Our best day in Tokyo with a kid: Fuji, Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower, teamLab and Shibuya
Start at the free observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on a clear morning for Mount Fuji, walk Omoide Yokocho at lunchtime, see Tokyo Tower, spend the afternoon at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, and watch Shibuya Crossing from above at dusk. That was our March 5, and our son still calls it the best day of the trip.
| Day | Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Fuji from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building | 11 am, free deck |
| Omoide Yokocho | 12:20 pm |
| Tokyo Tower | 2:15 pm |
| teamLab Borderless | 3 to 4:30 pm |
| Shibuya, dinner above the crossing | 5:25 to 6:25 pm |
The plan, west to east to south
Our best Tokyo day followed one simple line across the city: Shinjuku in the morning, Tokyo Tower and Azabudai Hills in the afternoon, Shibuya at dusk. Short train rides between them, one big indoor stop when legs were tired, and the brightest place for last.
11 am: Fuji from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
March 5 was clear and cold. From the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in West Shinjuku, Mount Fuji stood white above the endless city, about 100 km away. There is no entrance fee, and there is a souvenir shop up on the deck. Our son did not believe it was real at first.
It is the classic free place for this view. Look at the weather the night before: Fuji needs a clear sky, and it is usually clearest early in the day.
12:20 pm: Omoide Yokocho
A five-minute walk away, by Shinjuku Station, Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alley of tiny grills and bars, lanterns and smoke. At lunchtime it is calm enough to walk through with a kid, look at the skewers, and take photos.
2:15 pm: Tokyo Tower
We went by train to see Tokyo Tower from below. Red and white, very tall, and in early March surrounded by the first cherry blossoms of the season in the nearby streets and in Azabudai Hills. We did not go up this time.
3 to 4:30 pm: teamLab Borderless
teamLab Borderless is in Azabudai Hills, a short walk from Tokyo Tower. It is a museum of digital art without a fixed route: dark rooms of moving flowers, waterfalls of light, mirrors, and art that moves from room to room.
For a 9-year-old, the best room was the Sketch Ocean. You color a sea creature on paper, it is scanned, and a minute later your drawing is swimming on the wall with everyone else’s. Our son drew a rainbow jellyfish and followed it around the room. We also stopped at the EN Tea House, where a flower blooms in your cup of tea.
Book a time slot in advance, and give it two hours or more. Our hour and a half was not enough.
5:25 pm: Shibuya at dusk
We finished at Shibuya, on an upper floor of MAGNET by SHIBUYA109, right on the crossing, with dinner and a pink drink for our son. We watched the crossing go from daylight to neon. Where to watch it, and how to cross it with a kid, is in Shibuya Crossing from above with kids.
Why it worked
- A clear-day plan. We kept Fuji for the first clear morning.
- Short hops. No stop more than a short train ride from the next.
- One big indoor stop in the afternoon, when legs are tired.
- The best light for last. Shibuya at dusk is the perfect end.
Our other Tokyo day was Ueno, the science museum and the first cherry blossoms. Why Tokyo deserved more days is in how many days you need in Japan.
Official links
What we'd do differently
- We would book the teamLab ticket for an earlier slot and stay two hours or more. We were there an hour and a half and missed rooms.
- We would start the Fuji part earlier. The clearest views are often in the first hours of the morning.
Where to stay in Japan with kids
By area, not by hotel. We don't rate hotels.
- Osaka, Namba: Dotonbori and street food at the door, direct trains to Kansai Airport.
- Osaka, around Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka: Fast starts for day trips to Kyoto and Himeji.
- Tokyo, Shinjuku: The biggest train hub in Tokyo, lots of choice, Omoide Yokocho five minutes away.
- Tokyo, Shibuya: Right by the crossing. Busy and bright, kids usually love it.
Kids Take Over
Today the kids are in charge. One day of missions where your child leads the family.
Questions parents ask
Can you see Mount Fuji from Tokyo?
Yes, on clear days, mostly in winter and early spring. We saw it at 11 am on March 5 from the free observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in West Shinjuku. On hazy days it disappears completely.
Where can you see Fuji from in Tokyo for free?
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in West Shinjuku has free observation decks. Check the opening days on the official site, as one deck may be closed.
Is teamLab Borderless good for kids?
Very. Rooms of moving light, mirrors and flowers, and a room where kids color a sea creature that then swims on the wall. Our son's jellyfish was the highlight of his day.
Do you need to book teamLab Borderless in advance?
Yes. Tickets are for a date and a time slot, and popular slots sell out. Book before your trip if you know the day.
Is Omoide Yokocho OK for kids?
As a walk-through at lunchtime, yes. It is a tiny alley of small bars and grills, smoky and photogenic. In the evening it is mostly adults having drinks.
Is this plan too much for one day with a kid?
It is a big day, but most of it is short stops and trains. We had a slow day before it, and we did not plan anything for the next morning except the airport.
Written from our own trip. We use AI to help with writing and checking; every fact, number and photo is from our family. How we write