Destination guideJapan
FROMLON
ABOUT 13 HRS ✈️
TOTYO

Family holidays in Tokyo

Bullet trains, robots and the friendliest city you'll ever visit with children. Here's what Tokyo is like with the family, when to go and how long to stay.

BEST FOR🏙️ City break, 🏛️ Culture & history, 🍷 Food & drink
NIGHTS AWAY7 to 10
BUDGET££
BEST MONTHSMar–May, Oct–Nov
Add Tokyo to your ideasFree. One email per family.

Tokyo at a glance

FLIGHT FROM LONDON
ABOUT 13 HRS
TIME DIFFERENCE
8 TO 9 HRS AHEAD OF THE UK
CURRENCY
JAPANESE YEN (¥)
ENTRY
NO VISA FOR SHORT STAYS
PLUGS
TYPE A / B · 100V

UK plugs need an adapter. Check entry rules on GOV.UK before you book.

When to go

  1. JANCold, clear, a good time to go
  2. FEBCold, clear, a good time to go
  3. MARBlossom, best time to go
  4. APRBlossom, best time to go
  5. MAYWarm, best time to go
  6. JUNRainy, quieter
  7. JULHot, humid, a good time to go
  8. AUGHot, humid, a good time to go
  9. SEPTyphoons, a good time to go
  10. OCTAutumn, best time to go
  11. NOVAutumn colour, best time to go
  12. DECCrisp, a good time to go

Late March and early April bring the cherry blossom and the biggest crowds. October and November are mild with autumn leaves and fewer people. Summer is hot and humid, but there are festivals and fireworks, and winter is cold, dry and sunny.

Things to do with the family

TICKETED

teamLab Planets

Walk barefoot through water and light. Book ahead.

TICKETED

Ghibli Museum

A dreamy museum for Totoro fans. Tickets go on sale monthly and sell out fast.

FREE

Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo's oldest temple, with snack stalls all the way up to it.

FREE

Shibuya Crossing

Watch the world's busiest crossing from above, then join in.

TICKETED

Ueno Park and Zoo

Giant pandas, museums and boats on the pond in one big park.

DAY TRIP

Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea

Two parks by the bay. DisneySea is one of the best in the world.

Tokyo: common questions

Is Tokyo good for a family holiday?

Very. It's safe, spotless and easy on public transport, and children love the food, trains and gadgets. Big stations are busy, so use a pushchair-friendly route or a sling.

How many nights do you need?

Seven to ten nights covers Tokyo and a day trip or two. Many families add Kyoto by bullet train.

Do UK families need a visa?

No, British passport holders can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.

Is Tokyo expensive?

Less than you might think. The yen has been weak against the pound, and food from convenience stores and noodle shops is cheap and good.

If you like Tokyo

UKYKyoto🏛️ Culture & history
SELSeoul🏙️ City break
SINSingapore🏙️ City break
SYDSydney🏖️ Beach

Can't agree where to go next?

Put Tokyo on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.

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