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Small Steps JapanJapan with kids

Culture & attractions

Temples, aquariums, museums and experiences kids enjoy.

6 min read

Animal cafés in Tokyo: a family guide (and the ethical questions)

Which Tokyo animal cafés are genuinely worth it with kids, which raise real welfare concerns, and the higher-welfare aquariums and zoos we'd send families to first.

6 min read

Ninja & samurai experiences in Tokyo for kids

The genuinely family-friendly ninja museums and samurai dojos in Tokyo, which ones suit which ages, and the one Kabukicho show that is strictly for adults.

7 min read

Character cafés & pop-culture Tokyo for families

Pokémon, Kirby, Sanrio, Nintendo and Harry Potter — the character cafés and pop-culture stops kids love, plus the booking reality that makes or breaks the day.

6 min read

Unusual & lesser-known Tokyo experiences for families

Robot-served coffee, a parasite museum, a curry train and wax-food workshops — the offbeat Tokyo stops that turn into the trip's best stories.

6 min read

How to catch a baseball game in Tokyo (with or without the kids)

How Japanese pro baseball works in Tokyo, when the season runs, and how to catch a game solo or bring the whole family along.

6 min read

Seeing sumo on a family trip to Tokyo

How to see sumo in Tokyo on a family holiday, including the seasonal tournaments, morning practice, and the year-round museum option.

Guides planned in this topic

Researched and published in stages — no thin or unverified pages.

  • Temples and shrines kids actually enjoy in Japan
  • Best aquariums in Japan for families
  • Best zoos and animal parks in Japan for kids
  • Science and hands-on museums for kids in Japan
  • Samurai and ninja experiences for kids
  • Traditional craft workshops for families
  • teamLab venues in Japan compared
  • Cat, owl and animal cafés with kids: what to know
  • Observation decks and views kids enjoy
  • Festivals (matsuri) with kids
  • Sumo and sport experiences for families
  • Gardens and nature kids enjoy in Japan
  • Cultural experiences that suit toddlers

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