Top 3 Children's Playgrounds in Tokyo

• Near Sky Tree / Solamachi
• Wanpaku Tenkoku
• Oyokogawa Water Park
• Near Odaiba/Rainbow Bridge/Venus Fort/Giant Gundam
• Pirate Ship Playground
• Living in Japan

Top 3 Playgrounds near Tourist Attractions you don't know about

Mason Sturmer (Tokyo's Best Playgrounds)

The great man is he who does not lose his child's-heart. Mencius

Oyokogawa Water Park, Tokyo

You're never too old to take a moment and be a bit goofy. No one is a better teacher of goofy stuff than a kid on vacation! This article was inspired by a kid and is dedicated to the kids (and some adults) that just let go and do what kids do best - be kids.

So you are visiting Tokyo with kids? I have rounded up the top 3 playgrounds around family favorite tourist destinations Skytree and Odaiba.  Now with a little strategic planning, you can see all the sights and fit in an excursion to the playground too.

First, let me clear this up. Tokyo isn't known for its spectacular playgrounds. More likely the opposite is true. Many of the playgrounds are so minute and dirty, they are just downright too pathetic to even label as a playground. The parks listed here have all been daughter tested and approved fun!

Making time for a playground is always difficult when on vacation. However, a well-timed playground break for the kids can make or break a trip. This is especially true in Japan, which is notorious for kids second least favorite thing in the world - long lines. Now, here are the top 3 playgrounds.

Wanpaku Tenkoku (Heaven), Tokyo

Near Sky Tree / Solamachi

Skytree is an obvious good choice for sightseeing. It is the tallest man-made tower in Japan and has a great view of Mount Fuji on a clear day. Even scrimping on the tickets to the top, just seeing it up close is definitely worth the trip.

Also, I have to mention that Solamachi secretly has some of Tokyo's rarest and most sought-after shops conveniently located in one place. Skip that 3-hour line for scrumptious popcorn at Omotesando, you can get it at Soramachi too!

Soramachi does have a lot of entertainment for kids, including an aquarium that is well worth the price of admission. But if you are looking for a break outside and away from the crowds there are two great playgrounds both within walking distance from Skytree that are worth checking out.

Wanpaku Tenkoku (Heaven), Tokyo
Wanpaku Tenkoku (Heaven), Tokyo

わんぱく天国 - Wanpaku Tenkoku (Heaven)

Just a brisk 10-minute walk from Skytree is the most incredibly fun playground! It wouldn't surprise me if this Playground charged an admission, but it's completely free!

Wanpaku Heaven is an old wooden fort through and through. Fixed with bridges, ladders, and an epic entrance gate (sadly no drawbridge and moat). What really sets this playground apart from the others is all the little extras it has; unicycles, bikes, stilts, balls, carnival games and an open woodcraft workshop equipped with all the material and tools you would need. Some kids' parents are making some pretty amazing things.

Access: 1 Chome-47-6 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo-to 131-0045
10-minute walk east of Skytree.
Hours: 9am-6pm (5pm during winter)
Fee: Free

Oyokogawa Water Park, Tokyo
Oyokogawa Water Park, Tokyo

Oyokogawa Water Park

Another brisk 10-minute walk west of Skytree is just one of Tokyo's many interesting river parks. A small man-made creek runs down the city and has tiny parks sprawled out in it.

This is a great way to take a breather from the crowds and stretch your legs.
At the end of the park closest to Skytree is a giant ship (actually just a building). You can climb up to the roof and slide off the 3-story building, on a very butt-numbingly long pin-roller slide. A little bit further down the path is another, butt-numbingly long pin-roller slide, but this one has no guard rails, which adds to the intimidation factor.

Access: 1 Chome-47-6 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo-to 131-0045
10-minute walk east of Skytree.
Hours: 9am-6pm
Fee: Free

Pirate Ship Playground, Odaiba, TokyoPirate Ship Playground, Odaiba, Tokyo

Near Odaiba/Rainbow Bridge/Venus Fort/Giant Gundam

Odaiba is a great place for shopping and entertainment. Home to the world's largest Gundam model, Rainbow Bridge and quite possibly dirtiest-clean beach. (The beach looks wonderful, just don't go in the water under any circumstances).

Pirate Ship Playground

If you make your way down toward Odaiba, hidden away at the very tip next to the Bay is this awesome Pirate Ship Playground. This is an amazing playground just because it is a really authentic pirate ship (minus the stairs off the back). Equipped with everything from a "walk the plank" style slide, a net to climb up to the deck, inner bowels with stairs going up and of course the captain's wheel.

Access: 2 Higashiyashio, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo-to 135-0092
12 minute walk south of Daiba Station.
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Fee: Free

About the Author

Mason - a friendly foreigner living and loving Tokyo. When he isn't working, you'd probably see him biking his daughters (2 & 4) to all of the playgrounds in Tokyo, perusing the cafes, or nerding out over some new tech.

Pirate Ship Playground, Odaiba, TokyoPirate Ship Playground, Odaiba, Tokyo

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