Winter Illuminations 2012

Marunouchi
Naka-dori has 231 trees lit up until February 17.

Omotesando
Omotesando Hills DREAM TOGETHER Project 2012 commemorating Walt Disney's 110th anniversary. Until December 25.
Tokyu Plaza DREAM TOGETHER Project 2012 commemorating Walt Disney's 110th anniversary. Until December 25.


Shiba Koen/Roppongi
Tokyo Tower until December 25.
Midtown until December 25.
Roppongi Hills until December 25.

Odaiba
Aquacity until December 25.

Ebisu
Ebisu Garden Place until January 14, noon-11pm.

Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome until February 17.

Halloween Events 2012

Baby Loves Disco Booogie Halloween - October 27
Gymboree - October 16 (see image below)
Harajuku Halloween Parade - October 28
National Azabu - October 28 (see image below)
Roppongi Hills Happy Halloween Parade - October 27
Star Kids - October 25 (see image below)
Tokyo International Parents and Pals - October 27 (please rsvp on Facebook)
Tokyo Mothers Group - November 4 (you need to first sign up as a member then rsvp)

Mickey Mouse Show Live

The only English performance of this show is on Friday 27, April at 6pm. Tickets can easily be purchased in English on Rakuten's international shopping website below.

Location: Tokyo International Forum Hall C, Marunouchi
Train:
1-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
5-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station (connected by B1 concourse with Keiyo Line at Tokyo Station)
1-minute walk from   Yurakucho Sta. on Yurakucho Line
5min. walk from Hibiya Sta. Hibiya Line,  Mita Line and  Chiyoda Line
5min. walk from Ginza Sta. Chiyoda Line,  Ginza Line and  Marunouchi Line
5min. walk from Nijubashimae Sta.  Chiyoda Line
7min. walk from Kyobashi Sta.  Ginza Line
Car: Parking available at the Forum.
Hours: 6pm
Website: http://ticket.rakuten.co.jp/static/features/disney-live/en/sale/
Baby facilities: Yes

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

Cost: 3,300 to 4,500 yen per person aged 3 or older.
Stroller Friendly: You can leave strollers outside the venue.
Baby Changing Area: Yes
Feeding Room: No
Child Friendly Restaurant: Yes
Rainy Weather Option: Yes
Party Venue: No

NASPA New Otani Hotel

Set on the slopes in Yuzawa, this hotel is perfect for a skiing holiday for the family. You never have to leave the hotel, they have everything! Lots of restaurants, ski shops if you need gear, ski rental, lift tickets, children's playroom, comfortable rooms, onsen, private bath hire (our kids love this option!) and skiing from the door. Lots of friendly, English speaking staff.
No Snowboarding!

Location: 5min taxi from Echigo Yuzawa station. Yuzawa 2117-9, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata-ken
Phone: 025-780-6222
Train: 80min Shinkansen from Tokyo station direct to Echigo Yuzawa station.
Website: www.naspanewotani.com
Baby facilities: An indoor kids playroom and a kids park in the snow are both available.

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

Cost: From 14,000 per person including dinner and breakfast. Weekends are much higher.
Stroller Friendly: No
Baby Changing Area: Yes, in the toilets.
Feeding Room: No, but your hotel room is never far.
Child Friendly Restaurant: Yes
Party Venue: No

Tokyo Sky Tree

Tokyo Sky Tree, will open on May 22nd. There will be an observation decks at 350 and 450 meters from the ground. The Tokyo Sky Tree Town next door will house over 300 stores, including child friendly restaurants, an aquarium and a planetarium.

Advance tickets have been selling since November so my advice is to avoid the crowds and wait until at least September to attempt a visit. 15,000 visitors are expected each day.

Location: Oshiage 1-chome Sumida-Ku

Website: www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/

Baby facilities: Feeding and changing rooms will be available.

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

Cost: Adults: 2000 yen to 350 m level; extra 1000 yen to 450 m level 
Stroller Friendly: Yes
Baby Changing Area: Yes
Feeding Room: Yes
Child Friendly Restaurant: Yes
Rainy Weather Option: Yes
Party Venue: No

Sumo Grand Tournament

The January Sumo Tournament in Tokyo is held for fifteen days from the second Sunday in January. It is also held in Tokyo in May and September.

Location:Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall. Directions are available here.

Phone: You can purchase tickets via web or phone (0570-02-9310) but both services are only available in Japanese.

Train: Ryogoku station. Directions are available here.

Website: www.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html

Baby facilities: None

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

Cost: Tickets start from 3,600yen
Stroller Friendly: No
Baby Changing Area: No
Feeding Room: No
Child Friendly Restaurant: No
Rainy Weather Option: Yes
Party Venue: No

Ippan Sanga

January 2 every year

If you are in Tokyo over new years and not sure what to do since everything is closed then why don't you head to the Imperial Palace grounds on January 2nd. It is one of only 2 days (the other is December 23) when the grounds are open to the public. You can also see the Emperor and his family who make hourly appearances to receive New Year greetings from the public.

Location: The Imperial Palace via Niju-bashi bridge.

Train: Hibiya station

Hours: 9.30am - 3pm

Baby facilities: None

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

Cost: Free
Stroller Friendly: Yes
Baby Changing Area: No
Feeding Room: No
Child Friendly Restaurant: No
Rainy Weather Option: No
Party Venue: No

Asobono

Recently opened in August 2011 it is the biggest play centre in central Tokyo that I know of. It has the main room (photo above) which is a huge ball pit full of slides, climbing frames and other fun activities and several other themed rooms including a Thomas train room (photo above), Lego, Mell-chan, Sylvanian Families, fishing, magnets, board games, toy shopping malls and kitchens, baby play room and much more.

Location: Tokyo Dome

Phone: 03-5800-9999

Hours: Weekdays 10am-6pm. Weekends and holidays 9.30am - 7pm.

Website: www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/asobono/ (Japanese only) Basic English description is available at this wesite www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/amusement_facilities/

Baby facilities: Baby car parking and feeding and changing rooms available. They also have a large soft area with baby toys.

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

Cost: Children (from 6 months) are 900yen for the first hour then 400yen every 30min. A full day pass is 1,500yen. Adults are 900yen.
Stroller Friendly: Yes
Baby Changing Area: Yes
Feeding Room: Yes
Child Friendly Restaurant: Tokyo Dome has many good, child friendly restaurants.
Rainy Weather Option: Yes
Party Venue: Yes