What to Do in Tokyo, Japan With Kids
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I could write forever and still not cover everything there is to do in Tokyo as a family. I'll eventually put together a more comprehensive post covering everything we did, but for now, I'm focusing on the paid attractions.
If you want a deep dive into every single thing we did - when, how far it was from the last stop or our hotel, transit times, how much time to budget at each spot and more - check out our 14-Day Japan Guidebook, where I detail everything.
Anywho, back to the attractions we paid for. Below is a list of where we spent our yenny-yens while in Tokyo:
A gluten-free sushi-making class
All smiles for Shibuya Sky and those Tokyo views!
Shibuya Sky
This observation deck is a stone's throw from where we stayed in Tokyo, so not only was it amazing, it was super convenient. The one catch: the bag requirement. It's not a big deal, but it helps to know ahead of time. You're not allowed to bring your bag onto the rooftop, and it needs to go in a locker instead. That locker line can get long, since it requires waiting for someone to come out, retrieve their things, and free up a spot.
If you're trying to make it to the rooftop for sunset, this can be a real problem, since entry is based on your ticket time. My best tip: drop your bags off before heading to Shibuya Sky - super easy if you're staying at the hotel we stayed in (more on that in our full hotel breakdown). Once your bags are dropped, head to the tower for your designated time and walk right in, skipping the locker line entirely.
Getting tickets can be genuinely difficult during busy periods if you want a specific date and time. Here's what's worth knowing:
Tickets release exactly 14 days in advance, at midnight Japan Standard Time (JST)
You need an account to purchase - set it up before your ticket window opens, not when it opens, since account creation alone can eat up the couple of minutes you have before sunset slots sell out
Sunset time slots typically sell out within 2-3 minutes of going live
Evening tickets (after 15:00) run about ¥2,500-3,400 (~15 - 21 USD) depending on when you book, more if purchased at the counter
If sunset sells out before you get in, there's a workaround: book an earlier daytime slot (like 3:40 PM). Once you're in, there's no enforced time limit, so you can simply stay through sunset and into the night views. It's also worth checking Klook, which sometimes carries separate ticket inventory though, their sunset slots go quickly too.
Once you're at the top, you're rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Tokyo skyline. It was absolutely beautiful. We went at sunset, and it was stunning though, I think any time would be a cool experience. It was busy, with people lined up at the corners of the tower for unobstructed photos. We skipped that line, and I still think we got great shots - I'm just not one for spending my time waiting in line for a photo when I could be experiencing the thing I was actually there for. Maybe I'm getting old, ha!
We visited at the end of May which was hot during the day, but chilly at the top by sunset, so bring a light jacket if you run cold. Otherwise, don't bring anything besides your camera, and enjoy.
Sunset from Shibuya Sky - worth the planning!
teamLab Borderless
Another fabulous, fun experience. There's no set map or path through this interactive exhibit, which gave my brain a nice break - you just flow from room to room and experience whatever's waiting for you. Our favorite exhibit let you color a sea creature that then "came to life" on the wall. Jackson had a blast chasing his sea turtle around the room. Another favorite was the globe room, where hundreds of glowing orbs hang from a mirrored ceiling and floor, giving the illusion that they go on forever.
Jackson, fully in his element in the globe room.
Highly recommend, and be sure to book tickets in advance if you're visiting during a busy season, since these can also sell out fast. A few things worth knowing about booking:
You can book directly through the official teamLab website, or through authorized platforms like Viator for instant mobile voucher confirmation.
Tickets aren't sold at the door under normal circumstances, though limited same-day tickets sometimes appear online if slots remain
Tickets typically go on sale about two months in advance, and popular slots sell out quickly, so pre-booking is strongly recommended
You'll pick a specific date and a 30-minute entry window; pricing shifts based on demand and day
A pricier flexible pass is available if you'd rather arrive any time during opening hours on your chosen date
Entry is just your QR code or mobile voucher shown on your phone - no printing needed
Chasing his sea turtle at teamLab Borderless
Sushi-Making Class (Cooking Sun)
We did a sushi-making class together as a family, and it was a lot of fun. The instructors walk you through making a variety of sushi types, including nigiri, inari, hosomaki (thin rolls), and California rolls.
The instructors were incredibly friendly and personable - it felt like joining them in their own kitchen to make dinner together. We learned a lot about Japan throughout the class and were able to ask questions about our itinerary and beyond.
We brought our 5-year-old, and he really enjoyed it but he's the type who can sit through and participate in something like this for the full 3 hours. If your child has more energy, it's worth keeping in mind that you're required to sit still for most of it, and there's knife and hot-plate use involved.
We truly enjoyed the class, and the food was excellent - you get a lot of it. If you're gluten-free like me, email the owners ahead of time to confirm they can accommodate you before booking. They had no problem with this when I asked, and used gluten-free soy sauce throughout the class.
Making our own sushi as a family - don’t judge the class based on our abilities - it isn’t their fault ! LOL
Sumo Show
The sumo show was a ton of fun and genuinely interactive. You're served a meal, so if you're gluten-free like me, email ahead to check they can accommodate you - they had no issue with this when we visited, and I was served a grilled version of the meat instead of fried. I was also assured the chanko, the traditional sumo wrestler soup, was gluten-free.
The meal is served before the show starts, and you eat throughout. An announcer walks you through the history of sumo wrestling, then two retired sumo wrestlers come out to demonstrate techniques and matches. At the end, participants get the chance to dress up as a sumo wrestler and step into the ring to "wrestle" the actual wrestlers. It was a lot of fun to watch, even though we decided not to wrestle ourselves. Highly recommend this one for families!
Book the sumo show here: Sumo Show with Chanko Lunch
A real life sumo wrestler serving us lunch!
Zauo Fishing Restaurant
Another experience I think should be included here is dining at Zauo, a fishing restaurant with several locations throughout Tokyo. The one we visited was five minutes from our hotel. It was so much fun - you catch your own fish, prawn, or lobster, eel, etc. and the restaurant cooks it up for you. Jackson was thrilled.
The servers were very kind. We were celebrating Jackson's birthday a bit early, and I must have mentioned it in our reservation, because they kindly brought him out a little cake complete with a candle. The whole experience was very family-friendly.
I can't personally speak to the food, since I didn't eat here myself - I was still full from our sushi lunch, and a little hesitant given I'm gluten-free. There are options like grilled fish you can order, but if you have dietary restrictions, I wouldn't necessarily plan on a full meal here. That said, the experience itself was worth it even without eating. We made a reservation ahead of time, which is worth doing here too if you're visiting during a busy travel period.
Jackson's big catch of the day at Zauo - dinner, straight from rod to plate.
More From Our Japan Trip
This is just the paid experiences - for the full picture of our time in Tokyo, including what we spent, check out What We Spent in Tokyo: A Real Cost Breakdown. For the complete 14-day route, see our 14-Day Japan Itinerary.
Want the exact plan we used, hotel-by-hotel and day-by-day? Grab our14-Day Japan Guidebook . It includes our full itinerary, transportation, hotels, timing, and planning logistics, built from this exact trip.
And if you're gluten-free, check out our Gluten-Free Japan Guidebook - every restaurant, cafe, and food stop we ate at is built right into the itinerary.
