IN A NUTSHELL..
Traveling to Japan with young children and a stroller offers both perks and challenges. While it provides comfort for the little ones and some peace of mind for parents, navigating busy spots and finding stroller-friendly routes can be tricky. Here’s what we found:
- 🧒 Comfort for kids – Provides a familiar space for little ones to relax, especially on long days
- 🤪 Parent sanity – You can save your energy and avoid carrying a tired child around
- 🌏 Sightseeing flexibility – Sometimes, it’s easier to skip the stroller for more agile trips
- 🛣️ Route planning – Some areas may not be stroller-friendly, so be prepared for detours
- 💡 Assess your needs – If long walks seem daunting, a stroller can be a lifesaver
At first, I wasn’t sure if a stroller would fit into the fast-paced, crowded environment of Japan. But it turned out to be essential for us—turning what could’ve been a stressful trip into a much smoother, more enjoyable experience.
For personal stories and pro tips – more details below.
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Your Guide to Navigating Japan with Kids
Planning a family trip to Japan and torn about the stroller decision? Let me share our firsthand experiences to help you make an informed choice. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the historical paths of Kyoto, here’s how a stroller impacted our journey.
Our ratings are based on our experience with the Veebee DoubleTake Tandem Stroller. You can read our full review of the stroller here.
Experience Deep Dive
1. Child Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- Strollers provide a comfortable rest space for children.
- Guarantees a seat for your children on a train (unless it’s really busy).
We adore our boys, but having them nap in the stroller was a blessing. It gave us the freedom to shop and explore Japan’s nightlife without overtired kids. Plus, the stroller made sure they always had a seat on busy trains—a definite plus!
On a train back from Nara, we noticed two kids, around 4 and 7, looking exhausted. With no seats available, they squatted and clung to their dad’s legs like baby koalas. We offered our seats, and while only one accepted, it made us appreciate our stroller even more.
PROTIP #1
Bring a baby carrier
For those traveling with smaller children, consider bringing a baby carrier for places that aren’t stroller-friendly. That way, your little one has a place to rest. For example, the Fushimi Inari Shrine requires climbing 12,000 steps to reach the peak! We used one quite extensively during our trip to South Korea when our little one was two.
2. Parents Comfort (Sanity): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- Reduces the need to carry the little ones.
- Strapped in children can’t roam alone.
Our boys aren’t the most enthusiastic walkers, and this challenge triples on vacation. One day without the stroller at the bamboo forest was enough to teach us a lesson—never again! Our arms and backs paid the price.
The stroller also helped us keep tabs on the kids, especially when they spotted robots or gachapon machines—both of which are abundant in Japan.
PROTIP #2
Avoid wide strollers
Japan has many narrow shopfronts and elevators. A slim stroller will save you the hassle of getting stuck in tight spots.
3. Navigating Crowded Areas: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- More patience required when using a stroller in crowded areas.
- Strollers serve as a safe haven for kids in crowds.
Not every street in Japan is busy. In fact, most streets are uncongested. Exceptions would be tourist hotspots and major hubs in Tokyo and Osaka. During our visit to Kyoto, we navigated the busy Nishiki Market — carefully steering through the crowds of people while still enjoying the vibrant market atmosphere.
The stroller also served as a safe space for the kids and offered us peace of mind, knowing they weren’t getting trampled by the crowds.
PROTIP #3
Make use of stroller parking areas
Many attractions offer stroller parking. Use them! Places like the monkey park in Arashiyama, Tokyo Disneyland, and TeamLab Planets have designated areas that we took advantage of.
Many restaurants also have limited space and may not welcome strollers. You have the option to leave your stroller outside while you dine. While it’s safe to do so, take your valuables with you – just in case.
4. Public Transport: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- Boarding trains with a stroller is generally simple and easy.
- Avoid rush hour (7:00–9:00 AM and 4:30–7:00 PM).
We had no issues boarding trains with our double stroller outside of peak times. But trust me, avoid rush hours (7:00–9:00 AM and 4:30–7:00 PM) in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. It’s chaotic, and folding the stroller becomes a necessity.
While getting on and off trains was generally easy, getting to them was another adventure—but let’s talk about that a bit later.
PROTIP #4
Avoid using strollers during rush hour
Where possible, avoid trains in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka during peak hours. People are packed into trains like sardines, and your only chance to get on is by folding up your stroller.
5. Storage Capacity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- Extra storage for all your essentials (drink bottle, snacks, bags)
Our double stroller wasn’t just for the kids; it was our mobile storage unit. From snacks to shopping bags, we had room for everything. This was especially handy when we decided on a last-minute visit to Gion in Kyoto, hauling our luggage along.
PROTIP #5
Activate Accessibility routes on Google Maps
Japan is supported by Google Maps, so you can take full advantage of the Accessibility setting within the maps app. This will provide you with stroller-friendly routes to and from stations.
Fun Fact: You can’t use Google Maps in South Korea
6. Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- Elevators are located in almost every train station, but finding them can be difficult.
- Activate accessibility mode on Google Maps to locate elevators.
You’ll always find at least one elevator to get in and out of train/metro stations. It just takes a bit more effort to locate them.
If you’ve ever been to Ginza in Tokyo, the area is littered with station entrances, but hunting down a elevator is a mission. I remember leaving the kids with my wife as I ran from entrance to entrance to find a lift (Google Maps wasn’t very helpful at the time). Eventually, with a bit of luck, I saw a glimpse of what resembled a lift across the busy road. I quickly ran over to make sure before calling the rest of the crew.
This was before I found accessibility mode on google maps. It was still hit and miss but it can definitely gives you a good starting point.
PROTIP #6
Aim for a stroller that is easy to fold and relatively lightweight
This will reduce the hassle of finding elevators at train stations and avoid queuing for them in department stores. During our visit, we had to watch others board before us during a return trip from Fushimi Inari Shrine to Kyoto because our stroller was too big to squeeze onto an already packed train.
7. Travel Flexibility: ⭐⭐⭐
In a Nutshell:
- Strollers add bulk and slow you down.
- A lightweight stroller makes it less of a problem.
Folding and carrying our stroller was cumbersome, especially with a double. We faced challenges boarding packed trains but managed by folding the stroller. A lightweight stroller would have alleviated some stress.
PROTIP #7
Watch out for gaps between the platform and the train
Look for train cars with priority seating, as they usually have smaller gaps between the platform and the train. People are also more likely to offer you a seat or space for your stroller. I recommend to reverse into the train to make it easier, lifting the back wheels first to handle larger gaps between the train and platform.
Conclusion
Traveling in Japan with young kids and a stroller is a mix of ease and complexity. A stroller can be your best friend, offering comfort for your children and sanity for you. It provides:
- Comfortable rest spots for kids.
- Reduced need to carry them constantly.
- Extra storage for all your essentials.
However, be prepared for:
- Less travel flexibility due to the stroller’s bulk.
- Navigating crowded areas, which can be tricky.
- Challenges with accessibility, especially finding elevators.
Final Thoughts
Assess your family’s needs:
- Bring a stroller if carrying your child for long periods isn’t feasible.
- Consider leaving it behind if you value agility and don’t mind holding or using a baby carrier.
For us, the stroller was invaluable. Initially, I hesitated due to concerns about flexibility, but in hindsight, I wouldn’t travel without it. It made our journey smoother and more enjoyable.
We hope this guide has provided valuable insights and helped you make a more informed decision for your trip.
BONUS PROTIP
Traveling with a larger stroller on the Shinkansen?
- Reserve Seats with Oversized Luggage Storage: Available in the first and last rows of each car or in compartments between cars when purchasing tickets at JR stations or via the EX App.
- Use Regular Luggage Compartments: For smaller, foldable strollers, the overhead compartments or space in front of your seat work well.
Japan is a magical place, and with a bit of planning, you can create unforgettable memories with your family. Whether you decide to bring a stroller or not, embrace the adventure, soak in the culture, and enjoy every moment with your little ones.
Sharing Corner
If you’re in need of a double stroller, check out our review of the one we used for Japan here.
Feel free to share any questions or comments about the post below. I’m eager to hear which stroller your family chose and how it performed during your travels in Japan!
