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

How to Find a Park in Tokyo

Now that the weather is cooling down, between typhoons it is a fantastic time to enjoy the parks with your kids. Here are 2 English sites where you can find some of the better known and larger parks around Tokyo.

Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
Tokyo Metropolitan Parks and Gardens List

My favourites are:
Rinshinomori in Meguro-Ku
Kasai Rinkai in Edogawa-Ku
Mukojima-Hyakkaen in Sumida-Ku

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

August 27th, 2011

The oldest and biggest fireworks festival in Tokyo. Arrive as early as possible and expect a crazy number of people.

Boom: 20,000

Location: Area 1: Sakurabashi and Kototoibashi Bridges
Area 2: Komagatabashi and Umayabashi Bridges

Train: Area 1: 15 min. walk from Asakusa Station, North Exit on Tobu-Isezaki Line
15 min. walk from Asakusa Station Exit 5 on Ginza Line/Toei Asakusa Line.
Area 2: 5 min. walk from Asakusa Station Exit A2 on Toei Asakusa Line,
5 min. walk from Kuramae Station Exit A7 on Toei Oedo Line.

Hours: 7pm - 8.30pm

Website: sumidagawa-hanabi.com/index_eg.html

Baby facilities: No

Crawling:

Walking:

2-5 years:

5-10 years:

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