One of the most-loved Tokyo neighborhoods to stay and play in is Shinjuku, a city within a city. Here’s how to show this destination to your curious family when it comes time for a much-needed vacation.
Stay
You likely already know the Park Hyatt Tokyo from the film Lost in Translation, but even if your kids don’t know the movie, the whole family will enjoy a stay at this stylish property. One of the neighborhood’s best properties, the 5-star property offers amazing views of the city, great dining and drinking options and spacious guestrooms and suites.
Families will want to book one of several suite options, all of which come with ample seating and living space, and some of which come with multiple beds.
Play
One place you’ll for sure want to check out, just for the thrill of it, is the entrance and crossing at Shinjuku Station. One of the most crowded intersections in the world in front of the busiest railway station in the world, you haven’t seen a crowd until you’ve stood here. Keep a tight grip on the kids as you marvel at the huge amounts of people all converged in one spot, all with somewhere to go.
Kabukicho Street in Shinjuku. Photo: Bogdan Lazar | Dreamstime.com
Check out the art at the new(ish) Yayoi Kusama Museum, dedicated to the contemporary and eye-popping art of Yayoi Kusama. The artwork is spread across five floors. Even children will enjoy Yayoi Kusama’s whimsical style, which focuses frequently on colorful dots.
For an outdoor space and a little fresh air, visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. There are three different types of gardens within the space, including a Japanese landscape garden, English landscape garden and French garden. A greenhouse is home to tropical and subtropical flowers. If you do visit during the spring months, the garden is one of the best spots in Tokyo to admire the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Eat & Drink
When it’s to dine, don’t miss the unique options offered in Tokyo that you most definitely won’t see anywhere else.
The Robot Restaurant is one of the favorite Shinjuku options. The insane, colorful, brightly lit dinner show experience is one-of-a-kind. Children will receive ear protectors to shield them from some of the experience’s loud noises, a mix of electronic and J-pop music, combined with cabaret-style performers in outlandish costumes. However, don’t come to this restaurant expecting to get a full meal. Snacks and drinks are the main sustenance, as the focus is all on the show.
Where you really want to eat is Golden Gai, a small area made up of interconnecting, narrow alleyways where you’ll have to walk single file between storefronts. However, these small spaces are crammed with more than 200 great eateries.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedHotels
Sep 1, 2026Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa to Welcome Return of Elf on the Shelf This Holiday Season
The magic of Christmas quickly approaches as summer comes to a close, and families can experience the holiday season in a unique way this year.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026This London Hotel Launches Little Londoners Family Package
Balance a city break in London with kid-friendly experiences at Sea Containers London, an upscale, riverside hotel. The property recently debuted the Little Londoners package, a thoughtfully designed offering that makes exploring London easier (and more fun) for both kids and parents.
Europe
Aug 27, 20266 Geneva, Switzerland, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Geneva, Switzerland, with us.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Aug 26, 2026Make One Final Summer Splash at These 3 Unreal Hotel Pools
Summer may be coming to a close sooner rather than later; however, the warm air tends to linger into September, allowing for more fun in the sun.
ShareThis