Family Travel: Ideal International Destinations for Children and Adults – Part 2: Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan – A modern and traditional land that attracts all ages

Japan is a dream destination for many Vietnamese families, and the vibrant capital Tokyo will not disappoint you when traveling with both children and the elderly. Tokyo harmoniously combines modern life with skyscrapers, flashy shopping centers, and traditional values through ancient temples and cultural festivals. Thanks to the excellent public transportation system, traveling in Tokyo is very convenient for visitors of all ages: subways, buses, and even taxis in Japan are famous for being safe and polite (although more expensive). Japanese people are also very respectful and helpful to the elderly, so grandparents will feel prioritized (for example, there are always seats reserved for the elderly on the train). For children, Japan is even more attractive because it is the homeland of comics, cartoons, and countless cute products. From smart robots to traditional kimonos, Tokyo opens up a world of wonder that the whole family will love to explore.

Kids Experience: In Tokyo, kids will be in a wonderland. The top destination is definitely Tokyo Disneyland – a legendary theme park with a fairytale castle, a parade of Mickey Mouse and Disney characters, and many games suitable for both children and teenagers. Next to Disneyland is DisneySea – a unique Disney park on the sea, only in Japan, where the whole family can drift on a fairy-tale boat or explore the magical underwater world. Besides Disney, Tokyo has countless other options: kids who love science will love the Miraikan Museum (the museum of the future) with the Asimo robot performing, while kids who love art can visit TeamLab Planets – an extremely impressive interactive digital art gallery (walk through magical, dream-like light rooms). Passionate about animals? Take your kids to Sunshine Aquarium or Ueno Zoo to see pandas, elephants, tigers, etc. Near Ueno, there is also the National Museum of Nature and Science with many dinosaur and space models that attract children. In particular, if your family is a fan of Ghibli animation, don't miss the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka - a colorful house that looks like it came out of Totoro, displaying the scenes and secrets of making Japanese animation (note that you need to book tickets quite a long time in advance). Tokyo also has many parks in the city such as Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen Park, spacious, suitable for children to run, play ball, especially in spring when cherry blossoms bloom like a fairy tale.

Experiences for seniors: Tokyo is bustling but also has quiet, nostalgic corners for seniors to enjoy. In the morning, the whole family can take grandparents to visit Sensoji Temple (Asakusa) - the oldest temple in Tokyo with a bright red thunder gate and traditional shopping street Nakamise-dori. Seniors often enjoy the sacred atmosphere and ancient wooden architecture of Sensoji, and are also happy to see children excitedly asking for fortunes and trying on yukata (summer kimono) for photos.

Next, a relaxing experience for grandparents is to soak in a hot spring. Right in Tokyo, there is the Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Odaiba) area - an Edo-style onsen park with many indoor and outdoor hot spring pools, helping to relieve fatigue for the elderly after days of walking. In the afternoon, the whole family can take a cruise on the Sumida River or visit Tokyo Bay by boat, admire the Rainbow Bridge and the whole city from the water - a gentle activity with beautiful scenery, suitable for senior visitors. Tokyo also has many history and art museums (Edo Tokyo Museum, Tokyo National Museum) for grandparents who love to learn about Japanese culture. In the evening, the elderly can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine with the whole family: fresh sushi, hot tempura, or simply a bowl of steaming ramen noodles. The elegant and healthy flavors of Japanese food will surely please grandparents. If you still have the energy, take your elderly person for a walk in the bustling Shibuya area to feel the vitality of Tokyo at night, but remember to choose a quiet cafe on high ground to see the crowded Shibuya Crossing from above – an interesting experience without the crowds.

Average Cost & Helpful Tips

Japan is famous for being expensive, however, the cost of traveling to Tokyo can be controlled at an average to high level depending on how you spend. 5-6 day package tours to Tokyo are usually around 20-30 million VND/person (including airfare, 3* hotel, food), higher than neighboring countries but "worth the money". To save money, families can hunt for Vietnam Airlines tickets during promotions and choose to stay at 3-star hotels or Airbnb apartments, which are cheaper than 4-5 star hotels.

Travel tips

For transportation, prioritize the subway with a day pass or IC card (Pasmo/Suica) that is very convenient to swipe. If you are going to many places, consider buying a Japan Rail Pass that allows unlimited travel on JR lines (including shinkansen if there is an inter-city schedule). Eating out in Tokyo can also be cheap if you know how: bento box stores, 7-Eleven convenience stores sell many delicious and cheap dishes for lunch; in the evening, you can visit a family restaurant or the Sukiya, Yoshinoya chains to enjoy beef rice, Japanese-style curry at affordable prices. A good tip for families with children is to bring a foldable stroller so that the baby can rest when walking a lot (Tokyo is large and going out all day will easily tire the baby's legs). At the same time, schedule a mix of exciting activities with rest time so that grandparents have time to recover - for example, after a morning of sightseeing, spend the afternoon relaxing at a tea house or park. Finally, the language issue: Japanese people rarely speak English, but are very helpful; you should prepare some basic Japanese phrases (or use a translation app) to ask for directions or order food conveniently. With careful preparation, Tokyo will bring your family a new, safe, and memorable experience in your journey to explore the Land of the Rising Sun.

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