Tokyo Toy Museum: A Playful Paradise for Kids
The girls play with hiragana blocks
The Tokyo Toy Museum is housed in an old elementary school building. Visitors can play with 10,000 toys from Japan and other countries around the world. The museum is mainly run by volunteer staff. Their mission is to encourage people to deepen their engagement with each other through play.
Essential Information
📍 Location: 〒160-0004 新宿区四谷4-20 四谷ひろば内
🕰 Hours: 10:00-16:00 (Closed on Thursdays)
🎲 Things to Do: Play with toys! There are workshops and rooms dedicated to different types of toys.
🚻 Restrooms: Available on the first level outside the museum.
👶 Stroller Friendly: There is a lift, but it’s best to leave strollers outside the main entrance.
🔥 Nearby Attractions: Tokyo Fire Museum
Admission Fees
Advance Ticket Prices:
👨👩👧👦 Adults (junior high school students and older): 1,100 yen
🧒 Children (6 months to elementary school students): 800 yen
Same-Day Ticket Prices at the Counter:
👨👩👧👦 Adults: 1,300 yen
🧒 Children: 1,000 yen
Note: Ticket sales may close once the daily ticket limit is reached.
Tips for Your Visit
Start at the Good Toys Exhibition Room (Level 2)
Play with past and present award-winning toys. My kids spent about 30-45 minutes in this room.
Move on to the Looking Room
A display of toys from decades past. These toys are for viewing only—no touching allowed. My kids spent about 5 minutes here.
Explore the Toy Forest
A shoe-free playroom featuring a “wooden sandbox” filled with wooden balls, a dollhouse, and various wooden blocks. The wood is sourced from different parts of Japan, and the scent is lovely! This space is ideal for children aged 0-5. My younger child spent 45-60 minutes here, while my 8-year-old only stayed for about 15 minutes.
Go up to Level 3
As you head up, turn left and go to the end of the hallway. Kids may get distracted by the toys along the way, but if you start at the end and work your way back, you won’t miss anything!
Toy Town Yellow
A pretend play area featuring three sections: farm, shop, and dining table. My kids enjoyed about 30-45 minutes here.
Toy Town Red
This section has small huts where kids can try spinning tops, explore traditional Japanese toys, and engage with wooden crafts. There are also wooden tokens with Hiragana characters for word-building activities. It’s a fantastic way to experience Japanese culture! My kids spent about 30-45 minutes in this room.
Game Room
A collection of board games from around the world! Small tables are available for playing, and if you don’t speak Japanese, friendly volunteers can guide you visually. Games are categorized by age. My kids spent 30-45 minutes here.
Toy Workshop
A creative space where kids can make their own toys. Different crafts are available daily. Sometimes, workshops are held, so it’s best to check the schedule when you arrive. My kids spent 15-20 minutes here.
Baby Wood Education Plaza (Ages 0-2)
This warm, wood-filled space is exclusively for children aged 0-2 and their guardians. Unfortunately, siblings older than 2 are not allowed inside.
Outdoor Play Area
In warmer months, there's a playground, picnic area, and even water play options.
Make a Day Out of It
Spend the morning at the Toy Museum, grab a picnic or curry lunch from a nearby spot, and then visit the Tokyo Fire Museum in the afternoon. Kids can easily spend several hours here!
The Tokyo Toy Museum is a hidden gem! It’s a fantastic place for kids to be engaged and for parents to enjoy quality time with them. If you’re in Tokyo with young children, this is a must-visit destination!
