1-13-1 銀座松竹スクエア 1F
GROUND FLOOR MATSUTAKE SQUARE, 1-13-1 TSUKIJI, CHUO-KU, TOKYO
OPEN EVERYDAY 7AM-10PM
For a more modern breakfast option, I also love Bills Ginza but I don’t love the queue on the weekends. So go as soon as they open or go to the Odaiba branch ( details here) instead.
The Police Museum is free and is so cute for little kids. It opens at 9:30am ( please note that it is closed on Mondays.)
I’ve written all about the Police Museum in Ginza here.
After that morning fun, I’m sure you need a coffee with your face on it, right? Obviously.
If you go to the Nissan Crossing Cafe (exit A3, A4 or A5 of the Ginza subway station) second floor there is not only a cool view one of Ginza’s major intersections but also they offer to take your picture and then scan it onto you coffee foam!
They have cafe latte and matcha (green tea) lattes.
There is also a small cookie and cake selection (which kept my little boy happy.) Also the cafe space itself is quite spacious (for Tokyo) so I was able to pull out a colouring book for my little guy and he could also run between where I was sitting at the window.
I can’t speak for weekends but this cafe was almost completely empty when we went (first thing Friday morning.)
There are elevators up to the second floor.
Nissan Crossing is a global flagship gallery for Nissan. It is free to walk in and take a look around.
The Sony Showroom is on the 4th and 5th floors of the same building, if you’re interested.
Baby change tables are on the 3rd & 6th floors (I would use the 6th as the designated smoking space is also on the 3rd floor.
NISSAN CROSSING
中央区銀座5-8-1
5-8-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN 10AM-8PM
And then just 3 minutes away (on foot) is the beautiful and brand new Ginza Six department store.
And inside Ginza Six is a Tsutaya Book store. It is soooo stunning.
There is an English section but I also just love all of the creative design books , regardless of language.
This a fantastic place to grab a stunning coffee table book ( just incase your suitcase isn’t heavy enough , that is)
And did you know that there is a lovely green rooftop space on the top floor?
Pack a lunch, buy and bring a lunch… whatever. It’s quite refreshing, actually.
中央区銀座6-10-1
6-10-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
SHOPS OPEN 10:30AM-8:30PM
RESTAURANTS OPEN 11AM-11:30PM
If you like Uniqlo, Ginza is the largest Uniqlo store in the world. It even has its own cafe inside.
Although it is not exactly “around the corner” when in Ginza you are not crazily far away from the Imperial Palace Gardens. If you’d like an outdoor picnic in some of Tokyo’s most beautiful greenery – I recommend a taxi or train ride here. If you walk it is a bit over 20 minutes on foot from Ginza Station. Take your own food as there aren’t more than vending machine drinks about and there isn’t a lot of shade so take sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Also, I would never attempt this without a stroller. The palace grounds are huge – it’s a half to full day event for us to explore this area. It is worth it though. The gardens are stunning.
The biggest Sanrio store we have visited is SanrioWorld in Ginza. Don’t be mistaken by the title, it is not a theme park but instead a gift store. There are some interactive sections such as characters projected onto your face and my kids loved being there so much.
Within the store are restrooms with change tables. Unfortunately there is no elevator to the second floor, only escalators.
The Sanrio stores also sell these adorable Shinkansen (bullet train) chocolates.
This was our version of Japanese pick’n’mix with animal crackers last week.
As well as Ginza, you can also find Sanrio stores in 20 other Tokyo locations. See HERE for a list and details.
SANRIOWORLD GINZA
中央区銀座4-1 西銀座2F
2ND FLOOR, NISHI GINZA DEPARTMENT STORE, 4-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN 11AM-8PM (UNTIL SLIGHTLY LATER CERTAIN DAYS OF THE WEEK. SEE WEBSITE)
SANRIOWORLD GINZA OPENING HOURS & MAP
And if you love beautiful stationery, there is NOWHERE better than Itoya in Ginza. Floors and floors of craft and art supplies as well as calendars and notebooks.
The store is over 100 years old and there is even a small post office inside – you can purchase your cards or notepaper, write a letter and send it immediately!
If you are a creative or an artist you will love this place. If, like me, you are someone who just loves adorable stationery – I think you’ll like the stationery section of “Loft” and “Hands” stores more.
ITOYA GINZA
2-7-15 GINZA, CHUO
OPEN 10AM-8PM (CLOSES AT 7PM ON SUNDAYS)
I also recommend checking out the department store Loft in Ginza. Especially for beautiful stationery and unusual (but sensational quality) gifts.They also stock these cards by a Japanese company called Surprise Factory (their website is in Japanese so it’s probably best to see their work on instagram @surprise_f ). They make the most beautiful pop up cards.
I also found these cards for sale in Loft in Ginza (and in Takashimaya Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku.
If you require gluten free options in Ginza, I recommend dining at Hyatt Centric in Ginza. They also host a gluten free high tea.
How about dining out for lunch at a restaurant that specializes in Omurice (Japanese-Western style dish of rice served inside a giant fluffy omelette) that also serves all-you-can-eat freshly baked bread? Ginza Kimuraya accepts reservations, welcomes kids and takes most major credit cards.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Budget for a meal here is around 2500 yen. Please note that Omurice is a hard dish to have made vegetarian so please ask your hotel to contact them ahead of time if you have any specific dietary requirements.
Other menu items include Japanese curry, Japanese stew, Hamburger Steak served in gravy, Cream Croquette., Pork Cutlet Sandwiches, Fried Shrimp Cutlet Sandwiches. And once you order a meal like these you can have all you can eat bread for an additional 100 yen per person (there are 5 types of bread to choose from.)
The ground floor here is a bakery, the 2nd floor at cafe and the 3rd floor is the restaurant (that’s where you can get the omurice and the bread etc.)
This restaurant is lovely and friendly but it is not built for tourists so please make sure you have your google translate app ready on your phone to help reading the menu. Don’t forget to add the 100 yen bread plate option to your meal!
They also have a kids plate for 1,400 yen.
GINZA KIMURAYA
中央区銀座4-5-7 銀座木村家 1F
GROUND FLOOR, 4-5-7 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN 10AM-8PM (LAST ORDER AT 7PM)
CLOSED DEC 31 & JAN 1
Or how about a bit of a special /fancy restaurant for lunch?
Rigoletto Kitchen Ginza is the kind of restaurant we go to for a birthday or a special celebration. Children younger than 6 years old are welcome to dine here- but only at lunch time (warning though- this is the kind of place that you will feel pressure to be quite quiet at the table. So if this is going to be hard – maybe best to wait until kids are older.)
The cuisine is Italian and Spanish with a focus on pasta dishes. You will need to make a reservation – you can do this, in English, via their website.
The restaurant has an English menu, accepts most major credit cards and is non-smoking.
This restaurant is 5 mins walk from Ginza Station (via Exit C2) and Shimbashi Station(via the Ginza Exit).
I would budget around 2000 yen per adult at lunch and 5000 yen at dinner.
Please note that there is a 440yen service charge per person for those who dine here after 3pm.
See the full Rigoletto Kitchen Ginza menu here.
RIGOLETTO KITCHEN GINZA
中央区銀座8-2-1 ニッタビルB1F
BASEMENT FLOOR, NITTA BUILDING, 8-2-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN ON WEEKEDAYS 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-11PM
OPEN ON SATURDAYS 11:30AM-11PM
OPEN ON SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11:30AM-10PM
If you’d like to eat high-end tempura and tendon but still want to take the kids, I recommend making a reservation to dine at Tempura Mochiku in Ginza.
This restaurant is 2-3 mins walk from Ginza Station. Mochiku welcome babies, pre-school aged kids (and older kids, of course.) However, there is a minimum spend for children of 5000 yen (if you don’t order food for kids you will still need to pay 5000 yen for them as a table charge.- it is 10,000 yen per child at dinner time.)
This is an award winning tempura restaurant and specializes in Seafood and Vegetable dishes. All seafood is sourced from Tsukiji and Toyosu Markets. This restaurant has been going for more than 100 years.
I recommend ordering the Shrimp Tendon Bowl – if you have the chance.
Mochiku asks that guests refrain from perfume or cologne while dining here as it messes with the senses (for yourself and others.)
This restaurant has space to store strollers while you dine.
Budget for lunch here is around 4000 yen and budget for dinner is more like 30,000 yen (this is a once-in-a-lifetime/ special occasion type place.)
TEMPURA MOCHIKU
OPEN FOR LUNCH: MIDDAY-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 6PM-10:30PM
For really yummy Italian food, I recommend Cucina del Nabucco. Please note that this restaurant only welcomes children 6 years old and older (no kids menu or anything.)
Cucina del Nabucco is just 3 mins walk from Ginza Station. You can make reservations in English via their website.
Please note that this restaurant charges a service charge of 440 yen per person after 5pm on weekdays and from 3pm on Saturdays and National holidays.
This restaurant is 3 mins walk from Ginza Station (via Exit C3) or 1 min walk from Ginza-ichome Station on the Yurakucho line.
I would budget around 3000 yen for adults for lunch and 6000 yen for dinner. You can see the full Cucina del Nabucco menu here.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They also accept most major credit cards here. Cucina del Nabucco has an English menu.
CUCINA DEL NABUCCO
中央区銀座2-4-12 ミキモトギンザ2 7F
7TH FLOOR, MIKIMOTO GINZA 2 BUILDING, GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11:30AM-3PM & 5:30PM-10PM
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11AM-10PM
If you’re feeling like some Korean BBQ for dinner (or lunch!) (aka Yakiniku) there is a family friendly restaurant just 5 mins walk from Ginza Station (2 mins from Yurakucho Station, 1 min walk from Ginza Itchome Station, 5 mins from Higashi Ginza Station, 3 mins from Kyobashi Station.) The restaurant is called Yakiniku Ushigoro, Ginza. This is a special dinner kind of restaurant (with “special dinner” prices too.) You will be seated at a table with a grill in the middle and you barbecue your own thin slices of meat to then dip in different marinades. It’s a great interactive experience with kids. This restaurant welcomes children and babies. This restaurant has a beautiful view over the city at night. They have an English menu and accept most major credit cards. This restaurant is very popular so you will need to make a reservation. You can make a reservation for Yakiniku Ushigoro Ginza online in English here. You can also see the food menu at Yakiniku Ushigoro Ginza online here. And the Yakiniku Ushigoro Ginza Seasonal Menu here. This is also a wonderful place for the grown ups to taste different types of sake. If you decide to visit Yakiniku Ushigoro Ginza for lunch you can see all of their lunch courses here.
At lunch time, I would budget for 8000 yen per adult and more like 15, 000 yen for dinner (this restaurant has won awards for fabulous service and high meat quality.)
This restaurant has space to store strollers while you dine and ALSO space to pull the stroller up next to the table by removing a chair.
YAKINIKU USHIGORO GINZA
中央区銀座1-8-19 キラリトギンザ 7F
7F KIRARITO GINZA BUILDING, 1-8-19 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN MON & TUES 5PM-11:30PM (LAST ORDERS 10:30PM)
OPEN WED-FRI 11:30AM-3PM (LAST ORDERS 2:30PM)& 5PM-11:30PM (LAST ORDERS 10:30PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS 11:30AM-11:30PM (LAST ORDERS10:30PM)
CLOSED FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS
For the most beautifully displayed sushi dishes I highly recommend Shari the Tokyo Sushi Bar. This is an izakaya that specialises in cooked seafood and sushi. Each dish is a true work of art. They welcome children here and also have a children’s menu. The children’s menu consists of assorted California rolls and a small bowl of udon.
There is also space to store strollers while you dine. This restaurant is 5 mins walk from Yurakucho Station (take the Kyobashi Exit) or 5 mins walk from Ginza Station ( take the A10 exit.). This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. This restaurant is completely non-smoking. They have an English menu. For lunch I would budget 3000 yen per adult at lunchtime here and 7000 yen at dinner time. You can make a reservation online via their website in English (you need to scroll down a bit on their homepage.) You can see the Shari The Tokyo Sushi Bar full lunch menu here ( you will need to use google translate if you want to see an itemized breakdown of what’s in each course online – but there are also lots of pictures.) The full Shari the Tokyo Sushi Bar dinner menu is here in English and Japanese. This restaurant has California roll style sushi – something that isn’t always easy to find in Japan.
SHARI THE TOKYO SUSHI BAR
OPEN TUES-FRI 5PM-10:30PM
OPEN SAT 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-10:30PM
OPEN SUN 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-9:30PM
Sushi Ishijima welcome kids and they offer omakase sushi courses (starting at 6,600 yen at lunch and 20,000 yen at dinnertime.) There are other courses that are not omakase style too.
The restaurant only seats 10 people so I recommend making a reservation asap. The restaurant is inside a 100 year old renovated Japanese home – the vibe is retro and modern. You can see lots of pictures of the restaurant and the food on the Sushi Ishijima website here.
Lunch time courses are around 6000 yen while I would budget more like 30,000 yen at dinnertime.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards.
While this restaurant welcomes children, it is expected that they will also be ordering a meal and, in the case, that they are not – they will be expected to sit on the knee of their parents/guardians in order to leave seats available for other paying diners.
To get to Sushi Ishijima station, take a cab for 5 mins / approx 500 yen from Ginza Station (or walk for 14 mins.)
SUSHI ISHIJIMA
中央区銀座1-24-3
1-24-3 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM and then last order is at 1:30PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 6PM-10:30PM (LAST ORDER IS AT 10PM)
CLOSED SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
If you are interested in other kid-friendly omakase options, please see my blog post here.
Gluten free option in Ginza!
It’s random but a good old reliable option for those who are strictly gluten free. Dominos Pizza does not have gluten free pizzas BUT they do have a wheat free pizza rice bowl. There is a Dominos Pizza in Ginza is 4 mins walk from Sushi Ishijima or 6 mins walk from Stationery Store Itoya. See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here.
If you’re craving sushi for (literally!) breakfast, lunch or dinner – I recommend heading to Tokyo Station for this family-friendly option. My Tokyo Station area suggestions are here but this place is too good not to share for those exploring the neighboring area of Ginza….
Family-Friendly (& gluten free) Sushi at Tokyo Station
Inside of the mall connected to Tokyo Station called Gransta Marunouchi . The sushi restaurant is called Tsukiji Sushiko Wa Nagomi. This restaurant welcomes children and babies, has a kids’ menu and also has space to store strollers while you dine. Tsukiji Sushiko Wa Nagomi also have an extensive allergen menu that includes all of their products and which contain gluten and which contain animal products etc. If you are gluten-free, then I recommend bringing your own soy sauce with you.
This restaurant has a standing sushi bar but also tables as an option – so you can choose. This restaurant seats 78 people so it’s not like many sushi places that sit only a handful of groups.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking and also has free wifi.
They accept most major credit cards.
On weekdays they are open from 7am !
This restaurant also serves wine and beer.
At lunch time I would budget for around 2000 yen per adult and for dinner? more like 4000 yen for a proper meal.
This restaurant accepts reservations as well as walk-ins for the seated area -but the standing sushi section is walk-ins only.
TSUKIJI SUSHIKO WA NAGOMI
千代田区丸の内1-9-1 JR東日本東京駅構内地下1F改札外
GROUND FLOOR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TICKET GATES (MEANING YOU DON’T NEED TO BE TAKING A TRAIN/HAVE A TICKET TO DINE HERE)
INSIDE TOKYO STATION (2 MINS WALK FROM THE NORTH MARUNOUCHI EXIT OF TOKYO STATION)
1-9-1 MARUNOUCHI, CHIYODA-KU
SEATED AREA OF THE RESTAURANT OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY: 7AM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9:30PM)
SEATED AREA OF THE RESTAURANT OPEN SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: 8AM-9PM (LAST ORDER 8:30PM)
STANDING SUSHI BAR OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY: 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9:30PM)
STANDING SUSHI BAR OPEN SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: 11AM-9PM (LAST ORDER 8:30PM)
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 Steak Chuo Branch (it comes up as “Ginza Steak Second Shop” on google maps.)
This is an all you can eat steak restaurant. 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 Ginza Metro Station, exit 5 or 3 mins walk from A1 exit of Higashi Ginza Station.
GINZA NO STEAK GINZA CHUO BRANCH
中央区銀座5-9-1 銀座幸ビル B1F
BASEMENT 1 FLOOR, 5-9-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
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*
A kid-friendly conveyor belt (sushi train) restaurant 4 mins walk from Ginza Station
These guys welcome young families. The entire restaurant is non-smoking too. The restaurant is called Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru. (Kaitenzushi = sushi train / conveyor belt sushi.)
It is inside the Kitte Department Store Building – on the 5th floor. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. I would budget around 2000 yen per adult to eat a meal here.
This restaurant does have a place to store a stroller while you are eating.
This is a walk-in restaurant only – but it does seat 53 people so even if you have to wait – it won’t be for long.
To get there, take the subway lines Hibiya, Ginza or Marunouchi to Ginza Station and then exit via exits C2 or C3 and walk for 2 minutes.
Or on the Hibiya or Chiyoda lines get off at Hibiya Station and take the A1 exit and walk for 2 minutes.
If coming on the Yamanote JR line, then get off at Yurakucho Station and then take the Ginza Exit and walk for 4 minutes.
Or if you are walking from Ginza Station, it will take around 4 mins.
KAITENZUSHI NEMURO HANAMARU
中央区銀座5-2-1東急プラザ10F
10F TOKYU PLAZA GINZA, 5-2-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-11PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
How about high-end yakiniku (including wagyu) in Ginza?
2 minutes walk from Exit B5 & B6 from Ginza Station is Yakiniku Ushigoro Ginza Branch. Just a heads up, this is a nice restuarant so, although they welcome children, I wouldn’t be taking a wriggling toddler here. (They also do amazing high quality bentos that you can take out instead and eat back at your hotel.)
Budget at lunch per adult is around 5000 yen and budget for dinner is more like 15,000 yen.
This restaurant has won lots of awards.
Please note that this restaurant has a 10% service charge for private koshitsu booth seating and 5% charge for normal tables.
Yakiniku Ushigoro Ginza accepts most major credit cards.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They have an English menu. The full menu (including seasonal menu) is on their website.
YAKINIKU USHIGORO GINZA
OPEN MON & TUES 5PM-11:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN WED & THURS 11:30AM-3PM (LAST ORDER AT 2PM) & 5PM-11:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS 11:30AM-11:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
Or a high end omakase sushi course in Ginza? *Needs to be reserved ahead of time
”Kin No Dining” Tsunakin, Ginza
This restaurant allows children but at dinner time, kids can only dine in the private rooms/booths within the restaurant (so, if you want to sit at the counter – lunch time is your best bet.)
However, if an omakase course is what you’re after – dinner is your only option (there are other courses at lunch of course but they are not “omakase”.
Dinner time Omakase courses start at 7,500 yen.
Please Please note that this is a special Japanese dining experience. Please remember that children need to stay in their seats while dining at the restaurant. I recommend bringing some stickers and a small colouring book if this will help keep them occupied while waiting for food.
A restaurant like this is an experience for all guests. Please be sure to not wear any cologne or perfume.
If you’re going here for a meal that is NOT an omakase course…
For an adult meal I would budget 2000-3000 yen for lunch and more like 13,000 yen for dinner.
Please note that there is a 10% service charge when dining at this restaurant.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards ^ but only for purchase over 5000 yen.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Kin no Dining also have an English menu.
There is counter seating, booth seating, traditional Japanese style dining (low tables, sitting/kneeling on the floor) horigotatsu dining (where the floor is dug out so it looks like you’re sitting on the floor but you’re really in a chair-style sitting position) and private small rooms.
This restaurant is 1 minute walk from subway Higashi-Ginza Station.
KIN NO DINING TSUNAKIN
中央区銀座5-10-13 東洋ライスビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, TOYO RICE BUILDING, 5-10-13 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9:30PM)
Did you know that Japan has all you can eat restaurant Sizzler?
There is one on the basement floor of the Tokyo International Forum. *This restaurant is 9 mins walk from Ginza Station
It is an easy option for families who want to eat lots of salads and American style meals. It is also an easy option for gluten free visitors -they have a detailed allergen menu for their steak sauces and also for salad options etc.
Budget for adults for lunch – 3000 yen and approx 6000 yen at dinnertime.
Sizzler accepts most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
See the children’s menu at Sizzler here.
SIZZLER TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM
千代田区丸の内3-5-1東京国際フォーラム ＡブロックB1
B1 TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM, A BLOCK, 3-5-1 MARUNOUCHI, CHIYODA
OPEN 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)*OPEN FROM 8AM ON WEEKENDS
For an excellent food court , I recommend a department store called Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
It’s a large department store next to Hibiya Park. It’s a great place to grab lunch or dinner with kids. The Food Hall on the B1 floor is beautiful. You can also sit down and all eat different food from different restaurants so its great when everyone wants to try something new.
There is a bakery, Vietnamese food, a meatball restaurant, a barbecue restaurant, a seafood & oyster restaurant, a vegan salad cafe to name a few options.
The whole space is very beautiful, very safe and very clean.
I also got this Quiche Lorraine to go.
There is also a baby room on the second floor. It has a small place for babies to play, to change nappies and breastfeeding spaces.
Elevators get really crowded so take the escalator with a folded stroller if possible.
If it’s rainy – why not go see a movie ? On the 4th and 5th floors in the Toho Cinemas Hibiya– we often go here. Check that your movie has English speech with Japanese subtitles (not dubbed.) (Even though the site is in Japanese, scroll down as the movie names and times are written in English.) See here for more information and tips on seeing a movie in Japan.
TOKYO HIBIYA MIDTOWN FOOD HALL
千代田区有楽町1-1-2 B1F
B1 FLOOR, 1 -1-２ YURAKUCHO, CHIYODA
SHOPS OPEN 11AM-9PM
RESTAURANTS OPEN 11AM-11PM
5 mins walk from Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, is a sushi restaurant (high end sushi chef serving sushi at the counter, not a conveyer belt style sushi) called Manten Sushi. Courses at lunch and dinner are omakase style (although in the evening you are able to order additional small plates in addition to your course.) If coming from Yurakucho Station take the Hibiya Exit and walk for 7 mins.
Manten Sushi’s most popular dishes are the Awabi (abalone) and Meji Maguro (blue fin tuna) sushi.
Budget for lunch here is around 4000 yen and more like 8000 yen at dinnertime.
This restaurant seats 24 people at the counter and only has 4 tables so please be sure to make a reservation.
Manten Sushi accepts most major credit cards.
Children are welcome but it is expected that they will also be having meal.
MANTEN SUSHI, HIRIBYA OKUROJITEN
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11AM-2PM (LAST ORDERS AT 1:30PM ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)
There is a German beer hall, Beer Hall Lion Ginza, that was designed by architect Eizo Sugawara in the 1930s- back closer to Ginza Station. They have high chairs at this restaurant too! Food options include fried chicken and fries, pasta and pizza. They have an English menu (including a children’s menu.) Beer Hall Lion Ginza accept most major credit cards. There is space to store a stroller here too. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. When dining here, I would budget for approx 2000yen per adult. This restaurant is 1 min walk from Ginza Metro (subway) station or 10 mins walk from JR Yurakucho Station.
BEER HALL LION GINZA
中央区銀座5-8-1 GINZA PLACE B2F
BASEMENT 2F FLOOR, GINZA PLACE BUILDING, 5-8-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30AM-10PM (UNTIL 10:30PM ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS)
If you’re craving a burger, Shake Shack has only recently arrived in Japan and is VERY well received . On a weekend, some people are happy to line up for a burger for longer than 30 minutes !
The Shake Shake stores all have high chairs.
SHAKE SHACK TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM
千代田区丸の内3-5-1東京国際フォーラムC棟1F
GROUND FLOOR, TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM BUILDING, TOWER C,
3-5-1 MARUNOUCHI, CHIYODA
OPEN 11AM-10PM
If in Ginza on the weekend, it is fabulous to walk down Chuo-dori ( translated that means : Central Street) as it is closed to traffic between Midday – 6pm (April – September) or Midday – 5pm ( October – March.)
And one of the shops on this road is Hakuhinkan, a 4 floor toy store. Although it’s not our favourite toy store, it is a good stop off with children as they have lots of toys out to “try before you buy” (or, if you’re like me… there is much more trying going on… haha)
My kiddies particularly love the electric car race track and train table. ) If you’re there on a weekend, try and avoid using the elevators often and take the stairs as much as you can. It will cut down your waiting time and all general chaos involved.
This place is a bit retro but in the best way.
There is a small version of this toy store in Haneda Airport too.
HAKUHINKAN TOY STORE
中央区銀座8-8-11
8-8-11 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN 11AM-8PM
While in the middle of town and your kids really need a proper run around, I’d head for the 9th floor of Mitsukoshi Department Store. You could go to the basement floor first to grab food from the most generous selection of deli goods, ready-made lunches or bakery treats or you could just go up there with your own picnic and some bubble-wands. The Baby & Kids clothing and toy department is on the 10th floor.
MITSUKOSHI DEPARTMENT STORE, GINZA
中央区銀座4-6-16
4 -6-16 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPENS AT DEPARTMENT STORE OPENS AT 10:30AM ALTHOUGH THIS FLOOR AND OTHER TOP FLOOR HOURS ARE 11AM-8PM
WEBSITE ( ENGLISH VERSION BUT IT IS TRANSLATED BY A ROBOT, NOT A PERSON SO TRANSLATION IS A BIT “IFFY”)
When with kiddies you might want to make sure you have stickers or colouring on hand. Although they are kid-friendly, it’s not a restaurant for kids (if you know what I mean) so they will need to stay seated and self-entertained.
From the regular menu, expect to pay around 2000 yen for lunch (many options include a side salad or soup.) I love the truffle fries and french onion soup.
There is an outdoor terrace – great for people (and train )watching.
The reception staff speak English well so feel free to call and book ahead.
The entire menu is also up on their English website (see below.)
6th BY ORIENTAL
千代田区有楽町1-12-1 新有楽町ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, SHINYURAKUCHO BUILDING, YURAKUCHO, CHIYODA-KU
OPEN FOR WEEKDAY LUNCH: 11AM-2:30PM
OPEN FOR WEEKEND LUNCH: 11AM-3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5:30PM – 10PM (UNTIL 9PM ON SUNDAYS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS)
*Bar is open until even later
Or how about Yakiniku for dinner ?
I recommend Yakiniku Five Toku. It is 10 mins walk from Ginza Station. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. They have an English menu and children are welcome. They also have free wifi here.
Diners cook their meat at the grill at their own table so it’s fun and interactive for kids. Budget here … I would expect to pay around 7000 yen per adult at dinner time and more like 3000 yen at lunch time.
YAKINIKU FIVE TOKU
中央区銀座8-3-1 TOKIDEN 9F
9TH FLOOR TOKIDEN BUILDING, 8-3-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH ON WEEKENDS ONLY 11:30AM-2:30PM (LAST ORDER 2PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-MIDNIGHT (LAST ORDER 11PM)
3 mins walk from Subway Ginza station A3 exit or 200 metres from JR Ginza is Kushiyaki restaurant Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Ginza Store. In case you’re not familiar, kushiyaki is meat and vegetable- grilled and served on skewers (this includes yakitori.) This restaurant welcomes families (although can get a bit rowdy later in the evening so with small kids I would go earlier rather than later.) The vibes are that of a grungy, bustling foodie pub. It depends on how many skewers you eat, of course, but for a proper adult meal I would expect to budget for around 3000 yen per adult. Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Ginza branch accepts most major credit cards. The entire venue is non-smoking. They do accept reservations and also walk-ins.
KUSHIYAKI BISTRO FUKUMIMI GINZA STORE
東京都中央区銀座5-10-9 銀座ＹＫビル Ｂ１Ｆ
BASEMENT FLOOR 1, GINZA YK BUILDING, 5-10-9 GINZA, CHUO-KU, TOKYO
OPEN EVERYDAY 4PM-11:30PM (LAST ORDER 10:30PM)
It’s a branch but I like Chao Chao Hitokuchi Gyoza Yurakucho for all of their mini gyozas in all of their different flavours/fillings.
They do take reservations but I never ever has. This place is very very casual.
They accept most major credit cards. I would budget for around 1000 yen per adult. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
CHAO CHAO HITOKUCHI GYOZA YURAKUCHO
千代田区有楽町1-2-9
1-2-9 YURAKUCHO, CHIYODA
OPEN FOR LUNCH WEEKDAYS 11:30AM-3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER WEEKDAYS 4PM-MIDNIGHT
OPEN WEEKENDS 11:30AM – 11PM
And only a few minutes walk away is the largest Muji Store in the world, the Ginza branch.
One cute idea? They have a kid’s book exchange. Why not bring an old picture book and exchange it for a Japanese book to take home?
There is also a diner and a food hall.
MUJI GINZA
中央区銀座3-5-3
3-5-3 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN FROM 10AM-9PM
(1F OPENS AT 7:30AM)
MUJI GINZA WEBSITE
A suggestion for wriggly kids is to spend some time in an indoor area called ” Character Street” inside Tokyo Station. Just like the Imperial Palace Gardens (listed above) Tokyo Station isn’t exactly around the corner but can be reached by foot from the Ginza Station in a tiny bit over 15 minutes.
“Character Street” is an indoor section of a mall completely dedicated to Japanese characters and toys and all the merchandise included.
A number of the shops have small, hands-on play sections (at no charge) which makes it a perfect distraction on a rainy day or before or after a bullet train trip.
My little boy gets the most excited about the Plarail (train toys), Tomica (toy cars), Lego and the Pikachu shop. There are also other characters like Hello Kitty, lots of the Studio Ghibli merchandise, manga related goods from “One Piece” and Rilakkuma etc.
To make finding this “street” a bit easier….enter Tokyo Station from any direction and once you’re inside (not the ticket gates, just inside the station building) head towards the department store Daimaru and when you’re near the entrance go down to the B1 floor and you’ll see the toys right away.
There are bathrooms and change tables all around Tokyo Station. Unfortunately you’ll need to go “the long way” to change floors at times as stairs and escalators are more common than elevators – but they are there.
Tomica Macaroni anyone?
CHARACTER STREET (INSIDE TOKYO STATION)
千代田区丸の内1-9-1
1-9-1 MARUNOUCHI, CHIYODA
OPEN EVERYDAY 10AM-8:30PM
And if you’re looking for something really cool to take home from Tokyo, I love the shop called Travelers Factory.
They don’t just have vintage stickers but also stock adorable stationery, passport holders and leather goods. There stickers were 220 yen each. Follow them on instagram @travelers_factory
TRAVELERS FACTORY, TOKYO STATION
千代田区丸の内1-9-1 JR東日本東京駅構内地下1階 改札外
JR TOKYO STATION, MARUNOUCHI UNDERGROUND NORTH EXIT, OUTSIDE THE TICKET GATE
OPEN 10AM-10PM (CLOSES AT 9PM ON SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
And there is also the amazing T’s Tan Tan Ramen. The entire restaurant is vegan. It is called T’s Tan Tan. The ramen, the gyoza, the “beef” bowls. They have Gluten Free and Nut free options too.
There are also lots of take away vegan options.
The restaurant is actually located within the gates of JR Tokyo Station,. But, even if you’re not travelling, I still recommend buying the basic “Platform/send off ” ticket for 130 yen for the pleasure.
To help you find it, go to the entrance to JR Tokyo that can be seen from McDonalds ( past Daimaru on your left.)
IT IS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS HERE!
I also recommend grabbing a bento here for the bullet train. So yummy.
Here are some photos from my most recent visit.
T’S TAN TAN RAMEN
千代田区丸の内１-９−１ JR東京駅（改札内）KeiyoStreet内 1階
1ST (GROUND FLOOR) KEIYO STREET (WITHIN THE TICKET GATES AT JR TOKYO STATION)
1-9-1 MARUNOUCHI, CHIYODA
OPEN 7AM-11PM
T’S TAN TAN RAMEN WEBSITE
*There are other stores in Jiyugaoka and Ueno.
And I know that this isn’t necessarily a kiddie-friendly activity ( although the couple do have a young child so they “get it” ) sometimes the parents need the special shopping time too! For a beautiful Japan-inspired piece of jewellery, I highly recommend wandering into Atelier Shinji Ginza.
Make sure you take a look through the glass window in the middle counter of the store as you can see directly down into their workshop.
I also think that these Kintsugi inspired pieces are so clever!
The Atelier Shinji Ginza website is here.
I like to use these changing & feeding facilities in this area: (For even MORE options for where to change baby: please download the Mamapapamap App.)
- Tokyo Police Museum (change tables, breastfeeding space)
- “Matsuya Ginza” Department store, 6th floor. (4 change tables, 2 breastfeeding rooms, vending machines, microwave, boiled water)
- “Gap Flagship Store Ginza” 4th floor. (breastfeeding room, change table)
- “Tokyu Plaza” Ginza Department Store. 10th floor. (breastfeeding room, change tables, boiled water)
- “Yurakucho Lumine” Department Store. Basement Floor (breastfeeding rooms, change tables, boiling water, stroller rental for instore use only, vending machines)
- “Marui” Department Store in Yurakucho. 5th Floor. (change tables, breastfeeding rooms, stroller rental available for instore use only, boiled water)
- “The Peninsula” Hotel. 5th Floor (change table, breastfeeding room)
- “Bic Camera Yurakucho. 2nd Floor (change table, breastfeeding room, boiled water)
For even MORE options for where to change baby: please download the Mamapapamap App.
Another tip for the grown ups, this time.
If you would like to get an English speaking hair blow dry in Ginza, Jet Set Blow Dry Salon has a salon in Hibiya Midtown.
See here if you’ve come in search of family-friendly accommodation options in Ginza.
