A Day Out at the Tokyo Toy Museum
If you’re in Tokyo with young kids, I really recommend the Tokyo Toy Museum. It’s tucked away in a charming old school building near Yotsuya – not far from Shinjuku – and it’s the perfect mix of hands-on fun and quiet appeal. We popped recently with Mia, and I have to say, it was a wholesome and surprisingly fun way to spend a morning.
Image courtesy of WhichMuseum
A Bit of Background
The museum is actually housed in a former elementary school from the 1930s, which gives it a nostalgic, lived-in feeling. It was originally founded in the 80s but moved to its current location in 2008, thanks to a community effort to keep the old school building alive. As well as cabinets of toys from different decades and countries to look at, this place is also all about play. It’s run by a non-profit group who really seem to care about play as a way to connect generations and cultures.
What’s Inside?
The museum is split into several themed rooms, each with a different kind of toy or activity. Here are a few highlights:
- Toy Forest: This was hands-down Mia’s favourite. It’s a massive wooden playroom with a ball pit made from smooth wooden balls – not plastic ones – and loads of beautifully crafted toys. Honestly, she didn’t want to leave.
- Baby Wood Plaza: This is a calm little room designed just for babies up to 2 years. All soft wood and gentle toys – perfect if you’ve got a crawler. Although she's in the age range, she was a bit bored in here so I recommend it for the younger end of the scale. Also, there are restrictions on how many people can use the space at once so if you're going on a holiday or weekend, you'll need to reserve a time slot, FYI.
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Game Room: Loads of puzzles and board games, some Japanese and some from around the world. Great if you’ve got slightly older kids or want to challenge each other.
- Red Toy Room: Children can explore Japan’s traditional toys by playing with spinning tops, folk crafts from around the country, and wooden puzzles. It’s a fun and meaningful way for families to connect with Japan’s rich play culture. This was my favourite!
- Good Toy Room: A quieter space showcasing award-winning educational toys – it’s more of a “look and learn” area, but still interactive.
There’s also a little shop near the entrance with gorgeous wooden toys (many made in Japan), and a baby changing and nursing area too – always handy.
The Good and the Not-So-Good
What we loved:
- It’s genuinely hands-on. Nothing precious or breakable, just play.
- The staff are so kind and really engage with the children.
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It’s still lively with children playing, of course, but there’s a gentle, welcoming feel that sets it apart from the usual Tokyo chaos.
- There’s a small outdoor play area for young kids, just outside the entrance. It’s free to use, even if you’re not visiting the museum!
A couple of downsides:
- Most of the signs and explanations are in Japanese, so it might be a bit tricky if you really want to know what's written. That said, it’s the kind of place where you don’t need much explanation – everything is pretty intuitive.
- Not really a downside, but just a warning, prams are not allowed inside so if you're coming with a baby you'll need to carry them or use a baby carrier.
- You might need to book in advance on weekends or holidays, especially if you want to experience the Baby Wood Plaza – it can get busy.
Getting There
It’s a short walk from Yotsuya-Sanchome Station or Akebonobashi Station. We took the Marunouchi Line and found it easily with a quick map check.
Opening Hours: 10:00–16:00 (closed Thursdays)
Tickets: Adults ¥1,100 / Children ¥800 / Under 2s free
Book online (it's a few hundred yen more expensive on the door) – just search for “Tokyo Toy Museum” and it’ll come up.
Final Thoughts
We’ll definitely be back – it’s such a wholesome, slow-paced place. Perfect for a rainy day or just when you need a quiet space to let the kids explore.
Oh, and if you're wondering about food – there are plenty of places to grab lunch nearby. We had burgers at Burg Holic, which I’d totally recommend.
