15 Kid-Friendly Things to do in Japan

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We've taken Senah to Tokyo twice (at 12 months old and 23 months old). I have to say that Tokyo is way more fun with an older toddler. The main reason is because I can finally take her to popular ramen spots - she can now wait in long lines and sit on high stools. When I tried a ramen spot when she was 12 months, there was nowhere for her to safely sit, so I fed her as I carried her in the carrier. She fell asleep while eating! In any case, we love visiting Japan and already can't wait to go back!  

1. Tokyo DisneySea

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DisneySea is magnificent, immersive and wondrous! I love lists, so here is a list within in a list...
My Top 5 Favorites of the Theme Park:
1. POPCORN (popcorn bucket pictured) - it's not just hype, it's amazing! DisneySea has curry, salted, black pepper, caramel and milk chocolate flavors
2. Mermaid Lagoon - spectacular design from the ceiling to all the themed rides
3. King Triton's Concert - WOW! I've never seen anything like this musical show. Later that night, I had a dream that I was flying/swimming just like Ariel! ?
4. Rides - we couldn't try all the rides because Senah is too small or we didn't want to wait in line (you can only get one FastPass at a time), but my favorites were Jasmine's Flying Carpets and the Caravan Carousel (simply beautiful). The carousel is a double-decker in Aladdin's palace. We also heard Sinbad's Storybook Voyage is great! 
5. Food - lots of interesting and delicious food choices! I really liked the ukiwa buns (shrimp).

2. Eat Ramen

True fact: We ate ramen every day during our last Tokyo trip! My favorite ramen is at Nantsuttei - my mouth is watering thinking about the flavorful broth, noodles and onsen egg! This restaurant actually has booths and toddler chairs (many ramen places only have high stools)!! 

3. Eat Mochi filled with Strawberry & Cream

I might be a little obsessed with this mochi, but it's soooooooooooo good! I bought one from a different place every day  and my favorite is from a random shop in Asakusa!

4. ASOBono Indoor Playground

Senah has been to many indoor playgrounds, but this one definitely impressed us. It's HUGE and there's so many things to do! You can find a ball pit, multiple play structures, bubble wheel (the child sits inside as an ASOBono employee spins the wheel) and jumpy house on the first floor. There's different activity rooms, from train tracks to kitchen play areas, on the second floor. 

5. Gyoen National Park

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A lovely park to just take a stroll and look at cherry blossoms! 

6. Eat Tonkatsu

I love tonkatsu, especially the one at Maisen! 

7. Asakusa

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Rent a kimono and walk around! There's many beautiful temples and shops to see!

8. Sanrio Puroland

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If you're a Hello Kitty fan, this is your spot! Tons of kawaii Sanrio exhibits, shows and food. It's a little far from city center, but worth the trip; plan to spend around 3-4 hours here. 

9. ​Oedo-Onsen Monogatari

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We went to Oedo Onsen Monogatari and spent 6 hours there ?. I overhead a Korean lady say, "Hey! That baby is still roaming around!" 

In 6 hours, Senah wore a yukata, soaked her feet in an ashiyu (foot bath), shared an ice cream cone with me, watched me play traditional Japanese carnival games, pretended to play arcade games, cleaned the floors, asked for noodles but ate appa's dinner instead, ran up to random people and shouted, "Eemo! Samchoon!" (Auntie! Uncle!), ate a second dinner, shared a strawberry & ice cream crepe with me and then passed out! ?

10. Shibuya Crossing

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We went to Shibuya Crossing and crossed the intersections over and over because it's so fun and crazy! You'll see people doing all sorts of things during the 60 seconds the walking lights are green. 

11. Harajuku 

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Walk around and take in the vibrant atmosphere, especially Takeshita Street to do some shopping and then check out a harajuku cafe.

12. Animal Cafe

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You can find many kinds of animal cafes in Tokyo - owls, cats, hedgehogs and rabbits! 

13. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tokyo

Basically another indoor playground with amazing Lego exhibits, playground, theater, karaoke, etc. 

14. Eat at the Basement Floor of a Department Store

I love browsing the variety of food choices and it's actually delicious! 

15. Take the Train for a Day/Weekend Trip

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We took the train to Kyoto and then Osaka for the weekend. In Kyoto, we loved staying at a ryokan and visiting Nara to feed the deer. We enjoyed the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and 551 Horai's barbecue pork buns with spicy mustard sauce in Osaka!