Tokyo Anime & Robots: Ghibli, Disney & Puroland for Kids

Land softly — an easy Shinjuku lunch and a taiko drum session if you're early, then catch your own dinner

• LunchTsunahachi (Shinjuku Takashimaya)Tempura fried at the counter since 1923, on the 14th floor of Takashimaya Times Square by Shinjuku station — a calm, lift-served sit-down lunch, easy with a tired or fussy child (open daily, 11:00-22:00). Only if you land early; a normal afternoon arrival means skipping this and the drum session and picking up at the catch-your-own dinner.
• AfternoonTaiko Japanese Drum Experience in TokyoKlook: a hands-on taiko drumming class in Shinjuku — indoor and a sure hit with children, but active floor-work (not stroller-friendly, so carry a baby); book ahead. Only if you land early; skip it on a normal afternoon arrival and go straight to the catch-your-own dinner.
• DinnerZauoZauo: catch your own dinner from an indoor boat (the seed's 'kids love it' pick), a short walk from the hotel — an easy first night and an early bed. Book ahead: the seed flags it reserve-ahead.

Ghibli Museum and Inokashira Park — the Cat Bus day (JR Chuo Line, about 20 minutes from Shinjuku)

• MorningGhibli Museum, MitakaBuilt around this ticket: one date and entry time, sold online from 10:00 JST on the 10th of the month before — none at the museum. The Cat Bus room is for ages 12 and under, the Straw Hat Café serves lunch (or eat a packed one on its deck), and the 5 m Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky guards the roof, up a narrow spiral stair; strollers stay at a designated area and there are no photos inside.
• AfternoonCapyneko Cafe Kichijoji (Capybara & Cat Cafe)Capybara-and-cat café three minutes from Kichijoji station (seed; Places: operational) — walk there along Kichijoji Avenue under Inokashira Park's trees, the way the museum describes its own approach, for a seated, quiet hour that doubles as the rest window. Walk-in only — no online booking (its Klook listing was delisted on 19 Sep 2026, and the seed row carries no klook_url in prod, so no dead 'Book' button). The seed marks it not stroller-friendly; check the age rules at the door.
• DinnerNumazukoConveyor sushi by Shinjuku station — quick, English menu, and easy with a tired or fussy eater (seed tags: kid-friendly, quick).
• EveningTokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingOptional and bedtime-aware: the free 202 m observatory is five minutes' walk from the hotel and open to 22:00 (last entry 21:30, per the seed). Skip it the moment anyone is flagging — it is the gentle evening, not a must.

Tokyo Disney Resort — the whole day, with a midday sit-down (Ghibli is closed on Tuesdays, so this is the day for it)

• MorningTokyo Disney Resort 1-Day PassportBook a 1-Day Passport that names the park and the date (there is no multi-day pass); under-7s must be with a guest aged 16 or over on rides and shows, strollers can be brought or rented inside, and snacks for small children and non-alcoholic drinks may be brought in. Maihama is about 15 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Keiyo Line — allow for the ride from Shinjuku to Tokyo Station first, and eat in the park or its picnic areas.

Sanrio Puroland — Hello Kitty's indoor park (Keio line from Shinjuku, about 30 minutes)

• MorningSanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty Land)Wed 20 Jan 2027 is a 10:00-17:00 day on Puroland's own calendar, but it closes some Wednesday-Thursday pairs, so check your date. Strollers are barred on floors 1-2 on weekends, holidays and any weekday it closes at 18:00; pre-school children need a guardian of junior-high age or older, and outside food is not allowed except baby food, allergy meals and drinks.
• DinnerUdon ShinQuick udon a few minutes from the hotel — back from Tama around 17:00, so dinner is early and easy.

A last easy morning in Shinjuku Gyoen and a quick Shinjuku lunch, then the airport bus from the hotel door

• MorningShinjuku Gyoen National GardenLawns to run off energy before the flight; opens at 09:00 (the seed's winter close is 16:30, and it is closed Mondays — today is Thursday). Pack before you go: the seed notes airport buses stop at the hotel door.
• LunchMenya MusashiA quick, cheap ramen shop a few minutes from the hotel (open 11:00-22:00) — an easy last Tokyo lunch before you head to the airport. The fuller slate is for a late flight or an early riser — on an early flight, skip the lunch and leave time for just the garden.