Itineraries for Your Trip to Tokyo
3 Days in Tokyo for Families
You might not think that one of the biggest cities in the world would be a great place to travel with kids—but you would be surprised. Tokyo can be busy and uber-urban, but it can also be pretty chill. The sprawling city is so well organized, the public transport so thorough, and the attractions so varied, that travelers with young ones ranging from babies to teens will find plenty to keep them happy.
As a former resident of Tokyo, I got to know its quiet corners as well as its big-ticket attractions. An important tip for getting around with kids is to avoid morning and evening rush hour on the trains—it will be uncomfortable for everyone.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Meiji Jingu, a gorgeous and peaceful Shinto shrine in the center of Tokyo.
Tokyo is freezing cold in winter and very hot and humid in summer; spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit.
Start your trip with 360-degree views of the city at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Afterwards, take a 20-minute stroll to Meiji Jingu; kids and adults will enjoy the atmospheric ambience of the shrine and the natural beauty of its surrounding forest. If you’re with older kids, a biking tour will help you cover these sites and more.
On day two, head to Ueno Park. The many museums and attractions in the large area would take days to cover, but travelers with kids should make a beeline for the Ueno Zoo, home to pandas, tigers, gorillas, and more. Other top picks for kids include the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science.
Beyond Ueno park, you’ll find outdoor markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries beneath the train tracks. Eat your way through Ueno or join a guided tour of another of Tokyo's great food districts.
On your last day, continue to explore Tokyo’s blend of old and new in the Asakusa neighborhood, home to Senso-ji temple and the Hanayashiki amusement park—rickshaws are a particularly fun way to get around.
![[30 minutes] Rickshaw tour around Asakusa [History, sightseeing, Tokyo Skytree]](https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-360x240/11/27/14/d0.jpg)
End your last day on a memorable note with a geisha performance. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the traditional musical entertainment, clothing, snacks, and ambience.
