It is a common misconception that Tokyo is expensive and more geared towards adults than for children. However, this is not the case whatsoever. There is plenty to see and do in Tokyo with your family. All of these activities depend on your individual budget of course, but do not think twice about taking your kids to Tokyo. You will be surprised at how much they can learn and all the fun to be had.
Theme parks and attractions
Disneyland Tokyo
The first that comes to any mind is of course, Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland has reached cult status in the last few years, not only with children but with adults too. It has to be said that although Tokyo Disneyland does come with a rather hefty price tag (from 4,100 to 6,200 yen, around USD$40-60), it may well be worth it. For constant entertainment, you cannot do better than Disney. There are regular performances, bundles of rides and plenty of characters to keep children occupied. There are of course enough attractions for adults, including rollercoasters and some pretty unique restaurants. With Disney, what you see is what you get and the quality never varies. So, for something that you know will leave kids happy, it might be worth paying the entrance fee.
Legoland Discovery Centre
There is also the famous Legoland Discovery Centre, located in Odaiba. There is a fabulous 4D cinema, virtual reality games and plenty of Lego for kids to play with. There are the usual thrills and spills rides, which range from tame to nail-biting, of course. The entrance is around half the price of that at Disney, and there are often discounts if you book online. The opening hours are also shorter than at Disney, so take that into account when planning your trip.
Kidzania
If you prefer something educational, look no further than Kidzania. This is a simulation-based theme park where children ‘play’ at adult jobs and can then spend their ‘pay’ in various stores or on entertainment. This is a great chance for kids to learn as well as play, and it is the perfect place to make new friends. It may appear that this aimed towards younger children but that is not the case. The upper age limit is fifteen years old, so you may even be able to entertain teenagers. The only downside is that the park is only open from 9.15-2.30 and then from 4.15-8.30pm.
