When we have guests who have teenager I LOVE helping them plan out their itinerary!
The first time I visited Japan, I was 15 years old and it was a 2 week school group visit ( then, about a year later, I became an exchange student, this time on my own, for one year in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture.)
Japan was then, and kind of still is now if I’m honest, one big, safe, clean orienteering challenge.
A treasure hunt where, when exploring, you can go searching for new foods, laugh at yourself as you get lost and try your best to communicate without having to take yourself too seriously.
Don’t worry, I’m not saying that you send your child off on a day ( or even a train ride!) by themselves but I am suggesting that you give your teens more freedom when it comes to day to day logistics, leaning on them for problem solving, let them laugh at you trying to order your dinner and help you with a funny real-life game of charades ( I remember trying to “help” another parent ask for low-fat milk in a supermarket once and ..my goodness… the fat / skinny gestures at the time …. so funny… I think someone even made pig snorts and the poor cashier was dragging us over to look at the bacon….).
I even love taking nervous teens, very shy teens or even just extremely introverted teens. Japan is a paradise for just plodding along and finding your own way. Most of the time, Japan lets you mind your own business. Almost never makes fun of guests just trying to get along with their day. I honestly don’t believe a single person cares if your teen heads to the fish markets to inconspicuously eat all of the weird and wonderful options or they want to grab a pizza for lunch as much as they can.
It’s also a haven for more extroverted teens who want to try and chat to the man in the fruit’n’vegie shop… Yell “Sumimasen!” loudly, like a local, in the izakaya (Japanese style local pub/restaurant)…. or take smiling ( or highly curated) selfies all around town!*
*In fact, Japan has been doing selfies for WAAAAYYYYYYY longer than the western world. I mean … decades longer. Don’t you remember that people used to always talk about how Japanese tourists would always take photos of everything? Now we ALL take too many photos of everything. No need to hold back on your ramen lunch flat lay picture… the owner of the shop will probably help you move your water and napkin out of the way to help you get your shot.
SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS
Like I talk about in my Preparing for Japan post here about how internet access is a must in Japan as the wifi options around the city can be few and far between. I recommend talking to your phone provider in your home country, purchasing portable wifi to be at the airport or at your hotel upon arrival, or looking into separate SIM cards. This is also peace of mind if you are ever separated from your teenager.
It also means that your teenager can have their own apps at hand for transport calculations, google translate, Pokemon go, Japan travel phrases or whatever they are into.
Not wifi related but …. I saw a cool idea where someone wrote a general conversion guide for how much 1000 yen is , 10,000 yen is… in their own currency and had it as their phone lock screen while travelling for quick referral. I think this would be particularly handy for teens when they first arrive.
You could also add a few reminder phrases like Arigato Gozaimasu ( thank you very much), Sumimasen ( excuse me) or Ikura desu ka? ( How much is this?)
If I had one or two days with teenagers in Tokyo, this is what I would make sure we got up to!
I’D SET SMALL LANGUAGE CHALLENGES
This is best for kids who love languages, coding, orienteering-type exercises or are just, like I’ve always been, fascinated by different “secret” languages. It is also a great way for teens to learn how to problem solve.
Why not ask kids to go to the supermarket and buy some “normal” ingredients that you might need for dinner or breakfast? Make sure the items are cheap and it doesn’t matter if they get it “wrong.” In fact, it is kind of more fun/funny if they DO get it wrong. Trust me – everyone who is new to Japan has made errors and thought they had come home with a loaf of bread to find out it is actually dipped in cinnamon or has chocolate cream in the middle!
This is actually one way that I learned Japanese, I would have my language classes at night after working during the day and then, during my class, I would ask the teacher how to ask for the ingredients I had been looking for – and then I would go into the supermarket and it was very clear – instantly- if I had asked the question correctly.
You could equip them with the google translate app if you think they might need a head start?
Here are my general supermarket tips to get them started and also I have included a couple of useful phrases too.
Or how about taking these kinds of fun challenges out to the Tsukiji Fish Market and ask teens to order the food ( or for brave eaters.. they could try and source the most unusual food item they can find) ?
Or did you know that in Harajuku there is a Farmers Market at the United Nations University on weekends and its a great way to practice food vocab and counting vocab too.
I’D TAKE THEM FOR COFFEE / LATTE / HOT CHOCOLATE FOAM ART
Three of my favourite places to get an extra cool cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate in Tokyo are:
1) Reissue, Harajuku
Reissue, the latte art cafe, is such a fun cafe to visit as their baristas are actually very talented artists.
It’s located in the back grungy alleyways of Harajuku. You are shown to your seat , you choose your coffee or hot chocolate and then show a picture or photo (on your phone is fine) of what you would like on top. The drink order takes about 15 minutes so don’t wait until you’re dying for a hot drink.They really are so talented. It’s definitely not the cheapest cup of coffee ( around 1000 yen) but is a really fun thing to do for adults and children. Reissue also serve rice, soup or salad lunch plates.
TANJI BUILDING, 2F, 3-25-7 JINGUMAE
神宮前3-25-7, TANJIビル2F
OPEN 10AM-6PM
2) Nissan Crossing Cafe, Ginza
If you go to the Nissan Crossing Cafe a (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.
Weekends are, of course, busier but this cafe is almost completely empty before lunchtime on weekday mornings.
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.
NISSAN CROSSING
中央区銀座5-8-1
5-8-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN 10AM-8PM
3) Hat Coffee, Asakusa
There is a really cool Latte Art cafe only 5 minutes walk from Asakusa Station called Hat Coffee. They specialize in the 3D foam art. It costs around 700 yen for one of these coffees ( or hot chocolate.). Bookings are essential (walk-ins may have to wait hours and hours.)
HAT COFFEE
台東区寿3-15-6
3-15-6 KOTOBUKI, TAITO-KU
OPEN 10AM-9PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
I WOULD TAKE TEENS IN JAPAN TO RED TOKYO
This VR indoor arcade at Red Tokyo is incredible! Located inside of Tokyo Tower.
I WOULD TAKE TEENS IN JAPAN TO TEAM LAB BORDERLESS OR TEAM LAB PLANETS
I WOULD TAKE TEENS IN JAPAN TO SEE A BASEBALL GAME
I WOULD TAKE TEENS IN JAPAN TO A GOLF DRIVING RANGE
For example, Tokyo Jumbo Golf Centre
I WOULD TAKE TEENS TO THEIR CLOSEST ROUND1 CENTRE (all over Japan)
There is bowling, baseball, arcade games, karaoke, soccer cages….
I WOULD TAKE THEM TO INDOOR AMUSEMENT PARK, JOYPOLIS
RED TOKYO AT TOKYO TOWER IS INCREDIBLE
Although the entry isn’t cheap (around 500o yen) this is a VR game centre and it is just so much fun. Other options include arcade games as well as drone flying lessons.
Red Tokyo is located inside of Tokyo Tower.
SHIBUYA SKY
Shibuya Sky is Tokyo’s newest and the most impressive observation deck.
FOR TEENS WHO LOVE COOL CAFES AND SMALL SHOPS WITH HOMEWARES AND STATIONERY STORES
I recommend a walk around the river in Nakameguro and exploring the cafes (especially Traveler’s Factory store to pick up amazing items to make a beautiful travel journal.) I also recommend famous Donut store called “I am Donut?” More Nakameguro options here.
SHIMOKITAZAWA FOR COOL CAFES AND THRIFTING
Thrifting here is good but it isn’t the cheapest but the whole area is such a vibe. I also recommend getting these cream puffs. I’ve written more about Shimokitazawa here.
TOKYO DISNEYLAND & TOKYO DISNEYSEA
If you cannot decide between the two, I have written a blog post breaking down the differences to help you decide between Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea ( as it really depends what your teenagers like)
FUJI-Q HIGHLAND
In Shizuoka prefecture, is the theme park Fuji-Q Highland – known for its thrill rides (some which have Guinness world records for speeds and heights.)
It is possible to visit from Tokyo as a day trip.
