Japan With a Baby – Comprehensive Travel Guide 2025

Although Japan is a dream country for many families, it can also be an intense and challenging place to travel. So, if you’re going to visit Japan with a baby in 2025, we strongly recommend that you spend some time researching and planning your trip.

Careful preparation and planning are the keys to successful family travel, and this is particularly true if you’re traveling to a country like Japan (and even more so with a baby). So, please read this article carefully.

We have visited Japan twice with a baby and traveled extensively. In this article, we’re going to share our experiences and insights to help you plan and prepare for your trip.

We have designed this guide to be helpful at whatever stage of planning you are in, whether you are just beginning to explore Japan as an option or whether you are setting off in a couple of days’ time. The information, tips, and advice that we share are as real and practical as possible.

WHY NOT BOOK A TOUR? – If you have always dreamed of visiting Japan but the whole thing feels too overwhelming – consider booking a longer guided tour. We recommend the Unique 10 Day Private Japan Tour on Get Your Guide – See all of the best bits and don’t miss a thing whilst someone else does all of the planning and navigation for you 🙂

Why should you travel to Japan with a baby?

We would like to start this article on a positive note. If you are weighing up a trip to Japan with a baby, we would strongly encourage you to go for it.

Traveling with a baby can be less challenging than traveling with older kids. So, if you have been dreaming of a Japan trip, it may well be the perfect time to do it before your kids grow older. (You can, of course, travel to Japan with older kids, but as kids get older, it can present some unique challenges.)

For our family, traveling around Japan with a baby was a very romantic, positive, and memorable experience. There really is something special about exploring temples, bamboo forests, and Japanese cities with a baby on your back.

Here are some more reasons to travel with a baby:

• Travel to Japan before your kids are older.
• A baby is almost always free for accommodation, transport, and activities in Japan.
• Flying with a baby is cheaper than flying with older kids.
• Traveling around Japan, you will need to do a lot of walking (taxis and car rental are quite expensive). It is ideal to do this before your child is old enough to walk.

Visiting with a toddler?

If you’re visiting with a toddler this presents a whole world of new challenges! So we have actually pulled together a separate guide – Japan with a toddler – Everything you need to know

Traveling Japan with a baby – top destinations

Early in the planning process, we recommend mapping out the main cities and attractions that you hope to visit. The following cities are some of the most popular destinations for families in Japan. Each of these cities is a fantastic place to visit with a baby:

• Osaka – Plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, bright lights, and also play spaces for kids. There is also an extensive underground shopping district, which means you can protect your baby from the elements in hot, cold, or rainy weather.

• Tokyo – A fantastic destination for an iconic Japanese city experience. Accommodation can be quite expensive, and you will need to use a lot of public transport to get around. There are lots of themed cafes, tourist districts, and things to do for families.

• Kyoto (pictured above) – A great destination if you are interested in iconic Japanese beauty and culture. This beautiful city has a historic feel, and there is plenty of great street food around.

• Nagoya – A hidden gem for families in Japan. There are lots of things to see and do, from the castle to the science museum. There are also several parks, which is great if your baby is starting to crawl or toddle.

• Hiroshima – Another popular city with families in Japan. As a large city, there are plenty of modern conveniences and lots of activities and attractions for families.

Baby-friendly accommodation in Japan

Finding suitable accommodation in your budget range is probably going to be the most challenging part of your trip to Japan. We recommend that you book your accommodation as early as possible so that there is the greatest range of options available. If you’re unsure of your travel dates, you can book something with a free cancellation policy. In some cases, apartments, guesthouses, and hotels may charge for infants. It is important to enter your child’s information when you are booking to see if you are charged for them.

It is very rare to find places that have a crib or cot available. We recommend that you think carefully about your sleeping arrangements. Many apartments and guesthouses have futons on the floor. This could actually be a very good option with a baby. For example, consider the fact that your baby will not get hurt if they roll off the futon in the night. If possible, we recommend booking a place that can provide an additional futon for your baby so that you are not trying to share with them.

It is also important to be aware of the fragile environment if your baby is starting to crawl or walk. It can be quite stressful staying in more delicate Japanese properties. Some traditional Japanese guesthouses have a lot of breakable ornaments, tea sets, and paper sliding doors.

Many families in Japan choose to stay in apartments. There are a few advantages to choosing an apartment. It is fairly easy to personalize and baby-proof your own apartment. Apartments also have amenities such as a washing machine or bathtub, which can be super helpful if you’re traveling Japan with a baby. If you do book an apartment in Japan, we recommend speaking to your host to see if they can provide a cot or crib for your stay.

Japan with a Baby Packing List

To help you plan your trip to Japan, we wanted to provide a packing list. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of everything you and your family will need; instead, we want to share a few things that you may consider bringing:

• Sling or baby carrier
• Umbrella
• Season-appropriate clothing
• Sun hat
• Baby-friendly sun cream
• Your preferred brand of baby milk
• Your preferred brand of nappies
• Waterproof layer for your baby
• Baby changing travel mat

Facilities in Japan

Japan really lives up to its reputation for having some of the best facilities in the world. Baby-friendly facilities are no exception. Facilities in Japan are genuinely state-of-the-art, and it is as if they have thought through every eventuality and come up with a clever solution to help. Here are some examples of some of the amazing family-friendly facilities in Japan:

• Dedicated family assistance lanes (for example, at immigration in airports)
• Dedicated seating on public transport for families (there is not a strong culture of protecting these spaces, so you sometimes need to ask to sit in a dedicated seat)
• Family-friendly toilets with baby changing tables and baby chairs (surprisingly helpful if you need to use the toilet)
• Nursing rooms where you can find hot sterilized water and comfortable chairs for breastfeeding your baby
• Pushchairs available to borrow at shopping malls and supermarkets
• Soft play spaces which are free to use for families in shopping malls and supermarkets

Overall, excellent facilities are widespread and widely available in Japan. However, there are a couple of gaps you need to be aware of. Firstly, baby chairs are few and far between in many traditional restaurants. You sit on the floor by the table, and this can be quite challenging if you are sitting with a baby (Balancing a baby and trying to eat with chopsticks whilst upholding Japanese etiquette is a pretty challenging combination!). It is also important to recognize that cribs and cots are not widely available in Japan, so you will need to be prepared to sleep next to your baby.

Japanese Culture for Family Travel

Japan has a quiet and conservative culture. In most cases, Japanese people quietly go about their business and don’t pay a lot of attention to foreigners (this is a massive contrast with China, where many locals will want to take selfies with you and have a conversation). In some cases, you may be surprised that locals don’t step in to help if you’re struggling with your child. This can feel unfriendly and unwelcoming, but it is just Japanese culture to keep to yourself.

If your baby is crying a lot, you can feel very self-conscious, especially if you are around a lot of quiet Japanese people. In our experience, Japanese people are very understanding and patient with babies, so don’t sweat it. In some cases, we even found that locals were empathetic and gave us understanding looks.

Is it Acceptable to Breastfeed in Japan?

Yes, it is acceptable to breastfeed in Japan. If you are breastfeeding in public, we recommend using a feeding scarf to cover yourself and your baby. It can take a little practice to use these at first. If you’re uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public, many places have special nursing rooms where you can breastfeed your baby in private.

Traveling Around Japan with a Baby

Traveling around Japan can be quite expensive. If you’re trying to keep your overall travel budget low, we recommend sticking to a few destinations and minimizing long-distance journeys. The JR Pass is surprisingly expensive, so if you are only visiting a few cities, it may be cheaper to buy your tickets from the JR station when you arrive in Japan (in most cases, you do not need to pre-book your tickets; you can just arrive at the train station and buy them on the day). Taking long-distance trips with a baby can also be quite challenging, so we really do recommend planning your itinerary carefully and sticking with two or three destinations.

It is free to travel on trains, buses, and public transport with babies. Many Japanese cities have extensive subway systems (again, babies are free on the subway). Navigating a Japanese subway system with a baby can be quite challenging, especially if you’re traveling around rush hour. The subway can get very crowded, and this can be overwhelming and overstimulating for a baby. If possible, we recommend avoiding traveling on public transport around the morning and afternoon rush hour times. Taxi and car rental is relatively expensive in Japan, so if you are planning a low-budget trip, you will need to be prepared to do a lot of walking. You may wish to use a pram, but be aware this can be challenging, especially if you are exploring crowded areas. Personally, we prefer to use a sling, which allows us more mobility and also helps us connect with our baby.

Get your JR Pass early

You can’t purchase your JR Pass from the stations in Japan – so you need to book it online in advance. We highly recommend getting your JR Pass on KLOOK. They offer 7, 14 and 21 day Whole-Japan passes and also include a FREE Guide Book to help you make the most of your pass. They also do global delivery – so if you do need a JR pass make sure you book it on KLOOK.

Shopping for a Baby in Japan

If you have a preferred brand of nappy or baby milk, we recommend that you bring a sufficient supply for your whole trip. (If possible, it is even worth traveling with a backup bag of formula in case your main bag gets spilled, contaminated, or lost.)

However, if you’re struggling to pack everything, it is very easy and affordable to buy nappies, wet wipes, and baby milk in Japan. Convenience stores are widespread around the country, including small rural towns (Family Mart and Lawson’s are the most common brands of convenience store, and in both cases, you can find baby products). Many towns and cities also have supermarkets where you can buy supplies like nappies, wet wipes, and formula. To give you a feel for the price, a large pack of nappies generally costs in the range of 800 – 1,200 yen (which is roughly £4 – £6 or $5 – $8).

Feeding your Baby in Japan

Japanese food alone may well be enough of a reason to visit Japan. If you’re a fan of sushi and sashimi, you really are in for a treat. Food is also surprisingly affordable in Japan relative to the high price of accommodation and transport. But what is it like to feed a baby in Japan? This all depends on exactly what stage of feeding your baby is at.

Pre-weaning Infant

If you’re traveling with a very young baby who is only on milk (i.e., less than six months), just make sure that you bring a sufficient supply of formula. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, you don’t even need to worry about this.

Weaning baby

If you’re traveling to Japan around the age of weaning your baby, it can actually be quite challenging. Depending on your feeding plan for your baby, it is not viable or practical to travel with copious quantities of baby food, so you will need to work out whether you are happy to wean your baby on the solid foods that are available in Japan (supermarkets often sell baby food purees, but this may not be to your preferences).

Post-weaning baby

If your baby is already confident with solid food, then Japan has a lot of great options available. Here are some of our top pick baby foods in Japan:

• Baked sweet potato – This is a great, tasty, healthy, and filling treat for a baby.
• Baked products – There are plenty of convenience stores and bakeries in Japan, so it is easy to find things like croissants, breads, and other baked goods.
• Noodles – Noodles are widespread in Japan; just make sure that you chop them up, and if you are buying noodles from a restaurant, you may need to wait for them to cool.
• Fresh fruit – Most supermarkets and convenience stores stock a reasonable range of fresh fruit. You can often find things like apples and bananas, which are fantastic for a baby.
• Sandwiches – Most convenience stores serve a range of sandwiches (including familiar favorites like egg sandwiches).
• Rice-based dishes – You can often find rice-based dishes like simple sushi and onigiri. This can be surprisingly good for a baby.
• Pasta dishes – This one is a little surprising, but pasta dishes are surprisingly popular in Japan. Many cafes, restaurants, and even convenience stores stock pasta dishes (such as lasagna, spaghetti bolognese, and carbonara).
• Boiled eggs – Boiled eggs are widely available around Japan, including convenience stores. (Watch out for onsen eggs – these are half-boiled eggs, and they are widely available around Japan. A half-cooked egg may not be ideal for a baby.)
• Steamed buns – Steamed buns are surprisingly common around Japan. You can often find them in convenience stores, and they are very affordable. This makes a great snack for a baby or young child.

Top Tip: As a full-time travel blogging family, we have spent many years on the road with our kids. We have learned not to put our own preconceptions and hesitations onto our children. If food is genuinely hygienic and healthy, we always encourage our children to give it a go, and it is important to do this with a baby too. We recommend that you develop and lead a family culture of trying new things and include your baby in the process. It is surprisingly fun to see a baby enjoying new food experiences as you travel.

Some Challenges of Travelling Around Japan with a Baby

Overall, we would highly recommend traveling to Japan with a baby. Having visited Japan twice with a baby, we have absolutely adored both trips and could not recommend it more highly. However, there are likely to be some challenges on your trip. Here is a summary of a few challenges of traveling Japan with a baby:

• A lot of walking – Bring a good pair of shoes and a baby carrier.
• Extreme climate – Very cold winters and hot summers, so bring appropriate clothing.
• Lack of cots and cribs – Remember, you will need to think through and plan your sleeping arrangements.
• Lack of baby chairs in restaurants – You may need to hold your baby whilst you are eating. 
• Big crowds – If you are visiting popular tourist hotspots, it can get very crowded. This can be stressful if you’re traveling with a baby.
• Finding affordable accommodation and transport – Transport and accommodation can be quite expensive in Japan, so you’ll need to spend some time planning your trip to make sure that you don’t blow the budget.

A Couple of Final Thoughts

If you’re planning to travel to Japan with your baby, it is important to work out your expectations. If you’re looking for a chilled and relaxing holiday, you may want to consider a different destination, like Thailand. Find a nice beach resort, slow down, and relax. In contrast, if you are visiting Japan, we recommend making the most of the experiences. It is important to see your trip as a way to immerse yourself in a new and unique culture, experience strange and surprisingly tasty food, and visit some destinations that you have always dreamed of seeing. This may not be a relaxing trip, but it will certainly be a memorable trip.