Tokyo With A Baby: The Essential Guide

No need to stress over the crowds, the uphills and the escalators—maneuvering around Tokyo with a baby can be comfortable, affordable and enjoyable.

Traveling around Tokyo with a baby can be an exciting adventure, and with a little planning, it can be a breeze. Try these tips from an experienced, savvy mama on how to manage your way through the city with your little ones.

Depato Fever

© Photo by Lisa Hong

Every department store has at least one “Baby Room,” which is an amazing space with clean and cushioned changing tables, private areas for breastfeeding, hot water dispensers for formula, microwaves, high chairs, sinks and vending machines that sell diapers, wipes and juice boxes.

© Photo by Lisa Hong

Some even have play areas for crawlers or beginning walkers. Dads are allowed in all areas except the nursing rooms. To find them, look at the directory or ask someone at the information desk.

There’s Always Room on the Elevator

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Think no one else can fit? Worrying about bumping into everyone with the stroller? Think again! I’ve seen women with strollers push their way into elevators, and people inside go out of their way to make room for them. Try it next time instead of waiting for the next ride. Just make sure to politely say “Sumimasen (excuse me)” and return the favor to a fellow mama.

Say “Yes” to Packaging

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Japan is known for overpackaging, but with a baby, this has saved me in many situations. Save plastic bags for dirty clothes, dirty diapers and general trash, as it is not always easy to find public waste bins. Save product packages, which are usually really nice cardboard boxes, and give them to your little one as a toy.

Conbini to the Rescue

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Conbini (convenience store), the savior! I really didn’t appreciate the availability of convenience stores until I brought my hungry son to Tokyo. When he wants food, he needs it right away. His favorite snacks were the onigiri, or rice balls (or should I say triangles?) and the nikuman, which is a fluffy bread filled with tender meat. Convenience stores also help with any other objects you may need, including hand towels, wet tissues, baby food and more. Some even have rest areas, where you can sit and hide from the heat.

Train Access

© Photo by Lisa Hong

When waiting for the train, look on the platform for priority access signs, which have a bit more space for you to enter. Sometimes, the priority access cars have a whole section, void of seats, for wheelchairs and strollers. Once inside, don’t hesitate to tap the snoozers on the shoulders and politely remind them that the seats are for you not for them.

Rainy Day? Plan Anyway

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Rainy days shouldn’t stop you from going out. Many department stores have direct access to the train stations, and many museums are located not too far from them either. Both museums and department stores have baby-changing and nursing facilities, not to mention baby-friendly restaurants. Check out a few great areas that are perfect for a rainy day here.

Picnic Like a Pro

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What’s the four-letter magic word? Tarp. Pick one up at the ¥100 shop. Keep it in your stroller. Take part in Tokyo’s picnicking culture and enjoy the advantages of being outdoors with your baby. Use it to sit wherever and whenever without the anxiety of getting your clothes covered in mud or grass.

Pack Light

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Cut your baby essentials down to a minimum and consider what you may be able to purchase while you are out: food at the convenience store, toys and wipes at the 100 yen shop and drinks from vending machines. As for strollers, it is helpful not to have one that is too bulky because the streets are busy and narrow.

When choosing a stroller, I suggest finding the smallest one with a basket underneath and a reclining back. If you suddenly need a stroller when you’re out in Tokyo, you can always rent one, too! Look out for Babycal strollers at various Tokyo stations, which are available to rent for one hour or a whole week. You will have to register beforehand, so some preparation is necessary.

One thing I left at home was the baby carrier. I walked too much and too far in Tokyo, and having the weight of a baby on me was too much for my back.

Hoard Tourist Pamphlets

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I would read tourist information out loud to my son as if I were reading a book. He loved the photos and maps, and I learned about areas I had never been to. After I was finished, the pamphlets became his, and he would point and babble as if he were reading them himself.

And finally…

Baby Lingo

© Photo by Lisa Hong

Use these phrases to express your needs and locate useful spots.

• ハイ・チェア (hai chea; “high chair”)
• ベビー・ルーム (bebii ruumu; “baby room”)
• ベビーカー (bebii kaa; as in “baby car” or “stroller”)
• ベビー・フード (bebii fudu; “baby food”)
• おむつ (omutsu; “diaper”)

The most important thing to remember is to be flexible and have a sense of humor. With the above advice, I hope that traveling with your baby will be fun and exciting. Enjoy the food, parks and all of the kawaii characters. You and your baby will love Tokyo!

What would be your advice for families getting around Tokyo with a baby?

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