I have written in great detail about different areas to stay in Tokyo with kids and also a list of my favourite exact hotels for families.
But I also realise that some families just need a really quick 101 style guide to the recommended Tokyo areas so they can start narrowing it all down quickly.
For a detailed list of options nearby certain areas, playgrounds, how long it takes to walk to the station from that area etc see this blog post on Hotels in Tokyo with kids here.
Why do I talk about areas in Tokyo that I like for families rather than just a huge list of hotels?
Because everyone has a different budget and different needs (e.g some people have families with 8 family members, others like high end luxury style hotels and others like the most affordable room possible to just lay their head and get out and explore instead.). So I recommend choosing an area that suits your needs first and then look into the options available. Also, since hotels can get booked up – I don’t feel it’s fair to give a big list of “must stays” only for parents to find that they are full and then be all on their own looking anyway.
What are the exceptions to the families that can just “choose an area and run with it?”
Since Tokyo is a big busy city, space is limited – so that means that families with more than 4 people won’t have as many options (there are plenty of amazing places to stay ,don’t get me wrong!) but they won’t always just be able to choose any area and expect to have a hotel that meets all of their needs.
If you do have a family of 5 or more I recommend reading my list of recommended hotels here (this list is also handy if you are travelling with teens as they also need more space.
Is there ONE perfect place to stay for families in Tokyo?
No. As everyone has a different budget, expectations, type of holiday. Everyone also has different expectations of areas and how they want to spend time with their family. I’m always honest with the pros and cons for that reason – as I know that parents know what will and won’t work for them.
Okay so here is a really quick breakdown and see here for of a detailed explanation once you have highlighted a few options (and you can also see which hotels I like in these areas then too.)
1. Shibuya
Right in the thick of the action but also a lovely area. Choose as close to Shibuya Crossing as you can afford. Lots of family friendly dining options, a nice indoor playcentre nearby for small kids. Walking distance to Harajuku. You’re on the Yamanote City Loop line.
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-couples or single parents with a baby younger than walking age
-couples or single parents with a toddler who is still young enough to bed share
-families with kids who don’t need too many playgrounds close by
– families who don’t mind being in a lively part of town at night (not dangerous at all – just busting)
-families with up to 4 people who have the budget to stay at a Shibuya hotel with 4 separate beds (not that easy to find and, when you do ? ¥¥¥¥!)
-families who want to know that they have stayed “in the thick of it” but also be comfy and safe
2. Roppongi & Akasaka
A beautiful area with soooo many beautiful parks and playgrounds close by – and the beautiful Hie Shrine. Roppongi has probably the highest amount of kid-friendly and english friendly restaurants I’ve found in Tokyo. Lots of subway stations near by or under 10 mins/ approx 1500 yen in a taxi to closest Yamanote line Stations “Ebisu” and “Shibuya.” Roppongi is where Tokyo Tower is located and Akasaka is close by and feels like you are in the suburbs with lots of beautiful alleyways and cool little restaurants. Not far from Hiroo which has the beautiful Arisugawa Park.
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-couples or single parents with young children who they like to include in all of the holiday fun including lots of family friendly dining and lots of park and playground options for the start at the end of the day
-families who are interested in exploring Japan and seeing some more of life as a local more than just the touristy spots
-families who don’t mind exploring using trains and subways but also like exploring on foot.
-families who love museums, art galleries and special pop-up events (such as ice-skating in winter, christmas illuminations)
-families who love outdoor time in parks and playgrounds
-families who like to eat at hole in the wall style places but also high end dining options
-families who like to feel like they are staying in the middle of “lost in translation” style Japan (some parts of Roppongi) or in a quaint city suburb (some parts of Akasaka)
3. Ueno
On to the Yamanote line so it is fabulous for getting out and about around the city. Not the most picturesque part of town but soooo many food options and also the chance to explore Ueno Park and take a swan boat around the pond. Here are my favourite places to stay in Ueno with kids. Nezu Shrine is just 7 mins in a taxi from Ueno. Under 10 mins/ approx 1200 yen in a cab to Asakusa. Lots and lots of food stalls and street food options.
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-couples or single parents with kids older than 8 (as there aren’t as many family-friendly restaurants for little kids and babies at dinner time)
-families with 3 or more family members (lots of bigger hotel room options and a bigger list of apartment style hotels with a kitchenette, on-site coin laundry etc)
-families who love street food and exploring and getting “lost” on foot
-families who need some green options (Ueno Park) on the weekend but don’t necessarily need playgrounds
4. Ginza (& The Tokyo Station Area)
I really like staying in Ginza. It’s a bit more built-up, “shiny city” Tokyo life (nothing too traditional going on here) but there are also some lovely green areas, high end shopping malls, very very lush high end accommodation but also lots of more budget friendly options. Ginza is, of course, on the Yamanote line so it is very easy to get around Tokyo and keep moving too. The Tokyo Station area is close by so it is really convenient for easily getting on a shinkansen (on foot or in a short taxi ride- depending on where you stay.)
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-couples or single parents with kids who don’t need playgrounds or much playspace (although the free police museum is great for getting out wriggles)
-families who want to prioritize being on the Yamanote line
-families who like “living” the big city life on holidays- shopping and nice restaurants and cafes etc
-families who also like to explore and find hole in the wall style eateries or establishments that have been running for more than 100 years
-families who like the idea of rooftop restaurants and rooftop gardens
If you have one baby or one toddler and like high end hotels ( I know some people do and room service etc is very important etc) ? Then I recommend you stay at the Hyatt Centric in Ginza. It’s in the middle of the big city shopping and there are still rooftop green spaces and free museums in the area.
5. Asakusa
This area is beautiful -in an old world Japan way. It is also beautiful in a different way at night. I do find Asakusa a little bit harder to get to from other places with small children and for this reason I think it’s probably a better place to stay if your children are 10 and older. There are some inner city playgrounds here too – but not so many beautiful leafy green options. Either way – you should definitely explore Asakusa with kids during the day. There are lots of apartment style hotels with on-site coin laundries and kitchenettes here so it is a great option for bigger families or those travelling with teens. There are lots of street food style options and lots of restaurants that have been around for more than 100 years. The main touristy sights get extremely busy on weekends and during peak season so I recommend visiting on weekdays and early in the morning. Kappabashi (aka kitchentown) is also close by.
Here are my favourite places to stay with kids in Asakusa.
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-couples or single parents with children 10 or older
-bigger families
-families who love street photography and older-world Japan in general
-families who are happy to explore and get “lost” on foot
-families who are happy to take the subway to get around
-families who love street food and old-school strip mall shopping
-families who don’t mind if there aren’t a lot of green parks close by
-families who don’t mind bending there itinerary slightly on weekends to avoid some crowds
6. Ebisu
Ebisu is on the Yamanote line so you are so close everything ! It feels like you are in the suburbs a bit but you are definitely in the heart of Tokyo. It is also walking distance to trendy area, Daikanyama. There are quite a few decent playgrounds here and many family-friendly dining options. When choosing a hotel here please check how far it is from Ebisu (JR) Station as, if you’re at the far end of Ebisu, it can be quite a walk. I love exploring this area at night. So many cool alleyways and the whole area lights up – so many cool foodie spots too. Ebisu Station is just one stop from Shibuya on the Yamanote line and two stops from Harajuku.
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-families who like to eat out for dinner and explore on foot
-families who have found accommodation that sleeps their whole family and is available (there aren’t as many hotels as in some other kid-friendly parts of Tokyo)
-families who love to explore on foot but also be really close to the city loop (Yamanote) line
-families who need some playgrounds close by but are also happy to jump in a taxi for under 10 mins / approx 900 yen to visit a beautiful lush green Tokyo park with a playground
-families who want a convenient location but don’t want to feel like they are in the big city
7. Shinjuku (not Kabukicho & not West-Shinjuku)
Most people who have followed me for a while know that I don’t really like Shinjuku for families. Kabukicho is the red-light district so not great for little kids (not dangerous but quite seedy) and West-Shinjuku is where all the tour groups and travel agents send their clients because they don’t know anywhere else and forget that West-Shinjuku is quite far from the station.
I’ve written more about my thoughts on staying in Shinjuku here – if you’d like to have a read.
If you have points to use to stay at one of the hotels in West-Shinjuku, I recommend checking to see if they have a shuttle bus to Shinjuku Station as it can make it hard with kids otherwise.
Shinjuku, either way, is a must visit for your family Japan itinerary but that doesn’t mean that you must stay there.
Types of families I think it is perfect for:
-families with teens
-families who want to prioritize accommodation points through loyalty programs
-families who like to stay somewhere that everyone has heard of
-families who are hoping to look out their window and see “lost in translation” style Tokyo
-families who don’t mind crowds and lots of other tourists
