Travelling With A Baby In Tokyo And Kyoto

by Audrey
(US)

Hello,
I would really appreciate some advice on travelling to Japan.
We will be visiting for 2 weeks in Sept/Oct with a 4 month old baby. we would like to visit Toyko, Kyoto, and 1 other city.
What type of hotels should we book?
We would prefer small family run/ traditional places, but not sure how baby friendly they might be.
I am breastfeeding, and will have a pram she can sleep in with me, so food and actual sleeping I am not concerned about.

Thank you in advance, any advice will be most welcome.
Regards,
Audrey

Reply To 'Traveling With A Baby In Tokyo And Kyoto'

I have never seen Japanese people less than delighted to see a baby. The Japanese love small children (‘kawai’ means ‘cute’, by the way).

Children are welcome in some Ryokan, but not in all of them.
I did see Japanese families with toddlers in Ryokans, just not in Tokyo.
Tokyo isn't a great Ryokan city; people tend to stay in Ryokan in resort areas and in hotels in the big city.
Here are 3 family friendly hotels in Tokyo for staying with a baby (All Hotels on this list have been personally checked by me, and recommended time and time again by travelers as child-friendly)

• Imperial Hotel Tokyo



• Four Seasons Chinzan-so Tokyo



• Hotel New Otani

Recently, many Ryokan have started to be ‘kids-friendly’.
It is a good idea to ask each Ryokan if it is OK to stay with small kids in advance.
The fancy Ryokan are likely to have the traditional rice paper walls (not so good with a crying baby) and antiques lying around.
On the plus side-Ryokan have very large rooms with tatami mats on the floor, plus a separate sitting area with chairs (great for breast feeding…). Some of them even offer baby beds.

Some Ryokans supply a children's yukata (a Japanese style cotton kimono) which is the sweetest thing…

In Kyoto you have a larger selection of Family Hotels and traditional Ryokans for traveling with kids or a baby:

• Watazen Ryokan is a great option for a cheap Japanese style Ryokan. Rooms can accommodate a family of 4 or 5.
  
  Watazen Ryokan Hotel Coupons
  



• Seikoro Ryokan offers rooms with balconies.
  Seikoro Ryokan Hotel Coupons



• Gion Hatanaka is a great choice for a family with kids. It is located in the beautiful Gion area and has a Japanese garden.
  Gion Hatanaka Hotel Coupons
  
  I hope you Enjoy traveling with a Baby in Japan!