A family of eight—three little ones and two elders—travels to Tokyo

Let’s Go Up!A family of eight embarks on a self-guided trip to Tokyo (including three children under six, two elders over sixty, plus three adults traveling independently to Tokyo) What a big group!How do you move around? How do you organize your itinerary? Get tips from those who’ve done it!Also, learn easy travel hacks every mom should know while exploring Tokyo.

Not joining a tour group and without a tour bus—how do you get around? Labor costs in Tokyo are high, and hiring a car can cost over ten thousand Taiwan dollars per day! Plus, with a group including elders and young kids, you can only cover a limited number of spots in one day, making car rental not very cost-effective. After considering time, money, and energy, here’s a practical “mixed-mode” transportation approach:

Generally, family trips take into account the stamina of elders and kids, so the itinerary isn’t too packed. Buying an all-you-can-ride 1-day or 2-day pass may not be worth it. It’s recommended that everyone aged 6 and above get a “Suica” card, also known as the “watermelon card,” which can be used across various metro systems! It functions similarly to Taiwan’s EasyCard—just tap it when boarding, and you’re good to go! It can also be used for small purchases, which is very convenient.

Before departure, check online how much the metro fare will be to decide how much credit to load onto the Suica card.

Use the Yahoo Transit Information website http://transit.loco.yahoo.co.jp/; just enter your departure and destination stations, and it will tell you which line to take, where to transfer, how long it will take, and how much it will cost—it calculates everything for you, which is super useful!

Tokyo metro stations generally have elevators, and there’s usually a diagram (like the one below) on the platform pillars showing which facilities are available at the corresponding exits of each car at upcoming stations.

For families taking the metro, elevators are a must!So, first check which car at your destination station has an elevator, and head toward that car!You’ll be able to disembark smoothly without any hassle.

Tokyo’s subway system is operated by different companies, and sometimes transferring lines requires exiting the station or even changing buildings—going up and down and in and out. For large families with young kids, this can be both time-consuming and exhausting. The editor suggests taking the subway for longer distances and taxis for shorter ones!

Typically, for a one- or two-stop ride on the Tokyo subway, a taxi fare is around 1000 yen. If there’s only one person, the average per-person fare is about 50 yen. While taxis aren’t much more expensive for short distances, the real advantage is that you can go directly to your destination. There’s no need to transfer, and it saves a lot of effort, making the journey more pleasant.

Another great option for longer distances is shuttle buses. For example, the Limousine Bus, which runs between airports, offers drop-off services at many hotels. Before booking your hotel, check online if they provide shuttle service (https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/ch2/).

Additionally, some hotels offer free shuttle buses to and from Tokyo Disney Resort. Be sure to gather this useful information in advance and make full use of it. Given Tokyo’s excellent transportation network, traveling with the whole family—including elders and little ones—on a self-guided trip can actually be quite convenient!

One area or highlight per day / Prioritize the mobility and stamina of elders, and the frequent needs of toddlers such as feeding, diaper changes, or wanting cuddles when sleepy

It’s recommended to keep the itinerary manageable, not too packed, and not to have destinations too far apart. Backpacker-style itineraries don’t work for family trips!

For dining, it’s best to check a few nearby options at the attractions you plan to visit that day, so when it’s time to eat, you can choose the closest place without spending too much time searching. There are many travel blogs recommending great eateries, but many popular restaurants aren’t spacious enough for large families, and if there’s a line, it’s especially not ideal for little kids.

Also, based on our experience, places like Ueno Zoo and Meiji Shrine—natural outdoor environments that aren’t too crowded—are great for all ages! Many shopping malls also have play areas for kids (for example, Legoland at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba—we highly recommend it!), which can satisfy both parents’ desire to shop and kids’ need to play.

Other details, such as what to prepare when bringing little kids out, are probably already shared widely online, so we won’t go into detail here. The tips above can all be adjusted based on your family’s preferences! For example, if you’re an energetic family with well-behaved kids, you might want to use the subway more to experience local daily life. But if you prefer convenience, you can plan a more relaxed itinerary and take more taxis (just be prepared to spend a bit more money—that makes everything easier!)