Shibuya is a highly popular area among international travelers visiting Japan, offering shopping, sightseeing, dining, and visits to character shops. It is also a popular choice for family trips with children. However, the area around Shibuya Station is one of the busiest areas in the world, and depending on the hotel, guest rooms may be compact, making it difficult to open strollers or suitcases.
For this reason, when choosing a hotel, it is important to check not only how close it is to the station, but also facilities such as room size, bed configuration, whether there is a kitchen and microwave, whether there is a bathroom with a separate washing area, and coin-operated laundry facilities.
In this article, we will explain the key points for families with children when choosing a hotel around Shibuya. We will also introduce the option of an Apartment Hotel, where you can stay close to Shibuya while relaxing in a spacious room with a kitchen.
Is Shibuya Suitable as a Base for Family Trips with Children?
Shibuya offers excellent access to major sightseeing spots and is a highly convenient base for travel in Japan. However, because it also has challenges such as crowds and small guest rooms, some care is needed when choosing a hotel.
Shibuya has many train lines, including the JR Yamanote Line and Tokyo Metro, making it convenient for getting anywhere in Tokyo. However, because it is a globally popular area, the area around the station is always busy with many people. Traveling with small children or walking while pushing a stroller may require some extra effort at times.
Also, hotels near Shibuya Station are often designed for business use or couples, so families should keep in mind that the guest rooms may feel somewhat cramped.
Five Key Points for Choosing a Family-Friendly Hotel Around Shibuya
For stays with children, it is important to choose a hotel based not only on location, but also on practical comfort, such as room size, bed arrangement, the availability of kitchen facilities, and whether the bathroom and other facilities are separate.
1. Room Size: Enough Space for the Whole Family to Move Around
Because the area around Shibuya Station is one of the areas in Tokyo with high land prices, guest rooms in general hotels tend to be compact. At standard city-center hotels, it is not unusual to have almost no space to move around once you open your suitcase.
Be sure to check the room size on the booking site to see whether there is enough space to store luggage for the whole family and for children to move around indoors, and avoid making a decision based on photos alone.
2. Bed Configuration: Check for a Safe Sleeping Environment for Children
Whether the whole family can stay in the same room is the most important point to confirm before booking. Since general hotels mainly offer rooms for two to three people, if you are traveling with four or more people, be sure to check the capacity, number of beds, and whether children can sleep in the same bed as their parents.
If you have small children, it is also reassuring to check the bed height and whether bed rails are available for rent to help prevent falls.
3. Kitchen and Microwave: Flexible Meal Options Make Travel More Comfortable
On long trips, children’s appetites and routines can easily be disrupted by jet lag and fatigue from long-distance travel, so it is helpful to have an environment where meals can be prepared in the room at any time. Guest rooms with a kitchen and microwave, where you can buy ingredients at supermarkets or department store food halls around Shibuya and heat them up in the room, greatly reduce the burden of family travel.
This also eliminates the need to search for crowded Shibuya restaurants at every meal, making it easier to travel at your child’s own pace.
4. Separate bathroom and Toilet: Check whether the toilet and washbasin are separate
Whether the toilet and washbasin are separate is an important point for making morning preparations as a family and children’s bath time run smoothly. Because an all-in-one bathroom unit has limited space, be sure to check in advance whether the toilet, washbasin, and bathroom are each in separate areas.
Even at a hotel with only shower rooms, having a separate washbasin and toilet makes it much easier for multiple people to use the facilities at the same time.
5. Luggage storage: Head out for sightseeing light and easy as soon as you arrive
After a long-distance trip, sightseeing while carrying heavy suitcases or a stroller is a major burden for families. By choosing a hotel that offers free luggage storage at the front desk before and after check-in, you can head out into the city without your luggage as soon as you arrive.
Especially when traveling with small children, simply being free of your luggage can make a big difference in your freedom of movement.
Which is better for families: a hotel near Shibuya Station or one a little farther away?
Hotels directly in front of Shibuya Station are highly convenient, but they also come with crowds and limited space. In many cases, choosing a hotel a little farther from the station ultimately offers better value and greater comfort.
| Comparison item | Hotel a little farther from the station | Typical hotel near Shibuya Station |
| Room size | Easier to choose a more spacious room | Often compact |
| Price range | Easier to book a larger room within the same budget | More likely to be expensive |
| Crowding in the surrounding area | Generally quiet surroundings | Always crowded |
| Dining options | Easy to choose hotels with kitchens | Mainly dining out |
| Families it is suited for | Those who value space, comfort, and cost performance | Those spending a lot of time in Shibuya |
Also, if you use Shibuya as your sightseeing base, you do not necessarily need to stay near Shibuya Station.
If you expand your search to areas 10 to 20 minutes from Shibuya Station by train, you can choose a hotel with a more spacious guest room or a kitchen for the same budget.
APARTMENT HOTEL MIMARU options for sightseeing in Shibuya
For those looking for a family-friendly hotel around Shibuya, we have selected two MIMARU hotels in Tokyo that offer direct access to Shibuya Station and allow your family to relax after sightseeing.
1. MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West
Located in the Shinjuku area adjacent to Shibuya, this is the hotel geographically closest to Shibuya. It offers easy access to popular spots around Shibuya.
The nearest stations are JR Shinjuku Station, a 10-minute walk away, and Tochomae Station on the Toei Oedo Line, an 8-minute walk away. Since it is located very close to the Shibuya area, the routes to iconic Shibuya sightseeing spots such as SHIBUYA SKY, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and Pokémon Center Shibuya are very easy to follow, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing with ease.
▶Check availability and room types on the MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West website
2. MIMARU Tokyo Nihombashi Suitengumae
Although it is a little farther in terms of physical distance, you can access Shibuya directly from Suitengumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line without changing trains.
This hotel is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the nearest station, Suitengumae Station. When traveling on Tokyo’s subway with small children, transferring trains can be very stressful due to the many stairs and long passageways. Here, once you get on the Hanzomon Line, you can reach Shibuya Station directly while staying seated. It is a lesser-known route recommended for families with children, and is also introduced on the official site.
▶Check availability and room types on the MIMARU Tokyo Nihombashi Suitengumae official website
MIMARU Facilities and Services Convenient for Families with Children
At MIMARU, in addition to kitchens and bathroom facilities that function just like those at home, we offer a wide range of free rental items to help reduce the amount of luggage when traveling with children.
Kitchen and Dining Space
All rooms come standard with an induction cooktop (IH stove), refrigerator, microwave, cookware, tableware, and a dining table where the whole family can gather.
These features are very useful when you are concerned about your child’s nutritional balance after eating out for several meals, or when you want to enjoy a relaxed breakfast in your pajamas. Coffee and tea sets, dish soap, and sponges are also provided, so you can feel at home from the moment you check in
Separate Bathroom
The washbasin, toilet, and bathroom are each separate, helping reduce the stress of getting ready in the morning as a family and waiting for your turn to use the facilities.
*Depending on the hotel and room type, the bathroom may have a bathtub or may be a shower room. In all cases, bath towels, face towels, and various amenities are provided in clean condition.
Coin Laundry
The hotel has coin-operated laundry facilities available 24 hours a day, making it very easy to wash clothes while traveling.
This means you do not need to carry a lot of luggage, leaving plenty of space in your suitcase for souvenirs. Depending on the hotel and room type, a washer-dryer may also be available in the room.
Luggage Storage
On the day of check-in and the day of check-out, we will store your luggage free of charge at the front desk between 7:00 and 22:00.
So that you can head out for sightseeing without your luggage as soon as you arrive, you can explore the city freely without worrying about heavy suitcases or oversized strollers.
Rental Items Such as Bed Rails
We offer a wide range of rental items for families, including bed rails for small children and convenient appliances that can be used in your room.
At the front desk, we offer items that make your stay more convenient, including bed rails for children, rice cookers, and toasters. Our staff members come from a variety of countries, and we also use a multilingual interpretation app, so please feel free to ask us about any requests or concerns.
Sightseeing spots around Shibuya to enjoy with children
Shibuya has many indoor entertainment facilities and scenic viewpoints that both adults and children can enjoy.
SHIBUYA SKY: An observation facility at the top floor of Shibuya Scramble Square. Its spacious plaza with an impressive sense of openness is an exciting place where children can take in a panoramic view of Tokyo.
Pokémon Center Shibuya: An official shop located inside Shibuya PARCO. Limited-edition goods and a life-size Mewtwo welcome visitors.
Yoyogi Park: A spacious oasis just a short walk from Shibuya Station. Away from the bustle of the city, children can run freely on the lush lawns, and families can enjoy a picnic.
Summary
To enjoy sightseeing in Shibuya as a family, it is important to choose a hotel not simply as “a place to sleep,” but as a base where children can relax during your stay.
If you would like to start by considering which area to stay in during your time in Tokyo, please also see “Which area is recommended for staying in Tokyo? Five popular stay areas by sightseeing purpose.”
If you are looking for a family friendly hotel that prioritizes spaciousness and facilities, please also consider MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West and MIMARU Tokyo Nihombashi Suitengumae.
FAQ
Q. I have heard that getting around Shibuya Station with a stroller can be difficult. Is it manageable?
A. It is possible if you use barrier-free routes and elevators. However, the station layout is complex and can become crowded, so we recommend checking your route in advance.
From MIMARU Tokyo Nihombashi Suitengumae, the Hanzomon Line takes you directly to Shibuya Station’s underground platform, making it easy to get above ground.
Q. I am trying to decide whether to have dinner in Shibuya or return to the hotel to eat.
A. If your children are tired from walking, we recommend getting takeout from a department store food hall and eating at the hotel. If your guest room has a kitchen and microwave, you can reheat the food and enjoy a relaxed dinner in your room.
Q. How long does it take to get from the MIMARU locations introduced here to Shibuya Station?
A. Both offer convenient access: it takes approximately 15–20 minutes from MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West and approximately 20 minutes without transfers from MIMARU Tokyo Nihombashi Suitengumae.
Q. Is it better to go directly to Shibuya from the airport, or stop by the hotel first?
A. If you have a lot of luggage, we recommend stopping by the hotel first to store it before going sightseeing. Coin lockers in Shibuya often have limited availability when the area is crowded, and getting around with large luggage can be burdensome.
At MIMARU, we offer free luggage storage from 7:00 to 22:00 on the day of check-in. Store your stroller or large suitcases and enjoy sightseeing in Shibuya comfortably, without your luggage.
Q. Are there places around Shibuya where guests with children can enjoy themselves with peace of mind?
A. For indoor activities, SHIBUYA SKY and Pokémon Center Shibuya are popular, while outdoors, having a picnic on the grass at Yoyogi Park is a popular choice. We recommend combining them depending on the weather.