Let’s Go Up! A Family of Eight Travels to Tokyo on Their Own (Three children under six, two elders over sixty, plus three adults traveling to Tokyo) What a big group! How do you get around? How do you plan your itinerary? Listen to experienced travelers share their tips! Plus, some easy little tricks every mom should know while exploring Tokyo.
Not joining a tour group, no tourist buses—how do you get around? Labor costs in Tokyo are high, and renting a car for a day can cost over ten thousand NT dollars! And with a family including elders and young kids, there’s only so much you can cover in one day—it’s really not cost-effective. After weighing time, money, and energy, here’s a “mixed” transportation method that works really well:
Generally, for family trips, considering the stamina of elders and children, the itinerary isn’t too packed, so buying an all-you-can-ride 1-day or 2-day pass may not be worth it. It’s recommended to get a “Suica” card—which is widely accepted across metro systems and is commonly known as the “watermelon card”—for all members aged six and above! Its function is similar 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 the estimated metro fare online to decide how much credit to load onto the Suica card.
The Yahoo Transit Info 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, even how long it takes and how much it costs. It calculates everything for you—super handy!
Tokyo metro stations generally have elevators. On the platform pillars, you’ll usually find a diagram (like the one below) showing what 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, then head toward that car! That way, you’ll have seamless access as soon as you arrive.
Since Tokyo’s subway lines are operated by different companies, transferring sometimes requires exiting the station—or even changing buildings, going up and down, in and out. For families with many members and young kids, this can be time-consuming and exhausting. The editor suggests taking the metro for longer distances and taxis for shorter ones!
Usually, a one- or two-stop metro ride in Tokyo costs about 1000 yen by taxi. If there’s only one person, the average per person is about 150 yen. Actually, the difference isn’t that big. The advantage is arriving right at your destination without transfers. It saves time, is more convenient, and reduces stress.
Another great option for longer distances is shuttle buses. For example, the Limousine Bus that goes to and from the airport is available at many hotels. Before booking your hotel, check online if it offers shuttle services (https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/ch2/).
Also, some hotels provide free shuttle buses to and from Tokyo Disneyland. Be sure to get this useful information ahead of time and make full use of it. With Tokyo’s excellent transportation convenience, taking your whole family—including elders and little ones—on a self-guided trip is actually quite manageable!
One area or key spot per day / Consider the walking ability and stamina of elders, and the frequent needs of kids like feeding, diaper changes, or wanting cuddles when sleepy
To meet these needs, it’s best not to overload the itinerary, and not to space out the spots too far from each other. Backpacker-style itineraries aren’t suitable for family trips!
For dining, it’s recommended to scout a few options near the day’s attractions in advance. When it’s time to eat, choose the nearest place to save time searching. Many travel blogs recommend great eateries, but unfortunately, many popular spots aren’t family-friendly in size, and waiting in lines is especially tough with little kids.
Also, based on our editor’s experience, places like Ueno Zoo and Meiji Shrine—natural outdoor environments that aren’t too crowded—are great for all ages! And many shopping malls have play areas for kids (like the LEGO Discovery Center inside DECKS Tokyo Beach in Odaiba—we highly recommend it!), satisfying both parents’ shopping and kids’ playtime needs.
Other details, such as what to prepare when bringing little kids out, are probably covered in many online posts, so we won’t go into detail here. The suggestions above can all be adjusted according to your family’s preferences! For instance, if you’re an energetic family with well-behaved kids, you might use the metro more to experience local daily life. But if you prefer convenience, you can plan a more relaxed schedule and take more taxis. (Just be prepared to spend a bit more money—that makes everything easier!)