The Ultimate 3 Day Tokyo Itinerary For Families

This article may contain paid links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read the disclosure page.

This 3 day Tokyo itinerary is perfect if you want to explore a variety of neighborhoods, the city’s history, and quirky subcultures like manga. We’ve picked out the best spots to eat and family-friendly hotels so you don’t have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourselves! From Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing to the Akihabara Electric Town, we’ve added in all the city’s coolest attractions.  

Traveling as a family is great, but we all know it can take a little longer to get from place to place. This Tokyo itinerary for families is paced just right, so you can enjoy your trip without having to rush the kids around. Get ready for a family adventure you won’t forget!

3 Day Itinerary For Tokyo

This guide will take you to ancient temples, neighborhoods famous for their manga subculture, cool historical museums, quirky fashion districts, and to the best food market in the city. Get ready for an awesome family trip!

Day 1 – Land And Explore Harajuku

On your first day you’ll arrive at Haneda Airport. From there, jump in a taxi or catch Tokyo’s super efficient public transport into the city. There are a few options, you can get the Keikyu Airport Line, the Tokyo Monorail, or the Shinkansen bullet train. Whichever neighborhood you’re staying in, it shouldn’t take you longer than 30 minutes to reach it. 

Once you arrive at your hotel, drop off your bags and take a minute to catch your breath after a long flight. Try to fly in early in the morning if you can so you can still explore parts of the city the day you arrive. 

You’ll likely be in the mood for something to eat, so we’ll kickstart your time in Tokyo in the Harajuku neighborhood. Known for its amazing street food stalls and quirky clothes stores, the neighborhood encapsulates much of what Tokyo is famous for. 

As you’re traveling with kids, we really recommend the Migpig Cafe. You can enjoy a drink and meal as you are surrounded by actual micro pigs! This will definitely be a favorite, especially for the kids!

Apart from the food stalls, Harajuku is most famous for its extreme fashion culture. It’s not unusual to see people walking around in manga cosplay outfits. Takeshita Street has all the best vintage stores and cosplay boutiques – be sure to check it out! 

Spend a few hours in the bustling streets of Harajuku and grab some lunch before heading to Meiji Shrine on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Pompompurin Cafe is great for families with younger kids. All their dishes are designed to look like the cartoon character Sanrio!

Next, wander on to the Meiji Shrine. The shrine’s serene atmosphere contrasts greatly with the hustle and bustle of the rest of Harajuku.

It was built in 1920 to pay tribute to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who are considered to be amongst Japan’s most influential leaders. Sadly, the original was destroyed during the second World War.

The shrine you see today was built in 1958. There’s a big torii gate at the entrance to the complex, and the shrine is surrounded by a forest of more than 100,000 trees. Let the kids explore whilst you enjoy a moment of tranquility away from Tokyo’s busy streets.  

Looking for a fun tour? This tour designed for families blends pop culture and tradition. It takes you to Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street before ending at the Animal Cafe where you can hang out with a bunch of cute animals, including micro pigs!

Before heading back to your hotel, wander back into Harajuku for one last time. There’s a really cool crepe place that you can’t miss. Kids and adults alike will love the quirky selection of flavors at Marion Crepes.

Day 2- Shibuya Crossing, Ueno Park, And Manga Neighborhoods

Since you’ll be staying in the Shibuya area, start your day at the Shibuya Crossing! A contestant of New York’s busy intersections, it’s rumored to be the busiest in the world and is definitely the busiest in Japan. Its nickname, Scramble Crossing, is very fitting.

But don’t worry, it’s completely safe to go with kids! It’s busy, with up to 3000 people crossing at any one time, but you definitely don’t need to worry about the kids getting lost or swept away by the crowds. Everyone is really respectful and there’s no risk of being shoved on the crossing either. If you want to go when it’s a little less busy, head outside of the busiest traffic hours (when people are going to or coming home from work). 

For families who’d rather watch the action from above, head to the Starbucks on the edge of the intersection. We wouldn’t normally recommend a chain cafe when there are so many great independent cafes in Tokyo, but this Starbucks is popular because you can see the whole of Scramble Crossing and people watch from a distance. 

If you want to learn some Japanese so you can order your coffee like a local, check out our guide on using the Rosetta Stone Japanese phone app to learn the language.

Image via Flickr by Taylor Stuart

Round the corner from the crossing there’s also the Hachiko Memorial statue. We couldn’t not add it to this Tokyo family itinerary as there’s such a sweet story behind it. Hachiko was a little dog who was alive in the 1920s. Each day, he’d meet his owner at Shibuya Station once he’d finished work. But one day, his owner didn’t return.

Unbeknownst to the little pooch his owner had passed away that day. Hachiko kept coming back to the same spot every day for the next nine years, hoping to find his old friend again. The statue commemorates his incredible loyalty.

While you’re in Shibuya, also make sure you head over to the building that has Nintendo Tokyo, Pokémon Center, and various collectibles stores.

Image via Flickr by Sean Marshall

Next, make your way to Ueno Park. A haven of green and tranquility, the park is the perfect place to wander through in between visiting the city’s busiest crossing and famous Manga neighborhoods. 

The park is home to lots of the city’s best museums too. Like the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. If the kids aren’t a fan of museums, you could take them to the Ueno Zoo that’s famous for its cute pandas! 

Admittedly the park is most impressive in spring, when the cherry blossom is in bloom. It makes the temples around the park, like the Shinobazu No Ike Bentendo island temple and the Ueno Toshogu Shrine, look even more idyllic. 

Kids (or adults) fans of Pokémon? The only manhole cover (Poké Lids) in central Tokyo is in Ueno Park in front of The National Museum of Natue and Science. There’s also another towards Tokyo National Musueum.

You’re probably all starting to get hungry by now, so it’s time to leave the tranquility of Ueno park and head back into Tokyo’s chaotic streets for some food. In the quirky Ameyoko neighborhood there’s the famous outdoor Ameya-Yokocho market. 

The market’s name translates to candy store alley, as it used to be where all the candy stores were. After that, it became famous for selling American goods on the black market after World War II. Now, it’s a melting pot of food stalls and shops.

Stop for a delicious sushi restaurant lunch at the Magurondonya Miura Misakiko which the whole family will love. 

If you’re a bunch of foodies, then book this private guided food tour that will take you to all the best stands in the market. From sushi to gyoza, you’ll get to try a little of everything. The tour also includes plum wine and cups of green tea! Note – not a tour for vegetarians. 

Before you go on the tour, make sure you know the ramen eating etiquette of Japan! 

Once you’ve had a bite to eat, wander round the eclectic stores that line the streets of Ameyoko. Honestly one of the best bits isn’t even what’s inside. The shop fronts have highly decorative facades, with bright neon signs that really captured my attention.

Image via Unsplash by Andy Miller

Finish the day in true Tokyo fashion in Akihabara. Known as the city’s manga headquarter, it has endless manga stores selling collectable items and manga themed trinkets. The kids will love how cartoony the area feels! 

If you really want to submerge yourself in the world of manga and get some insight into how it has become such an important subculture in Japan, head to the Tokyo Anime Center. 

For the best manga steals, do some shopping at the Mandarake Complex that has everything from comics to figurines. 

There’s also an extraordinary number of electronic stores in the area, which has given it the nickname ‘Electric Town’. But the nickname also alludes to the neighborhood’s overall vibe. 

The huge tower blocks with bright, flashing billboards definitely give it a futuristic twist. The Sony Plaza is super impressive, especially at night when it’s lit up.

If you and the kids really want to dive into the neighborhood’s manga culture, book this awesome tour. A manga-savvy guide will take you to all the best anime shops and cool pop culture spots. 

Before heading back to your hotel, stop for dinner at Gyukatsu Motomura, their Wagyu beef is amazing. 

Day 3 – Explore Asakusa And The Fukagawa Edo Museum

After manga-themed neighborhoods with big flashing lights, Asakusa feels reminiscent of times gone by. Much more traditional, there are temples dotted around the neighborhood and its home to artisanal stores and cozy cafes. It’s a welcome relief after spending the day before in the city’s busy manga neighborhoods!

The kids will love visiting the Senso-ji Temple and climbing to the top of the Tokyo SkyTree where they’ll have an eagle eye view of the city from hundreds of feet above. You’ll finish the day off at the Fukagawa Edo Museum, which offers a glimpse into how Tokyo was in centuries gone by. The day’s itinerary is super varied to keep the whole family on their toes.

Enjoy a sleepy coffee and a bite to eat at Funawa Cafe, a cafe by the Asakusa Station, before the day begins. It’s a dessert shop that has lots of traditional cakes and pastries on the menu, so the kids will love it. They also have strange ice-creams you can try, like sweet potato ice-cream! 

First, wander a few blocks to the Senso-ji Temple. This ancient Buddhist temple is the oldest in Tokyo. 

The story begins in 628, when legend has it that two brothers fished a statue of the Goddess Kannon out of the nearby Sumida River. They threw the statue back into the river numerous times, but it kept returning to them.

Believing it must be a sign, they set out and began building the Senso-ji Temple in her honor. The temple was completed in 645! Attached to the temple there is also a captivating 5 story high pagoda. 

Colorful and bursting with historical charm and character, the kids will love exploring this ancient temple. You enter the temple through the Thunder Gate, and on the other side you walk through a 200-meter-long shopping street called Nakamise to reach the outer Hozomon Gate.

If you want to learn more about the temple’s history from a local, book this walking tour of Senso-ji Temple for you and the kids! 

Once you’re finished at Senso-ji, walk to the Asakusa Ninja Experience Cafe just 7 minutes away. The kids will absolutely love it, and it’s a must on any Tokyo family itinerary. You can try on ninja costumes, train in sword fighting, and try out some ninja-themed food! 

One of the most notable attractions in Asakusa is the Tokyo Skytree. It reigns over the rest of the city, towering over even the tallest skyscrapers. It’s actually a television broadcasting tower, standing at a whopping 634 meters tall! 

At the base of the tower there’s a shopping mall, the Sumida Aquarium, and planetarium. But the really interesting bits are at the top of the tower. 

There are two observation decks you can visit, the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria. There are breathtaking panoramic views of the city from both. It’s also the perfect spot to snap some family pictures!

Image via Flickr by Kazuhiro Ishii

To finish off day 3 of this Tokyo family itinerary, hop on the metro to the Fukagawa Edo Museum. This cool museum doesn’t make it onto many Tokyo itineraries, but it’s perfect for anyone traveling with kids. 

The museum takes you back in time with life-size replicas of the old streets and houses that made up the neighborhood of Fukagawa in the Edo period from 1603 to 1868. You can walk into the buildings and check out the period furnishings. There’s even a cool fire-lookout tower replica that the kids can climb up! 

Because the museum is so interactive it’s great for families. You get to actually step into the past instead of looking at historical artifacts behind a glass wall, which isn’t very fun for the kids. They’ll love being able to weave between the houses seeing the old period clothing. 

Once you’re done, grab some dinner before heading back to your hotel. There’s a great little restaurant, Hoshino, not far from the museum that has great food. They serve lots of dishes with roe (fish eggs) that will freak the kids out! It’s always a cool cultural experience to try something new, and they have dessert options that will keep the kids happy after a long day of exploring too. 

Map Of Tokyo Itinerary

To make your trip easier, we’ve designed this interactive map with all the attractions, hotels, and restaurants on the itinerary pinned for you! You can download the map and check your travel routes on it. 

We really recommend you use Google maps in Tokyo. It’s always up to date on transport delays or traffic.

Where To Stay In Tokyo

We’ve picked out a range of different family-friendly hotels and apartments that you might like.

• Best views: For a glamorous weekend in Tokyo stay at Park Hotel Tokyo. On a clear day you’ll even catch glimpses of Mount Fuji from your room! It’s right by the Ghibli Clock, which the kids will love.
• Luxury: The Gate Hotel offers modern family rooms with views of the SkyTree and Senso-ji. There’s a cool rooftop area where you can hang out in the evenings too.
• Midrange: we’ve found the Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya-jingumae which is great for families. They have a range of room layouts to pick from so you can choose what works best for you and the kids. 
• Apartment option: Book an apartment style hotel room at All In Tokyo. Located on the edge of Akihabara they have spacious apartments with dining tables and kitchens that are perfect for families.
• Best stay with young kids: Themed rooms always make toddlers happy, so book a night’s stay in one of the Panda Suite rooms at Henn na Hotel Tokyo. Designed especially for families, they’re the perfect option!

Places In Tokyo Kids Also Love

Trying to cram Tokyo into 3 days is a tall order and as a result, you’ll have to really pick and choose what you want to fit in based on the family’s interest.

That said, we totally recognize that we’re missing a bunch of different things so the below is a list of additional places, activities, and experiences you should consider:

• Shinjuku – We missed this neighborhood completely, but it is totally worth going especially for the namco TOKYO (arcade), Godzilla Head, and Tokyo Mystery Circus.
• Toyosu Fish Market – This one we debated about putting because of how early it is but if you’re interested in seeing how fresh fish is sold, the Toyosu Fish Market Tuna Auction is quite a unique opportunity.
• Kichijoji – If anyone is a fan of Ghibli, this is where you’ll find the Ghibli Museum (not to be confused with the Ghibli Park which is an amusement park). This also happens to be one of the best places for street food too.
• Sumo – If you’re able to time your trip to January, May, and September, you might be lucky enough to make it to one of the tournaments in Tokyo. If not, make sure to book a sumo practice watching experience or one where you get to train with sumo wrestlers in a sumo stable and eat traditional chanko-nabe.
• Little Planet – This is an interactive digital theme park for kids that’s quite popular.
• teamLab – In Tokyo, there’s teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets and both are stunning immersive works of art that visitors always rave about.
• Fishing Restaurant – This restaurant is called Zauo Shinjuku where you catch the seafood that you eat.
• Disney – The elephant in the room is Tokyo Disneyland Resort. There are two parks here and if you’ve been to Disnelyland/Magic Kingdom elsewhere, we recommend that you go to Tokyo DisneySea.
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – This is your chance to see the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world with the Making of Harry Potter Ticket.
• Shibuya Go Karting Experience – This has been rebranded a few times but Akiba Kart Shibuya still offers the Tokyo driving experience in a go kart that makes you feel like you’re in Mario Kart. We’ve done it before and it’s completely safe and so much fun.

About The City Of Tokyo

Tokyo is a major city in Japan. It’s located at the head of Tokyo Bay and has become a bustling and vibrant city. Long ago, the city was a small fishing village known as Edo. At the time Kyoto was the capital of the country.

It wasn’t until 1868 that it became Japan’s capital and was renamed Tokyo, meaning ‘eastern capital’. 

The city is huge, so we’ve had to be selective about what neighborhoods to include. This itinerary visits the most family-friendly neighborhoods in the city. You’ll explore Harajuku, Ueno, Asakusa, Fukagawa, Shibuya, Akihabara, and Ameyoko.

Tokyo Packing Guide

Japan is pretty straight forward to pack for as there aren’t any extreme weather conditions and this city trip is suitable for everyone!

• Comfortable shoes: You’ll be doing a fair bit of walking on this Tokyo family itinerary, so pack some comfy trainers you could spend all day in. 
• Bring a raincoat: Whatever season you’re traveling in, we recommend packing a light raincoat. You might not need it, but it’s always best to have one! October is the wettest month of the year in Japan, so if you’re traveling then it’s especially important.
• Pack one smart outfit in case you decide to go out for a fancy meal! For the rest of your trip casual and comfortable clothes are ideal.
• Bring a travel adapter: You’ll need a 2-pronged Type A for Japan, so check your plugs to see if you need to get an adapter ahead of your trip.
• Pack some hand sanitizer: It’s not uncommon for there to be no soap in the toilets!
• Pack a load of Japanese yen in your wallet. You’ll want to get some out ahead of your holiday, even if you can withdraw yen from cash machines using your card whilst you’re there. It’s always a good idea to land with some local currency, so you can buy your Suica cards to use the metro and get a meal before you have to find an ATM.
• Check if you need a Visa ahead of time! Most people won’t need a Visa for a short stay, but it’s important to check the unique requirements for your country. You can find out more on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
• Traveling with small kids? Add snacks and toys into your luggage! You never know when you’ll need them. 

Remember to leave some space in your bag to bring back souvenirs and gifts for family and friends!

Make Family Memories That Will Last A Lifetime

This family friendly Tokyo itinerary packs all the coolest neighborhoods and best tours into a short 3 day trip. You can do it as an itinerary on its own, or combine it with other destinations on our 10 day Japan itinerary for first timers.

Japan is a fantastic destination for families as it’s safe, there’s loads of epic neighborhoods bursting with pop culture, and there’s also a bunch of historical sites! It’s got something for everyone, no matter your age.

Frequently Asked Questions