Planning a family trip to Tokyo
Focus your itinerary on one neighborhood per day to minimize travel time with children. Use a pre-paid IC card like Suica or Pasmo for seamless train travel and book your major theme park tickets at least 60 days in advance.
- Map your base location. Stay in Shinjuku or Ueno. Shinjuku provides direct access to major train lines, while Ueno offers larger parks and kid-friendly museums within walking distance.
- Secure attraction tickets early. Book tickets for Ghibli Museum (on the 10th of the month prior) and Tokyo Disney Resort online through official sites. Do not expect to buy these at the gate.
- Navigate via IC cards. Download the Suica or Pasmo card to your iPhone Wallet or purchase a physical Welcome Suica card at the airport. This avoids the stress of buying individual paper tickets for every subway ride.
- Schedule a mid-day downtime. Plan for a 2-hour break at your hotel or a local park every day at 2:00 PM. Tokyo is overstimulating, and downtime prevents evening meltdowns.
- Are strollers allowed on Tokyo subways?
- Yes, but during rush hour (8:00 AM–9:00 AM and 5:00 PM–6:00 PM), it is extremely crowded. Avoid these times if you have a stroller.
- Where can I find baby supplies?
- Drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi or tax-free shops like Don Quijote carry diapers, wipes, and formula. Look for brands like Merries or Moony.