Where to Stay in Japan with Kids: Family-Friendly Accommodation and Tips

Planning a trip to Japan with kids is exciting—but figuring out where to can be a bit of a pain. Finding somewhere with enough space for a family, in a decent location, with suitable bedding, can be super challenging. And you don’t want it to cost a fortune either!

After travelling through Japan with a toddler while pregnant, I know firsthand what a difference the right accommodation can make. We wanted places that were close to public transport, had space for all of us to sleep comfortably (ideally with a cot or futon bedding), and didn’t break the bank.

In this post, I’m sharing fantastic family-friendly accommodation across Japan. Some are these are places that we stayed at personally, and others are spots that we had as back up or came across in our research. I’ve also put together tips I wish I knew before we visited to help make your trip smoother.

Looking for more information about visiting Japan with kids? Check out my complete Japan itinerary for first time visitors and where to eat in Japan with kids.

Jump ahead for family friendly accommodation in Japan in:

Tokyo: Family-friendly accommodation

Mimaru Apartment Tokyo Ueno

WHere to stay in Japan with kids: Mimaru hotel Ueno Tokyo

What families love: This hotel is made for families. There’s space to spread out, in-room kitchens, and laundry facilities.
Location: A short walk to Ueno Station, and Ueno Park and Ueno Zoo are nearby too.
Room and sleeping: Mimaru has heaps of different room options including apartments, bunk rooms, and even a pokemon themed room. Cots are available on request.

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

What families love: The quirky Godzilla theme is a hit with older kids (book on the top floor for this). Clean, comfortable rooms.
Location: In the heart of Shinjuku’s entertainment district, close to train stations and lots of restaurants. Note that this area can be busy and noisy at night.
Bedding/cot options: Double and triple rooms only, no cots available.

Tip: If Hotel Gracery isn’t for you, you can still see the huge Godzilla statue from the surrounding streets in Shinjuku.

Keio Plaza Hotel Shinjuku

What families love: Modern hotel in the heart of Shinjuku with roomy options and incredible city views.
Location: In the heart of Shinjuku, just a 5 minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
Bedding/cot options: Free cots available on request. Various room options including quad rooms.

Tip: A lot of hotel rooms are very small in Japan, especially in Tokyo. Check the size description on hotel search websites to get an idea of size. Some photos can be deceiving and make rooms look much bigger than they are!

Kyoto: Where to Stay in Japan with Kids

Mimaru Apartments Kyoto City and Mimaru Kyoto Station

Mimaru Kyoto Station family-friendly hotel Japan: Where to Stay in Japan with Kids

What families love: Other fantastic Mimaru family hotels in the heart of Kyoto. These hotels have spacious rooms, in-room kitchens, and laundry facilities. A top pick for families!
Location: Mimaru Apartments Kyoto City is in the heart of downtown Kyoto, making it perfect for local adventures. Mimaru Kyoto Station is by Kyoto Station, making it ideal for families using Kyoto as a base for day trips to neighbouring Nara and Osaka.
Room and sleeping: There are plenty of family room options for all sizes. Mimaru Kyoto City even has adjoining apartment rooms for groups of up to 10! Cots are available on request.

The General Kyoto

What families love: Spacious modern hotel with room options for families.
Location: In downtown Kyoto, making it perfect for transport to local adventures around Kyoto.
Room and sleeping: Double and triple rooms, Japanese style rooms with low beds, and cots available for an additional fee.

Osaka: Family-friendly accommodation

Hotel Universal Port

What families love: Perfect if you’re heading to Universal Studios Japan. Fun, bright décor and themed rooms. There are on-site laundry facilities, luggage lockers, and a restaurant. Rooms have a fridge and kettle.
Location: A short walk to Universal City Station and the theme park entrance.
Bedding/cot options: Family rooms with multiple bed options for groups of up to 6. No cots available.

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station

What families love: Apartment-style accommodation with kitchenettes. Ideal for families that want to stay up when the kids are down, or want to cook.
Location: Central Osaka, walking distance to Dotonbori and major subway lines to easily get around the rest of Osaka.
Bedding/cot options: A range of room options for different family sizes and stages. Rooms with bunk beds and tatami areas. Baby cots are available on request.

Where to Stay in Japan with Kids: Hakone

Lake Ashi: Where to stay in Japan with kids

Hakone Hotel

What families love: Beautiful lake views and a peek at Mount Fuji (if weather permits). On-site onsen and restaurant also available.
Location: Right on Lake Ashi, with easy access to the scenic transport loop by bus to the scenic boat ride. A short walk to the Old Tokaido Road walk (pictured below). Also closer to Miyajima Skywalk than most other Hakone accommodation.
Bedding/cot options: Variety of room options including quad rooms and free cots available on request. Book a room with a lake view if this is important to you!

Hakone Yutowa

What families love: Large, modern rooms with the option for Western or Japanese-style sleeping. Some rooms have kitchens and private onsen baths.
Location: Near Gora Station, with easy access to the Hakone Ropeway to do the scenic transport loop. It’s also close to the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Bedding/cot options: Futons and Western beds. No cots available, but additional beds are available for a fee.

Nara: Accommodation for Families

Nara Japan Deer Park: Where to stay in Japan with kids

Hotel Nikko Nara

What families love: Comfortable rooms with reliable service and a great breakfast spread. A quieter location, but close enough to walk to Nara Park and the deer.
Location: Directly connected to JR Nara Station, making for an easy arrival and departure from Nara. A short flat walk to the Deer Park and attractions of Nara.
Bedding/cot options: Twin and triple rooms available. Free cots are also available on request.

Kanazawa: Where to Stay in Japan with Kids

Japan with Kids walking down main road of Kanazawa

Pino te Colo

What families love: One bedroom apartment with a kitchen, washer/dryer, and thoughtful amenities.
Location: A short walk to Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Gardenm and the geisha districts – perfect for exploring Kanazawa on foot! The immediate surrounding area is suburban and quiet.
Bedding/cot options: Small accommodation with only two sites. Extra floor mattress available on request. Only fits 3 people max, so not suitable for families with multiple children.

UAN Kanazawa

What families love: Complimentary evening soba and drinks, relaxed atmosphere, and modern rooms.
Location: Right by Omicho Market and still walkable to Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden.
Bedding/cot options: Quad and terraced rooms. No cots available.

Hiroshima: Where to Stay in Japan with Kids

view of the hiroshima peace memorial hiroshima japan

RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima

What families love: Spacious rooms, an indoor pool and spa, and walking distance to Peace Park. Restaurant and laundry facilities on site as well.
Location: Central, near the Hondori shopping street and main sightseeing spots.
Bedding/cot options: Various rooms options including quad rooms and suites. Cots available for an additional fee.

Tips for Exploring Japan with Kids

Now you’ve got family friendly accommodation options in Japan with kids, I’ve also included my top tips for visiting Japan with kids. For more tips, check out my complete guide to Japan for first timers.

Pack as Light as You Can

Japanese train stations can be overwhelming with luggage. Consider backpacks or compact suitcases. We used carry-on size suitcases and a travel pram which fitted in the overhead spots. You can also send large bags ahead using a luggage forwarding service.

Book and Confirm Cots

Always check if your hotel offers portacots – and confirm your request before arrival (even if you requested it in the initial booking).

family travel, mother and baby in kyoto, Japan

Stay Near Major Train Stations

Hotels near train stations make day trips and transfers much easier. Less walking = less toddler meltdown risk.

Convenience Stores and Vending Machines Are Gold

7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson stock snacks, fruit, wipes, and even toddler-friendly bento boxes. You don’t need to overpack snacks when Japanese konbini and vending machines are on nearly every corner.

Nappies Can Be Hard to Find

While convenience stores have almost everything, they often didn’t have nappies. Pharmacies and large supermarkets are your best bet for children’s nappies. Don’t get caught out.

Strollers and Carriers Both Work

Most Japanese streets are stroller-friendly, but you’ll want a lightweight, foldable stroller for trains and storing a restaurants. A baby carrier is great for shrines with stairs or hikes.

We also found that some train stations didn’t have elevators (or at least we couldn’t find them). Be prepared to carry your travel pram up and down stairs.

Travelling Japan with kids is an unforgettable experience – and totally doable with the right planning. Prioritise family-friendly hotels with space, kitchens, and cots where needed. Add a flexible itinerary and some downtime in local parks or cafés, and you’ll have a happy little travel crew.

Need more inspiration? Check out our full 9-day Japan itinerary for first time visitors, including tips for families. Got questions about portacots, meal options, or baby essentials in Japan? Drop them in the comments or send me a message!