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Japan is a dream country for many families, but what is it like to visit Japan with a toddler? Should you wait until your tot has grown up? Or can you have that dream trip to Japan with a toddler?
The quick answer is yes, you can have an amazing trip to Japan with a toddler. Taking a toddler out the front door can be challenging enough, not to mention traveling to a country as epic and intense as Japan. So, if you’re planning to visit Japan with a toddler, you really do need to take some time to do your research and planning.
We have been blessed enough to visit Japan a couple of times with a toddler (including an epic season living in a ninja house). Our Japan trips have been a steep learning curve. Even though we are a full-time travel blogging family, we had to prepare and learn a lot in Japan. In this article, we’re going to share our experiences, insights, and top tips to help you plan an amazing trip to Japan with your family.
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. See all of the best bits and don’t miss a thing whilst someone else does all of the planning and navigation for you 🙂 We recommend the Unique 10 Day Private Japan Tour on Get Your Guide
TRAVELING WITH A BABY? – The challenges are different so we have also published a separate guide – Japan with a baby – Everything you need to know – Full and comprehensive guide to nailing your Japan trip with a baby.
Some Challenges of Traveling Japan with a Toddler
Accommodation in Japan for toddlers
Firstly, many guest houses, apartments, and hotels only have futon beds. If your child is used to sleeping in a cot, it can be challenging adjusting to new sleeping arrangements. On the other hand, if you are determined to get a cot, you may need to pay a lot of money for an expensive hotel (most hotels are eye-wateringly expensive in Japan). If you’re staying in a more classic or traditional property, you need to be aware of delicate fittings and fixtures. Be aware of paper sliding doors, fragile tea sets, and precious Japanese ornaments. Supervising a toddler in a beautiful, delicate Japanese environment can be pretty stressful, so we recommend that you consider this when you are selecting your accommodation.
Getting around Japan with a toddler
Another challenge of traveling Japan with toddlers is the cost of transportation. Unless you have a large budget for your trip, you will probably need to rely on public transport to get around in Japan. This can be quite challenging if you are adapting to an unfamiliar transport system with a tantruming toddler. It is important to take your time and not get rushed and flustered.
Many families choose to walk around towns and cities, so it is important to be prepared for a good amount of walking with your toddler. Consider whether you are going to travel with a pram or use a sling, and remember you are likely to clock up a lot of miles. Finally, it is worth being aware that some areas of Japan do not have sidewalks (this is typically the case in towns and villages rather than cities). If you are walking around with your toddler, you will need to hold their hand and protect them carefully by the road.
Looking for a JR Pass?
Good news children under 6 are FREE and kids from 6 – 11 years old can get a half price JR Pass. Remember, you are not able to 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.
Climate in Japan
The climate can also be a challenge. Traveling Japan with a toddler during the winter, many areas of the country get extremely cold, and you need to be well prepared with plenty of warm layers. Some areas of Japan also get very hot during the summer, so you will need to make sure that you pack clothing suitable for the season.
Some Advantages of Traveling Japan with a Toddler
Amazing Facilities
The facilities in Japan are genuinely outstanding and second to none. This can really help when you are traveling Japan with a toddler. In our opinion, Japan is probably one of the best countries in the world for family-friendly facilities (particularly when it comes to free public facilities).
Excellent hygiene
If your toddler has a habit of touching and licking everything, you will be happy to hear that Japan has an outstanding level of cleanliness and hygiene. It is very unlikely that you will need to contend with infections or food poisoning in Japan (although it is always important to be vigilant anywhere in the world with kids).
Connecting with locals
In our opinion, one of the biggest advantages of traveling Japan with a toddler is the ability to make connections with locals. Japanese people are naturally quite reserved; however, traveling with a toddler is a great way to build bridges and get to know locals.
What is the Culture Like for Family Travel in Japan?
Although Japan has a quiet and conservative culture, they are very accepting of the challenges of toddlers. So if your toddler starts to have a loud public meltdown, don’t sweat it. Most Japanese people will empathize, and if they are a parent themselves, they will probably exchange an understanding look with you. Our best advice is to be consistent and parent your child the way that you normally do (don’t feel like you need to do something else just because you have a Japanese audience watching you on the subway!)
Facilities and Amenities for Toddlers in Japan
Japan has a well-deserved reputation for some of the best facilities in the world. It is as if they have thought through every possible situation and created a clever and efficient solution. The outstanding facilities in Japan really do support family travel, especially if you are traveling with a challenging toddler. For example, most public toilets in Japan are impeccably clean (this is reassuring if you have a toddler that loves to run around and touch everything).
Many public toilets also have a baby seat attached to the wall, so you have somewhere safe to put your toddler whilst you do your business. Many restaurants and cafes have baby chairs (baby chairs are less frequent if you are traveling to more rural areas or dining in more traditional restaurants). Most shopping malls and supermarkets also have pushchairs that you can borrow, which are suitable for young children and toddlers. The public facilities in Japan are genuinely outstanding, and in most cases, they are likely to be a lot better than your home country.
Best Japan Cities for Families with Toddlers
1 Osaka
Osaka is one of the most family-friendly cities in Japan. It is also one of the most popular cities for families to visit. There are plenty of things to do in Osaka with kids, including indoor play spaces, parks, and shopping malls. We particularly loved the Osaka Castle and Park, and Dotonburi walking street (this area is typically very busy, so supervise toddlers carefully). There are also a lot of themed cafes and pet cafes around Osaka.
Top tip: We mentioned that Japan is an impeccably clean country. Osaka is sadly one exception. Many of the inner city parks around Osaka are dirty (not the kind of place you want your toddler walking or crawling around). Osaka also has a garbage problem; you will see piles of discarded garbage in some areas of the city. This is very unusual for Japan.
2 Nagoya
Nagoya is an underrated destination for families in Japan. As a city, it is smaller, cleaner, and nicer than Osaka. However, it is important to recognize that accommodation in Nagoya is relatively expensive. Nagoya has a lot of fantastic options for kids. We really enjoyed visiting Nagoya Castle, exploring the Sakae area (don’t miss the Sky Boat Ferris wheel), and the science museum, which is also fantastic for toddlers with plenty of interactive exhibitions and activities. If you have time in your itinerary, we also recommend visiting the beautiful Tokoname Pottery Village, around 45 minutes south of Nagoya. Nagoya is also home to Legoland (check out our in depth visitor’s guide to LEGOLAND here) AND make sure your Book your Legoland Package on KLOOK and Ghibli Park (make sure that you book your ticket nice and early if you are planning to visit).
3 Kyoto
Kyoto is our top pick for families that are interested in scenery, culture, and nature. Kyoto is on the smaller side as a Japanese city. You can visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Sembon Torii (Thousand Torii Gates) and also explore the beautiful bamboo forest. Kyoto is also a short train ride from the Nara Deer Park. This is a magical destination to visit with toddlers; however, be aware that toddlers do need careful supervision around the deer, which are often known to butt or kick tourists. If you are interested in traditional Japanese culture and scenery, we definitely recommend a stay in Kyoto.
4 Tokyo
When it comes to family travel in Japan, Tokyo may seem like an obvious choice. However, Tokyo is not without its challenges. Firstly, accommodation in Tokyo is extremely expensive, so if you are hoping to stay in the center of Tokyo with kids, you will need to have a very large budget. In most cases, families need to stay well outside the city and rely on public transport. However, Tokyo does have a lot of things to see and do with kids.
You can visit themed cafes, explore the geisha district, visit the Imperial Palace, and the Tokyo Tower. You may be interested in the Team Lab Light Museum (which is an artistic exhibition that celebrates light). This experience was actually quite overstimulating for our toddler, and we did not particularly enjoy this as a family (although we like to be positive, we also want to be honest to help you). Tokyo is also a great place for exploring classic Japanese destinations such as Mount Fuji.
Toddler-Friendly Food in Japan
The good news is it is fairly easy to find toddler-friendly food in Japan. Family Mart and Lawsons convenience stores are widespread in Japan. Japanese food is generally not too spicy, and there are a surprising number of bakeries around Japan. Here are some of our top picks for toddler-friendly foods in Japan:
- Ramen noodles
- Simple sushi
- Baked bread and buns
- Natto beans
- Fried chicken
- Noodles
- Baked sweet potato
- Fruit juices and milkshakes
- Japanese omelettes
- Pasta dishes like spaghetti bolognese (surprisingly widespread in Japan)
- Barbecue meat
- Boiled eggs (watch out for Onsen eggs; these are half-boiled eggs and may not be popular with toddlers)
Do Toddlers Need to Pay for Tickets in Japan?
Generally speaking, toddlers do not need to pay for tickets in Japan. This includes public transportation and entry fees. In most cases, Japan starts charging a child ticket price when kids start elementary school (in most cases, a child ticket is normally around half price). In Japan, elementary school generally starts around 6 or 7 years old. From this age, your child generally needs to pay a child price.
However, there is an exception when it comes to accommodation. Many apartments, guest houses, and hotels charge children at the same rate as adults, and this often includes toddlers. It is important to make sure that all of your children are included in your booking to ensure that you are paying the correct price. If you use Airbnb to book your accommodation, you can contact hosts directly and ask if they can include your toddler for free in the booking. This is a great way of saving a little money if you’re traveling Japan with toddlers.
